$13, 8min., USA
Directed by Melissa Skirboll
When a long-time New Yorker introduces her niece to her beloved city, a doughnut and a waterfront view ignite memories of her greatest, but luckiest, loss.

https://www.instagram.com/melissadirectherfilm/

Get to know writer Penny B. Jackson:

What motivated you to make this film?

This film began as a monologue I wrote shortly after 9/11. I live in Manhattan, and I remember every hour of that day. In the aftermath, I kept hearing stories of people who narrowly missed being on the planes. One story stayed with me in particular: a woman who missed her flight because she received the wrong change at a Dunkin’ Donuts. The randomness of survival fascinated and haunted me, and it became the seed for the monologue that eventually became this film.

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

The project had a long gestation period. I originally wrote the monologue shortly after 9/11, but I didn’t return to it until the Covid pandemic, when I was looking for something creative to work on. I shared the piece with my writing collaborator and with my favorite director, Melissa Skirboll.

Melissa first filmed it as a monologue, but it didn’t quite feel right. We let it sit for a few years. Then last year Melissa suggested opening up the piece and turning it into a short film. She helped transform the monologue into a two-person screenplay and found the perfect location by the water in Brooklyn.

I always imagined Melissa in the lead role, and Meghan Martin—our line producer—became the young woman. I had already collaborated with Louis on music, and I knew Bryan Hamilton, our cinematographer. Tracy Boak joined us as a producer, and we assembled a wonderful team. Amazingly, we shot the entire film in one day—on a day when the temperature was over 100 degrees.

How would you describe your film in two words?

Haunting chance.

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

Time and heat. We had only one day to shoot the entire film, and it happened to be one of the hottest days of the summer—over 100 degrees. Everyone had to work quickly and stay focused despite the conditions. The fact that the team pulled it off in a single day still amazes me.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talk about your film in the feedback video?

I was deeply moved. When you make something so personal, you never know how audiences will interpret it. Hearing viewers discuss the themes of chance, survival, and memory—and seeing how the story resonated with them—was incredibly gratifying.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I came to filmmaking through writing and theater. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, particularly stories that explore the emotional aftermath of historical moments. When I saw how a written monologue could evolve into a visual story with actors, music, and imagery, I realized how powerful film could be as a medium.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

Casablanca. I never tire of its writing, performances, and emotional precision.

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

One of the most valuable aspects of festivals is the opportunity for meaningful conversations—both with audiences and with other filmmakers. Anything that encourages discussion, networking, and collaboration is incredibly helpful. Festivals that create spaces for filmmakers to meet each other, exchange ideas, and build relationships truly help sustain a creative career.