Actress and Filmmaker Cassidy McMillan is the Director/Producer/Writer of the new documentary film on bullying and bullycide “Rats & Bullies”, which is currently garnering awards coast to coast in the film festival circuit. Some of Cassidy’s acting work includes leading roles for the theater in plays and musicals, and acting work in Film, Television for independent films, Showtime; American Movie Classics, Discovery, and has worked with notable directors such as James Cameron and Tom Shadyac.  Voiceover work includes audio games for Milton Bradley/Parker Brothers, radio commercials, and recently recorded four national commercials for the U.S. Coast Guard. 

SHOW NOTE **** On this 1st show we will discuss the incredibly important topic of bullying in our schools. During Part 2 we will discuss the making of the documentary with Cassidy. PLEASE READ *****

Part 1: TO LISTEN CLICK BOLDED Link Below

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with director Cassidy McMillan

Part 2: TO LISTEN CLICK BOLDED Link Below

Rex Sikes’ Movie Beat chats with director Cassidy McMillan PT 2

In addition to acting work, Cassidy holds a degree in Communications/Broadcast Journalism, has worked as an investigator for global corporate and entertainment companies where she conducted hundreds of criminal investigations, and arrested subjects for various types of crimes. 

When she learned of the North American precedent setting bullycide case on the “Oprah Winfrey Show” of a 14 year old girl who took her life by hanging herself with a dog’s leash due to bullying, she was compelled to tell the story in a documentary and feature film in order to prevent more teens from taking their life.    

Cassidy acquired the life rights to the story, set out on the journey in making the projects happen and Directed/Wrote/Produced the award winning Documentary Film “Rats & Bullies”. Additionally, she wrote the screenplay based on the story, titled, “The Toughest Girls”, which has won industry script competitions and is being read at studios for development into a feature film.

“Rats & Bullies” was filmed in Canada; Washington D.C.; and California. The film completed post-production in 2011, and is being met with critical acclaim. Cassidy won the Women In Film Foundation Award in Los Angeles, for her directing work on the film. 

“Rats & Bullies” was recently honored by the United Nations Global Wake Up Film Festival in Chicago, where the film won the Festival Jury Directors “Impact Film Award”.  “Rats & Bullies” was screened with over 48 global films in the event, and was 1 of the 7 films chosen to represent the United States in the international festival.  The Festival Jury Director stated, “Every middle and high school student should see ‘Rats & Bullies’.”

Several weeks ago in Burbank, California, at the Bleedfest Film Festival, Cassidy was presented with the “Filmmaker Humanitarian Award” for her work on bullying and teen suicide prevention. The festival also honored “Rats & Bullies” by awarding it with the “Best Documentary Award”.

Other awards for “Rats & Bullies” include:  “Jury Award Best Documentary Film”; the “Audience Choice Award Best Documentary Film” at the LDUB Film Festival in Florida; and the “Social Awareness Award” at the CINE Film Festival.

Cassidy does public speaking work at schools and organizations globally as a subject matter expert on bullying prevention, in addition to working as a consultant and doing media interviews on bullying. Recently, Cassidy and acclaimed Actor/Producer Dr. Bill Cosby were interviewed together for a news publication on the topics of bullying prevention and “Rats & Bullies”.

Cassidy is developing other film projects while continuing to champion social causes through her work as an activist in anti-discrimination and animal rights issues. 

Cassidy McMillan Official Website