DISMISSAL TIME, 29min,. USA
Directed by Andre Joseph
When a black high school student in a reputable prep school becomes the victim of a vicious form of cyberbullying, his history teacher makes it her mission to bring those responsible to task when the administration fails to act. Inspired by true events.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I experienced racially-motivated bullying as a high school freshman where I was one of the few black students in my class. For years, I tried to suppress the trauma privately even though there were times I was uncomfortable in my skin. When the murder of George Floyd in 2020 sparked a national reckoning on race relations in America, I felt motivated to speak about my experience through film and I began to write Dismissal Time that summer inspired by my history.

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

It was roughly one year of rewrites plus fundraising through the non-profit organization Fractured Atlas. Once it was cast and the crew was assembled, we shot 4 days in October 2021 in locations around Philadelphia and South Jersey. Then it was 6 months of post-production work.

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

Social responsibility.

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

Filming during the pandemic. It created some limitations as far as the amount of student extras we could have on set among other factors. Luckily, everyone played it safe by taking precautions and following COVID protocols in all locations.

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

For the most part, I felt the audience members who spoke gave a fair assessment of the film. The most important part of their feedback was how they could relate to the situation at hand and saw the importance of taking a stand when an injustice gets swept under the rug.

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

Probably at 10 years old when I used to play with my cousins at our grandmother's Brooklyn apartment and begged our late uncle to use his video camera. It motivated me to write a wish list of ideas I wanted to make as movies until I finally owned a camera at age 14.

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

Great question! There are so many to choose from! If I had to choose at least one, it might be the original RoboCop. The effects and the story themes still hold up today.

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

More networking opportunities and helping filmmakers find ways to raise funds as well as educating us on successful distribution outlets.

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

It's generally good from the standpoint of keeping all submission materials streamlined and reviews help to separate legit festivals from bad ones. Though FilmFreeway could do better on weeding out illegitimate festivals that aim to rip off the filmmakers financially.

10. What is your favorite meal?

A nice grilled sirloin steak with extra veggies.

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

I'm in post-production on my next feature THE LAST VENDETTA which is the third and final entry of my trilogy that began with DISHONORABLE VENDETTA and VENDETTA GAMES which you can find on Amazon as well as Tubi. Additionally, I'm reworking a Western idea I have into a web series and a few other scripts I'm currently preparing.