WHY WE'RE MAKING THIS FILM
Second Helping was honored as an Official Selection in the Napa Valley StreamFest Big Short Script Competition, a celebration of production-ready screenplays.
Now, we’re inviting you to help turn that recognition into a beautifully crafted independent film made here in the Napa Valley.
Our hope is to bring together a vivid tapestry of local talent, young performers, artists, families, musicians, small businesses, and community partners to help tell a story about second chances, the dreams we set aside, and the spark that can bring us back to ourselves.
With your support, Second Helping can become a heartfelt, funny, truly local production made with the care of a community behind it.
LOGLINE
After years of putting her own dreams aside to care for everyone else, Marie, a former stand-up comedian now working as a school lunch lady, begins to reconnect with the woman she once was, and the dream she never fully let go.
Second Helping is a heartfelt short film about second chances, resilience, and rediscovering the dreams we leave behind.
Set and filmed in Napa Valley, the project is being created with local actors, businesses, students, and artists as a true community production.
ABOUT SECOND HELPING
WRITER & DIRECTOR
Aria Pullman is a filmmaker, musician, and multi-hyphenate creative and the founder of Avenue A Films. She develops independent film and music-driven projects centered on female-led and multi-generational storytelling. Her music has appeared in Reacher (Prime Video), Lucy in the Sky (Fox Searchlight), and Hacks (HBO Max), and she has collaborated with artists including Mondo Cozmo, directing the rock documentary Handshake Love. Her work has screened at Straight 8 (London), the London Short Film Festival, the Barcelona Indie Awards, the Hollywood Gold Awards, and the Napa Valley Stream Fest.
MEET THE CAST
Amanda Pfennig
Amanda Pfennig is an actor with a BA in English and a minor in Theater from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She continued her training in New York City, studying at the National Shakespeare Conservatory, Stella Adler Studio, and the Atlantic Theater Company. In the late 1990s, she performed in the downtown NYC theater scene, including The Girls from Amsterdam at Avantgardarama.
Britt Birrer
Britt Birrer is a Northern California-based actor whose naturalistic presence is rooted in her background in stand-up and improv comedy. She is an alum of iO and the Second City Conservatory in Chicago, and was named Bay Area Roast Battle Champion in 2025. Britt sharpened her stand-up in Nashville, where she hosted a comedy showcase on Downtown Broadway and created #WCW Women Crush Wednesdays, a live comedic pay-per-view event combining pro wrestling and feminism.
Hunter Bodine is a classically trained actor whose work spans television, film, and theater. A firm believer in Stanislavski’s philosophy that “it takes 15 years to be a true actor,” he has studied with Anthony Scipione, David LeGrant, Stuart Rogers, Joanne Linville, Candace Silvers, Larry Moss, and at RADA. His credits include Dragnet, Cold Case, The Shield, Grace Under Fire, Starship Troopers, Last of the Dogmen, and Hack with Marc Boone Jr. His upcoming work includes Will Ferrell’s new Netflix golf comedy series, Marvel’s limited series Wonder Man, the Season 4 finale of The Lincoln Lawyer, and a guest appearance on Days of Our Lives.
Hunter Bodine
Jack Whitman
Jack Whitman joins Second Helping as part of the film’s young ensemble, helping bring the school world of the story to life with natural charm and presence.
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
With some donations already secured, we are fundraising for an additional $15,000 to begin filming in the fall of 2026.
By joining “Second Helping”, you’re not just supporting a film; you’re strengthening the cultural fabric of Napa Valley and creating lasting memories for everyone involved.
We look forward to collaborating with you on this exciting journey.
Every contribution—large or small—helps us tell a story about second chances, community, and rediscovering the dreams that never truly leave us.
Contributions are processed securely through our fiscal sponsor via Zeffy and may be tax-deductible as permitted by law.
Help Bring Second Helping to Life.
We are thrilled to announce that Napa Valley StreamFest is our fiscal sponsor. This partnership allows any donations you make to be tax-deductible as a non-profit contribution, providing a rewarding way to support local arts and culture while benefiting from tax deductions.
Fearon DeWeese, the Co-Founder of NapaValley StreamFest, is a Producer on the film as well.
COMMUNITY PARTNER
We’re proud to welcome the Napa School of Music as a community partner of Second Helping.
Since 2005, the Napa School of Music has served thousands of local families through private lessons, group classes, camps and its Garage Band 101 program. Their support is helping us connect with young Napa Valley performers and bring our school cafeteria scenes to life with local talent.
PRODUCTION STATUS
██████░░░░░░░░░░░ 35%
✓ Script Complete
✓ Official Selection
✓ Fiscal Sponsor Secured
✓ Casting Underway
○ Filming (Fall 2026)
○ Post-Production
○ Festival Premiere
Some Dreams Don't Die.
They Wait.
