LATEST NEWS:
OCTOBER
I was interviewed the other week by the wonderful Raymond James for his show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) which will be airing this coming Monday at 3:00 pm, more details coming soon... and "Hungry" will be screening at The Producers Club, as part of the World Film Fair, this Sunday evening, October 28th.
AUGUST
Honored -At the Brightside Tavern Shorts Film Festival I won the Best Actress award, and at the San Diego International Kids Film Festival, Hungry won the Make A Difference Award! --Meanwhile, "Hungry" has been Officially Selected to two more festivals, the Awareness Festival, happening late Sept./early Oct., specific date TBA, and the World Film Fair, which is late October... I was also cast in and shot a role on web-series "The Connection", dir. Andrew Froening. I'll be heading to Europe on Aug. 30th to mix our next film "A Chance" at top sound studio, T-On Studios in Vienna, and will be shooting the pilot of the upcoming mini-series"Infiltrated", in New York, in the Fall.
JULY
I've been asked to play a role in short film "Imitate The Sun" by Sean O'Connor, multi-Emmy Winner William Electric Black will direct, and the shoot is in August. This short will be used to garner interest in the feature film of the same name, which the producers are hoping to shoot summer of 2019.
And the "Hungry" screening at the Long Island Intl. Film Expo went wonderfully -the next screening of Hungry will be at Brightside Tavern Shorts Film Fest, Sunday Aug. 5th, Jersey City, NJ -and I've been nominated for Best Actress, Alex Emanuel has been nominated for Best Actor and we also have a nomination for Best Ensemble! http://www.brightsidetavernfilmfestival.com/ ---"Hungry" has also been selected to the San Diego International Kids Film Festival, San Diego, CA - (which will be our 23rd film festival screening!) the fest is Aug. 24th - Aug. 26th - screening date is still TBA
JUNE
The play I'm currently in, "Grace is Good" has been extended due to sold-out houses! --It will run until June 24th at Theater For the New City. Here's the link once again for tickets --- https://www.smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?ControlState=1&SalesEventId=7627&DC= ----In other news, we had a table-read for the thriller "Infiltrated" by MarvaLee Peart, in which I'll now be playing the lead role of Mona DiBiassi, wife of Mafia boss, Sergio DiBiassi (Jim Thalman) - shooting will begin early October 2018. ----- "Hungry" got a write-up on the entertainment website The Knockturnal, article by Jake Alan King --- https://theknockturnal.com/film-review-hungry/ -----And another festival screening is happening for "Match", directed by Brian Siebert, we've been selected to the 2018 Albuquerque Film and Music Experience!
MAY
-Here's link for details on the play I'm currently in, "Grace is Good", by Claude Solnick, opening Thursday May 31st at the Theater For A New City -and for tickets --- https://www.smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?ControlState=1&SalesEventId=7627&DC=
--And more festivals are coming up for "Hungry"! We have been Officially Selected to the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) , screening July 18th in Bellmore, N.Y., and have also been Officially Selected to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, end of July/August, exact dates TBA
APRIL
Just wrapped on feature film "Beyond Adversity", writer/director Kaneesha Heath, which shot upstate in Corning, N.Y. - another wonderful team and experience! - And I've begun rehearsal for new play "Grace is Good", by Claude Solnik
---And short film "Match" directed by Brian W. Siebert, in which I play one of the leads, has just gotten into it's 3rd festival -it'll be playing at Cinema Village (22 E. 12 St.) in the Manhattan Film Festival on Sat. April 21st in the 7:00 pm block
MARCH
--Lovely to have been interviewed by Dr. Steeve Copeau for the film site NYIHA [-NYIHA Media offers award-winning programming spanning artist interviews, current affairs and entertainment formats.] ----- Here's link- - http://www.nyiha.com/
--And I'm directing and performing in the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival 2018's Screenplay Finalist Readings - 7 wonderful scripts, 17 terrific actors- Thursday March 22nd, 3:30 pm at Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St., NYC
FEBRUARY
--I've been cast in a Poetry Electric Special Black History Event: RICHARD WESLEY - SCENES, SCRIPTS, & DELIVERED (I'M YOURS), Series Director: William Electric Black, FEB. 27TH - 7:30PM - La Mama, 66 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
--I've also been cast in feature film "Beyond Diversity" by Kaneesha Heath in the role of Rebekah, pregnant & engaged to a war veteran with PTSD. -Terrific script, I'm excited to start filming in mid April.--And short film "Match", dir. Brian W. Siebert, in which I play one of the leads, is Official Selection at Bermuda International Film Festival!
--And I'll once again be directing the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival's Screenplay Finalist Readings- it's a pleasure to be gathering a cast of some of NYC's finest actors for seven terrific screenplays. The reading will be Thursday March 22nd, 3:30 pm at Cinema Village
--And another screening! -Hungry has been invited to screen in Artemis Women In Action Film Festival's "Family Matters" block at the Monica Laemmle Theater, Santa Monica, Los Angeles on Saturday April 27th - for tickets, go to http://www.artemisfilmfestival.com/2018-festival/2018-schedule/
January 2019 - A Very Happy New Year to all!! - peace & light, prosperity, health & joy
NOVEMBER
Was asked to play the lead role in short film "The Lift" (fka "Finding Chemo"), by multi-award-winning writer/director Darva Campbell, shoot date, TBA
SEPTEMBER
Performed in sketch comedy series Liquid Courage at Uprights Citizens Brigade, Chelsea
---And "Hungry" is an Official Selection of the 2017 Glendale International Film Festival and will screen Friday October 20th at the UA8 Theater, 1919 Verdugo Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 in the 2 pm Shorts Block
AUGUST:
Cast in comedy series "Gail's New Boyfriend" in the role of Trisha, an anchorwoman at the local news station. Series will be airing on Amazon Prime, date TBA. Marcos Berrios & Jim Mendrinos, producers.
- And "Hungry" screened at the Brenden Theaters at the Palms Casino, Las Vegas as part of the Hollywood Dreamz Film Festival
July
Just wrapped on the short film "Match", directed by Brian W. Siebert. The funny, clever and touching screenplay is by Colette Mazunik. Such a great shoot and another terrific team to have had the pleasure to work & play with!
--And I was interviewed this month by Carmela Baranowska for We Are Moving Stories, a wonderful online film/media platform - -here's the interview -- http://www.wearemovingstories.com/we-are-moving-stories-videos/2017/7/11/hollywood-dreamz-international-film-festival-hungry
June
"Hungry" is a Semi-Finalist and an Official Selection of the 2017 Social World Film Festival which will take place July 23 - July 30 in Vico Equense, Italy ("Hungry's 19th film festival!) ---Next up, in August, Hungry will screen at the Hollywood Dreamz Film Festival and Screenwriter's Event (Action on Film International Film Festival's sister event) in Las Vegas, from Aug. 17th to the 27th. Date of screening is still TBA
May
Wrapped on "The Incoherents" - and had such a great time with the wonderful team, led by Jared Barel, director, Jordan Barel, producer, Jeff Auer, producer/screenwriter/lead actor and Alex Emanuel, producer/songwriter/lead actor. Also wrapped on "Prince Harming", another great team to work/play with, led by Marianne Hettinger, and my next feature film is currently in pre-production --
-----Am excited to share that Arlene Sparaco, screenwriter of "The Fighting Wagners", to be directed by the multi-award-winning director Roberto Monticello (who I'd worked with on feature film "You Have The Right to Remain Violent"), has posted the following announcement regarding my next role -----""The Fighting Wagners" proudly announces the signing of Jillie Simon to play Tressa Sarubbi. Among her many films, Jillie has appeared in A Beautiful Mind (2001) Confess (2005) and Hungry (2015), an award winning short film where she wrote, starred and co-directed with Thomas Simon. Jillie is a dedicated, professional and extraordinary actress whom I am so grateful to have on board! SAG and AFTRA member."
April
I've been cast in the rock and roll comedy feature film "The Incoherents", dir. Jared Barel, written by Jeff Auer, as Chryssie, the loving vegan yogini girlfriend of Keith, the bass player (Walter Hoffman), shooting this month and in May. Other cast members include Anne Carlson, Kate Arrington, and Margaret Anne Florence.
Also been cast in indie feature film"Prince Harming", in the role of Rhoda, written and to be directed by Marianne Hettinger, shooting in May 2017 as well. Excited to be playing fun parts in two terrific screenplays.
And we will be at the fabulous Artemis Women in Action Film Festival where "Hungry" is an Official Selection, Thursday April 20 - Sunday April 23 - more info at http://www.artemisfilmfestival.com
March
-Just cast in day-player role on "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee", playing a Ringer in the audience.
-- Also wrapped on "A Chance" this week (formerly known as "Be Still"), now on IMDB - - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6584118/
---And here's the info for my reading next week of the Screenplay Finalists for the Socially Relevant Film Festival SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York, happening Thurs. March 16 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm at Cinepolis Chelsea --10 minute excerpts of five powerful scripts--- RSVP--- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sr-socially-relevant-film-fest… --I'll be reading the role of Jude in "The Chain" by Robin Lamont, and PJ Sosko will be playing the role of Emmet.
February
--I've been asked to perform in and helm the Staged Reading series for this years SR Socially Relevant Film Festival Screenplay Finalists which will take place mid-March of this year!
--And "Hungry" just got notified it's been selected to the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival! -This is the 18th film festival that we've been selected to and takes place in April. (Cinerockom Film Festival, which was to be our next screening, in Feb., has been postponed, the new date for the fest is TBA)
--And we're gearing up to shoot the final scene in our new film (Working Title) "Be Still", in early March.
January 2017 - Happy New Year!
Hungry took home the Indie Spirit Award at Idyllwild International Film Festival
--And I've been cast in one of the principal roles in the upcoming film "Prince Harming" by Marianne Hettinger, shoot-date will be in late April 2017
--& I will be doing a staged reading of new comedy "Rough Justice" by Tony Canino, directed by Diana Amsterdam in which I play Parker, a Siren, co-starring Karen de la Penha
----"Rough Justice" - 4 pm on Monday, January 23 at The Pearl -----Studio F, Pearl Studios, 519 8th Ave - free to the public
December
Hungry was selected to the Idylwild International Film Festival 2017, which takes place in January 2017
November
"Hungry" played in a sold out shorts block in the prestigious Big Apple Film Festival, at the Village East Cinemas on Nov. 5th, and we (myself and Thomas Simon (composer/co-producer/co-director/editor) were interviewed for a feature article in the arts magazine WHYTT Magazine - http://www.whyttmagazine.com/filmmaker-couple-jillie-and-thomas-simon/ -
--And we shot three more days on short film "Be Still" (working title)
October
---Hungry was Officially Selected to the New York Short Film Festival, screening on Wednesday, November 9th, 2016 6:00 PM , at Cinema Village, 22 East 12th Street New York, NY 10003 http://www.newyorkshort.com/festival-2016/ and has also been nominated in the 2016 Blow-Up: Arthouse International Film Festival Chicago, it's 15th festival.
