5q's w/Fabrice Joubert "Safety" Director

#1: Can you describe your movie and why somebody should see it?

Safety tells the story of a young boy, his classmates and their gym teacher whose lives are shattered forever by the presence of a shooter in their small-town elementary school.

#2: What do you want the Borrego Springs Film Festival audience to know about your film that isn’t obvious from its title?

Safety is based on a 2015 short story written by author Lydia Fitzpatrick. I immediately connected with the short story from an emotional standpoint, and to those characters whose lives are irreversibly changed by this tragedy. With the ongoing debate about gun violence in the U.S., I felt that approaching this issue from a more personal and intimate perspective, as well as from the point of view of children in particular was a compelling and powerful angle to tell a story that has become all too familiar to us.

#3: What is your movie making background?  Tell us about yourself.

I’m a French writer/director who comes from the animation world. I grew up in Paris where I graduated from the Gobelins Animation School after majoring in film studies at the Sorbonne University. I started my career in Los Angeles as an animator and storyboard artist before going into writing and directing films. I was nominated for an Oscar in 2010 for my animated short film French Roast. “Safety” is my first live action film.

#4: What was the biggest lesson learned in getting your film made?

I wouldn’t have done it without the support and talent of my cast and crew. What I’ve learned the most is the importance of finding the right collaborators who share the same vision and passion for the project.

#5: What does the future hold for your film and you?

My hope is that SAFETY can become an additional voice to end gun violence in this country and keep the conversation moving in the right direction.

Social media handles:

@safetyshort @safetyshortfilm #safetyshortfilm2019

Official website: www.safetymovie.com