In Post: Bittersweet Symphony | Cassidy Vs the Toilet Seat | Dinner Guest | The Seer
In Pre-Production: Judgement | Scorned Soup | Tomorrow
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A sharp, dark comedy about love, ambition, and the hilariously messy clashes that happen when family gets too close for comfort…
As Joe and Jessica struggle to start a family, Jessica’s overbearing mother, Meme, moves in and turns their lives upside down. Convinced that a band teacher isn’t good enough for her daughter, she meddles at every turn, creating chaos in their already stressful lives. Bittersweet Symphony is a sharp, dark comedy about love, ambition, and the hilariously messy clashes that happen when family gets too close for comfort.
Starring
Anique Reese as Meme
Eva Harpst as Jessica
Chris Kinzie as Joe
Carmen Renee as Fitness Instructor
Jordan Verna as Principal
Crew
Directed by Dana Verna & Matt Kaminski
Screenplay by Dana Verna
Produced by Matt Kaminski, Dana Verna, Aku RoDriguez & H.Cherdon Bedford
Director of Photography – Aku RoDriguez
Editor – Cesar Guevara
Original Music Composed & Performed by Eric Dauenhauer
Sound Recordist – Jared De Joya
Sound Editor – Louis A. Weyrich
Boom Operator – Edward Fanning
Boom Operator – Azriel Gomez
First Assistant Camera – Rachel Habtamu
First Assistant Camera / Production Assistant – Laura Griffith
Still Photographer / BTS – Danielle Martinez
Key Grip / Still Photographer / BTS – Tobiah Vega
Script Supervisor – Jillian Striker
Production Assistant – Jensen Caminos-Cassium
Production Assistant – Lauren Pacek
A Statement from Dana Verna - Writer, Director & Producer
Bittersweet Symphony is a dark comedy about the clash between two very different people who love the same person. When an overbearing mother-in-law temporarily moves in with her daughter and son-in-law, she makes it clear that she thinks her daughter has settled—after all, a band teacher isn’t exactly the dream match she had in mind. What follows is a battle of passive-aggressive jabs, absurd misunderstandings, and escalating tensions as these two polar opposites fight for dominance, all under the guise of love and concern.
At its core, this film is about the push and pull of family expectations versus personal happiness. It explores the absurdity of trying to control the future of someone you love and the humor that inevitably arises when two people, both convinced they know best, refuse to back down. The result is a symphony of emotional highs and lows, blending satire with sincerity to remind us that love, whether familial or romantic, is never as simple as we’d like it to be.
As a writer and director, I wanted to create a story that is both sharp and heartfelt, filled with characters who feel real in their flaws and ridiculous in their stubbornness. Bittersweet Symphony is my way of laughing at the chaos of family while acknowledging the deep, messy love that binds us together.
A Statement from Matt Kaminski - Producer & Director
I was instantly intrigued by Bittersweet Symphony when I first read this script—great humor about family dynamics, fun plot twists, and memorable characters. I wanted to make this script into a short film.
A good story had to be made into a film – it’d be such a waste if it weren’t produced. Was it worth it? Oh yes, and we had so much fun bringing it to life.
Production Photos
Meet the Cast
Anique Reese as Meme
Anique Reese has been acting professionally for over 3 years. She has worked on a wide range of projects including: TV work, commercials, short films and features. Acting is her passion and she adores collaborating with fellow creatives.
Eva Harpst as Jessica
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Eva started acting at ZACH theatre. Now, she focuses on film and television, and loves bringing new characters to life. This is her first Short Film Challenge production. Learn more about Eva at EvaHarpst.com.
Meet the Makers
Dana Verna
Screenwriter, Director, Producer
Dana Verna is a self-taught writer who isn’t afraid of making mistakes – just bad films! Drawn to dark comedy, she creates unconventional stories that find humor in the chaos, proving even in the darkest moments we can laugh. Dana has also studied acting for many years. Another unique project Dana has in the works is a dark comedy, Scorned Soup, where a vegetarian gets revenge on his girlfriend because she tricks him to eat meat.
Matt Kaminski – Producer & Director
Matt is a local filmmaker, involved with several short film projects around Austin, including Silent Descent (numerous awards including at Austin After Dark Film Festival), Garage Girl, Reticence, Eating Disorder, and now Bittersweet Symphony. Keep up with Matt and his projects at: http://kaminskifilm.com/.
Meet the Crew
Jillian Striker – Script Supervisor
To mark completion of the digital filmmaking class at Austin School of Film, she wrote and edited a short film called Reticence. This is the second film project she has worked on.
Edward “The Hand” Fanning – Grip/Boom Op & “The Hand”
Edward is a passionate and dedicated boom operator with a keen ear for capturing high-quality sound on set. With a background in audio and a love for storytelling, Edward had the incredible opportunity to work on Bittersweet Symphony as the boom operator, ensuring every line of dialogue and ambient sound was recorded with precision.
His ability to anticipate the needs of the crew, adapt to dynamic filming environments, and collaborate closely with the sound team made him a vital part of the production process. Edward takes pride in his attention to detail, ensuring that every take captures the best possible sound quality.
In addition to his work behind the scenes, Edward was also chosen to play the role of “The Hand” in one of the film’s key scenes. Stepping in front of the camera was an unexpected but exciting experience, further deepening his appreciation for the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
Being part of Bittersweet Symphony was not only a professional milestone but also an exciting learning experience, reinforcing his passion for the craft. With an eye on future projects, he continues to refine his skills in the world of sound, eager to contribute to more creative productions.
When not on set, Edward enjoys exploring new audio technologies, working on live events, and expanding his expertise in the ever-evolving world of sound engineering.