FILM SCREENING OF “CHA CHA REAL SMOOTH” AND RISING STAR TRIBUTE TO COOPER RAIFF
Fresh out of college and without a clear life path going forward, 22-year-old Andrew (Cooper Raiff) is stuck back at home with his family in New Jersey. But if there’s one thing that belongs on his nonexistent résumé, it’s how to get a party started, which lands him the perfect job of motivational dancing at the bar and bat mitzvahs for his younger brother’s classmates. When Andrew befriends a local mom, Domino (Dakota Johnson), and her daughter, Lola (Vanessa Burghardt), he finally discovers a future he wants – even if it might not be his own.
CAST: Cooper Raiff as ‘Andrew’, Dakota Johnson as ‘Domino’, Evan Assante as ‘David’, Vanessa Burghardt as ‘Lola’
Leslie Mann as Andrew’s mother, Brad Garrett as Andrew’s stepdad, ‘Greg’, Raúl Castillo as ‘Joseph’, Odeya Rush as ‘Macy’
WRITER/DIRECTOR: Cooper Raiff
PRODUCERS: Cooper Raiff, Erik Feig, Jessica Switch, Dakota Johnson, Ro Donnelly
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Shayne Fiske Goldner, Julia Hammer, Jeff Valeri
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Cristina Dunlap
EDITOR: Henry Hayes
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Celine Diano
COSTUME DESIGNER: Michelle Thompson
COMPOSERS: Este Haim, Chris Stracey
MUSIC SUPERVISOR: Rob Lowry
PRODUCTION COMPANIES: Picturestart, TeaTime Pictures, Endeavor Content
A true multi-hyphenate, Cooper was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. His second original feature, Cha Cha Real Smooth, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2022. The film was the recipient of the Sundance Film Festival Audience Award and was released this summer globally via Apple Original Films to widespread critical and audience acclaim. Cooper wrote, directed, and produced the film in which he stars opposite Dakota Johnson and Leslie Mann.
His debut feature Shithouse, which he also starred in, wrote, directed, edited, and produced, premiered in competition at SXSW in 2020 where it won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature. Shithouse was released by IFC Films in 2020 and was named one of the 10 best movies of 2020 by Vanity Fair. Raiff was also recently included on Variety’s 2022 “10 Directors To Watch” list. Cooper recently launched the production company “Small Ideas” with former Black Bear executive Clementine Quittner. The company will develop and produce indie projects across film and television and help discover new creative filmmaking voices.
Raiff was also recently included on Variety’s 2022 “10 Directors To Watch” list.
FILM AND HONOREE TRIBUTE RECEPTION: Join us for a special reception celebrating Cha Cha Real Smooth and honoring director Cooper Raiff with the NVFF Rising Star Award.
This reception will feature the cuisine of the new Executive Chef of CIA at Copia, Dominic Orsini. Revel in the flavors, colors, and spirit of Napa Valley!
Post screening experience will be held on the Mezzanine at Copia overlooking the Oxbow bend in the Napa River and featuring the incredible Hestan Kitchen. Sip some of Napa’s best wines, savor the flavors of fall, and enjoy the cinematic experience curated by CIA at Copia. Special thanks to Hoopes Vineyard.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
Intro, Q&A and tribute following film with Cooper Raiff
Join us for a special reception celebrating Cha Cha Real Smooth and writer, director, actor Cooper Raiff