THE SHEPHERD, 14min., USA
Directed by Arie Forma
Struggling with the news of his son’s interfaith engagement, a religious father seeks solace in his estranged brother.

https://www.arieforma.com/the-shepherd
https://www.instagram.com/rosecolored.pictures/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I was motivated to bring The Shepherd to life for a few reasons. The first is that the topic of interfaith marriages is very prevalent in my life. I was confused by the negative reactions to my sister dating a non-Jew. Upon further research, I saw that this issue extended beyond other religions and that there were stories where families could take these reactions a step too far (HINT HINT).”

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

This took me around 13 months to make. I wrote the first few drafts in March 2023. There were a bunch of negative reactions to the topic that made me want to put a pin in it for a few months, mainly out of fear, (more information on question 4). But by August 2023, The Shepherd had forced its way back, needing to be birthed. We filmed for four days, from the 19th to the 23rd of October. Postproduction then took around six and a half months to get right. A labor of love!”

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

REAL LIFE.

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

Casting was a significant challenge I faced. I needed to ensure everyone I hired was perfect to represent a film with such a heavy subject. I am incredibly grateful for my wonderful cast and love them all dearly, but finding them was not easy.

A month before production, I was still missing crucial roles: a lead actress, a supporting actor, and a supporting actress. Thankfully, my supporting actor, Danny Narvaez, suggested reaching out to our mutual friend, Komal Patel, an unbelievably powerful actress. We had wanted to work together since my first film, and I’m thankful she was interested in this project. I hired her on the spot, and I am immensely grateful she said yes.

Three weeks before production, I still didn’t have anyone for the supporting role of Aaron Cohen. During a search on a casting database, I stumbled upon Michael Brodsky’s profile. Due to some travel, he had to do Zoom auditions with the lead actor, Allan Whitehead, and myself. Right away, I knew he was not only a great guy but also a fantastic actor. Time was running short, and I still hadn’t seen them together in person. I took a risk by hiring him before their first and only in-person rehearsal. The worst-case scenario was bad chemistry in person, but I had nothing to fear. A day before production, Mike and Allan met and became onscreen brothers.

Then there was Lexy Monty. I had rewritten a scene to add the character of Jaymie Cohen, thanks to my friend Corey Hicks’ suggestion. The problem was, nobody wanted to play a role with only two lines. I was about to scrap the part until Mike Brodsky texted me, asking if I still needed someone. He sent over his friend Lexy’s profile along with her contact info. On the day of production, as my crew was loading gear into the U-Haul, I snuck into an editing suite for my first meeting with Lexy on Zoom. Right away, I knew she was exactly what I needed. She brought the softness and innocence on screen that was missing.

I also faced negative reactions to the topic of interfaith marriages and disownment. My mentors and teachers assured me that this was mainly due to different lifestyles and the generational gap, with peers reacting based on their personal experiences rather than the quality of the work. The advice from my biggest mentor was, “The fact you got a reaction says you’re doing something right.” So, I owe Rich and Tim a huge thank you.

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

My heart swooned more than I could have imagined. This was my favorite part of the festival. After submitting my last film, *Through Rose Colored Lenses* (Winner of Best Cinematography, June 2023), the reaction video was truly special. With this work being a massive step up, I am truly blessed by all the wonderful comments, as well as the award for Best Relationship Short!

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

It’s strange, but I can’t pinpoint a single moment when everything clicked for me. It all sort of meshed together leading me to where I am now.

I’ve always loved telling stories. It’s in my blood; my uncle, Steve Alten, author of the MEG series, is a New York Times Best Seller. My love for Breaking Bad and classic films also pushed me in this direction. The first significant moment I remember is when I was sharing the stories of my first heartbreak with a friend, and he said, “You should make that into a film!” Five years later that film won Best Cinematography. It’s crazy how the universe works.

Before making films, I tried my hand at writing. I wanted to write a book about the stories of my first heartbreak, titled SHEEPHERDER. When I got into the University of Central Florida for film, I needed to apply for the BFA track, where I’d get to make films in the program. I decided to convert SHEEPHERDER into a script, which I renamed The Shepherd. That film was eventually renamed Through Rose Colored Lenses, and The Shepherd evolved into its current form.

