Actress, comedian, and writer Allison Villaseñor is making her short film debut with the upcoming comedy-fantasy “Funny,” which features an ensemble cast including her sister, “Saturday Night Live” alum Melissa Villaseñor (“Toy Story 5”), Matty Cardarople (“Stranger Things,” “A Series Of Unfortunate Events”), and Danny Jolles (“Hacks,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”). The cast also includes Olivia Helaine, Tai Leclaire, Sydney Steinberg, and comedian Jackie Skinner.
Directed and photographed by Ben Joyner, “Funny” follows Sam (Allison Villaseñor), an ordinary thirtysomething woman who, desperate to prove she’s funny, joins an improv class. However, she soon discovers an extraordinary gift that changes everything.
The film marks the first professional on-camera collaboration between the Villaseñor sisters and is currently preparing for a festival run. The independently produced short has not yet secured distribution.
Two exclusive first-look images from the film have also been released, offering a glimpse of Melissa Villaseñor in character as Laura, alongside another image featuring Cardarople as Matt and Allison Villaseñor as Sam.
“Funny” is written by Allison Villaseñor and Will Auther and produced by Olivia Helaine, founder of Penny in the Sky Productions.
Joyner is a Los Angeles-based director and cinematographer whose work combines emotional storytelling with humor. His previous directing credits include “Life’s Better In Spanish” for Melissa Villaseñor, which was featured by NBC and Late Nighter, and “Olivia” for Wolves of Glendale, which received coverage from Billboard, Los Angeles Magazine, and Rolling Stone. His additional work includes “Abducted,” an official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, and Black Marble’s “Private Show,” which earned a Vimeo Staff Pick.
Allison Villaseñor is a Mexican-American actress, comedian, and writer based in New York City. Her clown-sketch comedy show “Jackie & Allison Into The Multiverse,” created with Jackie Skinner, toured comedy festivals throughout the United States and Canada, including Toronto and Montreal. The production was featured in The Boston Globe and won Best Comedy at the 2025 New York City Fringe Festival. Villaseñor also performs monthly at Second City Brooklyn and Brooklyn Improv with her Boogie Manja sketch team, Both Hands. She was invited to audition for Just For Laughs New Faces Characters in 2026 and is an alumna of Atlantic Acting School and UC Berkeley.
Co-writer Will Auther is a Brooklyn-based comedy writer and graduate of the Second City NYC Writing Program. His credits include the Second City sketch production “Brain Rot” and “Jackie & Allison Into The Multiverse,” which won Best Comedy at the 2025 New York City Fringe Festival.
Producer Olivia Helaine is a New York-based actress and producer whose work focuses on bringing unconventional characters and stories to life. Her recent credits include CBS’s “FBI: Most Wanted,” “The Yellow Wallpaper” at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and performances with the sketch comedy team Dad? at The Second City New York.
“Funny” is expected to begin its festival run, with further details regarding screenings and distribution to be announced.
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