ANOTHER STAR, 24min.,USA
Directed by Antonia Stevenson
Another Star is set in 1970s Washington, D.C., where young Black girls begin vanishing from neighborhood streets, their disappearances met with silence, suspicion, and systemic neglect. When one girl fails to return home from a simple trip to the corner store, her family’s growing panic exposes a community long accustomed to being unheard.

https://www.instagram.com/another_star_shortfilm/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
The idea actually started with my uncle. He began telling a story the way elders often do, just casually saying, “Back in my day.” He grew up in the 1970s and talked about how they would rush home before dark because of the Freeway Phantom. My mother, aunt, and uncle all grew up in Southeast Washington, D.C., and it was almost spoken about like an urban legend, someone kidnapping and murdering young Black girls, yet it never received the media coverage it deserved. Many people outside of that area of D.C. knew very little about it, and some had never heard of it at all. That lack of awareness motivated me to tell this story, increase its visibility, and help preserve it in the archives through film.

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

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
We were working with a very small team but had very big dreams. We had the vision, but pulling it off required a lot of faith, patience, and problem-solving. Time was a major factor, and when locations or plans fell through, we had to pivot quickly. It was definitely a “just keep swimming” kind of process.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talk about your film in the feedback video?
It was really special. We were very intentional about preserving the integrity of the 1970s era, so hearing the audience recognize that meant a lot. We also wanted viewers to feel that these were real families, real lives, and real loss. Knowing they connected with that was meaningful.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
It happened gradually. It started with a desire to work on film sets because I loved movies. Then I realized I could create my own stories. My sister and I would write ideas, gather friends, and make YouTube videos. Over time, the dream became tangible.

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

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, this festival has done an excellent job. Everything has felt intentional, professional, and filmmaker-friendly. Continuing to create networking opportunities, industry panels, and spaces for filmmakers to connect would be amazing.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
My experience with FilmFreeway has been smooth and easy to navigate. It makes the submission process simple without too much extra lift.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A girl’s dinner.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
My sister and I are currently working with a client to bring her episodic series to life. It centers around a young girl who is a basketball player, and we’re excited about what’s next.