---Shot 2 more scenes for our film "Be Still" (Working Title)
--- Was in L.A. for the premiere screening of the music video "Lost" by Thomas Simon (in which I played the Dream Muse) at the Other Venice Film Festival, Venice, CA.
---And coming up next week, Hungry will be at the Big Apple Film Festival on Friday November 5th, 8:30 pm in the Village East Cinemas, 181-189 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10003 :: Screening in Theater Two - tickets can be bought on BAFF's website-
http://www.bigapplefilmfestival.com/baff_program_film_2016.html?film_id=27_03&program_id=27
September
Hungry was just Officially Selected to the Big Apple Film Festival 2016, which takes place in NYC early November. Prior to that it will be at the Chesapeake Film Festival in Easton, Maryland,October 29th -------And at the Action on Film Festival in California earlier in the month, I was awarded the Golden State Best Performance in a Film (a high honor which included males and females as the nominees)!
---I've also been busy shooting scenes from my upcoming film (working title"Be Still"), throughout this past month.
August
My film "Hungry" just received notice of it's 12th film fest., the Golden Door International Film Festival, happening September 2016 in Jersey City, N.J. Right before that it will be at the International Festival for Peace, Inspiration & Equality in Jakarta, Indonesia.
.---And multi-award-winning filmmaker Devi Snively has asked me to be one of the titular characters in her short film "Dr. Hyde and his Bird Bride , which is now officially in pre-production.
July
"Be Still" (Working title), my next short film, had it's first day of shooting on July 4th. I play one of the co-leads, Mia, and am also co-producing it. The rest of the shoot will continue through late Aug into the Fall
"Hungry" was awarded Honorable Mention at the Indie Gathering International Film Festival and will be screening next at the Long Beach Indie International Film, Media & Music Event, on Sunday Sept. 4th. Hungry also just got into The Chesapeake Film Festival, and will screen there on Oct. 29th. More details on that, and the screening dates at Action On Film International Film Festival will be announced in August.
May
"Hungry" was awarded Best Film (Public Service Honoree) at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival 2016 -
----and has been Officially Selected to the Hoboken International Film Festival 2016, screening at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, N.Y. on Sunday June 5th at 4:00 pm -
here's link to tickets - http://www.hobokeninternationalfilmfestival.com/events-2016/
------"Hungry" has also been honored to receive early acceptance at the 12th Annual Action On Film International Film Festival and Writers Event in Monrovia, CA, which will be it's seventh festival. AOF takes place in September. (the festival is still accepting films and scripts for submissions.)
- I was cast as Adele in the play "Quadratic" by John McKinney, directed by Leslie Kincaid- Burby. We did a 3 day Concert Reading of it presented by the Workshop Theater, May 12 - 14
-- Workshopping the short film (working title"Be Still"), written by by Ange Arabatzis, with additional story by Jillie Simon, on May 5th. I play one of the co-leads. Shoot will be summer 2016.
April
Our film "Hungry" is an Official Selection of the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, and will make it's Pennsylvania Premiere on Saturday May 7th, in the Shorts Block beginning at 1:20 pm, Walking Fish Theater, 2509 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone:(215) 427-9255 - ticket link - http://bit.ly/piffDRAMA - http://www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com
March
Workshopped a lovely, funny new musical, "Madame La Gimp" (book by Giles Havergal and Derek McCulloch, music/lyrics by Kyle Athayde/Derek McCulloch), directed by Amanda Dehnert for The Directors Company, artistic director Michael Parva (the company that brought "Irena's Vow" to Broadway) in conjuction with 59 E. 59th St. Theater
Was interviewed on WBAI, (99.5 FM) Tuesday March 8th at 5: 30 pm. As part of their International Women's Day programming, State of the Arts NYC host Savona Bailey-McClain interviewed me about our film "Hungry" having it's NY premiere in the Socially Relevant Film Festival 2016 -- and also played the Musiciens Sans Frontieres' song "So Many Ways (For Safe, Green, Sane Energy)" ___ http://www.wbai.org
--- I've been asked to play one of the lead roles, Detective Jamie Acito, in the upcoming feature film "Faction" by Arlene Sparaco, and we'll be doing a table read April 3rd. The film is still in development.
February
"Jane Ho" by John Pallotta, in which I played the lead role of Jane Ho 1, was performed as a staged reading on February 25th at The Actors Chapel at St. Malachy's, and another reading is being planned for The Dramatists Guild, date is still TBA
Our film "Hungry" will have it's East Coast Premiere at the awesome SR Socially Relevant Film Festival 2016! -- Can't wait to gather with our fabulous cast and crew, friends and fans for our first New York City screening -
Wednesday March 16th, 8 pm at the beautiful Bowtie Chelsea Cinemas--
260 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
-to purchase tickets, you can go to - http://www.ratedsrfilms.org --- It's in a block with the 8 min. short "The Tent" and the feature documentary from France "Supersonic Women"
JANUARY 2016 - Happy New Year!
I've been cast in the lead role in the play "Jane Ho" by John Pallotta, (role of Jane Ho 1), which is being done as a staged reading on February 25th at The Actors Chapel/St. Malachy's at 7:00 pm. A film version is also being planned.
(About The Actors Chapel -"Since it's inception, readings and staged readings of original plays have been presented by professional actors and directors... instituted by Artistic Director/Resident Playwright Jo Ann Tedesco in 2011... to create a permanent theatrical presence at Saint Malachy's continuing the tradition of the original theatrical endeavors at the world famous Actors Chapel. Already attracting such recognizable names as Olympia Dukakis, Louis Zorich, Joyce Van Patten, Gary Swanson and David Margulies... so far three premiered plays have gone on to full productions...)
DECEMBER 2015
Musiciens Sans Frontieres last album "Spread Some Love" won the Akademia Music Awards (L.A.) for Best Alternative Rock/Ambient Album - - which just landed us more airplay on the internet radio stations that they're associated with...
"In The Waves" is now in rotation on-
***KXRL Radio Los Angeles, California USA
***KEDG Radio Sydney, Australia
***KHSX Radio Houston, Texas USA
***WLDN Radio London, United Kingdom
***WMIC Radio Miami, Florida USA
To hear song, click link - https://www.reverbnation.com/tsm…/song/15818647-in-the-waves
- and our music video "Legalize" won Best Alternative Rock Music Video (it's 5th Best Music Video Award!)
OCTOBER 2015
I was nominated for Best Actress in a Short Film and "Hungry" nominated for Best Short Film at The Other Venice Film Festival. Screening is Saturday, October 10th, at: BEYOND BAROQUE, 681 VENICE BLVD. Venice, CA 90291 http://othervenicefilmfestival.com
SEPTEMBER 2015:
----"Hungry" premiered at the Burbank International Film Festival on Friday Sept 11th, 7:30 pm, Burbank AMC Theater
-Nominated for Best Actress and for Best Short Films by Women
JULY 2015
I've been cast in a supporting role in the independent feature film "Infiltrated", director Marvalee Peart, a crime thriller. The film will shoot in 2016, exact date is still TBA.
--Also did table read of William McCauley's new comedy "Turning Tables", with Steven Hauck, Marc Geller and Jean Tefler. A staged reading is being planned for early, 2016, exact date TBA
JUNE:
Cast in scenes for Sean Wirz at The Atlantic Theater's Directing Class run by director Karen Kohlhass.
APRIL: Improv at Upright Citizen's Brigade-
---And just signed with my new agent--
Laura Walsh at
Central Artists Talent Agency
3308 Burbank Blvd., Burbank CA 91505
PH (818) 557-8284 FAX (818) 557 - 8384
MARCH:
I've been awarded one of IndieFest Film Awards Best Actress Awards - Award of Merit: Leading Actress -
for my role of Allison Lenare in "Hungry" (the early 26 min. version)
January 2015:
-The trailer for "Hungry" is created and up on the Hungry page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/hungrytheshortfilm
-Was asked to play one of the upcoming characters in the L.A. web-series "Deep Fried Babies" which was written and will be co-directed by Alice Wood and will be shot and co-directed by award-winning dp/director Jeffrey Waldron.
2014
DECEMBER:
Interviewed by and for the European Independent Film Channel, because of our multi-award-winning music video, "Legalize" (Musiciens Sans Frontieres) , which was in the ECU (European Independent) Film Festival.
OCTOBER:
Musiciens Sans Frontieres will be performing live in L.A. at the Other Venice Film Festival on Saturday Oct. 11th at 8 pm- the Featured Band/Musical Guest in front of OVFF's Music Video Competition. Go to http://www.othervenicefilmfestival.com - for more info, tickets, etc.
SEPTEMBER:
-Susan Ann Langford, screenwriter, asked me to play the principal role of Annette Benson in her upcoming feature film "Bringing Down Goliath", shoot is TBA.
--Sept. 9th--Will be performing in a very funny comedy-
"LINE OF DESCENT"
A Reading of a New Comedy by William McCauley on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. Manhattan Theatre Club Studios, 311 West 43rd Street RSVP: readings@dennettproductions.com
AUGUST:
"Hungry", the short film I wrote, co-directed and co-produced, along with Thomas Simon, in association with Mabou Mines, is currently in post-production. Oscar-Nominated Eric Roberts plays the role of the Congressman Dennis Thicke, and Victor Collicchio (who wrote and was in Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam") plays reporter, Dave Buontempo. And Alex Emanuel ("Blue Bloods", "Family Album") plays my husband in this tale of a shy, idealistic teacher who must confront a congressman in order to help the children.
MAY: Recorded the song "Betty the Elephant", for the upcoming musical & film "Frankie" (a transmedia project) by award-winning writer/director Devi Snively, and will be playing the role of Abby Normal in this re-imagining of the "Frankenstein" story, set in the early 1930's. Abby is a performer in a side-show circus, with her band "Abby Normal & the Anomalies". Slated for 2015/2016.
MARCH:
Currently in pre-production with short film "Hungry", starring as Allison Lenare and Alex Emanuel as Zachary Lanare. Bettina Bilger, Verna Hampton and Melissa Murray-Mutch co-star.
