**I Wish You All the Best Star Corey Fogelmanis and Director Tommy Dorfman on Bringing the LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age Story to Life**
As times grow more uncertain, LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories like Lionsgate’s *I Wish You All the Best* are more important than ever. Based on Mason Deaver’s novel of the same name, the film follows Ben DeBacker (Corey Fogelmanis), a non-binary teen navigating a journey of self-discovery after being kicked out by their parents. Taken in by their sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario) and her husband Thomas (Cole Sprouse), Ben faces rising tensions within the family.
Corey Fogelmanis (*My Life with the Walter Boys*) and writer-director Tommy Dorfman (*13 Reasons Why*), who is making her directorial debut, spoke with Bleeding Cool about adapting Deaver’s novel, capturing the LGBTQ+ adolescent experience, the supporting cast, and more.
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### *I Wish You All the Best*: Dorfman and Fogelmanis on Forging Ben’s Non-Binary Journey
**Bleeding Cool:** What intrigued you about *I Wish You All the Best*, and why was it the ideal project for your directorial debut, Tommy?
**Tommy Dorfman:** I felt uniquely qualified as a trans person from the South to bring Mason Deaver’s novel to life on screen. It’s a story about a non-binary kid in North Carolina figuring out how to survive — and not just survive, but also have as close to the teenage experience as possible. I fell in love with this beautiful story of self-transformation and actualization.
**Bleeding Cool:** Corey, what drew you to the film?
**Corey Fogelmanis:** I’m really drawn to characters finding their place in the world, and this was unique in a lot of ways. I’d never seen or read anything before Mason’s book that had a non-binary character as the lead. I was eager to find my way as Ben, collaborate with Tommy, and bring this story to life — hopefully creating something that serves as a light for people in this time.
**Bleeding Cool:** Aside from Tommy’s script, was there any additional inspiration that shaped your portrayal of Ben?
**Corey Fogelmanis:** Absolutely. I listened to a lot of podcasts and stories from people discussing their experiences with identity, expression, and self-love. That curiosity helped me connect deeply to Ben’s journey, especially his yearning for self-acceptance. It was also a personal exploration for me — thinking about who I see in the mirror each day, how I feel, who I surround myself with, and how I show up for others. All of that motivation fueled my approach to playing Ben.
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### The Ensemble Cast: A Family on and off Screen
**Bleeding Cool:** What was it like working with the rest of the cast — Alexandra Daddario, Cole Sprouse, Lena Dunham, and others — and why do you think they fit so well for the film?
**Corey Fogelmanis:** It honestly felt like coming home. We had such a strong family feeling while creating this story. Tommy did an amazing job assembling not just passionate actors, but also committed department heads. Everyone was there because they truly wanted to be. It never felt like just a job; there was a heartfelt personal commitment from everyone involved.
**Tommy Dorfman:** I couldn’t agree more. I was given the incredible gift of working with generous, humble, and talented artists both in front of and behind the camera. From Alex, Cole, Lena, Corey, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Amy Landecker, and our entire company — everyone showed immense commitment, grace, and love for each other and the material. The actors connected deeply and immediately, with no pretense.
Ben’s character needs a lot of love and support in the film — and the actors needed that too, especially during challenging scenes that were often intense or emotional and had to be repeated multiple times. The coming-out process depicted is exhausting, and it takes emotional energy for both character and actor alike. I’m so proud of how all the actors handled their roles with such love and dedication.
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### Lessons from a Directorial Debut
**Bleeding Cool:** Tommy, what is the most invaluable lesson you’ve learned from your first time directing?
**Tommy Dorfman:** The biggest takeaway is trust. Trusting the people I hired and not getting in their way. Building trust with actors and crew so they feel supported and can do the best work possible. That’s something I’ll carry forward in every project.
It’s about fostering a space of service and mutual support — showing up for each other and adapting to people’s needs on any given day. Sometimes someone might wake up feeling unwell or be dealing with personal issues. We don’t always need to know the details in a professional setting, but allowing grace and flexibility based on human capacity is essential. That kind of openness only happens when there is trust in your collaborators.
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*I Wish You All the Best*, which also stars Lexi Underwood, opens in theaters on November 7th.
https://bleedingcool.com/movies/i-wish-you-all-the-best-dir-star-on-non-binary-coming-of-age-story/