Watching Walter is a short biopic (and feature film proof of concept) starring Stephen Tobolowsky set in both 1995 Philadelphia and World War II Nazi occupied Poland. Based on the true story of Holocaust survivor-turned watchmaker Wladyslaw “Walter” Wojnas, it’s a slice of life story that touches on several poignant moments in his life during those times.
The screening will be followed by a talkback and audience Q&A with Mitch Yapko, Director/Producer, Mark Dylan Brown, Writer/Executive Producer, and Cynthia Gravinese, Executive Producer. They will be in conversation with Annette Insdorf.
Mitch Yapko – Director/Producer
Mitch Yapko is an award-winning writer/director/producer, known for his unique character work, focusing often on real characters in surreal situations. His films have shown in over 150 film festivals over the years, including the Sundance Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Dances with Films, Newport Beach, LA Shorts and many others.Mitch has spent over 15 years directing shorts and pilots, sketch comedies and web series. With a background in theater performance, he has the unique ability to connect with his actors to bring out the best performances every time.When he’s not directing narrative content, Mitch produces commercials and photo shoots for brands such as adidas, Nike, Jack Daniels, XBOX, Footlocker, Taco Bell, Converse and more.
Mark Dylan Brown – Writer/Executive Producer
Mark is an award-winning writer for film, television, and theater. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Mark’s character-driven, socially relevant scripts and plays have placed in numerous competitions and festivals including the Austin Film Festival, Gig Harbor Film Festival, Glendale International Film Festival, and Pasadena International Film Festival, He attended UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television, and is a current member of the VS. Theater Company and Station House Reading Series, both in Los Angeles, California. His current short film, Watching Walter recently won Best Nevada Short Film at the Cordillera Film Festival.
Cynthia Gravinese – Executive Producer
After attending the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, Cynthia made her way to New York City, where she studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and upon graduation, she began working in Off-Broadway and regional theatres.
As a writer, executive producer, and actress, her love for dance inspired her to develop “Meet Me at the Barre”, an award-winning streaming web series. The series earned the Best Web Series award from the Glendale International Film Festival, NYC International Film Festival, and the LA International Film Festival and appeared in the Film Collective Best of Series and the Phoenix Film Festival.Cynthia co-stars in the recently released Something’s More Than One Thing, produced by the Russo Brothers and directed by Jay Alvarez, and on the film circuit in the psychological thriller Protos.
As a producer, she recently wrapped the upcoming Baby Blues horror/comedy thriller and is working on two more independent films in pre-production. Cynthia was thrilled to partner with her husband, Mark Dylan Brown, and Executive Produce the award-winning Watching Walter, currently making the festival rounds.
Annette Insdorf is Professor of Film at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, and Moderator of the popular “Reel Pieces” series at the 92nd Street Y, where she has interviewed 300 film celebrities. She is the author of the landmark study, Indelible Shadows: Film and the Holocaust (with a foreword by Elie Wiesel); Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslowski; Francois Truffaut, a study of the French director’s work; Philip Kaufman, and Intimations:The Cinema of Wojciech Has. Her latest book is Cinematic Overtures: How to Read Opening Scenes, currently in its fourth printing.