Beat Keepers: The Next Chapter, 43min., Canada
Directed by Cindy Goldberg
A powerful and inspiring documentary that follows a group of talented female drummers as they unite for a life-changing three-day retreat in Dallas, Texas. Through the raw energy of rhythm, unwavering mutual support, and a shared passion for music, these women forge deep, lasting connections and celebrate the transformative power of music to heal, empower, and unite.

Get to know the filmmaker;

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to spotlight female drummers—many of whom are breast cancer survivors—who lift each other up through rhythm and resilience. Their stories deserved a stage, and I wanted to give them one.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Just under a year. It’s a sequel to my 2019 film, building on that foundation with a new chapter, new faces, and a deeper focus on community.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Staying true to a tight indie budget.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was emotional and validating. Hearing that the film resonated so strongly with people I’ve never met was incredibly rewarding.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
After making the first Beat Keepers film in 2019. The response lit a fire in me to keep telling these stories through documentary.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Rocky. I never get tired of the underdog spirit and determination.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Offer filmmaker showcases to distributors or streaming platforms.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
Smooth and accessible. I like how centralized it is, but it can be tough to judge a festival’s real-world impact before applying.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A hearty vegan lasagna—comfort food done cruelty-free.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
For now, I’m focused on promoting Beat Keepers: The Next Chapter and bringing it to live audiences, such as the UK Drum Show in October. But yes, the wheels are already turning for what’s next.

EVIL INTENTIONS, 12min,. USA
Directed by Tiffany Laveka Lacy
“After the untimely demise of both her mother and father, a young woman finds herself entangled in a web of deceit when her stepmother manipulates and alters their will. As the stepmother’s actions come to light, the spirits of the girl’s parents return from beyond the grave, seeking justice and retribution for the injustice done to their daughter.”
ti.lacy@student.nyfa.edu

https://www.instagram.com/t.lacy_

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

My motivation stemmed from a profound fascination with the complexities of human emotions and moral dilemmas. “Evil Intentions” explores the darkest aspects of human nature, prompting viewers to question their own values and beliefs regarding the spiritual realm.

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

The journey from brainstorming the script to production and editing unfolded over two semesters. I wrote the script during my first semester, then shot the film in the following semester, completing the editing process within the same timeframe. This project served as my graduating thesis.

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

I would describe my movie as a “psychological thriller.”

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

The hardest part was obtaining the green light to shoot the stunt scenes involving weapons. Although we didn’t manage to accomplish that particular scene, the film turned out well from a directorial standpoint, allowing me to make crucial decisions about cutting and manipulating the storyline during editing.

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

My initial reaction to the audience’s responses to “Evil Intentions” was one of amazement. They truly grasped the salaciousness and thrill of the film, appreciating my lighting techniques and the way I introduced horror without resorting to excessive gore. When an audience can understand the story without needing explanations, it’s a great sign—they were able to relate on a deeper level.

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

I realized my passion for filmmaking in elementary school, where creativity was a significant part of my education. My school engaged in plays and musicals, and I often took part as a performer. As I grew older, my church’s vacation Bible school allowed us to write and produce plays, which I found fascinating. From ages eight to thirteen, I was actively involved in performing, dancing, and writing stories for my siblings to act out.

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

I would have to say that the films I’ve seen the most are “Mommie Dearest” and “Lady Sings the Blues.” They are kind of a tie for me.

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 believe that providing more networking opportunities and connecting emerging talent with industry veterans would be invaluable for filmmakers.

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 positive. The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to submit my film to multiple festivals and track its progress. It has significantly streamlined the entire process.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I enjoy stir-fried rice and vegetables with any style of poultry or fish.

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

Yes! I’m currently working on a new project that delves into psychological horror. It explores the fine line between reality and perception, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.

