LOVE/BUG, 13min., UK
Directed by Barnabus Walsh
A couple, affectionately naming each other Love and Bug, test the limits of their love living with each other for fifteen months.

https://www.instagram.com/BarnabusWalsh

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
In all honesty, Laurel mentioned that she felt she was missing something from her showreel at a moment of radical optimism*, and I suggested creating something that she would want to include in that showreel.
*that moment being eating a double double at an In 'N' Out in LA.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film?
We first started discussing and writing this in early March, filmed in April, edited in May, and first screened in July.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Love. Bug. (bit of a cop out but those are the characters' names.)

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was quite a stress-free shoot, probably a couple reshoots of scenes?

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?
I watched this after a pretty tough day emotionally, so coming home and seeing some very kindly worded reviews really put a nice button on that day.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
There's always been some inkling as far back as I can remember. As silly as it sounds, Scooby-Doo: The Movie was an early example of me thinking "I want to do this" (in fairness I was six at the time.)

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I don't get to rewatch as much as I used to, so it's probably something that I've never stopped being a fan of like X-Men 2.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking
career?
I think you guys have the best version of an online festival you could ask for, there's a lot of different aspects of it for a relatively affordable price. Maybe a Best of Fest in-person finale to each year?

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?
More good than bad, but it's such bullshit when you get a "finalist" or "honourable mention" award and it's just them considering you but not doing anything with it. Please just be honest and say not selected!

10. What is your favorite meal?
Some of the worst individual meals I've ever had have been lasagne, but that's because I'm always very excited to try a new lasagne (veggie or otherwise.)

11. What is next for you? A new film?
The first time I submitted to you, I showed you The Lights: Test Run, a short horror film. The aim is to do a full length version next.