AN ENDING, 7min., USA
Directed by Sarah Young
Based on a true love story, and shot on location in Queens NYC during the heart of the Covid 19 Pandemic, this film is a tribute to those who stayed and those who had to go.

https://christopherfcosta.com/#an-ending
https://www.instagram.com/thisismecfc/

Get to know producer Christopher F. Costa:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The pandemic had been happening, and Brian I struck a deal and decided to move. We were living in a one-bedroom apartment and Brian was also working from home. It wasn’t a lot of space, and our windows faced walls. We had also been restless and itchy. I missed being creative, especially with my peers. I missed connection and collaboration. I missed being connected to others in my group–and the city, frankly.

When I had the chance to sneak out onto the fire escape and up to the roof, it felt like I could finally have some space–and breathe. There was usually almost no one else up there. But also, I could see across Queens and the Manhattan skyline. Sometimes I’d spot others on their own rooftops. And then there was always one moment that made me feel connected to others. That was 7PM when we would cheer and clang pots and make noise for all the first responders. You could hear people making noise and cheering from far and wide. It was magical, it was full of gratitude, and I always felt connected to my home.

I reached out to Joey and Sarah and asked if they wanted to do a thing. I told them we had a full and empty apartment to use, and my husband and I as actors. I know I wanted to include that moment on the rooftop at the end, and the feeling of up and out–and home. Sarah was in to direct and Joey said he could draft something up for a short film. And we were off!

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

Almost four years.

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

Finding home

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

Getting through all the brand new COVID SAG-AFTRA regulations was an obstacle course. We had to make sure we were tested, masked, and had a COVID Officer (which our dear producer friend Jonathan stepped in and did for us).

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

It was so heartening and touching to hear how people were moved by the film. Even without dialogue, the story was clear and gave an unexpected ending that left people with hope. And to hear that was a gift.

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

My whole life, I was a nerd, loving math and science in school. I didn’t decide to study acting till halfway through undergrad, and it’s been quite the journey. But, I did take photography for two years in high school and loved being behind the camera. I also was raised watching movies thanks to my mother. We watched every kind of film, many of them which I shouldn’t have watched till probably a much older age. But that lifetime of film-watching and film-loving has now led me to where I am today–finally producing my first film. Onward and upward!

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

This is a hard one because I will watch a movie to death, over and over (especially in my youth). They’re like friends. If we remove the 90s Disney canon because it will throw off the curve (Aladdin, The Lion King, etc.), I would think it’s probably my favorite(s), Alien and Aliens, that or The Sound of Music.

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, getting the feedback was such a unique and rewarding experience. I wish more festivals implemented that.

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

It has been very easy to use and navigate!

10. What is your favorite meal?

The one I made this weekend for the first time in a long time–lasagna.

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

I have a couple short films I acted in, one which is currently making the rounds in the festival circuit–Hot Idiot–and the other which should be there soon–Pining. I’m starting to write for the first time, so I’m also looking forward to choosing my next project I want to produce (which I also hope to co-direct).

TI AMO, MR. NIBBLES, 8min,. UK
Directed by Govind Chandran
Casey wants to tell Mia she loves her; but it might not be the right time.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
The actors. The original idea was more of a ‘writing exercise’ for me – I engaged with social media and posted my process and workflow and got feedback etc – but really it was both Emily Kontu and Kelsey Cooke, not just having faith in the project but being passionate about it that really made me delve deeper into it than I would have otherwise.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It was written over the course of 3 days in December. For health reasons there was then a bit of a break from me, and I returned to it in March, developing it further for a 2 day shoot in May. It was edited then across a further 4 days.

