what the mind can't remember, the heart never forgets
PIECE OF ME
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STORY
An 8-year-old boy begins to lose his best friend, an elderly lady, as her memories fade away to Alzheimer's. Determined to help, he embarks on a journey to rekindle the memories of their friendship.
Piece of Me explores the friendship of a caregiver’s son, Dylan, who befriends an elderly woman with dementia, Mrs. Brooks. Through their shared experiences, they are able to bring out each other’s bliss, wisdom, humor, and thirst for life. When Dylan realizes that Mrs.Brooks's memory is deteriorating, he goes out of his way to ensure that their special bond is never forgotten. He tries his best to be a reminder of her past and the result is a mix of willpower, love, and hope.
WRITER / DIRECTOR / PRODUCER
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
“Alzheimer’s disease is a subject that hits close to home as my beloved grandfather succumbed to it while my aunt is currently suffering from this degenerative condition. Its complex nature adversely inflicts emotional distress on their loved ones mainly because they are commonly incognizant of the proper ways of coping with it. By telling this story through the eyes of an innocent child, I am able to shed light on its repercussions from a positive perspective and heartwarming approach by emphasizing the powerful message that love is unconditional and will always triumph over life’s adversities.”
CAST
Bruna Cabral is an award-winning filmmaker from Rio de Janeiro with a passion for creating emotionally remarkable stories. She graduated with Business and Management of Entertainment, Producing and Directing degrees from UCLA. PIECE OF ME is her debut short film as Director, also written and produced by Cabral. She was awarded the Special Jury Mention Award at the Short of the Year Film Festival in Spain, the Best First-time Director Award at Oniros Film Awards in Italy, and Best Production at Prague International Monthly Film Festival in the Czech Republic. PIECE OF ME has been nominated for 33 Festivals, including the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, accredited as Academy Award Qualifying and awarded in 11 Film Festivals worldwide.
Cabral’s first feature film as Associate Producer, HAM ON RYE, Directed by Tyler Taormina, held its World Premiere in 2019 at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, accredited as Academy Award Qualifying. HAM ON RYE was selected for the Locarno Film Festival, also accredited as Academy Award Qualifying. The New Yorker mentioned the feature film in its article “The 2021 Oscar Nominations, and What Should Have Made the List”. The short film, HEADWAY, Produced by Cabral and Directed by Camila Rizzo, held its World Premiere in 2018 at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, accredited as Academy Award Qualifying and was awarded in 12 Festivals. Cabral was awarded Best Producer at the Queen Palm International Film Festival.
Cabral supports female filmmakers having her projects screened at the Hollywood Women's Film Institute: Hollywood Women's Film Festival, La Femme International Film Festival, and Muestra de Cine Mujeres en Escena. She won the first place award in a Herbalife commercial contest in France in 2016 among more than 300 filmmakers. She was invited to be a Jury at the Short of the Year Film Festival in Spain and T.I.F.A – Tietê International Film Awards - in Brazil. Cabral has worked with well-known actors and athletes, including Jon Lovitz, Stephen Kramer Glickman, Ernest Thomas, Chris Elliott, Michael Madsen, and NFL football player, Tony Gonzales. Her talent for creativity and productivity leads her to work on feature films, short films, commercials, promos, and on-demand fitness content. Cabral is currently based in Los Angeles.
MASON WELLS
DYLAN
Mason Wells is an American actor born in Atlanta Georgia to Jon and Mila Wells. At the age of 8, Mason moved to Los Angels California to continue his acting education. He appeared in Film, TV, Commercials, and Musical. He loves sports, Science and Reading. Education is very important to him and is a very big part of his everyday life.
CAST
MRS. BROOKS
Roberta Sloan is an actress, director, teacher, and administrator. She received her BA from Northwestern University in Drama Education and her M.A. and Ph.D. from The University of Michigan, in Theatre. Roberta is a former professor and chair of the Theatre Department at the University of Central Oklahoma. She was Executive Producer of all of the Temple Theaters Productions, including IN CONFLICT which received an Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award and ran for two months OFF BROADWAY. Sloan has directed and acted in over 200 productions. Dr. Sloan was the Producer and Host of the show “Arts Encounter,”, and she has produced many documentary shows, including the award-winning “Story of Native American Painting.” While living in Los Angeles, she appeared in films, Music Videos, and some PSA’s. Currently, she is the founder and artistic director of “Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma”.
