Mitch Yapko

This is me. Ready for my next directing opportunity. Let’s do this. #director #thisisme

THANK YOU @indieshortfest for honoring @watchingwalterfilm with TWO AWARDS - Best Short Film - Drama and BEST ACTING DUO for @stephentobo and @gaarwilliams @fugaciousart . Thank you for a fantastic FILM FESTIVAL! We are so proud to be telling Walter's remarkable story. Congrats to our entire cast and crew. You made this possible, and we thank you for your work and dedication. Written and Executive Produced by Mark Brown @blueeyedsoul59 Produced and Directed by Mitch Yapko @okpaymitch Starring Stephen Tobolowsky @stephentobo Gareth Williams @gaarwilliams @fugaciousart Benjamin Stockham @benjstockham Andrew Elvis Miller @andrewelvismiller and William Leon @williamleon11 With Allen Rueckert @allenrueckert and Max Lund @maxfieldlundmiller Executive Produced by Cynthia Gravinese Brown @cynthiagravinesebrown Roberto Ioannucci, @robbbertooo78 and Mark Aznavourian @maznavourian Director of Photography @bryonevansfilms Editing by @bryonevansfilms Casting by Suzanne Goddard-Smythe @goddardsmythe Production Designer @shannonbalazs Set Decorator @linds_cantrell Costume Designer @catdiane Assistant Costume Designer Hannah Greene @hannahgreenecostumes Key Makeup Artist Martin Pesto Leadman Jason Chadwick On-Set Dresser Jennie La Rue Set Dresser @steve ramos Sound Mixer Ellie Bootorich @bootorich Sound Supervisor Daniel McCoy Daniel S McCoy Cas Visual Effects @burksauls and Ara Gus Thomassian @a_g_t_color 1st Assistant Camera @remi_makes_stuff 2nd Assistant Camera @Damien Martinez Gaffer Filip Vandewal @filipvandewal_sbc Key Grip Peter Howell @petergeoffrey Swing Devin Conner Still Photographer Marianne Franco @sophisticatedtomato Original Music Gray Bashew Script Supervisor Natalie Martin @natalie.m.martin Production Coordinator @luanadunster Production Assistants @jordanlaolagi , Damian Kenyon & Jonathan Hammond @jonohamm

Beyond thrilled to share that Watching Walter came home with not one, but TWO WINS @indieshortfest this weekend - BEST SHORT DRAMA and BEST ACTING DUO for Stephen Tobolowsky and Gareth Williams! I couldn’t be more proud of these two talented humans, and this entire incredible cast and crew, for all of this film’s continued successes. 35 film festivals, 22 awards, and an infinite amount of love and pride for the journey this film has been on. Stay tuned, friends - there’s much more to come 🤩 @watchingwalterfilm #watchingwalterfilm #neverforget #holocaust #survivor #indieshortfest Written and Executive Produced by Mark Dylan Brown @blueeyedsoul59 Produced and Directed by Mitch Yapko @okpaymitch Starring Stephen Tobolowsky @stephentobo Gareth Williams @fugaciousart Ben Stockham @benjstockham Andrew Elvis Miller @andrewelvismiller and William Leon @williamleon11 With Allen Rueckert @allenrueckert and Maxfield Lund @maxfieldlund Executive Produced by Cynthia Gravinese-Brown @cynthiagravinesebrown Roberto Ioannucci @robbbertooo78 and Mark Aznavourian @maznavourian Director of Photography Bryon Evans Editing by Bryon Evans Casting by Suzanne Goddard-Smythe @goddardsmythe Production Designer Shannon Balazs Set Decorator Lindsey Cantrell @linds_cantrell Costume Designer Catherine Carpenter @catdiane Assistant Costume Designer Hannah Greene @hannahgreenecostumes Key Makeup Artist Kenneth Alexander @martinipesto Leadman Jason Chadwick @iamjasonchadwick On-Set Dresser Jennie La Rue Set Dresser Steve Ramos Sound Mixer Ellie Bootorich @bootorich Sound Supervisor Daniel McCoy @daniel.s.mccoy Post Audio Mixer @van_hooplah Visual Effects Burk Sauls @burksauls and Ara Thomassian @a_g_t_color 1st Assistant Camera Remi Chaus @remi_makes_stuff 2nd Assistant Camera Damien Martinez Gaffer Filip Vandewal @filipvandewal_sbc Key Grip Peter Howell @petergeoffrey Swing Devin Conner Still Photographer Marianne Franco @sophisticatedtomato Original Music Gray Bashew @gray_bashew Script Supervisor Natalie Martin @natalie.m.martin Production Coordinator Luana Dunster @luanadunster Production Assistants @jordanlaolagi , Damian Kenyon & Jonathan Hammond @jonohamm

