GIFT, 19min,. USA
Directed by Graham Northrup
A young man escapes through the woods with his barely-conscious sister. Pursued by a warlord and his ruthless tracker, he must prevent her from falling into their hands again. But they will stop at nothing to control her unique gift - the ability heal others with touch.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I love sci-fi and its ability to ask probing questions of humanity while couching them in a future or alternate reality. Although I have written and directed dramas, comedies, thrillers and more, sci-fi is my preferred genre, and I wanted to do a complete project, from script to screen. I knew I had a gap between productions, so I wrote a short that could be accomplished in that window, and possibly open up more opportunities once it was developed.

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

I wrote the screenplay in just a few weeks, then ran a fundraiser campaign for about a month while simultaneously location scouting and crewing up. We rehearsed and shot over 5 days, then delivered the finished edited film 2 months later. So all told about 4 months.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

This film is an exploration of how we use the gifts we've been given. Do we use them to heal? Or do we exploit them for personal gain at the exponse of others? It's also an adventure for a brother and sister who face overwhelming challenges in the world they inhabit, and it forces them to make incredibly difficult decisions, even as far as who lives and who dies.

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

Finding suitable locations was a challenge, but we ended up getting some great ones. Weather was a challenge on our first day of shooting, which made it a test of endurance. We also missed having our wardrobe supervisor on set due to illness, so others had to step up and fill in as best they could.

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

They understood it! It was very gratifying to hear them talk about the connections they made in the action and themes of the film. You always wonder if your intentions are coming across, especially if they are fairly subtle, but the responses showed that they were really getting it.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Even as a youth, I loved watching "Movie Magic" and "making-of"-style shows about how they made movies. I studied theatre and film in college, and while most of my career has been in theatre, I kept coming back to film, and am now full-time as a filmmaker.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

I love The Court Jester with Danny Kaye. I love the wit and physical humor. I also love Gattaca, Aliens, Groundhog Day, and others.

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

The further along I get, the more I realize that networking, especially in film, is one of the best ways to find like-minded souls who can leverage each other's knowledge and connections to make things happen.

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

It's been great!

What is your favorite meal?

A variation on your traditional taco salad call Mexican Chef Salad, topped with sweet and tangy Western dressing.

What is next for you? A new film?

I have an award-wining Supernatural Thriller feature screenplay that is in line for development and production, and I'm currently working on a Aspen, Colorado-based romantic comedy feature that will shoot this winter.