WINNERS Web Series Screens at LA Short Film Festival

An episode of the quirky ensemble comedy Web series "Winners," outlining the lives of a group of hapless actors and performers in Los Angeles, will be screened at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 as part of the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. (www.LAShortsFest.com).

"We're thrilled to be included as part of the L.A. Shorts Fest which is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world," said Jared White, the episode's writer/director and producer. The episode "Complementary Valet" will be screened at Laemmle NoHo 7, 5240 Lankershim Blvd. as an Official Selection of the Oscar-qualifying short film festival. Tickets are available at www.LAShortsFest.com. The show tells the story of eccentric talent manager Dave Van Gogh, played by Paul Carganilla who was a struggling actor for 13.5 years before managing talent. After becoming the face of Stay Strong Condoms in TV commercials, Dave bought a house in an L.A. suburb and decided to open his doors to starving artists trying to make it in Hollywood. As head of Winners Talent, he represents each of his tenants as their manager and life coach. In the episode, manager Dave clashes with a parking attendant (Rolando Molina of "Desperate Housewives") over the sign that says "Complementary Valet" which makes patrons think it's free, but in reality is meant to complement the eatery's meals with a valet fee. "Getting to work with Rolando was a blast. He was a joy to work with, and just a really nice, down-to-Earth kind of guy. Oh yeah, and he's really funny," said Carganilla who is the show's co-creator and who played opposite Molina. Actress Rya Meyers ("Sleepy Hollow") also stars as up-and-coming actress Sophia. Adding to the realism of the episode was the fact that it was based on an actual parking lot in Los Angeles. "Just like Dave on the show, I had a similar encounter. I once parked in a certain West Los Angeles lot thinking it would be free, but quickly found out that the sign read 'Complementary Valet' not 'Complimentary.' When I noticed the absurd use of a homophone, I thought to myself 'only in L.A.!' Unlike Dave, I just quietly paid the valet driver and was on my way," director Jared White said. "We've had a lot of success with our web series Winners, so it was very difficult to pick just one episode to submit. We chose 'Valet' because it worked just as well out of the context of the show, and features some hilarious performances," said Terry Peay, co-creator/executive producer. The 13-episode series features such guest stars as actor Kato Kaelin, ("Tosh.0") who is known for his film and TV work as well as for his testimony in the O.J. Simpson murder trial, comedian Joe Bereta of the online series "SourceFed," actress/TV host Dana Workman of the SyFy Channel's "Haunted Highway," and reality star Christina Cha who was among the final four contestants of CBS's "Survivor" in 2012. "Winners" was made possible by a successful grass-roots fund-raising campaign through Kickstarter.com last August. The show is directed and co-produced by Jared White, executive produced by Paul Carganilla, Terry Peay. Johnny Byul Lee and Danielle Argyros are co-producers. To learn more, please visit www.WinnersTalent.com.