MISFORTUNE, 7min,. USA, Drama
Directed by Linda Kudzmas
Adapted from a Polish folktale, ‘Misfortune’ tells the story of two sisters; Marta the elder, and Zofia the younger. Marta is very rich, and lives in luxury. Zofia is very poor because Misfortune lives on her stove. Misfortune plagues Zofia, causing disasters that constantly keep her struggling to survive. When Zofia cleverly rids herself of Misfortune, Marta becomes jealous and risks everything to get Misfortune once again, living on Zofia’s stove.

https://friedegganimation.com/misfortune/index.html

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
The story of how someone can experience misfortune through no fault of their own, and how other people judge the situation and not the struggle.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Two years, it was a COVID project.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The composer I hired was teaching music at a Barcelona University. In the middle of working on Misfortune, Russia invaded the Ukraine and he had bigger issues to deal with than my score, which I totally understood. I was able to secure the rest of the score by purchasing stock music.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was so pleased that the audience understood what I was trying to say. I was quite touched by some of the comments.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I loved animation when I was small. I wanted to marry Bugs Bunny, and when I was old enough to realize that he wasn't alive, I was amazed I could be fooled into thinking he was real. It was magic.

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

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Printable, suitable for hanging, personalized award certificates.
Laurels that specify the award (not just "Award Winner"), or better yet, personalized. The TOFFFF is a great example.
Updates regarding festival screening dates and times so film makers can promote the festival.
Materials to help film makers promote the festival.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway has an extensive festival data base and a good, basic promotional platform for projects. They allow no hassle submissions. So easy, one may have a tendency to over submit.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A big breakfast: eggs over medium, sausage, bacon, hash browns, wheat toast with strawberry jam, and a good cup of coffee.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I've been struggling with finding an idea for my next animation. I roughed out some ideas, but there wasn't a 'spark'. I did some research into fairy tales for some inspiration, and I'm working on a concept based on my research.