• Mail Order Bride is now available to watch

    Save our reproductive rights - Vote November 5, 2024!

  • Watch the film:

    TW: attempted assault, adult language

  • What was meant to be a futuristic cautionary tale has become a very current, relatable story. Briana finds herself at a crossroads, haunted by the consequences of an ectopic pregnancy and the relentless prosecution that ensues. She embarks on a courageous escape, venturing into a scary situation as a Mail Order Bride.

  • Festivals and Awards

    As of October 26, 2024

    Screenplay Awards/Placements:

     

    Winner, Toronto Indie Shorts, 2023

    Quarterfinalist, CinemaStreet Women's Short Screenplay Competition, 2023

    Quarterinalist, Filmmatic - Inroads Festival, Season 10, 2023

    Official Selection, Atlanta Woman's Festival, 2023

     

    Film Awards, Placements and Selections:

     

    Semi-finalist, Dublin Movie Awards, 2024

    Semi-finalist, New York International Women Festival, 2024

    Quarterfinalist, Offpage Film Festival (Philadelphia, PA) 2023 - SCREENED

    Award Nominee, Muzzle Awards, 2024 (Online)

    Official Selection, Culver City Film Festival, 2023 (Culver City, CA)- SCREENED

    Official Selection, Media Film Festival, 2024 (Media, PA) - SCREENED

    Official Selection, Canadian Independent Film Festival, 2024 (Montreal)- SCREENED

    Official Selection, The Women's Festival (Philadelphia, PA) - SCREENED

    Official Selection, Toronto Indie Shorts, 2024

    Honorable Mention - Off the Reel Film Festival, 2024 (Lancaster, PA)

     

     

  • ABOUT THE FILM

    1. "Mail Order Bride" offers a timely, poignant portrayal of a woman's strength in the face of injustice. Led by an exceptional cast and crew, this short film unfolds with raw authenticity.

      With stunning cinematography and a gripping, award-winning script, "Mail Order Bride" immerses you in a world where hope and despair collide, ultimately illuminating the triumph of the human heart. But "Mail Order Bride" is more than just afilm—it's an opportunity to champion a powerful story. By supporting our crowdfunding campaign, you can contribute to the creation of this extraordinary cinematic experience. Your generous support will help us bring Briana's courageous journey to life, shining a light on
      the complexities of women's contemporary struggles..

     

     

     

    INSPIRATION

    2023 was the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, which was overturned last year. Women all over the country now live in states where they can no longer receive abortions, even when it's necessary to save their lives. In Mail Order Bride, Briana has to flee because she's been convicted for having a surgical procedure to save her from an ectopic pregnancy.

    SCRIPT AWARDS

  • Behind the Scenes

    Production Photos

     

     

     

    Briana on the run

  • What would you do?..

    ..if you were prosecuted for having a miscarriage? This isn't just fiction. It's happening now. "Mail Order Bride" features a main character who flees to Canada with a bounty on her head after her doctor is arrested for saving her life.

  • PRODUCERS AND CREW

    This movie was produced by Bad Intentions Productions, a company registered in Pennsylvania

    OLIVER ASSIRAN

    DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
    Oliver Assiran's feature “Flogging Margaret” was made for approximately $40,000, sold to Warner Brothers and distributed all over the globe. He also wrote and directed the controversial film, “Gorno: An American Tragedy.” He is also a successful film and theater actor with decades of experience. He was most recently featured in a lead role in the play “Miss Bomba Claudie the Jamaican Talk Show Host” at the Louis Bluver Theater in Philadelphia, PA. He is on the Board of the Media Film Festival in Media, PA.
     
     

    SANDRA WADE

    WRITER, ACTOR, PRODUCER

     

    Sandra Wade co-wrote, co-produced and starred in “Choices”, a short film made for less than $1000 that was selected by over a dozen film festivals and won awards for Best Produced Independent Short and Best Comedy Short (Actor/Actress) at the Philadelphia World Film Festival and Italy’s Reale Monthly Festival. She has appeared in several commercials, independent films, plays, and series. Her one-act play “Skeptics” premiered at the Offpage Play Festival in November 2022. She is the owner of Bad Intentions Productions, a film company registered in Pennsylvania. "Choices" premiered at the Media Film Festival on March 30, 2023.
     

