CASTING – Portuguese Actress (aged 20-30) for Independent Feature Film. Call is open to both actors and non-actors

We are casting for the lead role in an independent feature film to be shot in Lisbon either in Autumn 2023 or Spring 2024.

Kiss And Be Friends, a comedic summer’s tale of love-hate and love-sick relationships, is the debut feature of directing duo Ana Baldini and Roly Witherow. Produced by Monica Cardoso.

The job will be paid but exact details of the shoot and financial agreements are yet to be finalised and will depend on whether the film achieves funding through grants. If it is not funded through grants, it will be funded privately on a smaller budget.

The script is written, but we intend to rehearse and workshop it with the two lead actors in order to develop it to incorporate spontaneous material that emerges from the sessions. The dialogue is mostly in English with some Portuguese. Some scenes contain nudity or partial nudity. We are open to receiving applications from both actors and people with no acting experience.

Brief Synopsis: “Sofia and Amandine, friends from London, travel to Sofia’s native Portugal for a weekend trip in Lisbon. Sofia has a hidden infatuation with the narcissistic Amandine and their friendship is put to the test when Amandine runs into an old flame from art college at a party. Sofia, finding herself on her own in Lisbon, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and, with the help of strangers she meets on her way, starts to free herself from the toxic relationships which she subconsciously falls into.”

Character Description for Sofia: "Sofia is earnest and compassionate. With a narcissistic and emotionally abusive mother, she has been undervalued her whole life and involuntarily finds herself attached to controlling and dazzling figures. Sofia feels small and acts in a polite and reserved way, yet has an unconventional and unintentional beauty.”

If you would like to apply, please send your CV, headshots, and showreel (if you have one) to the email address theernestpictures@gmail.com with the subject line “Casting – Sofia”.

The selection process will involve 3 phases:

• Preliminary selection of applications
• Some candidates will be asked to submit a self-tape based on the script.
• Finally, selected candidates will be asked to do an in-person audition in Lisbon.

Film references include A Cara que Mereces (2004), Crystal Fairy and Magical Cactus (2013), Two Plains and a Fancy (2018) and Pauline à la Plage (1983).

For more information on the directors, please see www.ernest-pictures.com