When a compassionate helpline counsellor begins to grow concerned for the safety of one of her clients, she’s forced to decide whether to trust her instincts or follow protocol. Safe is a tense, quietly powerful drama about the weight of responsibility and the courage it takes to listen.

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Honestly it started with the concept of showcasing our lead actress (Kelsey Cooke) and her talent – holding the audience attention and emotions as the sole person on-screen (supported by some incredible voice actors of course). Once we had the concept and decided how to approach it thematically, it became all about bringing authenticity to such a heavy topic and trying to do so in a way that did not feel exploitative but felt, informative and considered. I wrote the film alongside Kelsey Cooke who brought such depth to everything that we did.

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

We had the concept in November 2024, but commitments on other projects meant we agreed to only start working on it at the end of January 2025. We wrote between February and March, applied for the Arts Council of the Isle of Man Short Film Fund and were awarded that in April. Location scouting on the isle took place shortly after with production in June and post production in July-August. 

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

That’s tough – and I think all of us will have different words for it but for me as director it would be: Vulnerable. Honest. 

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

Self doubt. We took on a lot of challenges (from runtime to long-takes etc) and throughout post production it was definitely a challenge for me to have faith in the choices I’d made. I’ve been extremely lucky – our crew are amazing and did everything that was asked of them with really no major hiccups, as are the cast members – so it really came down to my own confidence as I worked on it in post. 

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?

I do love them all for different reasons so I can’t really say one is my favourite! I will say though I am now thoroughly enjoying being able to share the film with people and see how it resonates with them. 

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

I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller, in various different forms. Really nailing that medium down to film came in my late teens as I had enjoyed theatre work and really transitioned from that into something that I felt was a more ‘intimate’ medium of storytelling. 

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

I’m a sci-fi nerd so Star Wars (particularly Empire) is up there along with Jurassic Park, but I’m also a film academic so really it’s a very very long potential list. Empire Strikes Back might just win due to my pre-adult / childhood viewing habits!

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

Someone with a huge budget. Creatively I’m very grateful for the people I’ve been working with lately. Of course, I’m always happy to work with others who bring that similar dedication and creative spark, and good vibes of course. If you’re asking about celebrities or ‘known actors’ … Keanu Reeves, David Tennant, Gillian Anderson, Greta Lee, and many more would make the list, but it really comes down to the story I’d be telling.

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

Overall it’s good. I think the entire process of submitting to festivals, waiting, wondering, and the obvious low acceptance rates can be anxiety inducing. You could make the ‘best film of all time’ and if it doesn’t fit a programming block or doesn’t appeal to that particular festival programmer well, you’ve not only ‘wasted your money’ but it can hit your confidence too. That being said, FilmFreeway itself as a platform is easy to use and something I’m quite familiar with at this point.

10. What is your favorite meal?

It’s always gonna be pizza. I love many other cuisines but it always comes back to pizza.

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

Working on a web series (Do We Eat Him? is available on Youtube, check it out!) and also developing more shorts while making my foray into feature films.

Beyond the Limits Pilot Episode – Act The Part, 22min. USA
Directed by Emmitt H Thrower
In a world where communication transcends spoken language, “Beyond the Limits” pilot episode explores the mysterious realm of disability through the authentic stories and experiences of those who navigate their world from a unique perspective. Their unique abilities, challenges, and creativity can transport them into dimensions that are beyond the usual realities.

https://www.instagram.com/the_limits_film

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I had a long standing interest in creating a purely entertainment product targeted for the disability community. Because of minimal representation in Sci-Fi of people with disabilities I chose that genre to create my pilot TV webseries. I also wanted to create a film that dealt with issues impacting people with disabilities but wanted it to have it in a dark comedic tone.

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

It took nearly 21/2 years of creating a script from the concept I had and developing it with the assistance of a group of disabled and able-bodied participants to read the script and provide feedback. Then there was the issue of raising funds to do the film project through a crowdfunding platform.

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

Other worldly.

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

Trying to get it to feel like a twilight zone film with a disability comedic edge but somehow still authentic and believable.

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

I was surprised at the level that people really understood the comedic side of this serious issue and that they were comfortable laughing about it.

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

When I realized that I wasn’t going to produce theater or act in theater any longer was the moment. I started exploring film for my activism and creative energies and never looked back.

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

Definatly the Twilight zone original TV series. I never get tired of watching those episodes.

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

Networking with other filmmaker and professionals is what I think is very valuable for Indie filmmakers. It provides collaborative opportunities and a way to learn what other filmmaker are doing and how they survive in this tough environment.

