ALIENATED, 12min., USA Directed by Tamara Hernandez Alienated is a dark sci-fi coming-of-age story about a troubled teenage girl who discovers a strange, greenish-blue growth on her shoulder at a high school party. What begins as an embarrassing secret soon unravels into a terrifying revelation: she is an alien hybrid, the product of a covert extraterrestrial breeding program. As her powers awaken, she is forced to confront not only her fractured sense of identity but the chilling reason she’s always felt like she didn’t belong.
The thing that motivated me to make this film was a crazy dream I had that I couldn’t shake. It haunted me so much that it took me down a rabbit hole that ended up changing my whole life.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From the time I wrote the script to post production took about a year. Although I had the actual idea decades earlier.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
The two words to describe “Alienated” are ernie and precinct.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle was shooting on the boat out in the ocean because the waves were rocking the boat so much that it was difficult to stand and balance the camera. Plus a lot of the crew became sea sick and we had to stop shooting so people could throw up.
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Production is my favorite stage of the filmmaking process. Shooting is always exciting to me.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I was asked by a producer I was writing a script for to direct a short film because he thought I would make a good director. It was never something I had thought of doing, but after the very first shot it felt like I had put a glove on my hand
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life? Cabaret directed by Bob Fosse starring Liza Minelli. I love musicals and the choreography, music and story are great. I loved both Liza and Joel Grey’s performance.
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
In a perfect world I would like to work with Isabelle Huppert and/or Laura Dean, or both in the same movie!
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I like how easy it is to navigate FilmFreeway.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Chia seed pudding with blueberries.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am working on a new story that takes place in Vietnam.
TRIGGER, 33min., Greece Directed by Haris Gioulatos If you were told there was an organization that could change your life forever, would you go through with the switch. And if so, would you pull the Trigger?
The inspiration came from the anti-war painting by Anastasia Antonova, which was presented at the anti-war festival in Athens in 2023. It is also the painting that appears in the first chapter. The hand holding the heart grenade. The rest of the film is simply a necessity in order to express situations experienced by peoples.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
2 years
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Ultimate Teamwork
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle was definitely the budget. It is difficult to make a largely independent film in Greece.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It created a beautiful smile on my face—especially when people from different cultures understood what I wanted to say. Perhaps this means that I spoke about something that touches everyone on the planet.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Hmmm, probably when I watched for the first time, Jurassic Park (1993) I was 7 years old!
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Difficult question. I think ”The good, the bad and the ugly” by Sergio Leone.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
The truth is that I would say the following: it would be good if major festivals—not only those that support independent films—looked at filmmakers’ work impartially. They should give opportunities to films as cinephiles, not as a lobby doing favors for producers.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
The platform is very easy to promote and send your film to the festival. I think is the best so far!
10. What is your favorite meal?
Lamb chops by far!
11. What is next for you? A new film?
My dream is to one day manage to make my first feature-length film. I have plans for Trigger, as well as plans for other scripts I have written. I hope I will succeed someday!
1. What motivated you to make this film? – A good friend of mine, the producer of the Song and Video, reached out. We’re both used to work within certain limitations and out of those limitations the concept grew. As always, some subsconscious part emerged itself and the story grew to where it is now in the video. I love filming, so the only motivation I needed was a friend asking me to come up with a concept and film something.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? About 2-5 days including preparation and cutting, excluding the work on the song itself.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Dark, Folklore
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Time constraint, by far. We filmed this within a day. But we also had other funny obstacles, for example the opening shot is trickier than it looks, and only possible with a guy and a broom who shakes a box we taped to the ceiling!