WE’VE GOT A WINNER!! Hugely excited to announce that 3 To Die has WON BEST TV/NEW MEDIA SHORT AT @midwestweirdfest !! So proud of this film, so proud of this team, and so grateful to MidWest WeirdFest for the recognition! Let’s get WEIRD and get the feature MADE! And head to @3todiefilm to play the game now! 📸 @melodyjanephoto #3todiefilm #filmfestival #proofofconcept #unholytrinity Written & directed by Mitch Yapko @okpaymitch & Allen Rueckert @allenrueckert Executive Producers Gregg Van Citters & Bev Van Citters @bevbozsik VanCittersProductions Co-Producers Nicolaus Waetjen @kingsmeadmedia & Daniel McCoy @tonemesa Produced by Mitch Yapko Director of Photography Bryon Evans @bryonevansfilms Production Designer Shannon Balazs @shannonbalazs Production Manager Ragen LoCricchio @_ragenlocricchio Starring Keatyn Kurtz @keatynkurtz Sadie Dorst @sadiedorst Makyla Riggs @makyla_0726 Ricky Castro @rickycastro_official Joseph McLaughlin, Sidney Ghaffary and Jim O’Heir as The Mysterious Figure @therealjimoheir Casting by @trutalentagencyreno Casting Director Justine Reyes @meandmyhuskies Casting Associate Nikki Raymor @sillymama18 Art Director Steven Dickson @cheap_thrilla Set Dresser Marcia Lu @marcialumd Costume Designer Lynn Blackhart @blackhartlynn Costume Assistant Ashley Van Brocklin @ashvanbrocklin Key Makeup Alexandria Thomson @alexandriathomsonmua Key Hair Kiana Pickett @kianasbeautysalon Sound Mixer Daniel S. McCoy @tonemesa 1st AC Tony Contini @tonycontini 2nd AC/DIT Guinivere Clark @yourfilmfriendguin Gaffer Troy Ozuna @troyozuna Key Grip Don Gustavson II Swing Sonia Gustavson @renomickie_ Drone Op Lloyd Garden @tahoeslifejournal Stills Photographer Melody Ricketts @melodyjanephoto Script Supervisor Jenn Bunn @wrath_of_bunn Key PA Luis Martinez @rustyluis98 Original Music by Gray Bashew @gray_bashew In-World Game Development Nicolaus Waetjen @nwaetjen VFX Burk Sauls @burksauls Post Audio Mixer Evan Millard

Practicing our Red Carpet Shuffle at @officialsbiff for #oscars2027 😂 @watchingwalterfilm @blueeyedsoul59 @cynthiagravinesebrown @gettyimages

@okpaymitch joins us in the filmmakers lounge at the 2025 San Jose International Short Film Festival to discuss his film “Watching Walter” and the effort it takes to stay true to form while portraying the reality of a long and storied life. #indyfilm #sanjose #shortfilm #sjisff #filmfestival

One more exciting set of laurels! BREATHE is a FINALIST for BEST SUPERNATURAL SCREENPLAY at this year’s @philipkdickfest - grateful and ready to shoot!! Congrats @maznavourian on another one! #supernatural #screenplay #writersofinstagram #thriller

