The TRILLVISION Film Festival Summer 2025 edition brought together bold storytellers whose films pushed boundaries and sparked powerful conversations. Now, audiences can go deeper with exclusive video interviews featuring the filmmakers themselves as they share the inspirations, challenges, and creative journeys behind their work. These candid conversations offer a unique window into the passion and vision that made this year’s festival unforgettable

Last of the Nobodies: A group of Montana hip hop artists led by Salish rapper Shadow Devereaux (Foreshadow), come together to create a collaboration album and uplift the Montana sound.

Colter Olmstead: Colter Olmstead is a filmmaker based in Missoula, MT. Born and raised in Montana, Colter started his filmmaking career creating music videos for local artists, starting a passion that led him to attend film school at Montana State University, where he graduated in 2015. Recently, Colter has had the opportunity to use his filmmaking skills for humanitarian, activism, and educational causes, and hopes to continue to use his tools to help the Montana community.

Trust: Natalie finds herself devastated when she finds out that the man she thought loved her was actually her worse nightmare. Between her friend and her lover she doesn’t know who is telling her the truth. Does she lose two people she loves or was it all a game. Directed By Nicholas Lane and starring Shakeymah Hill.

Shakeymah Hill: Shakeymah has dreamed of becoming an actor since she was a little girl and has worked hard to get where she is today—continually pushing forward. She has played a variety of roles in television, web series, reels, and commercials for numerous companies. In addition to acting, she has produced a short film and is currently developing a larger project, which she envisions as a television series.

Jeez Louise: Mary Louise, a devout catholic, has a steamy confession that unbeknownst to her is heard by Eden, the school’s sex maniac.

Ana Jimenez: Ana Jimenez, or AJ, (they/she) was born and raised in Ecuador. AJ has always had a deep passion for film and stories. They dream of one day becoming a comedy showrunner or a movie musical director. She now has a Bachelors for Motion Picture Art from Capilano University.

My Home Home: When a passionate photographer believes she’s found the love of her life, this person quickly becomes her favorite subject, until she realizes she might’ve misunderstood everything.

Eimy Carhuaz: Eimy Carhuaz is a Peruvian filmmaker and student based in New Jersey, currently double majoring in Film and Television and Arts & Entertainment Industries Management at Rider University. Her work often explores themes of mental health, social issues, self-discovery, and creative experimentation. She’s experienced in multiple areas of production, including editing, cinematography, directing, and has contributed to narrative films, documentaries, and music videos. Through her internship at the Trenton Film Society, she has applied her skills in video editing and social media content creation. She also has experience collaborating with musicians, animators, and game design students, always seeking new ways to express stories across mediums.

Votive: Votive is a 46-second meditative short that unfolds like a whispered memory. Against flickering candlelight, bruised peonies and tulips rest in a purple satin still life—lush, decaying, sacred. A voiceover reflects on impermanence, memory, and the unseen moment when something is lost. As wax pools and petals fall, the film becomes a quiet ritual of letting go—an offering to what once was.

joy tirade: joy tirade is an artist and filmmaker based in Oakland, California, where she teaches and runs a free community art collective (@__officehours). She holds an MFA from UNC Chapel Hill and a BA from the University of Virginia. Her work has been shown internationally and at institutions like SFMOMA, The Mint Museum, and The Ackland Art Museum. Rooted in memory, perception, and material exploration, her practice has also appeared in The Third Coast and Routledge Press. Follow her at @joytirade on Instagram.

Talk: A university student needs to make a short film for class, however things don’t go quite as expected.

Who Will Be There For Me? – An abused university student monologues about how rumors have negatively impacted his life.

Ethan Hillel Baron is a student filmmaker at DeSales University who is passionate about creating stories and bringing them to life through film. He draws inspiration from personal experiences, using his storytelling to help others feel seen and less alone. Ethan finds joy in watching audiences connect with his characters and reflect on the messages of his films long after they’ve ended. He hopes to continue creating meaningful entertainment that resonates with viewers and makes their lives a little brighter.

Spectrum Syndicate: In the fictional country of Magorigan, where autistic people have just been segregated from society, a creative autistic individual Sora Altair must join a group of autistic special agents to save the world from a bomb.

Lily Dain (they/them) is a young and aspiring autistic filmmaker. Lily made their directorial debut at 16 years old in the Reigate Summer Festival with their educational short film ‘Periodic Embarrassment.’ Lily prides themselves on making films that both educate and entertain, as well as to fight for equality and inclusivity for all. They wish to work in many different genres (particular favourites being fantasy, comedy and drama), but Lily has a particular strength in stories that involve silly comedy, satire, exploration of the life of an autistic person and thoughtful messaging. As a director and writer, Lily draws influences from the works of Ken Loach and Paul Laverty, Baz Luhrmann and Guillermo Del Toro.

Intervention: A son confronts his father over a decision that will alter both of their lives forever.

Vernon Heard is one third of the production team Scobey Films (with Bryan McCowan and Sel Tambito) based in Los Angeles. Vernon wrote Intervention with Bryan, wanting to create a storyline from a different, and possibly controversial perspective. As a veteran of the music industry and directing music videos, it’s safe to say that filmmaking and storytelling is Vernon’s new happy place.

Love Is Blind: In L.A., cautious germaphobe Chris agrees to a blind date arranged by his best friend’s fiancée. What begins with promise quickly unravels into chaotic mishaps and cringe-worthy moments. Desperate to escape without offending anyone, Chris stumbles through a hilariously disastrous night he’ll never forget.

Parneille Walker, a New York native raised in Northern California, has spent years shaping stories behind the scenes as a Post Production Supervisor on major network shows for studios like Disney, Warner Bros., and Paramount. A proud graduate of California State University, Sacramento, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for TV and film production. Her work spans acclaimed productions such as Poppa’s House, Grown-ish, Act Your Age, Mixed-ish, Black Lightning, House M.D., Lincoln Heights, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Now stepping into the director’s chair, her debut short film Love is Blind reflects her mission to tell bold, authentic stories centered on strong women and people of color.