A Princess's Plea, 8min., USA
Directed by Brooke Thornton, Madison Hubler
Princess Circe awaits in her tower when Vince Davenport, crown prince of a rich kingdom, comes to claim her as his wife. But with the beast left unslain and the princess left unimpressed, Vince’s quest takes a dark and unexpected turn.

https://www.instagram.com/aprincesssplea

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I have always loved dragons since I was a little girl. That is what originally drew me to the realm of fantasy, and when I discovered Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, my world shifted. It was the equivalent of a comic book kid seeing his favorite superhero come to life on screen. I had an epiphany: That is the kind of character I want to play. Being a 'dragon queen' became a self-proclaimed part of my identity, and it shifted the way I moved through the world. It gave me confidence and strength- to put myself out there and claim my place. I felt this creative fire inside me, pushing me to write a story that would bring that dream to life. When the idea came to flip a well-known trope on its head, nothing could stop me. All this to say, the story came from deep within my soul. I created it for myself, and everything that comes after is just the cherry on top to one of the best things I've done in my life.

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

The film took about one year to make. The writing and filming process went by pretty quickly. I had a very clear vision going in and knew exactly what story I wanted to tell. The bulk of the time was spent with the editor, watching over his shoulder, nit-picking each second, and then working up the courage to actually show it to people when it was finished.

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

Fun and unexpected!

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

My biggest obstacle was getting the perfect crew together. I actually had a lot of people drop out during the making of "A Princess's Plea" including one or two the same week that we were going to film. It really taught me to believe in myself and persevere at any cost because I knew the right people were going to find the project. And they did! Everything happens for a reason, and everyone who showed up was an integral part of the filmmaking and the story's success.

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

I absolutely loved it! I think I watched it at least 10 times. Hearing the audience members admire the story and film components was such a great feeling. Every little detail was meticulously planned, and yes, "Shrek" was a big inspiration in creating the style of the project, so it's nice seeing all the layering really pay off.

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

I knew I wanted to be an actor since high school, but I didn't discover my love of filmmaking until after college. I was pretty fed up with the auditioning process at the time and hated feeling like my success in the industry lies in the hands of others. It felt like waiting for an opportunity, so I decided to just go out and make it happen myself. I'm so happy I did because I found an immense love for the process of creating my own stories. I was able to develop my voice as a filmmaker, and in turn, I'm a better actor and overall artist. Now, I have so much respect for every role on a set, and I'm able to watch movies with a more appreciative yet critical eye knowing what goes into the making of it.

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

I love a comfort watch. For me, it's Wicked or the animated How to Train Your Dragon movies.

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

You already have many unique elements to your festival, like the audience feedback video, which I now wish every festival would provide. If I had to choose something, I would say an in-person screening or award ceremony would really set your event apart from others.

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

The site has been really helpful having all the information about festivals in one place. It has made the process easy and given me the chance to submit to festivals across the globe which I would've never imagined. It has been amazing watching "A Princess's Plea" be enjoyed by so many people from different countries and backgrounds all over the world.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I've got to say nachos. Load it up with everything on it, and I can devour a giant plate all by myself haha. The more authentic the better.

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

Oh yeah! I will continue making movies till the day I die. This time, I'm looking forward to exploring work in other genres as well. Fantasy will always be my home, but my next film will most likely be an action trilogy of shorts because I love doing stage-combat and want to continue making films that I have fun with. I guess we'll just have to wait and see where the inspiration strikes! Until then I hope you enjoy my very first film, "A Princess's Plea".