ROSALIND, 32min,. USA
Directed by Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton
Vivian and Rosalind love each other, but after Rosalind was diagnosed with lung cancer she became abusive to her only caregiver, Vivian, for nine life draining years. When Vivian leaves town to see her dying father, a nurse and their close friend, Phoebe, teaches both Rosalind and Vivian a lesson in love they will never forget.

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Get to know director Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton & writer/producer/songwriter Sandra Hodge-Hampton:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Sandra (writer/producer/songwriter): I wanted to show that when a person has limited strength or even a terminal diagnosis their caregivers should let them keep as much independence as they can because in addition to the sadness associated with the illness the person is also dealing with feeling like a burden to their loved ones.

Veronica (director/producer): I wanted to make this film to show that caregivers need to ask for help while they are caring for their person whoever that is, and that it is okay to ask for help when you're not the one that's sick.

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

Veronica: We started talking about this when my wife relocated from the west coast and then eight years later we shot the film.

Sandra: Yes, the idea happened when I relocated, but once we were clear that we wanted this to be Veronica's directorial debut I wrote the script and then about four months later we shot the film in one weekend.

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

Veronica: Painfully Blessed

Sandra: Real Love

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

Veronica: My work schedule because the show I was 1st AD on went long and my next show moved up, so for my film I had a really short pre-pro and I didn't get to supervise my post my producer wife did it for me.

Sandra: Our home life because in addition to writing-producing the short I was moving our four children to another school and taking care of my mother who lived with us and self-publishing five of my book ideas.

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

Sandra: Relieved and thankful! Because I prayed that everything I wanted to convey in the script would translate into a meaningful and thought provoking experience for the audience and their comments proved that we did our job.

Veronica: It made me happy that they understood what we were trying to say. They got the emotion, they understood the stress and strain on both characters and they saw Vivian overcome in the end and be at peace about how she took care of Rosalind.

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

Veronica: In 2008 on my first job as a 1st. AD, I helped a first time showrunner direct his pilot without the usual team of network and studio producers, and that really sparked my interest in directing too one day. And since my wife comes from the indie film world she suggested I direct a short so I would have something to show...because directors direct. They don't think about directing and then hope someone hires them.

Sandra: After college, when I lived in New York on my self-taught filmmaking path and a fellow neophyte introduced me to the b&w version of 12 Angry Men directed by Sidney Lumet. I was hooked.

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

Sandra: Godfather I and Godfather Part II

Veronica: Shawshank Redemption

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

Veronica: Nothing. I think you guys did a great job especially with the audience feedback video.

Sandra: Nothing. This is the first film festival that I've been apart of that REALLY helps promote filmmakers with multiple screenings and free marketing opportunities that we can use beyond the festival.

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

Sandra: Once I got our profile set up it was great to have everything set up so that the festival could pull all the film's materials from the platform and I didn't have to submit packets individually.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Veronica: Filet Mignon with bearnaise and Escargot

Sandra: Everything my wife makes.

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

Veronica: I'm up for a project I can't talk about, but I'm really excited to start.

Sandra: I'm developing my first podcast, writing a web series based on my book and voicing the animated show I created.