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STAYCATION, 93min,. USA
Directed by Russell Emanuel
How is the world affected by a catastrophic event? Everyday people live through a government mandated quarantine during a global pandemic while desperate scientists race to find a cure before it’s too late.

https://russem.com/
https://www.instagram.com/russem31/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

It was the Covid Pandemic. Everything was shut down so my late filmmaking partner Emile Haris (who unfortunately passed away during post-production in July 2023) and I went about to create a film about a pandemic against what seemed insurmountable odds (nothing was open).

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

Emile Haris and I started with a short film called “Routine” which we filmed in April 2020 at the start of the pandemic when even SAG-AFTRA was shut down and we couldn’t go outside. So he and I took it upon ourselves to film a 5-minute proof of concept prequel called “Routine” at my condo with a non-SAG-AFTRA actress Paige Laree Poucel and we hired an amazing DC/Marvel Comics Artist Dave Beaty to “draw” the third act which took place outside and hired two amazing voice actors Bill Victor Arucan and Alan Courtright. Due to the success of this film, along with head executive producer Bill Victor Arucan (who reprised his role of ‘Rob Peterson’ from “Routine” and the Peterson name itself is a running gag in all my 6 feature films), we successfully raised the money to do “Staycation” and started filming in November 2024 when SAG-AFTRA was re-opened but with severe Covid restrictions. We then filmed piecemeal over 2 years, finally completing shooting in November 2022.

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

Horror Comedy.

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

The already mentioned death of my filmmaking partner Emile Haris who was the writer/editor/director of photography and was in the process of doing the visual effects for the film when he unexpectedly passed in July 2023. I had to complete the film on my own by hiring another editor/visual effects supervisor Brian Barsuglia and was finally able to complete everything in November 2024.

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

I was super grateful.

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

When I watched Richard Donner’s Superman at the age of 5 and fell in love with composer John Williams scores including for this film.

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

The Empire Strikes Back – the film I grew up on and with the aforementioned composer John Williams who did the music for it.

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

To be honest, what you have been doing is wonderful. Feedback, correspondence, a screening. Thank you so much.

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

I love the platform, it’s so easy to maneuver and many wonderful film festivals like yours are on there. Makes it super easy to submit.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Cookies and cream ice cream!

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

Yes, I am currently doing an extensive polish on the sequel feature film Staycation 2 with amazing writer Avishai Weinberger. I had already written a 93-page script in late 2023 but felt it needed more work and had read a script by Avishai a few years back and loved it and knew I would want to work with him. He should be completed in a month or two and then along with many of the executive producers of the first film, we will start pre-production. I also have another script called The Dollhouse which I’m also very invested in and most likely will make that my next film after Staycation 2 (along with fellow producer Julie D’Aloiso out of Ohio).

SILENT TOKEN, 14min., USA
Directed by Camilla Della Vecchia
When Sonia, a descendant of a secretive law enforcement group becomes the target of a ruthless enemy from the past, she must uncover the truth about her family’s legacy. Guarded by the fiercely loyal protector Michael Stone and the powerful coin that she inherited. As danger closes in she must decide whether to stay hidden or embrace her destiny in the fight against corruption.

https://www.instagram.com/silent_token_film

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Ive worked in the film industry for the last 6 years, and for the last few years I’ve been working full time on a popular widely watched syndicated tv show. That experience inspired me to create a character and develop a short film with a compelling story of my own.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I would say two years from getting the idea to writing, researching, filming, editing and completion. There were even some minor tweaks to the story, script and characters on the days of filming. All in all, it worked out really well. so I’d say two years in total.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It would be the fight scene that is the B roll flashback scene with Sonia, the main character. It was the last shot of our first filming day. After 10 hours of filming I was kind of exhausted from directing and coaching the other actors on their scripts to continue to film. We shot most of the scenes in one day mostly because I had rented the location for a great price and didn’t have the funds in my film budget to come back another day. Plus the other actors were coming from far away and they already had full schedules. The lead male character is actually my older brother and he coached me on specific moves on that fight scene. It was tough at first but I quickly learned the moves because of my background as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. We finally got the shots in and were able to move closer to completion.

