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Exclusive: After making his feature directorial debut with The Mattachine Family, Andy Vallentine has launched Huckleberry Media, an L.A.-based film and television production company with a commitment to creating daring narratives, crafting rich characters, and championing artistic innovation and inclusivity.

Joining him as a founding member is Andrew Richards, formerly of Imperative Entertainment, who will serve as VP of Film and Television Development.

In a statement to Deadline, Vallentine said, “Our mission with Huckleberry Media is to champion compelling, character-driven film and television projects. Following the recent success of The Mattachine Family, we’re excited to hit the ground running with a slate of titles that explore diverse human experiences, foster empathy, and challenge societal norms through entertaining and authentic storytelling.”

Added Richards, “I’m elated to be joining Andy as we build out a diverse slate of film and television projects in collaboration with emerging and established storytellers alike.

Chicago – Happy Pride Month 2024! One of the most beautiful and spirited LGBTQ+ films on the festival circuit last year was “The Mattachine Family,” written by Danny Vallentine and directed by his husband Andy Vallentine. Andy Vallentine talked to HollywoodChicago.com about his film that was partially autobiographical. “The Mattachine Family is now available to rent on all major streaming platforms.

“The Mattachine Family” features the very-much-in-love married couple Thomas (Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace) in a story about family, both made and found. When their foster child reunites with his birth mother, Thomas and Oscar deal with the loss in very different ways, and realize they have differing ideas on what makes a family. Loosely based on director/writer Andy Vallentine and writer Danny Vallentine’s own lived experiences as husbands and potential fathers, the film is a journey on the universality of love, family, and community.

It would be easy to simply peg The Mattachine Family as an LGBTQ film. It is that, but so much more, too. Relationships, friendships, and a longing for family command the spotlight in director Andy Vallentine’s heartwarming feature, which he cowrote with his screenwriter Danny Vallentine. Tapping into those universal themes elevates this emotionally rich tale, one that will not only make audiences laugh and cry on different occasions, but also inspire them to reflect on the bounty of good that exists in their lives, especially during life transitions.

The Mattachine Family is currently on the festival circuit, most recently premiering at Chicago’s LGBTQ Reeling Film Festival. The movie stars Nico Tortorella, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Cloie Wyatt Taylor, Heather Matarazzo, Carl Clemons-Hopkins (Hacks), Jake Choi (Single Parents), and Colleen Foy (Quantum Leap).

If you’re a fan of feel-good films that touch upon family ties,...

Chicago – The 41st edition of the Reeling International Lbgtq+ Film Festival kicks off on September 21st, 2023, and runs through October 7th. The Opening Night film is “The Mattachine Family” at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. For info/tickets click REELING41.

“The Mattachine Family” features the very-much-in-love married couple Thomas (Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace) in a story about family, both made and found. When their foster child reunites with his birth mother, Thomas and Oscar deal with the loss in very different ways, and realize they have differing ideas on what makes a family. Loosely based on director/writer Andy Vallentine and writer Danny Vallentine’s own lived experiences as husbands and potential fathers, the film is a journey on the universality of love, family, and community.

REELING41 Opens with ‘The Mattachine Family,’ Directed by Andy Vallentine

Photo credit: REELINGFilmFestival.org

With 54 programs including narrative features, documentary features,...

Exclusive: Robert Morgan’s Talaria Media has launched development on Arigato Tokyo, a new drama set in the world of women’s professional wrestling, after acquiring a feature pitch by Daytime Emmy winner Mark Blutman. Jamie Anderson is on board to direct the pic, with Morgan to exec produce.

The film will tell the story of Annie Able, an aging pro wrestler, who despite battles with addiction and mental health, returns to the land of the Rising Sun to reignite her feud with local Japanese legend Hoshi Tokao, whose series of epic and often bloody matches in the late ’90s made them rich and famous. During the build-up of their big match at the landmark Tokyo Dome, Annie falls for the son of Hoshi, a young man half her age, and while the unlikely relationship angers Hoshi, the meaningful bond they form is unbreakable.

Blutman is...