-Musiciens Sans Frontieres' (Jillie Simon, vocals, Thomas Simon, guitar, keys, samples, Jeremiah Hosea, bass, Alex Alexander, drums) next concert will be at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, N.Y. on Friday, April 18th, 10 pm, along with special guests Of Earth, and others, TBA - go to the concert calendar at http://www.endorphinrecords.com for more details
FEBRUARY:
- There will be a free screening of latest film "We Became The Enemy" by Armand Ruhlman on Thursday, February 27th, 7:30 pm at Dixon Place, 161 Chrystie St., NYC.
- Reading of Eileen Deutsch's comedy "Take Me You Fool", at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South, NYC) on Thursday Feb. 6th, 6 pm. I play the protaganist Marian Finch-- "Manhattan publicist Marian Finch wants to rekindle passion in her marriage, so she concocts an elaborate game of sexual Chicken by suggesting to her husband Errol they have an orgy with their closest friends."
DECEMBER 2013-
A live video of the song "Truth, Justice & Love" from the Musiciens Sans Frontieres CMJ show this past Oct. is now viewable at http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Also "We Became The Enemy", is now viewable online - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7a8v3tAfk
OCTOBER-
Will be performing in "A View From A Death", a comedy by Willliam McCauley, which has been selected to be in the Primary Stages PrimeTime Reading Series on:
Friday Oct. 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
My band Musiciens Sans Frontieres has been selected to perform on opening night at the
CMJ Marathon Music Festival
When: Oct. 15th at 11:00 pm
Where: The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street
New York City, NY 10012
http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Price: $ 10
AUGUST- "We Became the Enemy" is currently in post-production, check back for news of a public screening of this 45 minute short in the Fall.
MAY- Will be playing the starring role of Brigitte in a short film written and directed by Armand A. Ruhlman, "We Became the Enemy", shooting throughout June and July.
-APRIL -Played all the female roles in a workshopping of Jonathan Fitt's award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller".
-And was cast in upcoming independent feature film "Asbury Park, USA", directed by Sean Guess, in the role of Daisy (one of the principal/leads), start date TBA.
-March - Played a show at The Bitter End with her band Musiciens Sans Frontieres.
-February- Performed in a reading of William McCauley's new comedy "A View From A Death" at TheaterLab. The other cast members were Marc Geller, Steve Hauck and Deborah Jean Templin.
-Dec. 2012- Musiciens Sans Frontieres latest music video, "So Many Ways (For Safe, Green, Sane Energy)" won the Golden Reel Award at the 2012 Nevada Film Festival, Las Vegas, December 2012 -and was selected to be screened in February at the Berlin Independent Film Festival 2013.
Musiciens Sans Frontieres played Fontana's in NYC, from which there are now three songs from the live concert on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSHh5JXnoNM&list=UU_RsulNfNBr5edddRhF3mTg&index=3
-Nov. 17th 2012:
World premiere of "HANNAH HENRI"
At: Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, NYC, NY
A "charming" and "groundbreaking" New York story presented in black and white, ""Hannah Henri" is a quirky homage to Woody Allen's masterpieces, "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" a la lesbian. Written and directed by Akiva Penaloza and starring Jillie Simon as Hannah Henri and Gayle Robbins as Lola.
-Oct. 24, 2012:
There will be a public reading of "The Dog and the Mistress" by Armand Ruhlman, Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm, at the Yippie Cafe, 9 Bleeker St, NYC. A developmental reading of this witty, political, three character comedy took place in July.
-Aug. 2012:
Cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming feature film "Margarita Night", a very funny comedy by Steve Marcarelli (associate producer of "Michael & Michael Have Issues" and writer at MTV) and Billy Lalor. A first public reading was at Soda Bar, Brooklyn (part of their Screenplay Reading Series).
-Also played an improv show at UCBEast on Sat., August 25th.
-July 2012:
The staged reading of William McCauley's new comedy "Under Certain Circumstances" played to a full house on July 12, 2012, and subsequently now has two interested producers.
-May 2012:
Romantic comedy "Hannah Henri", the short version (for SONY), by writer-director Akiva Penaloza wrapped on April 25th, 2012. I played Hannah, "a radiant, life-affirming artist who commitment-phobe Lola (Gail Robbins) can't help but jump into the ring for". There will be a NYC premiere in the fall of 2012, exact date TBA. The screenplay was one of the two winners of the 2009 NewDraft Screenplay Competition and Reading Series at Tribeca Film Festival's All Access Program and won Best Screenplay at New York’s prestigious LGBT film festival, NewFest. http://www.hannahhenri.com for more information and updates.
Was asked by award-winning playwright-actor-master acting coach & teacher John Pallota to be one of the master actor/teachers at his NYC acting studio and will be there Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm through most of summer 2012
For more info www.johnpallotta.com
-January 2012:
Played all the women in Clark Rockefeller's life in the first New York reading of Kennedy Center Award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller", by Jonathan Fitts, directed by Aaron Pratt.
-Sept. 2011 -Staged reading/backer's audition of William McCauley's new dark comedy "Ritual Drama" at the Payan Theater, Arias Studios.
-Sept 3d 2011- We played an acoustic Musiciens Sans Frontieres set at the First Annual Clear Creek Peace and Freedom Festival, RockPile Amphitheater, Winslow AZ. The show was broadcast on Peace Day TV, the United Nations "Peace Day" site and with numerous other collaborators allowing the event to reach a combined viewing audience of 200 million.
-July 2011 - Played an improv set at Upright Citizens Brigade, NYC.
-June 2011 -Been cast in the upcoming independent feature film "Oscillator" by Dr. David Deak, a sci-fi thriller in which she'll play the principal role of Dr. Debi Hastings, British radio-astronomer. She has also, upon request, co-created the theme/title song "Oscillator" with Thomas Simon. "Oscillator" the film, is currently in development.
"Bucket of Fish" - Cast in a reading of new play "Bucket of Fish" by Eliza Miller, directed by Olivia Harris, part of the New City, New Blood Reading Series at Theater for the New City, Tuesday April 19th at 7:00 -for more details please go to- http://lnkd.in/mKJ_df
"To Protect the Poets"
Cast in the role of Kathleen McNamara in the production of "To Protect the Poets" by the award-winning playwright John Doble, directed by Olivia Harris, the showcase opened March 31, 2011 and ran for seven performances, playing to standing room only audiences in it's last weekend. The talented cast included Elizabeth Alice Murray and Craig Anthony Grant.
"Ritual Drama"
- Cast by Nicole Brending (filmmaker and producer) as Ivy/Gloria in acclaimed playwright William McCauley's new, dark & witty comedy "Ritual Drama". The staged reading took place Monday April 4, 2011. .
"Seeking Flight"
Jillie played the lead role of Sandra in "Seeking Flight" by Joan Boardman, directed by Bree Perlman in a staged reading of the award-winning script, Feb. 27th, 2011.
"Take Me You Fool"
- Jillie played the lead character of Marian in a staged reading of the new and very funny bedroom farce "Take Me You Fool" by E.K Deutsch, directed by the multi-award winning Diana Amsterdam, Spring 2010. The reading also featured the very funny and wonderful actress Karin de la Penha.
"Traditional American Values"
- After doing the reading of the screenplay "Traditional American Values", an extremely funny satire by writer-director Eric Diamond, in 2009, Jillie was cast in the principal role of Heidi Cornflower in the upcoming feature film, currently in development.
MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES News:
The new 2012 album "Spread Some Love" is now available on cdbaby.com and itunes.
UPCOMING SHOW: Saturday March 30th 2013, 12 am
At: The Bitter End, NYC
- Official record release party and concert - Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, 10 pm At Spike Hill, Williamsburg. Also on the bill for the celebration will be Of Earth ( Rob DeLuca of UFO's new band) and Band Of Outsiders.
Three songs off the album, "Affection", MSf's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and "So Many Ways", are currently getting airplay on 23 radio stations across the U.S. as well as on Austria's premiere alternative station, FM4
- go to http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf to view the stations & call and request Musiciens Sans Frontieres
The MSF video "Legalize" (2011) was selected to eleven festivals and won the following awards- -
Awards:
*Winner, Rising Star Award, 2012 Canada Film Festival, Vancouver, Canada;
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada;
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, 2011 Honolulu Film Awards, Hawaii, USA
*Honorable Mention at the 2011 Los Angeles Movie Awards, California, USA
*Semi-Finalist; 2011 Action/Cut Short Film Festival: Los Angeles, California, USA
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Marijuana Music Awards, Toronto, Canada;
Official Selection:
*2011 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Pennsylvania, USA
*2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada
* 2011 The Other Venice Film Festival, Venice, California, USA
*2012 European Independent Film Festival (ECU), Paris, France
*2012 Park City Film Music Festival, Utah, USA
To view it on Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6jYK75vIq0
MSF's music video, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (2009, 2010) was the Official Selection of twelve film festivals and won three awards-
Awards:
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, Honolulu International Film Festival 2010, Hawaii, USA;
*Best Music Video @ the Los Angeles Global Film Festival 2010, California, USA;
*Award of Excellence in Filmmaking, Canada International Film Festival 2010, Vancouver, Canada;
- Official Selection:
*ION International Film Festival 2009; Port Harcourt, Nigeria;
*Queens International Film Festival 2009, New York, USA;
*Delray Beach Film Festival 2010, Florida, USA;
*Garden State Film Festival 2010, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA;
*Sunscreen Film Festival 2010, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA;
*On Location: MEMPHIS International Film & Music Festival 2010, Tennessee, USA;
*Cannes Independent Film Festival 2010, Cannes, France;
*Toronto Independent Film Festival 2010, Ontario, Canada;
*Victoria Independent Film Festival 2010, Australia;
- view it on this site or Youtube
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTzQP4-oE_I
Oct. 2012: New music video "So Many Ways (For Safe Green, Sane Energy)" (2012) has been selected to The Other Venice Film Festival,
- Check back on the endorphin records calendar for more MSf concert dates and events- http://www.endorphinrecords.com
* Musiciens Sans Frontieres will be playing Gussy's in Astoria, Queens, on Sat. June 14th at 11 pm.
Gussy's - 20 - 14 29th Street, Astoria, NY
http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf - with High North, on at 10pm -
http://www.reverbnation.com/highnorth
* Jillie recorded the song "Betty the Elephant", for the upcoming musical & film "Frankie" (a transmedia project) by award-winning writer/director Devi Snively, and will be playing the role of Abby Normal in this re-imagining of the "Frankenstein" story, set in the early 1930's. Abby is a performer in a side-show circus, with her band "Abby Normal & the Anomalies". Slated for 2015/2016.
MARCH:
Currently in pre-production with short film "Hungry", starring Jillie as Allison Lenare and Alex Emanuel as Zachary Lanare. Bettina Bilger, Verna Hampton and Melissa Murray-Mutch co-star in this tale of a shy but big-hearted teacher who must practice what she teaches and confront a Congressman in order to help the children.
