SIMPLER TIMES, Starring Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, to Premiere on ShortsTV

"Simpler Times" stars Jerry Stiller and features special guest Anne Meara in their last onscreen appearance together. The made-for-TV film from director/writer Steve Monarque will kick off the "Stars in Shorts" block on ShortsTV Channel (DirecTV CH 573, AT&T U-Verse CH 1789, US Sonet CH 292, Century Link CH 1789, Frontier CH 1789, Google Fiber CH 603) at 2pm and 5pm on Saturday, December 9th.

"Simpler Times" is also now available for purchase on iTunes, DirectTV NOW, YouTube, Google Play, among others.

"Simpler Times" follows Harry (Jerry Stiller), a recently widowed man in his golden years, who has reluctantly moved in with his daughter and son-in-law. On his first morning in their home, all Harry wants is a cup of coffee and his daily newspaper. Instead, he finds himself on a bizarre search through town that leaves him newspaper-less and trapped in the world of modern technology. This family comedy features Stiller's trademark style as well as an unexpected dramatic performance, and special guest star Anne Meara, the other half of the legendary comedy duo Stiller & Meara.

Based on Steve Monarque's original one-act play "Please Say A Command", "Simpler Times" was directed by Monarque, with cinematography by Zachary P. McGeehan, screenplay co-written by Monarque and Geoffrey Gormley and original score by Dirk Kennedy. Presented by MonaVision Films and produced in association with Ten Hats Productions and Executive Producer Dawn Eaton, the full cast includes Jerry Stiller (Seinfeld, King of Queens, Zoolander), Anne Meara (King of Queens, The Ed Sullivan Show, Archie Bunker's Place), Amy Stiller (Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Cable Guy) , Steve Monarque (Friday the 13th: The Series, Sixteen Candles, Under the Boardwalk), Armando Merlo, Laura Carbonell, Leigh Ann Pedra. "Simpler Times" also features a theme song with original music by Jerry Stiller and lyrics by Laura Carbonell Smith, entitled "Harry's Theme (Simpler Times)".

Prior festival screenings and awards include:
HollyShorts Film Festival (TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, Hollywood, CA); Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City (Winner, Best Director; Nominee: Best Short Film, Best Concept, Best Actor Jerry Stiller, Best Actress Anne Meara); Ocktober Film Festival (Symphony Space NYC) ; NY State International Film Festival (Nominee, Best Short Comedy); Nevada International Film Festival (Platinum Reel Award), Orlando Film Festival (Cobb Plaza Cinema Cafe, Orlando, Florida) Columbia Gorge International Film Festival (Best Director), Long Island International Film Expo, Manhattan Film Festival (Award Winner), Lighthouse International Film Festival (Audience Choice Award, Best Short Film), WorldFest Houston (Gold Remi Award, TV Comedy), Palm Beach Int'l Film Festival, Garden State Film Festival (Superstar Theater, Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, NJ), San Diego Jewish Film Festival (Arclight Cinemas, La Jolla, CA), Big Apple Film Festival (Tribeca Cinemas, New York, NY, Golden Apple Award presented to Jerry Stiller), Fort Lauderdale Int'l Film Festival (Cinema Paradisio, Ft. Lauderdale & Hollywood, FL, Winner - Spirit of the Independent Award), International Family Film Festival (Raleigh Studios, Hollywood, CA, Winner- Best Short Comedy), Hawaii Int'l Short Film Festival (Koko Marina 8 Theatres, Honolulu, HI), NJ Int'l Film Festival (Honorable Mention), Los Angeles Int'l Short Film Festival (LA Shorts Fest, Laemmele NoHo 7).

Visit shorts.tv/tv#tv-epg, or go to www.MonaVisionFilms.com for more information, and be sure to follow the film on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimplerTimesMovie.

Check out the trailer below!

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