HighFive, App That Reformats Films Into Vertical Videos, Debuts Joe Mantegna’s ‘The Friendly’ As First Feature

EXCLUSIVE: Joe Mantegna‘s The Friendly has become the first feature film to be adapted as a vertical video using interactive studio app HighFive.

The indie pic, which was first distributed in 2024, has been converted using what Highfiv creators Jason Strickman and Kumbáli Satori describe as a creative tool for filmmakers that has a “Swiss army knife of AI features.” The pic was made made available on Tubi and Prime Video as a transactional download on February 1 before being converted.

Criminal Minds and The Simpsons actor Mantegna starred in the film alongside Jessie Borrego, Casey Deidrick, Elpidia Carrillo and Daniela Nieves. Strickland was the director. Billed as a romantic drama and based on a true story, it deals with PTSD, mental health and a dog that saves the day.

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