Indie Grits alum Harry Bartle brings us his latest narrative short The Hole Punch, a film that examines the small but important moments of people’s lives. The conflict within the film is centered around an unusual guest to a party and leads to the involvement of a piece of stationary. Read more about the New Orleans based director below.

What is your connection to the South?

I’ve lived in New Orleans for a little over 3 years, and my mom’s family is in West Texas and New Mexico.

Where did you get your inspiration for this work?

My previous short film was a sprawling narrative with lots of locations and characters. For this, I wanted to do something contained and carefully choreographed in a single space, with the chance to work closely with a pair of actors.

How did you start making films?

I got involved with friends’ projects in undergrad, and starting making my own films on 16mm after I graduated.

Did anything interesting or funny happen on set during the shooting?

One of the goldfish in our film seemingly passed away on its side at the bottom of the bowl at about 3AM, right before its close up. Our PA Tyler McGuckin went into crisis mode and literally brought the fish back to life with the help of our location’s landlord in the basement bathroom of the building. In the distance I heard the faint but unmistakable ringing of a tiny bell. It is possible that we were in fact visited by an angel.

What do you look forward to the most during Indie Grits?

The shorts blocks and the Weekly Revue.

Why should someone see your film?

Two excellent performances by our leads Baron Amato and Veronica Hunsinger-Loe. Production design by Julian Wellisz who turned the vacant third story of an old New Orleans storehouse building into beautifully spare apartment, and 16mm cinematography by recent Sundance-winning DP Zac Manuel.