Girl Play

WATCH TRAILER | 2004 | Producer --This feature film is a romantic comedy based on a true story and sold-out play that took audiences and critics by storm. Written by and co-starring Robin Greenspan and Lacie Harmon, this hilarious and poignant feature film is directed by award-winning director, Lee Friedlander. Girl Play had a World Premiere at Outfest Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in July 2004, took home two major awards and has since won numerous awards at film festivals around the World. Wolfe Releasing acquired U.S. theatrical and dvd rights and Viacom owned LOGO Network acquired the US cable rights. International rights have been sold in all major film markets. The film has screened at film festivals around the World, had a theatrical release, is available on DVD and continues to air on is now available on Amazon Prime, and Vudu.  Principal cast includes: Robin GreenspanLacie HarmonMink StoleDom DeLuiseKatherine RandolphLauren Maher and Gina DeVivo.   

For more information, go to www.girlplaymovie.com.

Awards

WINNER Outfest Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Outstanding Lesbian Feature Film
WINNER Outfest Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Outstanding Actress In A Film – Robin Greenspan & Lacie Harmon
WINNER Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Jury Award for Best Women’s Feature Film
WINNER Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Audience Award for Best Women’s Feature Film
WINNER Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Best Actress – Lacie Harmon
WINNER Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Best Director – Lee Friedlander
WINNER NewFest New York LGBT Film Festival Audience Award for Best Feature Film
WINNER Fort Worth Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Best Lesbian Film
WINNER Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Audience Award for Best Lesbian Feature Film
WINNER Immagineria International Lesbian Film Festival Audience Award for Best Feature Film

Festival Screenings

  • Outfest Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival - World Premiere!
  • Southwest Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (New Mexico)
  • Image Nation Queer Film Festival (Montreal)
  • Fresno Reel Pride Film Fstival (Fresno, California)
  • Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Hamburg Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Germany)
  • Image Out Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Rochester, New York)
  • Reel Affirmations (Washington, DC)
  • Barcelona International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Spain)
  • Outrageous Santa Barbara Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • St. Louis International Film Festival
  • Out Takes Dallas
  • Out on Film (Atlanta, Georgia) 
  • Verzaubert International Queer Film Festival (Berlin, Germany) 
  • Santa Fe Film Festival
  • Reel Pride Michigan
  • Istanbul Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Mardi Gras Film Festival (Australia)
  • Melbourne Queer Film Festival
  • Wingspan Film Festival (Tucson, Arizona)
  • Out-In-Africa Film Festival
  • One In Ten Film Festival (Pennsylvania)
  • London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Bimovie 11 (Munich)
  • Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Far Out Fest (Santa Cruz)
  • Boston Gay & Lesbian Film/Video Festival
  • Inside Out Toronto Lesbian & Gay Film Festival 
  • Fort Worth Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 
  • Out Takes Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (New Zealand)
  • Freiburger Lesbenfilmtage (Germany) 
  • Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival
  • Oslo Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Norway)
  • Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
  • North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
  • Out Far Film Fest (Phoenix)
  • Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival (Colorado)
  • Houston Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
  • Queer As Film (Boise, Idaho)
  • Pittsburgh International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
  • Paris Fem & Lesbian Film Festival
  • Pride Western Australia Film Festival
  • Indianapolis Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
  • Reel Pride Film Festival (Winnipeg)
  • Immaginaria International Lesbian Film Festival
  • Lesbian Festival (Amsterdam)
  • Brussels Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
  • Rehoboth Beach Film Society
  • Tokyo International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Reviews

Loved it! It's clever and original.

- Nancy Rosenblum, Lesbian News Magazine


Robin Greenspan and Lacie Harmon are exceedingly likable, smart and funny performers. The two actresses and stand-up comics melded their one-woman shows into a play, "Real Girls," which relates the beginning of their real-life love story. Now director Lee Friedlander has translated the material into a small-scale but winning comedy for the big screen. Full of insights on love and sex - which have more resonance for lesbians but pack a universal punch. 

- Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter


Girl Play is a little movie about lesbian love that fulfills its mission with charm to spare. 

- Anne Stockwell, The Advocate


The characterizations are realistic and honest. An admirable film. 