-Musiciens Sans Frontieres' (Jillie Simon, vocals, Thomas Simon, guitar, keys, samples, Jeremiah Hosea, bass, Alex Alexander, drums) next concert will be at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, N.Y. on Friday, April 18th, 10 pm, along with special guests Of Earth, and others, TBA - go to the concert calendar at http://www.endorphinrecords.com for more details
FEBRUARY:
- There will be a free screening of Jillies' latest film "We Became The Enemy" by Armand Ruhlman on Thursday, February 27th, 7:30 pm at Dixon Place, 161 Chrystie St., NYC.
- Reading of Eileen Deutsch's comedy "Take Me You Fool", at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South, NYC) on Thursday Feb. 6th, 6 pm. Jilllie plays the protaganist Marian Finch "Manhattan publicist Marian Finch wants to rekindle passion in her marriage, so she concocts an elaborate game of sexual Chicken by suggesting to her husband Errol they have an orgy with their closest friends."
DECEMBER 2013-
A live video of the song "Truth, Justice & Love" from the Musiciens Sans Frontieres CMJ show this past Oct. is now viewable at http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Also "We Became The Enemy", is now viewable online - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7a8v3tAfk
OCTOBER-
Jillie will be performing in "A View From A Death", a comedy by Willliam McCauley, which has been selected to be in the Primary Stages PrimeTime Reading Series on:
Friday Oct. 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Jillie's band Musiciens Sans Frontieres has been selected to perform on opening night at the
CMJ Marathon Music Festival
When: Oct. 15th at 11:00 pm
Where: The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street
New York City, NY 10012
http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Price: $ 10
AUGUST- "We Became the Enemy" is currently in post-production, check back for news of a public screening of this 45 minute short in the Fall.
MAY- Jillie will be playing the starring role of Brigitte in a short film written and directed by Armand A. Ruhlman (-working title, "We Became the Enemy?"), shooting throughout June and July. It will be the first episode of the project.
-APRIL -Jillie played all the female roles in a workshopping of Jonathan Fitt's award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller".
- She was also cast in upcoming independent feature film "Asbury Park, USA", directed by Sean Guess, in the role of Daisy (one of the principal/leads), start date TBA.
-March - Jillie played a show at The Bitter End with her band Musiciens Sans Frontieres.
-February- Jillie performed in a reading of William McCauley's new comedy "A View From A Death" at TheaterLab. The other cast members were Marc Geller, Steve Hauck and Deborah Jean Templin.
-Dec. 2012- Musiciens Sans Frontieres latest music video, "So Many Ways (For Safe, Green, Sane Energy)" won the Golden Reel Award at the 2012 Nevada Film Festival, Las Vegas, December 2012 -and was selected to be screened in February at the Berlin Independent Film Festival 2013.
Musiciens Sans Frontieres played Fontana's in NYC, from which there are now three songs from the live concert on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSHh5JXnoNM&list=UU_RsulNfNBr5edddRhF3mTg&index=3
-Nov. 17th 2012:
World premiere of "HANNAH HENRI"
At: Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, NYC, NY
A "charming" and "groundbreaking" New York story presented in black and white, "Hannah Henri" is a quirky homage to Woody Allen's masterpieces, "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" a la lesbian.
written and directed by Akiva Penaloza and starring Jillie Simon as Hannah Henri and Gayle Robbins as Lola.
-Oct. 24, 2012:
There will be a public reading of "The Dog and the Mistress" by Armand Ruhlman, Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm, at the Yippie Cafe, 9 Bleeker St, NYC. A developmental reading of this witty, political, three character comedy took place in July.
-Aug. 2012:
Jillie has been cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming feature film "Margarita Night", a very funny comedy by Steve Marcarelli (associate producer of "Michael & Michael Have Issues" and writer at MTV) and Billy Lalor. A first public reading was at Soda Bar, Brooklyn (part of their Screenplay Reading Series).
- She also played an improv show at UCBEast on Sat., August 25th.
-July 2012:
The staged reading of William McCauley's new comedy "Under Certain Circumstances" played to a full house on July 12, 2012, and subsequently now has two interested producers.
-May 2012:
Romantic comedy "Hannah Henri", the short version (for SONY), by writer-director Akiva Penaloza wrapped on April 25th, 2012. Nathaniel Kramer was director of photography, and Jillie played the title role, "a radiant, life-affirming artist who commitment-phobe Lola can't help but jump into the ring for". There will be a NYC premiere in the fall of 2012, exact date TBA. The screenplay was one of the two winners of the 2009 NewDraft Screenplay Competition and Reading Series at Tribeca Film Festival's All Access Program and won Best Screenplay at New York’s prestigious LGBT film festival, NewFest. http://www.hannahhenri.com for more information and updates.
Jillie was asked by award-winning playwright-actor-master acting coach & teacher John Pallota to be one of the master actor/teachers at his NYC acting studio and will be there Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm through most of summer 2012
For more info www.johnpallotta.com
-January 2012:
Jillie played all the women in "Clark Rockefeller"s life in the first New York reading of Kennedy Center Award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller", by Jonathan Fitts, directed by Aaron Pratt.
-Sept. 2011 - a staged reading/backer's audition of William McCauley's new dark comedy "Ritual Drama" ( in which Jillie, Matthew Semler, Heidi Jackson & Bill Kozy played four couples) took place at the Payan Theater, Arias Studios.
-Sept 3d 2011- Jillie and Thomas Simon played an acoustic Musiciens Sans Frontieres set at the First Annual Clear Creek Peace and Freedom Festival, RockPile Amphitheater, Winslow AZ. The show was broadcast on Peace Day TV, the United Nations "Peace Day" site and with numerous other collaborators allowing the event to reach a combined viewing audience of 200 million.
-July 2011 - Jillie played an improv set at Upright Citizens Brigade, NYC.
-June 2011 -Jillie has been cast in the upcoming independent feature film "Oscillator" by Dr. David Deak, a sci-fi thriller in which she'll play the principal role of Dr. Debi Hastings, British radio-astronomer. She has also, upon request, co-created the theme/title song "Oscillator" with Thomas Simon. "Oscillator" the film, is currently in development.
"Bucket of Fish" - Cast in a reading of new play "Bucket of Fish" by Eliza Miller, directed by Olivia Harris, part of the New City, New Blood Reading Series at Theater for the New City, Tuesday April 19th at 7:00 -for more details please go to- http://lnkd.in/mKJ_df
"To Protect the Poets"
Cast in the role of Kathleen McNamara in the production of "To Protect the Poets" by the award-winning playwright John Doble, directed by Olivia Harris, the showcase opened March 31, 2011 and ran for seven performances, playing to standing room only audiences in it's last weekend. The talented cast included Elizabeth Alice Murray and Craig Anthony Grant.
"Ritual Drama"
- Cast by Nicole Brending (filmmaker and producer) as Ivy/Gloria in acclaimed playwright William McCauley's new, dark & witty comedy "Ritual Drama". The staged reading took place Monday April 4, 2011. .
"Seeking Flight"
Jillie played the lead role of Sandra in "Seeking Flight" by Joan Boardman, directed by Bree Perlman in a staged reading of the award-winning script, Feb. 27th, 2011.
"Take Me You Fool"
- Jillie played the lead character of Marian in a staged reading of the new and very funny bedroom farce "Take Me You Fool" by E.K Deutsch, directed by the multi-award winning Diana Amsterdam, Spring 2010. The reading also featured the very funny and wonderful actress Karin de la Penha.
"Traditional American Values"
- After doing the reading of the screenplay "Traditional American Values", an extremely funny satire by writer-director Eric Diamond, in 2009, Jillie was cast in the principal role of Heidi Cornflower in the upcoming feature film, currently in development.
MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES News:
The new 2012 album "Spread Some Love" is now available on cdbaby.com and itunes.
UPCOMING SHOW: Saturday March 30th 2013, 12 am
At: The Bitter End, NYC
- Official record release party and concert - Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, 10 pm - At Spike Hill, Williamsburg. Also on the bill for the celebration will be Of Earth ( Rob DeLuca of UFO's new band) and Band Of Outsiders.
Three songs off the album, "Affection", MSf's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and "So Many Ways", are currently getting airplay on 23 radio stations across the U.S. as well as on Austria's premiere alternative station, FM4
- go to http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf to view the stations & call and request Musiciens Sans Frontieres
The MSF video "Legalize" (2011) was selected to eleven festivals and won the following awards- -
Awards:
*Winner, Rising Star Award, 2012 Canada Film Festival, Vancouver, Canada;
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada;
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, 2011 Honolulu Film Awards, Hawaii, USA
*Honorable Mention at the 2011 Los Angeles Movie Awards, California, USA
*Semi-Finalist; 2011 Action/Cut Short Film Festival: Los Angeles, California, USA
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Marijuana Music Awards, Toronto, Canada;
Official Selection:
*2011 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Pennsylvania, USA
*2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada
* 2011 The Other Venice Film Festival, Venice, California, USA
*2012 European Independent Film Festival (ECU), Paris, France
*2012 Park City Film Music Festival, Utah, USA
To view it on Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6jYK75vIq0
MSF's music video, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (2009, 2010) was the Official Selection of twelve film festivals and won three awards-
Awards:
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, Honolulu International Film Festival 2010, Hawaii, USA;
*Best Music Video @ the Los Angeles Global Film Festival 2010, California, USA;
*Award of Excellence in Filmmaking, Canada International Film Festival 2010, Vancouver, Canada;
- Official Selection:
*ION International Film Festival 2009; Port Harcourt, Nigeria;
*Queens International Film Festival 2009, New York, USA;
*Delray Beach Film Festival 2010, Florida, USA;
*Garden State Film Festival 2010, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA;
*Sunscreen Film Festival 2010, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA;
*On Location: MEMPHIS International Film & Music Festival 2010, Tennessee, USA;
*Cannes Independent Film Festival 2010, Cannes, France;
*Toronto Independent Film Festival 2010, Ontario, Canada;
*Victoria Independent Film Festival 2010, Australia;
- view it on this site or Youtube
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTzQP4-oE_I
Oct. 2012: New music video "So Many Ways (For Safe Green, Sane Energy)" (2012) has been selected to The Other Venice Film Festival,
- Check back on the endorphin records calendar for more MSf concert dates and events- http://www.endorphinrecords.com
OCTOBER
I was interviewed the other week by the wonderful Raymond James for his show on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) which will be airing this coming Monday at 3:00 pm, more details coming soon... and "Hungry" will be screening at The Producers Club, as part of the World Film Fair, this Sunday evening, October 28th.
