One of Firelight Theatre’s founders, Nora Fiffer, will be discussing her drama "Another Happy Day" after it screens at the Beverly Hills Film Festival May 3.

Fiffer began writing the screenplay for “Another Happy Day” when she moved to Peterborough in 2016 with her husband, Adar, and their 18-month-old daughter. Fiffer had only ever lived in major metropolises such as New York, Chicago and Amsterdam, but her creative life has continued in New Hampshire, as she writes, produces, directs and acts for theater and film. She and Adar now have two children – 8-year-old Rutsi and 4-year-old Kazi.

Fiffer returned to Chicago to shoot the film in 2022.

"One of the things I'm proudest about with the film is that we provided child care for cast and crew and we committed to eight-hour shoot days (unheard of in the industry),” she stated. “The film was shot mid-pandemic and pre-SAG and WGA strike."

She hopes to continue those initiatives in future projects, and that it will spread throughout the industry.

“It's important to us to set a precedent,” she stated. “If we can do it -- simply by saying it's important enough to budget for -- then any production should.”

Fiffer wrote and directed the film, which follows Joanna, played by Lauren Lapkus, as she navigates the unfamiliar and lonely spaces of new motherhood. Joanna is desperate for company, and tumbles into an unlikely friendship with her eccentric aunt, played by Marilyn Dodds Frank. The film explores postpartum depression, the importance of relationships and how people create new families, including through the use of humor.

According to Fiffer, Lapkus “was my dream actor for the role” of Joanna.

“She read some of the earliest drafts,” she stated. “Once I was a few drafts in and she had connected with the script, I wrote with her in mind. I was excited for her to play comically in the role and for her to dig into the tough, juicy, dramatic material. Lauren hasn't been cast in a role like this, and I wanted audiences to see the range of what she has to offer.”

Fiffer also noted that Lapkus and Frank have very different acting backgrounds.

“ Lauren is fluent in TV and film, and Marilyn is a dame of the theater,” she stated. “Their varied experiences lifted them both up -- they rose to each other and connected with such a fun and exciting chemistry. They made each other laugh, surprised each other and trusted each other. Their chemistry is my favorite thing about the film.”

“Another Happy Day” is Fiffer’s first feature-length film. It debuted last December at the Vail Film Festival, and appeared again this year at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. 

In 2020, the New Hampshire Theatre Alliance named Fiffer as Best Director for her work at Firelight Theatre Workshop, the alternative theater she co-founded in Peterborough with Jason Lambert in 2019.