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

I was very pleased to hear all the positive feedback and I thought to myself wow they’re really talking about my short film Silent Token, this is great! All the viewers gave encouraging and helpful feedback.

I especially noticed that one of the viewers caught something that I was trying to convey through the main character and how her personality tied into the overall message of the short film. This actually hit me the next day when I was replaying it all back in my mind.

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

Ever since I was a young, I started making films, I saved up money and bought myself a little Sony hand cam and filmed some short movies, nothing meaningful but mostly for fun. In my teens I worked in a video store. Then after college later on I taught musical theater and film for kids, and there I taught a music video class with my students.

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

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 is my first film festival as a film maker and everything seems to be going well. One thing comes to mind is, I would like to have some type of zoom festival and be able to attend when it’s far away to have some type of red carpet experience.

9. What is your favorite meal? It’s been a great experience, very organized and helpful.
Grilled salmon with honey Dijon sauce and capers, with a side of steamed broccoli and a baked sweet potato.

TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN, 15min. USA
Directed by Eloise Lola Gordon, Rose Trimboli
This is a story about the lies we tell in the name of love. In this adaptation of Tennesse Williams’ one-act “Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Lie Here and Listen”, a couple grapples with opening up about their deepest desires while knowing that the truth of what they both want would hurt the other more than anything. This short film explores how people lie to themselves and each other in order to not feel the pain that the truth sometimes brings with it. In relationships, whether we minimize the gravity of a situation or deny ourselves the extent of our desires, it’s simpler to avoid honesty and stay in comfortable cycles than to face the unknown that comes with picking up and moving on.

Get to know filmmaker Eloise Lola Gordon:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to create something that would utilize not only all of the life lessons I’ve learned through my own relationships and the relationships of those around me but also what I’ve learned from working in the industry over the last few years. I also wanted to give opportunities to the talented friends that I’ve made through working and give them the chance to show what they can do!

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!?

Hurting and Healing

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

Having to sacrifice some of my ideas for the sake of creating a complete and concise piece.

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

I mainly felt a huge sense of relief that the audience got the message I was trying to portray.

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

I always knew I wanted to be in them but it wasn’t until college that I realized I wanted to make my own.

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

Mirror Mask or Nightmare Before Christmas

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 festivals are a great way to connect likeminded artists so they can build relationships and collaborate on more projects in the future.

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

It’s been great! I’ve learned so much about the film festival community and learned about so many incredible festivals I wouldn’t have known about otherwise!

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love all breakfast food!! There’s nothing better than a good breakfast burrito or sandwich to start the day.

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

Right now I’m really busy with acting work but I’ve been writing a feature for the last few years that I would love to start pre-production on this year!

BLOOD IS THICKER, 14min., USA
Directed by Melissa Skirboll
Two sisters living in the same city but completely different worlds reconnect over a meal. A mother suffering dementia pulls them back home but before they can return the trauma of their past must be addressed.

http://www.melissaskirboll.com/
https://instagram.com/melhypnoschick/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I’ve directed co-star Jeanine Bartel in 3 films prior to this, and in a number of stage plays as well but we had never had an opportunity to act together before this. We’d started talking about the possibility while we were traveling together for a film festival screening for our last short OVERDUE and the idea kind of took on a life of its own.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From the first time that Jeanine and I started talking about the possibility of working on something together in front of the camera, through to the final edit, probably took about 6 months. However this piece was originally a short play that I wrote and directed a number of years previous. From original conceit as a 10-minute play to finished film was 5 or so years!

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Sister’s secrets.
That’s not great. Two words is HARD to do!

