WHAT IS THE FOURTH DIMENSION?, 9min., USA
Directed by Felipe Marinheiro
A paranormal investigator examines an eccentric woman’s sanity, unriddling the apparition she claims to contact while confronting his haunted past.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Well, it all started when I watched a video of a woman who claimed to have a relationship with a ghost. Also, I worked distributing a paranormal TV show, and the series began with the host having a fascinating philosophical/"scientific" conversation with an interviewee about ghosts. I just think it's so interesting how people have different perspectives on ghosts and what's real and what's not. So, I wanted to make a film about this clash of realities - in a way that I thought would be fun, mysterious, and easy to shoot.

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

I had pieces of an idea in my mind for a couple of years. But, from when I started writing to the finished project, it was about a year.

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

A bit of a spoiler, but "ghost sex."

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

It's hard picking only one. I think it all comes back to the budget - every filmmaker wishes they had a bigger budget, right? We did this film with almost no money, making everything harder - scheduling, effects, locations, and finding the right actors and crew willing to work for free. I'm very thankful to everyone who worked on this project with me - it's as much theirs as it is mine.

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

I always get anxious before receiving feedback - but people were very positive. I liked how plural the reviews were; each person had a different opinion about what they liked the most and a slightly different take on the story.

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

When I was 14, I had a school project that made us get into a group and make a short film. I mean, I was already a little film nerd back then, but that was the spark I needed to realize that not only I wanted to watch movies, but also to make them.

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

I'm not a person who rewatches movies all the time, even my favorites. But when I was a kid, when we still rented movies from video stores, I rented a copy of Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed for the weekend. I liked it so much that I made it my goal to watch it as many times as possible before I had to return it. I think I watched about 9 times that weekend alone. I don't think any movie has topped that yet.

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

You guys are doing an excellent job helping the filmmakers promote themselves. I've seen festivals that do interviews, but the questions are like, "How honored are you to participate in our festival?" So they are trying to promote the festival more than the actual films. The only thing I'm missing is some kind of event in which I could talk to other people in the industry and other filmmakers - I think doing that networking would be important for me.

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

The platform itself is good. It's nice to find new events and submit to many festivals in one place. The only frustration is when we receive a negative answer from a festival, but I'm glad you guys enjoyed my short enough to select it for your program.

10. What is your favorite meal?

A Brazilian beef stroganoff. I'm from Brazil, but I live in LA. It's one of the only Brazilian dishes I can cook well here. It's even become my girlfriend's favorite meal (and she's American).

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

I'm finishing up the post on another short film that I'm really excited about - It's called "Fuck You, Cupid." It's about a heartbroken young woman who seeks the help of a medium to reclaim her boyfriend back, but she soon starts questioning the morality of this spellbound love. There's also a music video that I co-directed, which is coming out on February 23 - so please check it out on YouTube, "Seats For Ghosts" by Delilah Brao. I've also just finished writing a feature film script, "The Hound," a modern take on the H.P. Lovecraft short story. The plan is to put it on some contests and start pitching it soon.