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? I think it’s amazing to see and hear the reactions of others to something you’ve made yourself. I am extremly grateful, that we were able to envoke emotions in others.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? I was talking about it already in kindergarden, that I’d like to become an actor who lives on a airplaine carrier ship, where the whole deck is a meadow and horses run around. Well, that sadly didn’t happen! I then took a big detour in other parts of professional work and eventually joined a film school at 30 years old.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life? Must be bladerunner 2049, for the stunning cinematography of roger deakins and insane world building of villeneuve, or the lighthouse by robert eggers, again with stunning cinematography by jarin blaschke.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? The biggest hurdle as movie makers is probably to get to know producers who you can pitch to.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? I do enjoy FilmFreeway and have used it for multiple projects and will continue to use it. It’s easy to figure out, customer support is good, nothing to complain about.
10. What is your favorite meal? TTeokkpeokki or anything else with Gojuchang!
11. What is next for you? A new film? Currently writing a feature movie, and until that is finished I will also make a short movie this year.
Lines of Determination | The David Wagner Story, 25min., USA Directed by Alex de Montbel David Wagner grew up as a natural athlete, always in motion, playing basketball, surfing, and chasing a dream of becoming a professional player. At 21, a day of surfing in Redondo Beach changed everything when a wave drove his head into the ocean floor, breaking his neck at the C5–C6 level and leaving him paralyzed. In the hospital, as doctors spoke of “permanent” chairs and “permanent” changes, David confronted the loss of his old life with the support of a fiercely loving family that refused to let him give up.
I was motivated to make Lines of Determination because as a friend of David Wagner, and a tennis player myself, I knew the importance of shedding light on his story and the sport of wheelchair tennis. It’s a sport that often gets overlooked, as many adaptive sports do; and I wanted to make something that would either inspire athletes looking to get into wheelchair tennis, or give more awareness to the wheelchair tennis community. Working with Your Everyday Heroes gave me the resources and foundation to tell David’s story.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took about 9 months from initial idea to finished product on this film.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Relentless resilience.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle I faced making this film was figuring out logistics to capture David at a tournament. While I knew I wanted to include photos from his past, I also wanted to feature as much footage of him playing currently. In 2025 while I was making the film, he was set to play the US Open in New York, which would be logistically easy for me to get to being on the East Coast. However, we ran into setbacks trying to obtain media rights for any footage I could get, so we opted to not include the US Open in our film schedule. Instead, this meant flying out to San Diego to get David on his home courts, and follow him to a tournament at Indian Wells in Palm Springs, California. The resulting footage did not disappoint!
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Watching the audience feedback made me feel grateful to those who took the time to really embrace the film and it’s purpose. Everything felt really personal and I appreciated hearing such positive feedback!
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I’ve always been someone who liked to tell stories and I’ve always loved being creative; from problem solving to filmmaking. This career path of mine has let me enjoy telling stories and be creative at the same. I’m also always finding ways to make the prettiest images through the camera, and filmmaking let’s me do that too!
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
The film I’ve seen the most throughout my life would probably be Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
No real requests here, just keep making filmmakers feel welcome, sharing our work with audiences, and we love our networking opportunities!
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent
10. What is your favorite meal?
As an athlete and tennis player I should probably say something healthy like chicken and vegetables (which I actually do enjoy), but my favorite meal is always thin crust pizza. Preferably made at home from scratch.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
There will definitely be a new film from me in the near future. As of now, I am still working on getting ideas together, but in the mean time I will continue to work in my main field of work as a cinematographer/editor for TV commercials and social media advertising.
BEST KEPT SECRET, 12min., USA Directed by Sarah Vansandt Mattress shopping turns into a nightmare for a couple who find themselves trapped in a furniture store after hours, confronting the store’s dark secret.
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
My husband and I first came up with the idea for Best Kept Secret while we were in the middle of buying a mattress, though the original concept looked a bit different from what the film ultimately became. I’ve always had a desire to direct and produce, and after spending years in front of the camera on various productions, I felt ready to step behind it. Taking that leap into directing was both exciting and incredibly rewarding, and I’m so glad I did.
2. From idea to finished product, how long did it take?
From the initial idea to the final cut, the film took about eight months to complete.
3. How would you describe your film in two words?
Twisted adventure.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced?