ROBERTA SLOAN
ABBY
Meghan K Less is a Canadian actress and writer. She grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. Growing up on the Canadian Prairies, Meghan was immersed in the medical life - her father, Gordon, a Pediatric surgeon, and her mother, Colleen, a nurse. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry she chose a different path - she went on to study acting in Vancouver, Canada. Six months after graduating from VADA, she landed her first role in the low-budget independent short film, Asperity (2009), which won the BEAC award for best drama. The following year, she played the recurring role as Dr. Katherine Stewart in the Canadian-African produced show, Saints (2010). Meghan is not only a versatile actress and writer, but she is also a skilled horseback rider, winning championships by age 14.
MEGHAN K LEES
Ligia Osorio
Line Producer
Ligia Osorio is an award-winning Producer from São Paulo based in Los Angeles with a bachelor’s degree in Social Communication from Universidade Metodista de São Paulo and an Academic Certificate from UCLA in Business and Management of Entertainment and, Producing. Ligia has pursued a career in the entertainment industry for more than ten years, acting as producer, line producer, and executive producer.
Ligia and Bruna met on the set of the feature film HAM ON RYE, where Ligia was UPM, and they have been collaborating since then. Ligia was HEADWAY's Line Producer and was awarded Best Producer at the Queen Palm International Film Festival. She has produced commercially for companies including Disney, TiVo, Pomellato, and FX channel. Ligia was the Executive Producer of New Content Company for 5 years responsible for branded content for major clients including LATAM Airlines, O Boticário, and Volkswagen.
Camila Rizzo
Producer
Camila Rizzo is an award-winning Director and Editor. She graduated in Directing at UCLA and has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
Her projects have more than 15 awards and have been selected for over 30 Film Festivals around the world, including Academy Awards Qualifying.
Rizzo has more than 10 years of experience in TV and recently edited a Coca-Cola commercial with Olivia Wilde. Previously, she worked in Rede Globo, a Brazilian Network and the second largest in the world, where she had the opportunity to work in the coverage of the Olympic Games (2016), the World Cup (2014), and in TV shows that were nominee and won the International Emmy Awards.
Bruna and Camila met through a mutual friend and have worked together on several projects since then.
Teodora Totoiu
Director of Photography
Teodora Totoiu was born in Romania and raised in California where she received her MFA in cinematography from UCLA. Her background in anthropology and photography inspires her creative approach when shooting scripted narratives, documentaries and music videos. With a passion for visual storytelling, she enjoys collaborating and working creatively to echo each director's vision through texture and movement that best represents and supports their unique narrative voice.
In addition to dozens of short films, she has lensed "Waterschool," which is currently streaming on Netflix, and "Lives, Not Grades," a feature documentary following engineering students who designed and implemented actionable solutions to address the refugee management crisis in Greece, premiering in 2020.
Her international work spans across ten countries, with shoots in Brazil, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, Austria, Romania, Uganda, India, China and across the U.S.
TEAM
REVIEW
“Piece of Me is an excellent short film that offers an excellent inside look at one of most heartbreaking diseases. It showcasing the effects of Alzheimer's on those affected from many angles. In just twenty minutes, tears are guaranteed!
I love that the story shows many perspectives of Alzheimer's Disease. From loved ones, to those actually affected. The camera work is excellent. One shot I especially love is where they are doing a puzzle and the pieces outline the frame. The costumes and sets are very simple and suite the story. The music is well written and helps create a warm tone to the film. The two leading actors are excellent. They perfectly capture their respective character's emotions. My favorite part is the ending! It is personal and well executed.
