Paradiso
Paradiso is a glimpse of a day in the life of an unhoused couple looking for shelter for the evening. As they find paradise in a vacant apartment they start dreaming big with possibility, until they are caught.
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Jonna VolzDirector
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Chris ParisWriter
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Curtis McConnellWriter
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Lenny HernandezProducer
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Justin DeFreeceProducer
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Lenny HernandezKey Cast"Daniel"
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Imari StoutKey Cast"Kionna"
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Drama, Short film
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Runtime:12 minutes 1 second
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Completion Date:August 7, 2023
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Production Budget:12,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital, RED
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Shutter Speed Film FestivalDallas, Texas
United States
October 21, 2023
Texas Premiere
WINNER: Best Actor, Best Actress -
Tampa Bay Underground Film FestivalTampa, Florida
United States
December 8, 2023
Tampa Premiere
Best Short Film - Nominee -
Central Florida Film FestivalOrlando, Florida
United States
January 19, 2024
Orlando Premiere
Official Selection -
Wildsound Film FestivalToronto, Canada
Canada
December 16, 2023
Toronto Premiere
Award Winner: Best Narrative Short Film -
Sunshine City Film FestivalSt. Petersburg
United States
January 11, 2024
St. Petersburg Premiere
Winner: BEST ACTOR - Dramatic Short film -
Uplift Film FestivalWebb City Missouri
United States
January 13, 2024
Official Selection -
Golden State Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
February 25, 2024
Los Angeles Premiere
Official Selection -
Short. Sweet. Film FestCleveland Ohio
United States
February 28, 2024
Ohio Premiere
WINNER: Audience Award -
573 Film Festival InternationalPerryville Missouri
United States
February 18, 2024
Award Winner - BEST DRAMA
Jonna started on the stage at Nashville Children's Theatre when she was 6 years old. By the time she was 14, she was signed with AIM Talent Agency and she is well known for her work in the Reba McEntire music video FANCY playing Young Fancy. She also co-starred with Carroll O'Connor and Claude Akins on the hit television series IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, and was directed by Sam Waterston in I'LL FLY AWAY. After signing with Cassandra Bailey Talent Agency in Florida, Jonna booked speaking roles on popular Nickelodeon shows CLARISSA EXPLAINS IT ALL and WELCOME FRESHMAN.
She attended Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, FL, known for its performing arts the last two years of high school. By age 18, her coaching career began with young actors on a TV Pilot at Universal Studios in Orlando FL, including a young Nick Carter of the BACKSTREET BOYS.
Jonna was accepted into the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University, where she received professional training for Acting. After a hiatus from school to raise her children, she returned to the acting scene at Missouri State University pursuing her BFA in Acting and BA in Film Production from 2006-2008.
In 2009, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked for 2 seasons on the television show BETTER OFF TED along with roles on CRIMINAL MINDS and GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS.
In 2013, Jonna returned to Springfield and plugged into the media production scene quickly acting in local commercials, voice-overs, and independent films. Soon she was recruited into casting and production work for feature films like ABOVE GROUND (Showtime), commercials for Capital One, Home Depot, and American National, independent films like VINCENTS VOW, music videos and reality TV like SAY YES TO THE DRESS and GHOST HUNTER.
Her passion for the art of acting prompted her to share what she has learned by starting a private acting studio called ACTING FOR REAL, originally based in Springfield, MO. Jonna currently coaching online and hosts in-person workshops to help actors with content for their acting reels. (Easy Reels). You can also work with her in online groups class through The Studio Orlando.
As a coach, Jonna worked consistently with student Cailee Spaeny on her Self Tape auditions for leading roles in film and television. Under Jonna’s tutelage, Cailee booked the lead role in PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING which kick started her career. Since then, Cailee has been in BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, VICE, ON THE BASIS OF SEX and the remake of THE CRAFT along with the limited tv series DEVS and more.
Other students have booked lead roles in HALLMARK films, Independent features, web series, music videos and many commercials.
During 2020, she turned a semi-private acting class into a 37 minute short film, THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY, with the help of Brian Scroggs (Sooner Than Later Studios). Jonna also created an online course to help actors navigate the business acting and audition so they know HOW TO GET A GIG.
Empowering actors to create original content and make something of it, is her specialty.
When I was asked to direct this movie, I was inspired. This story provokes an important conversation. I feel like, as Americans, we see abundance and waste all around us. The gap between wealth and poverty is growing. We have a lot of opportunity in this country, but sometimes red tape, paperwork or discrimination keep us from our goals. It’s true that many homeless people in our country struggle with addiction or mental illness, and it is important to create programs to help those who want help. But sometimes the reason isn't what you think. Sometimes the economy crashes, houses burn down, natural disaster hits, and they have nowhere to go. As a society, I believe it is our responsibility to take a harder look at what’s really happening below the surface. We must seek to understand. We need to be more careful with those who are in a fragile, economic situation. We can do better.