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

I have fortunately had a very pleasnt experience the past few years that I have been active on filmfreeway. I have had many positive results from the fesivals submitted to on Filmfreeway.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I enjoy authentic Italian food.

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

My new film is called “SPRAY CAN STORIES”. It is having its world premire in January in NYC and the Bronx. It is about the graffiti culture. I am looking to turn this short documentary into a documentary series about the graffiti artists, the culture and its connection to Hip Hop.I expect to submit it to the feedback fesival next year.

Terrence and Aisha hesitate to forfeit aspects of their relationship after a recent breakup. As their continued bond begins to threaten new relationships, they are forced to confront their willingness to move forward.

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I originally wrote and directed the first edition of “When It’s Over” in 2019. While that short film was semi-autobiographical, I was intrigued by the idea of a narrative that focuses on how the characters deal with the aftermath of a relationship. With that central idea in mind, I crafted this version of the film to explore what happens when two exes refuse to cut ties completely and the different ways their decision could affect both them and the people around them. 

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I began plotting out the idea and characters in late 2018, and the film premiered in 2022. 

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
During post-production, I almost lost the entire film when the drive holding all of my files suddenly crashed. I was on the verge of a panic attack, as I was worried that all of the work I had done over the course of 4 years was swirling down the drain (not to mention all of the amazing contributions from the actors!). Luckily, I was able to salvage all of the files with the gracious support of the good folks at Best Buy’s Geek Squad! 
In general, post-production and editing was by far the biggest challenge. The writing came naturally, and directing was fun because I already had a pretty clear vision in mind. Putting all the pieces together in post was taxing not only because it’s tedious work, but because I felt a lot of pressure to get it right for the sake of all the work I’d already invested in making the film. In the end, though, a valuable lesson was learned: make sure you back up every file!

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?
As a writer first and foremost, I love the Development stage. But Pre-Production might be my favorite because that’s when you start to see your vision of the film begin coming together.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I think I wrote my first script in 2009 for a screenwriting contest. I’ve been intrigued by the idea ever since, but it took a few more years before I figured out how to actually turn my scripts into reality. 

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Honestly, probably “Home Alone”, since my family watches it every Christmas season.

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
Martin Scorsese

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway has been a great tool for getting my short film recognized by a number of festivals throughout the country. To date, the film has been selected for 4 festivals and has collected awards for best short film and best actor. 

10. What is your favorite meal?
As the child of Jamaican immigrants, my favorite meal is definitely oxtail with rice & peas!

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

I’d like to pursue some stage acting to help spark some more creativity for my next film idea. I fell in love with acting when I was younger, so I look forward to returning to my roots. 

Melbourne Hopak is part of the Lehenda Film series. The origins of Lehenda’s film series can be traced back to the global Covid-19 lockdowns—a time when theatres were dark, stages silent, and traditional forms of cultural expression temporarily out of reach. Faced with the absence of live performance, we turned to film as a new medium to preserve and express our identity as Australian Ukrainians.

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The idea for the Lehenda film series was born in during the Covid-19 lockdowns—a time when theatres were dark, stages silent, and our traditional forms of cultural expression temporarily out of reach. Being based in Melbourne, which was said to be the most locked down city in the world we turned to film as a new medium to preserve and express our identity as Australian Ukrainians.

Our first project emerged from the golden wheat fields of Avoca, Victoria—a quiet yet powerful setting that echoed our connection to land, heritage, and memory. What began as a necessity quickly evolved into something much deeper: a cinematic exploration of who we are, and what it means to carry Ukrainian culture in an Australian landscape.

Moved by the response to that initial work, we expanded our vision. We chose to reimagine Hopak, Ukraine’s most iconic and spirited dance, within the urban heart of Melbourne. This contrast between the rural and the metropolitan, between tradition and reinterpretation, became the cornerstone of our approach.

These films are not just documents of performance—they are cultural artefacts. They preserve memory, convey identity, and explore the dualities that shape our diasporic experience.

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

We revisited the idea when we were in a bit of a creative slump earlier this year (2025) and we filmed it in late June. A lot of the pre work we had done in 2021 when we tried to film it, but the COVID restrictions still didn’t allow us too. We ended up starting with a rural piece which was achievable at the time, and we picked up where we left off with this film in April this year.

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

Ukrainian, Melbourne

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

To begin with it was restrictions during COVID – how many people were allowed to gather outside etc. This time we were almost stopped by the weather, but we pushed through! There was a lot of red tape around permits to use locations, however the city of Melbourne, Metro trains, The Arts Centre Melbourne and Block Arcade where all fabulous to work with.

