Lone Wolves Will Have NY Premiere at the Marvels of Media Film Festival on Friday, March 28 at 6:00 P.m.
PR.com)-- The comedy feature Lone Wolves will screen at the prestigious Marvels of Media Film Festival on Friday, March 28 at 6:00 PM in the Redstone Theatre at the Museum of the Moving Image. Lone Wolves is an Indie Feature directed by the Emmy and Peabody award winning filmmaker, Ryan Cunningham and starring and co-written by Kennedy Center award winner and Austin Film Festival Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch, Matt Foss, and Tony Nominee, Cora Vander Broek about a single, pragmatic forty-something who recruits the eclectic guy she didn't go to prom with back in high school to be her D-I-Y sperm donor, but learns that he's Autistic and navigating some significant mental health issues, turning her carefully planned hopes upside down in one crazy weekend in Toledo, Ohio.
The film was inspired by the experiences of Gen X women foregoing expensive IVF treatments and sperm banks in search of more affordable and safe ways to find volunteer sperm donors and take their fertility journeys into their own hands. These stories struck a chord with co-writer and lead Actress, Cora Vander Broek; Director, Ryan Cunningham; and Producer, Heidi-Marie Ferren, who all had their own connection to that journey, along with Matt's experience as an adult living with Autism.
Excited about Lone Wolves' potential to explore fertility and aging from a nuanced and comedic angle they crafted a story that also dives into friendship and shared anxieties over belonging and acceptance. Foss stated that, 'As a person with Autism, I was particularly thrilled to also tell a story around neurodiversity and those Gen X'ers discovering how their brains worked when they grew up in a system and time without the tools or interest in investigating who and how they were.'
So, with a diverse, female-led team of first-time filmmakers who grew up loving 90's era, grassroots features shot on shoestring budgets, the team embarked on making a passion project of their own with an ambitiously small budget and homegrown resources. Their budget was a mere twenty thousand dollars in an indie film market of projects that average at least ten to fifty times that number. 'We feel this model honors the true meaning of 'independent' film, " says co-writer and lead actress, Cora Vander Broek, 'There's nothing like creating and collaborating with like-minded artists you trust. There was so much love in the room that it made working within our constraints less of a burden and more of an enticing challenge that galvanized the process.'
The Marvels of Media Film Festival is part of the Museum of the Moving Image's initiative to promote and expand the accessibility efforts for autistic visitors through the creation of the MoMi Visual Story Guide, a sensory relief space in the Media Lab. This year's festival was organized by MoMI's Associate Curator of Public Programs Tiffany Joy Butler, MoMI's Director of Education Leonardo Santana-Zubieta, Access Consultant Miranda Lee, Tour Consultant Sachar Mathias, and MoMI Intern Alex Poppe, with the Marvels of Media Steering Committee: filmmaker and playwright Jackson Tucker-Meyer, President and Founder of Strokes of Genius, Inc. Rosa Martínez, and Film Event Accessibility Consultant and Producer Yaara Kedem.
Lone Wolves is honored to be a part of the Marvels of Media Film Festival programming and their commitment to highlighting and supporting neurodivergent stories, filmmakers and viewing experiences.
Contact Information:
Lone Wolves Feature Film
Heidi-Marie Ferren
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Ponce Joins MariVi the Master Navigator as the Voice of Papá in Breakout Animated Series Now Streaming on Nuestra.TV and YouTube
[Media: Access more images and video HERE] LOS ANGELES, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emmy-winning actor, Latin Grammy nominated artist, and international screen star Carlos Ponce has joined the animated children's series MariVi the Master Navigator, as the voice of Papá, a hard-working and loving immigrant father. The series, now streaming for free on and YouTube (@WeAreMariVi), recently surpassing 100,000+ subscribers, brings to life the emotional nuance of growing up between two cultures – a Latino and an American one. Rooted in the acclaimed work of Maria (Lopez) Twena, MariVi the Master Navigator tells the powerful story of a first-generation Hispanic family learning to call America home. Through the eyes of MariVi — a resourceful bilingual/bicultural daughter — the series shines a light on the quiet heroism of Latino children of immigrants who serve as interpreters and cultural ambassadors, shaping the future of their families and communities. 'Navigating two cultures can be incredibly challenging, particularly for the Hispanic community, where collectivism and self-reliance often stand in contrast,' said Twena. 'In MariVi the Master Navigator, each character brings their own strength as they adapt to new surroundings, a new language, and an unfamiliar world. It was essential that the voice of Papá, as the head of the household, felt authentic. We're incredibly grateful to have found that voice in Carlos.' 'Papá isn't just a supporting character, he's the foundation,' said Carlos Ponce. 'He reminds me of the fathers I grew up around: hardworking, proud, sometimes stubborn, but full of heart. I saw parts of my own life in him. It's a character that feels deeply real, and I'm honored to give him a voice.' The casting of Ponce, whose work spans blockbuster films (Julie & the Phantoms, Murder Mystery 2, Couples Retreat), hit TV series (Santa Diabla, 7th Heaven), animated hits (Rio, Ice Age: Collision Course), the Spanish-language narration of all Harry Potter Audible books, and chart-topping Latin Albums, adds star power and legitimacy to a project that champions representation and cultural pride. Ponce's voice performance is a timely tribute to immigrant fathers whose quiet sacrifices often go unseen. With Father's Day approaching, his role as Papá offers a heartfelt celebration of their love, strength, and everyday heroism. More information on and @wearemarivi on social media. Press Contact:Claudia Santa Cruz claudia@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
