Betty & Mary: Neighbors Secures Fiscal Sponsorship with Film Independent
Betty & Mary: Neighbors reaches a major milestone with fiscal sponsorship from Film Independent. The independent cinema project now offers tax-deductible support as it moves deeper into development and pre-production for the second film in the trilogy. Learn how you can support the film here →
Take 2 Indie Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare
“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
Film Carnage Review - Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare
“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
Festival Appearances:
WORLD PREMIERE: Official Selection - LA Shorts International Film Festival 2025
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Official Selection • 15th Catalina Film Festival 2025
Official Selection • 18th Annual Broad Humor Film Festival 2025
Official Selection • 25th Annual FirstGlance Los Angeles Film Festival
Official Selection • 2025 Culver City Film Festival
Official Selection • San Diego Short Film Festival
Film Details:
A middle-aged actress grapples with a fading career and aging body while preparing for a laughably low-stakes audition, only to be interrupted by a younger rival.
Completion Date: Nov 2024
Genre: Dark Comedy
Marketing Categories: Women, The Arts, Aging
Production Status: Completed, 2024
World Premiere: July 2025, LA Shorts International Film Festival
Technical Contact: lauren.selman@gmail.com
Runtime: (Min:Sec) 11:41
Camera: Sony FX6
Framerate: 23.98 / Monoscopic
Shot on: 4K (Digital)
Picture: Color
Aspect Ratio: 2.2:1
Sound Format: Stereo; 24-bit for post; Location sounds 23.976
Delivery/Screening Format: ProRes 4444 (ProRes ultra hd); or DCP if required through Simple DCP
Production Company: A Long Story Short Productions LLC / Selman Productions, LLC
Project Rights: As of 12/13/24: Worldwide to A Long Story Short Productions
Cast & Crew:
"Betty": Dana Lyn Baron
"Mary": Tally McCormack
Writer: Dana Lyn Baron
Director: America Young
Producer: Dana Lyn Baron
Producer: Lauren Selman
Editor: Elisa Daniels
Cinematographer: Justin Ivan Hong
Composer: Antoni Mairata
Press & Contact Details
Primary Film Contact:
bettyandmaryfilm@gmail.com
Publicity Contact:
alongstoryshortprods@gmail.com
Instagram (Film):
@bettyandmaryfilm
Instagram (Production Company):
@alongstoryshortprods
Tickets, Showings & Nominations:
Get Tickets - Betty & Mary Screens at San Diego Short Film Festival
Dec 16, 2025
Betty & Mary Earns Nominations at FirstGlance Los Angeles
Nov 3, 2025
Filmmaker Q&A: Betty & Mary at LA Shorts Film Festival 2025
Jul 18, 2025
FirstGlance Interviews Dana Lyn Baron and Tally McCormack on the Red Carpet
Jan 1, 2026
Talking With - Vocal Media Interviews Dana Lyn Baron about Betty & Mary
Nov 17, 2025
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.
Filmmaker Q&A: Betty & Mary at LA Shorts Film Festival 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Betty & Mary: Neighbors Secures Fiscal Sponsorship with Film Independent
Dec 17, 2025
Winner - Best Comedy Screenplay - Betty & Mary: Neighbors at Hollywood Just4Shorts
Nov 30, 2025
Screenplay Semi-Finalist at Indie Short Fest - Betty & Mary: Neighbors
Nov 1, 2025
Betty and Mary: Neighbors, the second installment in the Betty and Mary trilogy, has been named a Semi Finalist for its screenplay at Indie Short Fest. Written by Dana Lyn Baron, the script stood out in the festival’s competitive monthly lineup, which recognizes excellence in short form screenwriting.
Screenplay Finalist at Independent Shorts Awards - Betty & Mary: Neighbors
Oct 29, 2025
The screenplay for Betty & Mary: Neighbors, the second film in the Betty & Mary trilogy, has been named a finalist at Independent Shorts Awards. Written by Dana Lyn Baron, the screenplay continues to gain recognition on the international festival circuit as the trilogy moves toward production of its next chapters.