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Once we decided to go for it, I don’t think we ran into any real obstacles.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Deliriously happy! Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but only slightly! Hearing that it resonates, that people enjoy it on so many levels is so gratifying. Plus It’s been a while since I stepped in front of the camera, (I started as an actor but have focussed on directing and writing for the past 10 years,) so hearing such positive feedback about both of our performances means a lot. I don’t necessarily recommend taking on so many roles simultaneously – and directing yourself is always a challenge – but if you are going to direct yourself, having Jeanine as your scene partner definitely is the way to go!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I think it had been circling in the back of my mind for quite some time. I had moved to Los Angeles in 2002 with the intention of getting more film work (still focusing on acting at that point). I started writing and directing – theater! – while I was in LA ,and once I moved back to NYC that increased substantially. But not having gone to film school, it took a while for me to make the leap. Haven’t looked back since though!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I think it’s got to be The Wizard of Oz or Singing in the Rain. Pre-cable those used to run pretty regularly on TV and if I was clicking through the channels and saw either playing I’d definitely stop and watch again!

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? Not sure.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Pretty easy and seamless. The more experience you get the more you understand how to use it to your advantage instead of letting it turn into a money pit 🙂

10. What is your favorite meal?
Mmmm. Depends on where I am, what time of year it is, what’s fresh, local, interesting….A steamed lobster in New England or barbecue brisket in Texas always hits the spot. B

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I’ve got two shorts in pre-production at the moment – hopefully you’ll see one of them next year! And if all goes well, a feature will be in works for 2026.

Grandpa’s Got A Brand New Pill, 9min,. USA
Directed by Jeffrey Moline
Grandpa’s Got A Brand New Pill is a short musical film that features an original song inspired by writer, producer, performer Jeffrey George Moline’s eighty year old mother. Grandpa’s Got A New Pill tells the story of Tootie, a headstrong, independent woman on the eve of her ninety-sixth birthday. Tootie feels unseen and constrained by the rules and regulations of Shady Nook Retirement Home. With a little help from her friend Awesome Lee Bodacious Queer Country Superstar – Tootie decides to make sure her party has a happy ending!

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Grandpa’s Got A Brand New Pill started first as a song which was inspired by my mother and her boyfriend over using viagra.

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

The idea for the film started in May 2024 at an SGI World Peace Meeting when a member suggested that if someone started a project at the end of the year they could look at the year in review and say “I did this…” A few weeks later I had written the screenplay and started working in the recording studio with Jacob McCaslin and long time friend Ringo Maestro producing the music. The experience of working with Jacob, viewing his video work and his love for the character of Tootie made it clear to myself and co-producers (Terrence Franklin and Tangelia Rouse Ringo that he should be our director . A process of six months.

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

Amusing and subversive.

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

Overcoming my own self doubt – learning to trust my team, my talent and my story.

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

Floored – Gobsmacked. Happy, ecstatic and joyful that people connected with the story, the characters and the song.

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

I’ve been a storyteller since childhood. I loved Hollywood Musicals and wanted to dance and sing on screen.

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

Auntie Mame – but I never miss an opportunity to view The Fifth Element

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

My festival experience is limited, I enjoy connecting to other creatives and being inspired.

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

My experience has been very positive.

10. What is your favorite meal?

A nice medium rare cheeseburger with fries and a Tequila ginger ale.

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

I’m going to make 5 more Awesome Lee Bodacious musical videos along with an EP. I am also working on a feature with my husband and co-producer Terrence Franklin called The Last Will of Lucy Sutton which follows his family’s 1845 journey from slavery in Florida to freedom in Illinois twenty years before the Civil War.