How would you describe your film in two words!
Warm Hug.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The Plush Hamster was just a nightmare. Always late. Rude. Such a diva. In all seriousness though, it was a pretty smooth shoot. The size and dimensions of the space we were shooting in was the biggest obstacle but wasn’t anything insurmountable.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s scary and anxiety laden before you watch it but really it was amazing to see that everyone ‘got the vibe’. Everything – down to the specific language or terms being used – were exactly the words we’d been using when discussing the project even in planning stages so really it was just amazing to see that we did what we set out to. Aside from that, it’s always fantastic to see your film resonate with audiences.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
In my late teens really. I started doing little bits of video for theatre shows and that really skyrocketed into studying film and then making films. I think I’ve always been into ‘storytelling’ in one form or another though so this became a natural extension of that.

What film have you seen the most in your life?
I’m a Star Wars nerd so… it’s not to say that any of those are my ‘favourite films’ but my fandom for the franchise puts it top on my list in terms of ‘most seen’ and I would watch them obsessively as a kid.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Your communication has been stellar. Possible mixing industry professionals with audiences could provide a varied viewpoint too.

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Really good. I’ve pretty much used FilmFreeway since its inception – the platform itself is very smooth. I’ve been involved in filmmaking since ‘Withoutabox’ was the standard and seen the evolution from that into FilmFreeway so I’m quite comfortable with it.

What is your favorite meal?
I am a sucker for Pizza’s or Thai Food.

What is next for you? A new film?
Two shorts, and three features all in development stages. Got funding? Lets talk.

THE FLOWER DUET, 5min., USA
Directed by Eddie Jelinet
Directed by Artist Eddie Jelinet this art visual film is an homage to the musical piece of Leo Delibes “the flower duet”

http://www.eddiejelinet.com/
https://facebook.com/eddiejelinet
https://twitter.com/eddiejelinet
https://instagram.com/eddiejelinet

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I have always been very fascinated by cinema, the impact that cinema has on human emotions is so powerful. Cinema is a lot like painting, it is creating beauty. Making the imagination materialize in front of your eyes is something really beautiful…

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I usually get lot of ideas and let them go around my head for a while until I am ready to make them become a reality. I have been thinking about this since before the pandemic , so i had to wait for a while, but once I had the opportunity i think it took me a few months to complete it. We filmed it in one day but always the process of getting the music right for film and the editing always takes time.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
In my personal experience i think the music is what it took the longest to complete or get the permission to use the music. I got 2 different musicians to allow me to use their recordings since the original is a famous french opera that I’m using for this film. So what i did is to blend the 2 pieces into one for the film.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I feel very proud and privileged to have people talking about and liking my work. I think they understood my film because the main purpose of the film is to show the beauty of the art in a way like dreaming about being a flower blooming and the discovery of love.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Cinema has always fascinated me but it was a few years ago when I started to create some surrealistic photography that I decided to explore and experiment with short fim and now it has transformed into a passion..

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
mmmm so many but i will say my favorite film is “Cinema Paradiso” from the director Giuseppe Tornatore, I also big fan of foreign and European cinema but i think probably a film i have watched most it might be Beauty and the Beast.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Well this experience has been great and what more can I ask for, so i can’t really think of something. But i have to say thank you for allowing artists like me that create freely and letting creativity be the driver of the projects. This festival is giving us the opportunity to show our work freely and that’s a very satisfying experience be part of.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Its been great , i think it is very easy and very convenient for filmmakers to use FilmFreeway

10. What is your favorite meal?
I love all food, it is one of the pleasures this life has for us. There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious meal.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
i have a few projects on my hands in the making, I’ve been working on a book of all my artwork since i’m an artist and painter, and i have a new short film called “Chess Game.” Also im working on a documentary about my artwork, hopefully i have the experience to be part of your festival again soon.

