Experiencing Interruptions?

Because I Love You

Marco and Joanna enjoy an electric marriage, until Marco is witness to a series of events that lead him to suspect Joanna is having an affair with a co-worker. Starring Bob Celli (Gotham), Jennifer Plotzke (Blacklist), Dave Roberts (Blue Bloods), and Melissa Joyner (The Morning Show)

  • Bob Celli
    Director
  • Bob Celli
    Writer
  • Laura Delano
    Producer
  • Bob Celli
    Producer
  • Margaret Romolo-Zukor
    Producer
  • Iliana Guibert
    Producer
  • Jennifer Plotzke
    Key Cast
    "Joanna"
  • Bob Celli
    Key Cast
    "Marco"
  • Melissa Joyner
    Key Cast
    "Beth"
  • Dave Roberts
    Key Cast
    "Jim"
  • Iliana Guibert
    Key Cast
    "Jennifer"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 20, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Beaufort International Film Festival
    Beaufort, SC
    United States
    February 21, 2024
    World Premiere
    Nominated Best Short, Best Ensemble, Best Score
  • Durango Independent Film Festival
    Durango, CO
    United States
    March 1, 2024
    Colorado Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Monza Film Festival
    Monza, Lombardia
    Italy
    February 29, 2024
    Italian Premiere
    Winner, Best American Film
  • Reedy Reels Film Festival
    Greenville, SC
    United States
    March 22, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Pasadena International Film Festival
    Pasadena, CA
    United States
    April 7, 2024
    California Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
    Dubuque, IA
    United States
    April 26, 2024
    Iowa Premiere
    Official Selection
  • World Fest Houston International
    Houston, TX
    United States
    April 27, 2024
    Texas Premiere
    Winner - Silver Remi Long Shorts/Suspense Thriller
  • Bare Bones International Film Festival
    Muskogee, OK
    United States
    May 4, 2024
    Oklahoma Premiere
    Winner, Best Romance Drama
  • Longleaf Film Festival
    Raleigh, NC
    United States
    May 11, 2024
    North Carolina Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Art of Brooklyn Jim Festival
    Brooklyn, NY
    United States
    June 1, 2024
    New York Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Accolade Global Film Competition
    La Jolla, CA
    United States
    June 6, 2024
    Winner Awards of Excellence for: Film Short, Laura Delano & Bob Celli Direction, Bob Celli Editing, Cecilia Jiminez Leading Actor, Bob Celli Leading Actress, Jen Plotzke Original Score, Dave Fox
  • Manhattan Film Festival
    New York City
    United States
    June 15, 2024
    Winner Best Romantic Thriller Short
  • X World Short Film Festival
    Rome
    Italy
    June 16, 2024
    Winner, Best Performance, Bob Celli Winner, Best X Film, Laura Delano & Bob Celli Honorable Mention, Soundtrack, Dave Fox
  • Long Island International Film Expo
    Bellmore, NY
    United States
    July 14, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Indie Shorts Mag Short Film Festival