AUGUST
Honored -At the Brightside Tavern Shorts Film Festival I won the Best Actress award, and at the San Diego International Kids Film Festival, Hungry won the Make A Difference Award! --Meanwhile, "Hungry" has been Officially Selected to two more festivals, the Awareness Festival, happening late Sept./early Oct., specific date TBA, and the World Film Fair, which is late October... I was also cast in and shot a role on web-series "The Connection", dir. Andrew Froening. I'll be heading to Europe on Aug. 30th to mix our next film "A Chance" at top sound studio, T-On Studios in Vienna, and will be shooting the pilot of the upcoming mini-series"Infiltrated", in New York, in the Fall.
JULY
I've been asked to play a role in short film "Imitate The Sun" by Sean O'Connor, multi-Emmy Winner William Electric Black will direct, and the shoot is in August. This short will be used to garner interest in the feature film of the same name, which the producers are hoping to shoot summer of 2019.
And the "Hungry" screening at the Long Island Intl. Film Expo went wonderfully -the next screening of Hungry will be at Brightside Tavern Shorts Film Fest, Sunday Aug. 5th, Jersey City, NJ -and I've been nominated for Best Actress, Alex Emanuel has been nominated for Best Actor and we also have a nomination for Best Ensemble! http://www.brightsidetavernfilmfestival.com/ ---"Hungry" has also been selected to the San Diego International Kids Film Festival, San Diego, CA - (which will be our 23rd film festival screening!) the fest is Aug. 24th - Aug. 26th - screening date is still TBA
JUNE
The play I'm currently in, "Grace is Good" has been extended due to sold-out houses! --It will run until June 24th at Theater For the New City. Here's the link once again for tickets --- https://www.smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?ControlState=1&SalesEventId=7627&DC= ----In other news, we had a table-read for the thriller "Infiltrated" by MarvaLee Peart, in which I'll now be playing the lead role of Mona DiBiassi, wife of Mafia boss, Sergio DiBiassi (Jim Thalman) - shooting will begin early October 2018. ----- "Hungry" got a write-up on the entertainment website The Knockturnal, article by Jake Alan King --- https://theknockturnal.com/film-review-hungry/ -----And another festival screening is happening for "Match", directed by Brian Siebert, we've been selected to the 2018 Albuquerque Film and Music Experience!
MAY
-Here's link for details on the play I'm currently in, "Grace is Good", by Claude Solnick, opening Thursday May 31st at the Theater For A New City -and for tickets --- https://www.smarttix.com/Modules/Sales/SalesMainTabsPage.aspx?ControlState=1&SalesEventId=7627&DC=
--And more festivals are coming up for "Hungry"! We have been Officially Selected to the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) , screening July 18th in Bellmore, N.Y., and have also been Officially Selected to the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, end of July/August, exact dates TBA
APRIL
Just wrapped on feature film "Beyond Adversity", writer/director Kaneesha Heath, which shot upstate in Corning, N.Y. - another wonderful team and experience! - And I've begun rehearsal for new play "Grace is Good", by Claude Solnik
---And short film "Match" directed by Brian W. Siebert, in which I play one of the leads, has just gotten into it's 3rd festival -it'll be playing at Cinema Village (22 E. 12 St.) in the Manhattan Film Festival on Sat. April 21st in the 7:00 pm block
MARCH
--Lovely to have been interviewed by Dr. Steeve Copeau for the film site NYIHA [-NYIHA Media offers award-winning programming spanning artist interviews, current affairs and entertainment formats.] ----- Here's link- - http://www.nyiha.com/
--And I'm directing and performing in the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival 2018's Screenplay Finalist Readings - 7 wonderful scripts, 17 terrific actors- Thursday March 22nd, 3:30 pm at Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St., NYC
FEBRUARY
--I've been cast in a Poetry Electric Special Black History Event: RICHARD WESLEY - SCENES, SCRIPTS, & DELIVERED (I'M YOURS), Series Director: William Electric Black, FEB. 27TH - 7:30PM - La Mama, 66 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003
--I've also been cast in feature film "Beyond Diversity" by Kaneesha Heath in the role of Rebekah, pregnant & engaged to a war veteran with PTSD. -Terrific script, I'm excited to start filming in mid April.--And short film "Match", dir. Brian W. Siebert, in which I play one of the leads, is Official Selection at Bermuda International Film Festival!
--And I'll once again be directing the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival's Screenplay Finalist Readings- it's a pleasure to be gathering a cast of some of NYC's finest actors for seven terrific screenplays. The reading will be Thursday March 22nd, 3:30 pm at Cinema Village
--And another screening! -Hungry has been invited to screen in Artemis Women In Action Film Festival's "Family Matters" block at the Monica Laemmle Theater, Santa Monica, Los Angeles on Saturday April 27th - for tickets, go to http://www.artemisfilmfestival.com/2018-festival/2018-schedule/
January 2019 - A Very Happy New Year to all!! - peace & light, prosperity, health & joy
NOVEMBER
Was asked to play the lead role in short film "The Lift" (fka "Finding Chemo"), by multi-award-winning writer/director Darva Campbell, shoot date, TBA
SEPTEMBER
Performed in sketch comedy series Liquid Courage at Uprights Citizens Brigade, Chelsea
---And "Hungry" is an Official Selection of the 2017 Glendale International Film Festival and will screen Friday October 20th at the UA8 Theater, 1919 Verdugo Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 in the 2 pm Shorts Block
AUGUST:
Cast in comedy series "Gail's New Boyfriend" in the role of Trisha, an anchorwoman at the local news station. Series will be airing on Amazon Prime, date TBA. Marcos Berrios & Jim Mendrinos, producers.
- And "Hungry" screened at the Brenden Theaters at the Palms Casino, Las Vegas as part of the Hollywood Dreamz Film Festival
July
Just wrapped on the short film "Match", directed by Brian W. Siebert. The funny, clever and touching screenplay is by Colette Mazunik. Such a great shoot and another terrific team to have had the pleasure to work & play with!
--And I was interviewed this month by Carmela Baranowska for We Are Moving Stories, a wonderful online film/media platform - -here's the interview -- http://www.wearemovingstories.com/we-are-moving-stories-videos/2017/7/11/hollywood-dreamz-international-film-festival-hungry
June
"Hungry" is a Semi-Finalist and an Official Selection of the 2017 Social World Film Festival which will take place July 23 - July 30 in Vico Equense, Italy ("Hungry's 19th film festival!) ---Next up, in August, Hungry will screen at the Hollywood Dreamz Film Festival and Screenwriter's Event (Action on Film International Film Festival's sister event) in Las Vegas, from Aug. 17th to the 27th. Date of screening is still TBA
May
Wrapped on "The Incoherents" - and had such a great time with the wonderful team, led by Jared Barel, director, Jordan Barel, producer, Jeff Auer, producer/screenwriter/lead actor and Alex Emanuel, producer/songwriter/lead actor. Also wrapped on "Prince Harming", another great team to work/play with, led by Marianne Hettinger, and my next feature film is currently in pre-production --
-----Am excited to share that Arlene Sparaco, screenwriter of "The Fighting Wagners", to be directed by the multi-award-winning director Roberto Monticello (who I'd worked with on feature film "You Have The Right to Remain Violent"), has posted the following announcement regarding my next role -----""The Fighting Wagners" proudly announces the signing of Jillie Simon to play Tressa Sarubbi. Among her many films, Jillie has appeared in A Beautiful Mind (2001) Confess (2005) and Hungry (2015), an award winning short film where she wrote, starred and co-directed with Thomas Simon. Jillie is a dedicated, professional and extraordinary actress whom I am so grateful to have on board! SAG and AFTRA member."
April
I've been cast in the rock and roll comedy feature film "The Incoherents", dir. Jared Barel, written by Jeff Auer, as Chryssie, the loving vegan yogini girlfriend of Keith, the bass player (Walter Hoffman), shooting this month and in May. Other cast members include Anne Carlson, Kate Arrington, and Margaret Anne Florence.
Also been cast in indie feature film"Prince Harming", in the role of Rhoda, written and to be directed by Marianne Hettinger, shooting in May 2017 as well. Excited to be playing fun parts in two terrific screenplays.
And we will be at the fabulous Artemis Women in Action Film Festival where "Hungry" is an Official Selection, Thursday April 20 - Sunday April 23 - more info at http://www.artemisfilmfestival.com
March
-Just cast in day-player role on "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee", playing a Ringer in the audience.
-- Also wrapped on "A Chance" this week (formerly known as "Be Still"), now on IMDB - - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt6584118/
---And here's the info for my reading next week of the Screenplay Finalists for the Socially Relevant Film Festival SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York, happening Thurs. March 16 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm at Cinepolis Chelsea --10 minute excerpts of five powerful scripts--- RSVP--- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sr-socially-relevant-film-fest… --I'll be reading the role of Jude in "The Chain" by Robin Lamont, and PJ Sosko will be playing the role of Emmet.
February
--I've been asked to perform in and helm the Staged Reading series for this years SR Socially Relevant Film Festival Screenplay Finalists which will take place mid-March of this year!
--And "Hungry" just got notified it's been selected to the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival! -This is the 18th film festival that we've been selected to and takes place in April. (Cinerockom Film Festival, which was to be our next screening, in Feb., has been postponed, the new date for the fest is TBA)
--And we're gearing up to shoot the final scene in our new film (Working Title) "Be Still", in early March.
January 2017 - Happy New Year!
Hungry took home the Indie Spirit Award at Idyllwild International Film Festival
--And I've been cast in one of the principal roles in the upcoming film "Prince Harming" by Marianne Hettinger, shoot-date will be in late April 2017
--& I will be doing a staged reading of new comedy "Rough Justice" by Tony Canino, directed by Diana Amsterdam in which I play Parker, a Siren, co-starring Karen de la Penha
----"Rough Justice" - 4 pm on Monday, January 23 at The Pearl -----Studio F, Pearl Studios, 519 8th Ave - free to the public
December
Hungry was selected to the Idylwild International Film Festival 2017, which takes place in January 2017
November
"Hungry" played in a sold out shorts block in the prestigious Big Apple Film Festival, at the Village East Cinemas on Nov. 5th, and we (myself and Thomas Simon (composer/co-producer/co-director/editor) were interviewed for a feature article in the arts magazine WHYTT Magazine - http://www.whyttmagazine.com/filmmaker-couple-jillie-and-thomas-simon/ -
--And we shot three more days on short film "Be Still" (working title)
October
---Hungry was Officially Selected to the New York Short Film Festival, screening on Wednesday, November 9th, 2016 6:00 PM , at Cinema Village, 22 East 12th Street New York, NY 10003 http://www.newyorkshort.com/festival-2016/ and has also been nominated in the 2016 Blow-Up: Arthouse International Film Festival Chicago, it's 15th festival.
