Surprise Me!, the first romantic comedy written, directed and produced by Chicago native Nancy Goodman, is about a surprise party planner, Genie, (Fiona Gubelmann) who hates surprises.  The film will have its Los Angeles theatrical premiere screening at the DTLA Film Festival on Wednesday, October 17, 9:00 pm at the Regal LA Live, 1000 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

In the film, featured in the Chicago Tribune, InMag.com and Now You Know Events.com, Genie is hired by an anonymous Hollywood producer to throw a surprise wedding for his girlfriend. Genie must get the bride down the aisle without knowing she’s the bride.

The movie follows event planner, Genie and the men in her life: her business partner (Steven, played by LaShawn Banks), her best friend (Danny, played by Jonathan Bennett) and her boyfriend (Jeff, played by Sean Faris).

Throughout the film, twists and turns lead to a surprise subplot that looks at Genie and her relationships as they evolve, unearthing painful triggers from her past. Cereal and cookies summon her in the night. We watch Genie learn to use cravings as a radar detector for feelings she is not aware of. They lead her to a truth but what is it? SURPRISE!

Goodman who calls the film “a romantic comedy diet” hopes it will help to start a conversation about what is behind a woman’s obsession with food and diets. Goodman sees the movie, which is based on her book of the same name, as her crusade to help women find their voice by turning their focus to their feelings, strength, joy, goals, and find happiness within.

“This year’s film festival has a theme of women’s empowerment, so Nancy Goodman’s status as a triple-threat creative force (producer, screenwriter, director) seems like an especially good fit,” said DTLA Festival Director, Greg Ptacek.