Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Cameron Poletti transforms personal trauma into a unique genre-bending comedy horror short.
- The film’s blend of classic cabin-in-the-woods horror with fresh comedic twists showcases Poletti’s bold storytelling voice.
- Independent filmmaking’s creative freedom reignited Poletti’s passion and fueled collaboration with close friends and family.
Cameron Poletti’s short film Banjo has earned a spot at FilmQuest 2025, thrilling audiences with its offbeat blend of horror and comedy. Featuring TJ. Sullinger, Alex Poletti, Hunter Torr, and Claire Rice, Banjo tells the story of Isaac, whose misadventures in a family cabin lead to a bizarre belief in a sinister circumcision cult. Poletti’s directorial debut draws from personal experience and a tight-knit cast and crew to craft a film that surprises and entertains.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
I had a certain... painful experience in a very intimate situation.
“I wanted to turn that pain and trauma into something others could laugh and be entertained by... and also, hopefully, experience some of that pain hehehe.”
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time — creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
I had been working as a PA in the film industry on some pretty big productions and while I was grateful for that experience, I was losing my own sense of personal passion for filmmaking as I didn't have the time or energy for my own projects and I was almost ready to walk away.
But I didn't want to wake up 40, 50 years down the line and wonder what might have happened if I gave it one more time, so I went back to the origin of why I got into making movies— and it was making silly videos with my best friends to make each other laugh. I hired all of my friends I had made from film school to on set and worked with my brother and old friends from my hometown in the cast and we had the absolute best time I've ever had on set.
“I went back to the origin of why I got into making movies—making silly videos with my best friends to make each other laugh.”
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
I mean... the entire film once the incident happens I feel very proud and bewildered to say only I could have made this ridiculous film.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Towards the beginning of the film two of our cast members each had an awesome and hilarious 1 minute monologue, but it kept us away from the main event of the story, and they had to go.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
I hope they leave laughing, thrilled, shocked, and that they want to watch it again.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
I want to make bold, original, unexpected, fun, and crowd-pleasing stories!
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
My producer and friend Trevor Gautereaux. He kept us all moving and safe during the harsher conditions of our film. Him and portable gas lamp heaters.
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
The greatest strength is that without any studio backing, we can literally tell whatever story we want, and that freedom is powerful.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
It's an absolute honor, and I'm so excited to watch all of the other films playing in my block and the rest of the festival.
FilmQuest celebrates the majesty and might of genre filmmaking across fantasy, horror, sci-fi, action, thriller, western, kung-fu, and beyond. How does your film fit within—or push the boundaries of—genre storytelling?
We open our film playing very much with the traditional conventions of cabin in the woods horror, and then the basis of our film allows us to go into an entirely fresh comedic space.
“Without any studio backing, we can literally tell whatever story we want, and that freedom is powerful.”
Where do you see this film going next?
As I said prior, this film reignited my passion for filmmaking, and assured me that I was on the right track and pursuing my personal dream. Banjo was meant to be a self-contained short, and a launching point for our passion for the next project.
"At the core of all my work is a desire to entertain."
Cast & Crew
- Cameron Poletti — Director
- Alex Poletti — Writer, Cast
- TJ. Sullinger — Cast
- Hunter Torr — Cast
- Claire Rice — Cast
- Trevor Gautereaux — Producer and collaborator