WATCHING WALTER IS NOMINATED FOR BEST SHORT DRAMA!! Another big nomination from (and thanks to) @indieshortfest for recognizing the amazing work of this entire cast and crew. Filmmaking is a team sport, and this team continues to SHOW UP. Getting to screen Walter’s story again in Los Angeles, at this incredible theater, is an absolute honor. Huge congrats to all the other nominees, too! See you on May 9! @watchingwalterfilm  #watchingwalterfilm #neverforget #holocaust #witness #filmfestival Written and Executive Produced by Mark Dylan Brown @blueeyedsoul59 Produced and Directed by Mitch Yapko @okpaymitch Starring Stephen Tobolowsky @stephentobo  Gareth Williams @fugaciousart  Ben Stockham @benjstockham  Andrew Elvis Miller @andrewelvismiller  and William Leon @williamleon11 With Allen Rueckert @allenrueckert  and Maxfield Lund @maxfieldlund Executive Produced by Cynthia Gravinese-Brown @cynthiagravinesebrown  Roberto Ioannucci @robbbertooo78  and Mark Aznavourian @maznavourian Director of Photography Bryon Evans Editing by Bryon Evans Casting by Suzanne Goddard-Smythe @goddardsmythe Production Designer Shannon Balazs Set Decorator Lindsey Cantrell @linds_cantrell Costume Designer Catherine Carpenter @catdiane Assistant Costume Designer Hannah Greene @hannahgreenecostumes Key Makeup Artist Kenneth Alexander @martinipesto Leadman Jason Chadwick @iamjasonchadwick On-Set Dresser Jennie La Rue Set Dresser Steve Ramos Sound Mixer Ellie Bootorich @bootorich Sound Supervisor Daniel McCoy @daniel.s.mccoy Post Audio Mixer @van_hooplah Visual Effects Burk Sauls @burksauls  and Ara Thomassian @a_g_t_color 1st Assistant Camera Remi Chaus @remi_makes_stuff 2nd Assistant Camera Damien Martinez Gaffer Filip Vandewal @filipvandewal_sbc Key Grip Peter Howell @petergeoffrey Swing Devin Conner Still Photographer Marianne Franco @sophisticatedtomato Original Music Gray Bashew @gray_bashew Script Supervisor Natalie Martin @natalie.m.martin Production Coordinator Luana Dunster @luanadunster Production Assistants @jordanlaolagi  , Damian Kenyon & Jonathan Hammond @jonohamm

Watching Walter is making its way across the country today at @bftfilmfest - we’re so sad to not be there in person, but grateful that Walter’s story is being shared with such a wonderful festival and audience! Also huge congrats to @delanocelli @brianarussell @your_world_my_eyes and @jackthejavelin for your selections and screenings, too! We’re rooting for you from afar! @watchingwalterfilm  #watchingwalterfilm #neverforget #holocaust #witness #filmfestival Written and Executive Produced by Mark Dylan Brown @blueeyedsoul59 Produced and Directed by Mitch Yapko @okpaymitch Starring Stephen Tobolowsky @stephentobo  Gareth Williams @fugaciousart  Ben Stockham @benjstockham  Andrew Elvis Miller @andrewelvismiller  and William Leon @williamleon11 With Allen Rueckert @allenrueckert  and Maxfield Lund @maxfieldlund Executive Produced by Cynthia Gravinese-Brown @cynthiagravinesebrown  Roberto Ioannucci @robbbertooo78  and Mark Aznavourian @maznavourian Director of Photography Bryon Evans Editing by Bryon Evans Casting by Suzanne Goddard-Smythe @goddardsmythe Production Designer Shannon Balazs Set Decorator Lindsey Cantrell @linds_cantrell Costume Designer Catherine Carpenter @catdiane Assistant Costume Designer Hannah Greene @hannahgreenecostumes Key Makeup Artist Kenneth Alexander @martinipesto Leadman Jason Chadwick @iamjasonchadwick On-Set Dresser Jennie La Rue Set Dresser Steve Ramos Sound Mixer Ellie Bootorich @bootorich Sound Supervisor Daniel McCoy @daniel.s.mccoy Post Audio Mixer @van_hooplah Visual Effects Burk Sauls @burksauls  and Ara Thomassian @a_g_t_color 1st Assistant Camera Remi Chaus @remi_makes_stuff 2nd Assistant Camera Damien Martinez Gaffer Filip Vandewal @filipvandewal_sbc Key Grip Peter Howell @petergeoffrey Swing Devin Conner Still Photographer Marianne Franco @sophisticatedtomato Original Music Gray Bashew @gray_bashew Script Supervisor Natalie Martin @natalie.m.martin Production Coordinator Luana Dunster @luanadunster Production Assistants @jordanlaolagi  , Damian Kenyon & Jonathan Hammond @jonohamm

