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)
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Bob CelliDirector
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Bob CelliWriter
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Laura DelanoProducer
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Bob CelliProducer
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Margaret Romolo-ZukorProducer
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Iliana GuibertProducer
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Jennifer PlotzkeKey Cast"Joanna"
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Bob CelliKey Cast"Marco"
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Melissa JoynerKey Cast"Beth"
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Dave RobertsKey Cast"Jim"
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Iliana GuibertKey Cast"Jennifer"
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:13 minutes 28 seconds
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Completion Date:August 20, 2023
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Production Budget:20,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States, United States
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Country of Filming:United States, United States
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16.9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Beaufort International Film FestivalBeaufort, SC
United States
February 21, 2024
World Premiere
Nominated Best Short, Best Ensemble, Best Score -
Durango Independent Film FestivalDurango, CO
United States
March 1, 2024
Colorado Premiere
Official Selection -
Monza Film FestivalMonza, Lombardia
Italy
February 29, 2024
Italian Premiere
Winner, Best American Film -
Reedy Reels Film FestivalGreenville, SC
United States
March 22, 2024
Official Selection -
Pasadena International Film FestivalPasadena, CA
United States
April 7, 2024
California Premiere
Official Selection -
Julien Dubuque International Film FestivalDubuque, IA
United States
April 26, 2024
Iowa Premiere
Official Selection -
World Fest Houston InternationalHouston, TX
United States
April 27, 2024
Texas Premiere
Winner - Silver Remi Long Shorts/Suspense Thriller -
Bare Bones International Film FestivalMuskogee, OK
United States
May 4, 2024
Oklahoma Premiere
Winner, Best Romance Drama -
Longleaf Film FestivalRaleigh, NC
United States
May 11, 2024
North Carolina Premiere
Official Selection -
Art of Brooklyn Jim FestivalBrooklyn, NY
United States
June 1, 2024
New York Premiere
Official Selection -
Accolade Global Film CompetitionLa 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 FestivalNew York City
United States
June 15, 2024
Winner Best Romantic Thriller Short -
X World Short Film FestivalRome
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 ExpoBellmore, 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 FestivalFort Worth, TX
United States
July 20, 2024
Nominated: Best Drama Short Best Thriller Filmmaker of the Year, Bob Celli -
Detroit Trinity International Film FestivalDetroit, MI
United States
July 21, 2024
Michigan Premiere
Winner, Best Short Film -
Shawna Shea Memorial Film FestivalSouthbridge, 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 FestivalNew York, NY
United States
August 2, 2024
Official Selection -
SA FILM - San Antonio Film FestivalSan Antonio, TX
United States
August 2, 2024
Official Selection -
Cobb International Film FestivalKennesaw, GA
United States
August 3, 2024
Georgia Premiere
Official Selection -
Festival of CinemaQueens, NY
United States
August 3, 2024
Official Selection -
NIghtpiece Film FestivalEdinburgh, Scotland
United Kingdom
July 20, 2024
UK Premiere
Official Selection -
Tarzana International Film FestivalEncino, CA
United States
August 24, 2024
Finalist -
Flickers - Rhode Island International Film FestivalProvidence, RI
United States
Semi-Finalist -
Dumbo Film FestivalNew York, NY
Semi-Finalist -
Richmond International Film FestivalRichmond, VA
Finalist -
Woodstock Museum Film FestivalSaugerties, NY
United States
August 30, 2024 -
Wildsound Feedback Film FestivalToronto, Ontario
Canada
August 30, 2024
Canadian Premiere
Winner Audience Choice for Best Director -
Seatle Film SummitSeatle, Wa
United States
September 7, 2024
Washington State Premiere -
Bridgeport Film FestivalBridgeport, CT
United States
September 13, 2024
Connecticut Premiere
Winner Audience Award for Best Short & Nominated Best Ensemble -
South Dakota Film FestivalAberdeen, SD
United States
September 13, 2024
South Dakota Premiere
Official Selection -
Soho International Film FestivalNYC, NY
United States
September 20, 2024
Official Selection -
The Albuquerque Film and Music ExperienceAlbuquerque, NM
United States
September 27, 2024
New Mexico Premiere
Winner Best Horror Film -
FirstGlance Film Festival / PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA
United States
September 29, 2024
Pennsylvania Premiere
Winner Best Director & Nominated Best Actor -
Sioux City International Film FestivalSioux City, IA
United States
October 5, 2024
Western Iowa Premiere
Official Selection -
Louisville Festival of FilmLouisville, KY
United States
October 12, 2024
Kentucky Premiere
Official Selection -
Scandriglia Film FestivalScandriglia
Italy
October 12, 2024
Official Selection -
Melbourne Independent Filmmakers FestivalMelbourne, 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 FestitalApopka, FL
United States
October 20, 2024
Winner - 3rd Place Suspense Short -
Black Bear Film FestivalMilford PA
United States
October 19, 2024
Official Selection -
Orlando film FestivalOrlando, FL
United States
November 2, 2024
Official Selection -
Route 66 Film FestivalSpringfield, IL
United States
November 1, 2024
Illinois Premiere
Winner Best Drama Film -
AMT International Film FestivalNew York City
United States
November 8, 2024
Winner Best Short Film -
Alexandria Film FestivalAlexandria, Va
United States
December 9, 2024
Official Selection -
Austin After DarkAustin, TX
United States
November 9, 2024
Austin Premiere
Nominated Best Dark Drama -
Mentone Film FestivalMentone, CA
United States
November 8, 2024
Winner Best Thriller Short -
Zed Fest Film FestivalBurbank, CA
United States
Semi-Finalist -
Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay CompetitionNYC
United States
December 9, 2024
Official Selection -
Milan Film Festival InternationalMilan
Italy
December 5, 2024
Nominated Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Costume, Best Editing -
Blow-up Arthouse FF - ChicagoChicago. Ill.
United States
Semi-Finalist -
Borrego Springs Film FestivalBorrego Springs, Ca
United States
January 17, 2025
Official Selection -
Atlanta After DarkAtlanta, GA
United States
February 24, 2025
Nominated Best Dark Drama
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
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?