In the final moments before an apocalyptic catastrophe, six people come to terms with their impending doom.

Interview with Writer/Director Tom Cassese

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! I made my film "Concurrence" during my senior year at Hofstra University. I had recently shot my thesis film, "Wanted," when a national student film competition Campus Moviefest announced they would be coming to my school. Despite how busy the semester had been, I knew this was an opportunity I could not pass up. My crew and I worked tirelessly around the clock to complete the film from first draft to final cut in less than one week. The film only cost us $20 to make, yet it has achieved a level of success that none of us would have ever believed, screening at numerous festivals in the United States and around the world. It won Campus Moviefest's national award for Best Drama in Hollywood. From there it went on to the Cannes Film Festival in France, Woods Hole Film Festival in Massachusetts, and most recently the Big Apple Film Festival and 30 Under 30 Film Festival in New York City.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I recommend watching "Concurrence" because it puts the viewer in the shoes of people who learn they only have minutes to live. It evokes the question of how he or she would react personally.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

For such a short film, "Concurrence" contains a number of interwoven themes. Most prominently featured are the universal themes of life and death brought upon by war, but as the film goes on, more personal and human themes shine through. Fear, loneliness, anger, love, acceptance, and religion all work together to make the film more relatable and impactful.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Since "Concurrence" was created in such a narrow time frame, the script more or less stayed the same from our first draft.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

As aforementioned, the film has reached a level of success that none of us had ever expected. It won the Campus Moviefest Festival at Hofstra University, and then later won Best Drama at their national final in Hollywood. If someone had told me a year earlier that I would have a short film in Cannes, I would not have believed them. Then it happened. Now the film continues to screen in festivals in the United States, such as the Woods Hole Film Festival, Big Apple Film Festival, and 30 Under 30 Film Festival.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The feedback and success have definitely inspired me to continue making films and believe that anything is possible. The sky's the limit.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible onwww.wearemovingstories.com?

I want as many people as possible to see "Concurrence."

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I would love for more journalists and film festival directors to see and hear about "Concurrence," and hopefully that will attract potential producers and investors for future projects.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want the audience to be impacted on a personal level when they watch “Concurrence.” Hopefully the message they take away will be to appreciate life.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Key questions that might spark a debate or conversation about “Concurrence” are “What would you do?” and “Which character do you relate to the most?” Whenever I ask people at festivals this question, they usually compare themselves to at least one of the characters. To me, that means my film made a connection with them.

What are you developing or working on now?

Currently I am working on my next film project, which will begin pre-production very soon.

Interview: November 2016

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Concurrence

In the final moments before an apocalyptic catastrophe, six people come to terms with their impending doom.

Length: 4:21

Director: Tom Cassese

Producers: Tom Cassese, Evan Crochet, Erik Freitas, Joseph Rocco Plescia

Writers: Tom Cassese, Evan Crochet, Erik Freitas, Joseph Rocco Plescia, Jenna Scardino

About the writer, director and producer:

Tom Cassese is a New York-based film director, writer, producer, and animator. He and the rest of the crew are graduates of Hofstra University.

Key cast: Dennis Holland, Laura D’Allessandro, John Neal, Evan Crochet, Ray Messinger, Jenna Scardino

Looking for (producers, film festival directors, journalists):

Where can I see it in the next month?

“Concurrence” recently played in the Big Apple Film Festival and 30 Under 30 Film Festival. I am waiting to hear back from additional festivals, but for now, it is currently on available on Vimeo.