YOUR EVERYDAY HEROES OF COSTA RICA, 25min., USA
Directed by Hernán Salcedo
Your Everyday Heroes traveled to Costa Rica and searched for inspirational everyday people who are changing the world. Jeremy, Tracey, Vernon and Che are clearly all examples of what it takes to be a Hero, and we’re proud to share their stories with you.

http://www.youreverydayheroes.com/
https://www.facebook.com/youreverydayheroes
https://twitter.com/YEDHeroes
https://www.instagram.com/youreverydayheroes/

Get to know producer Albert H. Crane:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
One of our film crews traveled to Costa Rica to film Jeremy Levine at Wild Sun Rescue of an episode of season two. Once they arrived, they kept meeting amazing people who were involved with their own non-profits, so we decided to feature all of them in a longer documentary in an effort to draw attention to their causes.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
To make this film? This production has many legs… Each hero ended up being featured in their own episode, then we decided to combine the 3 animal rescues and recut it from scratch, so to get this far has taken just about a year. That is why you see Che in the after credits, as he was the 4th hero we filmed in Costa Rica, but didn’t hit the theme of this story.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
We faced a lot of challenges and obstacles our biggest one was moving quickly and timing of filming since we wanted to capture the release of the turtles and birds.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Incredibly heartfelt and warming, we truly appreciate the time and effort that has gone into this project in all aspects.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
As I’m the Executive Producer of the film, it’s always been a dream to be apart of a film, but now getting to see the whole process from idea to filming, to editing and watching it on film, to now winning a category has been an life long dream.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? Besides Your Everyday Heroes of Costa Rica, which I’ve watched thousands of times, It would be Grease probably the most, as a kid I had the VHS of it, and thought being a T-Bird was awesome, but as I grew older, I leaned more to Pulp Fiction as probably the most watched. Thinking about that, I might just a super fan of Jon Travolta.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? We appreciate all of the support you’ve given us through this experience, and love the fact that we won Best Documentary, The group chat is definitely an added bonus. What I’m struggling with is the process after submission, what happens on the other side once we hit payment on the festival website.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? It’s pretty self explanatory in general, but would love to know the back end process, as you could recall, you called me Hernan for a bit, who is the Director of the piece, I had created the custom field of Executive Producer, but I’m sure your connection just defaults to the director.

10. What is your favorite meal? Anything my wife cooks, but if i had to pick something, would be cheese Raviolis with her families red sauce, it’s so good.

11. What is next for you? A new film? We are launching a new site www.youreverydayheroes.world along with Season 3 of our Docu-Series on www.youreverydayheroes.com in the next few weeks, so hopefully you’ll be seeing more from us shortly. We got tons of new stories, new locations, new film crews, I’m getting chills just thinking about it.

TURNING A NEW LEAF, 2min,. USA
Directed by Isabelle Alison Hibbard
Hazel and Willow, two teenage theater club members, exit from backstage after a rehearsal. Willow is upset by her role, and Hazel argues that no, being a tree and chorus member is the best. Hazel breaks into song, and the girls enter a magical abstract world filled with helpful leaf friends. The girls sing and dance through different scenes, and eventually, Willow comes to the realization that it’s not about being in the spotlight, it’s about being part of a team creating a show together. They exit the magical leaf land and finish the song, ready to take on any role.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
The main reason I made this film was because it was my senior capstone project- I couldn’t graduate if I didn’t make a film. But besides that, I wanted to tell a fun story from a perspective in theater sometimes overlooked.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I worked on Turning a New Leaf for about a year and half. It started off as a silly two sentence pitch in December of 2022, and I made my final edits to the film in April of 2024.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
I’d say “Leafy” and “musical.”

