by Whitney Larkins for Winter Film Festival
See the comedy feature film Magic Hour on February 19 @6:00PM at REGAL Union Square (850 Broadway) as part of New York City’s 14th Annual Winter Film Festival. Tickets now on sale!
Harriet, a once-promising filmmaker, is stuck in the suburbs of New Jersey. Alienated from her cheating husband and spurned by her teenage daughter, she secretly enrolls in film school. She leads a double life and loves the grueling yet exhilarating world of student filmmaking. But, when she gets fired off her own film and found out by her daughter, Harriet must decide if her life’s ambition is pure folly or a dream worth saving.
Winter Film Festival’s Whitney Larkins recently spoke with director/producer Jacqueline Christy and producer Laura Lee to discuss “Magic Hour”.
Many filmmakers have a prelude before their time in the film industry. Did you have one and how did it shape this film?
Jacqueline Christy: Like our very relatable protagonist Harriet, I’m an “every woman” and started in arts administration wearing multiple hats. In my 40s, I decided to go to film school. There was a pure fiction overlap and at the bottom of my list of things to do was to realize my own dreams. Self-actualization is a journey.
Laura Lee: I had a pretty full life before getting into filmmaking. I didn’t go to film school. Having a full life makes you a better artist. I wasn’t necessarily in a “boy genius” situation where I could walk onto set and call the shots.
The audience viewing your film experiences ageism that Harriet faces from a multi-generational cast. Why is middle age such a delicate time in a woman’s life? How does it differ from men’s?
JC: Our initial title carried with it a terrible connotation attached to it. Women face limited value in society which is rooted in our youth, beauty, and Hollywood standards. Men can walk on set with an A+ grade already. It’s theirs to lose. As a female filmmaker, there’s a count against you. Many assumptions are made. But with women, we are skilled at family collaboration, possess good leadership skills, and are adept at making people feel safe in a collaborative environment.
LL: Jackie wrote many powerful lines and moments in, “Magic Hour.” Even though I’m not middle-aged yet, I can say that with success of any kind, it very well could come at different times in your life. Ava Duvernay, Ridley Scott, etc. are examples of this. What matters is talent, dreams and vision for yourself more than anything.
Tell us about some of the challenges and rewards of making this film. Any Murphy’s Law moments?
JC: There were definitely similarities in our story and the real life challenges that we faced. It made for a unique arc in our own lives. We had arranged for over 50 people to be on set one day and we lost our location suddenly and had 48 hours to find another one! No one on Earth can solve problems like Laura! She’s the best crisis magician!
LL: We pounded the pavement from the East Village all the way to the Lower East Side to the Anthology Archives in Chinatown where we shot a critical scene. It took four hours and we were exhausted but also relieved. It took a lot of grit and we walked to the ends of the Earth; the NYU folks we collaborated with really came through!
Many aspiring filmmakers often wonder what are some best practices for building a team and securing financing. Any advice for new and emerging artists?
LL: Be open to working on other sets. Keep an open mind to different opportunities that may come up. Audit classes at different schools or take continuing education courses. Participate in artist collectives. When you sit down to write, you should write for the resources that you have available to you at the time. Filmmaking is about limitations sometimes.
JC: Team building is the wind beneath my wings. If you’re intentional beforehand, be sure to have a good vibe ahead of time. It establishes the vibe. I want people to love my set, be open to listening to each other, people need to be appreciated and generosity is the side effect of creating community.
The film school professor, played by Delissa Reynolds, made a poignant comment about filmmaking requiring fierce honesty. What advice do you have for artists to find their truth in the industry and through their craft?
LL: I’m a big believer in Indie film. You have to trust the artistic process. You can’t control all of the outside forces that are at play. Believe in yourself and your vision. Make things happen as you can. Be sure to celebrate the small wins!
JC: If something seems insurmountable, remember that the personal, singular part of you is the most universal. It is your unique treasure to share from heart to heart. Make direct and honest connections with your art. Be your truest self because that’s what resonates the most. That’s your gift. It’s in you, share it. The artist owns it. In the first Act of, “Magic Hour,” Harriet internalizes all of the negativity in her life at that point and believes her ship has sailed. But I say, go forward with your full neurotic mess. Like Harriet, frustration sometimes creates the path.
About Winter Film Festival
Winter Film Festival is an all-volunteer women and minority-run organization as part of Winter Film Awards Inc, a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2011 to celebrate emerging talent in local and international filmmaking.
The 14th Annual Winter Film Festival runs February 18-22 2026 includes a diverse mixture of animated films, documentaries, comedies, romances, dramas, horror films, music videos and web series of all lengths. Our five-day event is jam-packed with screenings and Q&A sessions at NYC’s REGAL Union Square, six Education sessions/workshops and a variety of filmmaker networking events all coming to a glittering close on February 22 with our red-carpet gala Awards Ceremony.
Winter Film Festival programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Promotional support provided by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment.
For more information about Winter Film Festival, visit WinterFilmFest.org
email us at info@winterfilmawards.com and visit us at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
