WHEN FIGHTING MONSTERS, 18min., USA
Directed by Sherill Quinn
A bereaved detective struggles to make sense of his daughter's untimely death.

https://www.instagram.com/when_fighting_monsters_movie

https://youtu.be/O0dVa70ySF0

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I've always believed that to make art is to make sense of the world you live in. The things you've experienced and the lessons you've learned. When Fighting Monsters was meant as a portrait of grief, and a reminder to be there for your loved ones amidst the growing mental health crisis in America.

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

Two years. The original idea I'd had was a solo scene. I wrote that scene while on an airplane, then basically forgot about it for a year. Then in 2024, I picked it up again and thought, why don't I just finish this? Once I started writing, I couldn't stop. I finished the first draft in a few days and reached out to a producer friend to see if he would be interested in working on it. Fortunately he said yes, and pre-production quickly followed. We finished principal photography three months later, and the film was finalized almost exactly a year after I'd finished writing it.

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

Dark, Gritty

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? I think the biggest obstacle was learning to trust myself. I spent all of pre-production terrified that I was going to screw it up, or that something would go terribly wrong in the middle of filming. Then once we had finished filming, I had to trust myself to edit the film. This was equally daunting, knowing that everyone's time and hard work was all wrapped up in a tiny hard drive on my desk. I think that's a natural part of every creator's journey. You don't know what to expect until you jump in.

5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.

What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?

Production. There is nothing more magical than seeing your vision come together on the monitor. I have my producer, Morgan Hamilton-Lee, and assistant director, Mandy Miller, to thank for their tireless pre-production planning and organizing, as well as my whole cast and crew for their expertise and attention to detail. Production would not have been what it was without every single person bringing their A-game to the table.

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

I've had the honor of getting to collaborate with so many great filmmakers through acting. It never gets old, taking on a new role and working to bring someone's vision to life. In 2024, it occurred to me that I have my own stories I would like to tell. Once that spark was lit, I couldn't ignore it.

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

Silence of the Lambs

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

Jodi Foster

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

FilmFreeway is so intuitive and easy to navigate. It's been a great experience so far.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Ethiopian Kitfo and Veggie Platter

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

Next I'm slated to direct another short titled Atonement, a psychological thriller about a Silicon Valley tech mogul whose promising future comes under fire after he receives a mysterious text.