SHATTERED, 22min., USA
Directed by Kory Getman
In this suspense-filled drama dissecting the complexities of abuse through the lens of an LGBT relationship, “SHATTERED” exposes the chilling psychology behind love’s darker shades.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28546517/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I was raised in an abusive home, to a stepfather that regularly assaulted my mother, and bore witness to the cycles of abuse she went through. Carrying that with me, combined with my LGBT identity culminated in the writing and creation of SHATTERED, a film about domestic violence in a gay relationship.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The film, from first draft to final edit, took roughly seven months, with a few re-edits to realize the vision.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Breaking cycles.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
We faced a problem with one of the home owners in a location we needed for two days. They’d never rented to a film crew before, and were overwhelmed by the presence of a professional crew. They helicopter-supervised, imposed rules about which rooms we could use mid-shoot, and ultimately screamed at us, cancelling our second day. Luckily, our caterer pulled through and offered her house. We were able to dress her bedroom to look like it belonged in the first location.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
There were a lot of gasps, shock, and awe at the realities of such situations presented.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized it around 2018, when I started a relationship with a film student that introduced me to the world behind-the-scenes. I’d acted and written previously, but never seriously considered directing.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I’m not sure, and I’m not a big re-watcher, but it’s probably something lame and cliche like Fight Club. Most recently though, Everything Everywhere All At Once blew me away, and I did watch it 3 times in theaters.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
You guys seem to have it down!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
They’re great, and it’s incredible that there’s a single site that aggregates most, if not all, major film festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?
I eat vegetarian keto and host a cooking show. I LOVE crispy tofu with eggplant and mushroom stir fry.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I have another film, PULSE, in post production right now, and have started writing my next on the subject of suicidal ideation.

LIKE WATER, 5min,. USA
Directed by Christopher Lopez
In the San Francisco Bay Area, “Like Water” follows André, a 19-year-old photographer, as he navigates modern life. Immersed in his passion for photography, André captures the city’s essence while also exploring dating apps. When André is ghosted, he confronts his insecurities, pushing away friends and grappling with societal expectations. A spiritual experience at the beach helps him realize that self-acceptance comes from within. Learning to let go, André discovers his power to embrace his authentic self.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

When I was 19 years old I started my self-acceptance journey and would take many beach trips with my friends but also went alone many times. That summer 2021, I was secretive about my experiences and would reflect a lot during this time alone trying to reconcile my relationship with my sexuality, identity, and God. This film started as a way for me to process what I was going through and as I became more vulnerable, I was motivated to share this story so that other young queer adults could understand that they are not alone.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I started this film around September 2021 so It took about 3 years to complete.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Honest and Freeing

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Definitely finding the story and being super honest with sharing my truth.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was super grateful that others were impacted in such special ways. I found it interesting how my story became very universal and how this story is deeper than just my experience because it is so vulnerable

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Growing up watching so many Pixar and Disney films, I knew I wanted to be part of the team of artists who made these animated movies.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I think Finding Nemo, that’s still my favorite film.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I value any in-person event opportunities to meet other creatives so that would be nice to further implement!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It has been very easy thanks to Sacred Heart Productions for handling these submissions!

10. What is your favorite meal?

I have so many but since I’m working on my second film, definitely Peruvian food since its a huge element of my second film

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes actually! I’m in the early pre-production stages of my second animated short film which I hope to release in 2025!

EYE OF JUPITER, 3min., Canada
Directed by Roger Gallant
Eye of Jupiter is a short animated film that follows a lost astronaut contemplating life while drifting in orbit above Jupiter.

http://www.projectaroid.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

There is an annual animation festival in Atlantic Canada called the Animation Festival of Halifax (AFX). I have participated in a few of their community animation projects but have never submitted anything to their main screenings. I was looking for a reason to work on an animated sci-fi project, so I decided to make this short film and use the AFX submission deadline as my target date for completion.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I started thinking about the story idea in November 2023 but didn’t begin any asset creation or animation until January 2024. It took around four weeks to animate and edit the film.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Dire acceptance.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I used different editing software and a new workflow for this short film. The workflow caused some issues with camera movements in some scenes. I had to make some adjustments from my original vision to make it work within the software constraints I faced.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was really enjoyable to hear what others thought of my short film. It is rare to get feedback from audiences when you cannot attend a festival in person. Seeing the feedback video was a great way to gain insight into whether people enjoyed the film.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve been working on small film projects for the last 15 years, focusing mainly on time-lapse videos, music videos, and some short animations. In 2023, I decided to create a couple of short films to submit to film festivals.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

For sci-fi films, it’s probably a tie between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986).

