WHITE NOISE, 16min,. Australia
Directed by Bryce McLellan
Zoe Marlowe is the Pathfinder, tasked with finding humanity a new home after the loss of Earth to climate change. With her trusty A.I. she explores planet after planet, looking for the perfect combination of conditions that mark a habitable world. But her A.I. is more than she appears to be, and what happens if/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
A love of science fiction! A lot of science fiction stories are about finding a new home, a planet just like Earth, for humanity to start over. I wanted to create a film where that's not possible, where nothing out there in the cosmos, as grand and exciting as it is, can compare to our home.

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

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
A long goodbye. (three words, sorry)

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
We had a challenging shoot in the desert in Western Australia. High winds, dust, difficult terrain. But our crew really came together and enjoyed making this film, despite the challenges.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I really appreciated the care and time that was taken to engage with the film. The feedback was deep, it really got the heart of what the film was about and the ideas at play.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
As long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is making stop-motion videos with my Dad's VHS camera when I was 5.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably Empire Strikes Back.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
This festival has been great, if I think of anything I'll let you know.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It's convenient, I like it.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Authentic Mexican food, which can be a challenge to find in my hometown of Sydney, Australia.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I'm working on a sci-fi feature at the moment called Earthbound.