The inspiration for the film first hit filmmaker Jonathan Salemi in 2004 while flying back to LA from his hometown of Boston, MA. He had just seen the Red Sox win the World Series for the first time in 86 years and inspired by this nothing-is-impossible feat, he set out to achieve his own version of the impossible: With only $23 to his name, he set out to make a movie.

What started as a short screenplay soon expanded to feature-length. This led to an 18-month production schedule interspersed with breaks for fund-raising. Utilizing grants from Kodak and Panavision, as well as meal donations from a local shrimp company (a film crew’s got to eat after all), Jonathan did whatever it took to make his movie. This included selling his car, sleeping on friends’ sofas, and asking family members for money to complete post-production. It was a difficult task but, just like his beloved Red Sox, he never gave up.

The result of all this hard work (as well as the hard work of a dedicated cast and crew) is Ante Up. This full-length comedy, shot on film and in the tradition of Old School and American Pie, was written, produced, and directed by Jonathan. A couple of years after his life-changing plane ride (and coincidentally after a second World Series Sox victory), Ante Up premiered at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA to a full audience. On April 17th, 2009 it will begin its inaugural run at LA’s prestigious Laemmle Sunset 5 cinema in West Hollywood.
To set up an interview and/or review the film please contact Jonathan at: 310/951-7766 [email protected]

For more information about Ante Up please visit:
http://www.anteupmovie.com/

Thank you.