Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Rafael De Leon channels his personal experience with a speech impediment to craft a horror story that is both intimate and unsettling.
- The film’s creative strength lies in its focus on a single character’s struggle, brought vividly to life by a carefully chosen cast.
- Persistence and collaboration are key themes for De Leon, reflecting the challenges and rewards of independent filmmaking.
Rafael De Leon Jr., an award-winning writer, director, and editor from New York City, presents his haunting short horror film Vowels at FilmQuest 2025. Starring Alexa Smith, Sunny Makwana, and Chelsea Carpenter, the film explores the intense personal struggle of Ava, a woman battling a speech impediment as she attempts to record a self-tape. With makeup FX by Anthony DiFolco and sound by Raymond Rodriguez, Vowels is a deeply personal project that draws from De Leon’s own life and challenges.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
For a long time, I've wanted to make a horror film inspired by the speech impediment I've struggled with since childhood. Although it has gotten better over time, it still affects me. I found myself struggling to say my name during a Q&A last year. I felt embarrassed and angry at myself. It was in that moment that I knew I had to finally make "Vowels."
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?
Any worries or doubts you have about having scenes involving one character with little action goes away when you have the right actor for the role, which was definitely the case here. Story-wise, there wasn't anything on set or in post that changed how I viewed it.
“Any worries or doubts you have about having scenes involving one character with little action goes away when you have the right actor for the role.”
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
Since the film is inspired by my own speech impediment, I'd say the entire film feels the most me as I've had similar struggles like the protagonist.
“If you struggle with something in the way of a positive goal, ignore or push through any negative noise to achieve it.”
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Choosing the right angles to properly capture and light a pivotal makeup FX scene can be tricky. There was one angle I had in mind and on set, realized it was not going to look good at all so I scrapped it.
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
This might be easier said than done, but if you struggle with something in the way of a positive goal, ignore or push through any negative noise to achieve it.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
This film continues my tradition of telling horror stories at least partly inspired by something from my own life so I will probably continue on that path.
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
Working with the right cast and crew helps tremendously. I am grateful for the collaborators I had on this film.
“When you work with the right people that support your vision and elevate a project, it's rewarding in the end.”
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?
At the risk of repeating myself, navigating the path of independent filmmaking can be very challenging and discouraging but it's worth it to push through and persist to tell your stories. At the risk of repeating myself, when you work with the right people that support your vision and elevate a project, it's rewarding in the end.
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 honor for Vowels to be selected for FilmQuest and to screen alongside a lot of great projects.
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?
"Vowels" fits within the horror genre, depicting the extreme manner in which the protagonist would overcome a personal obstacle to achieve their goal.
Where do you see this film going next?
It will continue on the festival circuit into 2026 and then I hope to find a home for it online in May for National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, whether it's a short film platform with a large reach or my own website and YouTube/Vimeo channel.
“At the core of all my work is a desire to scare, unnerve and hopefully strike a chord with at least one person who watches it."
Cast and Crew
- Alexa Smith — Lead Actress
- Sunny Makwana — Actor
- Chelsea Carpenter — Actor
- Rafael De Leon Jr. — Writer/Director/Producer/Cinematographer/Editor
- Anthony DiFolco — Makeup FX
- Raymond Rodriguez — Sound Recordist
- Stephanie Carhuayano — Production Assistant
