HollyShorts: Mi Madre, My Father - Michelle Morgan Interview

Photo Credit: Liz Rosa

With over 15 years experience acting in film and television, Michelle Morgan has enthusiastically begun a trajectory towards directing and writing.

She began with her first short film, Mi Madre, My Father, starring Stephen Amell (Arrow) in 2017. The film was selected by Telefilm for Not Short on Talent at Cannes.

Recently Michelle directed three episodes of the new CBC digital series Hudson (SevenTwentyFour), a spin-off of the long-running series Heartland. Hudson is available on the CBC Gem streaming service.

Michelle wrote and directed her second short film, a romantic comedy set in Tofino entitled Save Yourself, with the help of TELUS STORYHIVE.

Over the 12 seasons Michelle has starred on Heartland, she has shadowed numerous directors such as Bruce McDondald, Dean Bennet and Eleanore Lindo. In April 2018, Michelle shadowed veteran director David Straiton on the USA Network drama Shooter.

          

FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT
Mi Madre, My Father is based on a true story. As young as three years old, Mel Grey was forced to fend for herself. Her mother vacillated between neglecting her and inflicting physical and mental abuse.

A generous couple who lived across the hall – both male flight attendants – looked after Mel, put healthy food in her backpack every day and did their best to shield her from her violent and destabilizing home environment. They were effectively surrogate parents. Without them, Mel might have gone down a very dark path.

CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Michelle Morgan, Daniel J. Patinkin
Director: Michelle Morgan
Producers: Michelle Morgan, Madeliene Davis

Reared by an abusive, pill-popping mother and an absentee father, six-year-old Valentina must fend for herself.

Reared by an abusive, pill-popping mother (played by Heartland's Michelle Morgan) and an absentee playboy father (played by Arrow's Stephen Amell), six-year-old Valentina must fend for herself. She does what she can to craft the illusion of normalcy: makes herself lunches that look just like the ones her classmates tote, dresses and grooms herself expertly, and lies to cover up for her mother Anita's erratic behavior.

Michelle Morgan on the Red Carpet during HollyShorts.

JBN Media Photo Gallery from HollyShorts can be found HERE.

Michelle Morgan and Corey Shurge on the Red Carpet during HollyShorts Film Festival.

THE JBN TEAM INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE MORGAN
JOURNALIST: BROOKE ELIZABETH
LOCATION: CHINESE THEATER
FILM FESTIVAL DATE: HOLLYSHORTS AUGUST 8TH - 17TH
INTERVIEW: AUGUST 9, 2019

Video/Audio/Edit: James Vallesteros (@jamesvallesteros)

ABOUT HOLLYSHORTS

The annual Academy Awards® Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival will celebrate its 15th year in August 2019. HollyShorts (HSFF) brings together top creators, industry leaders, and companies and has launched many filmmakers into the next stages of their careers. HollyShorts, a regular on the MovieMaker Magazine Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee, also engages its community and spotlights short films year-round through monthly screenings, panels, and networking events. HollyShorts Film Festival will take place between August 8-17, 2019 at TCL Chinese Theatres 6 located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

CO-FOUNDED BY THEO DUMONT AND DANIEL SOL
HollyShorts Film Festival is an organization devoted to showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe, advancing the careers of filmmakers through screenings, networking events, and various panel and forums. The HollyShorts Film festival showcases the top short films produced 40- minutes or less. Categories include Short Animation, Short Live Action, Short Documentary, Music Video, Webisode, Commercials, Youth Film and Digital Microbudget.

Recently named an Academy Awards® Qualifying Festival.

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