Jay Duplass and Michael Strassner- 2025 Filmmaker Spotlight Award

Jay Duplass

Michael Strassner

SPOTLIGHT FILM AND CEREMONY: Thursday, June 19, from 7:00-9:00pm

The 6th Annual Ouray International Film Festival Filmmaker Spotlight Award goes to Jay Duplass and Michael Strassner. The duo will be recognized for their work on The Baltimorons, a tender, offbeat holiday comedy that's as funny as it is heartfelt. Michael Strassner will be in attendance for a post-screening conversation with Brian Tallerico, managing editor of RogerEbert.com and president of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

Returning to the director's chair for a narrative feature for the first time in over a decade, Duplass crafts a soulful walk-and-talk film centered on two strangers — Cliff (Michael Strassner), a struggling comedian, and Didi (Liz Larsen), a lonely dentist — who cross paths on Christmas Eve. What begins with a chipped tooth and an awkward appointment unfolds into an unpredictable night of shared vulnerability, dark humor, and unexpected connection. As the two navigate their own emotional baggage, they slowly discover the value of presence, compassion, and saying "Yes, And" — both in comedy and in life.

Co-written by Duplass and Strassner and inspired by Strassner's personal experience, The Baltimorons resonates with a rare blend of authenticity, wit, and emotional depth. With standout performances and a gritty visual style reminiscent of '70s cinema, the film feels timeless — destined to become a seasonal classic.

The Baltiomors featuring Michael Strassner and Liz Larsen. Winner of the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW 2025.