VIDEO: Homegrown Film Maker Releases New Movie

Independent Film Maker Stevan Mena has just secured a theatrical release deal for his film Bereavement, which made news last summer when it won best movie and best director at the Long Island International Film Expo in Bellmore.

Bereavement will start showing March 4 at National Amusements Theater in Farmingdale and at Island 16 in Holtsville.

"It’s very exciting," says Mena,"My other two features went to theaters, but not to this level. We're going to be starting in 10 cities and then expanding to 20."

Mena wrote and directed Bereavement as part of a trilogy of movies. This film is a prequel to his 2004 film Malevolence. The film stars Michael Biehn, Alexandra Daddario, Noland Gerard Funk, Kathryn Meisle and John Savage.

Mena, who now lives in Bellport, grew up in East Meadow and so did his film aspirations.

"When other kids were playing sports and hanging out, I was making movies," he said. Mena added that he got his first camera when he was 10 years old.

"I have acres of stuff that I did back then," Mena said. "It was all terrible, but that’s how you learn."

He shot several early movies including such East Meadow land marks as the , Hempstead Turnpike and .

"I think it really gives me a unique voice and a unique style, really having done so much on my own at such a young age and really forming my opinions on film back then," Mena said.

Mena has directed three full length feature films including Malevolence, Brutal Massacre and Bereavement. For more information on the film, you can go to www.Bereavementmovie.com

Download the movie

Download the movie