“I didn’t see it as a business,” says creator Alma Har'el. “It was a calling that was on my mind. I didn’t start as a filmmaker. I was many things on the way there — theater, video arts, music videos, documentaries — it just sort of unfolded over years until I got to make my first film.”

Alma’s first writing credit is Lady in the Lake, but as a Director, she’s known for Bombay Beach, LoveTrue, Jellywolf, and the Shia LaBeouf inspired story, Honey Boy. “At first, it was just an attraction. I can’t really explain it — it controlled my dreams.”

While hosting a television show, she knew she wanted to direct. “I started with photography, then music videos, and VJ. With VJing, you play live visuals in clubs and music concerts while everyone is high on Molly and acid. No one is looking at the screen,” she jokes, “but you’re connected with them in your mind.”

“I think that was my first dream, to play visuals as if they were music or an instrument on stage. It was a need to have an extension of my dreams.” This led her to working with musicians like Beirut, Paul Smith, Jack Peñate, Sigur Rós, and even Bob Dylan.

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