Star People Film To World Premiere At Dances With Films
Adam Finberg’s sci-fi drama opens June 28 2024 at TCL Chinese Theatres, led by Kat Cunning
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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“Star People” by Adam Finberg will make its world premiere at the Dances With Films festival on Saturday, June 28 at 7:15 pm at TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood. The film stars Kat Cunning, McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, and Adriana Aluna Martinez. Jason Ite serves as writer, director, and producer, with Wallfly Inc and Shaderj co-producing. Hashtags #PhoenixLights and #UFO hint at the film’s ties to real-life aerial lore.
Star People Set For Dances With Films World Premiere
Inspired by the 1997 Phoenix Lights incident, “Star People” fuses eyewitness accounts with richly drawn characters. “Star People combines small-town drama with high-concept sci-fi,” Finberg said in a press statement. The narrative follows Celeste Harper (Kat Cunning), a former astronomer determined to document unexplained lights over the desert. McCabe Slye, Connor Paolo, Eddie Martinez, Bradley Fisher, and Adriana Aluna Martinez complete the ensemble, bringing both veteran chops and fresh energy.
Festival Details And Screening Information
Dances With Films (DWF) is known for spotlighting independent voices. This year’s edition runs June 26–July 7, with “Star People” kicking off its program on June 28 at 7:15 pm. The screening at TCL Chinese Theatres, Hollywood’s iconic venue, includes a post-show Q&A with the cast and crew. Tickets are available on the DWF website; sci-fi fans and UFO enthusiasts alike are encouraged to reserve seats early.
Inspiration From Phoenix Lights
The real Phoenix Lights event of March 13, 1997, drew thousands of eyewitness reports in Arizona. Finberg’s script weaves those testimonies into a character-driven story about belief, loss, and wonder. Cinematographer Aiden captures stark desert vistas, while Rynica’s production design nods to both retro sci-fi and contemporary indie film.
Kat Cunning Balances Film And Music
Chicago-born Kat Cunning leads the cast as Celeste Harper. Off-screen, she’s also cultivating a music career: her debut single “Sinderella” dropped May 30.
One day after the release, Cunning performed at West Hollywood’s Pride Live alongside L Project LA and WeHo Pride, underscoring her commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility and community.
Cunning says the experience of shooting “Star People”—with its blend of intimate drama and cosmic scale—has informed her songwriting and performance style.
Behind The Scenes And Creative Team
Jasonite Pictures leads the production, with Reza Safinia providing an ethereal score. Tyler Schneider’s editing maintains a measured pace, while music supervision by MPT Music and color grading by Brian Tooker heighten emotional beats. Casting director Clark Geier assembled both principals and local talent; Lisa “Platinum Assassin” Plata served as line producer to keep the shoot on schedule.
What’s Next For “star People”?
After its Hollywood debut, the film heads to other Los Angeles venues and will seek broader distribution later this year. Festival programmers and genre fans are watching closely—if the premiere buzz holds, “Star People” could land on streaming platforms by early 2025, inviting audiences everywhere to look up and ask what else might be out there.
Fans can follow updates on social channels at @jasonitepictures and join the conversation with #StarPeople, #PhoenixLights, #DancesWithFilms, and #DWFLA.
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