Sherry Kelly, Producer, A Place Called Home, is proud to announce that Tina Cesa Ward is attached as Director.
A Place Called Home, an independent film, that is not only entertaining but a socially responsible coming of age drama about Ally, an All-American 17 year-old, and the harsh reality she endures as she explores & ultimately accepts who she really is on her journey to a place to call home.
Tina Cesa Ward started her career as a writer and director on several short films, most notably her multi-award winning short film In Their Absence that was named one of the best short films of the decade by Festival de cortos MíraLes. She jumped into the web world in 2008 and for three seasons Tina was the Executive Producer/Writer/Director of Anyone But Me, one of the most beloved independent scripted dramas on the web. Anyone But Me has reached over 50 million views and has brought home nearly every industry award, highlighted by Tina (along with Susan Miller) winning the first ever Writers Guild of America Award for Original New Media. In 2012 Tina (along with Susan Miller) took home the International Academy of Web TV award for writing in a drama. Tina has been nominated several times for her directing as well, and in 2013 won the International Academy of Web TV Award for Best Directing in a Drama. Other nomination highlights include Webby and Streamy Award nominations.
In 2010 Tina directed the successful first season of the branded web series Bestsellers. A year later Tina debuted the critically acclaimed Good People in Love, which DIGIDAY calls “…a new milestone for online video series.” Tina also took home a Rome Web Award in 2014 for Best Dialogues for the series. In the fall of 2013, Producing Juliet made its premiere at Raindance Film Festival’s London WebFest where it received a standout notice from The Huffington Post. Producing Juliet has gathered its own share of award nominations, including 2014 and 2015 Indie Series Award nominations for Tina’s direction and writing. In 2015 Tina won the International Academy of Web TV Award for Best Writing (Drama.) And in March 2016, Tina was elected Chair of the International Academy of Web TV and is also an Executive Committee Member for The Caucus for Producers, Writers, and Directors.
When asked about her new directing endeavor, Tina replied: "I couldn't be more excited to be working with Sherry on a film with characters telling stories we don't see often enough on film. I have always been interested in telling the complete landscape of LGBTQ stories and A Place Called Home is a compelling story that I'm thrilled to take on."
About Sherry Kelly, Producer
Sherry is an independent film producer dedicated to producing thoughtful, highly entertaining & unique feature films.
While working on the Paramount Pictures studio lot as an Assistant to the Chairman of Viacom Entertainment Group, one of the world’s major entertainment corporations, Sherry was greatly inspired and, as someone with a creative vision, started putting her ideas to paper. "After becoming aware of the news reports about LGBT kids being bullied - sometimes to the point of death and all too often by suicide, I quickly realized there was a compelling story to be told – Ally's story. l still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that 1 homeless LGBT youth dies in the streets every 4 hours. 6 die every day from lack of shelter, lack of food, lack of healthcare and street violence. Take your pick. Overlooked, marginalized and dying in plain sight, these kids deserved to have someone tell their story. A Place Called Home was born. You laugh. You cry. You get pissed off. By the closing credits, you give a damn!"
A Place Called Home has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund the film production and would greatly appreciate your support telling Ally's story. The campaign features $1, $5, $10, $25, $100, and $250 contribution levels. When asked about the crowdfunding campaign, Sherry replied: "Did you know that a 10-second Facebook post can generate a $25 donation? Please visit A Place Called Home's website to donate today. Even if you aren't prepared to donate, please share the crowdfunding page via social media. Social media shares are so very important - priceless. Thank you for your help!"
