Short film, by Ken Yoffe & Ellen Weisberg, John Vo, USA, 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