Filmmaker Sasha Lee chats to us about making Misery Loves Company, her animated short film about intrusive thoughts. She talks us through mental health, the potential of virtual film festivals, and the importance of getting feedback on your work.

Filmmaker Aylin Gökmen tells us about the making of her short film, Spirits and Rocks: An Azorean Myth, a documentary about the inhabitants of a volcanic island. She talks us through who – and what – inspires her, the future of film festivals, and her advice for young filmmakers.

Filmmaker Zamarin Wahdat talks to us about the making of Bambirak, a short film about a father and his young daughter building a life in a new country. She also tells us about drawing inspiration from her own childhood, happy accidents during production, and the importance of dreaming big.

Writer-director Rikke Gregersen and producer Stine Blichfeldt talk to us about the making of their short film, The Affected, about one aeroplane passenger’s attempt to prevent another getting deported. They also tell us about their filmmaking journeys, how to stay creative in a pandemic, and what to do when a hungover actor doesn’t make it to set.

Alisi Telengut speaks to us about her film The Fourfold and how it was inspired by animistic beliefs and shamanic rituals from Mongolia and Siberia. She also talks to us about her thoughts on virtual festivals, along with her thoughts on what she wants audiences to take away from her film.

The talented producing duo from the exciting company Colonelle films are responsible for some fantastic productions, this year their film Like The Ones I Used To Know is at Sundance. Fanny speaks to us about the making of the film and how creating that 80’s vibe was an important journey. At the time of this interview, Sarah was due to give birth at any moment, so Fanny rides solo with her answers!

Filmmaker Hazel McKibbin talks to us about her debut short film Doublespeak, which follows a woman grappling with the aftermath of reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. She also tells us the filmmakers that inspire her and what she’s been working on during the ever lasting lockdown.

Snowy is a 2021 documentary short film written by Kaitlyn Schwalje. This documentary short stemmed from co-directors Alex Wolf Lewis and Kaitlyn Schwalje’s marvelling at the fact that, year after year, their turtle Snowy remains alive every time they celebrate thanksgiving. By investigating animal happiness, this documentary short explores the human capacity to understand the animals that live in our homes. In this conversation, Kaitlyn talks us through what it means to answer “unanswerable” questions, as well as her experience at Sundance this year.

Each year we speak with the women featured at Sundance Film Festival, with this years festival being online it’s certainly a different experience for the filmmakers. Kick starting our series of interviews is, Filmmaker Nomawonga Khumalo. She tells us about her new short film Five Tiger, what inspires her and how the pandemic has forced the film industry to be more innovative and accessible.