I'm Mary Riitano, an award-winning actress, based in Montana!
Whilst raising my daughters I've honed my acting craft in the wilds of the Montana with strong roots in theatre and independent film.
LA, Portland, and Atlanta film acting training and coaching are part of my toolbox on set.
Building a body of film acting work + being part of the grassroots growth of film
with superb communities supporting the film tax credit fills my heart with warm pride.
Whilst raising my daughters I've honed my acting craft in the wilds of the Montana with strong roots in theatre and independent film.
LA, Portland, and Atlanta film acting training and coaching are part of my toolbox on set.
Building a body of film acting work + being part of the grassroots growth of film
with superb communities supporting the film tax credit fills my heart with warm pride.
You can’t miss my full joy bodied through my acting.
I LOVE infusing that into every part of my life on and off screen.
Press: Montana Film Office Talent Spotlight
Click on MT Film Office Logo below for the print interview by Laura Benedict, MT Film Office
Mary showed up for one day of shooting on the set of my senior thesis film. While we had discussed the character beforehand, we had not rehearsed until mere hours before her scene. Nevertheless, Mary exhibited the utmost professionalism and delivered a stunning performance. Even in her one and a half minutes of screen time she absolutely stole the scene.
I was blessed to have her talent on set and
would jump at the chance to work with her again.
-Brock Forrette (Beast, Swing) Grasshopper Films
I know that having you on set really helped to tune their performances in and it was amazing to see the difference you were able to make. I learned a lot being that this was my first time directing something this big, and thanks to you I had a great source to pull from so I can get better performances in my future projects. Thank you so much for being a part of this film, Mary! You're awesome!
-Colton Tash (The Appointment) Done with It Productions
Characters I've been cast as: professor, mom, love interest, salesgirl, wife (abused and the good wife),
mistress, psychiatrist, mentor, hot mess and the girl next door.
I embrace my quirkiness. Erin Brockovich style determination & truth seeking make me perfect in roles like business professional, mom/wife, trailblazer, and that teacher you can’t take your eyes off of.
My work's been referred to as captivating and noted for its vibrant energy, strength, and versatility and
my presence as original, luminous with an infectious warm spirit, and amazing laugh.
mistress, psychiatrist, mentor, hot mess and the girl next door.
I embrace my quirkiness. Erin Brockovich style determination & truth seeking make me perfect in roles like business professional, mom/wife, trailblazer, and that teacher you can’t take your eyes off of.
My work's been referred to as captivating and noted for its vibrant energy, strength, and versatility and
my presence as original, luminous with an infectious warm spirit, and amazing laugh.
LATEST NEWS & CASTING
May 2024
My latest casting is the love interest to the leading character in a tv pilot episodic project, "Heebuck" directed by Michael Polish.
Executive Producer + Lead Actor: Travis Bruyer, Montana Institute of the Arts.
See the teaser trailer for the first episode that premiered at SeriesFest May 3, 2024 and is now on festival tour - -> click the pic below to go to Instagram! For more updates - click here to my Gallery -Film - Heebuck!
My latest casting is the love interest to the leading character in a tv pilot episodic project, "Heebuck" directed by Michael Polish.
Executive Producer + Lead Actor: Travis Bruyer, Montana Institute of the Arts.
See the teaser trailer for the first episode that premiered at SeriesFest May 3, 2024 and is now on festival tour - -> click the pic below to go to Instagram! For more updates - click here to my Gallery -Film - Heebuck!
* * Press Release in Hollywood Deadline Link is below - - > click the picture below to read more about it! * *
October 2023 - May 2024
⭐ I received my fourth Best Actress nomination and my first Best Actress Award for my short film "Swing" at the Wyoming International Film Festival July 2023.
⭐ Holy amazingness - - > we screened "Swing" at the Burbank International Film Festival in September 2023! We've received official acceptance from the Iowa Independent Film Festival and the Black Hills Film Festival and they had beautiful screenings in those locations in September as well.
⭐ We finished the festival journey for "Swing." It's out on YouTube now! Click on my pic directly below; it'll jump you on over there!
"Swing" played at the Scotland International Festival of Cinema 2023. I garnered my third Best Actress Nomination for this quirky, fresh original screenplay written and directed by Brock Forrette. The film has been accepted in twelve film festivals.
Scotland was magical. It moved my heart and imagination to be amongst cathedrals, castles, cobblestone brick streets and feel the history soaking up into my soul. Wyoming with it's wild west heart makes you feel like you belong. Burbank is holding a light for those artists that are on the horizon and needing a boost. I love attending as many festivals that I can!
You can read more about "Swing" on my website by clicking above on: Gallery: Film: Swing * There's a great interview on my Gallery: Film: Swing website page by Mikal Fair, Oregon Short Film Festival + one with Salt Lake City Dirt, Kyler Bingham.
⭐ I received my fourth Best Actress nomination and my first Best Actress Award for my short film "Swing" at the Wyoming International Film Festival July 2023.
⭐ Holy amazingness - - > we screened "Swing" at the Burbank International Film Festival in September 2023! We've received official acceptance from the Iowa Independent Film Festival and the Black Hills Film Festival and they had beautiful screenings in those locations in September as well.
