INTERVIEW with Magalie Kippelen

How long have you been doing movies? How did you decide to start making movies?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of cinema. I spent thirty years working as a passionate hairstylist, opening and managing two salons. Though I built a full career in hairstyling, the dream of filmmaking never left me—it was a passion I shared deeply with my late younger brother.

I always hoped that cinema would open its doors to me through hairstyling, perhaps by working on film sets. But it wasn’t until a year and a half ago that things truly began. A friend and client opened a film workshop studio in Barcelona—Studio Bigoli—and invited me to participate. I acted in a short film and wrote my first screenplay, which ended up winning an award within the school. That experience sparked something in me.

Since then, I’ve taken courses in acting and screenwriting, and finally created a short film entirely on my own, supported by a network of talented artists I’ve connected with over the past year and a half.

Why did you do this project?

One evening, a very clear story came to me—almost like a vision. I’ve always wanted to make a feature film inspired by my late brother, but while waiting for the resources to do so, I took a fragment of that idea and turned it into a short film. It was a joyful process. I love writing stories that provoke thought and convey meaningful messages. This film felt like a necessity—something I had to bring to life.

(If you can say). How much budget did you have to do this project?

We had no budget at all. I simply asked everyone involved to collaborate voluntarily. Amazingly, we even had original music composed specifically for the film. It’s incredible when I think about it—thanks to the network I’ve built through my salon, my friends, and the film community I’ve recently joined, we made it happen.

Was it self-funded or did you get budget/producers/investors?

It was entirely self-funded.

How long did it take from the initial idea to being able to release?

The story came to me in a single night—very vividly. Shortly after, I met the lead actress, Ninon Lavalou, during an acting class. I felt an immediate artistic connection and admiration and knew I wanted her in the film. I also discovered Samuel Allan through a theater performance and felt the same.

I found the perfect bar that matched the imagery I had in mind (Lonely Bar in Gràcia). Everyone said yes, but Ninon was set to return to Paris in ten days. Despite working fourteen-hour days at my salon during the busy back-to-school season, I organized the entire shoot in one week. We had one read-through, no rehearsals, and filmed everything in seven hours at the bar, followed by half a day at the beach.

Post-production took nine months, mainly due to the soundtrack and original music creation. But we made it, and I’m truly proud of the result. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped turn this dream into reality.

Are you happy with the result

Absolutely. I’m proud of what we accomplished and incredibly thankful to everyone who helped bring this dream to life.

What phase is this project in right now? Are you in the initial phase of sending it to festivals, middle phase or finishing the circuit?

We’ve just begun submitting the film to festivals, and I’m gradually discovering this whole new world.

How has your experience been with the festivals so far? Where do you think they should improve?

As a newcomer, I’ve noticed that most festivals require a submission fee for each category, which makes it a rather lucrative business. For indie films like ours, these costs can be overwhelming. I even launched a crowdfunding campaign to help cover them.

So far, you’ve been the only festival offering a reasonably priced package that allows us to submit the film across multiple categories, and I truly appreciate that. It gives us a chance to evaluate the film’s strengths and weaknesses more comprehensively, rather than competing in just one category.

Could you tell us which platforms you use to submit your entries to festivals?

So far, only FilmFreeway.

Normally, filmmakers use many references, favorite directors, favorite movies, etc. Were you inspired by any director or film? If so, tell us your references.

I’m not consciously influenced by any specific director. I enjoy a wide variety of genres, and when a story comes to me, I see the film play out in my mind. I’m not always aware of where the inspiration comes from—it’s a blend of life experience and thousands of films I’ve watched over the years.

Your favorite movie?

That’s such a difficult question.

I’ve never been able to give a definitive answer to that question—it’s always felt impossible to choose just one. But I can say that certain films have deeply moved me or left a lasting impression through their creativity , beauty or storytelling.

For instance, « Le Grand Bleu » by Luc Besson touched me with its poetic atmosphere and emotional depth. “Inglourious Basterds” by Quentin Tarantino captivated me with its bold narrative and unforgettable characters. Titanic by James Cameron was a cinematic experience that swept me away—its scale, emotion, and visual grandeur were unforgettable. And Back to the Future, with its brilliant concept and timeless charm, sparked my imagination in a way few films have.

Each of these films, in their own way, has shaped my love for cinema and inspired me to tell stories that resonate.

Favorite series?

So far, I’d say Outlander and Dark.

Do you see yourself making movies in 5 years? Where do you see yourself?

Absolutely. I’d love to continue growing and eventually apply for funding to make my feature film. I’d also enjoy acting occasionally, but if I had to choose, I’m more inspired by storytelling—creating a complete vision from start to finish.

That said, experiencing acting helps me better understand performers and guide them through the filmmaking process. It’s all about building a collaborative team to bring a shared vision to life.

Do you have any other project in mind?

Yes! I have another short film in mind—a retro-futuristic, kitschy concept that I’d love to shoot soon. For that one, I could definitely mention some directorial inspirations, though not specifically for Sunburst. And of course, there’s the feature film about my brother, which remains close to my heart.

What do you ask for the future? (cinematographically speaking)

To continue creating, growing, and sharing stories that matter.

Your best experience in a movie theater?

Titanic I think. I was sixteen and saw it twice. The visuals, the sound, the performances—it was magical. A very girly choice, perhaps, but seeing the ship sink on the big screen was overwhelming. I remember my mother had to leave the theater during that scene because she couldn’t bear it.