I’m reluctant to say “happy fall” when today is so sunny, my AC was on yesterday, and the trees are still green. But some cooler nights, the fact that fall officially starts the day after tomorrow, and me planning my work through December, might call for that.
First and foremost, this past Monday, one of my besties took the stage to perform her first-ever solo concert. Indeed, Housso Sémon, a 4-time Broadway alum (most recently with Suffs), has performed Out of the Blue, a show we worked on for six months.
With the cast of Suffs after the show
Earlier this year, we sat for a catch-up, and she said she felt like it was time, and I said, “Then let’s do it.” And do it we did. My main goal was that she’d feel like it was what she envisioned, and based on everyone’s reactions after that sold out show, we made the show we wanted to make.
Incredible band and vocalists, wonderful crew, and at the heart of it all this incredible performer. It wasn’t the first time we worked together (you can see/hear Housso in both The Book of Ruth and But I’m a Shoe) and I bet it’s not the last.
Here she is, giving a triumphant performance of Being Alive.
Looking Up has also been doing incredibly well. There are at least 12 screenings coming our way, both in the U.S. and abroad.
I want to highlight three of those.
-NYC premiere – SOHO International Film Festival, October 9, 2025 @ 7:45 PM. Tickets can be purchased here.
-Israeli Premiere – Spirit Film Festival, November 12-15th @ the Tel Aviv Cinemateque. Tickets and exact dates info to follow.
-Additional NYC screening – Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, December 9, 2025. Tickets info to follow.
This movie came to mean a lot to me, and as its impact producer I get to connect to many people through its incredible story. It’ll be lovely to see familiar faces in any one of these screenings, and I’m so excited that it’ll finally screen back home in Israel, at a venue I spent many times at as a teenager and a young adult.
In November, I’ll be heading to the YoFi Fest at Yonkers. Not bad when commute is considered! I heard incredible things about this festival, and I’m really excited to go.
But until then, Shoe will be screening both at the Gig Harbor Film Festival and the El Paso Film Festival next weekend.
I’ll be headed to Gig Harbor for my first time in WA, and I can’t wait to be there and meet new and old friends.
If you’re near Seattle, do join us for one of the two screenings (Friday and Saturday.)
We’ve entered a very exciting stage in the pre-production of Blood and Sex Over Ambition – casting. We haven’t finalized anything yet, but we’ve seen some incredibly talented actors read for the roles.
We’re still working to complete our budget (we’re at $17K/$30k!) so we can roll cameras in late November. If you or someone you know want to be involved, please reach out. Be it that you want to donate, host a parlor meeting for us, sponsor something specific, etc.
We’d love to have you join our journey!
And that’s it for today. It’s a busy time, it’s a crazy time, and often it’s a heartbreaking time. Hopefully the new Jewish year as well as the fall and the holiday season, will bring with it some good news.
Shana Tovah to those who celebrate!