A FILM BY TOMMY SAVAS

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Winner Best Short - Manhattan Film Festival - 2023.png
WINNER BEST DIRECTOR - Astoria Film Festival - 2023.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Cyprus International Film Festival Golden Aphrodite Awards - 2023.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Houston Greek Film Festival - 2024.png
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Los Angeles Greek Film Festival - 2024.png
WINNER - Greek International Film Festival Tour of Canada - 2023.png

PROJECT OVERVIEW

MY DAD’S DINER began as an award winning proof of concept short film, created to capture the tone, world, and emotional core of a larger feature length story.

The short has screened at festivals and received multiple accolades, including Best Short at the Manhattan Film Festival, Best Film at the Greek International Film Festival, and Best Director at the Astoria Film Festival, to name a few. These recognitions demonstrate both audience connection and critical response.

Building on that success, the project is now being developed into a feature film. The short serves as a blueprint for the visual style, performances, and storytelling approach, offering a clear foundation for scaling the story into a commercially viable and emotionally resonant feature.

We are currently seeking producing and financing partners to bring the feature to life.

SYNOPSIS

Set in 1965 Astoria, Queens, Andy, a 17 year old Greek American teen, comes of age inside his family’s diner, a place built on long hours, sacrifice, and the quiet hope of something better. Surrounded by the hum of late night regulars, the glow of neon, the sound of doo wop drifting from the jukebox, and the presence of muscle cars lining the streets outside, Andy is caught between the expectations of his immigrant family and his own desire for independence.

When his father’s diner, the heart of their livelihood and identity, falls into danger, Andy is pulled into a high stakes poker game with the local mob. What begins as a desperate attempt to help his family quickly becomes a defining moment, forcing him to choose between loyalty, ambition, and the cost of chasing a different life.

People sitting at a marble counter in a diner, with a chef preparing food behind the counter. The diner has a vintage feel with stained glass windows and a ceiling fan.
A young man with curly brown hair and wearing a white shirt with a red jacket, standing in a dimly lit kitchen.
A person with short hair and a person with long hair sitting on the steps outside a store with neon lights at night, with a bicycle parked nearby.
Two men, one dressed as a chef with a white coat or apron, a white hat, and a gold necklace, having a heated conversation in a kitchen. The other man is partially visible from behind, wearing a white shirt with red markings. The scene appears intense
A young person sitting at a table in a dimly lit restaurant, playing a card game, with other patrons and staff visible in the background.
A tense confrontation in a small kitchen, with two men, one older with a beard and the other younger, facing each other closely. The older man is seated and the younger is leaning forward with a hand on the older man's shoulder. There is a third pers
A small illuminated food or vendor stand with neon lights in purple, red, and yellow, featuring open doors revealing the interior with people inside, set outdoors at night, with a bicycle parked outside.
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ABOUT THE FILMMAKER

Tommy Savas is a Cypriot American actor, writer, director, and producer drawn to stories about identity, family, and the choices that define us. With a background in production and a passion for capturing authentic performances, he brings a grounded, cinematic approach to his work.

A man with short dark hair and a beard is sitting on a bed, looking at the camera, wearing a black shirt with white stripes over a white T-shirt, in a dimly lit room.
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CONTACT / INVESTORS

If you are interested in producing, financing, or learning more about the feature version of MY DAD’S DINER, we would love to connect.

Get in touch to watch the full short film and receive a copy of the WME full film script coverage.

Nighttime scene of a neon sign reading 'MY DAD'S DINER' and 'DINER' at the bottom, with utility poles and power lines in the background.