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
My biggest obstacle was the time constraint, and balancing the project out with the rest of my life. I only had two semesters to actually make my film, and had to stay on top of my job and other classes at the same time. It was certainly a time-management lesson.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It made me so happy! Everyone seemed to get the core messages I was trying to convey, which I really struggled with during “Turning a New Leaf”‘s writing stage. It was really nice seeing that strangers genuinely enjoyed my work.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I was in high school when I realized I wanted to go into animation. It’s such a fun way to tell stories, and that’s what I really want to do- tell new stories in a creative way.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably Finding Nemo. I watched it on repeat as a kid– I loved the ocean scenery, the music, everything about the film (except the part where the mom dies. That barracuda terrified me). The film definitely sparked my love of animation and music.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Getting feedback from audience members was such a cool experience- I’d love it if other film festivals did something similar.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Film Freeway made it super easy for me to find festivals that my film could be a good fit for. I recommend using it if you’re on the hunt for more festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A big bowl of ramen is the go-to for me!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
My next goal is not nearly as exciting as making a film– I’m on the hunt for a job, and hopefully one where I can put my animation skills to use.

THE NEED, 15min., USA
Directed by Michael Rognlie, EE Tallent
David Alan Shepherd is constantly tormented by the ghosts of his own making, and the need to keep making them.

https://www.the-need-movie.com/
https://www.facebook.com/onthefenceproductions/

Get to know filmmaker Michael Rognlie:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
In the late spring of 2022 I entered a NYC Midnight writing competition with a friend. We traded stories to read, and as he moved on to the second round, he shared with me a little short story he called “The Need.” I immediately knew that I wanted to adapt this story “The Need” to the screen. My friend Kenny was thrilled to have a screenplay he wrote made into a film, even though I let him know that I’d add some new elements that truly bring “The Need” into the horror realm, shown in the form of flashbacks .

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film? We had our first pre-production meeting in January 2023, cast the film and started principal photography in April 2023, and wrapped in June of 2023, for a total of 6 days spread out between the two months. The score was completed by august and post production was finished before September of 2023. However, an additional scene was shot a year later in August 2024 and placed in the ending sequence.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Um…The Need. Does that count?

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The morning of our first shoot, the actress we cast to play Caroline had to suddenly leave town in an emergency and could no longer commit to the project. We lucked out that one of our extras was willing to step into the role, learned her lines and a song on the guitar that morning. We’re forever grateful to Brady Harvey for saving the production!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It was really interesting to hear the audience’s perspective on the film. It is not every day that you get feedback from strangers on a piece of art that you’ve created, and I find it extremely valuable.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawn to films and filmmaking.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? Probably either The Shining, Star Wars, or The Last Waltz.

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 really enjoy festivals that have an awards gala, or opportunities to gather with other filmmakers and actors.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? It’s a great platform for submitting films all over the world.

10. What is your favorite meal? I’ll have to go with a steak and a wedge salad, with a vodka martini. For dessert it’s going to have to be a fresh baked chocolate chip cookie, still hot with ice cream melted over the top. Or tacos.

11. What is next for you? A new film? I’m very excited about my new film. The working title is “Movie A” and we’ll be releasing the name of the film late this summer of 2024. We’ve already begun principal photography. The log line is “After a horrific attack that leaves her boyfriend dead, an injured young woman goes to stay with his parents, only to find out they are not what they seem.”

HEAVEN, 6min,. Finland
Directed by Masha Shalagina
A young woman struggles with feeling trapped inside her body, and the authoritarian and dystopian society she lives in. She clings on to hope as she desperately tries to escape.

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

Get to know Producer Björn Suomivuori:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Natalya (producer) and I (executive producer) matched on Bumble during the covid lockdowns. She’s a former student of the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St Petersburg, Russia and I live in a city across the border in Helsinki, Finland. We knew we couldn’t meet because of the lockdowns but we talked a lot and connected. We wanted to produce something together. She loves dance, and I wanted to do a music video that’s cinematic and doesn’t have bands playing in it. We decided to do something about mental health. However when the war started everything changed, but we just went with it.

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

Two years from making the music to finishing the final product.

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

Experimental, Expressive

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

Definitely the war. Because I am from Finland and Natalya is from Russia, our countries hate each other. Being co-producers in this project was challenging because of visa issues, transferring money and then nobody wanted to see the film because it had ties to Russia. We are grateful that there are exceptions.

