A young boy discovers a home for forgotten imaginary friends.

Interview with Writer/Director Ben Tobin

Watch A Home for Curiosities here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made this film because the world is becoming an increasingly scary place, and I wanted to do something uplifting, and imaginative, that would, in turn, inspire others to tap into their own imaginations.

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

I would hope the film could be appealing to young and old. The film is a film for children overall, but I think it has elements that will appeal to an adult as well. It's a film meant for families, and it's meant to make people tap into their own imaginations and to feel good.

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

The script evolved as we shot it. There were certain budgetary and time constraints that necessitated certain changes. The film evolved further in the edit, where Mushfica Masud was able to tap into certain elements of the story that weren't fleshed out enough in the writing, but existed in the dailies. I think most every film has a process of discovery in the editing room.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been mostly positive. Every now and then someone comes up to me and says they're confused. I was very inspired by Terry Gilliam's brand of fantasy, so, even though this is a short, I tried to do something in that spirit of not providing easy answers, and leaving a lot open to the viewer's interpretation, and leaving it up to their imagination.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I would, of course, hope that people like the film. I can see some points made in the feedback that will be helpful for the next film.

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

I'm hoping to reach a broader audience, and also, hopefully, connect with people and keep making more films, better films, bigger films.

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

I'm looking to get the film out into the world, and, hopefully, make some connections that will lead to more work, and more collaboration.

Behind the scenes of A Home for Curiosities

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

I would hope to have good reception. I'm not expecting a big hullabaloo, but I hope it will grow wings and travel as far as it can go.

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

What creative solutions can we implement to help others?

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

Ben Tobin is working on a short film called The Curious Incident of Everett Wilder.

Interview: January 2020

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, 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

A Home for Curiosities

A young boy discovers a home for forgotten imaginary friends.

Length: 16:43

Director: Ben Tobin

Producer: Shannon Ryan

Writer: Ben Tobin

About the writer, director and producer:

BEN TOBIN is an award-winning filmmaker from Western Massachusetts. A graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio, Tobin returned to Massachusetts to make documentaries about various artists living and working in the Hilltown region of the state. Ben is also a graduate of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema in Brooklyn, NY.

SHANNON RYAN has always had a passion for film and television. Following her graduation from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in screenwriting, internships, and freelance opportunities at various production companies fortified a passion for development, production, and screenwriting. In May 2019, she obtained an MFA in producing from The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. Shannon is also a three-time BAFTA New York Woman of Her Word Scholarship recipient. She is passionate about diversity, and media accessibility on and off-camera. Nathaniel Ruth, Vanessa Libbey, Ripley Dresser, Kt Baldassaro, Christa Mountain.

Key cast: Nathaniel Ruth, Vanessa Libbey, Ripley Dresser, Kt Baldassaro, Christa Mountain

Looking for: film festival directors, journalists, buyers, producers, distributors

Facebook: A Home for Curiosities

Twitter: @curiositiesfilm

Instagram: @curiositiesfilm2018

Website: www.newfzillaproductions.com/a-home-for-curiosities

Funders: Indiegogo

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Indie Short Fest: Los Angeles International Film Festival-[WINNER Best Young Actor]; Seoul Guro International Kids Film Festival-[Official Selection]