Short film, by Ken Yoffe & Ellen Weisberg, John Vo, United States, 2021.
Based on the story, FRUIT OF THE VINE (first published in the literary journal, PKA's Advocate). In JUSTIN AND THE WERLOOBEE, we meet Justin, a sensitive and introspective boy whose physical characteristics and personality make him a comfortable target for many of his cruel peers. One night, he wakes up to find himself on a mysterious island inhabited by a horde of bizarre creatures. Despite his desperation to find out where he is and, more importantly, how to get home, he becomes entangled in the plight of Irvino, a beast who is ostracized on this island just as Justin is in his world. The story ends with a twist as Justin, by helping Irvino, ends up helping himself by making Irvino a lifelong friend.

Director Biography - Ken Yoffe & Ellen Weisberg, John Vo
Ken Yoffe is a pediatrician (Chelmsford, MA). He also holds a doctorate in genetics. Ellen Weisberg is a cancer researcher at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Principal Associate in Medicine at Harvard Medical School (Boston, MA), with a doctorate in pharmacology. Ellen has published 100 peer-reviewed articles, 1 book chapter, and 1 encyclopedia chapter to date. Performed preclinical characterization of the 2nd generation Abl inhibitor, nilotinib (Tasigna) (Novartis Pharmaceuticals), which is now FDA approved for chronic myeloid leukemia and identified in a screen, and performed preclinical characterization of midostaurin (Rydapt), which is now FDA approved for acute myeloid leukemia.

LANGUAGE: English