The biggest challenge was filming in the peak of summer heat. We had to turn off the air conditioning during takes because it interfered with the audio, which meant relying on large fans between shots to cool down. It was definitely uncomfortable and we were all sweating, but the cast and crew stayed positive and committed throughout, which made all the difference.
5. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
I really enjoy both development and production, but if I had to choose, development is my favorite. There’s something exciting about shaping the story, visualizing scenes, exploring possibilities, and refining the script until it feels just right.
6. When did you realize you wanted to make films?
I’ve always loved movies and had an interest in acting, but it wasn’t until I took an Intro to Screenwriting class in college that everything clicked. That’s when I realized I didn’t just want to be part of films, I wanted to create them.
7. What film have you seen the most times?
Probably The Family Man with Nicolas Cage. It’s a tradition in my family to watch it every year. I love the story, the performances, and the nostalgia it brings. It’s tied to a lot of great memories.
8. In a perfect world, who would you collaborate with?
I think it would be incredible to work with Bradley Cooper. He has successfully transitioned between acting, directing, and producing, and I would love the opportunity to learn from his process, both in performance and in how he approaches storytelling behind the camera.
9. How has your experience been using FilmFreeway?
It’s been great, smooth, straightforward, and easy to use. I haven’t had any issues.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Grilled salmon with roasted vegetables, simple, healthy, and delicious.
11. What’s next for you?
My assistant director and writer on Best Kept Secret, Jamison Braly, and I are currently developing a feature film together. The project is based on a script I originally wrote in that same Intro to Screenwriting class, and we’re using it as the foundation for something much bigger. It’s definitely ambitious, but I’m really excited about where it’s headed.
Laurel Moon, 20min., USA Directed by Sarah Sherman After sharing a walk home with an unexpected companion, a grieving mother leaves all she has left so she can finally live.
1. What motivated you to make this film? I had read several scripts for westerns being made and found myself thinking of characters not seen or mentioned or felt. In all of the violence, something was missing. I began writing and realized I had to know, “Who are the characters’ mothers?”
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Two years
3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Walking away
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Never take a role in a film for which you are the producer.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It felt unbelievable that people watched Laurel Moon with the intention of appreciating the story and the filmmaking. I wasn’t prepared to switch to the audience view from the filmmaker view. It was very vulnerable and exciting.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? I’ve wanted to make films for as long as I can remember.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life? I rarely watch films more than once. Life is short, and there are so many. My last favorite film was Roma.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? The Feedback Festivals seem like a great addition to the festival models.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Fine
10. What is your favorite meal? Cookies
11. What is next for you? A new film? I’m working to finish a feature screenplay, a biopic, I’ve been packing around for a long time. I may finally have the life experience to finish it.
Joy O’ Dance, 20min., UK Directed by Dawn Feather Where ballet tradition meets Yorkshire spirit. Boys challenge expectations, choreography dazzles, and young performers take their final bow before a new chapter begins.
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film? I was actually asked to do the video marketing to promote the show the dance school was performing. I did a half day shoot, spending time with the kids and watching them rehearse. I asked them all what it feels like to dance and their answers astounded me. I was struck by how candid and articulate they were, describing their feelings. I thought… I’ve got something here. Luckily the dance school were really happy for me to continue filming when I asked if I could explore the wellbeing question further.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? It was a passion project, so although I initially spent a couple of days and evenings filming, the post production process was about 6 months, mainly because I was fitting it around my other editing work. It’s actually really unusual that I can spend such a long time on an edit, going back, reflecting and reworking. I think it’s the most creative I’ve been in post in a long time.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Pure joy
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Although initially I’d gained all the correct permissions to work with the dance school, theatre and all the participants who took part, a little faux pas on my part was to assume that because the children were performing a dance, and I’d removed all of the music performed by the show (replaced by my amazing composer’s scores), I’d neglected to look at the actual subject matter of the show, which was The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. I was halfway through the edit when it suddenly dawned on me that I’d probably need the permission of the C.S. Lewis estate too. This was a bit of a panic moment! So I sought out the advice of a copyright lawyer to see what my options were. Thankfully, with their expertise and guidance, I was able to negotiate the use of the show in the film, with a few caveats. For example, we can use imagery of recognisable characters within the film itself, but not in any promotion, which is why you don’t see them in any of the promos or press kits.