- Ned Martel, The New York Times


The writing is sharply funny and surprisingly touching at moments. Its engaging rhythms are more than enough to satisfy a taste for something light and sweet. 

- C.O., The Miami Herald


Good gay-girl date movies are few and far between, which is one more reason - on top of the fact that it's funny, smart and pretty sexy - to pounce on this cleverly written romantic comedy about female friends who toy with love while rehearsing for a play. 

- Ken Fox, TV Guide


The uncannily realistic flashbacks, intelligent and insightful screenplay and exceedingly captivating performances by Greenspan and Harmon make Girl Play both one of the funniest and most poignant lesbian films to come along in years. 

- Jenny Stewart, Planet Out


Finally a story about lesbians that is sexy, funny, smart and true!! Destined to break the chain of mediocre gay girl flicks we've been subjected to for years. 

- Suzanne Westenhoefer


I really enjoyed the movie. It was well written, funny, insightful and well acted. Fantastic! I also related very strongly to the characters and their struggles. 

- Cid Isbell, Queer Ramblings


The lead acting performances are captivating, the screenplay brilliant, and the direction taut and engaging. Refreshingly original, intelligent and funny, Girl Play is, without doubt, one of the best lesbian feature films to hit the screen in years. 

- Amy Schwartz, Image Out Gay and Lesbian Film Festival


Girl Play hits the jackpot. 

- Donald Munroe, The Fresno Bee


Girl Play is a funny, sexy film that is sure to get a lot of play in the lesbian community. It is so refreshing to see lesbians living, lesbians loving, lesbians having conflict and not one of those is whether they should be lesbians or not. 

- Diane F. Germain, Lavender Lens


Lee Friedlander is the most underrated director in Hollywood. Girl Play is vivacious, sexy, clever and neurotic. Add that all up and the film offers one of the best 80 minutes you could spend with a crowd this year! 

- Diane Anderson- Minshall, Curve Magazine


Whether you're gay or straight, man or woman, everyone can relate to the lives and loves of these characters. A must see! 

- David Stern, Publisher, IN Magazine


Although the film deals with lesbian relationships, its appeal is universal. And with its frequent references to same-sex marriage, Girl Play couldn't be more timely. 

- Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch


Whether the sharp-tongued analysis is aimed at love, monogamy, drinking, dating, arguing, parents or analysis itself, the intelligent handling of modern romance is a pleasure and a revelation. It's a smart look at what's high and low in each of us and a vanguard film providing that the lens of difference is one of the best ways to get a good look at our commonalities.

- Santa Fe Reporter

Heavy Put Away

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2003 | Producer -- This is a twisted story, telling a tale of greed, arrogance and bravado in the great City of Angels. This film is a FOX Searchlab project and a part of their New Directors Program. Heavy Put-Away showcases the writing and narrative directorial debut of industry veteran, Joel Plotch and is adapted from an original short story written by the infamous Terry Southern. The executives at FOX were so impressed with the film they gave the filmmakers a "First Look Deal" for one year! Heavy Put-Away World Premiered at the prestigious WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival in April of 2004 and won a Gold Award for Best Editing. Principal cast includes: Dallas RobertsMark Boone JuniorGretchen MolMonica Allison and Michael Dutra.

Awards

WINNER Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival Gold Award for Best Editing

Film Festival Screenings

  • WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival - World Premiere!
  • USA Film Festival (Dallas)
  • Los Angeles International Short Film Festival

Seventy

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2002 | Producer -- This is a comedy of two life-long friends and an unusual gift exchange on their 70th birthdays. It is written and directed by Q. Allan Brocka. This film is a FOX Searchlab project and a part of their New Directors Program. Seventy has screened at film festivals around the world. Seventy won its first Audience Award for Best Short Film at the New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and has won multiple awards all over the World, including Best Comedy Award at Planet Out in association with the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in April of 2004 and an Audience Award at Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival (Colorado) in September of 2004. Principal cast includes: Robert Munns, Critt Davis and Patience Cleveland

Awards

WINNER New York Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Audience Award for Best Short Film
WINNER Lesgaiscinemad Film Festival (Spain) Audience Award
WINNER Hamburg International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Audience Award
WINNER Planet Out, Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Award for Best Comedy
WINNER Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival Audience Award

