ONCE AND AGAIN, 5min., USA
Directed by Jessica Q Moore
Tasha, a woman in her mid 40’s, trudges through the end of
her day until she sees an old flame on the train platform. The
lovers reminisce and rekindle feelings towards each other only
to realize that circumstance continues to keep them apart.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

You know that feeling when you’re walking around and you think you’ve seen someone that you know, but you’re not sure?

The film started as a prompt in Grad school. We picked three elements out of a bag or hat.

The three elements were mode of transportation, color, and object. I chose train, yellow, and a scarf, which was perfect for me because I was already thinking of telling a story about lost love.

It was actually a film I thought of in two parts, the first part being when the two characters are younger and we see Tasha jilted by rejection of her initial proposal. The second part, is Once and Again, where they see each other decades later.

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

This was filmed while I was still at Grad school, but the editing, sound, and color didn’t come together until much afterward. So it was a couple of years, due to working on other projects and of course the pandemic.

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

Love Lost

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

Actually, completing the film. I knew everything had to go slow because of scheduling and the pandemic, but I had to remain committed to the idea that it would be released. There was a point where I put my hands up and I said “I did all I can do for this film at this moment, and I can only grow from here.”

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

The film like some of my others has very little dialogue, so I was afraid of how people would react to that at first. But I got such positive feedback from the visual storytelling and how people connected with the actors. They were real pros.

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

I knew I wanted to tell stories at a young age. At first, I was into plays and didn’t know that people could make movies. Then in High School, I started in a program at the Downtown Community Television Center in Manhattan and then I knew.

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

Currently, it’s between three movies, Mandy by Panos Cosmatos, Martha by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and The Room by Tommy Wiseau.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

There are some places that do mixers and let other filmmakers connect.

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

It’s an accessible interface and most festivals are on the site, which makes everything easy for me. I’m a fan of efficiency!

10. What is your favorite meal?

I can’t get away from a nice old-fashioned burger and fries.

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

I’m shooting a film in February called Purple Patrol! Based on queer community and themes as well. It’s about a rag-tag group of queer vigilantes protecting the community, but are also challenged by their ideas of identity and self-acceptance.