Pan African Film Festival - Queen
'QUEEN' is a coming of age drama about an 11-year-old girl who must survive a night on Skid Row with her mother while crossing into adolescence.
Interview with Writer/Director Gabrielle Shepard
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made my film to address many things that were in my heart. Homelessness is an issue that I've always wanted to bring to light because people who are going through it are often forgotten about. My family's personal history with homelessness was enlightening in how thin the line is and how quickly it could happen to you. So many of the stories are complex and unique and deserve to be humanized.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Queen is a story that takes you on a journey that could make you laugh or cry which is often the way life is. It's a story told through the eyes of a curious, adventurous and imaginative young girl so although it deals with some tough themes, there's a little magic along the way.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My personal theme that's threaded throughout Queen is the idea of finding and owning your strength in whatever form it comes in. Especially in today's news there's so much negativity to weigh down our spirits that it's important to know how to empower ourselves. It's something that I've explored and found within myself recently and its a very freeing feeling.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The beauty of directing what you write is being able to nurture it as it develops, grows and evolves. The original story for QUEEN was very contained and took place completely in the tent and in her mind. As I worked on drafts, my main character began to wander so that's where I took the story.
Queen
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The response to the film has been so encouraging. I strive to bring marginalized voices to the spotlight and it's incredible to see the reaction to a movie with an 11 year old black girl in the lead. It's time to change the narrative of "the standard" stories that are allowed to be told and the positive feedback is a step in the right direction.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I've been consistently surprised and humbled by the overwhelming love in the air after a screening. It's very warming.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The process of filmmaking is a rush of energy and I love doing it. But my favorite part of the entire process is sharing it with people to feel and love it as I do. I'd love as many people as possible to see the film and get a glimpse into a perspective that might not have been so obviously understood before.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
At this point in the process I'm seeking out film festival directors and journalists to help spread the word and get more eyes on the story.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want people to humanize an experience that's become so general and desensitized.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How do you find strength when it seems like the world is stacked against you?
Queen
Would you like to add anything else?
I've learned how to value my truth, voice, and experience as my source of strength and I hope that the film can encourage others to create their own light even when it's dark.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I've also just released another short film called “Candid” that I wrote and directed as a part of the AT&T Hello Lab Mentorship program under the mentorship of Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer.
“Candid” was recently released and now available on the new online streaming platform “Directv Now” or on channel 1115 on DirectTV. “Queen” premiered at the Austin Film Festival and will be screening at the Pan African Film Festival this month as well as numerous others in the upcoming festival circuit.
Here are the original the press announcements in Deadline & Variety for Candid:
http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/octavia-spencer-common-att-hello-lab-mentorship-1202478697/
Interview: February 2018
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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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Queen
'QUEEN' is a coming of age drama about an 11-year-old girl who must survive a night on Skid Row with her mother while crossing into adolescence.
Length: 18 mins
Director: Gabrielle Shepard
Producer: John Sayage
Writer: Gabrielle Shepard
About the writer, director and producer:
Gabrielle Shepard - Writer/Director
Gabrielle Shepard is a Writer, Director and Producer based in Los Angeles, California. She earned an MFA in Film and Television Producing at Chapman University where she also studied Screenwriting and Directing. Her projects have been programmed in various film festivals including: Cannes Short Film Corner, Austin Film Festival and Pan African Film Festival. Gabby earned a B.A. in English Literature with a concentration in film and Africana Studies at Agnes Scott College. She now pursues her passion for fresh and dynamic projects to bring to life. She's worked at Lionsgate, William Morris Endeavor, Village Roadshow Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay in the production, marketing, and management departments. She is now in post production on her project "Candid" as a part of the AT&T Hello Lab Mentorship Program under the mentorship of Octavia Spencer.
John Sayage - Producer
Originally from San Francisco, John moved to New York City to attend Fordham University and received his B.A. in Visual Arts with a Minor in Business Administration. John is currently in the dual MBA and MFA Film Producing Program at Chapman University and is the President of the MBA Association board. Having previously worked at Universal Pictures, NBC News and Edit One Productions, John is passionate about every facet of filmmaking and takes deep pride in all of his projects.
Key cast: Brooklyn-Bella, Faune Chambers, Gayla Johnson
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Yes!
Social media handles:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/queenfilm2016
Instagram: @queen.film
Funders: Go Fund Me supporters
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Pan African Film Festival
Mon, Feb12@1:05p
Thu, Feb15@6:15p
Mon, Feb19@1:40p