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I cannot think of anything else the festival could do to enhance the experience. I am very happy with my experience at the Fantasy/Sci-fi Film and Screenplay Festival.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

The FilmFreeway experience was great. It was easy to submit to the festival and keep track of the submission.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I don’t know if I have a favourite meal, but It’s hard to go wrong with pizza.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I’m currently finalizing a script for another sci-fi animated short film. I plan to start production in July and complete it by October.

ISLAND FOR RENT, 30min., Italy
Directed by Salvatore Cubeddu, Elio Turno Arthemalle
2095, the Sardinian national elections are held in an atmosphere of great tension. The island is now depopulated, destroyed, exploited, dismembered, and is permanently rented out to anyone who wants to use it for activities that are forbidden or unlawful in other nations.

http://www.terradepunt.it/
https://www.facebook.com/TerraDePunt

Get to know filmmaker Salvatore Cubeddu:

1. What motivated you to make this film? The current exploitation of Sardinian resources and the preservation of its territory for future generations.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? About 2 years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Scarily plausible.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Financing.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? I thought the film really got where it should be.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? When I was a child.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? The Shawshank Redemption.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? Perhaps creating more specific sections focusing on documentaries or even specific themes. Too many good movies tend to be overlooked.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Very good but chaotic at times.

10. What is your favorite meal? It’s a typical Sardinian cheese called “caz’e crabitu”.

11. What is next for you? A new film? We are about to start working on a big movie about Caravaggio.

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.

SYNTHETIC HOPE, 16min., USA
Directed by Chris Hinton
Faced with certain death a young girl unleashes a mysterious AI to help her escape.

https://www.instagram.com/synthetic_hope

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film? Listening to the first 30 seconds of Gravastar by Hybrid when I was sick. It sounds like what a robot would hear when it’s booting up. I thought to myself what scenario could I create to have this in live action. So I wrote a story that created this situation. Unfortunately I couldn’t get Hybrid to let me use the song. I was close though, they were talking to me about it. Also I want to say, recent advances in AI motivated this story as well, there are a lot of unknowns as to how this emerging technology will be used.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? About 4 months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Something New.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Building the Robot’s suit, I am a big fan of practical effects and I knew I didn’t want to CG the Robot into the film so I had to build it from scratch.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It’s hard to get honest feedback from friends and family, and sometimes even the cast and crew. Hearing totally strangers with no attachment to the project speaking so positively about my film got me very excited and motivated to do more.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? Ever since I was a kid, My friends and I would make little movies with my parents camera. This film making never stopped as I went from teen to young adult.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? That’s a hard one, probably a tie between Aliens, Terminator2, and the Original Predator.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? It would be great to have your winners film’s played on a large streaming platform like Amazon Prime or something.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? It was very easy and straightforward.

10. What is your favorite meal? Tacos

11. What is next for you? A new film? Yes!

Low Down Larry Versus the Giant Reptile, 7min., USA
Directed by Sammy Verni
In their latest adventure together, Larry and Spike set out in a time machine to be the first to bring a living dinosaur back with them to present day. They’ve already been to the Moon and back, but this time have they gone too far?

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Low Down Larry Versus the Giant Reptile is the second in a series of shorts that I have made based on a comic book character I used to draw when I was about ten years old. I see it as a love letter to that time in my life as well as an homage to sci fi b movies, classic stop motion and the Saturday morning cartoons that I grew up with.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

About three and a half years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Poor Larry.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Not working in a real studio and having to worry about consistent lighting was a major concern. You don’t want stop motion to look like time lapse. Also, some of the equipment I was using was old and slow and not very reliable. That probably made the process a bit harder than it needed to be.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I of course didn’t know what to expect at first, but as I was watching the first reviewer, I realized that she completely got it. She understood the style, the inspiration, the humor. It felt like she totally connected with it, which was great. And then the subsequent reviewers all seemed to be on the same page, so that was also a good feeling.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

There are pictures of me from when I was young with a camera in my hand, so I have always liked the idea of a creating a world that exists only within the confines of a camera lens, within the frame. My first real narrative was a short I made at around 13 with the family Super 8 camera.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Star Wars (the original).

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think so far yours is the best I have encountered in terms of promotional services available to the filmmaker. I will try and avail myself of as many of them as possible.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It has been a pretty good experience overall. No complaints really.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Alaskan King Crab Legs (with drawn butter of course).

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I do plan on making at least one more installment of the Larry saga! I have the general outline already laid out and have spoken to my team of very talented artists. We are all looking forward to bringing Larry’s next trip to life. This next one will take place underwater. But that’s about all I can say at this time!

