STALKERS, 107min., Canada
Directed by Paul Thompson
When a former porn star returns to her quaint hometown to raise the now teenage daughter she gave up for adoption, their fragile reunion is shattered by stalkers, secrets, and a string of murders — turning a hopeful second chance into a harrowing fight for survival in a story with a dark twist on a Hallmark story.

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http://stalkersthemovie.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

STALKERS was an idea I had quite a long time back, in around 2013. It was initially a teaser for Cinecoup film accelerator competition, in which one film would receive $1M in funding. The film has changed a lot from that early teaser, but the core thought behind it was inspired by the ways that many of my favourite genre films stand out as being good films in other regards first - in this case I felt like the story of Kate meeting her daughter Charlotte as a teenager was a movie in itself. Then we twist it a little with our slasher and thriller elements.

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

As indicated above, the idea for the film was conceived way back in 2013. Coming out of the pandemic, it became clear that too many things in life are uncertain, and if I were going to see this film made, it would probably take me just going out and making it happen. The process of filming started in early 2022, but even that was beset with challenges, such as some COVID stoppages, and Olivia (Stadler, our lead) having an unfortunate incident with her foot and a kitchen knife at home which stopped filming for months. Principal was finally completed around February 2023, and pickups and flashbacks completed in March of 2024.

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

Family terror

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

Since it was self-funded and produced, the toughest thing was just staying the course throughout the various challenges. Having to cancel a week, or shutting down for months knowing that we still had half a film left to shoot, can be really disheartening. I had to tell myself - not to mention the cast and crew - that we would get to the finish line. And amazingly, even when I was wrestling with doubts, our team really had faith in the film and in me, I guess.

5. There are 5 Stages of Filmmaking: 1) Development. 2) Pre-Production. 3) Production. 4) Post-Production. 5) Distribution.
What is your favorite stage of the process and why?

I'm pretty sure there is nothing quite like being on set making something. It's a physically exhausting, emotionally draining speed run on adrenaline, but for those few minutes a day when the lights are on, the camera is rolling, and the actors are doing their thing supported by the cinematographer and the crew, it's magical.

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

Sometime in high school. I was not very advanced in my understanding of how it all worked, but I had a friend who was really into shooting things with his video camera, and somehow I got involved and it was pretty quickly all consuming.

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

There are probably 3 that are in the mix for that title. Star Wars: A New Hope (back when I first saw it in the late 70s as a kid, it was just called Star Wars), The Wizard of Oz, and Halloween.

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

Overall my favourite part of festivals is real screenings with real audiences. The best festivals give the filmmakers a chance to watch their film on a proper screen with a live audience, and hopefully take some questions and get feedback after the movie's over.

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

Film Freeway has been great. I thing searching and narrowing down festivals could be improved a little, and clarity on whether festivals are real screening festivals or just virtual events or awards only would help.

10. What is your favorite meal?

New York Pizza.

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

Still working on some new film ideas. When we started STALKERS I wasn't sure if this was one and done, but the festival experiences have made me really want to make another film and show it to festival audiences. What that film will be is still up in the air and a couple of years away.