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Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens at Pasadena International Film Festival

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens at Pasadena International Film Festival

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens at the Pasadena International Film Festival on Friday April 10 at 5:45pm in Block 7 at Laemmle NoHo 7 in Pasadena. A Q&A with Dana Lyn Baron will follow the screening, offering insight into the film’s creation and performance.

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

About the Film

Betty, a vibrant middle-aged actress, prepares for yet another laughably low-stakes one-liner when she's suddenly crippled by excruciating pain. Enter Mary, her younger rival, eager to “help.” Betty, convinced she’s experiencing the world’s most tragic miscarriage, spirals into her neuroses about aging, irrelevance, and survival in the cutthroat acting industry.


Betty’s self-mocking wit contrasts with Mary’s overconfidence and blissful ignorance, as the latter throws out empty platitudes, oblivious to the tension crackling between them.


Their exchanges bounce between sarcasm and vulnerability, with fleeting moments of connection that highlight shattered dreams and the struggles of women in a youth-obsessed industry…and world. As Betty’s physical and emotional distress escalates, she reflects on fame and her life choices, while Mary, well-meaning but clueless, pushes ahead. "Betty & Mary" is a humorous and quirky exploration of ambition, aging, and female friendship, set against the backdrop of a trivial audition that becomes a metaphor for their deeper struggles.

Film Details

Film Details

Writer's Statement

My stories always begin with a character. She shows up—half-formed, defiant, demanding—and slowly reveals where she wants to go. Betty was born from a long-brewing obsession of mine: What if Lady Macbeth and Martha from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? had a love child? What kind of woman would she be? Fierce, funny, messy, maybe a little monstrous—but deeply human.


In Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare, we meet Betty in a particularly fragile moment: aging in an industry that romanticizes youth, preparing for a humiliatingly small role with outsized stakes. Enter Mary—the younger, shinier, “fuckable” option, who seems to float through life with all the confidence Betty has lost. It’s a confrontation of generations, ambitions, and insecurities, set in the absurd and sacred space of an actor’s pre-audition ritual.


I’m drawn to ambiguity. I don’t like tying things up in neat bows. Life rarely works that way, and neither do my endings. I want the audience to be unsure. To argue on the way home. To see themselves in both characters, even if it stings a little.


This film is one in a series—each a stand-alone, yet all exploring Betty & Mary in parallel universes. Different timelines, same ghosts. They haunt me, and I’m letting them lead.


Dana Lyn Baron, Writer

Director's Statement

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare is a story about ambition, aging, and survival, told through the lens of two women at very different points in their careers and lives. What drew me to this project is how our writer, Dana Lyn Baron, uses humor and absurdity to explore deeper themes of insecurity, relevance, and identity in a youth-obsessed culture. Betty’s spiraling neuroses and Mary’s clueless optimism create a comedic, yet poignant, dynamic that reflects the tensions women face in an industry that often values youth over experience.


This film is not just about the entertainment industry—it’s about anyone grappling with the fear of being left behind in a world that moves too fast. Along with the producers, Lauren Selman and Dana Lyn Baron, we wanted to bring to life the humor that can emerge even in moments of vulnerability, and how our deepest insecurities sometimes manifest in the most ridiculous ways. Betty’s exaggerated sense of tragedy and Mary’s blissful ignorance are mirrors to how we deal with our own fears—either with wit or by pretending they don’t exist.


Visually, the film embraces an intimate style, allowing the small gestures and expressions to speak volumes. We wanted the audience to feel close to these characters, to experience the awkwardness and tension in their interactions, while also being swept up in the absurdity of the situation.


At its core, "Betty & Mary" is a reflection on aging, ambition, and the complexities of female friendship. It’s about the ways we protect ourselves, how we perform our roles in life, and how, sometimes, in the midst of all that, real connection can emerge in the most unexpected places. Through humor and vulnerability, this story is both a celebration and critique of the industry—and the world—that pits women against each other.


