When a writer in the pangs of mourning takes in a mysterious tenant, eerily reminiscent of his deceased wife, is she a hallucination, a dream, a ghost? Or is she a runaway? Persian-American Director Armin Nasseri explores the notion of love lost in his latest short.
“Seeking Valentina”, filmed on location at historic Starvation Flats Ranch in Big Bear, CA.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – April 18, 2016 – PRLog — Seeking Valentina, Armin Nasseri’s award-winning, critically-acclaimed thriller short continues its vigorous film festival and awards run across the United States on the heels of receiving an Honorable Mention for this year’s Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Short Film. The Rondo Awards, named after Rondo Hatton, an obscure B-movie villain of the 1940s, honor the best in classic horror research, creativity and film preservation. This year’s e-mail vote, conducted by the Classic Horror Film Board, a 21-year old online community, drew more than 3,400 ballots. The Rondo vote is the largest survey of the classic horror genre held each year. Hours before the announcement of the honor, Seeking Valentina had a red carpet screening and Q&A with the cast and crew at the Los Angeles World International Film Festival at the famed movie palace, The Crest of Westwood.
The thriller short garnered 5 award nominations, including Best Thriller Short Film , from Bare Bones International Film and Music Festival, the premier film festival in Oklanoma, and one of the oldest and most respected film festivals in the United States. Nominations were made offical on the Bare Bones web site on March 25,2016.
Nasseri’s Seeking Valentina will continue on its festival run this week with Seeking Valentina’s screening Friday April 22 at 7:45pm at The Roxy Theatre,220 W. Okmulgee St. Muskogee, OK 74401 as part of the Bare Bones International Film Festival, where the film and its cast are nominated for five awards, including Best Thriller Short. Seeking Valentina follows its run at Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival with an engagement at the Las Vegas Galaxy Film Awards on April 29. On the heels of the Rondo Hatton Award announcement, festival runners jumped onto the opportunity to screen the film and Seeking Valentina will also play at the International Horror Hotel in Cleveland, OH on June 11 and the Love International Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA in July. Seeking Valentina has garnered an additional Honorable Mention nod at the International Horror Hotel.
“Seeking Valentina,” follows an Iranian-American writer mourning the loss of his dead wife. When Valentina (Kristin West), a mysterious and whimsical tenant comes to take up residence in his home and then abruptly disappears, it is for the audience to decide if Valentina is a ghost, a dream, a hallucination or a runaway. The short was shot in three Southern California counties, over six days and with locations spanning 500 miles. Seeking Valentina has garnered international attention due to its excellent casting, unique storytelling structure, production value and compelling themes. Nasseri vigorously resisted stereotyping throughout his production, and cast many actors against type. “I was honored and humbled that our film was nominated for a Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award and I was touched by the outpouring of support by our fans worldwide,” said Nasseri. He continued, “I am so honored that our film will be playing at The International Horror Hotel and Love International Film Festival. It is honor for our team to screen at these esteemed festivals.”
Regarding his film’s recent success both in the U.S. and abroad, Nasseri says, “I am deeply humbled and honored that Seeking Valentina continues to touch such a diverse audience. It is an honor to screen our film at Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival and I am humbled by the nominations. Lead actress and producer Kristin West said, “We have received such a warm welcome already from Bare Bones-and we haven’t even arrived there yet. Bare Bones has a reputation for being a welcoming festival and their hospitality has already exceeded my wildest expectations.” Nasseri will also be a panelist on the Short Filmmakers Panel on Saturday, April 23rd, at 2:30 PM at the Roxy Theatre. West is scheduled to moderate the Student Filmmakers Panel, Saturday, April 23rd, at 3:55 PM at the Muskogee Library.
The festival was created by filmmakers, screenwriters and actors and was created for filmmakers, screenwriters and actors who are involved in independent motion picture projects anywhere in the world.
Named one of the “25 Festivals worth the entry fee” by Moviemaker Magazine and named one of the “20 best festivals for new and emerging filmmakers.” PBS included Bare Bones as one of the top 20 documentary festivals. The Bare Bones Film Festival experience has long been touted as the “Friendliest Film Festival” by the many filmmakers who return year after year.
The festival will feature narrative and documentary features, short documentary, short narrative and student films, music videos, animation and live screenplay readings in it’s competitive program.
The Bare Bones Film and Music Festival runs April 19-24 2016 at nine different venues. “Seeking Valentina” screens Friday April 22 at 7:45pm at The Roxy Theatre,220 W. Okmulgee St. Muskogee, OK 74401.
Seeking Valentina follows its run at Bare Bones International Film & Music Festival with an engagement at the Las Vegas Galaxy Film Awards on April 29 and a screening at Iranian Noor Film Festival later this summer, with more dates being announced.
Lead actress and producer Kristin West said, “Armin has created a unique film with powerful performances. Every time this film reaches a new audience, I am touched.” She continues, “We owe a debt of gratitude to our fans and supporters all over the globe who continue to cheer us on. It was such an amazing outpouring of support we received for our Rondo bid.”
Kristin West, as seen on “Hell’s Kitty”, “The Nayoran Saga”, “Circus of the Dead”, among many others plays the title role.
Persian-American director Armin Nasseri is the director of “Seeking Valentina”.
