I DON'T WANNA GO, 4min., USA, Drama
Directed by Max Vadset
A kid doesn't want to go to school because he's worried about the possibility of a school shooting.

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Director Statement
School shootings have become more frequent than ever. But we haven't gotten better at understanding the impact upon us. This is why I wanted to touch upon a subject that has become very prevalent and concerning to me. I wanted to make a film highlighting kids' fears about gun violence and the difficulty families have talking about it.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make this film because of how much gun violence is permeating the consciousness of kids these days. It's a fear that I have personally experienced and I'm sad that it's become a normal part of growing up and going to school.

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

to make this film?

I made this film at Prodigy Camp. Each year, this amazing camp brings together talented artists from around the globe. A few months before camp the program director, Rick Stevenson, helped me to write my script. I started out writing a story based on my own fears of dying in relation to gun violence. I then realized that I wanted to connect to a broader audience and relate it to the recent school shootings. Once I was at camp I worked with my mentor/cinematographer, Molly Smith, to map out how we would film it. We were only allowed 9 hours in total to complete the project, 3 to shoot, and 3 to edit. Once the time ran out we had to screen our films to each other in a theater. After camp, I polished it up a little bit in preparation for festivals.

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

The two words that I would use to describe this film would be that it illustrates "fear" and "disconnection".

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

The writing process was tricky for me because I wanted the right balance of personal story and the broader effect that school shootings have on kids.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking

about your film in the feedback video?

I was amazed and inspired to see the response in the feedback video. I really appreciated that people took the time to review it in that detailed way.

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

I've always loved storytelling. However, it wasn't until I was around 11 years old that I found a passion for flying drones and filming with them. This led me into combining the two and making movies, which I did at first with my dad.

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

A film that I've seen most in my life would be a German indie film called Forest For The Trees. This film is everything I love about movies. It's personal, highly-character-driven, simple, and powerful.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other

festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking

career?

It would be great if there could be an online social gathering of fellow student filmmakers at the festival. There could be discussions about what people are working on next or just their filmmaking process in general.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your

experiences been working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway is a great platform! It's really easy to use and makes for a great, straightforward submission process.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal would have to be my mom's homemade chicken noodle soup. It just makes me feel like I'm at home.

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

I am currently working on a film about a relationship between two teen boys.