Film Festival Screenings

  • Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival (Colorado)
  • Planet Out, Miami Gay + Lesbian Film Festival
  • Pink Apple Film Festival (Zurich, Switzerland)
  • Romania International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Melbourne Queer Film Festival (Australia)
  • Brisbane Queer Film Festival (Australia)
  • MIX Mexico Film + Video Festival
  • Out in Africa South African Gay + Lesbian Film Festival
  • New Orleans Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Mardi Gras Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Sydney, Australia)
  • Oregon Queer Film Festival
  • Lesgaicinemad Film Festival (Spain)
  • Out At The Movies (New York)
  • Out Far Phoenix International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Hamburg International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Germany)
  • Boston Underground Film Festival
  • Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Milwaukee Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Santa Barbara Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 
  • Festival Mix Brazil
  • Reel Affirmations Washington D.C. Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Rochester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films
  • Los Angeles International Short Film Festival
  • Madrid Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Long Island Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (Delaware)
  • Pride International Film Festival (Manila, Philippines)
  • Philadelphia Film Festival - Premiere!
  • Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival
  • Tokyo Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Seattle International Film Festival
  • Film Centre's Worldwide Short Film Festival (Toronto)
  • New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Honolulu Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival
  • North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Pink Film Festival (Manila, Philippines)
  • Vancouver Queer Film and Video Festival
  • Fresno Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Boulder Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Brooklyn Academy of Music
  • Pittsburgh International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Hamburg International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Germany) 
  • Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Out Takes Dallas
  • Reel Out (Ontario, Canada)

Saved!

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2001 | Line Producer (Test Shoot only) -- This dark high school comedy takes some interesting twists and turns when an unsavory situation occurs in a private Christian High School. Brian Dannelly and Michael Urban co-wrote the screenplay. Brian directed this high gloss, 35 mm test shoot as a precursor to his subsequent hit feature directing job, which finally hit festivals in 2004. Gina proudly line produced the test shoot on behalf of Sandy Stern and Michael Stipe (R.E.M. lead singer) of Single Cell Pictures, and in association with United Artists. Test Shoot principal cast included: Alexis Bledel and Sarah Thompson.  The feature was a 2004 hit theatrical release for United Artists, followed by an MGM DVD release in 2005. 

Roberta Loved

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2000 | Executive Producer -- This dark drama of a 350 pound woman's last day of life is written and directed by Q. Allan Brocka.  Allan, currently well known for his hit LOGO series (Rick and Steve, The Happiest Gay Couple In All The World) created and directed Roberta Loved in 2000. His unique thesis film earned numerous awards and screened at several dozen film festivals around the Globe. Most notably, Roberta Loved earned the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the 2003 Fairy Tales Calgary Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in Canada. This very original and moving film received North American distribution by Frameline.  To purchase or rent, go to Frameline. Principal cast: Vickie RabjohnChristopher Bradley and Mink Stole.

Awards

WINNER Fairy Tales Calgary Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Audience Award for Best Short Film
WINNER Corto Imola International Short Film Festival Audience Award
WINNER Hamburg International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Film
WINNER The Los Angeles Friday Night Shorts Festival Audience Award

  • Peter Stark Foundation Grant - Screenplay
  • The Kodak/California Institute of the Arts Film Stock Grant

Film Festival Screenings

  • Mardi Gras Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Sydney, Australia)
  • Viennale International Film Festival (Austria)
  • Hamburg International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Germany)
  • Pink Film Festival (Manila, Philippines)
  • Fairy Tales Calgary Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Canada)
  • MIX Mexico
  • Melbourne Queer Film Festival
  • Brisbane Queer Film Festival
  • Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival
  • London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Corto Imola International Short Film Festival (Italy)
  • The Los Angeles Friday Night Shorts Festival
  • The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
  • The New York Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • New York Cinevision Asian American International Film Festival
  • San Francisco International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Minneapolis Flaming Film Festival
  • Peabody Film Festival - Portland, Maine
  • Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Pike's Peak Lavender Film Festival
  • Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival
  • Outfest Los Angeles International Gay and Lesbian Film & Video Festival
  • Portland Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Oregon)
  • Palm Springs International Short Film Festival
  • Cinemanila International Film Festival
  • Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival
  • Montreal's International Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival
  • Milwaukee Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
  • Rochester International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (Image Out!)
  • San Diego Asian Film Festival
  • Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Festival Mix Brazil
  • Santa Barbara Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Long Island Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
  • Pink Film Days Amsterdam Gay and Lesbian Film Festival

Reviews

A powerful film that manages to evoke more grounded emotion in 25 minutes than most movies can accomplish in 2 hours. A rich, rewarding work that indicates the emerging of a unique filmmaking talent - please take note. 

