Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Nightfall explores raw, intimate themes of guilt, grief, and redemption through a psychological thriller lens.
- Guy Hershler’s deeply personal connection to the story informs a powerful, honest performance and creative vision.
- The film exemplifies the strength of independent filmmaking—resourcefulness, collaboration, and fearless storytelling.
Guy Hershler’s short psychological thriller Nightfall, directed by Zac Villanueva and featuring performances by Hershler himself alongside Teri Hatcher and Emma Malouff, is making waves as an official selection at the prestigious FilmQuest genre festival.
With its haunting exploration of grief and guilt wrapped in a genre-bending narrative, Nightfall is a testament to the emotional power of independent film and the collaborative spirit behind it.
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
I’ve always been drawn to stories that feel raw, intimate, and deeply human. Nightfall came from a need to create something personal and visceral, an emotional journey that forces both the character and the audience to sit with guilt, grief, and the hope of redemption. I didn’t want to wait for permission or a casting call to prove myself; I wanted to take initiative and tell a story that mattered.
Now felt like the right time because so many people carry their pain quietly, trying to move forward without truly confronting it. I wanted audiences to feel that, to see the power in facing what haunts us. What started as something personal became a shared vision built by an extraordinary team, each bringing their own heart and perspective to make it something greater than any of us alone.
“The greatest strength of independent filmmaking is the freedom to create without limits. You don’t have a studio telling you what’s too risky, you just have passion, trust, and teamwork.”
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?
It wasn’t one single surprise, but rather the accumulation of how much it truly takes to breathe life into a story. Nightfall is only an 18-minute short, yet it demanded everything from me physically, emotionally, and creatively. Producing, creating, and embodying a character carrying that much pain was an all-consuming experience. What I walked away with was a renewed respect for the craft of filmmaking, especially for the people behind the camera who carry just as much emotional and creative weight. It reminded me that filmmaking is never a solitary act: it’s a collective heartbeat, a collaboration built on trust, vulnerability, and shared purpose.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
There’s a moment near the end where “James” finally breaks under the weight of his guilt. That scene feels closest to me, not because of any big emotional display, but because of its honesty. It’s stripped down and still, and in that simplicity I recognized something real about myself and how I see the world. That’s the moment where the story and I met halfway.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
The toughest part was balancing the creative vision with the realities of a tight budget. There were so many areas that needed attention, and deciding where to allocate resources was a constant challenge. You always want to give every department everything they need to make the film as strong as possible, but that’s not always realistic. We had to make hard calls and trust that the heart of the story would shine through. In the end, I think we made the most of what we had, and I’m proud of that.
“Nightfall came from a need to create something personal and visceral, an emotional journey that forces both the character and the audience to sit with guilt, grief, and the hope of redemption.”
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
More than anything, I hope audiences recognize the incredible talent behind Nightfall. Our director, Zac, is one of a kind, someone I believe people will be hearing about very soon. The same goes for our brilliant DP, Joseph Wise; our composer, Daniel Greis; our editor, Samuel Gill; and our producers, Alessia and Zarye. Every person involved poured themselves into this film, from day one, and it shows. Of course, Teri Hatcher and Emma Malouff brought such depth and honesty to their performances, but the beauty of this project is that it truly belongs to everyone. My hope is that people feel that collaboration, that mix of vision, craft, and heart. That’s where movie magic happens.
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
Nightfall showed me how much I’m drawn to stories about guilt, redemption, and the gray areas of human behavior. It made me realize I want to keep telling grounded, character-driven stories, ones that feel honest and a little uncomfortable, but real.
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
A note from my director, Zac, really stuck with me: “less is more.” He told me not to perform for anyone, just to exist in the moment and let the audience come to me. It took a bit to fully understand, but once it clicked, everything changed. That note shaped my work in Nightfall and will stay with me for every project moving forward.
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?
The greatest strength of independent filmmaking is the freedom to create without limits. You don’t have a studio telling you what’s too risky, you just have passion, trust, and teamwork. On Nightfall, we leaned into that by staying resourceful and focused on story above everything else. My biggest takeaway is that limitations can actually push you to be more creative, and that’s where the best ideas usually come from.
“Filmmaking is never a solitary act: it’s a collective heartbeat, a collaboration built on trust, vulnerability, and shared purpose.”
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for FilmQuest, one of the world’s top reviewed genre film festivals?
It means a lot. Getting into FilmQuest is a huge honor for all of us who worked on Nightfall. This festival celebrates bold, imaginative storytelling, and to have our film recognized in that space is something I’m really proud of. It’s a great reminder that all the long nights and hard choices were worth it.
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?
Nightfall lives in the space between psychological thriller and horror, but it’s driven by emotion more than convention. The story isn’t built around big scares or effects, it’s about what guilt and loss can do to the human mind. In that sense, it uses genre as a way to explore something real and internal, rather than relying on the traditional beats of horror.
Where do you see this film going next?
I see Nightfall as just the beginning. Like Whiplash, which started as a short and evolved into something much bigger, I believe there’s a larger story here waiting to be told. Whether it becomes a feature version of Nightfall or something new that grows out of it, my goal is to keep building on what we started, and God willing, make it happen.
“At the core of all my work is a desire to tell stories that feel honest, ones that come from a real place and connect people through shared emotion and experience."
Cast & Crew
- Producer: Alessia Cruci, Zarye Wossene, Steve Ewer
- Director of Photography: Joseph Wise
- Editor: Samuel Gill
- Sound Design: Glenn Irish
- Composer: Daniel Greis
- Production Design: Taylor Woods
- Costume Design: Sofia Cholewczynski
- Hair & Makeup: Dena Green, Makie Dawson, Patrick Bradberry
- VFX: Gordon Horwitz
- Casting: Skyler Zurn
- Script Supervisor: Liam Shifflett