Stoked to receive some more good news for our FEATURE SCREENPLAY! Thanks for the recognition @filmmaticnews ! Mark Aznavourian and I are keen to get this contained horror/thriller made soon - looking for production partners and financiers! #breathethefilm #horrormovies #suspense #thriller #indiefilm

Finally gathering my thoughts after a whirlwind of a weekend in Santa Barbara at the incredible @officialsbiff where we got to meet some wonderful filmmakers and screen Watching Walter as part of a gorgeous lineup of films to TWO packed houses of engaged and energetic audiences. Huge thanks to @claudia_puig_ @casey.stouffer and the entire staff and 600 volunteers for making this a festival to remember! We hope to see you next time with the FEATURE! (And special thanks to @katehudson for sharing the red carpet! 😁) @watchingwalterfilm  #watchingwalterfilm #neverforget #holocaust #witness #filmfestival Written and Executive Produced by Mark Dylan Brown @blueeyedsoul59 Produced and Directed by Mitch Yapko @okpaymitch Starring Stephen Tobolowsky @stephentobo  Gareth Williams @fugaciousart  Ben Stockham @benjstockham  Andrew Elvis Miller @andrewelvismiller  and William Leon @williamleon11 With Allen Rueckert @allenrueckert  and Maxfield Lund @maxfieldlund Executive Produced by Cynthia Gravinese-Brown @cynthiagravinesebrown  Roberto Ioannucci @robbbertooo78  and Mark Aznavourian @maznavourian Director of Photography Bryon Evans Editing by Bryon Evans Casting by Suzanne Goddard-Smythe @goddardsmythe Production Designer Shannon Balazs Set Decorator Lindsey Cantrell @linds_cantrell Costume Designer Catherine Carpenter @catdiane Assistant Costume Designer Hannah Greene @hannahgreenecostumes Key Makeup Artist Kenneth Alexander @martinipesto Leadman Jason Chadwick @iamjasonchadwick On-Set Dresser Jennie La Rue Set Dresser Steve Ramos Sound Mixer Ellie Bootorich @bootorich Sound Supervisor Daniel McCoy @daniel.s.mccoy Post Audio Mixer @van_hooplah Visual Effects Burk Sauls @burksauls  and Ara Thomassian @a_g_t_color 1st Assistant Camera Remi Chaus @remi_makes_stuff 2nd Assistant Camera Damien Martinez Gaffer Filip Vandewal @filipvandewal_sbc Key Grip Peter Howell @petergeoffrey Swing Devin Conner Still Photographer Marianne Franco @sophisticatedtomato Original Music Gray Bashew @gray_bashew Script Supervisor Natalie Martin @natalie.m.martin Production Coordinator Luana Dunster @luanadunster Production Assistants @jordanlaolagi  , Damian Kenyon & Jonathan Hammond @jonohamm

The Watching Walter team on set at KEYT News for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival—its 34th! Looking well! @sbifftheatres @officialsbiff @watchingwalterfilm @okpaymitch