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Meet the Filmmaker: Will Dempster, “Palooka”

Q: Why did you become a filmmaker?
WD: I’ve always loved to pretend to be characters in a movie. Now I love to make those characters and it’s just pure fun to be a part of a film.

Q: What are we going to see at the EFP? Has it screened elsewhere and what are your plans for it?
WD: I wanted to make the most fun to watch short film since most of what I watched online from these indie short festivals were dramas that had no action. Palooka is the funnest film I could think of doing on a very small budget. So I took two locations and said “let’s make a short”. Then created the script.

Q: What else are you working on?
WD: I am directing my first short film “Beast of Burden” July 15th-17th in Denver. The film is about a son trying to get his father to go to an AA meeting.

Q: Tell us one weird thing about you and/or your movies?
WD: I love dancing in films so any film I do I will plan to have someone dancing at some point.

Q: Where can people go to find out more about you and your work?
WD: Currently working on a website but DM my Instagram account willy_demps for updates on my next film!

Q: Is there anything you’d like to say about The Emerging Filmmakers Project?
WD: I’m so excited that this exists and should be in every city! So many good filmmakers out there and lots of good people to meet.

Palooka will screen during The Emerging Filmmakers Project on Thursday, July 21st, 2022 at The Bug Theatre.