MY TURN!, 5min., USA
Directed by Isabelle Maria Tumboimbela, Daisha Lin Sherman
One sunny morning in Jakarta, Indonesia, Beth and her younger sister Liz become fierce rivals in their race to the bathroom. Beth regrets unintentionally hurting her little sister during the scuffle, and they both realize how much they care about each other.

https://www.instagram.com/myturn_shortfilm

Get to know filmmakers Isabelle Maria Tumboimbela, Daisha Lin Sherman:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Isabelle: My Turn! It was an opportunity to make a universal story as a film and have fun with it despite being a capstone project.
Daisha: When I heard Isabelle pitch this idea, I was immediately captured with excitement at the possibilities. I really wanted to work on something fun and goofy for our final year of school, and with the sisterhood element being personal for me as well I knew I really wanted to bring it to life.

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

Isabelle: I came up with the idea in March 2023, but we did not start pre-production until June 2023. The whole film took us roughly a year to make from beginning to end.

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

Sisters Fight

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

Isabelle: At the start of making My Turn!, I struggled with imposter syndrome. I often questioned whether I was a good director and if my ideas were worthy of being turned into an animated short. This feeling of self-doubt was particularly intense during the story development phase.
Crafting a compelling narrative and storyboarding it proved to be both frustrating and challenging; we knew we couldn’t rush this critical part of the process. It required numerous revisions and testing with peers and advisors. However, by taking the time needed for the story phase, my confidence as a director grew significantly, as we ultimately created an engaging story that truly deserved to be seen.

Daisha: The hardest part for me was balancing my need for perfection with the needs of production. There were certain design elements and animated shots that I wanted to continue working on to make better, but there was so much that still had to be done and constant deadlines. I had to learn when it’s good enough, it’s time to move on. I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to complete in just one year!

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

Isabelle: I couldn’t help but smile throughout the entire feedback video as I watched the audience's reactions. It was especially gratifying when they highlighted details that we had planned with care. It feels surreal to see people enjoying a film that our team worked so hard to create.

Daisha: It was so fulfilling to hear that people picked up on our references and intentions with the film. There were a lot of little details and design decisions that were all done on purpose, and to hear that being appreciated is amazing and incredibly gratifying as an artist.

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

Isabelle: Honestly, I can’t pinpoint a specific moment when I realized I wanted to make films. I didn’t aspire to be an animator until my second year at San Jose State University, although I’ve always had a passion for storytelling—whether through comics, posters, or presentations. It was really the moment Daisha asked me to create My Turn! that I recognized my desire to bring that particular animated short to life.
Daisha: I knew I wanted to be an artist since I was in second grade, but I knew I wanted to make animations after discovering Flipnote Studio on the DSI as a kid. Having the power to bring characters to life in their simplest forms was so exciting, and was a creative itch that I sought after through middle and high school.

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

Isabelle: I think the most rewatched films I have seen are The Lion King and Prince of Egypt. The music, backgrounds, acting, and story have held up for decades!

Daisha: There’s so many films I’ve watched to the point of constantly quoting, including Mulan, Brave, and Road to El Dorado.

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

Isabelle: Honestly, it would be wonderful for winners to receive a physical award, like a trophy, as it truly solidifies our success and gives us a “we did it” moment. In addition to that, a cash prize would be incredibly helpful. I love creating stories, but it requires both time and resources, so financial support for artists can make a significant difference in our work.

Daisha: I definitely agree with Isabelle on the trophy, although it’s offered by this festival and others, it comes with a price tag. However, I really liked the feedback video from this festival, I feel more festivals should implement that as well!

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

Isabelle: FilmFreeway is such an intuitive website to apply for film festivals it might be easier than online dating. But the site sends us a lot of emails which can be overwhelming sometimes.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Isabelle: As an Indonesian who has lived abroad for a long time, my love for Indonesian food has only deepened over the years. My ultimate meal would start with Asinan, a refreshing spicy Indonesian salad. For the main course, I’d choose Gurame Goreng (fried carp) paired with stir-fried water spinach sautéed with garlic. To top it off, I’d enjoy a glass of avocado juice sweetened with condensed milk.
Daisha: It always puts me in a happy mood to go to Ramen Taka near our old campus and indulge in a big bowl of Tonkatsu ramen, finishing with ice cream and taiyaki.

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

Isabelle: As a recent graduate, I’m experiencing a newfound freedom and am eager to dive into personal projects while enjoying My Turn!’s film festival run. I definitely plan to return to storytelling, whether through animation or a webcomic. Currently, I’m collaborating on a companion app, which allows me to explore new artistic avenues and continue learning.
Daisha: I’d love to make another film in the future, but for now I’m looking for ways to hopefully make a living off my art eventually. I have a lot of interests and avenues I want to pursue and it’s hard to choose! Animation will always be a passion of mine, but currently I’m working on building an art business in fine art landscape painting.