Indie Vixens Who Are Heating Up Film Festivals

Saye Yabandeh in “5th and Alameda”

With her win as BEST ACTRESS at the recent 11th Beverly Hills Film Festival, SAYE YABANDEH is well on her way to be one of Film’s world brightest prospects. She perfectly depicted every surge of emotion as an abused woman seeking vengeance in “5th & Alameda”. Showing her humble side during her acceptance speech, she acknowledges that film-making is a team effort ensuring the love from all quarters. A consummate and vibrant talent, I’ll always be indebted to her for sending me her autograph.

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Jocelin Donahue in “Wes and Ella”

Jocelin Donahue projects that old-school cuteness which she used to brilliant effect in the throwback to the 80s horror “The House Of The Devil”. Slow-burners may not be to everyone’s taste but Jocelin proved stirringly adept at carrying the movie, even getting bound and gagged for the tense satanic ritual scene. Although her latest feature, the Indie Spirit Film Fest entry “Wes and Ella” is more of a lo-fi drama, she still manages to make a strong impression. Hey, she even spoofed Mischa Barton(The OC) back in the day!!

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Mayra Leal in “Playing House”

Machete introduced Mayra Leal as a Latin Sex Symbol. The creepy “Playing House” will no doubt install her as a Dangerously Sensual Femme Fatale in the vein of Glenn Close of “Fatal Attraction” fame. The exquisiteness of this Hispanic cutie is off the charts and she could soon follow in the footsteps of Eva Mendes, increasingly a sizzler with every movie she’s in! For a talented lady like Mayra who reveals being nude on film is liberating, we await the evolution of this curvaceous starlet.

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Mackenzie Firgens & Brooke Lewis in “Gerald”

Mackenzie Firgens is a multi-faceted actress with an innate creativity and a diverse body of work. Brooke Lewis is a Scream Queen or now endearingly given the title Slice Queen who has famously staked a claim in the indie horror arena. Together they star in “Gerald”, a refreshing comedy that has elements of “Forrest Gump” meets “Lars and The Real Girl”. I love how the two of them constantly instill so much passion in their projects. Truth be told, many viewers will have designs on this very foxy yet gifted duo.

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Natasha Lyonne & Cassandra Peterson in “All About Evil”

Who knew the cute outsider from the popular American Pie franchise could be this demented! Natasha Lyonne is a force to be reckoned with as the serial-killing filmmaker Deborah Tennis in Tromadance’s Featured Film “All About Evil”. It’s campy fun, tons of gore and of course the turning up of original Mistress Of Darkness Elvira aka Cassandra Peterson who adds a fabulous dosage of macabre. It’s a Match Made In Horror as these two ladies scare up some chilling moments for us!

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Jackie Alixander in “Nude Study”

Time and time again, Aussie actresses deliver such fearless dynamism that we can’t help but get instantly drawn to them. The much talked about film “Nude Study” has Jackie Alixander grappling with both literal and emotional nudity as a woman seeking her identity leading to a dark, destructive conclusion. Lauded at the recent Indie Spirit Film Fest for its controversial themes, Jackie’s emotive-laden performance is perturbing. Jackie believes in affecting audiences and she’s done it exceptionally.

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Daisy Betts in “Caught Inside”

What’s a surf movie without the requisite hottie and if she comes in the form of Sexy Aussie Daisy Betts all the better! In the thrilling “Caught Inside”, there’s shades of “Dead Calm” as psychopathic tendencies emerge among men desiring the sole single girl played by Daisy. Being a temptress is now like second nature to her as she’s best known for being in the TV Series “Persons Unknown” as one of several abductees thrown into a ghost town. In that show, she’s coveted by both male and female characters…WOW!!