Private Project

New Year, New Me

Home from college, Alex reconnects with his sister Sam in order to work through an anxiety attack on New Year’s Eve.

  • Sebastian Zufelt
    Director
    Soft Launch
  • Sebastian Zufelt
    Writer
    Soft Launch
  • Sebastian Zufelt
    Producer
    Soft Launch
  • Nikki Page
    Producer
    Soft Launch
  • Brant Simmons
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
  • Chloe Rahal
    Key Cast
    "Sam"
  • Sebastian Zufelt
    Editor
    Soft Launch
  • Mark Zufelt
    Executive Producer
  • Melissa Carter
    Executive Producer
  • Meagan Wachtel
    Director of Photography
  • David Melean
    1st AC
  • Ava Carrasco
    2nd AC/Swing
  • Julian Aguero
    Gaffer
  • Marcos Guerra
    Production Designer
  • Brandon Kiziloz
    Sound Mixer
  • Nati Daniel
    Boom Operator
  • Brandon Kiziloz
    Sound Designer
  • Elliott Atkinson
    Colorist
    Big Kids
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    drama, coming of age
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 27 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    940 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.66:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - New York University
Director Biography - Sebastian Zufelt

I'm a filmmaker from Seattle, Washington, based in New York City. My interest lies in stories based on emotional conflict within interpersonal relationships. I currently attend New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, with a concentration in directing.

Currently a Post Production Intern at A24, I have worked with various organizations within the independent film world, including: Northwest Film Forum, The Film-makers' Cooperative, & Spectacle Theater.

My film SOFT LAUNCH was selected for NFFTY 2023 and won Best Screenplay at the Gallatin Film Awards. It has been called "A provocative vignette on Internet boundaries gone awry" by KC Studio Mag.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My inspiration stems from all the late-night conversations I’ve had with my sister. The emotional core of this film is that special sibling bond, one that can be strained yet has a unique strength. This film is about how teenagers communicate: how they feel so deeply they can overthink and be emotionally intelligent in the same conversation, and as much as they get in their own way, their deepest realizations can come with each other as opposed to their parents.