Thank you for this review, Mike Haberfelner!

“One just can’t but love the concept of this movie, it’s social satire/commentary with some pretty dark moments, packed into a musical, with all the superficial wholesomeness tthat genre suggests – and that “superficial wholesomeness” fits the story rather perfectly, too, as the artificiality of the vlog-verse is one of the central themes of the film. The music’s suitably catchy then and really hits the tone of the film, right in the middle between comedy and drama, without overdoing it in either way, also thanks to the performers who keep things grounded (both in their singing and acting) – and the result is a quite unusual and in its seeming innocence rather thought-provoking movie.” – Mike Haberfelner
Link to full piece:
http://www.searchmytrash.com/movies/filtered(2020).shtml

 

Also, thank you for posting, Broadway World!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/tampa/article/Sunscreen-and-Sarasota-Film-Festivals-To-Premiere-Musical-Feature-FILTERED-About-Mental-Health-Among-Teens-20210417

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sunscreen and Sarasota Film Festivals To Premiere

Musical Feature About Mental Health Among Teens.

 

(Los Angeles, CA, April 17, 2021) – The feature film teen musical, Filtered, is making its world premiere at the Sunscreen Film Festival’s closing night, then immediately thereafter will be presented at the Sarasota Film Festival.

 

Filtered is a powerful, poignant, honest look at social media told by the teenagers who live it.

 

The film is based on the stage musical by Katie Combs, who is also the co-director and co-producer of the feature film.  Combs explains, “It originally began as a song cycle, then developed into a full show concept on a car ride with two of my students as they shared their real-life experiences. It is my intention that this film will spark honest, intergenerational conversations around mental health and the impact of social media in teens.”

 

When S. Roy Saringo (co-writer, co-director, co-producer, and also the cinematographer and editor) saw the stage musical, he immediately approached Combs about making it for the screen. “The main message that’s important to me with Filtered is realizing that times have changed, technology has advanced, and the world has gotten smaller, but connection to each other has always been a staple in humanity and social media has been redefining “connection” in deceiving ways. I want Filtered to give audiences a chance to “eavesdrop” on the Zoomer generation,” he explains.

 

“We are thriller to have Filtered’s filmmakers here in the Tampa Bay Area, and this incredible cast, who, for many of them, this is their first film festival.  It’s always a great feeling to have your local films thriving at these festivals.” – Ben Daniele, Sunscreen Film Festival Programmer.

 

“Filtered” showtimes at the Sunscreen Film Festival:

Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 4:20pm

Sunday, May 2, 2021, at 5:30pm

https://sunscreenfilmfestival2021.sched.com/event/h3Mb

 

“The Sarasota Film Festival is delighted to showcase such a thoughtful, inspired film led by such talented young people.” – Harrison Bender, Sarasota Film Festival, Programming Consultant.

 

“Filtered” virtual screening information

at the Sarasota Film Festival:

https://sarasotafilmfestival.com/film/?id=605abed5a71676004cdd5606

 

 

Executive Producer Grace Santos adds, “When Roy sent the script to me, I knew I had to join the team.  I named Ethos Pictures LLC for two reasons: (a) Ethos means character and I love great character driven work; and (b) Ethos per the Greek meaning of character is the underlying beliefs and ideals that characterize a community or society. ‘Filtered’ contains both of the reasons.  It sparks conversations about mental health and social media in our society.”

 

 

For more information on Filtered, please visit the following links:

 

IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt13535874/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/FilteredMovie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Filteredmovie

Hashtags:

#FilteredMovie

#FilteredMusical

#SunscreenFilmFestival

#SarasotaFilmFestival

 

About Writer, Director, Producer Katie Combs: Katie Combs is a member of Vocology in Practice, an organization that stays on the cutting edge of vocal science and technique, and has been writing, directing, and producing young adult and children’s shows for over twenty-five years.  Her original show Carrots was featured in the Broadway Bound Festival.  Her published works include full musicals for live theater and commercial songs. She currently runs a non-profit, Bay Area Performing Arts & Casting, that teaches young artists the application of performing arts principles, as well as guiding students to find, prepare, and participate in professional opportunities. One of her pilot scripts, The Curious Journeys of Samuel Mullins, was recently a finalist in the Los Angeles Screenwriting Competition, a quarter finalist for ScreenCraft’s Family Screenplay Competition, semifinalist at the Atlanta Screenplay Awards. http://katiecvocal.com

 

About Writer, Director, Producer S. Roy Saringo: Roy Saringo is a Filipino-American filmmaker and graduate of Full Sail University in Orlando, FL. He served 4 years active duty in the U.S. Navy and 3 years active reserve in the U.S. Army Reserves.  Roy has adapted three novels into screenplays as a writer-for-hire for producers, and has two additional original feature-length scripts.  He is a director, writer, editor, and producer with Ethos Pictures LLC, Asian Pacific American Scene, Inc., was the director of video production for a prominent marketing agency in the Tampa Bay area, and is also freelancing in videography and editing.

 

About Executive Producer, Grace Santos: Raised in New Jersey and Tampa, Florida, from first generation Filipino parents, Grace Santos is an award-winning actress, attorney, award-winning producer, and executive based in Los Angeles.  She founded the nonprofit Asian Pacific American Scene Inc in Florida to tell more Asian American stories, the nonprofit Grace Faith Inc to help single moms and their children, and Ethos Pictures LLC, a film/tv production company and a management company for writers and directors.  She’s also a creative development executive and business affairs executive with Patriot Pictures in Hollywood.  Grace Santos is an alumna of the Producers Guild of America Power of Diversity Lab. http://grace-santos.com

 

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