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

Honestly, I cried. Because, the way they verbalized it was amazing, and it was so cool to see that you had gone through the trouble of recording those reactions. I didn’t expect people to understand how it’s one piece of music and film and choreography, it’s not just music and film and dance, it’s one singular form of the same language.

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

Probably in High School when I saw Ingmar Bergman’s movies the first time. My role is to be an executive producer and focus on the idea creating, development, securing resources and the commercial side. This just naturally came together as a role for me through different career choices.

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

Probably Aliens (1986)

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, you are already superior in your offering than all of the others I’ve submitted to.

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

They’re good, very happy.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Just a steak and French fries.

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

I’m working on a project about a nurse who treats terminally ill patients for a living. It will also be expressed through dance and music. I have found a cinematographer but still looking for a director.

CRESCENT HEIGHTS, 5min,. Greece
Directed by Yiannis Margetousakis
The concept is based on our inner battles to escape from our own thoughts and desires. The constant antithesis between light/hope and darkness is depicted through contemporary vibes to a classical feel. The title is inspired by the moon phases as a symbol to various and contrasting sentimental moods, a travel that we all make each and every day. The journey can be rough but the arrival point always is a quiet place – like our true home.

Interview with Composter & Producer Christina Mani:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I explored the field of cinema but the language of music won me over. It is worth mentioning that the inspiration for the composition “Crescent Heights” was born in Los Angeles in a mood of solitude and introspection and developed in Athens where I currently reside and compose.

As a music composer I like to combine classical elements with contemporary rhythms, pushing boundaries and limitations.

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

My first single “Crescent Heights” is a dreamy composition for piano and strings, inspired by the phases of the moon, as a symbol of different emotional moods, a journey we all take every day. Specifically, I composed this record when I lived on Crescent Heights Blvd in Los Angeles in a very old building “art deco”from the 1920s where I felt very inspired.

This music video is the vehicle for a magical journey in everyone’s imagination. The soundtrack to our wonderful feelings.

I began studying music at the age of four and has always had a passion for sharing music with other people. I have been working on this record for the past 10 years, however the music video only took a month from the time we decided to film it until we had the finished product.

The movie portrays the feeling of escapism but also that of contrasts. So, we had to “build” the music video based on those two concepts. There was no specific storyline, we were mostly interested in the overall aesthetic of the image.

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

The two words that mostly describe the music video are “escapism” and “antithesis”.

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

When I saw the audience feedback video I was happy because Its nice to see that finally your work gets amazing feedback from all over the planet.

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

The experience has been great many thanks to all the festivals that have selected our film, we re very honored and happy for the success of Crescent Heights- as it was a group project that involved a lot of hard work and discipline by everyone involved.

6. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is Spaghetti Bolognese and anything that contains pasta really :))

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

My new record coming out and the release of my new music video “Sunset Prelude”.

JENNIFER THOMAS – UNDERWATER CARNIVAL RIDE, 8min,. USA
Directed by Jennifer L. Thomas
An innocent girl enters a carnival full of wonder, where everything seems whimsical and fantastical. She starts to notice that things are off and this carnival and the people are not what it seems. Twisted halls of mirrors, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and shark infested waters – this music film will leave you spinning for an exit.

http://jenniferthomasmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/jenniferthomaspiano/
https://www.twitter.com/jennifer_thomas
https://instagram.com/jenniferthomasofficial

