For Valentine’s Day, I’m hoping you’ll join me in supporting an independent film made by local filmmakers. Exit Strategy is a romantic screwball comedy in the tradition of Judd Apatow and Nicholas Stoller, is a perfect date film.

Exit Strategy is a comedy about a relationship gone terribly wrong. James (Jameel Saleem, who wrote the script) gets evicted from his apartment and moves in with his girlfriend of three months Kim (Kimelia Weathers) and quickly discovers she's everything he never wanted in a woman. He enlists his best friend Carville (Quincy “QDeezy” Harris) and strangers, including Kevin Hart in a memorable cameo, to help him devise a way to get out of his relationship. However Kim is budging—breaking up just isn’t an option.

Philadelphia natives QDeezy (on-air personality at 107.9) and Saleem teamed up with executive producer Big Boy and first-time director Michael Whitton to produce the film on a shoestring budget of $100,000.

Insider Tip: Win a free pair of tickets to the opening and the exclusive after party on Twitter @philly360!

I sat down with QDeezy for an exclusive interview last week to discuss filmmaking in Philadelphia.

QDeezy Q&A

Maori: How did you get involved with the project?

QDeezy: Jameel and I had mutual friends and met five years ago. I’d already seen some of his Exit Strategy webisodes online and then ran into him in LA on a video set. We continued doing web skits and then I funded his first film, Let Go. Later on, he gave me the screenplay for Exit Strategy and I believed in it from the first day. I thought it was amazing and I said, “Dude, we have to make this film.”

Maori: How did you get the project started?

QDeezy: I was talking to my boss at the time, Big Boy, about making some projects outside of radio. I told him I had a script that I wanted to make a movie. I gave him the starting budget and he cut me a check. It was really that simple. I really appreciate him believing in my ability to make it happen.

Maori: Why this kind of movie—is it a new genre? What was your vision?

QDeezy: My vision was to make an urban movie that appealed to the mainstream. I feel like it is a new genre, we are broadening the depiction of blacks in films.

Maori: What was it like making Exit Strategy?

QDeezy: It was a fun adventure. This being my first film, I learned so much in a short period of time.

Maori: Do you have a story from set you remember that may be funny or interesting?

QDeezy: The day we had Kevin Hart on set was pretty memorable. We didn't have much time to shoot because Kevin was only in town for the day. He called my phone and said, “I have 20 minutes before I pick my kids up from school, let's do it!” On set it became Operation Kevin Hart, we rushed to get the shot set up. Two minutes later Kevin Hart walks in, he did his scene in 2 takes. He has been very supportive of Exit Strategy from day one. I really appreciate his friendship

Maori: Why is the premiere of the movie happening in Philadelphia?

QDeezy: This is home for me, and my radio station Hot 107.9 and Radio One are behind the movie 100 percent.

Maori: What project(s) do you have coming up next?

QDeezy: We are working on shooting another urban comedy about a married guy based in Philadelphia later this year. I’m working closely with the film office (Greater Philadelphia Film Office) and everything will be publicized later.

Exit Strategy opens February 10 in an exclusive engagement at:

AMC Franklin Mills

1149 Franklin Mills Circle

Philadelphia, PA 19154

AMC Loews Cherry Hill

2121 Route 38

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002