Friendship Archives - Directors Notes

A Dangerous Hazing Ritual Tests a Friendship in Sam & David Cutler-Kreutz’ Intense Drama ‘Flounder’

Sam & David Cutler-Kreutz detail how they adapted to the challenge of shooting the pivotal murky underwater sequence for their tense toxic masculinity drama.

Live Action, Premiere

Sarah Meital Benjamin’s Israeli Road Trip Short ‘Arava’ Eloquently Captures the Confusion of Youth

Sarah Meital Benjamin shares how she created a fresh look at Israel through non-professional casting and improvisation in her stirring road trip short.

Live Action, Premiere

A Young Woman’s Longing for Intimate Fellowship Reverberates Through Julia Ponce Díaz’s Evocative Debut ‘Soredia’

Julia Ponce Díaz shares how personal & observed experiences inspired her fish-out-of-water drama about a self-conscious girl's desperate need for belonging.

Live Action

How “Being Trapped in a Perpetual Dick Joke” Inspired Nick Roney’s SXSW Award Winning Short ‘The Flute’

Dir. Nick Roney returns to DN to discuss prosthetic skin flutes and taking inspiration from the classic monster movie for his unforgettable dark comedy.

Live Action

Nathan Engelhardt’s ‘Senti L’Energia’ Explores the Blurring Relationship Lines Between Friendship and Love

Nathan Engelhardt reveals the rewarding process of retooling his feature script into an emotive short about love as an all-encompassing energy.

Live Action

A Filmmaker Asks His Roommate to Watch His Short in Frank Mosley & Hugo De Sousa’s Comedy ‘The Event’

Co-Directors Frank Mosley & Hugo De Sousa break down the comedic implications of the still camerawork in their uncomfortable conversation friendship short.

Live Action

Unexpected Revelations Strengthen the Bonds of Friendship in Leonard Rääf’s Comedy Drama ‘Hiding Behind Masks’

Leonard Rääf talks to DN about crafting the story of a friendship strengthened by the discovery of well-kept secrets in his new coming-of-age drama comedy.

Live Action

Kathy Mitrani Captures the Excitement and Turmoil of Peer Pressure in Evocative 16mm Short ‘Buzzkill’

Kathy Mitrani reveals the creativity that came from embracing a lack of structure for her authentic exploration of the stakes of youthful pressure.

Live Action, Music

Waley Wang’s ‘Teen Troubles in Dirty Jersey’ Captures the Thrums of Punk, Toxic Masculinity & Disaffected Angst

Waley Wang discusses combining 16mm & Hi8 home video style footage to fully embody the nostalgic memories of The Black Skirts' New Jersey punk roots.

Live Action

David Findlay’s Drama ‘Lay Me by the Shore’ Follows a Week in the Life of a Grieving Trans Boy

David Findlay explains how he constructed the subtle yet emotional journey of his short LGBTQ drama about grief and friendship during post-production.

Live Action, Premiere

Neal Mulani’s ‘Tell Me Something I Don’t Know’ Warns of the Perils of Giving Into Your Deepest Insecurities

Neal Mulani speaks to the importance of the camera bible when shooting his cautionary comedy short about maturing friendships and narcissism.

Live Action

Old Friends Face a Difficult Moral Quandary in Mauritz Brekke Solberg’s Gripping Summer Drama ‘Juli.’

Mauritz Brekke Solberg breaks down the construction of the lengthy single-take behind the pivotal tonal switch in his riveting ensemble drama.

Friendship Tag Archive