DILEMMA, 14min., USA
Directed by Trevan Jay Hiatt
Dilemma is a tense psychological thriller that delves into the consequences of a single, reckless decision. When high school friends find themselves trapped in a situation they can’t escape, panic sets in, and their once-close bond begins to fray. With each choice they make, the weight of their actions grows heavier, and the line between right and wrong blurs. Dilemma is a gripping exploration of guilt, fear, and where unexpected paths can lead us.

https://www.instagram.com/dilemma.film/

Get to know Producer Matthew Flug:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I've always been fascinated by moral dilemmas — those impossible, high-stakes choices where there is no clear right answer. With Dilemma, I wanted to explore how guilt, complicity, and friendship can spiral when a single choice changes everything. I was motivated to create a film that would leave audiences questioning themselves long after the credits rolled.

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

From the first spark of the idea to the finished film, Dilemma was nearly a four year journey. I wrote the script in early 2021 and made the decision to bring it to life in mid-2024. While the writing process came together fairly quickly, the real challenge—and reward—was assembling the right director, cast, and crew, and then shaping the story in the edit. That was where the project truly came to life.

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

Tense. Unforgiving.

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

The biggest challenge was balancing the intensity of the story with the practical realities of production. Dilemma relies heavily on emotional performances in confined spaces, so creating an environment where the actors could safely go to those dark places — while still keeping the shoot on time and budget — was our greatest hurdle.

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

It was both surreal and deeply rewarding. Hearing complete strangers reflect on the film's themes — and even debate what they would have done in the characters' shoes — reminded me why I made Dilemma in the first place.

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

I started out as a CBS News broadcast associate, which gave me an incredible foundation in storytelling. But I always felt pulled toward narrative filmmaking — creating worlds, characters, and questions that can't always be answered in journalism. Dilemma is the result of following that pull.

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

The Shawshank Redemption. Its themes of hope, redemption, and moral strength never stop resonating with me.

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

Opportunities for connection are invaluable — whether that's more chances to meet fellow filmmakers, introductions to industry professionals, or platforms to showcase our work to wider audiences. The audience feedback element was fantastic, and I'd love to see even more structured networking opportunities.

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

FilmFreeway has been seamless for me. It's straightforward, intuitive, and makes it easy to track submissions and deadlines — which is a huge help when you're juggling the many moving parts of a film's festival run.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Sushi!

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

I'm currently writing something new that I am very excited about— and I hope to share more soon!