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?

Hard to pick favourites! I love the development stage where you get to dig deep and create. I also love the actual production – the days of filming where so much fun, seeing the dancers bring everything to life, watching onlookers enjoy the process as much as we do!

Post production – watching it come together is incredible and of course seeing audience reaction during distribution!

Each stage is exciting in its own way!

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

My background is in drama and theatre studies. I always loved acting of film – it is so fun and magical! My passion is dance – Ukrainian dance in particular. Being able to merge these two genres has been so exciting. I’m always looking for fresh ways to share the Ukrainian culture – new shows, different storytelling. Discovering dance on film – which was born out of necessity for us to continue creating in a time we weren’t allowed to perform – has been really liberating. We’ve teamed with Edit Life Media for both of our films – it’s been a wonderful collaboration. I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else! Ethan is incredibly talented, and an amazing person to work with. We collaborate easily together, he has a great way of expressing Ukrainian Dance on Film.

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

Hmmm, this is a hard question- I love so many films and have watch them over and over. High Society, Pretty in Pink, Sweet Home Alabama, The Parent Trap (original),  Singing in the Rain, The Holiday,

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

The same people I already do! My brother Stephan Moravski is our set designer as well as our Creative Director. We usually write our shows together, we bounce our ideas so naturally off one another and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

With Film – Ethan Berends of Edit life media. We started this process together and I love working with him – wouldn’t choose anyone else!

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

The submission has been good. I’ve been a little overwhelmed with the amount of festivals I keep hearing about. It’s not a world I’m very familiar with which makes it tricky but also totally exciting!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Love food! Oysters, Fish, beautiful fresh veggies, chocolate!!

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

We’ve written a new folk ballet for our dance company, which we want to move forward with in the New Year. However, we will continue our film series and we’re thinking about which piece of our repertoire would be best to film next and were.

Come the Nightfall, 23min., USA
Directed by Tom Michaels
A wealthy licentious offers a lift to a beautiful femme fatale in the middle of a deserted road with a shocking aftermath.

http://www.orzelfilms.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Prior to Come the Nightfall, I made two other short films and I wasn’t quite satisfied with the results, so I pondered for some time whether I should jump straight to Independent features or make one more short film. After some internal deliberation I decided to make one more short. I quickly came up with a fairly solid storyline and as they say the rest is history.

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

From start to finish which included post production as well, it took 6 month give or take.

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

Old School

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

The biggest obstacle was time as we were shooting all night into the morning, so time was of the essence. Also I do have to mention needing the exact locations for our project, particularly the main residence of the story proved a bit challenging, but in the end it all worked out.

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

Well one is always nervous prior to certain situations like this. I always hope and pray, my film is enjoyed by audiences and as luck would have it, Come the Nightfall was well received by the audience.

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

I’ve always wanted to be an actor first and foremost but I remember being in acting school and listening to the other students vent their frustration out on how they were constantly auditioning and not getting anything. The same time, I was already mapping my future out. I said to myself, ” You know Tom, it’s best to learn the other side of the business, because it can increase your chances of success.” After I graduated from acting school. I did some minor work and that’s when I applied for Film School and was eventually accepted into the USC Cinematic Arts Program. That was a big wake up call for me.

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

This is such a tough question. Well I would say this, my favorite film of all time is North by Northwest. I really enjoy this movie. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve watched it, but it’s been quite a lot.

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 haven’t given this much thought. I think what you guys are doing is wonderful. providing us filmmakers with video audience feedback. I think that it is very valuable to a filmmaker where they can sit and listen to a paying audience member speak of your work. With that being said, film festivals around the world operate differently from one another with their own set of rules. Some I disagree with and some I don’t.

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

So far the platform has worked flawlessly for me.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I am usually a very clean eater but once a while I have a cheat meal and my favorite cheat meal would be Pizza.

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

At my production company website www.orzelfilms.com , we have numerous film TV shows in the works. Currently in pre-production for two films in which I will be directing and starring next year. They are Independent features. We are going theatrical.

Liquid Bodies is a sensory and immersive dance film that explores the vital connection between humans and water. Carried by the dance of a contemporary performer, the film evokes the major stages of existence — from gestation to metamorphosis — in resonance with the different phases of the water cycle: liquid, vapor, rain. Filmed in dreamlike aquatic environments, this poetic work merges movement and cinema to reveal the beauty, power, fragility, and constant presence of water in our bodies and lives. An intimate, universal of life in motion.

