Friends with benefits realize they're more emotionally involved than they admit, until someone else is discovered. Now one of them has to grow up and restore the relationship before it falls apart.

Interview with Writer/Director Tejay Bah

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you. I made this film because I got tired of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity and I also felt like this story needed to be told.

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

You should watch this film because it deals with everyday reality, it deals with relationships and the different way men and women communicate.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

It works in my film because we are all human beings and we all can relate to relationships, the ups and down, the mis-communication or even the expectations from each other.

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

Oh man a lot, that’s a long story but the short version is that, the script that I started with and the final shooting script is completely different. Because I had to do a lots of re-writes because of the good friends I had around me who read it and gave me an honest feedback. Even after we shot it, at the post production, we were still making changes.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been great. People really liked it because they said it felt real and they can relate to each character.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I will say more of a surprise than challenge. Because this story was written strictly from a guys perspective. So to have females like it and relate to the characters that was a little bit surprising.

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

Well, more exposure for a first time filmmaker will not hurt at all. Plus I’m an actor first and foremost, so my hope is to be showing what I can do and hopefully I can get someone more work and financiers for my next projects.

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

I don’t want to sound greedy but all of the above. lol.

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

The impact I would like for this film to have would be for men to start expressing their emotions, especially to a woman they like. And also for men and women to really communicate instead of just assuming, one should know what each one is thinking about or wants.

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

I think the key question would be when someone says we are friends with benefits. I think that should start a conversation by asking them to really clarify or define what they mean and what they expect.

Would you like to add anything else?

What I would like to add is that, I did this film because I felt like it's time for men to start expressing their emotions and that there is nothing wrong in doing that and also for us - I mean men and women - to really start communicating without the fear of losing what we think we already have.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently working on three projects. I’m writing two feature films and producing a documentary called “Going Home”. For the feature film, I’m doing the re-write on the first one and starting the second one. While on the documentary we are trying to secure the rest of the finances to start shooting in May. The documentary will be shot in Africa. The documentary is about the experiences of Africans from the diaspora who have gone back home to start something…

And for producer Tarnue Massaquoi is currently writing a couple of shorts and a feature.

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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EMOTIONS

Length:15 Minutes

Director: Tejay Bah

Producer: Tarnue Massaquoi

Writer: Tejay Bah

About the writer, director and producer:

Tejay Bah is a Sierra Leonean/American, Stage/Film Actor, writer and director who was born in Freetown, grew up in Liberia and St. Louis and is currently living in Los Angeles.

Tarnue Massaquoi is an American/Liberian, Film/Stage actor currently living in Los Angeles.

Key cast: Tejay Bah, Vanoy Burnough, Jasmine Hester, Raquel Rosser, Sadiq Abu and Tarnue Massaquoi

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above.lol

Social media handles:,

Facebook: facebook/emotionsshortfilm

Twitter: Tejay@tejayb

Instagram: tejaybah

Other:

Funders: Tejay Bah

Made in association with: African Artists Association (3A’s)

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Currently not available online because we are submitting it to different festivals. But hoping to bring it to you guys soon.