Stoned for Christmas, 14min., USA
Directed by Morgan Young
“Stoned for Christmas” is a multimedia whirlwind and a love letter to weed. This short film follows the adventures of one cannabis courier delivering at Christmastime.

https://instagram.com/stonedforxmas

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Stoned for Christmas is the culmination of my personal journey: my professional work in animated children’s television pushed into an adult, stoner space that prioritizes comedy. This short is my first foray into adult comedy and animation. I was inspired by shows like Smiling Friends and YOLO: Crystal Fantasy to create a visual world that was looser and more varied in style. I wasn’t interested in polished continuity — I wanted to experiment with difference in animation style and how the shifts can actually enhance the story.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I wrote the first draft of the script in December 2021, so it took almost exactly three years from inception to completion! We’ve now been on the festival circuit for three months since our premiere at Chicago Shorts at the beginning of March 2025.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was a lot of juggling, which I generally enjoy! Each artist was working independently on their own sections. As the only person with eyes on every piece, I was responsible for making the story flow when it was all pieced together in the end. It worked, but it was definitely tricky!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was so overjoyed to see people understood, connected with, and enjoyed the film! I also always think it’s interesting to see how people interpret the Courier’s gender, as they’re a gender non-conforming character and a little open to interpretation.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I’ve always been a cartoon enthusiast, but I realized I wanted to create my own animated stories when I broke into children’s television. I was so enamored with the detail and care that is poured into this level of visual storytelling. Animation allows for endless possibilities and really maximizes creativity — as a storyteller, there’s no limits!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably Oceans 11 or School of Rock.

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 love when festivals offer a networking platform, especially when the festival is virtual and it’s harder to connect in person. I love being able to discuss the films with fellow filmmakers and hear them speak about their work.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It’s pretty straight forward! I appreciate the organization and clarity of the platform, and the ease of submitting to multiple festivals at once.

10. What is your favorite meal?
My dad’s homemade pizza — growing up, my family made it every Friday and watched a movie!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I’m working on a few different projects: a mixed-media children’s book about witches, a weed-driven music video starring puppet pop star Comfy, and my first pilot script for an original animated adult comedy series. I love wearing multiple hats at once and I’m so grateful to be able to work on all of these pieces!

JIWA KORUP. 15min., Malaysia
Directed by MOHD HISHAM SALEH
A low-ranking officer’s corrupt leadership is scrutinised, compelling him to confront the repercussions of his unethical behaviour. This raw AI short film delves into themes of power and loyalty, illustrating how even the most reliable individuals can become lost to corruption.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I wrote the screenplay in 2020 amidst Malaysia’s COVID lockdown, motivated by daily news of sacrifices made by frontline police and the 1MDB scandal revealing pervasive corruption. My aim was to explore what truly compels someone to betray their oath—whether it’s power, love, or lust. By incorporating an LGBT relationship, I wanted to illustrate that love can remain untainted even amid profound corruption, and that true affection transcends legal and social boundaries.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take to make this film?
Remarkably, the whole film was created in only 20 days, driven by nearly 20,000 AI prompts. I had written the entire screenplay years beforehand but commenced AI production in early 2025. A close friend assisted with color grading—harmonising rain-drenched blues, earthy browns, and refreshing highlights—and another collaborator crafted the sound design, incorporating industrial percussion, menacing drones, and eerie water-drip effects.

3. How would you describe your film in two words?
“Corrupted Soul.”

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
AI filmmaking is currently in its early stages. The most significant challenges included maintaining consistent character movement throughout scenes, eliciting authentic emotional expressions from text prompts, and fusing this with a raw, live-action aesthetic—particularly when addressing a sensitive LGBT theme in Malaysia. Striving for realistic interactions in torture and intimate scenes tested both the technology and my narrative instincts to the fullest.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I felt profoundly moved and invigorated. Listening to viewers grapple with the story’s moral complexities—challenging the essence of loyalty, justice, and the burden of a “corrupted soul”—affirmed that the film’s combination of brutality and genuine emotion resonates, even when produced by AI, and that its themes are genuinely universal.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
At 14, I completed a school assignment that my teacher lauded for its vivid imagination, precise detail, and captivating narrative style. This praise ignited my journey. For many years, my corporate job delayed my filmmaking aspirations, but during quarantine, I found the opportunity to turn those early dreams into reality.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
It varies from year to year, but nearly every Sunday morning, I enjoy watching Bridget Jones’s Diary (LOL!) as my guilty-pleasure comfort film. The film’s warmth and humour provide vital relief from my hectic week as CX Lead.