- Warren Curry, CINEMANOW


Roberta Loved is unconventional, disturbing and wonderful.

- The New York Gay and Lesbian Film Festival


We were all impressed by the simplicity of means the subject of sexuality and disability was powerfully portrayed. The film was both honest and deeply moving.  

- Grand Jury Coroto Imola International Short Film Festival


Roberta Loved is a small masterpiece. 

- Paul Bellini, Fab Magazine (Toronto)

Children of the Struggle

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1999 | Producer -- A riveting civil rights drama, written and directed by John B. Benitz. During the time it circulated film festivals across the country, Children of the Struggle was recognized with highly acclaimed awards and earned respectable reviews and recognition for taking a unique look at a heart warming civil rights story. Children of the Struggle continues to air on PBS during Black History Month annually. The film received an educational distribution deal and is screened in High School and College history classes across the Country. Principal cast: Brian WimmerAndrea MarcellusDick Gregory and Cuba Gooding, Sr.

Awards

WINNER Palm Springs International Short Film Festival Audience Award
WINNER Intl. Cinematographers Guild Annual Showcase Best Cinematography

Film Festival Screenings

  • Palm Springs International Short Film Festival
  • Taos Talking Pictures Festival
  • Cinequest San Jose International Film Festival
  • Santa Barbara International Film Festival
  • Northhampton Film Festival
  • CineVegas Film Festival
  • Pacific Palisades Film Festival
  • Denver Pan African Film Festival
  • Film Fest Kansas City
  • St. Louis International Film Festival

 

Other Screenings

  • PBS - Black History Month
  • Channel 10 - West Hollywood
  • KJLA - Los Angeles
  • IFILM

 

Reviews

One of the most moving short pieces we've had the pleasure of reviewing...a very powerful message in a short period of time. 

- Jackie Cox, NAACP

He Bop!

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1999 | Unit Production Manager -- As unit production manager, Gina enjoyed working on this teenage coming out story. He Bop!!, a light-hearted drama earned many awards during it's festival run. He Bop!, was both written and directed by AFI's 1999 newcomer, Brian Dannelly. This remarkable drama set in the fun days of the 1980's "disco era"! Brian has since written and directed his hit feature film entitled Saved!  Principal cast includes: Steve HerdLenore ThomasBen Alexander and Mink Stole.

Kartenspieler

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1998 | Producer -- A comedic account of a Russian-Jewish family in turmoil. Jimmy's 85-year-old grandmother, Maryasha, finds herself in trouble when she steps up to defend her youngest grandson who owes a gambling debt to the local card-playing thugs.  Kartenspieler, written and directed by Chantal Marie, has won numerous awards in film festivals around the United States. Also, Kartenspieler has aired on PBS in multiple cities in the United States. Principal cast includes: Shifra Lerer and Marty Ingels.

Awards

WINNER Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival Bronze Award for Best Original Comedy
WINNER Brooklyn Film Festival Best Jewish-American Filmmaker
WINNER Brooklyn Film Festival Best Narrative with a Jewish-American Theme
WINNER Brainwash Movie Festival First Prize

Film Festival Screenings

  • Worldfest Houston International Film Festival
  • Brooklyn Film Festival
  • Santa Monica Independent Film Festival / Moxie!
  • New Orleans Film and Video Festival
  • Long Beach Film Festival
  • Malibu Film Festival
  • Shorts Welcome Online Film Festival (Germany)
  • Deep Ellum Film Festival
  • Brainwash Movie Festival (Oakland, CA)

Other Screenings

  • Channel 10 - West Hollywood
  • PBS
  • Cinema Lounge - IFP/LA
  • IFILM