P IS FOR PENIS, 9min., UK
Directed by Joe McGowan
An overdue catch up down the pub between two old friends is thrown into chaos by the inclusion of a terrifying third wheel with an embarrassing secret.

http://www.thejoemcgowan.co.uk/
https://instagram.com/joe_mcgowan88

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make a film that focused on an escalating absurd premise. I love a good sitcom that is led by strong, memorable characters who find themselves in a bit of a pickle. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is by far my favourite show for this. The way the characters talk and treat each other always cracks me up and the levels of escalating circumstances in that show are second to none. I approached this film like I was writing a scene from a sitcom, as ultimately that’s what I would love to do in the future.

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

Four months. I started writing the script in December 2023 and the final edit was done and dusted in the first week of April 2024.

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

Absurd oversharing.

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

Two things. The first is budget, as most filmmakers would agree. I was adamant about paying my cast and crew a fair fee and I hired the pub for an eight hour window. Everything adds up before the cameras have begun rolling. The second thing was getting everything filmed in time. I quickly learned that twelve pages of dialogue in eight hours is quite an ambitious task. We had to streamline the filming approach fairly quickly into the shoot. The dramatic lighting and slider shots got scrapped and it’s a much simpler film than I originally planned, but I feel the script is strong enough to carry the film without the extra bells and whistles, so it all worked out fine in the end.

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

I felt like I had achieved what I was going for. The script got a lot of praise, which felt great as I spent most of my time writing and tweaking it for about two months. The fact that people are responding so well to it and finding it overall funny and enjoyable is so lovely to hear.

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

When I was sixteen, I started a Media course at sixth form college as it was completely different from anything I did at high school. I quickly picked up on how to film things well and edit them together and I fell in love with the whole filmmaking process. That’s when I knew this was what I wanted to do.

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

Back to the Future.

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’ve been to quite a few festivals over the last year for this and other films I’ve made. The main piece of feedback I give is to make it obvious who the filmmakers are. I want to network with filmmakers who made things I enjoy and vice versa. Having the filmmaker introduce their films, having the festival organizers point them at screening, tag the filmmakers on social media when posting about their work. We’ve put a lot of effort into our films and getting the chance to meet likeminded creatives is essential for our growth.

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

It’s been great. Super simple and easy to use.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Ramen.

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

I’ve started writing a new comedy short called ‘Orc Talk’ that’s set in a Fantasy world, which I’m excited about. I have a few other short ideas I’m still playing around with and plan to start writing a sitcom pilot this year.