STAY HERE, 12min., Canada
Directed by Amelia Mitchell
A troubled young man's infatuation with his coworker spirals out of control after she introduces him to a dangerous coping mechanism.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

It probably shows, but when I made this film I was going through a pretty rough patch of my life. I began thinking lots about loneliness, and how someone in my situation experiences it--while living away from my parents and hometown, working a minimum wage job, and spending a vast majority of my time alone. I feel that this is a relatable situation for people my age, particularly for university students. What we don't tend to talk about very much is that loneliness makes us vulnerable in ways we might not imagine. This story is meant to show the dangers of isolation, but part of why I felt the need to tell it was to put it in context. I really wanted this to feel like a plausible story in a specific place and at a specific point in time. This is how it feels to be alive right now.

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

Most of the planning, shooting, and editing happened within the winter semester, so it technically took four months. However, I came up with the idea two months before, and spent way too much of my Christmas holiday on it. So, about half a year.

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

Very dark!

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

Being a fourth year completing my final film in an entire class of other fourth years completing their final films was definitely the biggest obstacle. Everyone is busy with their own projects!

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

I was grinning the entire time--I loved hearing their interpretations of the events and their takes on what it all meant! There were different opinions, too, so it's cool that so many people got different things out of it.

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

Since I've been old enough to string words together I've known I want to tell stories in one way or another. I used to spend all my time writing, but I'd daydream about some famous filmmaker adapting my ideas for the screen. Soon enough, I was like, why don't I just do that myself?

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

Probably The Lord of the Rings. The entire thing. I grew up on those movies but I still adore them as an adult, they're incredible!

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

Anything to do with networking! I would love to meet other people, however I could not attend due to the distance.

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

Pretty good, the festival site is pretty intuitive and I really don't have any complaints. I only wish it could somehow filter out festivals that are regional-specific. It would save me so much time.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Sushi!

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

I always have a million ideas swimming around in my head! For now, I'm focused on finishing my final degree of university. Once I'm done, however, I'll have lots of time to sit down and write another short film. There's a great community here in Saskatchewan and I can't wait to get another idea up off the ground!