Audition
Maria, once a successful actress in her native Bulgaria, is on a mission to make it in Hollywood. Her husband Stefan is struggling to provide for the family and wants her to finally give up her lifelong dream and find a “real job,” one that pays the bills.
Maria gets a call for yet another Russian prostitute audition but Stefan is held up at work and unable to take care of their 9-year-old son Danny. She is forced to take Danny with her. While Maria is auditioning, Danny signs up for an audition next door. The next day, she receives a callback email, but it turns out that the callback is for her son. Maria is struck! She doesn't want her boy in this dirty industry.
-
Sarah Jean KruchowskiDirectorThe Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards , For Toby, Almost Not Beautiful, In an Instant, etc.
-
Maria BobevaWriterWidows Effect
-
Petro DushkovProducer
-
Maria BobevaKey Cast"Maria"She Comes In Spring (2013), Half Sisters (2015), The Phoenix Incident (2015)
-
Marie LaurinKey Cast"Cecile"The Cowboy and The Frenchman (David Lynch, 1988), Creature (1985)
-
Zoran RadanovichKey Cast"Stefan"Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Iceman
-
Vincent AlvasKey Cast"Casting Director"The Institute, Three Thirteen
-
Alexander IvanovKey Cast"Danny"
-
Khrishna GraceKey Cast"Khrishna"
-
Desi IvanovaKey Cast"Moni/Assistant"Finding Her (2017), Medium Rare (2016)
-
Sevdije KastratiDirector of PhotographyThe Return (2012), The Marriage (2017), The Spearhead Effect (2017)
-
Milen KirovComposerHuman Error (2004), A Cigar at the Beach (2006)
-
Project Title (Original Language):Проsлушване
-
Project Type:Short
-
Genres:Comedy
-
Runtime:16 minutes 50 seconds
-
Completion Date:October 19, 2017
-
Production Budget:7,000 USD
-
Country of Origin:Bulgaria
-
Country of Filming:United States
-
Language:Bulgarian, English
-
Shooting Format:Digital
-
Aspect Ratio:2.39:1
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:No
-
Student Project:No
-
Sofia International Film FestivalSofia, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
March 18, 2018
European Premiere
Best Festival Shorts -
Starring Europe Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
May 7, 2018
Bulgarian Entry Selection -
Newport Beach Film FestivalNewport Beach, California
United States
April 29, 2018
North American Premiere
Official Selection -
Cannes Court MetrageCannes
France
May 18, 2018
France Premiere -
Long Beach Indie International Film, Media, and Music FestivalLong Beach
United States
September 1, 2018
Official Selection -
London-Worldwide Comedy Short Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
September 13, 2018
Special Mention -
Los Angeles Lift-Off OnlineLos Angeles
United States
September 18, 2018
Official Selection -
Sydney Indie Film FestivalSydney
Australia
October 27, 2018
Australian Premiere
Best Female Lead
Sarah Jean is a writer/director who has also written for Lifetime, Bad Robot and Sony. This year, Sarah also directed two episodes of ABC 20/20's IN AN INSTANT, which each won their night in summer 2017. In addition, she's written and directed commercials for Cheerios, Hamburger Helper, Delta, Motts and 3M, as well as several shorts, one of which premiered at the Palm Springs Shortfest 2015.
When Maria first brought me her script I was immediately excited. For years I’ve been advocating for underrepresented actors to produce their own content. If Hollywood doesn’t want to cast you in their films, screw it, make your own! A declaration, I readily admit, is easier said than done. But, that is exactly what Maria did, writing a role for herself and showcasing both her talent and culture.
It was truly a honor to be part of telling her story of life as a Bulgarian immigrant, mother, and artist and hope it inspires others to step outside from the entertainment stereotypes and make their own truth. In this country, now more than ever we need to understand each other and be compassionate to one another's situations. An overwhelming task to be sure, but one we hope to help contribute to by sharing one personal story at a time.