Phantom Heart, 6min., USA
Directed by Josephine Spanier
When a mischievous poltergeist escapes, a shy supernatural researcher must recapture it before it reveals the crush she harbors for her coworker.

https://josephinespanier.com/
https://www.instagram.com/josiespanier/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I'm very much a romantic person, but growing up and starting out as a filmmaker, I admit I gave in to some of the social rhetoric that rom-coms aren't "serious" filmmaking. In the summer of 2023, I went on a binge of tons of rom-com films and realized just how wrong that is. When I came up with this idea that combined that love of rom-coms with my other passion for supernatural stories, the full story came to me so much easier than anything I've ever written before. It felt like a sign that rom-coms are the genre for me, which made me want to see the film to fruition even more.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I came up with the idea and started writing it in fall of 2023, and by the time I finished post-production, it was early May 2024—around seven months total.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
This was my first time directing a crew that was more than just me with a couple friends. Understanding how to be a leader and manage all of the departments at once while still trusting everyone to do what they needed to was a big transition for me, but my experience working in the art departments of other projects leading up to directing this one definitely helped me learn what makes a good director. I was still super nervous leading up to the shoot, but once we started going, I loved it.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I am so grateful for the kind words everyone shared about this project. It's really validating to hear people share that they liked specific details that I spent so long trying to get just right, and I'm happy my story resonated the way I hoped it would with the audience!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
La La Land came out when I was in eighth grade, and seeing it made me realize how much I wanted to be a filmmaker. Writing has been my biggest passion ever since I could read, and I realized that writing for film specifically could let me combine it with my other love of visual art. I took a film class my first year of high school, and just never stopped after that!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Your Name (2016).

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Professional contact information of other filmmakers or other methods of networking and getting to know each other could be helpful!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway is super intuitive and easy to use, I had no issues! It makes it easy to clearly see all your submissions and track what's needed for each of them.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Gnocchi, always.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I'm working on a new short film; it focuses on relationships with a supernatural twist much like "Phantom Heart," but takes it in a darker, more horror genre direction. I also do a lot of production design work on shorts as well.