---Shot 2 more scenes for our film "Be Still" (Working Title)
--- Was in L.A. for the premiere screening of the music video "Lost" by Thomas Simon (in which I played the Dream Muse) at the Other Venice Film Festival, Venice, CA.
---And coming up next week, Hungry will be at the Big Apple Film Festival on Friday November 5th, 8:30 pm in the Village East Cinemas, 181-189 2nd Ave.
New York, NY 10003 :: Screening in Theater Two - tickets can be bought on BAFF's website-
http://www.bigapplefilmfestival.com/baff_program_film_2016.html?film_id=27_03&program_id=27
September
Hungry was just Officially Selected to the Big Apple Film Festival 2016, which takes place in NYC early November. Prior to that it will be at the Chesapeake Film Festival in Easton, Maryland,October 29th -------And at the Action on Film Festival in California earlier in the month, I was awarded the Golden State Best Performance in a Film (a high honor which included males and females as the nominees)!
---I've also been busy shooting scenes from my upcoming film (working title"Be Still"), throughout this past month.
August
My film "Hungry" just received notice of it's 12th film fest., the Golden Door International Film Festival, happening September 2016 in Jersey City, N.J. Right before that it will be at the International Festival for Peace, Inspiration & Equality in Jakarta, Indonesia.
.---And multi-award-winning filmmaker Devi Snively has asked me to be one of the titular characters in her short film "Dr. Hyde and his Bird Bride , which is now officially in pre-production.
July
"Be Still" (Working title), my next short film, had it's first day of shooting on July 4th. I play one of the co-leads, Mia, and am also co-producing it. The rest of the shoot will continue through late Aug into the Fall
"Hungry" was awarded Honorable Mention at the Indie Gathering International Film Festival and will be screening next at the Long Beach Indie International Film, Media & Music Event, on Sunday Sept. 4th. Hungry also just got into The Chesapeake Film Festival, and will screen there on Oct. 29th. More details on that, and the screening dates at Action On Film International Film Festival will be announced in August.
May
"Hungry" was awarded Best Film (Public Service Honoree) at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival 2016 -
----and has been Officially Selected to the Hoboken International Film Festival 2016, screening at the Paramount Theater in Middletown, N.Y. on Sunday June 5th at 4:00 pm -
here's link to tickets - http://www.hobokeninternationalfilmfestival.com/events-2016/
------"Hungry" has also been honored to receive early acceptance at the 12th Annual Action On Film International Film Festival and Writers Event in Monrovia, CA, which will be it's seventh festival. AOF takes place in September. (the festival is still accepting films and scripts for submissions.)
- I was cast as Adele in the play "Quadratic" by John McKinney, directed by Leslie Kincaid- Burby. We did a 3 day Concert Reading of it presented by the Workshop Theater, May 12 - 14
-- Workshopping the short film (working title"Be Still"), written by by Ange Arabatzis, with additional story by Jillie Simon, on May 5th. I play one of the co-leads. Shoot will be summer 2016.
April
Our film "Hungry" is an Official Selection of the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, and will make it's Pennsylvania Premiere on Saturday May 7th, in the Shorts Block beginning at 1:20 pm, Walking Fish Theater, 2509 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Phone:(215) 427-9255 - ticket link - http://bit.ly/piffDRAMA - http://www.philadelphiaindependentfilmfestival.com
March
Workshopped a lovely, funny new musical, "Madame La Gimp" (book by Giles Havergal and Derek McCulloch, music/lyrics by Kyle Athayde/Derek McCulloch), directed by Amanda Dehnert for The Directors Company, artistic director Michael Parva (the company that brought "Irena's Vow" to Broadway) in conjuction with 59 E. 59th St. Theater
Was interviewed on WBAI, (99.5 FM) Tuesday March 8th at 5: 30 pm. As part of their International Women's Day programming, State of the Arts NYC host Savona Bailey-McClain interviewed me about our film "Hungry" having it's NY premiere in the Socially Relevant Film Festival 2016 -- and also played the Musiciens Sans Frontieres' song "So Many Ways (For Safe, Green, Sane Energy)" ___ http://www.wbai.org
--- I've been asked to play one of the lead roles, Detective Jamie Acito, in the upcoming feature film "Faction" by Arlene Sparaco, and we'll be doing a table read April 3rd. The film is still in development.
February
"Jane Ho" by John Pallotta, in which I played the lead role of Jane Ho 1, was performed as a staged reading on February 25th at The Actors Chapel at St. Malachy's, and another reading is being planned for The Dramatists Guild, date is still TBA
Our film "Hungry" will have it's East Coast Premiere at the awesome SR Socially Relevant Film Festival 2016! -- Can't wait to gather with our fabulous cast and crew, friends and fans for our first New York City screening -
Wednesday March 16th, 8 pm at the beautiful Bowtie Chelsea Cinemas--
260 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
-to purchase tickets, you can go to - http://www.ratedsrfilms.org --- It's in a block with the 8 min. short "The Tent" and the feature documentary from France "Supersonic Women"
JANUARY 2016 - Happy New Year!
I've been cast in the lead role in the play "Jane Ho" by John Pallotta, (role of Jane Ho 1), which is being done as a staged reading on February 25th at The Actors Chapel/St. Malachy's at 7:00 pm. A film version is also being planned.
(About The Actors Chapel -"Since it's inception, readings and staged readings of original plays have been presented by professional actors and directors... instituted by Artistic Director/Resident Playwright Jo Ann Tedesco in 2011... to create a permanent theatrical presence at Saint Malachy's continuing the tradition of the original theatrical endeavors at the world famous Actors Chapel. Already attracting such recognizable names as Olympia Dukakis, Louis Zorich, Joyce Van Patten, Gary Swanson and David Margulies... so far three premiered plays have gone on to full productions...)
DECEMBER 2015
Musiciens Sans Frontieres last album "Spread Some Love" won the Akademia Music Awards (L.A.) for Best Alternative Rock/Ambient Album - - which just landed us more airplay on the internet radio stations that they're associated with...
"In The Waves" is now in rotation on-
***KXRL Radio Los Angeles, California USA
***KEDG Radio Sydney, Australia
***KHSX Radio Houston, Texas USA
***WLDN Radio London, United Kingdom
***WMIC Radio Miami, Florida USA
To hear song, click link - https://www.reverbnation.com/tsm…/song/15818647-in-the-waves
- and our music video "Legalize" won Best Alternative Rock Music Video (it's 5th Best Music Video Award!)
OCTOBER 2015
I was nominated for Best Actress in a Short Film and "Hungry" nominated for Best Short Film at The Other Venice Film Festival. Screening is Saturday, October 10th, at: BEYOND BAROQUE, 681 VENICE BLVD. Venice, CA 90291 http://othervenicefilmfestival.com
SEPTEMBER 2015:
----"Hungry" premiered at the Burbank International Film Festival on Friday Sept 11th, 7:30 pm, Burbank AMC Theater
-Nominated for Best Actress and for Best Short Films by Women
JULY 2015
I've been cast in a supporting role in the independent feature film "Infiltrated", director Marvalee Peart, a crime thriller. The film will shoot in 2016, exact date is still TBA.
--Also did table read of William McCauley's new comedy "Turning Tables", with Steven Hauck, Marc Geller and Jean Tefler. A staged reading is being planned for early, 2016, exact date TBA
JUNE:
Cast in scenes for Sean Wirz at The Atlantic Theater's Directing Class run by director Karen Kohlhass.
APRIL: Improv at Upright Citizen's Brigade-
---And just signed with my new agent--
Laura Walsh at
Central Artists Talent Agency
3308 Burbank Blvd., Burbank CA 91505
PH (818) 557-8284 FAX (818) 557 - 8384
MARCH:
I've been awarded one of IndieFest Film Awards Best Actress Awards - Award of Merit: Leading Actress -
for my role of Allison Lenare in "Hungry" (the early 26 min. version)
January 2015:
-The trailer for "Hungry" is created and up on the Hungry page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/hungrytheshortfilm
-Was asked to play one of the upcoming characters in the L.A. web-series "Deep Fried Babies" which was written and will be co-directed by Alice Wood and will be shot and co-directed by award-winning dp/director Jeffrey Waldron.
2014
DECEMBER:
Interviewed by and for the European Independent Film Channel, because of our multi-award-winning music video, "Legalize" (Musiciens Sans Frontieres) , which was in the ECU (European Independent) Film Festival.
OCTOBER:
Musiciens Sans Frontieres will be performing live in L.A. at the Other Venice Film Festival on Saturday Oct. 11th at 8 pm- the Featured Band/Musical Guest in front of OVFF's Music Video Competition. Go to http://www.othervenicefilmfestival.com - for more info, tickets, etc.
SEPTEMBER:
-Susan Ann Langford, screenwriter, asked me to play the principal role of Annette Benson in her upcoming feature film "Bringing Down Goliath", shoot is TBA.
--Sept. 9th--Will be performing in a very funny comedy-
"LINE OF DESCENT"
A Reading of a New Comedy by William McCauley on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. Manhattan Theatre Club Studios, 311 West 43rd Street RSVP: readings@dennettproductions.com
AUGUST:
"Hungry", the short film I wrote, co-directed and co-produced, along with Thomas Simon, in association with Mabou Mines, is currently in post-production. Oscar-Nominated Eric Roberts plays the role of the Congressman Dennis Thicke, and Victor Collicchio (who wrote and was in Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam") plays reporter, Dave Buontempo. And Alex Emanuel ("Blue Bloods", "Family Album") plays my husband in this tale of a shy, idealistic teacher who must confront a congressman in order to help the children.
MAY: Recorded the song "Betty the Elephant", for the upcoming musical & film "Frankie" (a transmedia project) by award-winning writer/director Devi Snively, and will be playing the role of Abby Normal in this re-imagining of the "Frankenstein" story, set in the early 1930's. Abby is a performer in a side-show circus, with her band "Abby Normal & the Anomalies". Slated for 2015/2016.
MARCH:
Currently in pre-production with short film "Hungry", starring as Allison Lenare and Alex Emanuel as Zachary Lanare. Bettina Bilger, Verna Hampton and Melissa Murray-Mutch co-star.
-Musiciens Sans Frontieres' (Jillie Simon, vocals, Thomas Simon, guitar, keys, samples, Jeremiah Hosea, bass, Alex Alexander, drums) next concert will be at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, N.Y. on Friday, April 18th, 10 pm, along with special guests Of Earth, and others, TBA - go to the concert calendar at http://www.endorphinrecords.com for more details
FEBRUARY:
- There will be a free screening of latest film "We Became The Enemy" by Armand Ruhlman on Thursday, February 27th, 7:30 pm at Dixon Place, 161 Chrystie St., NYC.
