THE MAFIA, 11min., USA
Directed by Logan Girdlestone
A short documentary on the best fan base in the NFL: Bills Mafia.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-mafia
https://www.facebook.com/themafiadoc
https://www.instagram.com/themafiadoc

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
My family has been huge Buffalo Bills fans ever since I could remember. Sundays are reserved for the Bills. Additionally, growing up in Western New York, you see Bills flags on every house and fans wearing gear all year long. I think being part of this Bills Mafia fandom is something really special and I wanted to explore that.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took us 1 year and 4 months to make this film.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I think the biggest obstacle we faced creating this film was the huge amount of footage we got and narrowing it down to be a short film. This film was a capstone project for my film and animation degree at Rochester Institute of Technology. One of the requirements of the film is that it had to be under 15 minutes long.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I loved seeing other people enjoy the film we made and taking the time to provide feedback on a project that is very special to me.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I came to RIT as a business major and I took a film exploration class taught by Daniel LaTourette. He opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. I've always loved art and fell in love with the whole filmmaking process through his class. This made me decide to change my major to film and animation.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I think most of the films I have seen repetitively are childhood animations. These include Lilo and Stitch and Nightmare Before Christmas. More recently, I have seen The Barbie movie a few times.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I think the opportunity to network and chat with other filmmakers would be beneficial. I always like to meet other creatives and talk about their works and different filmmaking processes.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I love FilmFreeway. I think it is a great tool for filmmakers to view a variety of festivals on one site. It is very easy to use and is super beneficial to all creatives.

10. What is your favorite meal?
I think my favorite meal would have to be fettuccini alfredo.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I do not have a new film in the works yet as I am taking a little break from film right now. I graduated RIT in May and I am currently in school for paramedicine. My day job is at a private ambulance company and I am a volunteer fireman on the side. I hope to get back into documentary filmmaking down the line.