Irina Maleeva’s SUNNY’S CLOSET to Screen in LA at Silicon Beach Film Festival
3 min read
See the iconic actress’s pilot short at Silicon Beach Film Festival Sept. 7th
Irina Maleeva, famed international performer who has starred in movies, television, recordings, and on stage in both theater and cabaret performances, is turning her considerable talents toward developing her own TV series Sunny’s Closet written and directed by Carlyle King (Amazon’s Smothered 2, and Mutant Olive 2.0).
In the series, reclusive Hollywood celebrity Solange “Sunny” Green (Maleeva) unexpectedly meets and rescues non-binary Lio (Jesse Leigh), and together the two navigate an unexpected friendship. Through Lio, Sunny rediscovers her joy of living as the two reach out to help underprivileged youths in the gritty streets of Los Angeles.
In addition, Louie Ski Carr and Mitch Hara co-star in the funny and touching dramedy. There is also an original song written for the film by Michele Brourman and Amanda McBroom.
Sunny’s Closet will screen at the Silicon Beach Film Festival on Sunday, September 7th at 7:30PM at the TCL Chinese 6, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, 90028. Tickets can be purchased at TICKETS | Silicon Beach Film Festival, Block OO.
About Irina Maleeva:
International sensation Maleeva was the daughter of a famed Bulgarian stage actress and an aristocratic Italian statesman. Maleeva first established herself as a child performer in her native Bulgaria — and from there her career and talents would bring her to the global stage. After being discovered at age 15 by legendary director Federico Fellini, Maleeva was jettisoned into the cinematic spotlight and performed in three of his highly acclaimed movies: Satyricon, Spirits of the Dead, and Roma. She went on to be cast by Orson Welles to play opposite him as Shylock’s daughter Jessica in The Merchant of Venice which he also directed. The film was also directed by Welles which Maleeva remembers being one of the best experiences of her life.
She went on to work with iconic Italian directors Luchino Visconti and Roberto Rossellini and played more than 30 leading roles in European and American films.
For her portrayal as a demented countess in the cult crime mystery film Union City, Maleeva appeared opposite rockers Debbie Harry and Pat Benatar and won an award at the Toronto Film Festival. American television roles include appearing as a guest star on Days of our Lives, Gilmore Girls, Pensacola, Just Shoot Me, Six Feet Under, Angel and Threshold.
About Carlyle King
King is an award-winning actress, writer, director, and producer in the theatre for more than 40 years. She holds an MFA from USC, and studied with acclaimed drama teachers Uta Hagen, Kim Stanley, and Milton Katselas. She was co-artistic director at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills and co-created their successful One Act Festival that led to NY productions, an HBO show and publications. In 2022 she directed Smothered for Amazon Prime and just finished directing the world premiere of Bisexual Sadness in Los Angeles.
In 2018, she directed Maleeva in the musical Gypsy in My Soul at the WACO Theater Center in the colorful North Hollywood Arts District.
Silicon Beach Film Festival
Silicon Beach located on the west side of Los Angeles serves the technology and entertainment industry as a hub of activity. Silicon Beach is home to YouTube, Google, IMAX, Yahoo, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amazon, Netflicks just to name a few. The Silicon Beach Film Festival was created and founded by Jon Gursha and Peter Green who manage and run the festival.
The Silicon Beach Film Festival prides itself as a premier film festival in Los Angeles. All screenings are projected on the highest quality DCP, Digital Cinema Projection providing filmmakers with the highest quality screening environment.
*Shoutout to LA Media Consultants. Images courtesy Sunny’s Closet.