- Reading of Eileen Deutsch's comedy "Take Me You Fool", at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South, NYC) on Thursday Feb. 6th, 6 pm. I play the protaganist Marian Finch-- "Manhattan publicist Marian Finch wants to rekindle passion in her marriage, so she concocts an elaborate game of sexual Chicken by suggesting to her husband Errol they have an orgy with their closest friends."
DECEMBER 2013-
A live video of the song "Truth, Justice & Love" from the Musiciens Sans Frontieres CMJ show this past Oct. is now viewable at http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Also "We Became The Enemy", is now viewable online - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7a8v3tAfk
OCTOBER-
Will be performing in "A View From A Death", a comedy by Willliam McCauley, which has been selected to be in the Primary Stages PrimeTime Reading Series on:
Friday Oct. 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
My band Musiciens Sans Frontieres has been selected to perform on opening night at the
CMJ Marathon Music Festival
When: Oct. 15th at 11:00 pm
Where: The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street
New York City, NY 10012
http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Price: $ 10
AUGUST- "We Became the Enemy" is currently in post-production, check back for news of a public screening of this 45 minute short in the Fall.
MAY- Will be playing the starring role of Brigitte in a short film written and directed by Armand A. Ruhlman, "We Became the Enemy", shooting throughout June and July.
-APRIL -Played all the female roles in a workshopping of Jonathan Fitt's award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller".
-And was cast in upcoming independent feature film "Asbury Park, USA", directed by Sean Guess, in the role of Daisy (one of the principal/leads), start date TBA.
-March - Played a show at The Bitter End with her band Musiciens Sans Frontieres.
-February- Performed in a reading of William McCauley's new comedy "A View From A Death" at TheaterLab. The other cast members were Marc Geller, Steve Hauck and Deborah Jean Templin.
-Dec. 2012- Musiciens Sans Frontieres latest music video, "So Many Ways (For Safe, Green, Sane Energy)" won the Golden Reel Award at the 2012 Nevada Film Festival, Las Vegas, December 2012 -and was selected to be screened in February at the Berlin Independent Film Festival 2013.
Musiciens Sans Frontieres played Fontana's in NYC, from which there are now three songs from the live concert on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSHh5JXnoNM&list=UU_RsulNfNBr5edddRhF3mTg&index=3
-Nov. 17th 2012:
World premiere of "HANNAH HENRI"
At: Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, NYC, NY
A "charming" and "groundbreaking" New York story presented in black and white, ""Hannah Henri" is a quirky homage to Woody Allen's masterpieces, "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" a la lesbian. Written and directed by Akiva Penaloza and starring Jillie Simon as Hannah Henri and Gayle Robbins as Lola.
-Oct. 24, 2012:
There will be a public reading of "The Dog and the Mistress" by Armand Ruhlman, Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm, at the Yippie Cafe, 9 Bleeker St, NYC. A developmental reading of this witty, political, three character comedy took place in July.
-Aug. 2012:
Cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming feature film "Margarita Night", a very funny comedy by Steve Marcarelli (associate producer of "Michael & Michael Have Issues" and writer at MTV) and Billy Lalor. A first public reading was at Soda Bar, Brooklyn (part of their Screenplay Reading Series).
-Also played an improv show at UCBEast on Sat., August 25th.
-July 2012:
The staged reading of William McCauley's new comedy "Under Certain Circumstances" played to a full house on July 12, 2012, and subsequently now has two interested producers.
-May 2012:
Romantic comedy "Hannah Henri", the short version (for SONY), by writer-director Akiva Penaloza wrapped on April 25th, 2012. I played Hannah, "a radiant, life-affirming artist who commitment-phobe Lola (Gail Robbins) can't help but jump into the ring for". There will be a NYC premiere in the fall of 2012, exact date TBA. The screenplay was one of the two winners of the 2009 NewDraft Screenplay Competition and Reading Series at Tribeca Film Festival's All Access Program and won Best Screenplay at New York’s prestigious LGBT film festival, NewFest. http://www.hannahhenri.com for more information and updates.
Was asked by award-winning playwright-actor-master acting coach & teacher John Pallota to be one of the master actor/teachers at his NYC acting studio and will be there Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm through most of summer 2012
For more info www.johnpallotta.com
-January 2012:
Played all the women in Clark Rockefeller's life in the first New York reading of Kennedy Center Award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller", by Jonathan Fitts, directed by Aaron Pratt.
-Sept. 2011 -Staged reading/backer's audition of William McCauley's new dark comedy "Ritual Drama" at the Payan Theater, Arias Studios.
-Sept 3d 2011- We played an acoustic Musiciens Sans Frontieres set at the First Annual Clear Creek Peace and Freedom Festival, RockPile Amphitheater, Winslow AZ. The show was broadcast on Peace Day TV, the United Nations "Peace Day" site and with numerous other collaborators allowing the event to reach a combined viewing audience of 200 million.
-July 2011 - Played an improv set at Upright Citizens Brigade, NYC.
-June 2011 -Been cast in the upcoming independent feature film "Oscillator" by Dr. David Deak, a sci-fi thriller in which she'll play the principal role of Dr. Debi Hastings, British radio-astronomer. She has also, upon request, co-created the theme/title song "Oscillator" with Thomas Simon. "Oscillator" the film, is currently in development.
"Bucket of Fish" - Cast in a reading of new play "Bucket of Fish" by Eliza Miller, directed by Olivia Harris, part of the New City, New Blood Reading Series at Theater for the New City, Tuesday April 19th at 7:00 -for more details please go to- http://lnkd.in/mKJ_df
"To Protect the Poets"
Cast in the role of Kathleen McNamara in the production of "To Protect the Poets" by the award-winning playwright John Doble, directed by Olivia Harris, the showcase opened March 31, 2011 and ran for seven performances, playing to standing room only audiences in it's last weekend. The talented cast included Elizabeth Alice Murray and Craig Anthony Grant.
"Ritual Drama"
- Cast by Nicole Brending (filmmaker and producer) as Ivy/Gloria in acclaimed playwright William McCauley's new, dark & witty comedy "Ritual Drama". The staged reading took place Monday April 4, 2011. .
"Seeking Flight"
Jillie played the lead role of Sandra in "Seeking Flight" by Joan Boardman, directed by Bree Perlman in a staged reading of the award-winning script, Feb. 27th, 2011.
"Take Me You Fool"
- Jillie played the lead character of Marian in a staged reading of the new and very funny bedroom farce "Take Me You Fool" by E.K Deutsch, directed by the multi-award winning Diana Amsterdam, Spring 2010. The reading also featured the very funny and wonderful actress Karin de la Penha.
"Traditional American Values"
- After doing the reading of the screenplay "Traditional American Values", an extremely funny satire by writer-director Eric Diamond, in 2009, Jillie was cast in the principal role of Heidi Cornflower in the upcoming feature film, currently in development.
MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES News:
The new 2012 album "Spread Some Love" is now available on cdbaby.com and itunes.
UPCOMING SHOW: Saturday March 30th 2013, 12 am
At: The Bitter End, NYC
- Official record release party and concert - Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, 10 pm At Spike Hill, Williamsburg. Also on the bill for the celebration will be Of Earth ( Rob DeLuca of UFO's new band) and Band Of Outsiders.
Three songs off the album, "Affection", MSf's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and "So Many Ways", are currently getting airplay on 23 radio stations across the U.S. as well as on Austria's premiere alternative station, FM4
- go to http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf to view the stations & call and request Musiciens Sans Frontieres
The MSF video "Legalize" (2011) was selected to eleven festivals and won the following awards- -
Awards:
*Winner, Rising Star Award, 2012 Canada Film Festival, Vancouver, Canada;
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada;
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, 2011 Honolulu Film Awards, Hawaii, USA
*Honorable Mention at the 2011 Los Angeles Movie Awards, California, USA
*Semi-Finalist; 2011 Action/Cut Short Film Festival: Los Angeles, California, USA
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Marijuana Music Awards, Toronto, Canada;
Official Selection:
*2011 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Pennsylvania, USA
*2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada
* 2011 The Other Venice Film Festival, Venice, California, USA
*2012 European Independent Film Festival (ECU), Paris, France
*2012 Park City Film Music Festival, Utah, USA
To view it on Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6jYK75vIq0
MSF's music video, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (2009, 2010) was the Official Selection of twelve film festivals and won three awards-
Awards:
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, Honolulu International Film Festival 2010, Hawaii, USA;
*Best Music Video @ the Los Angeles Global Film Festival 2010, California, USA;
*Award of Excellence in Filmmaking, Canada International Film Festival 2010, Vancouver, Canada;
- Official Selection:
*ION International Film Festival 2009; Port Harcourt, Nigeria;
*Queens International Film Festival 2009, New York, USA;
*Delray Beach Film Festival 2010, Florida, USA;
*Garden State Film Festival 2010, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA;
*Sunscreen Film Festival 2010, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA;
*On Location: MEMPHIS International Film & Music Festival 2010, Tennessee, USA;
*Cannes Independent Film Festival 2010, Cannes, France;
*Toronto Independent Film Festival 2010, Ontario, Canada;
*Victoria Independent Film Festival 2010, Australia;
- view it on this site or Youtube
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTzQP4-oE_I
Oct. 2012: New music video "So Many Ways (For Safe Green, Sane Energy)" (2012) has been selected to The Other Venice Film Festival,
- Check back on the endorphin records calendar for more MSf concert dates and events- http://www.endorphinrecords.com
* Musiciens Sans Frontieres will be playing Gussy's in Astoria, Queens, on Sat. June 14th at 11 pm.
Gussy's - 20 - 14 29th Street, Astoria, NY
http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf - with High North, on at 10pm -
http://www.reverbnation.com/highnorth
* Jillie recorded the song "Betty the Elephant", for the upcoming musical & film "Frankie" (a transmedia project) by award-winning writer/director Devi Snively, and will be playing the role of Abby Normal in this re-imagining of the "Frankenstein" story, set in the early 1930's. Abby is a performer in a side-show circus, with her band "Abby Normal & the Anomalies". Slated for 2015/2016.
MARCH:
Currently in pre-production with short film "Hungry", starring Jillie as Allison Lenare and Alex Emanuel as Zachary Lanare. Bettina Bilger, Verna Hampton and Melissa Murray-Mutch co-star in this tale of a shy but big-hearted teacher who must practice what she teaches and confront a Congressman in order to help the children.