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

Ahh, the hardest question! I think it would have to be Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. If I can give a top five, it would be Indiana Jones 3, Rush Hour 2, Walk the Line, Spider-Man 2, and Her.

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’d say if we got the chance to hold an in-person festival, it would make it easier to network and meet other filmmakers. Networking online is much more difficult than meeting in person.

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

I love FilmFreeway. It’s a great website that I am happy to use for my film’s festival run. My only gripe would be for this festival to update the status more frequently if we win awards, so we can keep all of our festival recognitions together.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is steak tacos with a side of salsa verde from my favorite restaurant, Señor Burrito.

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

I have a few things on the horizon. The first is converting The Shepherd into a feature. I love the characters and the story, and I want to challenge myself by making this into a feature I can sell or hopefully direct. I also plan to begin another film that covers cellphone addiction and how technology takes away human connection.

SALT IN THEIR VEINS, 16min,. Australia
Directed by Rita Hencke
East Indonesia. Communities of sea people live a life that ties them closely to the marine environment. They are known as Bajo, descendants of former sea nomads who were once roaming the ocean to fish and trade.

https://www.ritahencke.com/film

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The inspiration for “Salt in their Veins” came from my passion for freediving. I was captivated by the extraordinary diving and spearfishing skills of the Bajo sea people. During my visit to one of their remote communities in Indonesia a few years ago, I saw how their lives are being transformed by modern influences. This experience motivated me to capture the contrast between their traditional and modern fishing practices.

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

The film “Salt in their Veins” was my final year university project, and the entire process, from research to the final edit, took roughly 1.5 years.

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

Heartfelt & Thoughtful

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

The filming location was quite the character – remote, with limited resources and a huge language barrier. Juggling to find the right tone to tell the Bajos’ story proved to be a delicate balancing act throughout the filming process.

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

It was very interesting to see everyone’s reactions and hear their initial thoughts and feedback. It was also nice to see that my film sparked thoughtful debate and discussion.

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

I discovered my passion for documentary filmmaking while pursuing my photography degree, and from that point on I decided to focus on the moving image.

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

A tough question! My answer would be “Amélie”. A recent documentary I really enjoyed is “Ghost Fleet”.

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 was actually really happy with the experience and appreciate the support in guiding emerging filmmakers into the industry.

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

I really liked it! It’s been very user-friendly and effective in keeping everything organized.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Vietnamese rice paper rolls filled with veggies and tofu. I could eat them every day!

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

I’m looking to grow as a filmmaker, focusing on new projects, and lots of freediving!

THE CALLIGRAPHY LESSON, 9min., USA
Directed by Ashley Chin Chin IP
The delicate strokes of Chinese calligraphy characters—traditional symbols of wisdom—help the children understand complex modern issues.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I was motivated to make “The Calligraphy Lesson” by my desire to show the definition of freedom to me and to encourage women who struggle in a new country and overcome it eventually, to let them know that we all take time to accept love.

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

About 8 months.

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

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

The biggest obstacle I faced was balancing the authenticity of traditional calligraphy with the modern themes of the story while making it simple enough for an American audience to understand and feel the authenticity at the same time. It’s like going to an authentic Cantonese restaurant—there’s obviously no orange chicken, but I’m not serving chicken feet either.

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

I feel grateful, thanks to FEEDBACKFFF!

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

Since 14, I really wanna bring my vision to real life.

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

Just like many people, I have been repeatedly watching easy films like ‘Begin Again’ and ‘Chungking Express’ every now and then.

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 got to know some great people.

9. What is your favorite meal?

I really like sushi and hochicha

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

I am now focusing on “Common Grounds,” a documentary that explores the lives of Ukrainian women in New York City. We’re currently casting the runners who will be featured in the film.

