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Logline

After murdering their sleaze-ball boss and blowing up their workplace, two dysfunctional strippers — one jaded, one guilt-ridden — try to lay low, shake off the hangover, and figure out if their new neighbor with wings is here to help… or just judge the shit out of them.

Synopsis

In this disturbing comedy with a Shakespearean twist, two unlikely roommates – Betty, a jaded Gen X stripper, and Mary, a guilt-ridden millennial stripper – wake up after a night of blood, secrets, and sisterhood. What starts as another groggy morning quickly unravels into a surreal spiral of sex dreams, guilty confessions, and a murder most foul… of their sleazy strip club boss.

As memories of the previous night’s crime slowly return – daggers, cover-ups, and an explosive grand finale – their banter reveals a relationship built on sarcasm, survival, and maybe a little madness. But just as they start to question their fate, an ethereal new neighbor appears at the door… with wings. Witty, irreverent, and soaked in noir-tinged absurdity, Betty & Mary: Neighbors blends sitcom snark with Shakespearean tragedy, asking:

How do you bury a body, blow up a club, and still make rent?
 

Meet the Filmmakers

Dana Lyn Baron — Writer/Producer/Lead Actor
Dana is a multifaceted artist whose career spans film, television, theatre, and voice-over. Known for her dynamic screen presence and range, she has contributed to acclaimed and award-winning projects. Her film credits include Aaron Sorkin’s Being the Ricardos with Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, and David Fincher’s Mank with Gary Oldman. On television, she has appeared in award-winning series including HBO’s Hacks, NBC’s This Is Us, Showtime’s Shameless, and FX’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace. As a voice actor, Dana has brought several iconic characters to life, including Sonya Blade in the Mortal Kombat franchise and Lady Liadrin in World of Warcraft.

Dana returns to producing with experience at Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Universal Pictures, Miramax, and Scott Rudin Productions. Her earlier short as producer, Paul Budnitz’s Ultraviolet, screened at major festivals including the Berlin International Film Festival, WorldFest Houston, and Breckenridge.

She made her screenwriting debut with Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare, the first film in the Betty & Mary Trilogy. With Betty & Mary: Neighbors, she continues expanding a bold, character-driven creative universe where her storytelling voice shines.

America Young — Director
America Young (Director) 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.

Jennifer Sherer — Producer
Jennifer is an award-winning producer and actress based in Los Angeles. Her love of filmmaking was borne from a high school Spanish class, and her love of acting borne from an ingrained need for attention. She continued fostering her skills in front of and behind the camera while attending UCLA. She has experience producing features, tv pilots, and short films, many of which have won awards and found distribution. Her main passion is producing female focused stories directed by women and helping usher them into a successful festival run. When she’s not making movies, you can find her at a hockey game (Go Kings Go!), snuggling her husband and 4 cats, or scoping out her next good meal.

Lauren Selman — Co-Producer
Lauren Selman is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated producer with nearly two decades of experience across independent cinema, television, and high-profile global events. She has earned two Emmy nominations for her work, including the FIFA World Cup and The Media Access Awards.

Her comprehensive portfolio of independent film collaborations features Miranda Bailey’s documentary “Greenlit,” Josh and Rebecca Tickell’s “The Revolution Generation,” and Rodes Phire’s “Farewelling.” She also consulted on Peter Bratt’s “La Mission,” and Ambush Entertainment’s “The River Why” and “The Next Day.” Her features have been prominently featured at top-tier festivals, including Sundance and SXSW.

In the shorts space, Selman has produced over a dozen titles, including the first installment of “Betty and Mary: The Actors Prepare.” Highlights include “Shimmer: Inspired by Eva Young,” directed by Alice Gu, which won Best Short at the Bentonville Film Festival after premiering at Sun Valley Film Festival. Other recognized shorts include “The Ringmaster” (Paris International Film Festival winner), “Husky” (Pan African Film Festival premiere), and “Coyote.”

After nearly a decade running awards production and logistics for the Academy of Motion Pictures for the Oscars, Selman established Selman Productions producing films and global events. She is also a producing partner with Non De Gen, specializing in blending music, film, and technology for innovative shows.

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Contact

For inquiries, please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.