MR. BULLOCH: CHICAGO'S DONUT KING, 5min., USA
Directed by Claude Edward Fethiere
This short film celebrates Mr. Buritt Bulloch the successful owner of Old Fashioned Donuts Incorporated, a business which has thrived in the financially blighted Chicago south side neighborhood of Roseland for over 50 years.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I was motivated to make this film because in a world were food is ordered on kiosks, and mass produced by machines, seeing Mr. Bulloch hand make delicious masterpieces every day is a breath of fresh ( baked,raised, and fried ; ) ) air. I wanted to celebrate Mr. Bulloch’s artistry, resilience, wisdom, and charm.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The film was completed in
12 weeks. I made it as a cohort in the University of Chicago Logan Center and Community Film Workshop’s Digital Storytelling Initiative Program.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle I faced was that I caught COVID at the beginning of the program reduced the amount of time I had to work on the film.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? I feel blessed and honored that everyone took their time to watch and give incredible insight about my movie. It was wonderful to see the range of ways people received the film, and how moments of the film left an impression, and why. This experience is unique. Thank you all.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? I realized that I wanted to make films after seeing Jaws when I was eight years old.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? “Alien” by Ridley Scott

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career? As of now, I can’t think of anything. I am at the beginning of my filmmaking journey. Hearing from your judges was an amazing and insightful experience and, again, I would like to thank them all.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? My experience with the format has been both enjoyable and educational. I like this format because it creates a way for global film communities to look at artists’ works. When I completed “Mr. Bulloch: Chicago’s Donut King”, my instructor recommended I enter it into film festivals on Film Freeway. I am thankful that he did.

10. What is your favorite meal? It depends on the time of day. For dinner I love my wife’s Garlic and Lemon Chicken, Green Beans or Haitian Red Beans and Rice, and Banana Pudding. For breakfast, Original Pancake House Apple Pancakes, Hash Browns, and Bacon.

11. What is next for you? A new film? I am working on a few projects. My wife and I completed a spec script for an original show that we would like to develop. I am also doing research for another documentary about other businesses in the Roseland neighborhood. I adapted my wife Natasha Tarpley’s children’s book, “Joe-Joe’s First Flight” into a puppet show last summer, and plan to make it into an animated short. I am also developing a romantic comedy, and horror movie scripts.