When “Best Friend” won the Awareness Award for the 2017 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, not only were we awarded the sweet triple-pronged trophy, but as the filmmaker I was invited to meet with Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i. Tiffany is the Executive Vice President of Entertainment Diversity, Inclusion and Communications for CBS Entertainment. Here's a recap of how that meeting went. Like a good writer/director I did some research so I could learn a little about Tiffany and her work before I entered the room. Online you can find some great interviews and articles that feature her. I suggest you seek them out if you're interested in stretching the bandwidth of diversity in your productions;
Best Friend is a family comedy short, that tells the story of Deirdre, a young girl from New York struggling to accept Los Angeles as her new home. With the help of her family and a very special new friend, things start looking up for Deirdre. The film showcases heart-warming performances by Gitane Neil and Andrew “Julian” Alvarado, both making their acting debuts. ABOUT THE PRODUCTION Made for the 2017 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, Best Friend was written, shot, edited and delivered within a crazy 55 hour weekend. Writer/ director Cory Reeder said, “My friend’s daughter has Down Syndrome and expressed an interest in being an actress, so I centered the story around her. Even though
