In our excitement for the upcoming Film Independent Spirit Awards, we’ve reached out to all of the filmmakers nominated for Best First Feature and asked them all kinds of things about their experience as filmmakers and what it’s like to be up for the indie world’s greatest accolade. Here, writer-director and Film Independent Fellow Ana Lily Amirpour, also nominated for the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award for her wonderfully original, black-and-white Iranian vampire western, tells us about the sweet perfume of her directorial debut.

What’s the most exciting thing about being nominated for a Film Independent Spirit Award?
While I’m here I want to keep making films, and things like this let people know you’re here.

What are you most looking forward to about the ceremony?
The part when I get home that night and my mom asks me if I met Meryl Streep.

Have you started sweating an acceptance speech yet?
Like a psychedelic experience… just kind of sweat and go with it.

What’s your strategy for selecting an outfit for the ceremony?
What would Doc Brown wear?

Was there a moment when you considered throwing in the towel on making this film, and what stopped you?
I never had a towel. I think the only thing that would stop me is if my heart stopped beating.

Did you ever have one of those magical moments on set when all the stars aligned and things turned out even better than you’d ever imagined?
Actually, every moment with this whole film felt that way. It sounds incredibly cheesy but this experience was blessed by the forces of the universe and filled with a wondrous group of people.

What’s the most important thing you learned while making this film?
I am what I am.

What do they never tell first-time filmmakers, but should?
If you haven’t made your first film, there’s nothing to compare you to, which means sky’s the limit. You can literally do anything you want. It’s a remarkable position to be in and it only happens once. The first film is like putting on a fragrance that will attract your future cohorts; choose the scent wisely and love the smell madly.

Mary Sollosi / Film Independent Blogger