Big Pup Lil Pup Productions’ mission is to uplift older women in film, both in front of and behind the camera. By creating cinematic stories from an older woman’s POV, I strive to combat the “invisibility syndrome” faced by women over 50 and upwards, ensuring our voices are heard and celebrated.
As a professional storyteller of traditional tales and personal stories I have often been aware that throughout history although women were the keepers and collectors of stories, many times their perspectives and voices were not acknowledged or recorded.
My goal is to accurately reflect through storytelling the maturity, wisdom, courage and tenacity that older women possess.
One short film at a time I want to change the perceptions of older women in film & TV, create more roles for older women to play and push back against ageism.
As Geena Davis says, “Women over 50 have the right to be seen on the screen.”
BPLPP has completed 4 short films.
Thumbprint Cookies, a sweet drama about mature love.
Not In Iowa Anymore, a mother daughter comedy in a movie theater.
The Double DD Bs, a dramedy where a grandma finds a creative solution to her granddaughter’s despair.
Intergalactic Love, a micro sci-fi romance inspired by the Greek myth of Ariadne and Theseus.
Currently in post-production – Old Neighbors, a comedy featuring 2 senior neighbors and a bumper crop of zucchini!
NAVIDA STEIN ACTRESS & WRITER
Navida Stein is an award-winning storyteller, actress, musician and writer. TV credits: LAW & ORDER, Nickelodeon. Films: Knowing Lisa, The Great Escape, Blessed, Thumbprint Cookies, Not In Iowa Anymore and The Double DD Bs.
Navida has worked Off-Broadway and regionally including Actors Theater of Louisville, Cleveland Playhouse, Merrimack Rep and Virginia Stage Company, doing new plays, musicals and Shakespeare.
A firm believer in creating one’s own work, Navida has written & performed several solo one woman shows including URBAN ZEN: The Unexpected Adventures of Paying Attention which won Best Non-Fiction script at United Solo Festival 2012 and DADDY, ME & OCD which had a staged reading in NYC. As a storyteller, Navida tells stories from around the world in many places from New York Public Libraries, to the Hans Christian Anderson statue in Central Park. Her plays include Controlling the Canon produced by New Jersey Women’s Theater, The Willa Cather Salon, performed in the Willa Cather Room at the Jefferson Market Library in Greenwich Village and The Best is Yet (NYC reading).
Currently, she is writing the libretto for a chamber opera based on the Greek myth Baucis and Philemon with composer Tim Mueller.
Navida is a published poet, an accomplished violinist, playing for the past 16 years with The Queer Urban Orchestra and a long time Iyengar Yoga practitioner.
NAVIDA STEIN PRODUCER
Navida’s first film Blessed (2020) a look at the insidiousness of domestic violence, which she wrote, co-produced and acted in won 10 awards in national and international film festivals including Best Film in the Medusa Film Festival.
Navida’s producing experience embraces theater, solo storytelling and musical events. Production credits include her one woman shows, the award-winning URBAN ZEN: The Unexpected Adventures of Paying Attention (United Solo) and DADDY, ME & OCD and musical concerts featuring a breadth of music from classical to the Great American Songbook to contemporary musical theater woven together with storytelling.
Her play The Willa Cather Salon, adapted from Willa Cather’s first short stories woven together with vocal and instrumental music from the turn of last century had a staged reading in the Willa Cather Room at the Jefferson Market Library in Greenwich Village.