THE LAST ANNIVERSARY

1. Please share the title of your film and a brief synopsis.

What is your project about, and what can audiences expect?

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The Last Anniversary - On the eve of the apocalypse, a couple lure their former wedding party back to the abandoned hotel where they were married, intent on finally uncovering the truth behind their Maid of Honor’s disappearance, no matter the cost.

Audiences can expect a tense, atmospheric horror thriller set on the eve of the apocalypse, blending psychological dread with deeply personal reckoning.

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2. What inspired this film?

Tell us how the idea originated and what motivated you to bring it to life.

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We were inspired to write and create this film out of a growing sense of impending doom—shaped by the current political climate and the lingering aftermath of the pandemic. At the same time, we were confronting how many people in our own circles had been affected by sexual assault in the wake of the #MeToo movement. All of this collided with a more personal reckoning: getting older and trying to understand how to live with grief, rather than outrun it.

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3. What central themes or messages do you explore in the film?

Is there something specific you hope viewers take away?

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It examines the lingering trauma of violence, the weight of grief, and the illusion of control we cling to in uncertain times. Ultimately, the film suggests that while we can’t outrun these forces, we are defined by how we confront them—whether through denial, obsession, or the fragile, often messy act of facing them head-on.

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4. What sets your film apart?

In terms of style, subject, or storytelling — what makes it unique?

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What sets this film apart is its refusal to let its characters off the hook. We lean into consequence, pushing them to confront the truths they’d rather avoid, with the hope of arriving at a cathartic release by the end. Blending psychological tension, genre subversion, and emotional unease, we’ve aimed to craft a film that is as provocative as it is visceral—one that hopefully lingers long after the credits roll.

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5. Can you tell us a bit about your background as a filmmaker?

How did you get into filmmaking, and what draws you to this medium?

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We got into filmmaking due to our love of storytelling and take a very DIY approach to making movies as we write, direct, shoot, and edit our own films. We’ve made a number of features on microbudgets, leaning into genre storytelling with a mix of dark humour and social commentary. For us, it’s all about making bold, ambitious work with whatever resources we have while collaborating with great people along the way. We find the process very addictive in nature because you always learn and evolve from being on set with each film, it’s fuels creativity, and you want to keep the buzz going long after picture wrap.

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6. What was the most challenging part of the filmmaking process — and the most rewarding?

The biggest challenge was the lack of money and time—but that’s every filmmaker’s answer. We made this for 15K in just 7 days with virtually no crew, so trying to pull off everything we envisioned was definitely a stretch. But that’s also the beauty of low-budget filmmaking—it forces creativity in a way nothing else can, and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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7. How did the casting process unfold?

Were there any standout performances or casting moments that made a lasting impact?

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We’ve been at this long enough that we know most of the agents in town, so we always put a casting call out through them. We also keep all our past auditions on file, which is huge—there were three actors in this film who had auditioned for us before and weren’t quite right at the time, but really stuck with us, Manon, Kevin, and Ken. Three others we’d worked with previously, Honor, Jesse, and Jenna, and then Ry Barrett and Jess Vano were people we were already fans of, so we just reached out directly. Each performer has several standout moments in the film, and the entire cast stayed on location, at the motel, which really galvanized them as an ensemble, and it shows in the film.

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8. Who were some of your key collaborators behind the scenes?

We’d love to know about your team and the dynamic on set.

 

For us, it’s all about making sure everyone on set feels invested, trusted, and respected. This was a very small team—we had a Production Manager, a Sound Recordist, and three Production Assistants from a local film school, who we ended up elevating into bigger roles because of how great they were on set. We’re open to ideas from anyone on crew or cast, and that’s how the story really grows beyond what you originally planned. Filmmaking is the most collaborative art form there is, and the more voices you allow yourself to listen too, the stronger the final film becomes.

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9. Does your film have any Iowa or Midwest connections?

Were any cast, crew, locations, or inspirations tied to the region?

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No, but we love coming to JDIFF, this will be our third trip here in four years!

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10. Why was JDIFF the right festival for your film’s debut or screening?

What made you choose the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival?

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We’ve always found the hospitality at JDIFF to be incredible—the audiences, volunteers, and fellow filmmakers all have such a genuine passion for film, it’s hard not to be swept up in it. We joke with Susan, not entirely joking, that we try to make a film every year just so we have an excuse to come back. It really feels like the perfect mix of a vacation with friends and a love of cinema.

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11. What does it mean to you to be part of the JDIFF lineup?

We feel incredibly grateful and lucky to be part of such a passionate community.

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12. How do you hope audiences will respond to your film at JDIFF?

Is there a particular reaction or conversation you’re hoping to spark?

We hope audiences feel unsettled in the best way—that the film gets under their skin, sparks conversation, and stays with them after it’s over. It’s not about easy answers or letting anyone off the hook, but about creating an experience that’s visceral, provocative, and maybe even a little cathartic. Ideally, people walk out still thinking about it, still debating and want to discuss it over a hot cup of coffee and a piece of pie.

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13. Please share where our audience can follow the film on social media

@butlrbros on Instagram