Pay Yourself: A Filmmaker’s Guide to LLCs, S corps, Credit Unions, Mortgages, Write‑Offs and Tools
Practical finance and business advice for filmmakers — LLCs, S corps, credit unions, mortgages, write-offs, bookkeeping, and tools.
Seren Calloway
"Di Noi 4" Confronts Millennial Parenthood Dreams Amid Uncertainty
At Nòt Film Fest, "Di Noi 4" offers an intimate look at millennial couples grappling with the fragile dream of starting a family in precarious times.
"Alucina (Fishgirl)" Explores Memory, Identity, and Magical Realism
At this year’s Nòt Film Fest, Javier Cutrona’s debut feature "Alucina (Fishgirl)" blurs the line between fantasy and reality in a poetic meditation on identity, loss, and memory. Rooted in personal inspiration, the film transforms creative constraints into an immersive, introspective experience.
Nick Dugan’s "Foxhole" Finds Solace and Shadows in Rural Reflection
At this year’s Nòt Film Fest, Nick Dugan’s Foxhole follows a meditative groundskeeper confronting the weight of his past in a quiet countryside inn.
"Butterflyman" Brings Absurdist Humor and Heartfelt Isolation
At Nòt Film Fest, Jeroen Zeegers’ "Butterflyman" delivers an absurd yet tender portrait of introversion and suspicion through the eyes of a butterfly keeper.
“We’re Still Here” Paints an Intimate Portrait of Memory and Absence
At this year’s Nòt Film Fest, Matheus Malburg and Larissa Murai’s "We’re Still Here" turns real-life conversations into an intimate portrait of an ex-couple reunited at a party.
"Patience (Sabali)" Captures Migration, Love, and Resilience Through Poetic Cinema
At this year’s Nòt Film Fest, Valentin Guiod’s Patience (Sabali) merges striking visuals, African music, and an ambitious six-hour one-take sequence to explore migration, resilience, and the power of immortal love.
Helena Ganjalyan and Bartosz Szpak on Making "Glorious Summer"
At this year’s Nòt Film Fest, Helena Ganjalyan and Bartosz Szpak’s debut feature "Glorious Summer" presents a visually layered meditation on freedom, control, and rebellion. Shot entirely "day for night," the film embodies the fearless choices and creative freedom of independent cinema.
"Sense of Emergency": Filmmaker Madeline Down on Her HollyShorts-Selected Short
At this year’s HollyShorts, Madeline Down’s "Sense of Emergency" follows a paramedic facing PTSD, inspired by her mother’s real-life rescue, and honors the quiet sacrifices of first responders.
"ADO" Merges Shakespeare and School Shooting in Poignant HollyShorts Selection
At this year’s HollyShorts, Sam Henderson’s ADO blends Much Ado About Nothing with a school shooting, honoring teachers’ courage in a deeply personal story of resilience and hope.
"Houston, We Have a Crush": An Interview with Filmmaker Omer Ben Shachar on His HollyShorts-Selected Film
At this year’s HollyShorts Film Festival, Omer Ben Shachar’s "Houston, We Have a Crush" tells the absurdist yet heartfelt story of Ditto, a mostly non-verbal animatronic alien, navigating loneliness and connection against the striking backdrop of the desert.
"Murphy's Ranch": John Michael Riva Jr’s Gripping Thriller Selected for HollyShorts
A revealing conversation with filmmaker John Riva on his suspenseful short that confronts dark American history through the lens of genre storytelling.
John Kelly’s “Retirement Plan” Heads to HollyShorts Film Festival
Fresh from sweeping SXSW, John Kelly’s animated short "Retirement Plan" debuts at HollyShorts, blending Domhnall Gleeson’s standout voice work with sharp humor and heartfelt reflection.
Jon Clark's "Love Machine" Set to Screen at HollyShorts Film Festival
Premiering at HollyShorts, Jon Clark’s "Love Machine" playfully examines AI, human connection, and the awkwardness of dating. With a reimagined all-female lead dynamic and striking single-location design, the short blends humor and introspection.
Inside the Shifting City: Gerardo Coello Escalante's "Susana" at HollyShorts
Inspired by real-life experiences in Mexico, "Susana" tackles the nuances of tourism and gentrification with authenticity and restraint. Directors Gerardo Coello Escalante and Amandine Thomas invite viewers to reflect without judgment.
Ida Melum's "Ovary-Acting" to Screen at HollyShorts Film Festival
Filmmaker Ida Melum’s "Ovary-Acting" blends stop-motion, live-action puppeteering, and humor to transform the pressures of motherhood into a visually inventive, politically charged short premiering at HollyShorts.