Last weekend, the Santa Fe Film Festival premiered their selection of the best and newest films of 2022 in New Mexico. The festival’s carefully curated line-up was accompanied by Q&As and master classes from some of the most distinguished filmmakers in the world.
One of the most anticipated films of last weekend was No More Goodbyes, a movie including screenplay from USA Today bestselling author Rebekah Ganiere and directing from director extraordinaire James Ganiere. In addition to being a director, Ganiere is a member of the Producers Guild of America, TV Academy, an Alumni of the USC School of Cinema, and a TEDX speaker.
This past year, James’ directorial piece, Rekindling Christmas, also written by Rebekah, and starring Ashley Atwood, Raini Rodriguez, Michael Patrick Lane, Christian Ganiere, Thomas Hobson, and Sal Velez Jr. was nominated for an Emmy®. His other film that showed at the festival, documentary Land of the Free: In the Shadows with Priscilla Presley, is under consideration for a regional Emmy®.
Recently, Ganiere has dedicated his time to the direction of the narrative feature film that made its debut last weekend at the Santa Fe Film Festival – No More Goodbyes. This coming-of-age film follows two young unrelated inter-racial foster brothers attempting to stay together in a system that would tear them apart. A myriad of upcoming actors star in this film.
Jequan Jackson (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, FBI) plays seventeen-year-old Mark, who is desperate to protect and not be separated from his younger brother Tristan, played by Christian Ganiere (9-1-1, Grey’s Anatomy). Ganiere’s part in this film, a young boy with Autism and PTSD, explores new depths from his normal roles.
Another upcomer in the film is Tom Nowocki (The Blind Side, Remember the Titans), who plays Stan, a gruff retired military veteran that seeks redemption, goes against his nature, and gets involved.
Other actors and actresses that are featured in the film include Starletta DuPois (The Notebook, Friday After Next), Zuri Starks (This is Us, Chicago Fire), Ethan McDowell (The Walking Dead, Doom Patrol), Stacy Haiduk (True Blood, The Young and the Restless), Sal Velez Jr. (Black Summer, Gentrified), Michael Patrick Lane (Redemption Day, Unseen) and Oscar-nominated Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, Star 80).
No More Goodbyes is produced via James Ganiere’s Rio Vista Universal, a company focused on compelling characters and storytelling “at the crossroads of technology and entertainment, no matter the genre or medium.”
Another important aspect of this film is its recognition and exploration of the foster care system in America. Many of Ganiere’s works have deeper intentions, so the underlying themes of relationships, foster care, Autism, PTSD, family, and redemption are in line with his distinct values.
Viewers praised the film for its incredible direction and note-worthy plot. Soon, it will be available for the enjoyment of all– definitely something to look forward to.
