The First Night, 7min., Brazil
Directed by Gabriel Milessis Braga
After collapsing at the altar, Elise awakens inside an old church, and something inside her has changed. Guided by a mysterious man who seems to understand her condition, she begins to confront a new, terrifying hunger. The First Night is a gothic meditation on becoming, resistance, and the quiet seduction of darkness in our lifes.

https://www.instagram.com/thegabrielwars/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I've always wanted to make a vampire story that truly did justice to the genre, something that treated it with the same sense of reverence as a sacred myth. The First Night reimagines vampirism as a spiritual and psychological transformation, rather than a romantic cliché.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Around seven months. The film was developed and completed throughout two semesters of my film program, as part of several academic courses that came together into one cohesive project.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Convincing a real church to allow us to film a story about vampirism, and managing everything with a very limited student budget. It demanded creativity, negotiation, and a lot of patience.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was surreal and deeply rewarding, seeing people not only connect emotionally but also understand the message behind the film made all the effort worth it.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
As a child, I was always a dreamer with a vivid imagination. I wanted to be an astronaut, to land on other planets, and since I couldn't do that, I began creating my own worlds and my own spaceship: my films.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Return of the Jedi. Many people know me by my artistic name, Gabriel Wars, because I've always been obsessed with Star Wars and its mythic sense of destiny.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Networking opportunities and open dialogue between filmmakers. Festivals are not just screenings, they're where new collaborations and creative communities begin.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
Very smooth and professional. FilmFreeway makes the whole submission and communication process organized and stress-free.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Brazilian barbecue without a doubt, especially picanha.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes. I'm currently developing The Varginha Incident, a feature film inspired by one of the most documented UFO cases in history, a psychological and political thriller about fear, silence, and belief.