CLAIRE, 25min., USA
Directed by Paul Ambe Ngang
Committed to getting his crush to love him, Mark uses an AI to snoop into her private life; but when the AI unexpectedly develops love for him and spite for her, he must choose the AI or lose everything.

https://www.instagram.com/claireshortfilm/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film? – I started to write this when it started to be a hot topic in 2023. Soon after the writers strike happened so I felt like it was now or never to get the story going.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? – 10 month. April 2023 – February 2024

3. How would you describe your film in two words!? – Twisted and Tragic

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? – the scale. I never made anything with that many movie parts, that many people, and over the whole project.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? – It felt really good to hear people who don’t know me talk about my film. I was excited to get some feedback too.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? – During the Pandemic I started to watch a lot of movies with my father. I vividly remember watching the Lethal weapon movies and the movie 2012 with him. I started to watch videos on film and fell in love with the process around that time too. I wanted to tell stories that are personal to me.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? – I don’t rewatch movies too often but I took a film class in my senior year of highschool and did an essay on “Blazing Saddles” and “Her”. I watched those at least 4 times.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? – Maybe a mentor. Winners get a mentor or some industry connection. A grant? or Maybe some industry tips?

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? – the platform has been very helpful for me.

10. What is your favorite meal? – Pizza is alway reliable. I can’t go wrong with it.

11. What is next for you? A new film? – I’m almost done shooting a short film. It was a short and “fun” one. I wanted to get back to directing something after CLAIRE. I am looking forward to writing something else. I have a clear idea of what types of movies I want to make, and have so much more knowledge and experience. I also started acting.