SOLD, 14min., Canada, Drama
Directed by Jennifer Li
A devoted friend must battle to escape, after seemingly sold to traffickers by her best friend.

https://2023.theshow.ecuad.ca/project/sold/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
This film was created as my 4th year capstone project for my graduation at Emily Carr university of art + design.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I started brainstorming for my film just a couple weeks before the start of the fall semester of 2022.

The first semester consisted of script writing, pre-production and production, and the 2nd semester focused on post production. Altogether around 6 months to complete, and we had our graduation screening on May 15th. :)

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

Friendship, Abduction

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

One of the bigger obstacles we faced was the weather as we shot outdoors for the majority of the shoot. And the film was shot in the middle of winter; during the 3-day-shoot we had rain, snow, hail and a sunny day in between.

The continuity was a miracle - of hard work, planning and some luck.

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

It was a very nice and sweet audience review, very positive and uplifting. I'm glad that the audience enjoyed the film.

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

I've always loved art and different forms of storytelling, but making films on a bigger scale takes a lot of work. I can't really say when I realized I wanted to make films but it's definitely a challenging and rewarding experience.

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

I would say any of the Stephen Chow HK Comedy films as I grew up watching them and still rewatch them to this day.

The ONE film I would re-watch over and over as a child though would be flubber - we had the VHS by the TV and everything.

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 really appreciated the audience review and it was very nice to hear, but I also understand the feedback may be controlled as it is public and the film festival may be considering the film makers's feelings. If there might be a second - private linked feedback with more critical/constructive critique for the films that might be cool to have for the growth of the film makers.

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

I loved submitting my film on filmfreeway! Everything was so simple, streamline, and intuitive.

It's great that you only need to upload your film and information once, it makes the submission process a lot easier.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Oh that's a hard one. I can't say I have a favourite meal, but anything my husband cooks I love it.

One of our current favourites is bittermelon with pork belly stir fry.

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

I'm not sure what's next right now, but there's a hope/loose plan for another film in the future for sure :)