TILL DEATH DO US PART, 24min., USA
Directed by Jacob Hamblin
Desperate to marry the love of his life, an Undertaker’s apprentice digs up the grave of a mysteriously murdered bride in an attempt to rob her corpse of its ring.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

What really motivated me to make this film was my love and passion for older cinema. I remember my father showing me old black-and-white monster movies, and I absolutely loved them. The idea of creating something familiar, yet no longer commonly seen, excited me and our crew as we dove into making this film.

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

It took about two years from when I first started writing it to when we completed the final edit.

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

Nostalgic, unsettling.

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

The biggest challenge was finding the right style of animation for the film's opening. We spent a lot of time brainstorming and experimenting, but nothing felt quite right. Then, during a film competition for a video game, we stumbled across an unbelievable animated film made in the exact style we wanted. After tracking down the creator, we discovered he was a young college student from Lithuania studying graphic design. The video we saw was his first-ever attempt at animation, and ours became his second. Once we connected with him via email, the collaboration was amazing, and he brought our vision to life beautifully.

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

It was GREAT! After working on the film for so long, and with this being early in our festival run, it's been incredibly gratifying to hear the positive responses to our hard work. Hearing that we successfully captured the old-school Universal monster look and feel has been particularly rewarding.

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

I feel like I've always wanted to tell stories and make films, but I used to think you had to be rich or live in Hollywood to do it—and I had neither. It wasn't until high school, when I took a film class, that I realized anyone could make films. That class changed everything for me and inspired me to fully pursue filmmaking.

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

The Back to the Future trilogy, without a doubt. They're my comfort movies. Most of my films are period pieces, and I love the concept of going back in time. I originally planned to pursue a career in history, so these movies combine two of my favorite things: history and storytelling.

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

What you're doing is already fantastic! Just being able to receive feedback is huge—so many festivals don't offer that, and it's incredibly refreshing. If I had one suggestion, it would be to provide even more feedback. I'd happily watch a full hour of feedback if it were available. It's invaluable to hear what's working and what might not be.

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

I love FilmFreeway—always have, always will. No complaints.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Steak and lobster.

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

Yes, we're currently working on our first feature film!