What fear — whether it’s personal, or one related to the development, financing, production or distribution of your film — did you have to confront and conquer in the making of your movie?

The biggest fear I had to confront, which I suppose is every first-time director’s fear, was the issue of confidence–simply, “Can I do this?” Can I follow my instincts and make something that actually makes sense, and people find engaging? I’ve wanted to direct films since I was in middle school, and I’ve directed plenty of weird mediocre low-budget films that I was never really proud of. So in my twenties I was always saying to myself, “Yeah, I WANT to direct films, but CAN I actually do it? Do I have what it takes?” It’s kind of terrifying. But I just kept telling myself there’s only one way to find out.

[PREMIERE SCREENING: Friday January 23 at 12:15 pm — Egyptian Theatre]

Sundance 2015 Responses