Hollyshort

Daniel Kaminsky’s, short film, The Deal will premiere at the Hollyshorts Film Festival in Los Angeles.

HOLLYWOOD–Daniel Kaminsky’s supernatural thriller short film The Deal is set to premiere at the HollyShorts Film Festival’s opening night celebration August 11 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.

Written and directed by Kaminsky who began his career as Joss Whedon’s assistant on Marvel’s The AvengersThe Deal stars Jake Weary (It FollowsAnimal Kingdom), Alexandra Shipp (X-Men Apocalypse), Michelle DeFraites, Daniel Amerman, and Bobby Soto. The film was produced by Michael Klein, Brett Young-Fountain and executive produced by Joss Whedon.

The Deal tells the story of a former high school quarterback who discovers everyone around him has suddenly changed. The screw-up is a star, the fat girl is gorgeous and the nerd is now the most popular kid. But when his girlfriend, the only proof of who he once was, suddenly disappears Bryce will do anything to uncover the truth – even if it costs him more than he bargained for.

The Deal joins other star-studded HollyShorts opening night official selections including: Jennifer Morrison’s Wild Wild Horses, which she directed and stars along with Rose McIver (iZombie) and Geoff Stults (7th Heaven); Cuddle Party, a dark comedy Executive Produced by Golden Globe and Emmy-winner Jill Soloway, creator of Amazon’s hit series Transparent. Directed by Matthew Irving Epstein, Cuddle Party stars Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), Michaela Watkins (Casual, Saturday Night Live), and Rob Huebel (Children’s HospitalDespicable Me). During the gala, Morrison will receive be honored with the 2016 HollyShorts Trailblazer Award presented by Women in Film.

Also screening opening night is the new BITPIX original short form digital sci fi action/adventure series INFINIfrom the mind of L. Philippe Casseus (Lionsgate’s Freelancers) features a global cast and stars: Wilhelmina LA model and actress Raquel Pomplun (The GamblerAgents of S.H.I.E.LD), Jaylen Moore (History Channel’s SixFantastic FourRoboCop), Malcolm Barrett (NBC’s TimelessDear White PeopleLarry Crown), Kelly Albanese (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 Motion Comic) and French superstar Yassine Azzouz (La disintegration). INFINI’s Stunt coordinator is the Emmy nominated Eddie Perez (Showtime’s Shameless).  Prior to the opening shorts program, Kenneth Kokin’s directorial debut “Blood Moon” written by Oscar Nominated Nicholas Kazan and produced by Tim Williams (In The Bedroom) will open the festival. The feature stars Maya Kazan (The Knick), Frank Medrano (The Shawshank Redemption) and James Callis (Battle Star GalacticaBridget Jones’s Diary).

The HollyShorts schedule is available at hollyshorts.com. The top 12 to 15 winning films from this year’s competition will receive a one-week theatrical run in theaters following the festival, qualifying them for Awards season.