ROLL UP FOR EQUITY, 31min., USA
Directed by JM Balbuena
“Roll Up for Equity” is a short documentary that exposes San Diego’s struggle for social equity within its regulated cannabis industry, highlighting passionate local advocates pushing for accountability and change in America’s Finest City.

https://jmbalbuena.com/multimedia/
https://www.instagram.com/_jmbalbuena/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
My motivation for this project arose from a deep-seated belief in the power of storytelling to ignite change, foster understanding, and bridge divides. As a filmmaker, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of film, and I’m compelled to leverage this medium to spotlight the critical issue of social equity in the cannabis sector—a realm where disparities and barriers persistently shadow the promise of progress and inclusivity.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The Roll Up for Equity advocacy campaign started in 2021 when a group of activists from San Diego’s chapter of Americans For Safe Access got together with a mission to hold our government officials accountable for implementing social equity within its legal cannabis industry and to allow underserved communities safe access to legal cannabis. I started documenting our meetings and our advocacy work in the community and it dawned on me that more people should be aware of the uphill battle we were facing. In short, the project took approximately 3 years, but the mission is still ongoing as the city of San Diego continues to deny implementing a social equity program within their legal cannabis framework.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I think the main obstacle is that our battle to right the wrongs of the war on drugs and cannabis prohibition is still ongoing. Therefore, choosing when to find an appropriate timeframe, and compile enough footage to tell a story that is still ongoing was a bigger challenge than I imagined.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I honestly teared up. We have had a couple of screenings, and it has been mostly attended by people in my community or people in the cannabis industry who are familiar with the issues the documentary covers. Seeing complete strangers, who have never been exposed to the ongoing issues of cannabis, getting the message, and seeing the value and the effort that was poured into the film, it takes things to a whole different level.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I’ve known I wanted to make films since I was a kid. I have always been infatuated with cameras and capturing every moment. But it wasn’t until about 2017 that I decided to follow my passion and dive deeply into becoming a filmmaker.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I have seen many, but one that I never get tired of watching is Forrest Gump.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Roll Up For Equity is the first film I have ever submitted to any film festival. I think the experience has been amazing so far. I have learned so much and I am super thankful for the feedback and the ease of the process.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
The site makes it very easy and convenient to submit the project and receive feedback. I am very happy with the experience thus far.

10. What is your favorite meal?
I love a fresh Thai basil plate with shrimp 

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I have a few things cooking. Currently I am promoting the Roll Up For Equity documentary and my new book, Green Renaissance: Unveiling the Historical Influence of Cannabis in Wellness, Lifestyle, and Culture Worldwide. I am currently planning a promotional tour to bring awareness to both projects.

DAISY, 11min., Australia
Directed by Alyssa Scott
“Daisy,” inspired by the real-life tale of our writer’s great-grandparents in 1930s Australia, unfolds the courageous journey of a young woman who defies societal expectations and risks losing everything as she embarks on a forbidden love affair, challenging the boundaries of family, faith, and the pursuit of true happiness.

https://www.instagram.com/daisyproductionsau/

Get to know Writer/Producer/Star Cassidy Krygger:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
The film is inspired by the true story of my great grandparents, a tale that has always haunted me. I was particularly moved by the tragic fate of my great grandmother Daisy and the way she was mistreated by her own family. She passed away at the young age of 23 from pneumonia in 1931. Bringing her story to the screen feels like an opportunity to extend her legacy and allow her to live on, if only for a little longer.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I first had the idea for this film during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, and we began filming in November 2024, completing the project in just over four years.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Fortunately, we didn’t encounter many obstacles, though the most significant one arose when we were scheduled to film in July last year. Just before shooting was set to begin (literally only a few days!), I was hospitalized with pneumonia, so we needed quite a delay until I was fully recovered.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
My hope is that people always grasp the story I aimed to tell, so receiving such wonderful and positive feedback from those who understood it was so lovely and really humbling.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
When I was six years old, I watched Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge! for the first time. At that age, I didn’t quite grasp the storyline, but I instantly fell in love with the emotional power of cinema. Over time, my passion for Old Hollywood grew, captivated by the escapism and magic that film offers. It’s truly an honor for me to now create films myself.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Moulin Rouge! and the 1939 adaptation of Wuthering Heights, directed by William Wyler.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
So far everything I have experienced has been really wonderful. I can’t really think of anything to make it better.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I love FilmFreeway! It’s so easy to use and leads to some great Film Festival selections.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Pad Thai! I’m getting really good at cooking it, too (well, I think so anyway!)

11. What is next for you? A new film?
We are currently in the early development of the feature film adaptation of Daisy, which keeps me busy with lots of writing. I also have several short films set in the 1930s in early stages of development—clearly, my fondness for this era is strong!

