Aron Gaudet, director, The Way We Get By 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Inspiring, intimate, raw

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years?

Being downloaded straight into people’s brains for instant watching for only $19.99… I’m a forward thinker.

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

Never been, but I love a good BBQ joint.

4) What motivated you to make this film?

The subjects of the film, including my mom motivated me. To witness how motivated they are in keeping their commitment to greeting every American troop that passes though the Bangor airport—nearly one million to date—you can’t help but be motivated to do something

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to?

We were hoping they would laugh…and they did.

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

I’m most proud that we fought to keep the project alive for four years with no funding, and we never gave up until we found the help we needed to finish it.

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film?

I’m hoping they leave inspired to make a difference in their own community. That’s something we all need to be thinking about right now.

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

If by end, you mean the credits, then miss those. I don’t care if you know who made it as long as you see it.

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film?

Joe Berlinger, Barbara Kopple and in some weird way Wes Anderson.

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

I would say the unsung hero of my film is Executive Producer Warren Cook. He stepped in and gave the financial support that allowed us to finish it when nobody else would. Without him, the film would probably still not be finished.

John Alsop  - director, He. She. It. 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Bittersweet, whimsical, real.

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years? 

Ideally as a DVD Bonus Extra supporting the feature we're going to make one day.

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit? 

I want to go where the locals go, so I'd be asking them about their favourite non-touristy spots.

4) What motivated you to make this film? 

I studied Latin at school for six years.  This might be my only chance to make it turn a buck.  Like that's going to happen.

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to? 

There's a character who smokes a lot.  I was afraid some ideologues might hiss, even though this character is patently dying on account of his habit.  No-one did.

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of? 

The balance between the three main actors who each bring such different qualities to the story.

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film? 

The idea that  people who appear to have nothing in common share an underlying identity of interest.

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end? 

Go during the end credits.  Unless you're a loved one of someone in the cast or crew, it won't matter to you.

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film? 

Yasujiro Ozu for his dedication to the tripod as the "still centre of a turning world". We lashed out on about 25 seconds of handheld, apart from that we kept the faith.

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why? 

There are two.  Lou Irving the DOP and Roger Mason the composer.  For lifting this simple tale way out of the ordinary without drawing attention to themselves.

Jamie J Johnson - director, Sounds Like Teen Spirit 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Singing Off Key

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years?

As the definitive Junior Eurovision cult classic

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

I've never been to Atlanta - I would like to visit Usher's home... I saw it on Cribs and it looked lavish.

4) What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to remember what it was like to be a kid again.

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to?

I wanted the audience to love the kids 

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

It's got heart. 

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film?

To remember the innocence, confusion and excitement of being 10yrs old again.

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

The middle.

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film?

Spinal Tap/Best in Show (Ron Reiner + Christopher Guest).

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

Eliana (the cypriot entry's 8 yr old sister)... she made me cry with her youthful earnestness...

Beth Kruvant - director, Heart of Stone 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Crips...Bloods...College?

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years? 

Netflix & dvd sales

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

No- CNN

4) What motivated you to make this film? 

Preserve the past and inspire the future

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to? 

The poker scene 

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of? 

The structure of the story- the weaving of the alumni story and the gang story was the most challenging part

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film? 

Inspired to tell others to see it and motivated to help improve inner city schools

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end? 

Middle.

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film? 

David Lean, Alfred Hichcock , Woody Allen

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why? 

My husband, Roger Kruvant, he gave me emotional and financial support and didnt want any credit for it

Mike Cram - writer, Lightbulb 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be? 

Hopeful, inspirational, humorous

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years?

 Best selling DVD

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit? 

Never been

4) What motivated you to make this film? 

To learn the film business

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to? 

Sex scenes

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of? 

The cast

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film? 

The way to deal with hard times is with hope and persistence

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

The middle

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film? 

Writer-Elmore Leonard

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why? 

Ronnie Yeskel, the Casting Director. She worked tirelessly to put together a great cast.

Thomas Verrette, writer/director, I Am The Bluebird

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Happiness, Sacrifice, Love

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years?

I hope that by then it has played well enough through festivals and on DVD that I will be making another film. 

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

I grew up outside of Atlanta and absolutely love the city, but I don't have a favorite place. It really just depends on the event at the moment, which in this case is the Atlanta Film Festival, and more specifically Landmark #4 on Friday at 7:30! However, since I live in Los Angeles now, I am really looking forward to having a great ‘J. Christopher's' breakfast again.   

4) What motivated you to make this film?

The first inspiration for this film came from an article I read on CNN about artificial evolution. I don't want to say too much about it because I fear giving too much away, but I found it fascinating that the technology that I thought seemed so far away was in fact much closer than we thought. I decided to center those ideas around a broken family, in desperate need of mending that no technology could ever heal. 

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to?

The Atlanta Premiere is in fact our World Premiere, so I am very excited, anxious, and ready for the Afterparty! Honestly, I am thrilled to be premiering the film in my home city, which also happens to be where we shot most of it. 

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

I am most proud of my cast and crew. I feel our film looks and feels much more expensive that it actually was, and everyone's commitment to the film really allowed us to take chances and make the most out of every situation. We were constantly fighting an uphill battle, but no one gave up, and I believe this film, at least in its current form, could not have been done without them.

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film?

I set out to make an emotional journey, so I hope audiences are moved in the end. I hope that people find themselves questioning what they think the film means and wanting to discuss it amongst themselves after it is over. 

