1. What inspired the story behind your short film?
Jelly is, at its heart, about a child processing grief through imagination. I’ve always been fascinated by how children interpret the adult world through their unique, sometimes magical lens. When you’re young, death feels otherworldly—vague, yet as real as a ghost story. I wanted to explore what would happen if a child took that ghost story literally.

I was also inspired by children’s stories like Matilda and Nancy Drew, but I realized how rarely Black kids get to lead those whimsical adventures. I made this film so that a Black girl in Brooklyn could be the hero of her own “once upon a time.”

2. What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from your film?
I hope Jelly entertains, but more than that, I hope it encourages viewers to reconnect with the childlike parts of themselves—the parts that still dream, imagine, and find comfort in the impossible.

3. What’s your go-to creative ritual before a shoot day?
Meditation—and trying not to freak out!

4. What’s one film you wish you had directed—and why?
Amélie. It’s whimsical, weird, and endlessly charming. I love its playfulness and how it makes everyday life feel magical.

5. If you had to shoot a short film using only three props, what would they be?
A decorative pie, a fur coat, and a tarot deck.

6. What’s your guilty pleasure movie or series you rewatch all the time?
School of Rock. It’s my go-to pick-me-up—pure joy every time.

7. Why are short films important in today’s media landscape?
Short films offer a glimpse into worlds and stories we rarely see in mainstream media. At a recent festival, I saw a shorts block that featured an animated documentary about a woman with a disability, an experimental romance about a trans woman with Alzheimer’s, and a comedy about a Pakistani American makeup artist. That kind of diversity is what makes short films so vital.

8. What advice would you give to someone making their first short?
Make the film you want to see. That’s where the magic starts.

9. What’s one question you wish interviewers asked—and how would you answer it?
I wish interviewers asked: “What setback in the film’s production ended up making it better?” For me, it was a rainstorm that forced us to cut a scene. Looking back, that scene would’ve slowed down the film’s momentum. The setback became a blessing.

10. Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival so important?
Because they spotlight the incredible diversity of stories and voices—and celebrate the talent and hard work of filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Festivals like FAME remind us that there’s room for all of our stories.