Project Links

•  Website
•  Facebook
•  Instagram

1. What motivated you to make this film?

 Through this film, I wanted above all to create a work that honors the presence of water in our lives, both within our bodies and on our planet.

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

        3 years 

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

    Liquid Beauty

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

         Dancing Underwater

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?     PRODUCTION6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?   

Since the first time I worked on a film, I realized that I love cinema.

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

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?   Chantal Caron

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

10. What is your favorite meal?   Fruits 

11. What is next for you? A new film?  A lot of dancing projets comming soon

A woman trapped in her husband’s football obsession stumbles into a fleeting connection with a stranger. The city conspires—an elevator ride, a hallway, a spark of possibility. But the outcome she chooses is as funny as it is freeing.

What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make a very short film that sits inside the quiet spaces of modern relationships: marriage, friendship, and a woman's relationship with herself within a marriage. I'm drawn to moments that appear ordinary on the surface but carry emotional weight underneath. The film leads the audience toward the suggestion of an impulsive affair, only to gently turn away from it, revealing a more intimate truth and leaving behind a quiet, knowing smile. For me, it was about exploring how expectation, desire, and self-awareness intersect in small, everyday moments.

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

4-5 months. 

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Intimate and witty. 

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

The driving scene was the most difficult technically and conceptually. We tested different camera rigs, cars, streets, and times of day to find a space that felt alive and honest without becoming unsafe. That balance between control and surrender became a metaphor for the film itself. Our actor, Sophie Angner, approached the scene with incredible calm and precision, which allowed the moment to breathe and gave me the confidence to trust the stillness.

There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.

What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?

I’m deeply drawn to development because it’s the phase where a project holds immense possibility when nothing is fixed yet, and the film can still become many different things. It’s a space of curiosity and sensitivity, where I feel most open to the world around me and can pull inspiration from the smallest details of everyday life. At the same time, production is equally meaningful to me, because it’s the core of filmmaking: collaboration. Working with a great team is such a privilege. I truly believe that the only thing better than making art is making art with your friends, and that was absolutely the case on this project.

Witnessing the ideas that once lived only in my head and on the page slowly transform into something tangible through the creativity, intuition, and generosity of everyone involved still gives me chills. Seeing a treatment turn into lived moments, performances, and images is one of the most rewarding and precious experiences in life, and it’s what keeps me returning to filmmaking again and again.

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

I’ve always been deeply moved by films, but I didn’t fully understand filmmaking as a language until I made my first one. That experience showed me that film could hold contradictions, silences, and emotions I couldn’t articulate otherwise. Once I realized that, it felt less like a choice and more like a necessity.

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

Eat Drink Man Woman by Ang Lee and The 400 Blows by François Truffaut, both films return to the question of family, identity, and growing up in ways that feel endlessly human.

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

Isabelle Huppert and Benicio del Toro, both fearless and endlessly surprising. I’d also love to collaborate with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whose work is sharp, funny, and emotionally devastating in the best way, and with cinematographer Claire Mathon, whose images feel so intimate they almost breathe. In a perfect world, that would be a dream team.

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

It’s been very good.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Anything Cantonese!

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

Yes. I recently wrote a new script and am currently submitting it to screenplay competitions and raising funding. It’s titled Being Here Is Everything. It follows an undocumented Asian teenage girl who runs away from home and journeys into the California desert. At its core, it’s a film about displacement, survival, and what it means to exist in a place that both rejects and defines you.

Memoria Obscura, 5min., USA
Directed by David Christopher Nelson, Connor Ryan
In a world where memory erasure is a legitimate industry, the underground black market known as Memoria Obscura serves as a hub for stolen and repurposed memories.

Get to know filmmakers David Christopher Nelson, Connor Ryan

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Connor: My motivation comes from multiple aspects. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with

Dave, which was a major reason. Beyond that, I want to create films I believe are currently missing in the industry and bring back the 80s–90s cinema I grew up with.

Dave: The motivation was to create something that is intriguing visually and story-wise, something that is a classic spectacle that we grew up watching.

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

About a year and a half.

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

Connor: Bad Ass

Dave: Tech Noir

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

Connor: The biggest challenge was the final scene. Dave and I spent months refining it to get the look and ending just right. Once Dave composited the background, everything clicked, and we successfully landed the ending.

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

Connor: I thought it was awesome. It’s incredibly rewarding to see strangers review your work.

Filmmakers put everything into creating something like this, so it’s great to see people actually watch it and react to it.

Dave: It was humbling and rewarding. It is nice to see others enjoy the work and possibilities of the world that we created. We hope to share more of it soon.

