BIFF YEAR ’ROUND Spring 2022

Wednesday, April 20, 6:30 PM, 2022
Downtown Beloit Association Office
557 E. Grand Ave. Downtown Beloit

In person Q&A Following with filmmaker Daniel Pico.

This will be one of several short films presented this evening.

Let’s Grow

Directed by Daniel Pico
Narrative Short
USA | 16 min | 2020

In the national struggle against institutionalized racism, poets Lisa Nichols, David Bianchi, and Sean Smith perform their original piece “Let’s Grow” proposing a new kind of conversation in America’s ongoing struggle with racial equality.

Back in the late summer of 2015, I couldn’t have been more honored when I was asked by friend and colleague, Jamie Miller (writer-producer) if I would consider directing her and her producing partner’s (Tyler Ham Pong) newest offering; LEAP for their production company; Kill The Pig Productions

I had zero reservation and immediately said yes and from the moment we went into pre-production, through and into rehearsals and then production, I couldn’t be happier and more fortunate that she had asked me.

The people with whom they surrounded themselves, both in front of and behind the lens, are some of the finest artisans on the current scene here in Los Angeles.

This film, LEAP is one where we were able to capture and deliver an entire arc inside the parameters of this short-subject narrative. Both for the protagonist (Miller’s character, Jane), as well as the supporting characters, respectively.

Working on this picture with this company has been one of the highlights of my career and one of which I am very proud. Everyone’s commitment to this story, the attention to detail, both in front of and behind the lens is unparalleled and nothing short of true joy to have been a part of this team.

I look forward to screening this work with an audience as soon as possible and many times over, too. LEAP offers us as a society an opportunity to cut open a subject that is one of the least pleasant things with which we have to tragically deal – sexual abuse. And in so doing, perhaps the hope is that we’ll continue talking about it and ultimately bring it to its end. And if we have any chance at making this happen, we as a community of people must continue the dialogue and bring the secrets that kill out of the darkness and into the light.

In closing, I’ll state what I hope and believe is true for all of us on whom it is incumbent to make motion pictures, et al.

So, with no alternative, I know very well that this effort is hardly a solo act, but rather a collaborative one of formidable proportions and it is toward this end that I, along with my colleagues, are acutely aware that it is the forces opposing which ultimately drive and deliver anything worthy of note ~ especially that of cinema. And I have zero reservation that we have delivered just that with our picture, LEAP.

Let's Grow - Poster

I Want Him Dead - Daniel PicoDaniel Pico
Director

Daniel is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a BA in directing and screenwriting. He has been shooting films his entire life having made his first movie at the age of 8.

Dan has directed two theatrically released feature films “Common Senses”, and “Farewell Darkness” which won three best feature film awards in the international film festival circuit. Additionally, Daniel has directed more than 85 short films, music videos, commercials and documentaries, including 11 episodes of several popular TV and web series, garnering over 40 independent film awards and nominations for his work.

Daniel is the founder of Pico Blvd Entertainment, a production company who’s core is focused on independent cinema. Not only is Dan a maverick director, he is an accomplished editor and has worked in several major capacities in film, from producing multiple feature films, to first assistant directing several multi-million dollar features films around the world.

Currently he is developing his third feature film “Wounded”, an adaptation of the critically acclaimed play written by award winning playwright Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm.

Film Information

Director: Daniel Pico
Country: USA
Year: 2020
Language: English
Runtime: 16 min.
Rated: PG-13

Credits

Writer: Daniel Pico, David Bianchi, Lisa Nichols, Sean Smith
Producer: David Bianchi
Music:Cameron McCluskey
Editor: Daniel Pico
Cinematography: Dave Perry

Connect With This Film

Principal Cast

BIFF - Beloit International Film Festival
BIFF | Beloit International Film Festival