DARKNESS UPON MY FANCY, 11min., USA
Directed by Molly Loftus
A monster born of the ashes of a witch's sister embarks on a sinister quest when she is rejected by her creator.

https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/projects/darknessuponmyfancy
https://www.instagram.com/darknessuponmyfancy_film/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Apart from turning thirty, I felt particularly inspired by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. She was this precocious woman who wrote about real tragedies with grace in a way that hit home for me. I couldn't help but imagine a world like this that dealt with what women during her time might be experiencing. This coincided with the industry-wide strikes and I felt it more important than ever to provide indie opportunities to female identifying and non-binary artists.

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

From idea to finished product, the film took me about a year to complete.

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

Gothic and beautiful

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

Not having adequate funds is almost always an obstacle to a film's completion. I experienced some of that, but during filming we also ran into obstacles. In the climatic scene, we were filming during a bad storm in a cabin in the woods. It became increasingly unsafe to film, so tension was high and of course prioritizing safety we cut early. It was our final shot of the film, so what we got is what we had to work with. The team was incredibly efficient and impressive in that moment. I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for them.

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

I'm couldn't believe they watched my film! It was unlike anything I'd experienced, and I'm so happy they had such positive feedback. When I set out to make this film, I told myself I'd be happy if I and maybe one other person liked it. It felt good to hear that several audience members enjoyed it.

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

I've always loved films but making them felt so intimidating for me. Like many people, I didn't know where to start. I fell into video production almost a decade ago and as the process became less mysterious to me I thought, I can do this!

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

That's a tricky one! My sisters and I watch Love Actually and The Family Stone almost every holiday season, so those are most likely the films I've seen the most.

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 this festival did an amazing job of promoting the filmmaker and marketing the films. As a filmmaker, getting yourself and your art out there is so important.

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

FilmFreeway is such a seamless process for submitting to film festivals. I found the process to be very supportive of my needs.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My go-to meal is what my partner and I like to call must-go. We get a local produce box from Mitch's Provisions every week, which is an affordable mystery box of produce that is the best way to support local farmers. It's fun to get creative about using all the seasonal ingredients and great for the environment and minimizing waste.

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

Another film that I produced is in festivals this year, which I'm excited for. I'm always thinking of ideas, from narrative to documentary works. I'm writing a script right now that I'm particularly excited about, which delves into meeting our shadows and adventuring into different realms. I'm loving the horror genre and community around it, so it's certainly leaning in that direction!