Bridgeport Film Festival 2026 was a joy!

Just a train ride from Grand Central, Bridgeport was well worth the trip. Melissa Mars walked the red carpet as a screenplay finalist for UFH [Unidentified Flying Human], attended the panel moderated by the CT Film and TV Alliance, and watched a great lineup of curated films. These included fun comedies, dramas (one of our favorites: Guetar Hero), and a heartbreaking international block showcasing global resilience, with some films in solidarity with Palestine.

The festival spoiled its guests with snacks and goodies (notebook, tote, T-shirt…), and it was a joy for Melissa to reconnect with Jason Coombs, filmmaker, activist, and BFF co-founder, along with filmmakers from past festivals, and to meet lovely new ones!

That is what we love about festivals. Bridgeport Film Festival is a wonderful one to expand the creative circle.

Learn more about the film at ufhthemovie.com.

Established more than 30 years ago, the Roy W. Dean grant supports independent filmmakers and films that make an impact on society. This is the first time Melissa Mars has reached this stage in a grant process.

A grant application is much more than a script. It brings together the budget, the financing plan, the marketing and distribution plans, and the pitch deck, covering every aspect of bringing a story to life. Reaching the finalist stage marks a milestone in Melissa’s path, not only as a writer but also as a producer.

Final results are coming very soon!

Learn more about the film at ufhthemovie.com.

A big thank you to the festival, and to everyone who has believed in this timely story from the very first page.

Learn more about the film at ufhthemovie.com.

Over two intense days in August, cast and crew brought the story to life in Albuquerque. What was first planned as a Brooklyn shoot found a new home in New Mexico, thanks to Joshua A. Friedman and Candice Neu, who joined Melissa Mars to form the producing team.

Visit ufhthemovie.com to meet the cast and crew and see more behind-the-scenes photos.

Post-production is now underway. We cannot wait to share what comes next.

More to come.

As she heads to her first day on a major studio film, a French actress of Arab heritage is profiled as an illegal, then a threat, and subjected to a hostile interrogation at a U.S. airport.

Conceived as a proof of concept for the feature My Ancestors’ Song, UFH is also a standalone dark satire short film — and it is moving fast.

The film is fiscally sponsored by From the Heart Productions, and we are actively fundraising. Whether you’d like to support with a cash donation or an in-kind contribution, every bit of help brings this film to life.

Visit the official UFH website to learn more, meet the team, and find out how you can be part of it.

ufhthemovie.com

More to come.