Filmmaker D. Andrew Hartfield (TILLIE)

TILLIE, 5min., USA
Directed by Noelle P. Wilson, D Andrew Hartfield
An 8 year old girl adopted from China leads her father to a deeper understanding of what she faces in a new culture and what she longs for from her home country.

http://tillietuesday.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tillietuesday

Get to know filmmaker D. Andrew Hartfield:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

We adopted our daughter, Tillie, in January 2018. She has such a sharp wit and profound insights from herperspective that I began writing her comments in a blog I called “Tillie Tuesdays.” When I attended film school virtually during Covid I combined many of these conversations and we wrote the fictional story we ultimately filmed, “Tillie.”

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

One and a half years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Family love.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Even though I have written for years, I started from zero knowledge of how to turn a script into a film. It was a huge learning experience. Also, casting the film.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I appreciated the thoughtfulness of the comments. Noelle (the other writer and director) and I watched the feedback video and said to each other: “We did something right.”

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I have wanted to be a screenwriter and filmmaker since I was in college.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Probably “It’s a Wonderful Life” since it’s an annual tradition. “Star Wars”, certainly, could play a Jedi mind trick on me and convince me that I have seen it the most.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other
festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

My experience so far has been wonderful. As an older person who
just made his first film I would not say I am pursuing a career so much as I hope to make one or two feature length narrative films and a few more shorts. Networking to take that leap from short to feature length is something I see as a great plus to the film festival circuit.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your
experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Fantastic. Simply the best, easiest, and most widespread way to submit. I love it.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Sushi.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I have a new Production Partner that I met at a film festival. She and I are talking about what path to follow for future projects. I think we will do a short film and then work on a feature
film that I am currently fine tuning.