HollyShorts World Premiere: Jeremy Max on Directing BLEEDER and the Journey of an NYU Filmmaker

In this episode of *She's All Over the Place*, host Katie Chonacas sits down with New York-based writer and director Jeremy Max to discuss his powerful new short film, *BLEEDER*, ahead of its World Premiere at the HollyShorts Film Festival.   *BLEEDER* is an intimate psychological drama that follows a man who earns a living by enduring brutal beatings, only to find himself confronting the deep emotional wounds he has spent years trying to outrun. Blending raw realism with surrealism, the film offers a profound exploration of trauma, masculinity, and the restorative power of human connection.   Jeremy shares the internal choices and creative journey that led him from NYU Tisch to crafting one of the most compelling short films of the festival circuit this year. He also dives into what it takes to build a dedicated filmmaking career and how this project serves as a proof of concept for an upcoming feature adaptation.   **In this conversation, we explore:** - The inspiration behind *BLEEDER* and exploring the hidden emotional burdens men carry. - Working with former professional boxer John Duddy ("The Derry Destroyer") to bring absolute authenticity from the ring to the screen. - The collaborative process with Academy-invited producer Scott Aharoni (*They Follow*, *The Chronology of Water*) and cinematographer David Foy. - Jeremy's artistic evolution following his acclaimed previous shorts, *Dream Girl* and *The Second Oldest Man Alive*. - Practical advice for new, dedicated filmmakers navigating the festival circuit and building a proof of concept. If you found this episode inspiring, please share and make sure to subscribe and leave a 5-Star review, as it supports independent creators like you and me. :) Follow and stay connected with us here * * *