Sarah Rotella directs short films, web series, and features. “Almost Adults” is her debut feature length film. Her directing efforts have garnered over 68 million YouTube views and her films have been screened in 77 international film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Almost Adults” will make its World Premiere at the 2016 Inside Out LGBT Film Festival on May 28.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
SR: “Almost Adults” is a platonic love story between Cassie and Mackenzie, two best friends who are struggling to keep their friendship together as their lives head in different directions.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
SR: I think most people have experienced break ups with their best friends and sometimes losing that relationship is harder than losing a partner. I had never seen a film where a female friendship was told with the hardships of a breakup and that element really connected me to the story.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
SR: We’re finally starting to see films and television shows where a character can be on the LGBTQ spectrum without the entire plot resting on their label. Even though Mackenzie is gay and Cassie is straight, I hope the audience leaves the theater reminiscing about their own experiences with their best friend.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
SR: When we went to camera on “Almost Adults,” we didn’t have all of our locations locked. During the first few days of shooting, we dealt with searching for the remaining locations and deliberating if scenes could be re-written to utilize locations we already had. With a combination of locking the final locations and making revisions to the script, we were able to film everything we needed.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
SR: We created a Kickstarter campaign for the film and reached 305% of our goal by the time it closed. The writer of “Almost Adults,” Adrianna DiLonardo, and I create content for a YouTube channel and geared our Kickstarter towards our 315,000+ subscribers who fully funded the film. From there, it was the combined efforts of our producer Rebecca Swift, Adrianna, and myself to make the film a reality.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
SR: The advice “just do it” is a double-edged sword. Many industry professionals have told me to just make content and as a young filmmaker, I didn’t think it was possible without the funding, the infrastructure, or the producers. It can be disheartening to hear someone tell you not to wait for a yes when that’s what you’re waiting to hear.
But this also has been the best advice because you find way around the funding, the infrastructure, and the producers in order to green light your own projects. I started my career making low-budget short films that went on to screen in festivals internationally before directing web series for YouTube and building an audience who ultimately funded my first feature.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
SR: Female directors become stronger when we support each other. I have met many women in the industry who have offered me advice or support during my career. Don’t be afraid to reach out to women in the industry — I think you will be surprised at how inclined they are to offer support.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
SR: I can remember the first time I saw “The Piano” by Jane Campion. The cinematography was beautiful, Holly Hunter was mesmerizing, and I felt so deeply for Ada and her daughter. The film came out when I was seven, so when I watched it later in life I went into it with zero expectations. Not only was it my favorite woman-directed film, but my favorite film I had seen at the time.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film screen at an LGBT festival?
SR: The LGBT audience has supported “Almost Adults” from the Kickstarter campaign and we couldn’t be happier to have our world premiere at an LGBT festival. Additionally, I have had a few short films screen at Inside Out and premiering my feature film with a festival that has supported my work and my career as a director couldn’t have been a better fit.
