Yak About Film David Yakir

With pictures, anecdotes, and costume breakdowns- David and Susan give an inside look at all of the happenings at the 2022 Vero Beach Film Festival! 

"From The Vine" is the story of a downtrodden CEO experiencing a moral crisis that travels back to Italy to recalibrate his moral compass. Combining magic realism and Italian neorealism, and set against the backdrop of wine country Italy, the film is about finding your roots in your family when you're at the bottom of the barrel.

Sean Cisterna is a multi award-winning Canadian filmmaker who recently produced and directed "From the Vine" (2019), an international coproduction set around the world of Italian wine, starring Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano. Cisterna produced and directed the critically acclaimed teen cancer drama Kiss and Cry (2017), which topped the English-Canadian box office upon its release, and is currently streaming on Netflix to emotional worldwide audiences. His 2015 project Full Out, starring the iconic Jennifer Beals, is a feature based on the true story of gymnast Ariana Berlin, also on Netflix, as well as NBC in the U.S. and Disney Europe.

Cisterna was recognized by the federal government with a Canada 150 Citizenship Award for Thought Leadership for “dedication to and community engagement in the arts”. His works are frequently screened at recognized international festivals and often find homes with broadcasters and distributors worldwide.

"Delivering Hope" is a feature film documentary that tells the ultimate story of people coming together for something bigger than themselves. On November 16, 2019, eight days before his 50th birthday, ultra-runner Kevin Kline set out to become the first person in history to run the northernmost 300 miles of Alaska's dangerous Dalton Highway, in winter, to raise awareness for children battling pediatric cancer. When Kline's body shuts down after 200 miles, the crew is faced with a life-changing dilemma.

A native Texan, Jordan Orsak began FilmPro Inc. in 2014 as a production company focusing on commercial and independent video projects in the Austin area (now including productions in Los Angeles, CA). Orsak’s passion for story telling allowed him to expand his reach to include projects like short form movies, music videos, and the documentary "Delivering Hope." His additional involvement through Sunflower Production and Blissful Films allow him to continue to do projects in any form or genre.

"365" was created while filming for the documentary “If the Ocean Could Talk” off the coast of North Carolina, the crew hoped to tell the story of one of the most endangered species on the planet, but were launched into an unexpected journey of something hidden from the world.

As the Director of Science, Research and Academic Partnerships for Plastic Ocean Project, Inc. as well as the Executive Director, Bonnie Monteleone is a researcher who has collected plastic marine samples globally including four of the five main ocean gyres, the Caribbean, and has extended this work to Pyramid Lake, outside of Reno, Nevada.

"I Mustache You" is a whimsical magical realistic comedy, inspired by Buster Keaton, Looney Tunes, and NYC about Abby, a woman with social anxiety, OCD and agoraphobic tendencies who receives an invitation to love, self acceptance, and the outside world. Shara Ashley Zeiger is an award winning Jewish actor/filmmaker from Philadelphia residing in NYC. Shara's played roles on "The Plot Against America" (HBO), "BULL" (CBS), "The Last OG" (TBS), various indie films, Off Broadway, Regional Theatre, and National Tours.

"The Punishment" depicts a grief-stricken father whom hunts down the boy responsible for the events which led to his son’s murder but finds himself unable to escape the consequences of his own violent actions. Chris is an Assistant Professor of Film & Program Manager of the Digital Cinema A.S. at State College of Florida.

Alex Kanter is from Indian River State College and presented "Making the Cut Special Presentation" about the future of the Film and media industry and education. 

From "Lives on the Line" Kyle is an Afghanistan war veteran, suffering from chronic pain, who falls victim to a broken system while seeking treatment at the VA. At his breaking point, he meets a disillusioned VA employee who has seen what happens when the promises made to veterans are broken. Steve Stein is an award-winning filmmaker from Chicago with a career rooted in advocacy storytelling.

Winner of five best feature awards including Grand Prize Winner Culver City Film Festival, Los Angeles. When single mom Anna Russell, a ceramic artist, discovers that her son Stan, an outstanding college diver and academic star is unraveling, she must act quickly to avoid tragedy. In denial and mysteriously out of reach, Stan suddenly disappears. Anna must find him on a journey that highlights the key role caregivers play helping those in need survive a mental emergency and return to wellness. The film also focuses on the special challenges of balancing high stakes athletics with academic excellence.