CIAO, BELLA, 8min., USA
Directed by William Quinn Dover
In this modern film noir romance, a young stalker can’t seem to get over his ex lover, until finding out the double meaning of "Ciao Bella".

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4oPE1juDqh/?igsh=MXh4anVtMTFrMGM4dA%3D%3D

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
As much as it sucks to say, I caught somebody I was seeing on a date with another guy. I didn't take it in a bad way though. Seeing that just sparked the idea, I'm glad it happened. I was also watching "A Boy Meets Girl", a french noir movie that is absolutely stunning, and got directly inspired by that.

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

This film was a super long process. A total of 6 months, October 2023 to March 2024. For 8 minutes of film, that's a long damn time.

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

Moving on.

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

I have a scroll worth of issues that happened during the process of this film. Having to take out most of my money for school on this film, to losing my first cinematographer two weeks before production, to then having covid on set...But all of that was relatively easy because I persisted. That was the hardest thing...Making the jump and actually deciding to create it. A lot of people can talk about an idea, but actually making it happen is the hardest part.

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

Simply put, a smile. As much as I thought it was gonna boost my ego, it didn't, it just put a smile on my face. I'm very thankful for the people who take time out of their day to watch my film, it means the world to me, it's priceless. Being able to talk about my ideas and elaborate on my creative process is so cool. People actually listen? Like come on, that's all a creator and director wants at the end of the day, just having people interested enough in there idea to talk to them about it.

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

18. I wish I could say I knew I wanted to make films from a young age, but that's not true. I wanted to be a musician for the longest time, which I still am, but after filming my first music video as a director, I really got into film. I was living in Milwaukee at the time in an old 70's style house with a pink sunroom. I met with some film students at UWM. We would constantly have lunch in the sunroom and talk about ideas and then we started filming. Was the first music video in Milwaukee good? Hell no, but it made me realize I wanted to make films.

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

Harry Potter, All 8...Those were my childhood movies. I was a big geek, I used to come home, take out my wands and watch them the whole night. My mother wanted to kill me, and my father thought I would never get a girlfriend if I kept that up. I grew out of that but I still believe to this day that's the best movie franchise in history.

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 would rather be honest. It was quite confusing figuring out the details of this festival. I would make it a real festival and have people come to a theatre, especially if they are winning an award. Nonetheless, it was still awesome!

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

Great, it's easy to navigate through film festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?
I love yellow curry, add some garlic Naan and you'll be drooling. It's the type of meal that would make you go to war for it if they said you couldn't have anymore. Just try it, my friends at home know what's up.

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

I wanna just keep creating. I have a couple albums in mind, and more music videos. I just wanna be great. I have so many films in mind too, but I have to be patient and let those ideas come to me rather than rush them. It's so exciting though. It's exciting to create in this time and age. Although it's harder to be in the spotlight, I could go down the street and meet a random filmmaker. Or meet a random musician from Spain on instagram and chat with him. Sorry for dragging, in conclusion I'm just gonna keep swimming