Illustrations tell a dancer’s hilarious story about his prominent nose and the effect if has on his career.

Pinocchio, Schnozola, Sir Nose, Charles grows up to be self-conscious of his prominent Italian nose. Still, he was shocked when one of the teachers at his ballet academy asks him to consider plastic surgery to forward his career. Of course, in ballet, as in life, there are no guarantees as to whether it'll land him a starring role.

...the ending is both upbeat and unexpected in this engaging and innovative short.
Randy Pitman, Publisher/Editor
Video Librarian
full review

"Jesse Epstein's witty and visually engaging short "The Guarantee" uses the innovative technique of comic strip panels that are drawn before your eyes (through time-lapse photography) to tell the story of a male ballerina who is asked by his ballet company to have his nose reduced in size for the good of his career..."
Hugo Perez
IndieWire

"As a professional in the field of addictions, this film was layered with meaning for me. What it means to maintain a sense of cultural and ethnic identity in the face of pressure for "sameness", what it means to be beautiful, what part of yourself are you willing to give up for the sake of success. Regardless of your identity, this film can't help but strike familiar and sometimes painful chords and questions."
Michael Botticelli
Assistant Commissioner for Substance Abuse Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

"Jesse Epstein remembers exactly when her life changed. "It was before my grandmother died," Epstein recalls. "She said, 'Look, you could either inherit $500, or I can spend it now and get you a camera.' It totally changed everything.

For most of her life Epstein has been fascinated by the perception of beauty. Growing up in Boston, she moved to Mozambique for two years, where full-figured looks are celebrated. Moving back to the U.S., where the media promotes a punishing standard of beauty on women, Epstein enrolled in NYU Film School and decided to explore different issues surrounding body image....."
Jason Guerrasio
Filmmaker Magazine
full review

"Addressing the illusion of perfect bodies and flawless faces is necessary. Eating disorders, unnecessary surgeries, and mental distress, are all part of the 'looks above all' society"
Stewart Landers, JD, MCP
Associate Editor, American Journal of Public Health

"In its 11-minute little life, The Guarantee, directed by Jesse Epstein, packs a wallop. Narrated in the first person by its protagonist, the film's main subject is never seen in person. Rather, he and his story are illustrated using hand drawn images by Robert Castillo, in a tour-de-force burst of pencil swipes, arcs, leaps and pirouettes, which is appropriate since Charles Farruggio is a ballet dancer with a really big nose. Humorous, witty and moving, Epstein's film pushes the boundaries of documentary, and what we end up seeing is a moving comic book version of a very personal and pretty traumatic story."
Pamela Cohn
Still In Motion: In-depth interviews with documentary/nonfiction filmmakers
full review

Winner - Best Short Film – Newport International Film Festival

Winner - Luna Fest

Best short films of the season - Rooftop Films

Official Selection - Silverdocs/AFI Discovery Channel Film Festival

Official Selection - Full Frame Documentary Film Festival

Mass MoCa Museum

Official Selection - Hamptons International Film Festival

Mad Cat Film Festival

Sarasota Film Festival

Flaherty NYC

Official Selection - Margaret Mead Festival | American Museum of Natural History

Citizen Jane Women's Film Festival

Ashland Independent Film Festival

Beurs van Berlage Museum in Amsterdam