SELECT CREDITS
HIGH HOPES feature comedy
Cecily Gambrell, Screenplay*, Producer, Cast
*Page One Rewrite
ABOUT: Hollywood hopeful Tom and his posse pin their dreams of industry success on Tom's famous girlfriend (Jennifer Finnigab) starring in their first movie...until she dumps him. Now the plan is to steal a case of government issued marijuana, return it to the FBI and use the rewad money to finance their film, creating a hilarious comedy about big plans and the lengths friends will for a good bud.
DISTRIBUTORS: Lionsgate Films, Maple Pictures, E-One/Entertainment One, Oasis International
PRODUCTION NOTES: Despite its soporific subject matter, HIGH HOPES is an actual achievement in independent filmmaking. This feature length comedy was entirely rewritten, cast, scheduled and shot within one month's time, with a strict budget. Released in 2009, in the top ten for its week,
During pre-production Cecily Gambrell completed a page-one rewrite that served as the film's shooting script. During production she was a producer, and played the role of Julie. And in post she edited the HIGH HOPES teaser and other marketing deliverables. She also over saw the production's contracts and legal affairs at the time of delivery.
HIGH HOPES represents Gambrell’s creative contribution across multiple areas of filmmaking — from all phases of production, to performance, to delivery and beyond. HIGH HOPES is her third collaboration with Danny Trejo.
CHAMPION. documentary
Cecily Gambrell, Writer, Producer, Interviewer
ABOUT: A story of fight and triumpg this is the story of actor Danny Trejo. This multiple award winning documetnary chronilces his life through raw and candid conversations about everything, from trying heroin at age twelve with his uncle, who was his role model, to armed robbery, streat violence and time in prison, including an emotional return to his actual cell behind the gray walls of San Quentin State Prison.
From despair to Desperate Housewives , Danny Trejo's life is an awing inspiring testament to the strength of the human spirit.
PRODUCTION NOTES: CHAMPION. celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. The film has been actively and consistently sought both by traditional and niche (educational, corrections, etc.) audiences. More importantly it has become an educational tool that has helped alter the lives of at risk youth, and give very real hope to those seeking change both in and out of the system. Distributed by Victory Multimedia, CHAMPION. was released through Netflix and Amazon, among others, in the US.
Select Honors: 2013 Bronze Telly Award Winner, Imagen Award Nominee, Phoenix International Film Festival Best Documentary, Hollywood Film Festival Centerpiece Film
CECILY GAMBRELL, Writer. Producer inclusive of all phases of production; packaging, budgeting, scheduling, post, legal, distribution marketing, title maintenance, et al
LOVE ACTUALLY comedy
Rewrite
PRODUCER/LEAD: Sakis Rouvas (Greek super star)
YO SOY documentary (unfinished)
Writer, Producer
CAST (alpha): Maria Conchita Alonso, Marc Anthony*, Hector Elizondo, the late Ricardo Montalban*, Esai Morales, Adam Rodriguez, Danny Trejo, Rosie Perez, Wilmer Valderrama *Cast, footage not complete
Threat Matrix episodic
Story Editor (uncredited)
Season One, Episode One (PILOT)
ABC TELEVISION
Back To Maybe music video
Writer, Producer, Co-Director
FEATURING: Lacey Chabert
Odd Birds/Hello My Name Is: sketch comedy pilot
Creator, Writer, Director, Producer, Cast
VICTOR & EDDIE short
Screenplay, Producer, Cast
CAST: Freddy Rodriguez (Six Feet Under), Shawn Michael Howard
NOTE(S): Nom HBO Urban World FF; Developed into feature length screenplay
STATUS: Developed into FEATURE LENGTH SCREENPLAY
LOGLINE: Childhood friends, nearing the wrong side of thirty, are broke, jobless and rocking an unfavorable LA zip code. But come one fine, piercingly cold winter morning Victor finds himself pushed over the edge. Tired of his station in life and certain he’s being kept down by the man, he devises a sloppy plan to even the score. His plan: kidnap Elizabeth Hollinghurst, a reclusive Bel Air socialite whose father is worth more than God, which makes her more valuable than gold...but every goes to east LA in hand basket.
DREAMING IN BLACK AND WHITE short
CAST: Malik Yoba (Bear, COPLAND, Arrested Development)
HONORS (2002): Phoenix FF Best Short Film , (818)/Valley FF, Thunderbird FF Best Short Film Professional Short Film , Kansas City Filmmaker's JubileeHonorable Mention , Temecula FF Audience Award, Bronx Independent FF Best Short Film, Oakland Int'l FF Honorable Mention
NOTEWORTHY: Requested special screening with 100 Black Men, USC Chapter; Qualified/submitted for OSCAR nomination consideration
STATUS: Developed into FEATURE LENGTH SCREENPLAY
LOGLINE: Reporter Chris Jones takes a step down to take a step forward, leaving his position at a large Chicago newspaper to head a small paper in the south. His skills coupled with his great taste for injustice is that which leads him to discover, and uncover the decades old systematic murdering of local blacks.
Screenplay, Producer, Cast
MEDIA
