DIRT DON'T HURT, 4min., USA
Directed by Orlando Torres
After seeing the red flags more clearer, BEEBO builds up the courage to finally leave her boyfriend, regaining control to her life & valuing her self worth within her own beautiful skin.

https://www.instagram.com/otcinema

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Beebo and I have both been into music videos that tell a visual story that amplifies the message to the song. So we chose Dirt Don't Hurt from her EP and started to brainstorm who the character is in this story and what her arc would be as she goes from being a timid young lady to a confident and bold woman. We wanted to pull nostalgic elements by setting the locations in a 1950's style diner, in an early 2,000's photo studio, and also choosing different mediums like 16 mm film for the flashback scene to give it that subtle texture to the experience of the story.

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

It took us about a year to go from the moment Beebo approached me with the song she was in the process of mastering in April 2022 to the final cut of the production in March 2023.

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

Classic Empowerment

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

The biggest obstacle I had to face completing this film was having to tackle the role of Producing and Directing simultaneously. There were so many moving parts and people to manage but everything was falling into place and in line that it only made it feel smooth.

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

It warmed my heart to see how moved and excited they were from seeing it. Hearing the comments about them noticing the minor details and their symbolism made me really proud because we put a lot of thought on a wide variety of details in this piece in order to be as true to the story as possible.

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

I realized that I wanted to make films in Highschool when my professor saw my first video assignment and paused at the end to say "Play it again".

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

Hard to say what movie I have seen the most but the film I wouldn't hesitate to see again would be Amélie by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.

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

What the festival is doing already is just enough with the Video Feedbacks, podcast, and having it screened on their platform. Exposure in other forms and networking with others who can offer resources would be another step to furthering our careers I believe.

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

My experience working with the festival platform site has been so smooth.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal would have to be a steak quesadilla with guacamole, sourcream and pico de gallo on the side.

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

I hope to direct and produce a short film related to my cancer experience while being a young teenager entering into adulthood and the shift in the dynamic between their romance due to these factors.