IIFF’s Closing Night Selection: Little Miss Perfect

By Effie Magazine Staff on February 4, 2016

January 21, 2016

Irvine International Film Festival

Closing Night Feature

Little Miss Perfect

Written and directed by 23-year-old Marlee Roberts, the film “Little Miss Perfect” made its debut as the “Closing Night” feature of the 5th Annual Irvine International Film Festival (IIF).

Roberts held a pre-premiere party at the ultra-luxurious St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach where cast, crew and guest talent toasted to their amazing accomplishment. The screening of the film was followed by a Q&A with Roberts and the cast, which includes her 16-year-old sister Karlee Roberts, who starred as “Belle.” Karlee Roberts was given the festival’s “Honorary Mention Awards to Emerging Child Actors” for Best Emerging Actress.

“It was an honor to attend the festival, let alone get an award. This award means a lot because it serves as a sort of validation that my hard work as an actress is recognized, not just by my sister who directed the picture and believed in me, but by a larger audience as well. It’s been an incredible journey playing Belle,” said Karlee Roberts.

The films follows Belle (Karlee Roberts), 14, an over-achieving high school freshman. Student Council. Young Writers of America. Students Against Destructive Decisions. She is going places. Her newest accomplishment? Class President. But when Belle’s mom disappears, she finds it increasingly difficult to cope with her everyday stressors. The over-achieving high school freshman stumbles upon an online pro-eating disorder community through an anonymous blogger ALLY who encourages Belle to secretly starve herself. Believing that by controlling her weight, she can control her life, Belle’s anorexia worsens through fasting, fainting, and purging. It isn’t long before Belle’s dieting becomes extreme and she stops eating altogether. She feels on top of the world. Powerful. In control…

In attendance at the event were members of the cast, crew and supporters: Alyssa Amer, Brandon Bernath, Antonio Rodrigues, Olga Goncalves, Stephen Kaiser-Pendergrast, Mathew Roscoe, Benedict Mazurek, Caroline Newton, Tiana Feghali, Katherine Paige, Kathleen Bernath, Jovan Armando, Gabby Scerbo, Laura Krystine, Jaheem Toombs, Karlee Roberts, Marlee Roberts, Charlie Swan, Izzy Palmieri, Nick Alvarez, Izabella Alvarez and Maeve Tomalty.

For more information, visit www.littlemissperfectmovie.com.

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