39 minutes ago
- New York Post
Soap star on crusade to save her husband — accused of spying
Emmy-winning soap star Martha Byrne is in the midst of her most challenging role yet — starring in a real-life spy drama. A seemingly routine job taken by her husband, former NYPD cop Michael McMahon, 57, unraveled into an almost 10-year nightmare, resulting in him becoming the first private investigator convicted of spying for the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the US. In one scene which could have been plucked from Hollywood thriller, a dozen FBI agents surrounded their New Jersey home in the fall of 2020. Advertisement 8 Martha Byrne's book is out today. 'From the moment the FBI knocks on your door, your fight-or-flight instinct kicks in,' said Byrne, who played Lily Walsh on 'As the World Turns' in the mid-'80s and again from 1993 to 2008. 'It starts when you wake up until nightfall, when sleep is interrupted by a powerful demonic entity threatening to tear your entire life apart.' 8 Martha Byrne said she found strength in her Catholic faith in the battle to exonerate her husband. Tamara Beckwith Advertisement The mother-of-three has transformed herself into an investigator, advocate, personal trainer and even amateur psychiatrist for her husband's cause. McMahon denies he knowingly worked for the Chinese government, and has long maintained he is a scapegoat used by the Department of Justice to score political points by making an example of him. Byrne's continuing fight to exonerate McMahon is told in her new book, 'In the Interest of Justice: One Woman's Fight Against a Weaponized Justice Department to Save Her Husband.' 8 Michael McMahon, a highly decorated NYPD veteran, suffered a series of panic attacks after his arrest on conspiracy for acting as a spy for China in 2000. Tamara Beckwith Advertisement 'You don't have to have the largest army to conquer the enemy, just the smartest,' she writes. Armed with her computer and cell phone, Byrne, 55, has become an expert on Operation Fox Hunt — the Chinese government's scheme to track down and prosecute dissidents in foreign countries, mostly without the cooperation of their sovereign governments. The Post previously revealed a Chinese police station in Lower Manhattan, where officials allegedly often work with local private investigators to nab Chinese nationals, usually on charges from the motherland. McMahon was convicted of stalking a New Jersey couple who are Chinese expatriates. He maintains he had no knowledge he had been working on behalf of the PRC. Advertisement 8 Martha Byrne acted as a domestic drill sergeant in order to keep her husband's spirits up while they prepared for his trial in 2023. Tamara Beckwith After his 2020 arrest, McMahon began having panic attacks, according to Byrne, who snapped into action and became his personal trainer. 'You can have one day in bed,' she told her husband. 'But ONLY one … Depending on his mood, I balanced the dual role of cheerleader and tough love drill sergeant.' She also knocked on doors — going to police precincts in New Jersey to tell her husband's story, and seeking out other private detectives to warn them they were potential DOJ targets and of the need to verify Chinese clients were not working for the PRC. 'Justice would most certainly prevail,' she writes. 'We just had to fight.' 8 Martha Byrne worked as an investigator and advocate for her husband, trying to clear his name. Gregory P. Mango Not everyone rushed to help. Byrne went to see 2017 New York City mayoral candidate Bo Dietl, who runs one of the biggest PI firms in the world, based in Manhattan. She claims he listened to her story and then had a colleague hand her a card with a lawyer's name on it before abruptly ending the meeting. The Post previously revealed that Dietl went into business with a Chinese security company in 2015 and had boasted on WABC's 'Sid and Friends in the Morning' that he had surveilled the exiled Chinese billionaire dissident Miles Guo. He has never faced any charges related to this and declined to comment Wednesday. Advertisement Among those who have backed Bryne's fight is retired FBI agent Kevin Hecht, one of the foremost experts on Chinese counterintelligence, who began investigating Operation Fox Hunt in 2016. Despite his extensive experience, Hecht told The Post last week that he was never consulted on McMahon's case. He called McMahon's case an example of 'malicious prosecution' on the part of the DOJ. 8 Bo Dietl worked with a Chinese security firm and conducted surveillance on a Chinese billionaire. Paul Martinka Advertisement 'The facts of this case show McMahon was not part of the Fox Hunt scheme, but rather, used to obtain documentation of a civil nature, such as real estate and other financial footprints,' Hecht said in a statement. While preparing for McMahon's trial, which began 2023, the family was horrified when they found out that the federal government had obtained a secret warrant to track their emails. 