11 BLOCKS TO GO: THE BET, 10min., USA
Directed by Nathaniel P. Claridad
Samantha, a free-spirited hapless romantic, discovers her 30-something-year-old BFF Drew, a gay high-functioning drug-addled sex addict, hosting an orgy in lieu of honoring his personal commitments.

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Get to know Actor/Writers Jack Utrata & Ashley Alexander (11 Blocks To Go: The Bet):

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Ashley: Honestly, it started out as a fun excuse to hang out and laugh and create something, but it quickly turned into a passion project. Neither of us expected it to turn into what it is. It went from sketch comedy to feature to TV series because we wanted more of our characters.

Jack: Our friendship happened quickly, and it was quality. You won’t find many lifelong friends in your 30s. That’s just by design. Usually, that happens in your 20s, when you have social opportunities from school, work, and your social life. But we connected on a soul level and connected creatively through improv and then a shared desire to create a love letter to friendship. A story that showcases the highs and lows of best friends in their 30s when they are making those long-term commitments to work, to their love life, and to family. We wanted to explore the boundaries of friendship, where is starts and where it stops. It’s not always a clear-cut answer. 11 Blocks To Go has always been a TV Series in our minds. And making this short was a jumping-off point for us to showcase our chemistry together and also see if the world we created on paper would be meaningful and interesting to others on film. This award clearly shows that this is the case, and we couldn’t be more honored to accept it.

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

Four Years from concept to final product. We started writing our pilot in February of 2020. Once the pandemic hit, we took the entire operation online. By 2021, we were touring the country with our pilot script and even picked up a few awards. It wasn’t until October 2023 that we decided we needed to show the world a little slice of what had been making waves in script form at festivals. We filmed over two days in late October 2023. Jack’s husband, Nathaniel P. Claridad, directed, and we got an amazing team together. Over the months that followed, Jack edited the film himself and then sent it off for color correction and sound design. In March of 2024, we had a locked picture and began the submission process.

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

Wild, heartfelt.

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

Jack: Time was our biggest challenge. As writers, producers, and actors, we often felt like we could do more, but that’s the nature of the creative process—always striving for perfection. Despite those internal doubts, the incredible response from our audiences proves that our instincts and hard work paid off.

Ashley: Time was definitely our biggest challenge. I felt like once we wrapped I was ready to start filming. We were so focused on producing up til the shoot that I didn’t prep enough from my character’s standpoint that I really didn’t feel grounded in my character or in my body. I thought, we wrote these characters, we’ll be fine, and we were, but I didn’t feel like I was in actor mode or ready until the director yelled cut for the last time.

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

Jack: Pure joy, with a few happy tears. Hearing the audience connect with the characters we created and relate to their struggles was incredibly validating. It reminded us exactly why we tell these stories—to create something that resonates deeply and sparks meaningful conversation.

Ashley: I was actually truly surprised that character dynamics and themes were picked up and commented on. I was also thrilled that someone said it’s “BroadCity – esque” because that is very much how I see the tones and dynamic of our show.

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

Jack – For me, I always knew I wanted to be an entertainer. It was always my “what do you want to be when you grow up” answer. But the first time I saw my Dad’s old VHS camcorder was a pivotal moment. Then, in 5th Grade, I got my own, and it was game over! I was hooked!

Ashley – 8 years old. 2nd grade I told everyone in class I’d be in movies but I made sure to let all adults know I’d be a triple threat and to remember my name. ha!

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

Jack – Honestly, this answer is pretty fabulous. I’d say it’s an even split between Frank Capra’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” and the 1st Sex and The City film.

Ashley – If I see something over and over, it’s because of comfort. I would say Burlesque, Ratatouille, and Cinderella w. Lilly James and Kate Blanchett are what I’ve seen over and over and will continue to.

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

Honestly, we love an in-person opportunity. We both live on opposite sides of the country, so it allows us not only to see one another but get to make meaningful and hopefully lasting relationships with other filmmakers. We learn so much from connecting with other artists and creators, and we’re learning the more established an event is, the more turnout, and therefore the more connections.