FIRST GRADE HEADACHE, 13min., Canada
Directed by Jajube Mandiela
A burnt out first-grade teacher finds herself in a night from hell when a group of vindictive parents break into her home.

Get to know writer/producer/star Jacqueline Godbout & director Jajube Mandiela

What motivated you to make this film?

Jacqueline (writer): I was wanting to make a horror film next, but it seems whenever I start writing anything remotely dark, it always becomes a dark comedy. I’m leaning into it now. Growing up, my mom was a teacher and I also work part time as a music teacher so there were likely some thoughts from that world floating around in my brain when daydreaming ideas. One day, I was just doing my favourite activity of playing around with loglines (no joke) when I came up with the logline of First Grade Headache. Right away, it was very clear to me that I wanted… needed to make this film now.

Jajube (director): It’s quirky, absurd and yet plausible. Looked like a fun script to film, I could relate to it, and genuinely laughed upon first reading it. How to direct it was very clear in my mind, and for a while Jacqueline (writer) and I had been regularly meeting to see how to collaborate on another project together.

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

Jacqueline (writer): About 10 months. Writing, pre-production, and production all went smoothly and rather quickly for a no/low budget film. What took the longest was post-production but we pulled through and I’m very happy with how our film turned out.

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

Jajube (director): Absurdly plausible.

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

Jajube (director): Securing the locations to film at. We kept having locations fall through, not be available on the dates we needed, or have loud activities happening beside them. We even considered jumbling the schedule to make it into an odd night shoot or have the whole crew drive over an hour outside of the city to film at the home of my (the director’s) relative. Amidst this, the bathtub scene kept getting rewritten for different types of bathrooms. Our final locations included a home with a full bathtub so we ironically went back to filming a very early version of the bathtub scene.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Jajube (director): Delight! So glad they laughed, were entertained, and that they found the social critique was accurate, current, can spark more conversations, and wasn’t “preachy”. The audience got exactly what we were aiming for!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make films when I had a not-so-great experience on set with a filmmaker as a young actress, and after that, I decided that I likely could write, produce, and direct better than they could and maintain a fun, respectful, creative vibe on set and it’s been a wonderful journey ever since. I am so excited about my stories and I am eager to continue collaborating with amazing artists to bring these stories to life.

Jajube (director): In 2010 when I started to have dreams of film ideas. At first I started writing down ideas based on my dreams and friends’ interesting stories, then I realized that like with theatre, I was more interested in directing.

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

Jajube (director): Bring It On!

Jacqueline (writer): Little Miss Sunshine

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

Jacqueline (writer):

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

Jacqueline (writer): I have used FilmFreeway before for submitting past films and it is always a very smooth, enjoyable experience. Will absolutely continue using the platform for all my future films as well.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Jacqueline (writer): I love a bimbimbap and I also love my partner’s amazing cooking.

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

Jacqueline (writer): Yes! I am in pre-production with my next short film called Sugar. It is my first drama but with my usual quirky awkward touch. I will be writing, acting and co-producing this one as well. I am also writing my first feature: a horror comedy. Wish me luck and follow the journey on IG: ajfilms.ca

WOLF CULTURE, 6min,. Canada
Directed by Darik Maurice
A man discovers he has the ability to turn people into an exact replica of himself using a very strange method.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to watch something that I would enjoy, as I’m not really interested in a lot of the sketch comedy being made these days.

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

3 days

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

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

People

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

I was happy that people enjoyed it.

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

When I stopped getting cast as an actor

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

Monty Python and the Holy Grail/ Johnny Dangerously

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 don’t know. I guess just make sure you get the names correct when talking about the film…

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

It’s been ok but they don’t seem to like mentioning that my film is mine.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Milk Steak

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

I have a new short film in the works.

SCANDINAVIA – INTO THE LIGHT, 50min., Germany
Directed by Mi-Yong Brehm, Verena Feige
Winter in Scandinavia is characterised by the polar night: months in which the sun is barely visible. The documentary shows how people, animals and plants adapt to these extreme conditions, because a lack of light affects all organisms. It is a journey through the north of Scandinavia, starting in absolute darkness on 21st of December and ending with the arrival of the midnight sun in early summer.

Get to know the filmmaker Mi-Yong Brehm:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

We wanted to combine science and wildlife documentary elements with interesting human protagonists, a high visual standard, a strong narration and beautiful music, to show the audience the beauty and obstacles living in northern Scandinavia, between light and darkness.