LITTLE ISSUES, 4min., USA
Directed by Jerah Milligan
When Andy discovers mid-coitus that her new beaux has a micro-penis, she rushes to her roommates who remind her that he’s thoughtful, adventurous, and way too hot to let go of. Besides, he’s had this Little Issue his whole life: he must know how to use it!

Get to know the actor/writer Jana Miley:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make something light-hearted! There is so much pain going on in the world, and I wanted to be silly and make people laugh. That being said, I still think we can bring in a good message through these kinds of projects. “Little Issues” at it’s core is saying: just because something is *different* doesn’t mean it’s *wrong*.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I originally wrote this film in college, and filmed it with some other students for a class. No matter how many times I edited it, or had friend’s edit it, it just wasn’t what I wanted. After a few years, it was still in the back of my mind. I was at point where I was ready as an actor to make my own content, so I got some friends together and made it happen! From official start to finish, it was about 7.5 years. I definitely don’t wanna wait that long next time!

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Bite-sized fun!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Myself! This was the first project I ever produced, and I learned a LOT about what not to do. Being my own producer meant I had to set the deadlines, which are easy to push when you’re the boss.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was a nervous-excited. It was so nice to get specific and thorough feedback, which there often isn’t time for when everyone is filing out of a theater. Especially great to get feedback from people who don’t know me and aren’t there specifically to see my film!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve always been a performer, mainly an actor and a singer. I loved writing growing up, and in college I was in a program that allowed me to write for myself, which I realized I loved doing. I trained in both theatre and film, and still love both, but there’s just something about being on set, as well as the accessibility of film that has kept me focused in that area.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Probably “The Wizard of Oz.” I had the two-disc DVD growing up. It was just so magical – I was obsessed.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

My favorite part of the festival experience is meeting other filmmakers. I’ve had several instances where I’ve run into filmmakers at multiple festivals across the country. It’s so fun to make these connections and find people you get along with and would want to work with in the future! It’s a little funky with online festivals, but having more opportunities to connect with the other filmmakers, maybe from your specific category, would be awesome.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Great! I’m constantly blown away with how many festivals are happening all around the world.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Chicken tenders. You just can’t go wrong.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I’ve got a couple short films in the mix, as well as a book! Everything I’ve been writing lately happens to revolve around my journey in recovery from alcoholism – I’ve been sober for over 4 years now and am so ready to share my story!

COOKIES 4 JANE, 62min., USA
Directed by Mary Elle Alexander
Ten years in the making, “Cookies 4 Jane” recounts the final chapters of the life of a beloved matriarch, Jane, as she battles Alzheimer’s Disease. Filmed, edited, and directed by Jane’s granddaughter, Mary, this intimate documentary condenses four years of raw footage into an hour-long, heart-rending, inspirational, and delightfully educational piece.

https://vimeo.com/maryellealexander

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
a. Spending time with my grandmother had always brought me joy. She was the matriarch of our family and the glue that kept us all connected. When I began
witnessing her progression into dementia, it began to have a strong effect on my
mother, aunts, siblings, and everyone else whose life she was a part of. It was at
that moment that I realized that the battle against Alzheimer’s was not hers alone
to fight. I felt that if I could document her journey, and share it with the world, that
I might be able to give hope to others out there with similar situations. No one
should have to fight this disease alone.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?
a. I started in my senior year as a film student who wanted to document my
grandmother and how our family was dealing with the mental and physical pain
after her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia. Upon graduating, I transitioned to
become one of my grandmother’s caregivers, thus giving me the ability to film her
intimately over a period of 3 to 4 years. Unfortunately, I developed some major
health issues after she passed away, forcing me to table my efforts for the
foreseeable future.
Once my health improved, I was determined to complete my documentary. I
spent a significant amount of time researching the most up to date information on
the physical and psychological decline of Alzheimer’s patients, which eventually
lead me to changing the format and direction of my original film. In the end, the
total time from idea inception to film completion was approximately 10 years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
a. Heart Breaking

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
a. My anxiety. It was such a huge project.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?
a. Very excited and relieved. I was glad to see feedback from people who are not personally connected to my family. It reinforced my goal of the film’s power to educate; helping people understand this devastating disease and the effect that it has on family and friends.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
a. When I was around 12 years old. There was something natural about filmmaking and as I got older, I wanted people to see the world through my eyes.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
a. Shrek

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?
a. I have not had much experience in this area; therefore, I am not sure I’d be much help.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?
a. I’ve enjoyed using FilmFreeway and felt it was an easy way to apply and keep updated.

10. What is your favorite meal?
a. I really love soups, especially egg lemon soup.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
a. Yes. Later this month, I will be taking a trip to Greece to film a documentary for a nonprofit, Animal Welfare program.