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process? It has to be post production. I have a background in post so naturally I’m going to say that.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? I was 12 when I decided I wanted to be a director, but when I went through uni I realised I had an aptitude for editing and fell in love with that. I still work as an editor now. I’m also directing and producing so I can push what’s possible in the edit. It’s the most creative part of storytelling for me.
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life? Back to the Future, or Ghostbusters. Love the 80s.
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film? I’ve always admired the work of an editor called Christian Wagner. Most of the time an editor’s hand is invisible but their work with director Tony Scott is really creative.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? It works well.
10. What is your favorite meal? Full roast dinner with all the trimmings.
11. What is next for you? A new film? I’ve been lucky enough to be chosen for the WFTV 2026 cohort of mentees. It’s a scheme that helps elevate mid career women in film and TV. It’s already opening doors and I’ve met some amazing women who’ve worked on some amazing shows. So I’ll continue to develop my skills as part of this scheme. I’m also in prep on a music documentary that I’m very excited about.
KRISIS, 11min., Italy DIrected by Luca Mazzara “Krisis” is a short movie that follows the emotional journey of a woman facing mental and physical illness and the isolation caused by painful events. Through the contact with nature, she transforms suffering into a new interpretation of life, discovering the inner strength to overcome pain and embrace joy. An ode to human resilience and the healing power of nature.
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
What motivated me to create Krisis was, above all, love and a shared intention. The protagonist and I consciously decided to experiment together — to try to enter a subtle, living world filled with beauty. She has been living with illness for years, and my desire was to create a space where she could reconnect with well-being, even temporarily. Through contact with nature — plants, trees, the sea — and through simplicity and authentic human presence, something very real happened: for a moment she was able to re-experience a sense of health that had been missing for a long time. Witnessing this felt almost like magic, and it confirmed my belief in the healing power of beauty and human connection.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The production itself took a few weeks. Many narrative elements emerged spontaneously and naturally during the process, because the film was closely connected to real experiences we were living in that moment.
3. How would you describe your film in two words?
Transformative tenderness.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I did not encounter major obstacles. The protagonist had an extraordinary ability to adapt to the role because she had genuinely experienced some of the suffering portrayed in the film. This authenticity made the process fluid and deeply truthful.
5. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
My favorite stage is production, when life itself enters the film. It is the moment where reality, emotion, and unpredictability transform ideas into something alive and meaningful.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized that I wanted to make films when I understood that cinema could be more than storytelling — it could be a tool for connection, exploration, and even healing. The first film I saw in a movie theater was E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which moved me deeply. I was profoundly touched by its humanity, even though it told the story of a being coming from another world.
What fascinated me most was the purity of the bond between the characters, the film’s ability to speak about diversity without fear, and to show that encountering what is “other” can become an experience of love and transformation. The presence of nature and childhood in the story also made me feel, even at that age, how cinema could reach very deep parts of the human being.
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Dead Man by Jim Jarmusch, starring Johnny Depp. I have watched it many times and I feel a strong connection with its relationship to nature, spirituality, and inner journeys.
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
In a perfect world, I would love to collaborate with Wim Wenders, a filmmaker I deeply admire for his sensitivity, his capacity for listening, and the way he creates an authentic dialogue between human beings, landscapes, and inner dimensions. I feel a strong affinity with his poetic gaze and his attention to the relationship between people and places.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the platform?
My experience with FilmFreeway has been very positive. It provides an accessible way for independent filmmakers to connect with festivals internationally and share their work.
