New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Veteran filmmaker,
Nicole Conn is pleased to announce the cast of her latest endeavor, "Nesting Doll" a story about three broken women whose lives intersect at a lakeside community and who are forever changed through their shared love of a boy with special needs.
Celebrated and beloved Australian actress, Zoe Ventoura (Packed to the Rafters) has signed on for the lead, McKenzie De Ridder.
"I wanted to be part of Nesting Doll from the moment I read Nicole's script, which I absolutely loved. She has created a compelling world filled with beautifully layered characters and stories."
Her co-star is Kayla Radomski of "So You Think You Can Dance" fame. She too had "fallen in love" with the story several years ago and signed on for the role of Samantha.
Veteran filmmaker,
Nicole Conn is known not only for having paved the way for lesbian themed cinema with her cult classic, "Claire of the Moon" - celebrating its milestone 25th Anniversary in 2018 - but also for her acclaimed features Elena Undone (which boasts the longest screen kiss in cinema history) and A Perfect Ending.
Considered the best selling filmmaker of the lesbian-themed genre, Conn returned to her intense and loyal global fan base for another round of crowd-sourcing to raise the funds to make "Nesting Doll."
The film is an homage to Conn's daughter and, in particular, her son who is highly special needs and medically fragile. He was the focus of "little man" which earned Conn 12 Best Documentary Awards, along with the prestigious Cedar Sinai's Courageous Beginnings Award.
"I was told for years people don't want to see a story about a special needs character. That it was a 'downer' " says Conn. "It enraged me, and is precisely the reason why we need more characters with special needs played by actors with special needs."
Enter spunky 11 year-old Cale Ferrin. Ferrin was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia, a rare genetic disease that can lead to bone marrow failure and cancer and is often marked by congenital defects and short stature.
"His energy is so magical that when you hug Cale, it feels like you are hugging God," Conn states enthusiastically.
"Nesting Doll" marks Ferrin's acting debut.
Joining the stellar cast are Kate Burton, playing a mother plagued by inadequacies and dark secrets, and Bruce Davison as the head of his clan. Rounding up the supporting cast is French Stewart (3rd Rock From the Sun), Brooke Elliott (Drop Dead Diva), Lesley Nicol, Kay Lenz, Wally Kurth and Gaby Christian.
Gabrielle Baba-Conn (Conn's real life daughter) is also making her feature debut.
Powerhouse Producer,
Amber Geneva (Bellevue) and a group known as the "Silver Tribe" - eleven women from all over the world who are Conn's dear friends and loyalists, are teaming up with the multiple award-winning filmmaker behind the scenes to bring this film to the international audience that it deserves.
"I always say I'm the luckiest lesbian alive!"
Nicole Conn.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nicoleconnwriterdirector
Twitter: www.twitter.com/nicoleconn (@nicoleconn)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicoleconnfilms (@nicoleconnfilms)