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I actually experienced I guess what one would call a “Dark night of the Soul” during the pandemic, and it involved leaving my lifelong religion. This was extremely difficult and required me to start over from scratch in terms of identity and getting to know myself outside of that context that I’d known for so many years. This entire film was based on a poem that I wrote while I was going through the angry phase of the grieving process, where I felt like the world I had once known was not what it seemed. It felt very much like an underwater carnival ride where I couldn’t breathe, I felt like I was drowning, and all the people and things I thought I trusted would turn out to be wolves or sharks. It felt like a never-ending ride that I couldn’t escape.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I wrote the poem in 2021 and the film was finished in 2024 with all of the filming, production, and music. So 3 years total. I also wrote the music in this film and so there were multiple phases of this project.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
“Relatable Chaos”, haha.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The locations were difficult because we couldn’t afford to shut down locations, so we battled filming in public and that’s always difficult. The weather in Seattle was always raining or something, so that was fun as well. Oh, and all the motion sickness from the carnival rides.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
To be honest, I was waiting for the negative because in this film and music industry I’ve just become accustomed to having to wear a thick skin with my art, so I was just reluctantly awaiting the negative critique. But I was pleasantly surprised and very excited to hear their positivity about my film. I loved it.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I’m primarily a composer and recording artist, and I’ve released 8 studio albums and also have composed the scores for a few short films and commercials. With doing what I do, I have made several of my own music videos over the last 15 years with a film crew. I’ve always had ideas in my head, and I’ve also been an editor for many years. I started directing and creating my own music films in 2017 and have grown a lot into my own filmmaking since then. It is definitely a passion that allows me to put visuals to my music for my audience to understand more with their eyes than just listening to the music alone.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Hands down White Christmas, haha.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
This was really an incredible experience. Thank you for all that you’re doing.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I’ve used FilmFreeway since 2018 and it’s very easy to use. Love it.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Dessert. 🙂

11. What is next for you? A new film?
August 9th I’m releasing a new music film that I filmed in Scotland that is part of the series of films from this album, and in September I have a pirate/kids film that I’m hoping to release that I’ve worked on for the past 3 years.

RUINS WITHIN RUINS, 9min., Greece
Directed by Lefteris Parasyris
A group of dancers positions themselves between the ancient and modern ruins of the island of Crete, Greece. Drawing inspiration from its rich heritage, they craft a series of kinetic forms and patterns influenced by folk dances and Minoan frescoes. These installations, whether harmonising with or contrasting against the island’s culture, offer reflections on historical memory and the Cretan identity.

https://www.instagram.com/lefteris.parasyris/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This film was a tribute to the island of Crete and its complex identity. It started as a photographic project but I quickly realised that these beautiful but peculiar locations would be the perfect “character” in a dance film.

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

About four years. This was my first dance film so it took a while to find the right team and bring people together.

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

Blimey, that’s hard. Meditative Oscillation

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

The funding part as usual. I did the editing myself and that was also quite complicated. This particular film required extremely meticulous and time consuming editing.

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

I was pleasantly surprised some of the audience got to experience the feelings I wanted them to experience through this film. A few of the comments were also very specific and well thought and I really appreciated this.

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

I always loved film. I spent my entire childhood watching all kinds of films. But I think the pivotal moment was around 13 when I watched Vertigo and Rosemary’s baby. I was like “Wow, I want to be part of this universe.”

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

I made my thesis on Ingmar Bergman back in my uni days which means I must have spent about six months watching his films. I’ve probably seen Persona more than 10 times. Rather than that, I love a good horror film. I must have seen The Shining a bunch of times for sure…

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

Having a bit of feedback is great. Most of the time, the filmmakers can’t attend the festival so in the end it feels slightly impersonal. I think a way to get something more out of it, is to connect the selected filmmakers virtually. Perhaps create a little platform or a social media group for the filmmakers where they can all come in contact or see each other’s films via password protected links.

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

It’s great actually. Once you get the hang of it and figure out all the little details. It’s kind of a luxury to have a platform where you can organise your festival strategy. I imagine it must have been so hard back in the day.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love a good cheeseburger…But I also really like “Gemista”, a traditional vegan Greek dish with stuffed vegetables. The perfect summer dish.

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

I’m in preproduction of a music video at the moment. Later in the year, I’m embarking into a new dance film journey with the same choreographer as Ruins Within Ruins. I’m very excited for our next collaboration.