Adriana DeMeo has been cast as Gina Russo
Casting director Adrienne Stern, The Final Fight
Josh Davis and Tom Hair portray Scott Cohen and Martin Cohen, respectively, in The Final Fight
Inspired by the New York Times journalist, actor Trini Alvarado steps into the role of Paige Carson
The Final Fight continues to advance through post-production.
“Josh brought an extraordinary level of truth to the part, and I was profoundly affected by his portrayal.”— Writer/Director Todd J. Stein, The Final FightNEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, July 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The dramatic short film from writer/director Todd J. Stein, centered on guardianship, now has a roster of acclaimed post-production artists bringing this deeply personal project to its final stages.
Responsibility for the film’s visual effects falls to Scott Winston of Danger Pixel, while Peter Waggoner is managing the final audio mix, Mario Gutierrez is overseeing sound design, and Cameron Adams is composing the score. Stein has also confirmed that Company 3, a top-tier Hollywood post-production facility, will handle the final color grading.
Company 3 has established itself as a premier post-production house in the entertainment industry, globally recognized for its color grading, finishing, and post-production work on major studio films, prestige television series, and award-winning commercials. With facilities in Los Angeles, New York, London, Toronto, Vancouver, and elsewhere, Company 3 has partnered with numerous celebrated filmmakers and is known for its contributions to Academy Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning projects.
For Stein, putting together a team of this caliber has been among the most gratifying aspects of finishing his directorial debut. “It’s thrilling for a first-time director with a project that is incredibly personal to have such an outstanding post-production team backing this film. Every artist who has joined has raised the project’s level and embraced the emotional core of the narrative.” Stein praised editor Morgan Alexandra Neville, whose work shaped the film and helped assemble the award-caliber post-production team. “Morgan was an invaluable resource throughout post-production. Her editing instincts and collaborative nature helped bring together the remarkable team now helping us complete the film.” Neville spoke to the collaborative spirit that has characterized the production. “The best way to capture the energy in post-production was something our composer, Cameron Adams, said: ‘The music writes itself to the edit.’ Our entire team has given everything to a project that deserves nothing less.”
The Final Fight functions as a standalone proof-of-concept, adapted from Stein’s award-winning screenplay of the same name, which was inspired by his real-life struggle to release his father from an unprecedented guardianship. Stein hopes the finished short will help the feature-length screenplay find a suitable home and eventually become a major motion picture. “I know this story matters, and I believe creative executives will see that its message extends well beyond my own family. We are all getting older, and someday we will all rely on loved ones to protect us when we become vulnerable. My relationship with my father had become difficult, but when he was placed under guardianship, it unexpectedly brought us back together. The Final Fight is ultimately a father-and-son story, and that is what allows it to connect with so many people. How far will a family go to protect someone they love? That is the question at the heart of this film.”
Co-producer Marlene Schneider said she recognized the project’s promise from the outset. “We knew we had something special when Todd first brought me this project because it was already connecting with so many people throughout the creative community. The fact that actors wanted to take on these very real characters was a clear signal that we were bringing his family’s story to life in a meaningful way.”
Schneider came on board after Stein asked her to serve as co-producer. The two first collaborated during Stein’s campaign for the Manhattan Upper East Side Democratic District Leader position, where Schneider was his campaign manager. Their shared dedication to advocacy and community service formed the basis of their partnership. Before entering film production, Schneider spent more than two decades as a Vice President at the National Council on Aging, bringing extensive leadership and nonprofit experience to The Final Fight.
Stein said the completed short is designed to introduce audiences and the film industry to the larger story. “We want this proof of concept to draw the attention of prestigious film festivals. We will begin festival submissions as early as August with the aim of premiering at a major festival, while also introducing the feature screenplay to the industry.”
Veteran voice actor Tom Hair, who plays Martin Cohen, immediately felt a connection to the emotional weight of the story after auditioning and meeting with Stein and Schneider. Hair joined the production through casting director Adrienne Stern, who reviewed dozens of submissions before selecting him for the pivotal role. Hair said portraying a real-life figure carried both privilege and responsibility. “I have opened my heart and strived for a truthful and empathetic portrayal of senior life searching for solid ground. I believe this project is not only worthwhile entertainment but valuable food for thought for anyone who experiences it.”
Casting director Adrienne Stern said authenticity guided every casting decision. “When Todd Stein reached out about casting The Final Fight, the story of his journey to free his father, Marvin Stein, from guardianship, I knew I had an important responsibility. We were not simply looking for physical resemblance. We searched for performers who shared an emotional understanding of these characters and genuinely cared about bringing this family’s story to life.”
Cast member Adriana DeMeo, who portrays Gina, said she immediately knew she wanted to join the production. “With an open heart, Todd is sharing intimate details of his family’s life while helping others avoid experiencing the devastating effects of an ill-intended guardianship. Gina is a challenging role because, even in her most difficult moments, I was always searching for the love underneath. By the end of the film, we are all changed.”
Neville believes audiences will connect with both the craftsmanship and the message. “Our team has worked closely with Todd and Marlene to support the story. So much camaraderie and beauty have come out of post-production, and I think audiences will see a film that not only compels them emotionally but also inspires them to make a difference.”
The role of Scott Cohen is portrayed by Josh Davis, who first became involved during a staged reading of the feature screenplay months before production began on the short film. Stein recalled knowing almost immediately that Davis had found the emotional core of the character.
“Josh was Scott from the moment he spoke the first lines of the script. It was surreal watching him embody the inner workings of Scott. He brought incredible authenticity to the role, and I was deeply moved by his performance. He ultimately earned the role over dozens of actors we considered.”
Davis said the opportunity to portray a character inspired by a real person’s fight made the project especially meaningful. “This is a real family, a real fight, and a real man who almost had his entire life taken from him. There is nothing more meaningful as an actor than helping tell a story like this. Scott is flawed, but he keeps showing up and trying to do the right thing despite everything he is facing. Bringing attention to the thousands of people trapped in guardianships with no one in their corner is not just powerful, it is necessary.”
Stein’s family story first gained national attention when journalist John Leland chronicled their journey in a New York Times feature, “The Fight of This Old Boxer’s Life Was With His Own Family.” More recently, reporter Jack Ahern revisited the story in New York’s Our Town publication, highlighting the continued impact of the family’s fight and the upcoming film inspired by those events in his article; “The Final Fight” to Turn Real-Life East Side Guardianship Saga Into Potent Drama.
Neville added, “I have met so many talented film people who were so humble in the making of The Final Fight. I hope that viewers feel this when they watch the film too.” As post-production enters its final stages, The Final Fight continues building momentum toward its festival debut while seeking to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked realities of guardianship abuse through a deeply personal and emotionally resonant father-and-son story.
Colin Harp
Team Stein
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Behind The Scenes The Final Fight
