Myrna’s Secret Spies
Broward / English / 28 min / Comedy, LGBT / 2023
In this 6th installment of a series of short “telenovela style” film comedies, we find Myrna pregnant about to have the baby of her deceased husband, Oscur, who was shot at the altar during their wedding by Myrna’s arch nemesis Heidi Ho. Heidi was attempting to kill Myrna’s Mama who tried to drown Heidi for stealing yet another of Myrna’s great loves. The joy of the baby’s arrival is quickly dashed when Myrna, her maid Ping and her Mama and Papa discover one of the delivery nurses is an imposter who steals baby Oscur. The madcap rush to find the baby is filled with twists and turns and some deep seated revelations from the Juana family’s past. This series of films are produced for Julian’s Fountain of Youth to raise funds to engage our LGBTQ+ youth in building confidence, character and courage to make responsible and ethical choices that will improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and their community. This is a recap of some of the earlier films for context on Myrna: https://vimeo.com/913044195?share=copy
Director: Andy Perrott
Writer: Andy Perrott, Louis Pedraza, Julian Cavazos, Rocky Slonaker
Producer(s): Louis Pedraza, Andy Perrott
Key Cast: Julian Cavazos, Rocky Slonaker, Don Friedman, Daniel Gibson, Arnie Cuarenta, Amone Bane, Sam Fray
EMAIL: andy@lightshipstudios.com
Open Dialogues: Gen QueerZ
Broward / English / 19 min / Documentary / 2023
Open Dialogues: Gen QueerZ captures the LGBTQ+ narratives of eight South Florida students who are part of Generation Z. The fourth film in the Center’s Open Dialogues series, Gen QueerZ gives voice to students who are among the first generation to be “out” while attending school and living at home. Their stories reflect a diversity of gender identities, cultural backgrounds, and academic studies while exploring allyship, threats, and the dynamics of being out at home with family
Open Dialogues is a two-time Suncoast Regional Emmy winner for Open Dialogues: Black Voices | Black Stories in 2023 and Queer Allies in 2024. Black Voices won a Silver Telly in 2023 and Queer Allies received a Gold Telly in 2024.
Director: Freddy Rodriguez
Writer: Jeff Rusnak
Producer(s): Jeff Rusnak, Joy Satterlee
Key Cast: Eric Martinez, Ja’na Nelson, Sofia Grajales, Ian Rodriguez, Kelsey Parente, Javier Gomez, Nathalie Saladrigas, Doriyan Caty
EMAIL: JRusnak@artandculturecenter.org
Website: https://www.artandculturecenter.org/open-dialogues-films/od4-gen-queer-z
Parakeet
Broward / English / 11 min / Animation / 2024
In a turbulent household shaped by the chaos of his mother’s mental illness, a young boy finds solace in the company of his pet parakeet, embarking on a quest for escape and understanding as he navigates the fine line between reality and imagination.
Director: Michael Fisher
Writer: Michael Fisher
Producer: Michael Fisher
Email: michaelfisher@myknyc.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565030363928
TikTock parakeet.movie
Instagram parakeetmovie
Website https://www.parakeetmovie.com/open-dialogues-films/od4-gen-queer-z
The Pad Hustle
Broward / English / 7 min / Documentary / 2024
THE PAD HUSTLE is a story about a headstrong highschooler who unexpectedly gets her period during class – (what girl hasn’t?!) – and as a result of the school having no resources, embarks on a side HUSTLE to help her classmates get the menstrual products they desperately need. With this short film, we hope to bring awareness to #PeriodPoverty in low income, minority, public high schools. The #mensturalproducts in this film were sponsored by @femly
Director: Kyla Holmes
Writer: Kyla Holmes
Key Cast: Rita Peraza, Marie Patrice Kebreau-Pierre, Farrah Samara, Marsha Staple, Chardesia Young, Jaelin Holmes
EMAIL: kyla.r.holmes@gmail.com
Website: https://www.artandculturecenter.org/open-dialogues-films/od4-gen-queer-z
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepadhustle
Mr. Black’s [Uncorroborated] Guide to Career Success
Broward / English / 14 min / Comedy / 2023
In order to sweeten his career prospects, Theo, a reserved zillenial, receives the help of retired campaign manager and irritable neighbor, Mr. Bernard Black. With nothing better to do, Mr. Black implements his expertise in politics to help transform Theo into the ideal candidate for his dream job. However, Mr. Black knows nothing of the modern job market, online applications, skill tests or algorithms. Nonetheless, he uses his traditionalist philosophy to train Theo into the man he thinks he should be. But while Theo practices asking to speak to the manager, Mr. Black sees firsthand what it’s like to be a young person in the 21st century.
Director: Lauren Ann McGarrett
Writer: Lauren Ann McGarrett
Producer(s): Lauren Ann McGarrett
Key Cast: Randell J Jackman, Newman Posey
EMAIL: lamc8493@gmail.com
Website: https://www.artandculturecenter.org/open-dialogues-films/od4-gen-queer-z
The Men’s Room
Broward / English / 16 min / Comedy / 2024
An idealistic young man and a neurotic older man seek refuge in the men’s room of a swanky restaurant from tricky relationship problems confronting them in the dining room.
Director: Marcus Wolf
Writer: Scott D. Morrow
Producer(s): Marcus Wolf, Scott D. Morrow
Key Cast: Elias Alkebulan, Amedeo Falgiatore, Ned Cray, Andrew Jeffrey Brown
EMAIL: marcus.wolf1@comcast.net
