When a woman finds a letter that she wrote to Santa asking to be just like the girl who lives next door, she just may get what she asked for.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor Chris Vanderhorst

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I teach film at the middle and high school level and wrote a short script as a sample to show my students the process. My TA at the time, Anita, read it and told me that I needed to film it. This was December of 2022. I tried to shoot it before Christmas but there wasn't enough time so here comes December of 2023 and I thought, why not.

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

You should watch Dear Santa for the excitement you feel during Christmas mixed with a different type of excitement you get from horror movies.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

It's hard to speak on the theme of the film without spoilers. I will say "Be careful what you wish for" is the main theme of the film. It's a theme we are used to seeing but I wanted to put a fresh spin on it.

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

The script happened by accident. I saw something at the school, where I work, that sparked an idea. I wrote it quickly but it lived on my laptop until a year later when I decided to film it. It never really went through much of a development stage. I tend to rewrite too much I think so it was nice to just write something and then shoot it.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far, my family and friends love it but they are my loved ones and they are just happy to see me creating. I think the real feedback will come at its Los Angeles premiere during Screamfest.

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

I just want my work to be seen and enjoyed by anyone who loves cinema. I also would like to grow my film community.

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

I think more genre film festivals. I just want the film to play in places where I can network and meet more like-minded filmmakers.

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

I just want people to enjoy it. There's nothing better than hearing people's reactions to the film when the beats land correctly.

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

What did you ask Santa for Christmas?

Would you like to add anything else?

There is a feature film called Dear Santa that is coming out soon, starring Jack Black. From what I've read, it's the same plot as my short, Dear Santa. There's is a comedy, mine is a horror, but it's cool to see that you can have the same idea across various genres.

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

I am currently writing a pilot that I want to shop around and then I will start writing my first feature film. I want to shoot an ultra low budget horror feature by the end of 2024.

Interview: October 2023

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

Dear Santa

When a woman finds a letter that she wrote to Santa asking to be just like the girl who lives next door, she just may get what she asked for.

Length: 6:02

Director: Chris Vanderhorst

Producer: Chris Vanderhorst, Brandon Night, Ty Higgins

Writer: Chris Vanderhorst

About the writer, director and producer:

CHRIS VANDERHORST is a self-taught writer/filmmaker in Los Angeles. After moving to LA from a small town in North Carolina, he wasted no time working and creating. He viewed every job and professional relationship as a lesson in his self-created masterclass. Chris currently works as a high school film teacher and freelance filmmaker.

Key cast: Stephanie Panisello, Lionel Sam, Allison Kiehl, Veronika Galdamez

Looking for: film festival directors, distributors

Twitter: @TheVanderhorst

Instagram: @vanderhorst

Hashtags used: #dearsanta #horror #christmas #christmashorror #babysitter #holidays #screamfest

Website: chrisvanderhorst.com

Other: IMDb

Funders: Self funded

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

Screamfest/Los Angeles - Oct. 15th