10. What is your favorite meal?
My favorite dish is eggplant lasagna, along with simple meals rich in Mediterranean aromas, such as spaghetti with basil, mozzarella, and fresh tomatoes. I love food that evokes the earth, the sun, and a sense of conviviality.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes, Krisis has opened an important new path for me. At the moment, I am focusing mainly on documentaries. I am currently developing two projects: one about the beneficial power of laughter, and another about the world of work, centered on generational comparison.
SHAMDEMONIUM, 6min., USA Directed by Grace Ann Rathbun SHAMDEMONIUM is a music video style narrative short film that follows young aspiring actor Barb as she leads up to her final moments alive and her time in the After Life.
I wanted to make something that was fun to create and fun to watch! I leaned into the music video aspect as that allowed me to focus on the parts I love (animation, compositing, editing). The theme of exploitation within the entertainment industry is something I’ve wanted to explore for a while now. As I still draw closer and closer to entering the machine of corporate art I still didn’t know what it meant to make art for yourself. Not really. But miraculously enough it was while I was making this film I realized what it was that made me continue creating! I’ve always been a fake it until you make it person and when I had been a good 3/4ths into finishing SHAM I learned the very lesson I was wanting to teach my audience. It’s not until you strip yourself from expecting praise from your higher ups do you finally value your talent. Ignore the label of “good or bad art” latched onto you by those who see you as replaceable, and the path to a valuable artistic existence will reveal itself.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
This took me a total of 10 months to finish. Specifically 4 months for the animation.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
WHATS HAPPENING?
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Definitely the deadline! As my student thesis film it had to fit into the two semester timeline, but had I had more time I’d make it even more grand and intricate.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I always love the “I don’t really know what I just watched but it was cool!” perspective. It was always my intention to make it confusing in a way that draws the viewer back again and again. But even for those that don’t want to rewatch I’m always happy they still had a good time.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I want to work in an artistic industry where the finished project is fulfilling for each individual. But having gone to school I found a deep satisfaction for finishing large pieces by myself. While hope to find enjoyment in the large industry I hope to continue creating individual projects and staying familiar with the festival scene.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
undoubtedly 10 Things I Hate About you triumphs, but Sinners is the latest one that I have on constantly!
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 am already blown away by the effort of this festival! If anything more networking opportunities but I won’t be able to attend this year so I’m not too familiar with everything.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
incredibly easy! I was so intimidated starting out but the site itself takes most of the stress away and allows you to enjoy the festivals you do make it into.
10. What is your favorite meal?
anything Thai
11. What is next for you? A new film?
I like the idea of striving for a smaller project, maybe 1-2 minutes, for the circuit later in the year!
How We Hamsters Die, 6min., USA Directed by Phoebe Burdick, Mio Gribskov A comedic 2D animated short film that tells the absurdly tragic stories of hamsters from the after-life. Built upon interviews & true stories, the film aims to entertain while promoting responsible pet ownership and proper treatment of hamsters. Prepare to laugh, cry, and gasp in shock as this mixed-media, documentary-style film takes a look into how and why this colorful cast of pet hamsters died.
Mio: This film was born from my childhood guilt. I had hamsters as a kid, and I definitely did not take good care of them. My second hamster had a really long and painful death after falling off the second story of the house, and that guilt has stuck with me for years. It is a common belief that hamsters make great first pets for kids, so many parents will get pet hamsters for their kids not knowing how much responsibility and research is needed to properly care for one. It’s also been a trend on the internet where people will post their crazy hamster death stories online and laugh over how bizarre they always are. With this film not only did I aim to be silly and make people laugh, but I wanted to bring attention to why these crazy hamster deaths happen and what we can do as responsible pet owners to prevent it.
Phoebe: I was motivated to make this film because I believed in the message of proper pet ownership. I grew up with many different animals and my mother raised me with a strong sense of responsibility and education for the care of little critters. I also was interested in making a film with slapstick humor, like the Looney Tunes cartoons I watched as a kid.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Mio: The idea for the film was conceived in February 2024 and we finished production in May
2025. So a little over a year!
Phoebe: Yep!
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Mio: Morbidly adorable.
