you are not the nightmare, 4min,. USA, Comedy
Directed by Priti Trivedi
A masked killer's encounter with a young woman does not go as planned.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Like many people who make films, I've loved watching and creating stories for my entire life. I really wanted to make a short film that made the most of the visual medium and that was both entertaining and thought-provoking!

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

Almost six months. Post-production was definitely the longest bit!

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

Surprising & current.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Everyone wants more time and money, but for me the biggest challenge was doing a lot of the work myself for the first time. I've written, directed, and produced before, but this was the first time I also edited and did all of the sound editing. Sound is SO important, and since we didn't record a lot of sound on the day there was a ton of sound work to do. I learned a lot!

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

I. Was. Thrilled! I could not stop smiling and had to pause several times to pace around my apartment and shake off the excitement. It's truly the dream to have people see your work and for it to spark conversation, and I am so appreciative of how thoughtful all of the feedback givers were.

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

My dad has a photo of me at age three holding his video camera so ... a long time ago!

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

As a child - Dumbo. I think I watched it every day for months (hence my lifelong love of elephants and my instant tears when a parent and child are separated onscreen). As an adult - The Birdcage. It's one of my favorite "feel better" movies and Mike Nichols is one of my all-time favorite directors.

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

The screening of the film to a private audience and a public screening are both huge for me, and I don't know what else I could ask for! I suppose if the screening was IMDB-qualifying, that would really help boost the legitimacy of the short and of the director. Is it?

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

Pretty great so far! Prior to submitting "you are not the nightmare" I had been using FilmFreeway for my writing and in both cases I definitely found great opportunities for exposure. I will DEFINITELY use FilmFreeway to submit to more festivals for this short and the next one!

10. What is your favorite meal?

Any type of noodle - spaghetti, ramen, bucatini, pad see euw, jajangmyeon. If you can twist it around a fork or chopsticks, I'm in.

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

Yes! I've already written my next short and am in the process of figuring out and raising a budget. I try to make each project more ambitious than the last one so that I continue to improve and grow as a director, so I'm very excited about tackling a different story.