July 22, 2021
The “Thanks to Her” cast and crew returns to JAA this August to shoot their feature film. Initially, when the project was made in 2019 as a short film for a film studies course at Pitt, JAA was featured as a main setting in the story. Since then, the creators were able to fund the production of a full-length feature due to the immense interest in the story. This film is a coming-of-age drama about sexual identity set in part at a long-term care facility, a story with which many viewers feel a connection. Currently, the short film has nearly 1 million views on YouTube.
JAA has been supportive of the filmmakers and, in addition to providing the set for much of the short film, hosted its virtual premier in March. Now, we are once again excited to host the large-scale production on our campus.
This new version of the story focuses on Andy and Millie’s relationship which was impossible because of time and budget constraints with the 23-minute short. Additionally, viewers will have the opportunity to learn more about Jade and Pepper, two elderly lesbians Andy and Millie meet while doing community service at a nursing home.
The cast and crew will follow strict COVID safety protocols and ask for donations to help purchase PPE.
The team also created a wish list of items they will need on set including food, electronics, and other essentials.
You can learn more about the film at https://www.thankstohermovie.com/.