America Young, Director

Poster for Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare — a gritty, hand-drawn aesthetic layered over a typed screenplay background, splattered with coffee stains and blood. It visually ties to the short’s raw, theatrical tone. Credits confirm a consistent team: written by Dana Lyn Baron, directed by America Young, produced with A Long Story Short Productions and Selman Productions.
WORLD PREMIERE: Official Selection - LA Shorts International Film Festival 2025
Official Selection • 15th Catalina Film Festival 2025
Official Selection • Tarzana International Film Festival
Official Selection • 18th Annual Broad Humor Film Festival 2025
Official Selection • Studio City International Film Festival
Official Selection • 25th Annual FirstGlance Los Angeles Film Festival
Official Selection  • 2025 Culver City Film Festival
WINNER Best Comedy  • San Diego Short Film Festival
Official Selection  • 2025 Hollyshorts Monthly Screenings
WINNER Indie Spirit Award  • Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema 2026
Official Selection  • Short. Sweet. Film Fest 2026
Official Selection  • Pasadena International Film Festival
Official Selection  • Reel Ladies Night (The Great Film Club)

Festivals & Awards

Dana Lyn Baron

Dana Lyn Baron

Writer, Producer, "Betty"

Dana Lyn Baron is a multifaceted artist whose career spans film, television, theatre, and voice-over. Known for her dynamic on-screen presence and versatile voice work, Dana has contributed to award-winning projects in both mediums. On film, she has appeared in high-profile features such as Aaron Sorkin’s “Being the Ricardos” alongside Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and J.K. Simmons, as well as David Fincher’s “Mank” with Gary Oldman. Her television credits include acclaimed series like HBO’s “Hacks,” NBC’s “This Is Us,” Showtime’s “Shameless,” and FX's “The Assassination of Gianni Versace,” which earned Emmy and Golden Globe wins.


In the world of voice acting, Dana has brought iconic characters to life, including Sonya Blade in the award-winning “Mortal Kombat” series and Lady Liadrin in “World of Warcraft.” Her ability to seamlessly transition between live-action and voiceover roles has made her a sought-after talent across multiple platforms.


Dana proudly returns to producing, bringing a wealth of industry experience from her tenure at Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures and her work with Miramax and Scott Rudin Productions. Her previous short film as a producer, Paul Budnitz’s “Ultraviolet,” screened at major festivals such as the Berlin International Film Festival, WorldFest Houston, and Breckenridge Film Festival.


Now, Dana makes her screenwriting debut with “Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare,” an exciting new chapter in her creative journey, where her passion for storytelling continues to shine.

Tally McCormack

Tally McCormack

"Mary"

Tally McCormack is an actor and creative living in Los Angeles. She’s been active in theatre since she was a teenager in DFW, then Santa Fe and now Los Angeles, and is currently a member and collaborator at The Road Theatre Company in North Hollywood. Recent theatre credits include “After the Deluge” written by John Patrick Shanley, “Beloved” directed by Cameron Watson, and “High Maintenance” directed by Stan Zimmerman. 


She’s appeared in short films and web series since 2017, and previously worked in documentary film and commercial production. She enjoys wearing many hats and working to help passion projects come to life.

America Young

America Young

Director

America Young, recipient of UCSD's 2020 Humanitarian Award, is a director with experience across film, TV, animation, and video games. She has directed for Network TV, features, digital series, and video games, including “Resident Evil: Shadows of Rose.”


Known for her action roots and skill in eliciting strong performances, America’s first feature, “The Concessionaires Must Die!!,” was executive produced by Stan Lee. Her second feature, “Back to Lyla,” released in 2022, blends fantasy with romance.


America has directed 17 episodes of television for networks such as Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV, including the pilot for “Surfside Girls.” She played a key role in rebranding Barbie, directing the highly successful Barbie Vlog and animated series, which garnered millions of views and widespread media attention.


