Filmmaker Profile: Kid Nature by James Moutsos
Welcome to the Bushwick Film Festival Q&A series, where we introduce you to the incredible filmmakers behind this year's lineup. Each of these talented storytellers has crafted a unique vision, reflecting diverse perspectives and powerful narratives that resonate deeply with audiences today. In this series, you'll get an inside look at what inspired their work, the challenges they faced, and the creative processes that brought their films to life. Through candid interviews, they share their thoughts on the impact of their films, the themes they explore, and their hopes for how audiences will connect with their stories. Whether you're here for drama, comedy, documentary, or experimental films, these filmmakers are sure to inspire you with their dedication and passion for the craft. We hope you enjoy getting to know the voices behind this year's festival as much as we have enjoyed bringing their films to our screens. Let’s dive into their stories!
About This Film
Kip, an angsty middle schooler, is fed up with the constant ridicule from his classmates and his cold, cynical teacher. He runs off into the woods with the promise of making his own treehouse, but finds an unexpected guest has tagged along in his backpack. In this funny, heartwarming adventure, Kip’s guest challenges his patience, brings him face to face with a bear, teaches him the power of friendship and gives him the courage to bravely confront his fears, or at least believe that he can. In the end, Kip’s most important lesson is the realization that sometimes the only thing standing between us and the life we want is our own choice to live it.
Q&A WITH DIRECTOR JAMES MOUTSOS
James Moutsos, director of Kid Nature
Why does this story need to be told now?
I’m only 23 so I haven’t spent a ton of time in the world, but I do feel like in the world we live in now, how much information we have and how the younger generation has so much access to everything good, horrible, and crazy weird going on right now, everyone just has to grow up much faster it feels like. And while I think that’s partially a good thing, it’s can also lead to you feeling cold, hardened, and just overwhelmed with everything. So I wanted to tell a story first off that was just really sweet and could make people happy, but also one that showed everyone the power of vulnerability, the power of being “dumb” and silly, and ultimately that it’s ok even when you get a math equation wrong.
Describe who you want this film to reach.
I want to reach both a younger audience who’s feeling overwhelmed with the constant pressures of everyday life, as well as an older audience who’s just gotten better at pretending they aren’t!
What do you hope audiences will take away from watching your film?
I was hoping the audience could walk away from the film feeling a childlike sense of wonder and appreciation for the world, but also that the film could instill a sense of hope and empower the audience to face the world head on, even if they have no clue what they are doing! Kip at the end of the story really learns nothing about math or anything technical, but what he does gain is the incredible power of simply just trying.
What was your favorite part of making your film? Memories from the process?
Stop motion animation is usually a very solitary endeavor, but I think what was so great was all the wonderful help and support I got from friends when I made it. From helping paint toilet paper rolls to look like trees, to just simply clicking the capture button for each frame of a shot, to just sitting and talking with me as animated at 4am. I feel like just getting to hangout with some of my favorite people while I really just got to play around and feel like a kid again was really such a fantastic experience that made what would be a grueling process actually quite lovely!
What was a big challenge you faced while making this film?
I made this film at college, and a big difficulty was finding a space to work and store my large forest set. It was the most ambitious film I’ve made, being a stop motion film with a few different detailed locations, I needed a space where I could build the sets and props and shoot for very long periods of time. This made the shoot very chaotic as I ended up needing to use a communal stop motion room to film most of it. Many of the students and professors were very kind and generous for letting me use as much of the room as I did, and for as long as I did! The biggest problems I ran into was having to stuff all of my supplies and sets into a grocery cart after I wrapped animating late into the night, and wheeling the cart back into my room, so the space was clean and ready for classes the next day.
How do you feel about your film being screened in front of a festival audience?
This is my first film festival I’ve ever been and before this screening I had only ever just been to smaller screenings or put up my short films on Instagram and YouTube. That was fun to show it to my friends and family members but I am a really excited and really nervous to see what random people will think! It will be quite surreal to see my work on the big screen!
BIOGRAPHY
James Moutsos is a Brooklyn-based director and stop-motion animator, who operates in the fantastical and the absurd! Just recently graduating with a BFA from Pratt Institute, James has already created a number of bold and imaginative works, including his newest short, Kid Nature, which won the NBR Student Grant!
Thank you for joining us for this special Q&A with the filmmakers of the Bushwick Film Festival. We hope this conversation has given you insight into the artistry, dedication, and heart that went into bringing their films to life. Each of these creators represents the spirit of independent filmmaking—fearlessly telling stories that reflect the complexities of our world and the personal experiences that shape us. As you continue exploring this year’s lineup, we encourage you to dive deeper into these works and discover the powerful messages, emotions, and perspectives they offer. Whether you're a long-time supporter of indie films or a newcomer to the festival, your engagement and curiosity make all the difference in uplifting these voices. Stay tuned for more filmmaker spotlights, and we look forward to seeing you at this year’s screenings. Let’s continue celebrating the magic of storytelling together!
