Meet Chris Curlett

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Curlett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Chris , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Personally, I believe in reframing your thinking by not focusing on the feeling of ” faking it ” and start tracking evidence of your competence in what you do. Pay attention to the success and milestones that you have already had. For us at IOAM! Fest, action is the antidote. As a group, we would encourage to keep moving forward, take on the challenges you’re qualified for, and call on your support system when needed. Own your brilliance and let your progress be the medicine to that inner critic.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Our core focus right now is bringing unique and compelling cinematic visions to life, all powered by a deep-seated love for the arts and, importantly, horror films. Recently, my collaborator Archie (Director of “It’s Only A Movie!” Horror Fest) and I had the incredible experience of successfully producing a script idea of his that we worked on together. This project wasn’t just about making a film; it was a testament to the power of collaboration, overcoming that tough inner critic, and knowing when to lean on your support system.

What makes our work, including the annual horror film fest special is the incredible diversity of experience we bring to the table. We’re a unique blend of backgrounds: I got my start as a professional dancer and performer, eventually blending my mental health therapy licensure with the arts. Archie transitioned from the music scene into acting and film and is now passionate about directing and producing stories focused on oppression and empowerment. Our Technical Director, Esteban, offers his diverse expertise, ranging from running family event sound production to being an accomplished opera singer and voiceover actor. This eclectic mix of skills in performance, therapy, technology, and activism allows us to approach filmmaking and our festival with a richer, more profound perspective.

Right now, we are fully immersed in preparing for our favorite time of year, spooky season! Our main focus is IOAM! Fest which is always a thrill to put together. We are excited to be finalizing the selection of films for this year’s festival.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Building and empowering community. This is our foundational quality. Our success isn’t just about what we create, but who we bring together! Both in our team and through events like the Horror Fest. This skill ensures our projects have a genuine, supportive, and engaged audience and internal structure.

2. Diverse skill sets and adaptability. Our blended professional backgrounds (music, dance, opera, tech, film) allow us to pivot quickly, understand multiple facets of a project, and fill critical roles when needed. This adaptability is crucial in such a fast-paced world.

3. Expertise in Mental Health, Social Work, and the Arts (Chris’s Focus): This unique blend allows us, through direction from Chris, to approach storytelling and community engagement with deep emotional intelligence and a focus on themes of oppression and empowerment. It gives our work a meaningful core beyond simple entertainment.

And these three qualities/skills would be the advice we would give those who are early in their journey. Chris, specifically, states for everyone to try therapy and work on any wounding, inner critic, or other barriers that can get in your way of what you aim to do.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Chris can take the lead on this one! When the feeling of overwhelm hits, I advise readers to follow three key steps. I practice focusing on breathe and breathing deeply, break overwhelming content down to smaller manageable pieces, and create a block schedule to focus on one thing at a time. Second, call on your community/supports! Reach out to your support system for perspective, help, or maybe to delegate. Finally, remember that action is the antidote to anxiety so be mindful to prioritize and execute the smallest possible task to build momentum and prove to yourself that you can move forward. At least, that is what I have done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ioamfest.com
• Instagram: @itsonlyamoviefest
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsonlyamoviefest/
• Other: Check out Chris “Adene” on all streaming platforms. His music explores mental health themes especially for navigating manhood/masculinity. https://music.apple.com/tr/album/catharsis/1600636738

  https://open.spotify.com/track/1Uy8B3ZeRdDEpfcAUggC9s

Image Credits

All images where created and taken by: Chris Curlett