first take

New York No Limits First Take, a video/pod segment where NYNL takes a few minutes to go more in-depth with its independent filmmakers.
First Take is a great way to check out new films and new filmmakers. Also, on this page you can find our Quick Cuts read-only interviews with the filmmakers.

WE ARE NOT CONTENT!

Yuki Soga talks about the inspiration and process while making his feature film We Are Not Content!, which screens Friday, October 1, at 7:00 PM

WORN

Filmmaker Julia D’Angelo talks about her film WORN, screening Saturday, October 2nd, 6:30 PM at the 2021 Summit.

BARRELS

First Take went in-depth with the filmmakers of BARRELS, director Jaquan Williams, and writer/star, Mike Troll.

ABOUT THE FILM:
A struggling young actor battles the streets & himself on the path to his first breakthrough role.

BARRELS screened at Art of the Short film, June 25, 2021, presented by Wild Project.

LIZARD

We talked with filmmaker Kayana Waller about her film, LIZARD. Kayana discussed her research on the film, her filmmaking approach, and how she was inspired to make the film.

ABOUT THE FILM
Trafficked and labeled 'high mileage', Bee bargains her freedom for a younger replacement with cyclical consequences.

LIZARD screened at Art of the Short, June 25, 2021

MERLINA

NYNL talks to Liza Jessie Peterson, star and writer, and Sekou Luke, director, about their short film MERLINA.

About the Film:
Merlina the Queen’ah is an ancient afrofuturistic ghetto wizard who sits on the intergalactic planetary counsel of Photon Light. A celestial being in this world but not of it.

MERLINA screened at NYNL’s Art of the Short film event, April 21, 2021, Virtual Edition.

NYNL talks to filmmaker Ian Phillips about his documentary film, Alive By Accident: The Story of Mayday Hardware.

About the Film:
At 69 Years old, Brooklynite Jerry Walsh's hardware store is the longest standing business in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. As he reflects on the tumultuous changes he's seen throughout his life, he prepares for his next chapter- the Covid-19 pandemic.

ALIVE BY ACCIDENT: THE STORYOF MAYDAY HARDWARE screened at NYNL’s Art of the Short film event, April 21, 2021, Virtual Edition.

Featured

Quick Cuts with Hanna Gray Organschi

Three Quick Cut questions with BEA, SERIOUSLY filmmaker Hanna Gray Organschi. BEA, SERIOUSLY screens Friday, October 1 at the NYNL 2021 Summit.

Interview by Iris Chan

1. In your film, Bea, Seriously, Bea goes to her mother's house in the country in order to face a life-changing question. In the relationship between the mother and daughter, the mother looks to give space to her daughter, letting her figure out what she really wants to do, but guides her along in the meantime. How do you think Bea's relationship with her mother helps to affect her ultimate decision?

Bea's mother makes space for her to express her uncertainty about who she is and what she's up to. Both irked and empowered by her mother's steely calm, Bea is ultimately able to steady her inner turbulence to get to what she feels.

2. What were your inspirations for this film? With such a touching coming-of-age story, why did you want to tell this one? Do you have any specific filmmakers in mind that inspire you, for this film, and also in general?

I don't really feel like I knew much of anything in my teens, which is the age often treated in coming-of-age stories. I write character-driven narratives about women coming of age at all ages because as far as I can tell, the journey to individuate never stops. Everyone's always coming of age, right? I'd like to help destigmatize feelings of confusion about body and purpose for young women.

3. What do you want audiences to take with them after seeing your short film? How would you want young women trying to find their way in the world to feel?

I hope that any young woman who sees this film feels encouraged to look closely at and prioritize her feelings. My life is messy and I've found it's better not to hide the mess, least of all from myself.