CHERRY ON TOP, 15min., Brazil
Directed by Laura Reis
A girl with a bunny head tries to escape from her hunted reality when she discovers a group of colorful and hungry girls to be a part of…but things are not as sweet as it seems

https://www.instagram.com/cerejadobolofilme/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I can think that my motivation came from the desire to send an environment message about animal’s safety, global warming, and the problems our future is warning us about. Obviously, I wanted to do this in my own way, full of visual astonishing images and satire, targeting horror movie fans that can walk out of the section and rethink their views of the world. Another part of me wanted to make this film to honor my inter child that always dreamed about becoming a filmmaker and creating my very unique universe were everything is possible, even magical forests filled with pink, cakes and weird girls scouts to be a part of.

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

I had the idea for the film when I was 19 years old, while doing what I always do alone in my room, drawing weird and unsettling characters, especially girls with bunny heads. With 20 years old, I finally shoot the film, and with 21 I am releasing to the world. So, 3 years in total.

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

Pink and Blood!!

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

I have to say, the rainy days we faced through the shooting days. We had to reschedule our set after shooting the first two days, fearing the rain reports of October 2023. We came back in November, more motivated than ever to finish our work. Glady, we shoot everything in chronological order.

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

Not gonna lie, I cried a bit. Is a fantastic feeling to watch people from another part of the world talking about your film, and specially to understand everything you wanned to express. Cherry on Top is a non-dialogue short film, I wanted it to be that way so it was easier to start conversations all around the world, and I’m so beyond happy that is happening. Right after watching the feedback video, I sent it to the entire crew and cast so we could exchange of the same exited feelings.

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

That happened at a very young age, maybe around 4 or 5 years old. I’m a cinephile since birth, thank you mom and dad for raising me around incredible films, introducing me to horror films such as The Blair Witch (1999) and our family traditions to watch all of the Friday the 13th films in a row. I was the type of kid that forced my friends to be part of my “movies” and loved to be behind the cameras at the family functions (still do), but I can’t remember the exact moment where I discovered that filmmaking was a career to pursue although I can clearly remember my child’s mind creating full on films in my head and waiting for the right time where I could bring them out to the world.

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

That’s a hard one because I was the type of kid to rent the exact same films at my local movie rental store over and over again…but thinking a little fast ford than those times, I think the film I have seen the most in my life is “The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain (2001)”

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

I love the work that your festival is already doing, is really important especially to us first time filmmakers that need a space to be heard and share our visions. I wish more festivals could give the attention the you’re giving to filmmakers around the world. Something cool that you could implement could be a Q&A (online or present) featuring the film winners of the categories with the film crew and audience.

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

It was great! Not a single problem.

9. What is your favorite meal?

Is safe to say that I preferer sweets over salty foods, but as a proud vegetarian I love the Middle Eastern cuisine, falafel, chick pea, and all its non-meat goodness.

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

I hope new films come to my way, my dream project right now would be a “Cherry on Top” featured film, I still have a lot more to say and explore form its universe. But new ideas are aways coming, and I’ll for sure work on them and make it happen if I think is worth it. I also have a lot of love for music, and want to mix my two greatest loves: films and music, in to one with music videos! So, I hope this type of projects is also in my near future. But one thing I know for sure, my next short film, video clip and feature film, will be very visually awesome filled with my favorite horror references, and featuring a new look to the genre :)