A former stunt coordinator, America enjoys storytelling, tea, and sharpening her Sai when not working on her next big project.

Elisa Daniels

Elisa Daniels

Editor

Elisa Daniels is an Emmy-winning editor with a love for quirky characters, juicy stories, and unexpected rhythms. Her passion for editing began as a kid in the UK, tinkering on her dad’s iBook with the iconic “Washing the Dog” iMovie tutorial. Since then, she’s built a 15+ year career spanning scripted TV, film, and branded content. Her TV credits include Killing It, Ted and The Big Door Prize, and she recently won an Emmy for her work on the Olympics. 


Now based in Los Angeles, Elisa is a versatile, creative editor who brings a sharp editorial eye and a passion for bold, character-driven storytelling.

Lauren Selman

Lauren Selman

Producer

Lauren Selman, an award-winning and Emmy-nominated Producer, with nearly two decades of experience in entertainment, theater, and event production. Her portfolio includes collaborations on independent films and television shows such as Miranda Bailey's documentary "Greenlit," Josh and Rebecca Tickell's "The Revolution Generation," Maya Albanese's "The Ringmaster, "Matt Sayles's "Husky," Rodes Phire's "Farewelling," Peter Bratt’s “La Mission” as well as popular TV series like "Big Little Lies," "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia," and most recently “Shimmer: Inspired by Eva Young" which won Best Short at the Bentonville Film Festival. 


Selman's films have screened at numerous film festivals, including Sundance, SXSW, Pan African Film Festival, Diversity at Cannes, International Paris Film Festival, and Dances with Films. In addition to films, she works on major broadcast events like The Oscars, the FIFA Men’s World Cup and The Olympics, and the Media Access Awards, earning accolades like The Telly Awards and Anthem Awards.

Justin Ivan Hong

Justin Ivan Hong

Cinematographer

Justin Ivan Hong was born and raised in the island nation of Singapore, where his exploration in photography began with the gift of a little analog point-&-shoot camera when he was a child. Photos of friends and pets gradually evolved into a deeper endeavour of observing the world and capturing the moments and emotion of life around him.


After working in the local Singaporean film industry for almost a decade, he was invited and accepted into the prestigious American Film Institute in Los Angeles, where he now lives and works. Not one for too many words, his preferred medium of expression is through images, and that's where he continues to develop his voice and opinion on the world.

Antoni Mairata

Antoni Mairata

Composer

Antoni Mairata is an award-winning composer from Spain and a Fulbright grantee. He holds a degree in Composition from the Royal Conservatory of Madrid, a Master's in Screen Scoring from USC, and completed UCLA’s Film Scoring program, earning the 2019 BMI/Jerry Goldsmith Film Scoring Scholarship. 


He has conducted and recorded his music at Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox Studios. His portfolio includes feature films, TV series, documentaries, and short films produced in the US, Europe, Mexico, and China. In addition to his work in film, Antoni’s passion for music extends to the concert stage; his compositions have been premiered at Spain’s National Auditorium and the International Festival of Classical Theatre in Merida. He is currently completing two of his latest feature film scores.

Cast & Crew

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Here's the Pitch

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Behind the Scenes

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens at Pasadena International Film Festival

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens at Pasadena International Film Festival

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens at the Pasadena International Film Festival on Friday April 10 at 5:45pm in Block 7 at Laemmle NoHo 7 in Pasadena. A Q&A with Dana Lyn Baron will follow the screening, offering insight into the film’s creation and performance.

Betty & Mary Screens at The Great Film Club's March Reel Ladies Night
Betty & Mary Screens at The Great Film Club's March Reel Ladies Night

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens in Los Angeles on March 26 as part of March Reel Ladies Night, a National Women’s History Month celebration hosted by The Great Film Club. Doors open at 7:45 PM with the program beginning at 8:00 PM at the Eastwood Performing Arts Center.

