'Ebenezer: The Traveler' Showing At Inaugural Made In Huntington Film & TV Festival

HUNTINGTON, NY — "Ebenezer: The Traveler" is set to feature at the inaugural Made in Huntington Film & TV Festival.

The movie is set to air 7:30 p.m. April 5 at the Cinema Arts Centre. Tickets are available for $20 to the public and $18 for members.

The film, directed by Joe Valenti, follows Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Jerry Parisi, and what comes after his happy ending on Christmas.

"The day after Christmas finds him much less merry, and... dead," a spokeswoman said, giving a brief synopsis of the film. "Reunited with his old partner Jacob Marley (Michael Bertolini), Scrooge is tasked with earning their redemption."

Scrooge and Marley are joined by Tiny Tim (Austen Shane), and Scrooge's beloved sister, Fan (Amanda Rae Dodson), where they are tasked with earning their own redemption and regaining Scrooge's second chance. To do so, they must cross over time and the mortal plane to help guide others who are in danger of losing their way.

Their first journey leads them to modern day Oklahoma, and into the life of a young singer doing her best to support what family she has left, the spokeswoman said. Angel Lynn (Emily Jeanne Phillips) dreams of something better, but sometimes dreams can turn into nightmares. Bound under the thumb of a ruthless manager, she finds herself forced into a situation where one wrong decision could ruin everything and cost them all dearly.

"Ebenezer, Fan, Jacob, and Tiny Tim must work as if their souls depend upon it to save her before time runs out. Because they do," the spokeswoman said.

Parisi has played Ebenezer Scrooge in many street festivals, live events, and private events on Long Island, as well as in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York City.

"The difference of playing this character live versus on stage or in a crowd or even on the street is that the motions and things I do have to be somewhat exaggerated to be able to seen from afar," Parisi told Patch. "...With all the acting training I have had in New York City, one of the most important things you do is have to tone that down and be more yourself on camera."

The film's central theme deals with redemption and finding the means within oneself to change for the better, said Leland Prater, who wrote the film and plays Simon Onyx.

"Scrooge is motivated now because his second chance is in fact his last, and it's something that he can't ignore or work around just for convenience," Prater said. "So he's in fact forced to look at other people for perhaps the first time through the lens of humanity rather than a ledger book, and it's a new experience for him. It all comes down to him finding it within himself to change, and to reevaluate his decisions, and all of his past mistakes, and hopefully help someone else along the way."

In the film, Tiny Tim explains that change cannot be forced, Prater said. It's about free will.

"And in our story, Scrooge, Fan, Marley, and Tim aren't there to magically save anyone's day, because they can't," Prater said. "What they can do though is help someone recognize a chance to make the best decision possible, to find their own strength and ability to rise above their moment, and to ultimately save themself. And as Scrooge learns to do that for others he's doing it for himself, as well."

Parisi said he hopes "Ebenezer: The Traveler" is the first of many movies for Woodward City Productions and Valenti Vision under Valenti's leadership.

Valenti directed, shot and edited the story written by Prater based on a concept of Parisi.

The movie was produced by executive producers: Joann Sciascia Parisi, Jerry Parisi, Joe Valenti, Leland R. Prater, Michael Kaufman and Blasia Amacio.

"We thank our SAG-AFTRA liaison, Pat Patterson p.g.a. Along with our newest publicist Iris De Vita," Parisi said.