The Alejandro Montoya Marin directed and written movie, The Unexpecteds, clinched the prestigious Best Comedy award at the highly anticipated third annual Smodcastle Film Festival, a gathering known for celebrating innovative storytelling and cinematic creativity.
The movie features an impressive ensemble cast, including Veep two-time Primetime Emmy nominee and Hangover star Matt Walsh, alongside talented actors Alejandro de Hoyos, Chelsea Rendon, Francisco Ramos, Jason Konopisos-Alvarez, Jerry Bednob, Natasha Leggero, and Laura Patalano. The plot revolves around a group of friends on a quest for revenge against a deceptive social media crypto influencer who has swindled them out of their life savings, blending humor with a timely critique of modern scams. Garnering an 86% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film had its world premiere at the prestigious Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival.
Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle Film Festival showcases a rich tapestry of cinema in Central New Jersey, presenting an eclectic selection of films that includes feature-length projects, short films, innovative animations, and thought-provoking documentaries, alongside engaging filmmaker panels and opportunities for the audience to connect with creators during meet-and-greet sessions.
Marin shared his enthusiasm for the honor, exclaiming, “Winning Best Comedy at Smodcastle is a dream come true. As a lifelong fan of Kevin Smith and Clerks, it’s an honor to have my film recognized in such a creative environment, highlighting the importance of independent filmmaking.”
Marín has previously collaborated with renowned filmmaker Robert Rodriguez in Rebel Without a Crew. His extensive experience in the industry also includes directing the indie comedy Millenium Bugs and delivering a memorable performance in Eva Longoria’s Flamin’ Hot. Additionally, he starred in the Anthony Riazzi-directed film Biomass. Marin is represented by Espada Entertainment, while Alejandro de Hoyos is represented by The Marlene Agency and The Daniel Hoff Agency. Notably, Walsh also plays a significant role as a co-producer on Unexpecteds.
Smith owns Smodcastle Cinemas in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, recognized as one of the few filmmaker-owned cinemas in the United States, providing a unique platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences who appreciate diverse storytelling.
**Interview with Matt Walsh: Celebrating ‘The Unexpecteds’ and Its Recent Win**
**Interviewer**: Matt, congratulations on winning Best Comedy at the Smodcastle Film Festival! How does it feel to have your film recognized in such a competitive environment?
**Matt Walsh**: Thank you! It feels fantastic. Winning at the Smodcastle Film Festival, especially under the mentorship of someone like Kevin Smith, is truly an honor. It’s a celebration of creativity, and I’m so proud that our film resonated with the audience and the judges.
**Interviewer**: ‘The Unexpecteds’ tackles themes of social media deception and financial scams. Can you share what inspired this storyline?
**Matt Walsh**: Absolutely. The inspiration really came from observing how easily people can fall victim to scams, especially in our current digital age. We wanted to create a comedic narrative that also serves as a cautionary tale. At its heart, it’s about friendship and the lengths we’ll go to for those we care about, all while delivering some laughs.
**Interviewer**: The film features a stellar cast alongside you. What was it like working with such a talented group?
**Matt Walsh**: It was amazing! Each actor brought something unique to their role. I felt we had a real synergy on set. The chemistry was palpable, and that made the comedy flow naturally. Plus, we had a lot of fun, which is always a plus when making a film.
**Interviewer**: The success of ‘The Unexpecteds’ at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and now at Smodcastle is impressive. What do you hope audiences take away from the film?
**Matt Walsh**: I hope they have a good time! Comedy is meant to entertain, but I also hope they come away with a little more awareness about the pitfalls of social media and scams. It’s important to laugh, but it’s also important to think about what we’re consuming online.
**Interviewer**: With such positive reception and an 86% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, what’s next for you and this project?
**Matt Walsh**: We’re excited to explore more festival circuits and hopefully reach a wider audience through distribution. Personally, I’m looking forward to diving into more projects that mix humor with meaningful messages—it’s a sweet spot for me.
**Interviewer**: We can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you, Matt, for sharing your insights and congratulations again on the success of ‘The Unexpecteds’!
**Matt Walsh**: Thank you! I appreciate it!