Phoebe: “What’s Cute?”
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Mio: The biggest challenge we faced while making the film was definitely trying to figure out the story. Unlike most other films, ours doesn’t follow a traditional story structure. The first thing we did was go around and collect crazy hamster death stories from our classmates, friends, and family. We collected over 40 stories and then had to pick and choose the best ones to showcase in our film. Trying to figure out how to take a bunch of completely separate stories and somehow turn it into a cohesive four-minute film that flows well and makes sense was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It took months of meetings and so many different versions of the script and animatic to finally hone in on a version we had full confidence in.
Phoebe: Another big struggle for us was actually creating the Hamster Afterlife. We went through a phase where our team created an entire Hamster City, complete with trains, a bar, a gym, and a Hamster animation studio! We ultimately decided it would be best to go for simplicity, but it was hard to let go of all those fun concepts!
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Mio: Mine is the first one, development! The very beginning is what I like to call the vomit stage, because that’s when you can just throw out any crazy ideas you have and not have to worry yet about logistics. We would have team meetings where we would end up rolling on the floor laughing from the crazy and wacky ideas we were sharing with each other. It was very important to me that everyone on the team felt welcome to share their ideas no matter what their role was on the film. I think having so much collaboration, laughter, and excitement during the early development of the film really shows in the final product.
Phoebe: I’m fond of the Production phase because we got to witness our ideas actually coming together and it was pure magic. Our team did such an amazing job and we were rolling on the ground laughing so hard at some of the animation frames!
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Mio: The funny thing is, I never expected to be a director! I always thought I didn’t have what it took to direct, so for my senior capstone project I assumed I would just join another group as an animator. But when Phoebe and I came up with the pitch for our film, I knew the idea was SO GOOD that I was willing to do ANYTHING to make it happen. In a burst of passion I took the terrifying leap to direct. It was so fortunate that I found people who believed in the project just as much as I did, and I am still so honored that they put their faith in me as director. Leading a collaborative team to create something amazing was such an exhilarating experience that I would love to do it again, even if it was very stressful.
Phoebe: I have always been a bit of a performer and I have been interested in animation for pretty much as long as I can remember. For me it was like acting except I got to hide behind the scenes. In high school, I directed a comedic animated version of Hamlet and I knew I would be chasing that high for the rest of my life!
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Mio: Probably School of Rock. I never get tired of it no matter how many times I see it. It’s a very silly film with an inspiring message about having confidence in yourself that always stuck with me growing up.
Phoebe: I watched Surfs Up a lot growing up and its mockumentary style actually became a big inspiration for our film!
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
Mio: In all honesty, I would do anything to get the Hamster crew back together! We had some of the funniest and most creative artists on our team and I had an absolute blast making the film with them. We all went our separate ways after graduation so unfortunately I don’t think that’s possible right now.
Phoebe: Same for me! I loved working with my peers on this film and I’d love to create something together again! I would also enjoy bringing in other young artists too. Everyone has a story to tell.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Mio: It’s been great! We’ve been able to apply to so many festivals because of how easy the process is. It’s been absolutely amazing to have our film be shown all over the world!
Phoebe: Ditto!
10. What is your favorite meal?
Mio: My Mom’s udon noodle soup! Tastes just like home.
Phoebe: Mio makes delicious chicken tortilla soup!
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Mio: I’ve been taking a much needed break after graduation, and since the job market for animation is so bad right now I’m not sure if I can break into the industry any time soon. But I’ve been working as an artist and animator on a fun passion project with another team, a video game called Pocket Pickers. It’s about a robber who died on a heist, trying to steal back his sins from a bank vault in hell. I’m continuing with the whole death theme I suppose. I do really hope I can make another film at some point. I’ve had some ideas rattling around in my head.
Phoebe: I’m exploring where life takes me. I’ve also been struggling to find a job in animation, so I’ve turned to more medical or environmental work to make a living. I would still love to continue making art and another film. So many possibilities!
Festival Reviews 