SHORT FILM ‘BEST FRIEND’ SHOWCASES DISABIILTY, DIVERSITY AND PET ADOPTION INTO A FILM MADE IN JUST 55 HOURS.

  LOS ANGELES, CA - 04/26/2017 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Renaissance Man Productions, is pleased to announce the entry of its film “Best Friend” into this year’s Easterseals Disability Film Challenge.

The challenge is a weekend-long filmmaking contest, open to all, that provides a platform for new voices in the entertainment industry. Each year, aspiring storytellers are prompted to write, produce and complete a short film in 55 hours that include people with disabilities. Challenge winners receive invaluable access to entertainment professionals, opening the door to an industry notoriously difficult to enter for both disabled and able-bodied people.

Written and directed by Cory Reeder, “Best Friend” is a family comedy 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 parents, 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, making their acting debuts.

Available for viewing here: Best Friend - http://bit.ly/2p1u2Ht

“For the third year in a row, I’m addicted to the Disability Film Challenge”, says Reeder, Founder of RMP. “Along with the DFC’s assignment requirements, I had a personal goal to include themes of diversity, my love of animals, and elevating female characters in media.”  Such ambitious goals could not be achieved alone, so he enlisted seasoned pros along with anyone willing to lend a hand.  “Our cast and crew are a mix of industry professionals and people who have never been on set. The fact that everyone comes together ‘for fun and for free’ to support people with disabilities is why I keep coming back to this madness every year.”

The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge will announce award finalists following the conclusion of the marketing campaign on May 8, 2017. All participants are invited to an event in Los Angeles, CA to hear the announcement of the winners and celebrate. More information to follow on this upcoming event.

Join the conversation on social media using #DisabilityFilmChallenge #BestFriend @EastersealsSoCal @RMPllc

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About Renaissance Man Productions

A Los Angeles-based production company founded by Director/Producer Cory Reeder, Renaissance Man Productions specializes in film, music video, and artist social media. RMP's productions have accumulated 100's of millions of views across the internet and won awards for:  best direction, best music video, editing, production design, audience awards and acting. Focusing on creativity first, RMP seeks to create stunning, cutting edge images that think outside the box and exceed expectations.  For more information, please contact Renaissance Man Productions at 323-596-1767 or visit the website, RMPfilms.com

About the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge

Actor Nic Novicki launched the Disability Film Challenge in 2014 in response to seeing disabilities underrepresented both in front of and behind the camera. As someone with a disability, Nic created the challenge to give aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their work and provide them with meaningful exposure. In 2017, Nic and Easterseals Southern California joined forces to expand the challenge, now known as the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. As the leading nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, Easterseals brings additional attention to the challenge, using its numerous communications channels to encourage participation. Since the challenge launched, aspiring filmmakers from around the world have created more than 150 films, which have been viewed online and at festivals including the HollyShorts Film Festival. For more information, please contact info@disabilityfilmchallenge.com or visit https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com/.

VIDEO LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikq7GQV4KmY