Tea is an offbeat comedy about loneliness. Through the eyes of Nicholaus Steep (played by Michael Gandolfini), we watch the tenderness and bravery of a young man who is doing all he can just to connect with someone. When his bad luck turns worse, will the girl of his dreams (played by Olivia Nikkanen) be able to save his life?
The short premiered at the Cannes Film Festival as the only U.S. film. It has qualified for Best Short Film at the Nashville Film Festival, Tirana International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival, Palm Springs and HollyShorts. It has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Oscars®.
Blake Rice, a New Jersey native is an award-winning director who launched his professional directing and screenwriting career in 2018 with the film TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, which was acquired by DirectTV. His upcoming projects include DISC, starring Jim Cummings, and his debut feature The Empty Lot. These new works continue to showcase Blake’s distinctive vision and storytelling prowess, following his previous successes such as PEOPLE LIKE YOU, which earned him the “Best Director” award at the 2019 New York City International Film Festival, and STEPS, a critically acclaimed drama that received Official Selection at the Sidewalk Film Festival and won the “Special Grand Jury Award” at the 2022 DeadCenter Film Festival.
Gabriella Piazza is an award-winning producer and actor and received her last “Best Producer” award for TEA at the HollyShorts film festival.
Michael Gandolfini is an actor and writer, known for CHERRY (2021) which he starred alongside Tom Holland and LANDSCAPE WITH INVISIBLE HAND (2023). He is perhaps best known for playing Tony Soprano in THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK (2021), a role originally portrayed by his father James Gandolfini.
Oliva Nikkanen is best known for her work as a series regular on the Netflix hit series THE SOCIETY (2019) and for her recurring arc on SUPERGIRL (2015). Other television credits includes a recurring role on THE AMERICANS (2013) as well guest starring on BOARDWALK EMPIRE (2010). Olivia was part of the 2017 revival of Lillian Hellman’s THE LITTLE FOXES, starring Cynthia Nixon and Laura Linney.
This charming short has qualified for the 2025 Oscars®.