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

Connor: I didn’t realize it until my senior year of high school. I grew up obsessed with movies but never thought it was a real possibility since I was raised in Bucks County, PA, where most people work blue-collar jobs. It wasn’t until I took a film elective that it clicked that this could actually be a path for me.

Dave: Sophomore year in high school, I was in a video class and just loved the process, everything just clicked, and I have been on the path of making films ever since.

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

Connor: Drive (2011)

Dave: It’s a three-way tie: Taxi Driver, Terminator 2, Goodfellas

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

It would be cool to have multiple people in the same room or on a video call discussing and breaking down the film. It doesn’t need to be long—just a few minutes would be interesting to watch.

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

It was easy and great to use.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Connor: Ribeye Steak

Dave: Filet mignon

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

Currently in pre-production on the next short film, a gritty, stylized detective film.

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This film grew out of my ongoing exploration of repetition, movement, and rhythm in digital space. Working with 3D animation software, I’m fascinated by how simple geometric forms can build into intricate visual landscapes—layered systems of shapes and tiles that balance structure with subtle irregularities.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take to make this film?
The process took several weeks from concept to completion. The core idea came together quickly, but most of the time was spent refining the visuals, pacing, and composition to make sure everything felt clear and cohesive within such a short runtime.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Finding consistent time to work was the hardest part. Balancing a full-time professional role with an active creative practice meant I had to be very intentional about prioritizing. Time for experimentation and focused artistic work is limited, but absolutely essential for the project to grow.

5. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
I love the moment when the animation starts to come together, when lighting, materials, and motion all click and the piece begins to feel alive.

6. When did you realize you wanted to make films?
My interest in animation really developed in college, though I’ve always loved film and knew I wanted to work in media. What draws me to animation is the ability to be involved in the entire process—integrating design, motion, sound, and narrative into one expressive medium.

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
That’s a tough one. Blade Runner is a film I return to often for its stunning world-building and philosophical depth—every viewing reveals something new. I also revisit Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Maltese Falcon, and pretty much all the Studio Ghibli films. Hard to pick just one!

8. In a perfect world, who would you like to collaborate with on a film?
I’d love to work more with musicians and sound designers. Audio isn’t my area of expertise, but I’m fascinated by how sound can transform visuals and create emotional connections. It’s such a powerful force in storytelling.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been with the platform?
FilmFreeway has been great—simple, efficient, and accessible. The streamlined submission process and clear communication tools make it a valuable resource for independent filmmakers.

10. What is your favorite meal?

That’s a tough one! I’d probably say BBQ—it’s hard to beat. But I also really enjoy seafood, especially a well-prepared salmon or grilled fish.

11. What’s next for you? A new film?
I’m continuing to develop short-form works that explore abstraction, visual metaphor, and atmospheric storytelling. These projects build on the ideas behind Intersecting Paths while pushing into new formal and conceptual directions.

The BULLY wins and the GEEK loses in life!

Award winning screenwriter Jesse Speer (BITTER) talks about his belated coming-of-age comedy script. About a valedictorian, slated for success. Now, 10 years later, she’s just a bitter waitress, struggling with resentment and unmet potential, all while PARKER, her high school bully, lives the good life as a prominent influencer.

Is this the world we live in now?

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LISTEN to the full podcast: https://youtu.be/LDDc9iCiutc
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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GncsGI4_L3o

Get to know the screenwriter:

What is your screenplay about?

Bitter is a belated coming of age story for anyone that feels like the paradigm of success has shifted. It takes the traditional geek vs bully high school sub-genre and basically turns it on its ass, focusing on WILLOW, a once-hopeful two-time valedictorian, slated for success. Now, 10 years later, she’s a bitter waitress, struggling with resentment and unmet potential, all while PARKER, her high school bully, lives the good life as a prominent influencer.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Bitter is definitely a comedy. When developing this story, it felt necessary to look through a humorous lens. The plot tackles a lot of socially-relevant themes and issues we all deal with on a daily basis: comparison culture, scam-influencers, toxic personalities—things that can absolutely consume a person. So, I thought it was important to craft the story and its characters from a place of comedy. I wanted to avoid the perception of whining or lecturing, and write a story that has something to say, but also has audience wanting to listen because they’re getting to laugh along the way.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Movies have changed drastically over the last decade—some changes good, some bad, but I think a gap has been created for some of the sillier, more light-hearted comedies that can still pack a punch—that have something to say, but do it in a way to invites, not divides. I think Bitter recaptures this approach, in line with early-2000’s movies like Mean Girls, Bruce Almighty, Miss Congeniality. The themes are there. The lessons are there. But so is the fun.

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