Film with Valley actors to debut

An Ohio-based film with two Youngstown natives in the cast will premiere at the Palm Beach International Film Festival in Florida Saturday. “And the Winner Is ...” is a comedy co-produced and co-written by Christina Grozik of Columbus and Paul Shaia of Cleveland. Grozik was the director of the film, which stars television star Jerry Springer.

J. Patrick Rigney and Jonathan Yurko, both Youngstown natives, were part of the cast. Yurko plays Calvin Connors, a major role, and Rigney plays an event coordinator, a comedic role. Rigney recently moved to Los Angeles and is working for Leonardo DiCaprio’s company, Appian Way.

The feature-length film was shot in several Ohio cities and towns — mainly Cleveland, Lorain, Elyria and Mansfield.

“And The Winner Is…” compares the fields of politics and beauty pageants by documenting a fictional town’s decision to elect its next mayor through a beauty pageant-style event. In a competition reminiscent of “American Idol,” seven candidates vie in such categories as “Smile & Wave,” “Handshaking” and “Photo Op.” The host of the election pageant is played by Jerry Springer. Shaia said plans are in the works for several northeast Ohio screenings of the film this summer.

—Guy D’Astolfo, The Vindicator