Thursday March 4th
8:00pm PST / 11:00pm EST
live at Blog Talk Radio

Leah is an award-winning filmmaker and The Everything Film Show is proud to highlight her work in kick-off to a month-long Female Filmmaker Showcase. Her first film, Twitch, has screened in over 200 film festivals worldwide and won over a dozen international awards, eventually being picked up for distribution by IFC, Reelport and Skandinavia TV.

Another of Leah’s projects, Unicorns, recently won a Panasonic Filmmaker Grant at IFP’s Emerging Narrative Labs. Unicorns is executive produced by Allison Anders (GAS FOOD LODGING) and produced by Heather Rae (FROZEN RIVER) and is scheduled to go into production this spring.

Hear Leah talk about these and other projects, and share your own picks for Oscar gold. This is sure to be a show you won’t want to miss! Going live at 11pm EST (8pm PST). Don’t forget to RSVP!

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On Thursday the event will be live at: Blog Talk Radio
You can learn more about the Everything Film Show and also RSVP for the event here

Learn more about Leah Meyerhoff and become a fan of Unicorns on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/leahmeyerhoff
http://www.facebook.com/unicornsthemovie

Read today’s article in the Hollywood Reporter

Duo seeing ‘Unicorns’ for indie drama
By Jay A. Fernandez

Johanna E. Braddy and Kyle Gallner have been cast as the stars of “Unicorns,” an indie drama from writer-director Leah Meyerhoff. The film is being produced by “Frozen River” producer Heather Rae and executive produced by Allison Anders.

“Unicorns” centers on an awkward teenage girl who escapes to a fantasy world when her first romantic relationship turns increasingly abusive. The film is scheduled to enter production in the summer.

Braddy, repped by UTA and Tower 10 Entertainment, has had recurring roles on the shows “The Riches,” “Southland” and the ABC Family series “Greek.” Gallner, repped by Gersh and Management 360, was recently cast in the remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Rae also has “American Tragic,” starring America Ferrera and Melissa Leo, in development at Maya Entertainment.

First-time feature director Meyerhoff created the Student Academy Award-nominated short film “Twitch” and is pursuing a master of fine arts degree at NYU.

MiShorts is dedicated to short films. View Twitch on MiShorts. With thousands of quality films to choose from and new titles added daily, you’ll never be stuck for choice. Film Fans – join MiShorts, download great films from our online library and watch them on a viewer of your choice at up to HD quality. Filmmakers – join MiShorts, upload your films to our library, get them seen by a global audience and receive a generous commission.

click on the unicorn to see the magic

A Sundance Lab finalist, UNICORNS tells the story of an awkward teenage girl who escapes to a fantasy world when her first romantic relationship turns increasingly abusive. Writer/Director Leah Meyerhoff is a Student Academy Award finalist and Slamdance Grand Jury Prize winning NYU grad. Her short films have screened in over 200 film festivals, won a dozen international awards, and are currently airing on IFC, LOGO and MTV. Executive produced by Allison Anders (Things Behind the Sun, Gas Food Lodging) and produced by Alexis Fish (Shortbus) and Heather Rae (2008 Sundance winner Frozen River) UNICORNS was recently accepted into IFP’s Emerging Narratives program.

Full list of Independent Film Week honors:

Independent Filmmaker Lab Finishing Grant: “A Thing as Big as the Ocean,” directed by Joseph Cashiola

Adrienne Shelly Director’s Grant: “Sorry, Thanks,” directed by Dia Sokol

Kodak Grand Jury Screenwriting Prize: “Walrus Eating Baloney,” written by Benjamin Bates

Fledgling Fund Award for Socially Conscious Documentaries: “The Promise of Freedom,” directed by Beth Murphy

Panasonic Digital Filmmaking Grants: Damian Lahey and Ian Ogden for “Child in the Dark; J.P. Chan for “Chinos y Negros”; Pascal Leister and Nissar Modi for “Gringo Bay”; Leah Meyerhoff for “Unicorns“; and Shiva Ramanathan for “The Unseen”

Grand Prize Winners of the Panasonic Digital Filmmaking Grants: Annie Howell for “The Black Kid,” Susan Youssef for “Habibi Rasak Kharban,” Matthew Porterfield for “Metal Gods.”

Emerging Narratives
Independent Film Week
September 14-19 2008
New York, NY

Independent Film Week is produced by IFP and encompasses all those events presented annually each September in New York City that are part of (or are held concurrently with) what was formerly called the IFP Market. It is typically the week following the Toronto Film Festival and will take place in 2008 from September 14-19. Independent Film Week includes the Independent Filmmaker Conference, the Project Forum, various showcases, special screenings and events – some of which are open to the public and others by accreditation or selection only.

The Project Forum is that part of Independent Film Week comprised of the selected projects in the three presentation sections: Emerging Narrative, No Borders Co-Production Market, and Spotlight on Documentaries. It also refers to all of the activities related to these sections, primarily one-on-one “buyer request” meetings, screenings of documentary work, and roundtables, info sessions, and networking events designed specifically for the filmmakers of the selected projects.

Criteria & Selection Process
U.S. projects only. 40 projects accepted. Priority given to projects where the writer is also the director or there is a director attached.

Awards Eligibility
The Kodak Grand Jury Screenwriting Award, given to the script that shows the most artistic promise, includes a $5,000 cash grant provided by Artists Public Domain, along with a filmmaker mentor and product grant. The five nominees for the Grand Jury Award will also participate in IFP’s Screenplay Reading series held during Independent Film Week.

Additionally, eight Panasonic Digital Filmmaker Grants will be presented to projects budgeted under $500,000, providing recipients with camera, product and post service package. All awards are juried and based solely on artistic merit and originality of vision.

