A Message from MFI Founder, Tony Spiridakis

In 2012 MFI launched. Our mission was to bring two disciplines together – Acting and Directing. We accept 25 actors and 25 directors to make 25 original short films. Inspired not only by years of teaching Directing and Screenwriting at Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts but also by my experiences as an acting student at Yale School of Drama, Circle in the Square and Williamstown Theater Festival I learned that working alongside world-class actors was a life-changing experience for an emerging artist. I wanted to recreate a place where a struggling actor or filmmaker could come to learn how to take their craft to the next level and have the opportunity to collaborate with award-winning artists.  

MFI’s faculty and mentors Bob Krakower, Wendy Makkena, Tony Goldwyn, Shannon Goldman, Joseph Pantoliano, Marcia Gay Harden, and Chazz Palminteri had all been given a chance to work with artists who had inspired them. We all have memories of how important those experiences were to our own growth and remain eternally grateful for having had those chances.  

We have now created a place where we hope to give others that same experience. That is what MFI is today.

The most important message I can give anyone who is considering coming to work with us is to let you know that you can trust our integrity, and intent to give artists everything we can to make work that they can be proud of.

Tony Spiridakis