Studio 3531

Show Time
January 21, 2025 @ 8:45pm
Canada
Dear Friend
Trina, disillusioned with online dating, leaves a heartfelt letter in a book box seeking a genuine connection. Jeff finds the letter, responds, and they exchange anonymous letters, revealing their innermost thoughts and fears. When they agree to meet, Jeff fears Trina will recognize him from a bad dating app encounter. Will honesty and vulnerability be enough to bridge the gap and create a true connection? "Dear Friend" is a heartwarming romantic comedy exploring the power of words and the courage to be one's authentic self in the pursuit of love.
Credits
Director
Writer
Producer
Kyle Schmalenberg
Kyle Schmalenberg
Laura Friedmann
Devon Codrington
Cast
Arthica Kumarakesary
Brian Obonna
Jennifer Fong
Kalila Mostmand
Laura Friedmann
Director Biography

Kyle Schmalenberg is an award-winning director, writer, and producer at Wrapped Productions Inc. His previous work spans commercial branded content, short narrative films, and documentaries, and he is presently developing a robust slate including feature dramas and docs, limited series, and comedy series. He wrote and directed Glimpses into the Spirit of Gender Equality, a feature-length doc made in collaboration with the United Nations, which had its virtual premiere at the commission on the Status of Women and won 4 awards (2 for best documentary). Braided Together (CBC Gem), a short film he co-wrote and co-directed, won the Audience Award at both imagineNATIVE and the Vox Popular Media Arts Fest.
Coming from early projects involving grassroots media initiatives and accompaniment processes, Kyle continually seeks to bring into his work elements of mentorship, training, capacity building, community, equity, and justice.
He was a co-creator and facilitator at the Native Film & storytelling Institute 2018 and Creative Sovereignty Lab 2022. He participated in the Banff/Netflix Diversity of Voices program in 2022 and 2023, was a CFC x Netflix Calling Card Accelerator recipient, and was a BSO x Rogers Script Development Fund recipient. He is also a licensed psychotherapist in Toronto.
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Director Statement
Dear Friend boasts a magnetic appeal and a potent mix of culturally resonant themes and timeless romantic comedy flair. The stories and characters of Dear Friend represent the target demographic–young, single individuals and anyone struggling with genuine connections in the online dating era. This theme resonates widely, reflecting the experiences of many online daters and social media users seeking authenticity in a sometimes superficial environment. Echoing the success of trailblazers like Crazy Rich Asians and The Photograph, Dear Friend taps into the growing appetite for stories spotlighting BIPOC experiences in love and friendship, promising not just cultural resonance but also commercial success through diverse storytelling that audiences are craving.