Still struggling with loss, a caring father and his daughter are inspired by the Christmas spirit to connect with their Puerto Rican roots by reaching out to victims of the hurricane.

Interview with Writer/Director Laila Petrone

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was moved to write the story No me olvidaré de ti - I Will Not Forget You. I wasn’t quite sure where the story would take me. All I knew, was that I was writing as a Caribbean woman, as a Dominican woman, a neighbor and friend of Puerto Rico, as a human being. The words kept resonating in my mind: water, electricity, children – followed by something I hadn’t previously understood – just how many Puerto Rican men and women are veterans or in active duty in the U.S. military.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It's a family story of kindness and an opportunity to reflect.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

I have been very pleased with the feedback, the most valuable has been during my Puerto Rico screenings. Having families come up to me and saying Thank you for thinking of us, thank you for thinking of something simple yet so important as our children and mothers.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was humbled by it.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

The opportunity to have a wider audience reflect on Puerto Rico.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Distribution is definitely the key to sharing our story with a wider audience.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would like people to come together more often and to open their hearts to fellow citizens. Treat everyone equal. Feel the desire to support each other. Be kind to each other.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What is Multiculturalism? What is Citizenship? What is Identity?

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Currently working on a documentary on Mothers & Daughters of Latino Descent in Italy, and how their Multiculturalism has affected how they identified to the Italian society. Also just completed a feature weight script for a Romantic Comedy.

Interview: February 2020

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

I Will Not Forget You (No me olvidaré de ti)

Still struggling with loss, a caring father and his daughter are inspired by the Christmas spirit to connect with their Puerto Rican roots by reaching out to victims of the hurricane.

Length: 11:24

Director: Laila Petrone

Producer: Nina Spensley, M.J Caballero

Writer: Laila Petrone

About the writer, director and producer:

LAILA PETRONE is an Italian/Dominican filmmaker. In 2007, she appeared as Pina in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna. The experience inspired her to pursue a career behind the camera. In the following years, Laila worked as an Assistant Director and Producer. In 2014, Laila's directorial debut Your Love premiered at Urban World Film Festival in NYC. In 2018 She wrote and Directed No me olvidaré de ti - I Will Not Forget You.

NINA SPENSLEY is a program director for Starfish Accelerator a creative impact accelerator investing in original IP and culture projects from mid-career storytellers of color. She is the co-founder of the New American Leaders (NAL), the only national organization to train immigrant Americans to run for public office. She worked as a development officer and producer for the Sundance Institute and produced the feature film, Ashes, directed by Ajay Naidu, that received international acclaim on the festival circuit for its interpretation of mental illness in an urban setting.

MJ CABALLERO was born in Granada, Spain. MJ moved to Los Angeles in 2013, since she has worked in the production of several feature films, pilot episodes and short films. she is now Director of production at Blumhouse.

Key cast: Courtney Charles (Liam), Alexandra Fagins (Billie), Ellie Diez (Olga)

Looking for: distributors, journalists

Facebook: Laila Petrone Peynado

Twitter: @ontheroadtoart

Instagram: @ontheroadtoart

Hashtags used: #Nomeolvidarédeti #IWillNotForgetYou

Website: www.lailapetrone.com

Other: IMDb

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Women in Media, NJ March 26 & 31