8. What other elements of the festival experience could help you further your filmmaking career?
I would greatly appreciate mentorship from seasoned producers and screenwriters within the community who can assist in bringing non-commercial, character-focused stories to life. Workshops on integrating AI with live-action, along with networking opportunities that connect AI creators to traditional crews, would be incredibly beneficial.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the platform?
FilmFreeway provided a seamless and easy-to-navigate experience for submissions, tracking festivals, and meeting requirements. Its global reach and simple interface facilitated effortless event discovery.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Nasi lemak represents comfort food that anchors me in home, resilience, and the everyday heroism found in ordinary life—similar to the humble traffic officer who is central to this story.

11. What is next for you?
I believe Jiwa Korup will spark interest for a live-action adaptation (I’m excited about any chances, as I love crafting stories) — it presents a compelling and distinctive viewpoint on corruption and forbidden love. Furthermore, I am working on a comprehensive AI-driven full-length feature that delves into the often stigmatised theme of grief in our community. I lost my partner in a tragic accident, so I wanted to explore that emotional realm and bring it to life. This project will investigate how unresolved grief can contribute to mental health struggles and the ways in which love can help us cope with profound sorrow.

THE COMMUTER, 11min., USA
Directed by Joseph Sauchelli
A protagonist struggles to cope with a rough commute in the only way she knows how.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Really the urge to make something, particularly for cheap. When you know you are going to go down that route, you begin looking around at what you can use for free. Hoboken has this old fashioned train station I always admired and found cinematic, so I began to build a story around it. With college and my job I have commuted for quite some time, so I tried to bring that experience to this film – which immediately turned into a stressful thriller.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The idea for “The Commuter” is several years old, however it took some time to feel ready and finally take the step towards making the movie myself. As I reflect on the finished product a lesson I have taken away is that no one is ever really ready to make a film, and it is a risky mindset to subscribe to. On one hand you want to make sure your script and pre-production planning is to the best it could be, however you must be careful not to lean on the excuse that “it’s not ready” like a crutch.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Originally the thought of shooting at a public train station without permits was an ideal setting since you essentially have hundreds of free extras who are too distracted by their commutes to look at whatever it is you are filming. However, an obstacle you quickly learn with having an open set is the lack of control of others. The very first footage I shot was of our actress Bianca Linder sitting at a bench waiting for the next train, bored. Going into a shoot you are always on edge fearing what can go wrong and 10 seconds into the first thing I shoot a drugged out man approaches us and begins harassing her. I immediately start panicking – with a gorilla filmmaking approach you still do not want to be putting your actors in these situations. Luckily she’s a warrior and was totally unphased by it. From that point on we had no problems for the rest of the shoot.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Surreal to say the least. You are often used to the reactions from friends and family, which is always going to be some sort of bias attached. The majority of the reactions seem to genuinely be interested in the questions the film poses, which is very exciting for the filmmaker to witness.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
For as long as I can remember I have always loved movies and had an urge to make them myself. When I was young I would make stop motion animations using Legos or action figures, and as I got older and could afford a camera I transitioned to live action.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
That is tough, probably something by Stanley Kubrick. Maybe The Shining.

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 goal of all filmmakers submitting to festivals it’s getting their work seen by as many eyes as possible. Anyway a festival can help with this is always ideal.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway offers a very simple process for submitting to festivals which is great. It also does a good job at filtering through festivals based on subject/themes – if your film is of a particular genre it helps getting it seen.

10. What is your favorite meal?
I’m Italian so it would be sacrilege to say anything else.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I wanted to see how I could pull off a 10 minute genre short for cheap, my next goal is to make another genre film that would be at a feature length.