Betty & Mary Wins Idyllwild Indie Spirit Award
Betty & Mary Wins Idyllwild Indie Spirit Award

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare takes home the Independent Spirit Award at Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema, marking a major recognition for the film’s voice, performances, and creative execution...

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Earns Multiple Nominations at Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Earns Multiple Nominations at Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema on Tuesday March 3 at 5pm and Saturday March 7 at 4pm. Join us for two screenings celebrating independent cinema, and secure tickets directly through the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema website.

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens at Short. Sweet. Film Fest in Cleveland
Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens at Short. Sweet. Film Fest in Cleveland

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens at the 2026 Short. Sweet. Film Fest in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, March 7th at 4:45 pm as part of Women in Focus Program 2 at Atlas Cinemas Shaker Square. Get tickets via their website here.

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens as Part of HollyShorts Monthly
Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare Screens as Part of HollyShorts Monthly

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens as part of the HollyShorts Monthly Screening at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in Glendale, California. Following the in-person event, the film becomes available virtually on Bitpix for audiences watching at home.

Betty & Mary Wins Best Comedy at San Diego Short Film Festival
Betty & Mary Wins Best Comedy at San Diego Short Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare takes home Best Comedy at the San Diego Short Film Festival on January 10, 2026. The win recognizes the film’s sharp humor, performances, and standout storytelling on the festival circuit.

FirstGlance Interviews Dana Lyn Baron and Tally McCormack on the Red Carpet
FirstGlance Interviews Dana Lyn Baron and Tally McCormack on the Red Carpet

1/5/26

At the 25th FirstGlance Los Angeles red carpet, Dana Lyn Baron and Tally McCormack talk about Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare, sharing insights into the film’s exploration of resilience, humor, and what they want audiences to take away from the story.

Indie Shorts Mag Reviews Betty & Mary as "Short of the Day"
Indie Shorts Mag Reviews Betty & Mary as "Short of the Day"

1/5/26

“Betty & Mary compresses a mountain of the womanhood experience into the space of a bathroom and twelve minutes." ★★★★☆ — Indie Shorts Mag

Betty & Mary Earns Multiple Nominations at The San Diego Short Film Festival
Betty & Mary Earns Multiple Nominations at The San Diego Short Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare is nominated for four awards at the San Diego Short Film Festival. The film is recognized in the categories of Best Comedy, Best Screenplay, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Get Tickets - Betty & Mary Screens at San Diego Short Film Festival
Get Tickets - Betty & Mary Screens at San Diego Short Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare screens at the San Diego Short Film Festival on Saturday, January 10 at 10:00 AM as part of Block I. Catch the film alongside a curated lineup of short form storytelling and get tickets through the San Diego Short Film Festival website.

Take 2 Indie Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare
Take 2 Indie Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

1/5/26

“Baron deftly cycles through tonal shifts, balancing tender and heartfelt moments with humor, absurdity, and even elements of horror. The script tells an intimate story of two professional rivals while ruminating on a woman’s struggle to survive in the cutthroat world of acting.” ★★★★★ — Katie Chew

Get Tickets - Betty & Mary Screens at Culver City Film Festival
Get Tickets - Betty & Mary Screens at Culver City Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary continues its festival film run with a screening in Block Q at the Culver City Film Festival. Tickets available for December 6 at 2 PM at The Culver Theater in Culver City.

Film Carnage Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare
Film Carnage Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

1/5/26

“Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare is a thoughtful, relatable exploration of aging, womanhood and vulnerability...that classic show of solidarity and empathy that so many will do without thinking, something that’s even more valuable in today’s society that’s increasingly filled with selfish and uncaring behaviour.” ★★★★ — Rebecca

Talking With - Vocal Media Interviews Dana Lyn Baron about Betty & Mary
Talking With - Vocal Media Interviews Dana Lyn Baron about Betty & Mary

1/5/26

In a new interview with Vocal Media, Dana Lyn Baron speaks candidly about her experience creating and performing in the short film Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare. The conversation explores her writing process, her character choices, and the challenges and joys of building a story about ambition, vulnerability, and reinvention.

