DEMON, 18min., USA
Directed by Patrick Torres
https://instagram.com/illuminatingswordsman

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I’ve always been interested in the fantasy/ heroic journey genre of film and I feel like we don’t get enough of them today. The muse also seemed to dump a bunch of stories into my head without me requesting them and feel compelled to start creating all of the stories I have written so far.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Demon took about 18 months to create mostly due to a big injury on my end and crew setbacks. Nothing ever goes according to plan haha. I also had to learn and play with Unreal Engine for the temple shots which took a great amount of time as I had no prior experience with these types of programs.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Like I mentioned earlier, it was definitely the injury (I fell off a horse but it happened after shooting) and learning Unreal. If not for those 2 things I think we could have done it within 9 months.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was actually pleasantly surprised that they took a liking to it and talked about what it meant for them personally. I am very grateful for their feedback. I screened it at the River Oaks theater in Houston and invited the cast, crew, and friends to watch it premiere. My friends (mostly business/white collar/tech types) did not get it at all. They couldn’t follow the plot, so I was worried that other viewers would think the same but I guess it just wasn’t their genre.

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

About 8 years ago I started writing scripts with the intention of making them into films one day.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Man I have to say there is a tie between a few films. Ad Astra, The Revenant, and The Matrix I have seen at least 20+ times each.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
In regards to your festival, I think you guys have done a wonderful job. Everything you do makes sense and I can tell you guys are business savvy about it too. As a film maker you guys have offered me a lot to work with and consider using so hats off to you.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway is so convenient and easy to use. I can’t imagine the film festival game any other way in terms of efficiency for both parties.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A bit random but this may be the hardest question so far. I am torn between hamburgers or pizza, but I will have to choose, with hesitancy, hamburgers. May pizza forgive me.

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

A new feature film! Demon was more a proof of concept and will be made into a feature film. It will be darker, grittier, and more epic. It will also be more expensive and stressful haha.