Synopsis
Smart Cookie is a sharp, female-driven comedy that explores the anchoring power of friendship and community during life’s messy transitions. The story follows Amy and Jasmine, two 30-something roommates, each reeling from one of life’s sudden upheavals. Jasmine, a fun-loving ball of chaos, has just been fired from her job, while Amy, generally scared of life, feels stuck after a callous breakup. In the midst of their mutual downward spiral, the duo retreat into their favorite comforting coping mechanism: manic late-night baking. The intoxicating aromas wafting from their kitchen catches the attention of a neighbor who invites them to the neighborhood’s prestigious annual cookie swap. Eager for a distraction, Amy and Jasmine attend, only to run into Candy, the neighborhood’s undisputed “Cookie Queen.” As a powerful social media influencer, Candy weaponizes her weekly #1 ranking to fuel her thriving online bakeshop. Outraged by Candy’s perceived elitism, the roommates vow to take her down, launching a chaotic campaign of culinary warfare. But the ultimate blow comes from within their own circle. When a shocking betrayal hands Candy the winning edge, the fallout pushes the roommates to their breaking point.
This story offers a humorous glimpse into the friction women navigate while experiencing one of life’s many plot twists through the lens of a competitive bake-off. More than a culinary comedy, it explores how sudden upheavals can spark profound growth, healing, and transformation through friendship, and by leaning on community – wherever you can find it.
Key Personnel
Sarah Ellen Stephens (Creator/Producer/JASMINE- LEAD)
Sarah Ellen Stephens is an actress and producer based in New York. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, she attended and graduated from The School for Creative and Performing Arts after completing elementary school at Schiel Primary School for Arts Enrichment. She later went on to graduate from the prestigious acting conservatory program at The University of Cincinnati where she received her BFA in Dramatic Performance from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
Sarah wrote, produced, and starred in the multi-festival favorite Token the Web Series. She was honored to produce and star in the theatrical short Lil’ Benny which awarded her the Best Actress honor as well as the First Time Filmmaker award at the Uptown Short Film Festival. Her performances for the comedic short PUSS and The Malpractice’s Get Father on the Phone earned Sarah her second SXSW premiere and a nod in Filmmaker Magazine. Some other film credits include: 21 Bridges (Brian Kirk starring Chadwick Boseman), Capture (Dances with Films Premiere), Here After (Harry Greenberger starring Andy Karl and Christina Ricci), Lee Daniels’ Pimp (Christine Crokos starring Keke Palmer), Gray Dog (Celia Rowlson-Hall), Fill Your Heart with French Fries (Tamar Glezerman), Puss (SXSW Premiere/Leah Shore), Hallway (SXSW Premiere/Leah Shore) TV: Evil (Paramount+), Law & Order: SVU (NBC – Recurring), and appeared in She’s Gotta Have It (Netflix – Spike Lee), Z: The Beginning of Everything (Amazon), and Iron Fist (Netflix).
Lina Sarrello (Director/DP)
Lina Sarrello is a multifaceted New York-based filmmaker, director, and writer, notable for her debut feature film, All of My Dreams. She is an MFA graduate in Directing from Stony Brook University and has built an acclaimed body of work across independent film and theater.
Born in Miami, Florida, the daughter of Lorenzo, an Italian Chef, and Blanca, a Cuban dress-maker, Lina found her calling to the arts at a young age as a dancer. She started her acting career on a musical national tour produced by BRAVVO! Productions. After moving to NYC in 2001, she started performing with and writing original work for the Latino organization, Latinoflavored Productions. Lina has been featured in several stage productions as well as commercial voiceover and on-camera work. Lina’s first film acting was in the short, “Mimi’s Portrait” by Latinoflavored Productions. Lina started a children’s theatrical company entitled H.A.D.A. Productions and has been producing her own plays as well as acting in TV, Film, and Stage.
Esther Chen (AMY – LEAD)
Esther Chen is a stand-up comedian from Taiwan. She is seen on HBO, Hulu, Amazon, FX, NBC, Netflix, Comedy Central, Buzzfeed and MTV. She is also the dialect coach for Mr. Robot Seasons 2&3 and contributed to the translations on the show. She is the producer, host, and performer of the show Asians Strike Back: A Coronavirus Comedy + Science Show, which was picked up by CBS Insider News, CNN podcast, Now This, South China Morning Post and featured on the New York Times, Gothamist and TimeOut.
Recently, Esther recurred on the new Sex and the City show– And Just Like That, shot a promo for Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix special 23 Hours to Kill, and guest starred on Law and Order: Organized Crime. She is a 2024 Fellow at the Yes and Laughter Lab and a 2023 Finalist at the Ladies Room Comedy Festival. She has performed at the American Embassy in Taiwan, a bakery in Chinatown, and opened for Sheng Wang.
Josephine Huang (CANDY – SUPPORTING)
Born in NYC and raised in Florida, Josephine is a first generation Taiwanese – American actor, voice actor, and filmmaker.
After receiving her BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Florida, her NYC theatrical training includes Stella Adler Studio, HB Studio (with Austin Pendleton); improv at UCB; and on camera technique with Kelly Kimball, Janine DiTullio, and Jamie Carroll.
Her short film ” In Sync”, which she co-wrote, produced, and stars in, was made in just 72 hours, and has been an official selection at over 35 film festivals internationally, picking up multiple acting, directing, and cinematography awards along the way.
Josephine has appeared in Space Cadet (Amazon – starring Emma Roberts), We Crashed (Apple TV+), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), Billions (Showtime), Pose (FX), etc. She’s also a total foodie and fitness geek!
