Hamish Downie’s Five Questions With Sheila Warren

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TGG: Could you please introduce yourselves to our readers?
SW: My name is Sheila Warren. I am a Producer / Director / Writer based in Toronto, Canada. I create films driven by women, with a focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion. As a Director, I explore horror, grounded sci fi and drama, partnering with diverse cast & crew. The unknown, hidden behind secrets and stories from breadcrumbs of truth are at the core of my film visions. In 2022, I shot on locations ranging from a Canadian snowstorm (“Don’t Go Back in the Hut”) to the Granite dells of Arizona, and its monsoon rains (“Park 33”). I started out primarily focused on writing, back in 2016. My first short film, “Internet Activism: Viral Change”, was a doc about the effectiveness of online petitions and calls to action.

TGG: Could you please tell us about your film in the Gilbert Baker Film Festival?
SW: “Don’t Go Back in the Hut” is a short horror film with a little tongue-in-cheek humor. It follows Freema, a city girl, faced with a few days in an isolated mini-home while her partner battles COVID. From her wheelie luggage to her dislike of composting toilets, Freema’s a fun target for Cathy’s gruesome humor. Transforming the humor into a fright fest of bumps and scares, leading to their climactic realization, was the real joy of this project, and working with our amazing creative team.

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TGG: What was the biggest thing you learned while making the film?
SW: So many things. It was my first narrative film, in the Director’s chair. If I have to choose though, I’d say I learned that planning, and more planning is the key, especially for a one day shoot. What could happen? All those unexpected things… Having multiple contingency plans for everything from weather (we had an unexpected snowstorm), duplicates for defective items, alternative shooting options, and really the ability to make decisions on the spot that can make the difference between completing the script and not. A strong Assistant Director is so important to keep things organized, moving and letting me focus on the creative aspects (actors, camera, lighting etc.).

TGG: I can imagine. So, speaking of Gilbert Baker, what does Gilbert Baker’s Pride Flag mean to you?
SW: It is a symbol of the pride of the LGBTQ+ community, and it is recognized worldwide. I remember when it was introduced in the 70s, I was too young to take in much, but when I came out in the 80s, it quickly became an important symbol for me and my LGBTQ+ friends. I appreciate the slight changes made to the flag recently. It signifies a greater emphasis on BIPOC inclusion.

TGG: What’s next for you?

SW: 2023 is our biggest year yet. We are shooting “Could You Take My Equipment?”, a short film about precarious housing in the LGBTQ+ community within the context of a women’s hockey league. Next, I’ll be directing my first feature, “Impulse Control”, in June. It is an enviro-parasite thriller about the plastic waste crisis. I’m Co-Producing with Keli Price (“Bandits”), who will also star in the film. We are so excited about our casting so far. More announcements to come! Our flagship feature is “Between Action and Cut”, a female romcom in the vein of “Love Actually” and “It’s Complicated”. We are actively seeking investment partners for this $2.3M CAD project, slated for production in spring 2024.
A taste of “Between action and Cut”:

TGG: Finally, how can we best support you?
SW: Thank you for the interview and the support. I am most active on Instagram @swarrenfilm growing our audience. I am also on Twitter @swarren_film. “Don’t Go Back in the Hut” is streaming on LesFlicks.