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

No complaints.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Jack loves beer-battered french fries dipped in Clam Chowder.

Ashley’s changes constantly but can always go for tacos or sushi.

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

Jack is currently writing a two-act play about a queer, formerly unhoused Only Fans performer whose estranged Grandmother shows up at his door after nearly 30 years of no contact to reconcile and throw him a coming-out party!

Ashley is in the middle of writing an adventure novel about soul searching in the midst of grief as well as a podcast series concept about three best friends, each leaving their partner in a Thelma and Louise style… but no one kills themselves.

RED, 24min,. USA
Directed by Corey Davis
In life, everyone is meant to share their adventures with someone special, someone they hold dear to them. Red tells the story of two friends who become lovers in a relationship that develops over the course of 12 years. Love itself is a long journey if you use it properly. Red is the story that will elevate the youth in a way to make them think about their futures and how they want to share it with someone, if they wish to do so. A lot of people today don’t last very long in relationships, especially the generation I live in today. But, Red is the story that can inspire people to love each other through the best times and the worst. It’s pretty rare these nowadays to see people last a long time, but I hope Red will inspire you follow your hearts.

https://www.facebook.com/100004541449317/posts/959713974189975/
https://twitter.com/coreydjokester

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I made Red back in 2018. I was on the verge of entering my senior year in high school. I had feelings with this girl I had known since Kindergarten. I never told her I was in love with her, so I wanted to project my feelings into my craft as a way to help me process them. I was a young kid longing for something that others had. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place; maybe I was too young to know what I wanted, but I just wanted to express the idea that I wanted someone to love and in return love me back.

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

It took me about 3-4 days to write and create this project. I am a night owl. I tend to stay up very late to work on projects, so sticking with a nightly schedule definitely helped me finish the project more smoothly and efficiently in a reasonable manner.

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

In two words, I would describe this film as colorful and vivacious.

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

The biggest obstacle I faced when completing this film was making the animation believable. I worked on an app that had animated presets that you could use for characters. The animation itself was kind of still in the beginning, so me, who is not at all an animator, had to make something out of the presets that were given to tell a story from it. Every movement the characters make, every piece of clothing they wear, every score placed in scenes. All aspects were all done meticulously in a timely fashion.

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

I got goosebumps seeing the audience give their feedback on my film in the video. I never h had an actual audience give their critique on my films before, so to see that come into fruition was a very humbling and incredible experience. I appreciated their honesty in how they viewed this film as that only told me what worked and what I could improve on as a storyteller. I have asked some of my peers in the past to critique my older works, but it went nowhere, so to see a group of strangers take the time out to watch my film was a very awesome experience to witness.

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

Ever since I was six years old, I always knew I wanted to make films. I always knew that I wanted to use film as an outlet for me to channel my emotions and commentaries on the world in ways I could not do so in real life. I had a very imaginative mind growing up as I would always envision myself portraying these imaginary characters in my head. From that point on, I knew then and there that being in the creative field was my true calling.

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

Out of all the films I have watched in my entire lifespan, the film I have seen the most was Rocky (1976). That film is very inspirational and heartfelt as it has encouraged me to “go the distance” in life and keep pushing forward.

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

To enhance the festival experience, I would say for all the films that have participated in this festival, the best way to enhance the experience would be to share those films on social media to help get the traction they need to boost the experience. It would also be a great networking experience for fellow filmmakers involved.

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

My festival experience on the platform site has been very positive as I was able to locate my film and read about others. It has allowed for me to follow other people and follow up on their films. I definitely did not feel disappointed.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I like some good old-fashioned southern soul food (ribs, chicken, baked beans, etc.).

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

I am planning on making a feature film about a young man trying to escape the metaverse after wearing a dangerous VR headset that transports his mind into the game. I hope to release this sometime next year.