What to Expect Prior
- In-person or phone consultation over the summer with your professional script consultant ensures the possibility of completing any revisions prior.
- As most agencies and production companies don’t accept unsolicited material, inclusion in the Emerging Narrative Script Dossier ensures that information about you and your project goes directly into the right hands. IFP targets approximately 250 such companies – irrespective of their attendance.
What to Expect During
- Pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings with producers and development executives provide filmmakers the opportunity to present their scripts at an early stage of development. All meetings scheduled at producer’s request based on information provided in the Emerging Narrative Script Dossier.
- Roundtable discussions with festival programmers, agents and development executives expose filmmakers to marketplace trends and expand business relationships.
- Access to all Independent Filmmaker Conference programming, including “Making Your First Feature” workshops and panel discussions.

Recent Projects Include:
Courtney Hunt’s Frozen River, Rodney Evans’ Brother to Brother, Nicole Kassell’s The Woodsman, James Ponsoldt’s Off The Black, Alice Wu’s Saving Face, and director Seith Mann (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Wire”).

Awards Ceremony
Saturday June 7 2008 6:00pm
1755 North Highland Ave
Hollywood, CA 90028

More information is available here

Unicorns
Written by Leah Meyerhoff
NYU Chair’s Workshop
6:00pm April 30th
721 Broadway room 1027
New York, NY 10003

Josh Caras, Leah Meyerhoff, Lily Medville, Sarah Steele, Rufus Tureen, Jessica Ryan, Brian Gonzalez, Cody Lighting, Samantha Sherman
(photo by Brian Geldin)

SYNOPSIS:
A 2008 Sundance Lab finalist, UNICORNS portrays an awkward teenage girl who escapes to a fantasy world when her first romantic relationship turns increasingly abusive. Executive produced by Allison Anders (Things Behind the Sun, Gas Food Lodging) and produced by Heather Rae (Frozen River, Ibid) UNICORNS is scheduled to go into production this summer. www.unicornsthemovie.com

DIRECTOR BIO:
Leah Meyerhoff is a Slamdance Grand Jury Prize winner and Student Academy Award finalist currently pursuing an MFA at NYU. Her short film TWITCH has screened in over 200 festivals, won a dozen international awards and was picked up for distribution by IFC and Skandinavia TV. Her music videos TEAM QUEEN and ETERNAL FLAME have screened in over 50 festivals and are airing on LOGO and MTV Europe. Leah has received press coverage from The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Film Threat and numerous other publications. She was also profiled in the docudrama series “Film School” which continues to air on IFC. Leah has been a featured panelist at film festivals across the country and recently served on the Slamdance narrative jury. She holds a BA in Art-Semiotics from Brown University. UNICORNS will be her first feature film. www.leahmeyerhoff.com

ACTOR BIOS:

Sarah Steele starred as Adam Sandler’s daughter in SPANGLISH, had a lead role in MAN (Sundance short 2008), and recently appeared in the off-broadway productions of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Speech and Debate.

Josh Caras played the lead in BUGCRUSH (Winner Sundance short 2006), and has also appeared in GRACIE, THE ASSASSINATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENT and DEFINITELY MAYBE.

Rufus Tureen recently appeared in TRUE ADOLESCENTS, directed by NYU alumni Craig Johnson.

Lily Medville recently appeared in the music video Team Queen, directed by Leah Meyerhoff.

Cody Lightning played the lead in FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND and had supporting roles in SMOKE SIGNALS and BRICK.

Jessica Ryan was recently seen in the music video Eternal Flame and is currently performing in Retrograde.

Karl Jacob is best known for his lead role in Showtime’s THE ROOST and his recent work in Young American Bodies.

Elizabeth Dahmen recently played the lead in Ex-Antoine and Behind the Harmony and is currently starring in her own web show.

Samantha Sherman recently appeared in AGAINST THE CURRENT and THE APPOINTMENT.

PLOT SUMMARY:
Davina is the type of girl who is more likely to get groped in a school hallway (and like it) than be asked to the prom. She collects dolls in glass jars, sorts her food by size and color, and holds her breath constantly. Her androgynous best friend Cassidy has a not-so-secret crush on her that leads to them being called “lezzers” at school. Davina lives in a small town with her emotionally unavailable father and his new girlfriend whom she despises. Needless to say, she is anxious to escape.
On the morning of her 16th birthday, Davina meets an older punk kid named Sterling and thinks he will be her salvation. He sneaks her into a traveling circus, where the promised “Lost Mystery of Nature – The Noble Unicorn” turns out to be a deformed goat with a single horn. Her heart skips a beat and from that moment forward it belongs to him. He teaches her how to steal candy from a vending machine and do back flips on a trampoline. Together they embark upon a series of adventures: sneaking into the movies, making “crop angels” in an empty field, and roller skating with evangelical Christians. They paint each other’s nails blood red and flap their arms like birds. Hand in hand, they traverse a landscape of unmitigated patriotism and broken dreams. They roll down the car windows and sing at the top of their lungs.
However, the more time Davina spends with Sterling, the more isolated she becomes. Her family situation disintegrates, her grades slip, and she stops hanging out with Cassidy. Sterling becomes more controlling and their relationship takes a severe turn for the worse. The abuse culminates on the night of her father’s wedding when they get into a nasty fight in front of everyone. Davina is left alone and in tears, tracing a bruise on her leg with a permanent marker into the shape of a unicorn.
In a final attempt to regain her autonomy, Davina breaks up with Sterling. This pushes him over the edge and his obsession with her spirals out of control.

* please email me if you would like to attend so I can add you to the guest list

Gaffers Global Art Screenplay Competition
April 2008

More information coming soon.