In Episode 6 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva reconnects with one of the most inspiring voices to emerge from the AAHSFF community — Colin Dowse. Colin wrote, directed, and starred in Smile, the film that won Best Overall and Best VFX in 2020 — as a freshman. Born from the early pandemic lockdown and shaped by a deep passion for visual effects and storytelling, Smile became a defining moment not just for the festival, but for Colin’s evolution as an artist.

In this episode, Colin shares how his early obsession with VFX led to deeply personal filmmaking, how living with juvenile arthritis has shaped his creative outlook, and what it's meant to find his voice both behind the camera and as a student at Emerson College. From self-made dolly rigs to multi-crew student productions, Colin opens up about the joy, pressure, and growth that comes from making films at every stage.

Featured Works: Smile, Out of My Mind