THANK YOU FOR HER, 150min., USA
Directed by Peyton Savington
When aspiring fantasy novelist Anna Drake accidentally runs cyclist Lance off the road, she has no idea this chance encounter will change both their lives. As their romance blossoms, Anna finds herself falling for Lance’s free-spirited nature and determination, while keeping her brother Cam’s protective instincts at bay.

http://fourlightsfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fourlightsfilms/

Get to know Writer/Producer Katie Evans:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

As a company, we knew we wanted to create a coming of age narrative centered around young adult women who identified as lesbian and bisexual. After that I as the screenwriter, Katie Evans ( pen name K.Evans), took inspiration to form the themes of family penance and healing/forgiveness from my own personal coming out journey. As the script developed I also began taking inspiration from the Knights of the Round table as the script progressed.

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

The film began its filming in January 2024 and wrapped in late spring the same year. Editing took place in the months after and we had a final product by October 2024.

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

Charming &

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

The length of the film and its fantasy sequences were a big challenge for us as a very new company full of young artist not having a film education.

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

It was amazing. Hearing how the audiences appreciated the overall story and the performances of our actors was truly wonderful to hear as those are aspects we truly do pride ourselves on and view as some of our greatest strengths.

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

It was at the end of our senior year of college that the four of us realized that we were drawn to theatre. 3 of us had done theatre before, 2 of us having a degree in theatre. We had decided to turn one of the final

Plays we did in college into a film once we had graduated despite not knowing initially how and taught ourselves and haven’t looked back since.

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

The film I, Katie Evans, have seen the most in my life is The Greatest Showman.

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 feel the feedback and the posting of the feedback is a wonderful advancement tool and wish other festival had a similar option.

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

Filmfreeway is a wonderful tool for filmmakers experienced and new filmmakers. It’s easy to use and has many festivals to chose from.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Steak 🙂

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

Our next film is another feature, this one a thriller inspired by Edgar Allen Poe poems, in a modern technological setting titled “Left Down Raven Street” that follows 3 coding grad students as they work through betrayal, greed, and ambitions amongst themselves and others to come out on top.

Redundant – Official Music Video, 3min., UK
Directed by Roni Skaly
Redundant is a queer activism fan funded project raising awareness to abuse done on transgender and non-binary youth through conversion therapy. At the time this project was produced, the gay conversion therapy ban in the UK did not include a ban on conversion therapy done on transgender and non-binary youth, today the ban includes gender as well. ‘Redundant’ had also been reviewed by Pink News.

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/06/02/skaly-redundant-music-video-trans/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film? I’ve seen content posted online about the conversion therapy bill in the UK (I was living in London at that time) only being passed on banning this abusive practice on gay youth, but not on trans and non-binary youth. That made me feel redundant, as clearly the government recognized this practice is abusive and harmful, but they didn’t bother to include us in the ban on it. Gladly, by now they do.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The idea was at least half a year before we could produce the project, and then it took about three more months to fundraise and produce, so approx. 9 months in total.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? There were a few, it took very long to fund raise for it, to be able to produce it from fan funding was a huge achievement for us.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? Feeling appreciated as a visual creator, feeling grateful, understood and seen.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? Since childhood I’ve always wanted to produce music videos, I’m happy this dream can come true now with the help of fans and collaborators.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? Probably Avatar, it inspired me a lot when I was a kid, the way it made possible visuals like I’ve never seen before, and the visual representation of connection with nature.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? Your work is wonderful! It could be great if there was more ways to connect with other nominees and professionals through the festival.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Very easy and straight forward.

10. What is your favorite meal? Sushi.

11. What is next for you? A new film? Currently my focus is working with this project’s co producer, Zach Pettingill, on his super viral internet series the America Wizard (find it @madmanfenrir on TikTok) that reached over 86 million viewers over the past year. We hope to produce it fully some day, hopefully sooner rather than later. Producers – reach out if you’d like to take on a comedy action fantasy show that already has a mass fanbase and is currently entirely independent.

The Last Houseboat, 31min., USA
Directed by Colin D’Amelio
The Last Houseboat is a heartfelt short documentary that delves into the history of a unique wooden vessel, lovingly crafted by a family patriarch in 1970. Anchored on the Rhode Island coast for over 50 years, the houseboat became more than a structure—it was a landmark, a cherished family tradition, and a symbol of connection across three generations. When unforeseen circumstances force the family to dismantle the beloved vessel, they confront a profound sense of loss while celebrating its enduring legacy. A poignant tale of resilience, memory, and the ties that bind, The Last Houseboat invites viewers to reflect on the traditions and stories that shape their own families.

https://www.instagram.com/cdproducshins/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I’ve been in love with the Houseboat and everything it represents since I first set foot on it as a child. It felt like a true escape from the world—an experience unlike any other. From the start, I believed this vessel had a beautiful story that deserved to be told. Having always been close to the Sola family, who own this beloved houseboat, my initial goal was simply to create a short piece as a keepsake for them—a tribute to their tradition. But that idea quickly evolved, growing into The Last Houseboat, a deeply personal short documentary spanning over 30 minutes.

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

This film was truly a labor of love. Some of the earliest footage dates back to 2016, originally shot for a different project before being archived. Over nearly a decade, this documentary took shape—built through years of gathering resources, footage, and stories to bring it to life.

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

Family Traditions

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

CD Productions is based on the West Coast, while this film primarily takes place on the East Coast, where most of its subjects live. The greatest challenge was navigating the distance and coordinating with four or five different family members to gather assets—whether photos, videos, texts, or phone calls. Managing logistics across time zones and locations added an extra layer of complexity to the process.

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

Hearing that feedback was incredibly rewarding. It brought a smile to our faces to know that people truly understood what we set out to achieve with this film—that at its core, it’s a story about family, even more than it is about the boat itself.

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

I’ve been obsessed with films since I was a kid. My dad would introduce me to classics on TCM, and I would create short films for school projects—whether or not that was what the assignment called for. While my passion truly took shape in college, where I honed my skills, filmmaking has always been a constant in my life and a driving force behind everything I do.

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

That’s a hard one. The Blues Brothers is up there. Grease. But it’s most likely a Christmas movie, The Muppet’s Christmas Carol or Home Alone are probably tied.

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 think you offer a lot for filmmakers, and I appreciate everything you do. I think first and foremost it’s always important to have in-person events to be able to meet and collaborate with our fellow filmmakers.

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

FilmFreeway is a great site. Everything is centrally located and easily accessible.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy.

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

So many things! I’m always writing and collaborating on new projects. Our next big venture is a narrative short film about a Deacon who begins to question his faith following the death of his wife. We plan to launch a crowdfunding campaign soon, with hopes of starting production by the end of this year or early next year.