LONG ISLAND SOUTH SHORE film, reactions Female Film Festival (interview)
2026 Festival Audience Feedback Videos
•
6m 23s
"Long Island South Shore", 29min., USA
Directed by Cat Torres, April Audia
A single mother and her teenage daughter living on the south shore of Long Island. Fighting each other to be seen. Living in the conflict of oppression and dominance. Both fighting to win, both will end up losing.
https://www.instagram.com/longislandsouthshore/
Get to know filmmaker April Audia:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
We wanted to tell a story that touched on the hypocrisy of how it feels to grow up in a town (this one specifically on the south side of Long Island) where you feel as a young person you are held to a standard of behavior that your own parents are not living up to. Our story focuses on a single mother and a teenage daughter and how that hypocrisy can send their relationship into a tailspin.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Almost three years. From idea to script to pre-production to principal photography to post production to a locked film.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Shattered trust.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Having to balance everyone's schedule. We shot in a lot of different locations and with many people to tell our story. It was a challenge to have everyone's schedule clear at the same time.
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?
Post Production- when you see all the elements come together and you can also save something in editing or color correcting or even switching scenes around. It the puzzle coming into focus.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
When I was younger but making a film was to expensive. Once it became more affordable, I jumped in.
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
That varies.
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
Jennifer Esposito. She's a brilliant filmmaker. Go see "Fresh Kills".
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent.
10. What is your favorite meal?
As my mother called it, "New England" meals.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am creating all the time. Writing, producing, acting, directing. I always have something in the works. At this exact moment I am performing in theatre, writing a pilot and hosting a podcast called "Over It! With April & Char".
Up Next in 2026 Festival Audience Feedback Videos
-
FRIDAY NGHT FLOP film, reactions Fema...
Friday Night Flop, 16min., UK
Directed by Simon Friedberg, Elliott Gerner
A mother tries desperately to reconnect with her estranged daughter.
https://www.instagram.com/fridaynightflopGet to know the filmmakers:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
Simon and I both have teenage daughter... -
SMALL TOWN GIRLS film, reactions Fema...
SMALL TOWN GIRLS, 4min., USA
Directed by Layal Hamdeh
Feeling confined by their small empty town and unambitious locals, Jasmine and Sarah entertain the idea of moving away to New York. -
ROOTLESS film, reactions FEMALE Film ...
ROOTLESS, 7min., Canada
Directed by
Nila is interviewed by an immigration officer in Canada. This marks the beginning of her immigrant journey. She calmly answers the questions, but a chaos of fear and confusion shocks her inner world. A year later, the questions continue on other people's lips ...