Please Don't Feed the Children

Last updated

Please Don't Feed the Children
Please Don't Feed the Children.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed by Destry Allyn Spielberg
Written byPaul Bertino
Produced by
  • Jason Dubin
  • Josh Kesselman
  • Michael Hagerty
  • Bill Kenwright
  • Daniel Ryniker
Starring
CinematographyShane Sigler
Edited byTodd Sandler
Production
company
Perry Street Films
Release date
  • October 11, 2024 (2024-10-11)(Sitges)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Please Don't Feed the Children is a 2024 American psychological thriller film directed by Destry Allyn Spielberg and written by Paul Bertino.

Contents

Premise

A group of orphans head south in search of a new life after the country's adult population is wiped out from a viral outbreak. Soon they discover a dangerous secret from a deranged woman. [1]

Cast

Production

In March 2023, it was reported that Destry Allyn Spielberg would make her feature directorial debut with Please Don't Feed the Children, from a script by Paul Bertino, with Michelle Dockery being cast in the lead role. [2] In May 2023, Regan Aliyah, Zoe Colletti and Andrew Liner were cast. [1] The following month, Joshuah Melnick, Emma Meisel and Dean Scott Vazquez joined the cast. [3]

Principal photography took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico in July 2023. [3] The production was granted an interim agreement allowing the actors to continue working on the film during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. [6]

The film had a troubled production, and after filming had wrapped in November 2023, several crew and vendors that worked on the film had still not been paid into May 2024. The film was eligible for $750,000 in New Mexico tax credits, but the production could not receive it until all vendors had been paid. Lead producer Jason Dubin took responsibility for the missing payments and had to seek additional financiers several times in order to pay the outstanding debts. [7]

Release

The film had a world premiere at the 57th Sitges Film Festival on October 11, 2024. [8] [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Whittock, Jesse (May 20, 2023). "Please Don't Feed The Children: Zoe Colletti, Regan Aliyah & Andrew Liner Join Destry Allyn Spielberg's Debut Feature – Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 22, 2023). "Destry Allyn Spielberg's Directing Debut Will Be Please Don't Feed The Children; Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery Starring". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Yossman, K. J. (June 9, 2023). "Destry Allyn Spielberg's Directorial Feature Debut Don't Feed the Children Adds Cast (Exclusive)". Variety . Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  4. Whittock, Jesse (October 16, 2023). "Vernon Davis Lands Role In Destry Allyn Spielberg's Please Don't Feed The Children". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  5. Grobar, Matt (November 22, 2023). "Giancarlo Esposito Joins Destry Allyn Spielberg's Please Don't Feed The Children". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  6. Kroll, Justin (July 28, 2023). "SAG-AFTRA Launches Casting-Specific Interim Agreements, With New Guy Ritchie Movie Among Those Getting Waivers". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  7. Maddaus, Gene (May 15, 2024). "Destry Allyn Spielberg's Indie Feature Debut Suffers Financing Hurdles and Still Owes Vendors". Variety . Penske Media Corporation.
  8. "Destry Allyn Spielberg estrena su debut en Sitges: Dirigir es "algo que nunca había planeado"". Europa Press (in Spanish). October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  9. Lodderhose, Diana (October 11, 2024). "Destry Allyn Spielberg Talks Feature Film Debut Please Don't Feed The Children, Why Hollywood Should Cast Fresh Faces & Next Steps: "I Want To Start Careers – I'm Sick Of Seeing Movies That Lack Young Talent"". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 21, 2025.