The Christopher Nolan Experience, 77min., Canada
Directed by Matthew Putnam, Diego Pereira
When struggling creative Christopher Nolan is dumped by his girlfriend upon her discovery that he is not the legendary director of films such as Oppenheimer and Interstellar, he decides to prove himself by staging a play adaptation of The Dark Knight. "The Christopher Nolan Experience" captures the behind-the-scenes efforts leading up to this anticipated disaster.

https://www.instagram.com/thechristophernolanexperience/

Get to know writer/director Matthew Putnam:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

A: After graduating from Toronto Film School, I got to experience the struggle of trying to break into the film industry from scratch. I had all of these expectations and I felt like I had to prove to everyone that I was good enough to "make it". But that made the work a lot less fun and a lot more stressful. It wasn't until I started making short films and doing comedy skits with my friends that I started to have fun doing creative projects again. That experience of being a struggling creative trying to prove themselves, only to discover that's not what it's about, inspired me to make this film.

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

A: About 18 months. I first had the idea for the film in January of 2024, started writing the script in February, started rehearsals with the cast in May, we shot on two weekends in August, and then the final cut of the film was finished by the end of June 2025.

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

A: Fun & Energetic

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

A: The biggest obstacle for me as a producer of the film was the limited budget. The film was all paid for out of pocket, and so a lot of it was made using whatever our team had already. Then as the writer, anticipating these constraints while writing the film forced me to be a bit more limited in the scale of what we could do, while at the same time, trying not to limit the story.

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

A: It made me so happy to hear that external audience members found our film funny! Comedy is so subjective, so I was nervous that people outside of our team's inner circle wouldn't get the jokes or wouldn't find our bits funny. So it warmed my heart to hear one of the audience members say she couldn't stop laughing. There are lots of goals we had when making the film, but at the end of the day if you're making a comedy, the main goal has to be making audiences laugh.

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

A: In Grade 10 of high school I enrolled in the Musical Theatre program (with co-star Nick Smoljanovic), and through that I discovered a love for acting and for putting on a show for audiences. I also have always really enjoyed watching movies and going to the theatre, so those two things ended up joining together into a passion for making films.

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

A: The Dark Knight by Christopher Nolan. Which should come as no surprise to those who have seen this film. A close second would be The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

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

A: I think all of the opportunities you are providing are absolutely brilliant and in some cases singular. You are providing really cool and unique experiences for filmmakers to showcase themselves and their projects. My only recommendation would be adding an in-person screening element. I know myself and my team would have gladly bought tickets and jumped at the chance to experience our film in a theatre like we have at some other festivals.

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

A: FilmFreeway is very useful and I have had no trouble finding and submitting to festivals on that site. It is also a very helpful tool to help build out a profile for our films.

10. What is your favorite meal?

A: Steak and Boiled Potatoes OR Mac and Cheese

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

A: I have already written a script for a short film that would bring a lot of the same creative team back from The Christopher Nolan Experience if I decide to make it.