⭐ We finished the festival journey for "Swing." It's out on YouTube now! Click on my pic directly below; it'll jump you on over there!
"Swing" played at the Scotland International Festival of Cinema 2023. I garnered my third Best Actress Nomination for this quirky, fresh original screenplay written and directed by Brock Forrette. The film has been accepted in twelve film festivals.
Scotland was magical. It moved my heart and imagination to be amongst cathedrals, castles, cobblestone brick streets and feel the history soaking up into my soul. Wyoming with it's wild west heart makes you feel like you belong. Burbank is holding a light for those artists that are on the horizon and needing a boost. I love attending as many festivals that I can!
You can read more about "Swing" on my website by clicking above on: Gallery: Film: Swing * There's a great interview on my Gallery: Film: Swing website page by Mikal Fair, Oregon Short Film Festival + one with Salt Lake City Dirt, Kyler Bingham.
April 2023 - May 2024
"They Don't Leave" had a private pre-screening at The Exhibit, Belham in London, UK in April 2023 where the director Caz McGovern, London based cast and crew, family and friends toasted the film and festival journey.
I had an amazing time meeting people plus adventuring in the city of London soaking up the sites, the history (I have English ancestry), the food, and culture.
"They Don't Leave" received its first festival acceptance and premiered in the U.S. September at the ShowLow Film Festival, AZ
"They Don't Leave" had a private pre-screening at The Exhibit, Belham in London, UK in April 2023 where the director Caz McGovern, London based cast and crew, family and friends toasted the film and festival journey.
I had an amazing time meeting people plus adventuring in the city of London soaking up the sites, the history (I have English ancestry), the food, and culture.
"They Don't Leave" received its first festival acceptance and premiered in the U.S. September at the ShowLow Film Festival, AZ
⭐As of September 1, 2023 TDL has been accepted into the LA Lift-Off Global Network Festival, Summer in the South Film Festival, ShowLow Film Festival, Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival, Toronto International Women's Film Festival, Atlanta Women's Film Festival, Chandler International Film Festival, Flathead Lake International Film Festival, Hastings Rock Film Festival, NewFilmmakers LA, Austin's International Film Festival, and most recently, Romford Film Festival in the UK and the Wyoming International Film Festival.
👉 Go see the latest news on "They Don't Leave" by clicking on the Gallery : Film : and They Don't Leave
⭐October 2023, TDL won Best 17-25 Short Film and was an Honorable Mention in the Vienna Film Festival.
👉 Go see the latest news on "They Don't Leave" by clicking on the Gallery : Film : and They Don't Leave
⭐October 2023, TDL won Best 17-25 Short Film and was an Honorable Mention in the Vienna Film Festival.
Oct 2024 - latest press for "They Don't Leave" in Indie Cinema - - click image below
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
It was a pleasure to work with the cast and crew on the latest full length feature for Interwoven Studios.
I'm pleased to share the film was given awards at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema March 2020
Best Supporting Actress - Mary Riitano
“Riitano, channeling her inner Glenn Close, turns in a captivating performance as Nelly, the narrator and faithful servant.”
-Brent Northrup, Your Time-Independent Record, December 2019
I'm pleased to share the film was given awards at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema March 2020
Best Supporting Actress - Mary Riitano
“Riitano, channeling her inner Glenn Close, turns in a captivating performance as Nelly, the narrator and faithful servant.”
-Brent Northrup, Your Time-Independent Record, December 2019
Happy for the recognition for my talents and the gift of being cast & working on this Montana made one-of-a-kind classic
Hearty gratitude shared with the entire cast and crew
Bryan Ferriter - Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Quincey Kuiava - Executive Producer/Producer
Jason Rogers - Director of Photography/Producer
Mary Riitano - Actress/Associate Producer Ryan Pfeiffer - Actor/Associate Producer Jasmin "Jet" Jandreau - Actress
Hearty gratitude shared with the entire cast and crew
Bryan Ferriter - Director/Producer/Editor/Actor Quincey Kuiava - Executive Producer/Producer
Jason Rogers - Director of Photography/Producer
Mary Riitano - Actress/Associate Producer Ryan Pfeiffer - Actor/Associate Producer Jasmin "Jet" Jandreau - Actress
. . . . . . .
Keep up with Wuthering Heights on Facebook or Instagram
Below is the trailer for our film!
Keep up with Wuthering Heights on Facebook or Instagram
Below is the trailer for our film!
Wide released on VOD March 23 - 2022 !!
Click on each image below to take you to Amazon Prime where these films are now screening!
(it's also on Google Play, Apple TV & iTunes, and VUDU)
"Useless" -director Josiah Burdick
premiered on Amazon Prime - August 2020 and at the Bigfork Film Festival October 2020
premiered on Amazon Prime - August 2020 and at the Bigfork Film Festival October 2020
Click on the Amazon Prime images below to take you to our movie to rent/buy on Amazon Prime! Enjoy!
"We Burn Like This" -director Alana Waksman
premiered on Amazon Prime 2022
premiered on Amazon Prime 2022