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

I'd prefer them not to miss any of it, but if I had to pick a part, it would be the beginning. That's partially because I love the end, and of course the middle gets you there, so you need that too. On second thought, just stay for the whole thing!

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film?

I know this may be a bit cliché, but Stephen Speilberg was a huge influence on me when I was a kid, and specifically "Jurassic Park" because it was the first Making-Of special I ever saw. Since then, I started realizing there was a method to the madness, but it was that initial influence that got me to pickup a camcorder and start shooting. I could go on and name directors, but I find myself lately being more drawn to specific films rather than the filmmakers, though I always note who the filmmakers are, and to this day will watch anything by Terrence Malick or Ridley Scott. I love independent film, but I can't deny my sweet spot for Hollywood either.

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

I feel like there are like there are many, but if I must pick one, it would be my sister, Tara Jean Verrette (who also plays Ally in the film). She has provided me with more support than anyone and has selflessly put this film in front of her from the beginning. 

And I still made her audition! 

David Harris - writer/director, Address to Silas on the Occasion of the Retreat at Los Angeles County 

 1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Emo Civil War

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years?

It's a short, so there's only so far I can imagine it traveling, but I do hope that as many people as possible have seen it.  Especially anyone who's wanted to get back together with his/her ex - there are only so many songs/movies/books for the re-uniters.  It's a neglected niche. 

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

I haven't been to Atlanta since I lived there as a kid.  My brother was born there.  I'd like to visit my old house and see if Blackberries (the fruit, not the appliance) still grow behind the house. 

4) What motivated you to make this film?

Before making this film, it has been a long time dream to set a period battle in a contemporary setting - WWII at the Seven-Eleven, The Crusades at the mall...  It wasn't until I stumbled on the North/South, reunion metaphor that I was actually provoked into shooting. 

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to?

It's supposed to be funny, sad/funny, but it's okay to laugh!  I sat through the premiere at Indie Memphis and no one laughed!  It made me physically ill how nervous I was.  I would even take a sympathy laugh. 

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

We fired the special effects guy two days before the shoot and still destroyed two apartments - with only one minor injury.  I'm pretty proud of that. 

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film?

I want what any creative person wants, I want people to like my work and seek out more of it.  I hope someone in Atlanta is into what I do. 

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

The beginning, it ramps up.

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film?

For this particular film, I'd say David Berman (the poet and lead singer of The Silver Jews).  He's southern, wry, historical and poetic. 

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

Justin Wolske, our stunt coordinator (and a great director) who left the shoot with an enormous shard of glass protruding from his knee.  He took one for the team and kept the actors safe.

Tina Mabry - writer/director, Mississippi Damned 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Emotional, Honest, Subtle 

4) What motivated you to make this film?

Like the characters I explore in Mississippi Damned, I came from a family that was haunted by the lack of possibilities offered in a still segregated and impoverished state.  This began a serious introspection of how does one truly escape not only a place, but also a mindset and lifestyle.  I wrote the script to explore these issues, to look at the challenges that face individuals trying to break free of dysfunction to define a new way of being.

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to? 

There wasn’t a particular scene of the movie I was nervous about.  Instead I was nervous about how the audience would react to the film as a whole.  It’s always nerve-racking for any filmmaker to exhibit their work because you want people to like the film and you want them to walk away understanding your vision.  At the premiere I found that people embraced the film and they were emotionally moved by it. Afterward I ended up hugging many crying individuals as they related their own stories and how the movie touched them. It was a very satisfying and cathartic experience. 

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of?

I’m extremely proud the film is complete.  Often times, independent films never make it to principal photography and we were fortunate enough to be able to make it all the way to completion within a years time.  I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with a talented, unselfish, and passionate cast and crew all of whom help carry the film to the finish line. 

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

There are so many unsung heroes of Mississippi Damned, but if one had to be highlighted for their sacrifice, talent, and passion it would be the producer and editor, Morgan Stiff.  Most of the time in independent film directors and actors are in the spotlight leaving the producers in the shadows.  Morgan has been with the project from the first page ever written to the end.  While she is extremely adept at performing the pragmatic duties of producing, she is able to excel in an area most producers fail to master – the ability to be a creative producer.  She understands story and character and comes up with viable solutions to serve the story as well as the budget. In post production we were on a tight schedule to complete the film and because she was also the editor, she sacrificed rest in order to meet this deadline. It can honestly be said that without her the film would never have come to fruition.  

Sarah Kanter - producer, Don't Mess With Texas 

1) If you could describe your film using only 3 words, what would they be?

Queer high noon.

2) Where do you see your film in 5 years?

In re-runs on Logo. 

3) Have you ever been to Atlanta? If so what's your favorite place to visit? If not, where would you like to visit?

Moe's and Joe's for the burgers and juke box.  

4) What motivated you to make this film?

We wanted to tell a great story and have fun. 

5) If you premiered your film somewhere else, what was the one part of the film you were most nervous about audiences to reacting to?

The whole darn thing.  

6) What's the one thing about your film you're most proud of? 

The level of professionalism and mutual respect was really high throughout filming. The majority of our crew is Atlanta-based and they were rock stars.  

7) What do you want Atlanta audiences to takeaway from the film?

Some laughs and a craving for apple pie.  

8) Someone has to go to the bathroom during your film, and they have to miss part of your film. Do they miss the beginning, the middle or the end?

They'll miss it all. It's 5 minutes long.  

9) Who are the directors, filmmakers or artists that most influenced you or your film? 

Sergeio Leone, Mel Brooks, and Clint Eastwood. 

10) Who is the unsung hero of your film and why?

Charlie for giving Millie the day off.