Film Threat Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare
Film Threat Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

1/5/26

“Through humor and discomfort, the film explores the tension between ambition and vulnerability, as well as the unspoken bond between women navigating insecurity and competition...” — Alan Ng

Betty & Mary Earns Nominations at FirstGlance Los Angeles
Betty & Mary Earns Nominations at FirstGlance Los Angeles

1/5/26

Betty & Mary continues its festival film journey with nominations for Best Comedy and Best Actress at the 25th Annual FirstGlance Los Angeles Film Festival - Winners will be announced November 16th following Closing Night screenings.

Tickets on Sale Now - Betty & Mary at the 25th Annual FirstGlance Los Angeles Film Festival
Tickets on Sale Now - Betty & Mary at the 25th Annual FirstGlance Los Angeles Film Festival

1/5/26

Catch Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare at FirstGlance Film Festival LA on Nov 15 at 5PM, Laemmle NoHo7. Tickets available now.

Watch Betty & Mary Online at Catalina Film Festival
Watch Betty & Mary Online at Catalina Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary available to watch online, streaming from Sep 24-30 as part of The Catalina Film Festival

Betty & Mary at Road Shorts Film Fest 2025
Betty & Mary at Road Shorts Film Fest 2025

1/5/26

Betty & Mary will screen at The Road Shorts Film Festival - Sunday, October 5th 6PM SLOT A

Betty & Mary at Broad Humor Film Festival
Betty & Mary at Broad Humor Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary is an Official Selection at The Broad Humor Film Festival - Saturday, August 30th 4PM "Life Happens" Details and tickets available here...

People Love Betty & Mary
People Love Betty & Mary

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare made a powerful debut at its world premiere on Friday, July 18, 2025, during the LA Shorts International Film Festival at Regal L.A. Live Cinemas. The audience response was immediate and enthusiastic. Viewers praised the music, characters, acting, writing, and sound design.

Filmmaker Q&A: Betty & Mary at LA Shorts Film Festival 2025
Filmmaker Q&A: Betty & Mary at LA Shorts Film Festival 2025

1/5/26

Watch the post-screening Q&A from the LA Shorts film festival as the Betty & Mary team shares behind-the-scenes stories and indie filmmaking humor. Their off-the-cuff banter left the audience laughing and offered a real look into the grit and humor behind making a low-budget short.

Photo Highlights from LA Shorts
Photo Highlights from LA Shorts

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare premiered July 18, 2025, at the LA Shorts Film Festival, drawing a full house for its darkly funny and emotionally raw debut. We had so much fun celebrating with everyone afterward at the nearby Yard House!

Betty & Mary - World Premiere at LA Shorts International Film Festival
Betty & Mary - World Premiere at LA Shorts International Film Festival

1/5/26

Betty & Mary is an Official Selection and has its World Premiere at LA Shorts International Film Festival on Friday, July 18, Program 8 at 3:15. Details & tickets available here...

First Audience Reactions
First Audience Reactions

1/5/26

Betty & Mary gets its first audience reactions in Palm Springs at the 2025 ShortFest Film Market - "You're going to love it!" - "This is the literal definition of blood, sweat, and tears!" - "Elements of Shakespeare and classic tropes within this nasty space that we all know..." - "So many layers. I'm such a fan!"

Palm Springs ShortFest Film Market
Palm Springs ShortFest Film Market

1/5/26

Betty & Mary goes to the Palm Springs ShortFest Film Market, June 2025 - catch the red-carpet fun as Dana Lyn Baron, America Young, Tally McCormack, Lauren Selman, and the film's team show up in support of their film.

That’s a Wrap on Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare
That’s a Wrap on Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare

1/5/26

Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare wrapped its shoot in Burbank, CA, August 20, 2025.

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