Synopsis
Ethan—a homeschooled teen—loves his skateboard. It’s the rest of his life he’s not so sure about. On his skateboard, he feels safe… and free. Until one day he ventures into the woods, and takes a nose dive right into the path of Jo—a homeless woman—who wants Ethan to get going, like immediately. Too bad for her, he’s got a dislocated shoulder and a broken skateboard, so he’s staying. At first, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. But as time passes, Ethan and Jo let their guards down and they share Ethan’s sandwich and so much more. They share themselves, finding camaraderie and common ground, as they explore the meaning of home and the importance of taking leaps of faith.
History
Some moments forever change your life. I remember so clearly when my coworker Nakita told me about how he skateboarded as a teenager in a parking lot next to a tent community. This was after the housing collapse of 2008, when tent communities were popping up all over the United States at alarming rates. Living in New York City, the reality of the homelessness crisis hit me on a daily basis. Nakita's stories deeply touched me, and I felt compelled to do something… to take his words and somehow bring them to life.
Thus began my journey with No Place Is Home. The film is currently being submitted for the 2023 film festival cycle. I hope my story helps people expand their vision in terms of what home means, and how that meaning can vary from person to person. The film aims to break down stereotypes and dispel stigmas surrounding the homeless population. I wanted to call attention to this community of people, whose voice is too often overlooked.
In the film, Jo and Ethan inspire one another, and find common ground despite their different backgrounds. When they part ways, their lives are enriched for having met one another. I've always believed that learning can come from the most unlikely of sources - including people you only meet for a brief moment in time. I would love audiences to come away knowing that EVERYONE has humanity and heart.
Creative Team
Dina Laura
Writer/Producer/Actress/Director
Dina Laura is an actress/writer/voiceover artist, born in New Jersey, and raised by her two Bronx-born parents. Her plays have been produced on both coasts, with ELEPHANTS AND OTHER WORLDLY DILEMMAS winning FringeFav in the 2015 New York International Fringe Festival. Dina’s first short film, PILLOW TALK, debuted at the Garden State Film Festival in March, 2022. NO PLACE IS HOME, her next short, will be filming in July, 2022. The script was a semi-finalist in the 2021 Big Apple Film Festival and was selected for the Toronto International Film Festival of Cift. Dina's superhero pilot SHE/HERO was written with the Sundance Collab and was selected as a quarter-finalist in Scriptapalooza and Pitch Now Screenplay Competition. Dina also has a blog, jewoppy.blogspot.com, where you can read humorous tales told from the perspective of a Jewish Italian non-princess. dinalaura.com.
Giulia Aguiar
Director/Line Producer
Giulia Aguiar is a writer/director/producer born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At 18 she moved to New York City to pursue her dreams as a filmmaker. She graduated with honors from the School of Visual Arts and has since been working actively in the industry as a producer, sending several of her films to film festivals worldwide. Giulia has worked with one of the biggest Brazilian networks, Rede Globo, as well as PBS in America, giving her perspective on different industries. She was one of the 28 applicants accepted for the Met Film School Masters Program in London where she will be pursuing a masters degree in producing. giuaguiar.com
Gabi Faye
Director
Gabi Faye is an actress and filmmaker best known for her recurring role on HBO’s MARE OF EASTTOWN and acting opposite Dylan Baker in the feature anthology thriller IMMORTAL. Recently, Gabi played (an ASL) leading role in the short film NOISY, which won best short at Cannes Film Festival. Gabi has directed several projects including her own film DIRTY GIRL, which was featured on Time Squares coveted Nasdaq billboards. She is highly experienced on the production side, having worked as the assistant to the Producer on films like THE RETALIATORS (Better Noise Films) as an associate producer on films including YES (starring Nolan Gould) and LOVE AND COMMUNICATION (starring Briana Evigan), and production managed films like ART OF DIVERSION and WARMING PLANET. Gabi runs a company called Scenely, producing and directing actor reel clips, and helping actors create cohesive marketing materials. To learn more about Gabi or her company visit: www.gabifaye.com or www.scenely.co
Tessa Faye Talent
Co-Producer/Casting Director
Tessa Faye Talent, LLC is a NYC-based career consulting business & boutique casting office. Projects include American-made documentaries, award-winning short films, animated features, podcasts, audio dramas, and new media projects, as well as both in-person and remote readings of original work on the path to Broadway and the Big Screen. Tessa Faye is on the creative team of AS SEEN ON (w/ Mark Duplass), as well as SANTA CON: THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS (featuring Catherine Curtin.) She is a co- producer of the much-loved comedic short PILLOW TALK, which appeared at the Garden State Film Festival in March 2022, and has two feature films (KILLINGTON & RETREAT!) in post-production. tessafayetalent.com
Production Stills
Behind-The-Scenes
BTS Photos
BTS Video
Screenwriting Awards