-Musiciens Sans Frontieres' (Jillie Simon, vocals, Thomas Simon, guitar, keys, samples, Jeremiah Hosea, bass, Alex Alexander, drums) next concert will be at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, N.Y. on Friday, April 18th, 10 pm, along with special guests Of Earth, and others, TBA - go to the concert calendar at http://www.endorphinrecords.com for more details
FEBRUARY:
- There will be a free screening of Jillies' latest film "We Became The Enemy" by Armand Ruhlman on Thursday, February 27th, 7:30 pm at Dixon Place, 161 Chrystie St., NYC.
- Reading of Eileen Deutsch's comedy "Take Me You Fool", at The Players Club (16 Gramercy Park South, NYC) on Thursday Feb. 6th, 6 pm. Jilllie plays the protaganist Marian Finch "Manhattan publicist Marian Finch wants to rekindle passion in her marriage, so she concocts an elaborate game of sexual Chicken by suggesting to her husband Errol they have an orgy with their closest friends."
DECEMBER 2013-
A live video of the song "Truth, Justice & Love" from the Musiciens Sans Frontieres CMJ show this past Oct. is now viewable at http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Also "We Became The Enemy", is now viewable online - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7a8v3tAfk
OCTOBER-
Jillie will be performing in "A View From A Death", a comedy by Willliam McCauley, which has been selected to be in the Primary Stages PrimeTime Reading Series on:
Friday Oct. 11th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Jillie's band Musiciens Sans Frontieres has been selected to perform on opening night at the
CMJ Marathon Music Festival
When: Oct. 15th at 11:00 pm
Where: The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker Street
New York City, NY 10012
http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf
Price: $ 10
AUGUST- "We Became the Enemy" is currently in post-production, check back for news of a public screening of this 45 minute short in the Fall.
MAY- Jillie will be playing the starring role of Brigitte in a short film written and directed by Armand A. Ruhlman (-working title, "We Became the Enemy?"), shooting throughout June and July. It will be the first episode of the project.
-APRIL -Jillie played all the female roles in a workshopping of Jonathan Fitt's award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller".
- She was also cast in upcoming independent feature film "Asbury Park, USA", directed by Sean Guess, in the role of Daisy (one of the principal/leads), start date TBA.
-March - Jillie played a show at The Bitter End with her band Musiciens Sans Frontieres.
-February- Jillie performed in a reading of William McCauley's new comedy "A View From A Death" at TheaterLab. The other cast members were Marc Geller, Steve Hauck and Deborah Jean Templin.
-Dec. 2012- Musiciens Sans Frontieres latest music video, "So Many Ways (For Safe, Green, Sane Energy)" won the Golden Reel Award at the 2012 Nevada Film Festival, Las Vegas, December 2012 -and was selected to be screened in February at the Berlin Independent Film Festival 2013.
Musiciens Sans Frontieres played Fontana's in NYC, from which there are now three songs from the live concert on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSHh5JXnoNM&list=UU_RsulNfNBr5edddRhF3mTg&index=3
-Nov. 17th 2012:
World premiere of "HANNAH HENRI"
At: Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue, NYC, NY
A "charming" and "groundbreaking" New York story presented in black and white, "Hannah Henri" is a quirky homage to Woody Allen's masterpieces, "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" a la lesbian.
written and directed by Akiva Penaloza and starring Jillie Simon as Hannah Henri and Gayle Robbins as Lola.
-Oct. 24, 2012:
There will be a public reading of "The Dog and the Mistress" by Armand Ruhlman, Wednesday Oct. 24, 2012 at 7:00 pm, at the Yippie Cafe, 9 Bleeker St, NYC. A developmental reading of this witty, political, three character comedy took place in July.
-Aug. 2012:
Jillie has been cast in one of the lead roles in the upcoming feature film "Margarita Night", a very funny comedy by Steve Marcarelli (associate producer of "Michael & Michael Have Issues" and writer at MTV) and Billy Lalor. A first public reading was at Soda Bar, Brooklyn (part of their Screenplay Reading Series).
- She also played an improv show at UCBEast on Sat., August 25th.
-July 2012:
The staged reading of William McCauley's new comedy "Under Certain Circumstances" played to a full house on July 12, 2012, and subsequently now has two interested producers.
-May 2012:
Romantic comedy "Hannah Henri", the short version (for SONY), by writer-director Akiva Penaloza wrapped on April 25th, 2012. Nathaniel Kramer was director of photography, and Jillie played the title role, "a radiant, life-affirming artist who commitment-phobe Lola can't help but jump into the ring for". There will be a NYC premiere in the fall of 2012, exact date TBA. The screenplay was one of the two winners of the 2009 NewDraft Screenplay Competition and Reading Series at Tribeca Film Festival's All Access Program and won Best Screenplay at New York’s prestigious LGBT film festival, NewFest. http://www.hannahhenri.com for more information and updates.
Jillie was asked by award-winning playwright-actor-master acting coach & teacher John Pallota to be one of the master actor/teachers at his NYC acting studio and will be there Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 pm through most of summer 2012
For more info www.johnpallotta.com
-January 2012:
Jillie played all the women in "Clark Rockefeller"s life in the first New York reading of Kennedy Center Award-winning play "The Pursuit of Mr. Rockefeller", by Jonathan Fitts, directed by Aaron Pratt.
-Sept. 2011 - a staged reading/backer's audition of William McCauley's new dark comedy "Ritual Drama" ( in which Jillie, Matthew Semler, Heidi Jackson & Bill Kozy played four couples) took place at the Payan Theater, Arias Studios.
-Sept 3d 2011- Jillie and Thomas Simon played an acoustic Musiciens Sans Frontieres set at the First Annual Clear Creek Peace and Freedom Festival, RockPile Amphitheater, Winslow AZ. The show was broadcast on Peace Day TV, the United Nations "Peace Day" site and with numerous other collaborators allowing the event to reach a combined viewing audience of 200 million.
-July 2011 - Jillie played an improv set at Upright Citizens Brigade, NYC.
-June 2011 -Jillie has been cast in the upcoming independent feature film "Oscillator" by Dr. David Deak, a sci-fi thriller in which she'll play the principal role of Dr. Debi Hastings, British radio-astronomer. She has also, upon request, co-created the theme/title song "Oscillator" with Thomas Simon. "Oscillator" the film, is currently in development.
"Bucket of Fish" - Cast in a reading of new play "Bucket of Fish" by Eliza Miller, directed by Olivia Harris, part of the New City, New Blood Reading Series at Theater for the New City, Tuesday April 19th at 7:00 -for more details please go to- http://lnkd.in/mKJ_df
"To Protect the Poets"
Cast in the role of Kathleen McNamara in the production of "To Protect the Poets" by the award-winning playwright John Doble, directed by Olivia Harris, the showcase opened March 31, 2011 and ran for seven performances, playing to standing room only audiences in it's last weekend. The talented cast included Elizabeth Alice Murray and Craig Anthony Grant.
"Ritual Drama"
- Cast by Nicole Brending (filmmaker and producer) as Ivy/Gloria in acclaimed playwright William McCauley's new, dark & witty comedy "Ritual Drama". The staged reading took place Monday April 4, 2011. .
"Seeking Flight"
Jillie played the lead role of Sandra in "Seeking Flight" by Joan Boardman, directed by Bree Perlman in a staged reading of the award-winning script, Feb. 27th, 2011.
"Take Me You Fool"
- Jillie played the lead character of Marian in a staged reading of the new and very funny bedroom farce "Take Me You Fool" by E.K Deutsch, directed by the multi-award winning Diana Amsterdam, Spring 2010. The reading also featured the very funny and wonderful actress Karin de la Penha.
"Traditional American Values"
- After doing the reading of the screenplay "Traditional American Values", an extremely funny satire by writer-director Eric Diamond, in 2009, Jillie was cast in the principal role of Heidi Cornflower in the upcoming feature film, currently in development.
MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES News:
The new 2012 album "Spread Some Love" is now available on cdbaby.com and itunes.
UPCOMING SHOW: Saturday March 30th 2013, 12 am
At: The Bitter End, NYC
- Official record release party and concert - Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, 10 pm - At Spike Hill, Williamsburg. Also on the bill for the celebration will be Of Earth ( Rob DeLuca of UFO's new band) and Band Of Outsiders.
Three songs off the album, "Affection", MSf's cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and "So Many Ways", are currently getting airplay on 23 radio stations across the U.S. as well as on Austria's premiere alternative station, FM4
- go to http://www.reverbnation.com/tsmsf to view the stations & call and request Musiciens Sans Frontieres
The MSF video "Legalize" (2011) was selected to eleven festivals and won the following awards- -
Awards:
*Winner, Rising Star Award, 2012 Canada Film Festival, Vancouver, Canada;
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada;
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, 2011 Honolulu Film Awards, Hawaii, USA
*Honorable Mention at the 2011 Los Angeles Movie Awards, California, USA
*Semi-Finalist; 2011 Action/Cut Short Film Festival: Los Angeles, California, USA
*Winner, Best Music Video, 2011 Marijuana Music Awards, Toronto, Canada;
Official Selection:
*2011 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Pennsylvania, USA
*2011 Toronto Independent Film Festival, Ontario, Canada
* 2011 The Other Venice Film Festival, Venice, California, USA
*2012 European Independent Film Festival (ECU), Paris, France
*2012 Park City Film Music Festival, Utah, USA
To view it on Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6jYK75vIq0
MSF's music video, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (2009, 2010) was the Official Selection of twelve film festivals and won three awards-
Awards:
*Winner of the Aloha Accolade Award for Excellence in Filmmaking, Honolulu International Film Festival 2010, Hawaii, USA;
*Best Music Video @ the Los Angeles Global Film Festival 2010, California, USA;
*Award of Excellence in Filmmaking, Canada International Film Festival 2010, Vancouver, Canada;
- Official Selection:
*ION International Film Festival 2009; Port Harcourt, Nigeria;
*Queens International Film Festival 2009, New York, USA;
*Delray Beach Film Festival 2010, Florida, USA;
*Garden State Film Festival 2010, Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA;
*Sunscreen Film Festival 2010, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA;
*On Location: MEMPHIS International Film & Music Festival 2010, Tennessee, USA;
*Cannes Independent Film Festival 2010, Cannes, France;
*Toronto Independent Film Festival 2010, Ontario, Canada;
*Victoria Independent Film Festival 2010, Australia;
- view it on this site or Youtube
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTzQP4-oE_I
Oct. 2012: New music video "So Many Ways (For Safe Green, Sane Energy)" (2012) has been selected to The Other Venice Film Festival,
- Check back on the endorphin records calendar for more MSf concert dates and events- http://www.endorphinrecords.com