Although the early September heat wave suggests otherwise, the emergence of Fall is upon us. The feeling of seasonal preparation whether it’s returning to school or work is grounding and in my opinion necessary. As the industry continues to loom with an undercurrent of uncertainty, we can be certain as scrappy and creative individuals to continue to forge ahead. I am relieved and gratified to be mostly unaffected by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.  Independent films have been foundational in the work I’m passionate about and  like many other like minded creatives, a refuge. As a native New Yorker every September I am reminded at much I appreciate and love my home town. I will never give up on the city who has shaped me into I am, and has never given up on me.

FALL 2023 UPDATE!

I am delighted to return to teaching a new group of Advanced Actors at NYU/Stonestreet Studios. I am entering my third year on the faculty and as in house casting director. I am continuously impressed with the caliber of talent and community. I am gratified to cast, hire and refer students and alum on a regular basis.

The accolades continue for our indie feature Barrio Boy! We have screened in festivals overseas: Iris Prize – Wales, Roze Filmdagen – Amsterdam and Gaze Festival – presented by the Irish Film Institute Dublin.  Stateside we are thrilled to have our US and NY premier September 23, at the NY Latino Film Festival, Out on Film Festival in Atlanta and the Seattle Latino  Film Festival! 

On the casting front I had the pleasure to collaborate with dear friend and director, Randall Dottin who is the screenwriting chair at NY Film Academy. I cast the experimental short Neon Kisses as a special project for the department of cinematography. Themes of fulfillment and risk infuse this modern exploration of young love  and I am confident it will do well in the festival circuit.

Compulsion, a riveting short  written by Stonestreet Studios co-founder Alyssa Rallo Bennett touches  on themes of reproductive rights and freedom. Crowbar a short family drama with themes of ownership of one’s sexual identity, written by Craig  T. Williams  and featuring acclaimed actress Rosalyn Coleman were a pleasure to cast. These two compelling films are directed by Alyssa Rallo Bennett, produced by Stonestreet studios and are official selections  of the Soho International Film Festival

I recently had the pleasure as a juror for the Bridgeport Film Festival. I enjoyed screening multiple short films nominated for best drama and grand jury prizes.
As we shift along with the seasons and  continuously adapt to life as we know and don’t know it, please take a breath and   marvel at your resilience.
Wishing you all the best until the next update – Liz