Wonder what it’s like to date during a pandemic? This all-female produced rom-com series will screen Wednesday, September 29 at TCL Chinese Theatre
Sep. 21, 2021 — LOS ANGELES “LOVE IN 2020”, a timely millennial rom-com, has joined the lineup at this year’s Hollyshorts Film Festival. The pandemic-themed series is written, directed, produced, and shot entirely by women. Actor Anna Jaller (Homecoming, Entourage the Movie) produces the series alongside director/editor Eirinn Disbrow (Ghostbusters, Snatched, Long Shot), writer Christina Garofalo Bonifacio (When Dogs Heal, Robb Report, Huffington Post), and Brandi Hart Craig, (SPY, Game Night, Shazam); Director of Photography Kristin Mendez (CT Fletcher, Vegas Baby) completes the team.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hits, 28-year-old Kenna Benjamin (Jaller) hates her job and is unsuccessful in love. Now that human contact is banned (or at minimum requires six feet of separation), Kenna fears that she will have to navigate the lockdown alone. After a dozen disappointing FaceTime dates, a virtual booty call went awry, and bad news about her job, Kenna discovers that it is possible to find connection amid this newfound isolation if first, she can connect with herself.
Packed with Judd-Apatow-style comedy, Love in 2020 doesn’t shy away from heavier issues, including double standards for women in work and dating, the mental effects of isolation, and anti-Chinese racism. However, it was important to the producers to keep it light and stay true to a comedic tone.
“Ultimately, it’s a story that asks who we want to be and how we want to show up in the world when this is over,” says writer/producer Christina Garofalo Bonifacio. “When we look back on 2020, no one will forget the strife; it was important to us to give people permission to find joy and laugh during this time, too.”
Other cast members include Jeff Pierre (Shameless, Walker), James Tang (NCIS, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Gabrielle Lane (911, The Rookie), Kat Purgal (Dave, Criminal Minds), Michelle LaRue (How I Met Your Mother, Workaholics), Deja Soufka (Seal Team, S.W.A.T.), April Lang (My Fiona, Something Evil Becomes us), Ryan Pratton (Jimmy Kimmel Live, viral Tik Tok star), Yolanda Esquivel (Showdown), and Nicole DuBois (known by her 800k Tik Tok fans as NickyDoobs.)
The full series will screen at the LA Femme International Film Festival from 10/14- 10/17/2021.
ABOUT HOLLYSHORTS
Co-founded by Theo Dumont and Daniel Sol in 2005, the HollyShorts Film Festival is devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panel and forums.
Now in its 17th year, the festival showcases the top short films running 40-minutes or less in length. Categories include Short Animation, Short Live Action, Short Documentary, Music Video, Webisode, Commercials, Youth Film and Digital Microbudget.