La Mia Italia
"La Mia Italia" is a war drama/romance short fiction set during the Second World War and based on the melange of two true stories.
Fighting on the battlefield, Sante (21 years old), a young Italian partisan, has been held in an Albanian prison camp, nearby the Devoll river.
The memory of his long-lasting Love for Elsa is all that keeps him going.
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Jay ManariDirector
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Jay ManariWriter
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Jay ManariProducer
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Henry ThompsonKey Cast"Sante"
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Inna BagoliKey Cast"Elsa"
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Sara RizzanoKey Cast"Elsa Flashback"
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Ivano CavaliereKey Cast"Welsh Soldier"
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Mauro MercataliKey Cast"Father"
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Jay ManariEditor
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Aleksandr KorolevColorist
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Jonathan McKinneyComposer
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Nikola VukovicSound Designer
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Runtime:15 minutes
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Country of Origin:United Kingdom
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Country of Filming:Italy
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Language:Italian
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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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Greece International Film FestivalAthens
Greece
April 27, 2023
European Premiere
Winner of Best Short Film, Best Sound Design, Best Coloring and Nominee for Best Directing -
Rome Prisma Film AwardsRome
Italy
July 27, 2023
Italian Premiere
Finalist for Best Short, Nominee for Best Trailer and Best Film Poster -
Robinson Film AwardsPoggiomarino
Italy
April 7, 2024
Winner of Best Romantic Short -
Cut International Short Film FestivalNew Jersey
United States
September 22, 2023
American Premiere
Winner of Best Drama Short -
Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival (AIMAFF)Athens
Greece
July 5, 2023
Winner of Best Costume Design -
Calcutta International Cult Film FestivalCalcutta
India
September 9, 2023
Indian Premiere
Best Romantic Short - Winner -
Gold Wheat AwardsInstabul
Turkey
July 30, 2023
Winner of Best Cinematography and Best Drama -
Symbotic Film FestivalKiev
Ukraine
August 9, 2023
Best Editing and Best Short Film -
Aasha International Film FestivalMaharashtra
India
December 15, 2023
Winner of Best Short -
New York Istanbul Short Film FestivalNew York City, New York
United States
November 12, 2023
Official Selection for Best Low Budget -
London Director AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
February 16, 2024
Finalist
Best Drama Director -
Kalaburagi International Film FestivalKarnataka
India
February 24, 2024
Finalist
Best Short Film -
Västerås Film FestivalVästerås
Sweden
May 12, 2024
Swedish Premiere
Best Romantic Film -
Robinson Film AwardsPoggiomarino
Italy
April 13, 2024
Annual Winner
Best Romantic Short & Best Film Youth Audience Award -
International Independent Permanent Memories Film FestivalFerrara
Italy
April 30, 2024
Best Romance Short
Winner -
Monza Film FestMonza
Italy
Bimonthly Winner
Best Romance -
WideScreen Film & Music Video FestivalToronto
Canada
July 27, 2024
Honorable Mention
Distribution Information
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WeShortDistributorCountry: WorldwideRights: Video on Demand, Pay Per View
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StreamAuteurDistributorCountry: WorldwideRights: Video on Demand
Jay Manari is an independent director-writer-producer, member of Directors UK, protecting the rights of UK-based screen director members. Jay started out working on independent films and commercials both in Europe (Italy) and in the U.S (California - LA & New York) back in 2014 where he worked with LA producers, such as Ed Polgardy, and, in the last years, in the UK, with series producer Jon Jennings, assisting directors like Ben Taylor (known for popular shows like for ‘Sex Education’) and Amanda Brotchie (known for ‘Gentleman Jack’).
In 2018, Jay founded MiraBan, an Arts & Entertainment running film events, online film courses, and networking opportunities, such as the MiraBan UK Film Awards (MUFA), a British, London-based, Film Festival focused on diversity in auteur movies. Member of Film Hub London and winner of the BFI FAN Film Exhibition Fund, MUFA provides a spotlight for under-represented, emerging, and experienced independent, auteur filmmakers.
We work as a bridge from the festival circuit to film distribution, ensuring that independent filmmakers reach a wider audience thanks to meaningful partnerships with Independent Streaming Platforms (WeShort, StreamAuteur, Klipist)
In June 2024, Jay was nominated 'Filmmaker of the Month' by My First Job in Film Company, the largest community of emerging filmmakers in the UK.
In the last five years, Jay has been working both as a producer's assistant and director's assistant in London-based High-end TV Dramas (such as 'Renegade Nell' by Disney Plus), as well as producing his own independent film productions available on multiple online distribution platforms.
"Your success hinges on your inner strength, determination, and ability to rally others to your vision."