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

IT took us around 2,5 years

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

Light and Life

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

As every filmmaker: time and money…

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

Me personally I was very touched. Working mainly for television means, you don`t get often the reaction of the audience. It was great to hear, that they really saw the work everyone of our team out into it. This made me proud.

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

Childhood trauma 😉

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

Documentaries, Thrillers and Romcoms

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

Feedback and networking are both the most valuable experiences, in my opinion.

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

We work with Film Freeway since years – it`s a very comfortable and easy way to apply for festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Korean Food.

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

Definitely!

THE WRITER’S EXTRAORDINARY ACTION, 24min., China
Directed by Chao Hao
It describes the story of some writers who are bound to each other in their “writing worlds” and fighting against each other to break free from the control of fate.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

It was January 2024. I took the initiative to ask my screenwriter friend Bian Jun for a short film story. At that time, I thought that the cost and resources of shooting this story were very small, so I found a few friends to shoot it together. They were all very interested in this story, so we decided to work together to complete it.

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

Since this story was written by a friend a long time ago and has never been published. And I thought this story was very interesting. So I started working on it after a month of preparation and the filming took three days.

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

Special and New.

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

The biggest obstacle was that all the actors were amateurs, except for me and the photographer, who were both university teachers. The two policemen were acting for the first time, but they all completed the work smoothly. In addition, the actual shooting took three days, but the post-production took three months on and off.

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

I was very excited. I felt like they were close friends. I felt like the audience understood this short film better than I did. Their feedback was great!

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

As I get older, haha, just kidding, the main passion I have always been for creation is because I am an animation director and I hope I can have more room for artistic expression and possibilities.

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

《The Lord of the Rings 》, I like fantasy movies.

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 best if there is also an opportunity for annual awards.

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

Great!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Beijing Noodles with Soy Sauce

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

Yes, I hope to make a science fiction film, and I also hope to continue to receive support and encouragement from film festivals.

THE STAR, 3min., UK
Directed by Alex Brady
The light of a distant star brings revelations to the Earth from the depths of space.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

One component is people close to me getting cancer. Another is my Catholic background (I’m agnostic now) but which shaped a lot of my early imaginative life, particularly a sense of cosmic horror and dread. And my love of pulp science fiction, which combined some whizzbang scifi fun but also have a core concept that fires the imagination and leaves an impression long after reading. That was the case with The Star: I consumed Arther C Clark as a kid and remember that story as going particularly hard. It’s a bit dated now and of course, I thinj it was written in the 50s, the Catholic religious iconography doesnt necessarily have the same punch to me as it did as a kid, warching Evangelion and The Exorcist, but I wanted to translate some of its creepy cosmic mystery to the screen. The viewer can be the judge of whether I succeeded!

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

The first half, ending as the camera zooms into the angry red eyespot from above, made a long time earlier than the second.. it was almost a way of dealing with uncertainty in my life, like a nightmare of worry and dread. Then later I saw how I could use that first part and build a second half, beginning from the vertical panning shot down to the blue braided ringworld orbiting the wounded star, and use it to tell the story of The Star in a succinct visual way.

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

Spooky Christmas

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

Time, I have a young baby so only have time to work when she sleeps, and most of that time is spent on my “day job” working as a freelance industrial designer for paying clients

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

I was so shocked thrilled and overjoyed. I wish I could thank the kind commenters personally, it was such a joy to have my work analysed by such thoughtful people. I take their feedback very seriously and also their kind words.

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

Something about the way images and music and words can merge and carry eachother along into something more than the sum of their parts is so powerful to me. I’ve always loved movies and can’t remember a time I didn’t dream of making them.

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

Probably ‘Aliens’ ‘Predator’ or ‘Starship Troopers’

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 your audience feedback videos are great and I don’t really have many ideas for improvements over them.

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

Very good, simple well designed site that seems to work well. I bought a front page featured slot for $20 and as a result got lots of offers to submit to festivals at a reduced rate which was very helpful.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Korean barbecue

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

I always have so many ideas in a big list, when I have the time I will attend to each item: I have some other short films I’ve made that need a little polish and which then might be worth promoting and submitting to festivals and then from there I will begin on new ideas.