'One day in early 2021 we received a very disturbing letter from Microsoft alerting us they had complied with a search warrant issued on December 31, 2018, from the Department of Justice for our emails,' she writes. 'We knew the government must have looked through our emails but seeing it in writing is something I can't describe. Microsoft's letter [said] the warrant was now finally closed. How long had it been open? We felt completely violated. I had no idea if they had spied on our children. How often was I followed' Advertisement 8 The People's Republic of China set up a 'police station' in Lower Manhattan in order to spy on dissidents in New York. REUTERS The family never found out. But Byrne said agents scoured 10 years of her and McMahon's banking records and credit card bills. Now, as McMahon prepares to turn himself in to authorities to serve his 18-month sentence on June 16, they are hoping for President Trump to intervene and issue a pardon. 'It brought me hope when I saw the caliber of people Donald Trump appointed to his administration … many who at one time had been targets of the government themselves,' she wrote. Advertisement McMahon was hired in fall 2016 by what he believed was a translation company from New Jersey to do surveillance on a luxury Short Hills, NJ, home occupied by a relative of Xu Jin and Liu Fang, and to use public records to find companies and other assets registered to the couple. 8 Byrne, seen here at home with McMahon, says the family has almost exhausted their funds trying to exonerate McMahon. Tamara Beckwith/NY POST He was told that he was locating assets for a civil court case. Xu and Liu, he was told, had stolen money from a construction company and the people who hired him wanted to find where the cash had gone. What he was not told was that Xu was a former Wuhan official who had fled China amid allegations of corruption. McMahon's work was used without his knowledge in a 2018 New Jersey civil suit against the couple and others, brought by the Xinba Construction Group Co., alleging they had embezzled millions. Xinba won a nearly $15 million default judgment in 2019, court records show. Meanwhile, Byrne and her family have practically exhausted their savings on legal fees, she writes, adding they have very little left to fund an appeal. 'Not sure what more I can do,' she told The Post. 'Pray. That's all I do. And slowly, prayers are getting answered.'
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
George Clooney gives his real thoughts of former 'ER' costar Noah Wyle's 'The Pitt'
George Clooney gives his real thoughts of former 'ER' costar Noah Wyle's 'The Pitt' Show Caption Hide Caption 'The Pitt' has us thinking of our favorite medical dramas With the recent influx of medical dramas on TV this year, we ranked our top 3 of all time. "The Pitt" officially has the Doug Ross seal of approval. In an appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers," George Clooney shared his thoughts on the acclaimed medical drama series from Max, which stars his former "ER" colleague Noah Wyle. "It's so good," Clooney said of "The Pitt," going on to heap praise on Wyle. "I have to say, we've been really dear friends since the show, since we did the pilot of the show. He is just the most honorable, talented young man — I get to say, because I'm an old man — and I cannot be happier for his success on the show. The show is just a beautiful show, and he does a great job with it." Wyle stars as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch on "The Pitt," a medical drama set in a Pittsburgh hospital's emergency room. Every episode chronicles one hour in the hospital, with the full first season telling the story of one shift. The series was created by former "ER" writer R. Scott Gemmill and is produced by former "ER" producer John Wells. Our obsession with 'The Pitt' and other medical shows, explained In 2024, the estate of "ER" creator Michael Crichton sued Warner Bros. over the show, alleging that it originated as an "ER" reboot that was rebranded as "The Pitt" following unsuccessful negotiations with the estate. Warner Bros. Television slammed the lawsuit as "baseless," describing "The Pitt" as a "new and original show." The series has been renewed for a second season. Noah Wyle felt 'liberated' leaving 'ER' doctor John Carter behind in 'The Pitt' Speaking to USA TODAY in January, Wyle said "The Pitt" was intentionally made to be distinct from "ER," explaining, "Once we weren't going to remake 'ER,' nobody wanted to remake 'ER.' It was that simple. Not for litigious reasons but for creative reasons. If we can't do it, then let's not, and let's see what that leads us to." Clooney famously starred as Doug Ross on "ER," which aired from 1994 to 2009 and also starred Wyle as John Carter. Clooney, who left the show in 1999, earned two Emmy nominations for the role. The Essentials: This 'Summer House' star is obsessed with 'The Pitt' Speaking with Entertainment Tonight in March, Wyle said he and his former "ER" costars "all do keep in touch." In April, Wyle and "ER" alums Julianna Margulies and Anthony Edwards turned out to support Clooney at the opening night of his Broadway show "Good Night, and Good Luck."
