GOODBYE FREYA, 11min., UK
Directed by Bensalem Mitchell
Rob organises a surprise leaving party for his best friend Freya but it may be the last opportunity to confess his true feelings.

https://www.instagram.com/bensalem007

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to make something during the brief interlude of initial lockdowns we had and set about making something that felt could speak to a lot of our experiences growing up in life.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Initially when we were about to shoot we were interrupted by the first lockdown but outside of that pause it only took a couple months from inception to the final film.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Just before we began filming the scenes at the car park (our only opportunity due to the placement of sunlight) a deluge of rain plagued us at the same time one of our transport vehicles died from a dead battery. Fortunately we managed to revive the car in time to get out of the way for our camera and the rain vanished as soon as it came giving us an amazing wet look that glistened with the sunlight. Definitely a nightmare moment that ended up working out a dream.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It's always lovely to hear audiences respond to your film in a positive way they connected with. You always want to give audiences something that resonates with them as its the most rewarding experience you can hope for.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Around 16-17 when I took part in a creative youth scheme to direct a short film, which got screened at our local cinema. I was always artistically driven and getting to make something from my imagination to something tangible was very appealing.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably Jurassic Park as that was a film I would religiously go to see at the cinema when I was a kid that made a big impression on me. Over the years it's only aged like a fine wine and is something I often find myself returning to.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Filmmaker inclusion is important as its a vessel for aspiring storytellers to talk about their work and meet likeminded individuals to inspire one another. Audience participation/reaction is always welcome too.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway has a very simple user interface to understand and where you can discover new festivals to submit to. It used to be much more complicated to know exactly how to spread your short to new audiences. FilmFreeway homogenises the whole final experience of packaging your films so that you can easily plan how to get the biggest possible audience to see your work.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A rare steak with chips; classic.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I have a couple shorts in mind including a feature, all that take me in a direction towards thrillers, which I hope to get into in the near future. Please check out my website for any updates on www.bensalemsari.com or follow me on instagram @bensalemsari