TEA TIME, 9min., USA
Directed by B.T. Goldman
A detective interrogates a strange elderly Englishman about a missing person in his neighborhood.

https://www.instagram.com/cybereggproductions/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I hadn't directed a project of my own in over a year, and I was at a wrap party for a short film that I was an extra in (SPRINKLES, directed by the Andrew Korzenik, written by Riley Stockard, and produced by Sky Mattioli, all great talents). I tend to be off in my own world a bit at parties, and the image of a wild, tuxedo-laden man forcing tea on a guest at a table in an empty room came into my head. It was kind of out of nowhere, and seemed like a really simple, filmable idea for an unsettling story. It was an eerie, but also amusing to me since I grew up with an English father (who naturally was cast as the Englishman in this film).

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

I initially had the idea around September 2023, we filmed in February 2024, and I had the final edit in December 2024, so it was a total of about 15 months from conception to completion.

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

Uncomfortably funny.

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

It was probably the audio editing. It really felt like everything came together fairly easily, everyone who worked on the film is a close friend or relative. Eric Alcaraz, our incredible cinematographer, is well educated in audio engineering and really saved me with that when I was editing.

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

Shock. I was so delighted and humbled by how positively the audience felt. The film really seemed to have the effect on the audience we were going for. It was great to hear my dad get praise for his performance too.

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

I've been drawing cartoons since I was a toddler, and starting making films with the help of my parents with a video camera when I was about 6 or so. I made a lot of silly short films in my high school video class, where I met John Kemsley (who plays Det. Alan Burke in Tea Time). I went to Cal State Northridge to study animation, and I've gone back and forth with different creative mediums since.

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

Probably Yellow Submarine, the animated Beatles movie. I obsessively watched it over and over again as a little kid. I still have the VHS tape I watched it on back then.

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

Any opportunity to network and chat more with the other creators! The WhatsApp service is a great idea.

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

It's been great! It's a very convenient and thorough way to investigate and submit to festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love Chinese food. Takeout, proper restaurant, any of it.

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

At the moment I'm working on an animated project! Quite different from Tea Time, but I think it'll be just as exciting.