Don't forget to smile, 8min., North Macedonia
Teacher that's teaching kids to smile in a post a dystopic school.

Get to know filmmaker David Dulev:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The initial motivation for this movie was the fact that i needed to graduate college and a short film was part of the final exam, that aside i felt like i wanted to give my thoughts on the pandemic and human emotions in general and i got lucky that my friend Onur had a script with that idea already built.

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

Technically 3 and a half years since the first time i heard the idea, although a solid one and a half year was idle spent just thinking about it because of both me and Onur being busy with work, after that we discussed possible ideas for the final script for a couple of months and finally brought up the idea with
the rest of the crew. After a few more months in pre production we were finally ready to shoot.

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

Absolute Cinema! =)

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

The biggest obstacle i faced with this movie was being a first time director, although i have worked on movies in the past, It was as an editor or assistant editor. I was rather nervous the whole time until I got the footage in front of me on the PC. Only then i thought "Ok maybe there is something here".

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

My initial reaction was: "Hey people actually like it, that's so cool" and i was impressed by the different takes they had about the film, made me realise that the same movie can be interpreted differently by different people which was interesting to say the least.

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

That is a good question, i think i wanted to be a part of making films since a very young age mostly because i grew up alongside my father which has a production company and i was surrounded by people working in the industry. I watched a lot of films growing up so I thought maybe one day I can make my own.

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

Probably either Star Wars or Fight Club.

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

More live theater screenings for short films, that is my one and only suggestion. I think that every film is slightly better when shown
in a film theatre on the big screen.

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

All in all it has been a good experience, no real complaints. It gives access to film festivals all around the globe with a click of a button
and a discount or 2 to sweeten the deal. What more can you want ? :)

10. What is your favorite meal?

Probably sarma but only if it's made by my grandmother. It's like minced meat mixed with rice and wrapped in sour cabbage. A popular
dish in the balkans.

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

I am currently working or more accurately developing a story for another short that i plan to shoot sometime next year, but as it's still
in development i can't quite say when for sure.