The message of this film is about the importance of caring for your loved ones and appreciating the time you have with them. I give Piece of Me 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 12 to 18, plus adults. I felt it very personally as dementia runs in my family and, where you are familiar with the disease or not, you will feel an emotional connection.”
- Reviewed by Erin M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.
“Piece of Me is a story of a beautiful story of friendship. The age gap is never an issue when it comes to friendship. This is what this short film has shown. However, when the old lady felt the signs of her age, things have become difficult for her. It is just a good thing that her little boy best friend is there to remind her of their friendship and the beauty of life. The concept is heartwarming is simply so cute! All the characters are so lovable! The story will pierce right through your heart. It is touching and beautiful. This film is perfect from acting, pace, storyline, plot, and musical score. I have fallen in love with this short film. Kudos to Director Bruna Cabral.”
- Reviewed by Utah Film Festival and Awards
Piece Of Me: An Accurate, Heartfelt Portrayal Of Alzheimer’s
Finding Beauty in What Remains: ‘Piece of Me’ Sheds Light on Alzheimer’s Disease
‘Piece of Me’: An Informative Short Too Pure for This World
https://inmyopinionflicks.com/piece-of-me-an-informative-short-too-pure-for-this-world/
Why Piece of me is a must-see film
https://tyliaflores.com/why-peace-of-me-is-a-must-see-film/
Direct, accessible, sublimely innocent, undeniably charming, yet acutely purposeful in its core message that should more than raise further and necessary awareness to a heartbreakingly debilitating disease
http://onefilmfan.com/short-film-review-piece-of-me/
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS AND AWARDS
Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival
Best International Short Film - Winner
Oniros Film Awards
Best First Time Director - Winner
Best Short Film - Official Selection
Short of the Year
Jury Special Mention Award
Festival Internacional para la niñez y Adolescencia Kolibri
Jury Special Mention Award
Kidz CINEMA 2020
Jury Special Mention Award
Sweden Film Awards SFA 2020
Best Short Film - Winner
Košice International Monthly Film Festival
Best Short Film - Winner
Prague International Monthly Film Festival
Best Production - Winner
Glendale International Film Festival
Best Actress - Winner
Best Short Film - Official Selection
BIMIFF - Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival
Best Actor - Winner
Best Director - Official Selection
Best Cinematography - Official Selection
Best Production Designer - Official Selection
Best Editing - Official Selection
Santa Monica International Film Festival
Honorable Mention
London International Monthly Film Festival
Honorable Mention
CORE International Film Festival
Finalist
Hollywood Women's Film Institute: Hollywood Women's Film Festival
Semi-finalist
Madrid Film Awards
Semi-finalist
Continental Film Festival
Semi-finalist
Lonely Wolf: London International Film Festival
Quarter-finalist
Paris Film Festival
Nominee
London Shorts
Nominee
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
Nominee
Chicago International Children's Film Festival
Official Selection
Awareness Film Festival
Official Selection
La Femme International Film Festival
Official Selection
DYTIATKO International Children’s Media Festival
Official Selection
"Hang on to Your Shorts!" Film Festival
Best Director Long Short - Official Selection
Best Actress Long Short - Official Selection
Best Family Movie - Official Selection
Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival
Official Selection
Muestra de Cine Mujeres en Escena
Official Selection
Kids First! Film Festival
Official Selection
LONG STORY SHORTS International Film Festival
Official Selection
Children's Film Festival Seattle
Official Selection
Film in Focus
Official Selection
Dubai Independent Film Festival
Official Selection
Cineminha B
Official Selection
Kalakari Film Festival
Official Selection
Irvine International Film Festival
Official Selection
Marina del Rey Film Festival
Official Selection
Studio City Film Festival
Official Selection
Indie Shorts Mag Film Festival
Official Selection
CONTACT
If you can relate to Piece of Me, we'd love to hear your story!
If you would like more information about the film, would like to arrange a screening, or have press inquiries, please send us an email.
If you'd like to follow our journey, let us know and we'll make sure to keep you up to date on festivals, screenings and events!
We look forward to hearing from you.