    July 13, 2024
    Nominated: Best Editing, Cecilia Jimenez Best Cinematography, Ken Kotowski Best Music, Dave Fox
  • Panther City Film Festival
    Fort Worth, TX
    United States
    July 20, 2024
    Nominated: Best Drama Short Best Thriller Filmmaker of the Year, Bob Celli
  • Detroit Trinity International Film Festival
    Detroit, MI
    United States
    July 21, 2024
    Michigan Premiere
    Winner, Best Short Film
  • Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival
    Southbridge, MA
    United States
    July 27, 2024
    Massachusetts Premiere
    Winner, Outstanding Performance, Bob Celli / Spirit Award, Bob Celli / Nominated: Best Short Film Outstanding Performance, Actress, Jenn Plotzke
  • Chain Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    August 2, 2024
    Official Selection
  • SA FILM - San Antonio Film Festival
    San Antonio, TX
    United States
    August 2, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Cobb International Film Festival
    Kennesaw, GA
    United States
    August 3, 2024
    Georgia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Festival of Cinema
    Queens, NY
    United States
    August 3, 2024
    Official Selection
  • NIghtpiece Film Festival
    Edinburgh, Scotland
    United Kingdom
    July 20, 2024
    UK Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Tarzana International Film Festival
    Encino, CA
    United States
    August 24, 2024
    Finalist
  • Flickers - Rhode Island International Film Festival
    Providence, RI
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • Dumbo Film Festival
    New York, NY
    Semi-Finalist
  • Richmond International Film Festival
    Richmond, VA
    Finalist
  • Woodstock Museum Film Festival
    Saugerties, NY
    United States
    August 30, 2024
  • Wildsound Feedback Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    August 30, 2024
    Canadian Premiere
    Winner Audience Choice for Best Director
  • Seatle Film Summit
    Seatle, Wa
    United States
    September 7, 2024
    Washington State Premiere
  • Bridgeport Film Festival
    Bridgeport, CT
    United States
    September 13, 2024
    Connecticut Premiere
    Winner Audience Award for Best Short & Nominated Best Ensemble
  • South Dakota Film Festival
    Aberdeen, SD
    United States
    September 13, 2024
    South Dakota Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Soho International Film Festival
    NYC, NY
    United States
    September 20, 2024
    Official Selection
  • The Albuquerque Film and Music Experience
    Albuquerque, NM
    United States
    September 27, 2024
    New Mexico Premiere
    Winner Best Horror Film
  • FirstGlance Film Festival / Philadelphia
    Philadelphia, PA
    United States
    September 29, 2024
    Pennsylvania Premiere
    Winner Best Director & Nominated Best Actor
  • Sioux City International Film Festival
    Sioux City, IA
    United States
    October 5, 2024
    Western Iowa Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Louisville Festival of Film
    Louisville, KY
    United States
    October 12, 2024
    Kentucky Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Scandriglia Film Festival
    Scandriglia
    Italy
    October 12, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival
    Melbourne, FL
    United States
    October 12, 2024
    Florida Premiere
    Winner Best Drama, Winner Best Music Score, Nominates Best Production Design
  • Indie Suspense Horror Sci-Fi Film Festital
    Apopka, FL
    United States
    October 20, 2024
    Winner - 3rd Place Suspense Short
  • Black Bear Film Festival
    Milford PA
    United States
    October 19, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Orlando film Festival
    Orlando, FL
    United States
    November 2, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Route 66 Film Festival
    Springfield, IL
    United States
    November 1, 2024
    Illinois Premiere
    Winner Best Drama Film
  • AMT International Film Festival
    New York City
    United States
    November 8, 2024
    Winner Best Short Film
  • Alexandria Film Festival
    Alexandria, Va
    United States
    December 9, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Austin After Dark
    Austin, TX
    United States
    November 9, 2024
    Austin Premiere
    Nominated Best Dark Drama
  • Mentone Film Festival
    Mentone, CA
    United States
    November 8, 2024
    Winner Best Thriller Short
  • Zed Fest Film Festival
    Burbank, CA
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition
    NYC
    United States
    December 9, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Milan Film Festival International
    Milan
    Italy
    December 5, 2024
    Nominated Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Costume, Best Editing
  • Blow-up Arthouse FF - Chicago
    Chicago. Ill.
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • Borrego Springs Film Festival
    Borrego Springs, Ca
    United States
    January 17, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Atlanta After Dark
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    February 24, 2025
    Nominated Best Dark Drama
Director Biography - Bob Celli

Bob Celli is an award winning Writer/Director and Actor.
Bob’s most recent film, MY OVER THERE, is making it's festival run. The film stars Emmy Winner Penny Fuller.
Other films include The KEEPER, a short film about a lonely woman yearning for connection who meets a collector of art a speed dating event. We soon realize that what they are looking for in each other is vastly different. BROOKLYN IN JULY, the story of an African-American WWII veteran, drawn to New York by the promise of better life only to be confronted by the same realities, fear, and hatred he hoped he had left behind. FIGS FOR ITALO, based on a true story that happened to his mother during WWII and is also inspired by actual events. GOING HOME, after a platoon is split up, a soldier attempts to defy the odds to keep his men alive and get them home.
Collectively, Bob’s films have played at festivals in both the US and Abroad, and garnered multiple awards for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Thriller, Best Suspense, Best Screenplay, Best Song, Best Score, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best National Short, and Best Dramatic Short. Bob was also the recipient of a Humanitarian Award for Outstanding Achievement for BROOKLYN IN JULY.
In front of the camera, along with starring in upcoming BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, Bob recently co-stared on the CITY ON A HILL, FBI: MOST WANTED, BLACKLIST, and was a guest star on GOTHAM. He appeared on The ONION NEWS NETWORK, AS THE WORLD TURNS, and THE KEEPER, and GOING HOME. He was in the original cast of Circle, a play based on Arthur Schnitzler’s, Le Ronde. Circle was the recipient of the OOBR Award for best Ensemble Cast. Bob also appeared in the play Down Range. A play dealing with how military spouses face and overcome repeated deployments. Bob is currently developing the script into the feature film, AMIRA.
imdb.me/bobcelli

www.bobcelli.com

www.delanocelli.com

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The initial idea for Because I Love you came to me after a discussion I had with friends about communication and the danger of jumping to conclusions. What happens when everything you think you know is shattered? Not too long after that conversation, I read a true story about a relationship steeped in jealousy that took an unexpected turn.

Because I Love You takes a hard look at jealousy and how it can propel humans to act in ways that can change lives forever. Many of us have been bitten by the “Green Monster” at one point or another, but we all have a choice whether or not we act on our base instincts. The action you take defines you. Because I Love You is a short, sexy, slow burn part suspense, part thriller, and part dark comedy film.

My intent was to keep the feeling of the film deeply intimate, to make the viewer feel like a fly on the wall. We all have thoughts of good and bad...what keeps our actions in the good lane?