The independent film Free, Dead or Alive by director Erik Bernard opens the Film Festival season by winning all 5 top categories at the California Women’s Film Festival (CWFF). In a record-breaking achievement, Free Dead or Alive has won Best Film, Best Director (Erik Bernard), Best Actress (Edy Ganem), Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Velazquez), and Best Actor (Seth Michaels).
Free, Dead or Alive takes audiences on a deadly road trip where a young girl (Edy Ganem) makes a perilous journey from South/Central America to the United States, unaware of the real dangers ahead, including human trafficking. The action-packed drama also stars Alejandro De Hoyos as the brutal drug lord The Brazilian and his sadistic son Miguel played by ex-Menudo Robert Avellanet, in a surprising breakthrough role.
The film also stars Robert La Sardo, Dyana Ortelli, Marcus DeAnda, Juan Pablo Olyslager, Al Coronel, Thomas Hennessy, Christiana Leucas, and Anna Carvalho. Written/Directed and Produced by Erik Bernard, Marco-Angela La Porta, Executive Produced by Courtney Le Marco, Grady Craig, Edy Ganem, Mathew Helderman, Seth Michaels, and Luke Taylor. Associate Producer: Tracey Bradley. Production Executive: John Hoernschemeyer.
The California Women’s Film Festival’s Award ceremony and red carpet will take place on Saturday, January 8, at 6:30 p.m. Whitefire Theatre 13500 Ventura Boulevard.
