'Mimi the Mime' Made Its World Premiere at DWF:LA - Interview
Nikos Spiridakis and Jason Zeiss talk about the world premiere of 'Mimi the Mine' at Dances With Films: Los Angeles.
One of the standout shorts to premiere during the COMP SHORTS BLK 2 program at Dances With Films: Los Angeles (DWF:LA) on June 20, 2026, was ‘Mimi the Mine’, an offbeat comedy that blended physical humor, desperation and unlikely partnership into a crowd-pleasing spectacle. Co-written and co-directed by Nikos Spiridakis, alongside producer Jason Zeiss, the film transformed the timeless rivalry between a mime and a clown into an underground phenomenon fueled by survival.
Set on the streets of New York City, ‘Mimi the Mine’ followed Mimi, a homeless mime played by Kyle Primack, and Hunter, a struggling clown portrayed by Brian Wolfe. The pair initially battled for the attention of passersby, only to discover that their increasingly chaotic confrontations attracted larger crowds and bigger tips than their individual performances ever could. With few options left, they embraced the unexpected success of their clashes, turning their slapstick rivalry into an underground bare-knuckle attraction known as Mime vs Clown.
The short combined inventive visual comedy with heartfelt themes of friendship, ambition and the lengths people would go to survive. Its energetic performances and inventive premise made it a memorable addition to this year’s festival lineup.
Ahead of the film’s premiere, we spoke with co-writer and co-director Nikos Spiridakis and producer Jason Zeiss about developing the film’s unique concept, crafting its physical comedy and bringing the unconventional world of ‘Mimi the Mine’ to life.