Madi Distefano

Short film proof of concept released in 2025 for a female driven wrestling series set in Philadelphia

Eleven year-old Izzy and her mom Caroline live a modest existence as Caroline struggles to get by as a musician, playing gigs and waiting for a breakthrough. For weeks Izzy has been asking Caroline for the ten dollars she needs to go on a science class field trip to a wild animal exhibit, but when Caroline gets fired from her last regular gig and can't come up with the money, Izzy is left to figure out how to get into the museum on her own. This short won several international awards at film festivals and competitions, and features the remarkable debut of Frances Distefano.

“HIATUS is a 20-minute experimental narrative film about a young woman who plays HIATUS, an on-line interactive ‘identity’ game. Propelled through action by her Go-Go cowgirl construct Wanda, and powered by a computer corset that stores her programs in a garden interface, Maid meets Wang, a powerful take-over artist. She must learn how to use the power of her ‘organic memory’ to block his expansion and preserve her freedom.” — E.B. 1999

A mock-documentary comedy that takes you beyond the 60-second sound bits and into the heart of a Presidential campaign.

A rockabilly fantasia. Frito pie, strippers, crystal meth and PBR. Produced in 1997 in the first year of the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and in 2007 for the Festival's 10 year anniversary. Released as a concert Film in 2017.