    IMDB

    COVERFLY

    ALAN KELLEY

    EDITOR
    Alan Kelley is an editor, writer and producer with over two decades of experience. He was nominated for a BAFTA for his work on the series Screen Two and nominated for a Grand Jury Award at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema for Best Short Film. He also worked with co-producer Oliver Assirian on “Flogging Margaret.”
     

    ROBERT BOYD

    CINEMATOGRAPHER
    Robert Boyd is an award-winning actor, filmmaker, writer and producer from Philadelphia, PA. In 2021, Robert founded Bright Life Productions, LLC, a company dedicated to telling enriched and compelling human stories and exposing relatable three dimensional characters to address our socially divided era and bridge the divide.
     

  • CAST

    Lead Actors

    broken image

    Anne Schmalzigan / "Briana"

    Anne attended Bucknell University. She caught the acting bug after appearing in the Domestic Violence fundraiser ‘The Vagina Monologues.’ She has a diverse resume, having acted in true-crime reenactments, independent films, commercials, and supernatural thrillers. She’s a vital member of Diop Productions, where she is a principle actress and Production Manager. She currently stars in "Trust No One," a film on Amazon Prime.

    broken image

    Tommy Joyner / "Tim"

    Tommy Joyner is co-Owner at MilkBoy the Studio, MilkBoy Venue, and producer at BBCG Films/MilkBoy Entertainment. He started MilkBoy Recording as a small private recording studio, which slowly grew into the premier recording facility in Philadelphia. In 2006 the studio branched out to form its MilkBoy live music venue business, which now resides at the corner of 11th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. In 2010, MilkBoy formed a film production company. The first offering, "Slow Learners," was acquired by IFC and released in theaters and OnDemand in August 2015.

    broken image

    Alana Hill / "Tina"

    Alana Hill attends acting classes at Playhouse West-Philadelphia and has
    performed in many scenes and plays such as The Agreement, All in a Day's
    Work, and more. Her film work includes the award-winning Alma's Vows and Password. She's grateful that her experience in the 2022
    Philadelphia production of the Miss Bomba Claudie comedy play led her to
    Sandra and Oliver! Excited to see what's next and full of joy for
    what has come!

  • WRITER'S STATEMENT

    by Sandra Wade

    Inspiration

    This year is the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. I didn’t even realize this anniversary was coming up when I wrote “Mail Order Bride” at the end of 2022.
     

    The inspiration for the script was a conversation with co=producer Oliver Assiran after the infamous, cataclysmic Dobbs decision overturning Roe. I wondered aloud whether, if a federal ban on abortion and birth control was eventually passed, we would start to see American women advertising themselves as “mail order brides” online to escape oppression here in the United States.

     

    This may seem far-fetched, but in many states where eager right-wing lawmakers couldn’t wait to pass laws infringing upon womens’ right to choose their own reproductive path, women and their doctors risk arrest and jail time. In Texas, women are even at the mercy of greedy bounty hunters who can earn $10k for turning in women who’ve had abortions to law enforcement.

     

    In “Mail Order Bride”, an ectopic pregnancy threatens Briana's life, and her doctor is arrested after the operation. This nightmare plot isn’t some distant, futuristic scenario I created. Many states are criminalizing women right now, in 2024. Women are also dying of ectopic pregnancies or having to make perilous trips to other states because doctors and hospitals in states with restrictions on abortion are too afraid to break the law.

     

    As abortions move back into the back alley, maternal healthcare has also suffered. Maternal deaths have increased by over 60% in states that criminalized abortion.

     

    What can those of us who are afraid and angry do?

    Art's Influence on Society

    As a writer, I’ve always channeled my passions and beliefs in my work. I strongly believe in the ability of art, and that includes film, to change society.

     

    The “Mail Order Bride” script was my way to make my voice heard on this important issue, and I know everyone who’s signed onto the film feels as passionately about this project as I do.

     

    TO HELP FUND FINISHING THIS WORTHWHILE PROJECT, CLICK HERE! We have lots of perks, including signed scripts, Executive Producer credits, and a walk-on role!

     

    OR

     

    Send us a message at info@mailorderbridefilm.com to request an Investor Packet.

  • Contact Us

    Questions about the project? Send us a message:

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