American Film Market Dailies

Dream Factory Entertainment’s “How to Beat a Bully” uses humor to help spread the message to stop bullying.  This family comedy with an anti-bullying theme debuts at this year’s AFM. 

The movie revolves around a 12-year-old boy who moves to a new town and gets picked on by school bullies. In order to protect himself, he uses his brain instead of his fist, and comes up with an idea that not only stops the bullies, but gets them to be his new BFFs.  Along the way, there are humorous adventures, in which he gets his dad in trouble with some bad guys, who want to do more than bully him.  

The movie has lots of laughs and the tone of “Home Alone,” yet it highlights a subject that is a serious one for many children, tweens and teens today. 

The filmmakers are excited about the movie’s upcoming release. “We know watching the film will be fun for all but more than that, it can be a shared experience that opens up a discussion on the subject.  What better way to begin a conversation than with something that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike – and get them in a mood to feel good and embrace each other’s individuality and differences.”

The movie was produced by Dream Factory Entertainment and stars a talented cast of tweens and teens including Grant McLellan, Bryan Yoshi Brown, Kade Pait, Ian Tucker, Pearce Joza and Griffen Beebe. Eric Lauritzen and Elise Angell are the mom and dad, with Vince Donvito and Micah Lyons co-starring as comic bad guys.

“How to Beat a Bully” was directed by Doug Bilitch and produced by Sofia L. Monroe and Paul Rocha.  The award-winning screenplay was written by Marilyn Anderson & Richard Rossner. Executive Producers are Robert Dudelson, Stephen Langford, Marilyn Anderson, Jackeline Olivier and Wes Underwood, with a musical score by Emmy-Award winning composer, Misha Segal.

REVERSE ORDER, a popular boy band that was a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent, contributed songs to the movie.  The group is currently doing a national tour, providing an Anti-Bullying Concert and Assembly for 150 schools around the country. 

Worldwide sales and distribution for “How to Beat a Bully” are being handled by Blairwood Entertainment who will rep it at AFM. Chief Executive Officer, James Dudelson said, “It’s great to see a movie that encourages kids to stop the bullying. Humor can be an effective way to connect with both children and adults on this serious subject.”

In addition to traditional distribution, the producers plan to make the film available to anti-bullying organizations and schools for special screenings in order to promote a dialog that increases awareness and positive steps to put an end to bullying.