Unnatural Selection Pilot Drama, Finalist for Humanitas Fellowship

JULY 2020 - One-hour drama pilot teleplay Unnatural Selection has been selected as a finalist for the Humanitas Carol Mendelsohn College Drama Fellowship representing Columbia University and USC. The show, written by the Rodrigues sisters, explores the ethical, social and legal ramifications of using emerging bio-technology to achieve the increasing demand for perceived perfection.

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Humanitas is a non-profit organization that honors and empowers film and television writers whose work explores the human condition in a nuanced, meaningful way which brings the global community closer. The overarching goal of Humanitas is to promote peace and love in the human family– one story at a time. The fellowship exists to recognize and reward the talents of young writers to empower them to tell meaningful stories.

The fellowship is thanks to a generous endowment from acclaimed television writer and producer Carol Mendelsohn, best known for her work on the crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, once ranked as the top-watched TV show in the world.

Marlee Rodrigues joins Women in Film Mentorship Program

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JULY 2020 - Marlee Rodrigues was selected to participate in Women in Film’s 2020 Mentorship program. Mentoring Circles and Peer Mentoring together offer a safe and open environment for established women to cultivate the next generation of women seeking professional guidance as they build their careers and networks.

Founded in 1973, WIF advocates for and advances the careers of women working in the screen industries to achieve parity and transform culture.

Karlee Rodrigues presents on Hollywood and Portuguese Cinema

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FEBRUARY 2020 - Karlee Rodrigues presented her research on Portuguese national cinema at Columbia University’s Lenfest Center for the Arts, a dynamic new hub for cultural and civic exchange in Upper Manhattan. Karlee explored her familial heritage and cultural roots as she discussed the importance of preserving Portugal’s national cinema, highlighted the country’s folkloric customs, and broke down the pervasiveness of Hollywood blockbusters.

The lecture at Lenfest was part of the Zoom-In annual film and media studies conference and screening series. From readings and installations to performances, screenings, and symposia, the vibrant array of activity aims to strengthen local partnerships while highlighting contemporary scholarship, global perspectives, and compelling voices of our time.

Marlee Rodrigues at the Athena Entrepreneurship Summit

Marlee Roberts pitches at the Athena Venture Competition Finals

Marlee Roberts pitches at the Athena Venture Competition Finals

NOVEMBER 2019 - Marlee Rodrigues presented at the venture competition finals during the annual Athena Summit hosted by the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, USC Marshall Master of Science in Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

The Athena Summit is a day-long conference that celebrates women business leaders and their entrepreneurial journeys. It amplifies their stories and challenges, creating a vigorous and intentional arena for relationship-building and future collaboration.

Goals of Athena include increasing the number of women founders, investors, and providing access to funding capital and mentors. The 2019 Athena Summit brought together more than 500 guests from a variety of industries and backgrounds. 

Films Media Group acquires "Little Miss Perfect"

JULY 2019 - Films Media Group, the premier source of high-quality video on academic, vocational, and life-skills topics, has acquired Little Miss Perfect for domestic educational distribution.

The film can be watched through their comprehensive streaming video subscription service which provides instant access to thousands of educational titles. Institutions who are not subscribed to the service still have the ability to watch the film individually via DVD or streaming.

The company supports students both in and outside of the classroom, enriching their understanding, entertaining them, and stretching their horizons at school, in work, and in life. With thousands of outstanding educational videos from the world's most recognized producers, Films Media Group serves the needs of schools, colleges, libraries, the medical community, and other institutions with the broadest and deepest range of content available.


"Little Miss Perfect" Educational Kits Now Available

MAY 03 2019 - Little Miss Perfect is kicking off Mental Health Awareness Month by making the film available to Universities, Colleges and Institutions nationwide.

The film is impactful in the way it addresses both the struggles of its main character and the powerlessness felt by the people who love and care about her, making it a must-see for caregivers, counselors, loved ones and others who are close to someone with grappling with academic pressure, social exclusion, body image and family disconnection. 

Areas of academic interest include: Health, Mental Health, Adolescent Health, Bullying (cyber-bulling), Eating Disorders, Women’s Studies, Communication Studies, Film & Media Departments

The film is available as a digital download for academic and institutional use and can be ordered online through the film’s web site.

"At the Helm: Breaking Barriers"

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MARCH 23 2019 - Karlee Rodrigues speaks on the “Breaking Barriers” panel at the Girl Power Film and Media Summit held at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP.

In celebration of Women's History Month, the summit is presented by the Imagine This Women’s Film Festival, dedicated to providing both experienced and aspiring women filmmakers and storytellers a platform to encourage and develop their creative projects.

AAUW Discussion on the State of the Industry

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SEPTEMBER 2018: The Rodrigues Sisters were invited by Program Vice President Camille Veneracion to speak to the American Association of University Women. During the talk, the duo shared their experiences working collaboratively, progress and problems faced in the entertainment industry, and what they hope to achieve through their work. 

For over 130 years, the American Association of University Women has worked together as a national non-profit organization to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Their 2018 strategic plan to involves education and training, economic security and leadership initiatives.

"Unnatural Selection" Wins Guy Gallo Screenwriting Award

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MAY 2018: The 2018 Guy Gallo Memorial Award in Screenwriting has been awarded to the teleplay, UNNATURAL SELECTION. The script was selected by a jury who concluded that the one-hour pilot... "powerfully examines the benefits and the costs of technological advance. Set in the near future, [Unnatural Selection] creates a vivdly imagined world where today's issues of class, race and the pursuit of exceptionalism come into dire focus."

The award is in memory of Guy Gallo, who taught screenwriting at Columbia for over 25 years. Although best known for writing the screenplay of Under the Volcano--which John Huston directed in the early 1980s--Guy Gallo was a writer for television as well. His notable credits include Tales from the Darkside and the film version of Huckleberry Finn. He was also a gifted writer of plays, poems, and essays.

"Little Miss Perfect" Releases in UK and Ireland

FEBRUARY 2018: Feature film Little Miss Perfect is available now in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland! Following a successful North American festival run and release, the film makes its European debut with distribution by Screenbound Pictures Ltd.

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Little Miss Perfect tells the story of an overambitious high school freshman who tries controlling her life by controlling her weight. The international release begins the first day of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. 

The film is written and directed by Marlee Rodrigues, executive produced by Karl Bardosh and Nancy Malone and produced by Kathryn Mahler, Joseph Klein, Alec Isaacs, Kathleen Bernath with Sam Besser, Katherine Picariello, and Zachary Gobetz associate producing.

Available online and in stores via the following companies: HMV, Amazon, Virgin and Zavvi.