Sowing the Seeds of Love, 18min., USA
Directed by Riley Young
Sowing the Seeds of Love explores the obscure and peculiar sex lives of animals through the eyes of Hulk Hogan (1980’s WWE wrestler icon), Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood from the popular 1970’s sitcom Three’s Company), and Robert Picardo (known for his character as the Holographic Doctor on the 1990’s Star Trek: Voyager series). Their role in this film is to satire their popularity to make the subject of animal sexuality more digestible to those without a scientific background.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

What was your motivation to make this film?

My true motivation for making this film was to find an engaging and accessible way to communicate science to a broad audience. With a background in Marine Science, I experienced firsthand during my capstone research project how challenging it can be to make scientific concepts exciting and understandable for those without a science background. That realization led me to pursue documentary filmmaking as a way to bridge that gap—bringing science to life in a way that is fun, accurate, and captivating for viewers of all backgrounds.

Two major inspirations shaped this film. The first was Jean Painlevé, a French filmmaker and pioneer of underwater cinema. His films explored the mysteries of marine life while blending science with humor, making complex topics engaging and accessible. The second was Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno series, where she playfully reenacts animal mating behaviors in surreal, theatrical settings. Her bold, unconventional approach to documentary filmmaking opened my eyes to new ways of presenting science—ways that are visually striking, thought-provoking, and deeply entertaining. Both of these influences challenged traditional documentary styles, incorporating themes of sexual identity, gender norms, and finding beauty in the unexpected—ideas that became a driving force behind my own film.

Drawing from these inspirations, I wanted to create something fresh, quirky, and exciting while still staying true to scientific accuracy. That's how Sowing the Seeds of Love was born. My film follows a trio of celebrity hosts who use humor, animation, and their star power to educate audiences about unconventional animal mating science—while drawing thought-provoking parallels to societal conversations around sexual identities. My goal is to reach people who might not typically watch documentaries—because let's face it, the word "documentary" alone can turn some people away. I want to change that by proving that science can be just as entertaining as it is enlightening.

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

I first came up with the idea about a year before fully committing to making the film. Once I moved into pre production, the entire process—from development to the final product—took about a year and a half.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Two words that come to mind are quirky and educational.

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

There were several obstacles in making this film. One of the biggest was shooting entirely on 16mm film. I wanted to capture an authentic, nostalgic feel that reflected the shows my celebrity hosts were known for. However, working with film came with challenges—I had a limited amount of stock, which meant only a few takes per scene, and I never truly knew how the footage turned out until it came back from development.

Another challenge was working with an extremely small crew—just me and my DP, Zach Robinson. This made production more demanding, but despite the limitations, we made it work. In the end, these challenges pushed us to be more creative, and I'm incredibly proud of how the film came together.

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

I was so pleasantly surprised by the feedback video! It was amazing to hear people's first reactions to my film and see how much they genuinely enjoyed it. Their excitement reassured me that this concept resonates with audiences, which motivates me to keep developing it further. I'd love to expand this idea into a full show with even more animals, more celebrities, and, of course, more fascinating mating habits to share with the world!

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I've always been a huge film buff, but it wasn't until college—while earning my undergraduate degree in Marine Science—that I realized I wanted to pursue filmmaking. Experiencing firsthand how challenging science communication can be pushed me toward documentary filmmaking as a way to bridge that gap and make science more accessible and engaging.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

The film I have seen the most in my life is probably Harold and Maude. It is so quirky and funny but with this message of hope and positivity. It is a beautiful story that touches my heart every time.

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

I loved my experience with this festival because it's so difficult to get independent films seen by a wide audience. This festival stands out not only for providing valuable, unbiased feedback but also for showcasing films to a diverse group of viewers. One addition that could be helpful is knowing more about the people in the feedback video—such as their backgrounds or areas of interest. That insight would help me understand what types of audiences my film is attracting and how I might refine my approach for future projects.

What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is an In-N-Out burger without the meat (vegetarian) but with the addition of pickles and chili peppers with a side of animal fries with chopped chilis. I love a little spice.

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

Next for me is to use this film as a proof of concept and try to pitch this idea to be able to pursue this as a T.V. show. I think this idea has huge potential to really make an impact in both entertainment but also education.