Writers and Directors Kevin and Kelly Luu talk about their latest short film ‘Technicians’, to screen at this year’s 20th anniversary HollyShorts Festival

Honestly, there are so many emotions, but above all, we feel incredibly grateful. Screening at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre is a dream in itself, but doing it alongside our cohorts from Rising Voices Season 4 is truly beyond words. When we first screened together at Tribeca, there was a moment on stage where all of us directors huddled up as the screening ended. We were just standing there, overwhelmed with happiness, saying how lucky we were to go through this program together and screen in the same block. We thought that moment would never happen again. And then came Hollyshorts, proving us all wrong. So yes, we’re incredibly grateful.

Technicians explores themes of automation and job replacement- following David, a struggling technician tasked with installing self service manicure stations at a nail salon where he meets a Vietnamese American nail technician whose job is under threat. In a time where we’re currently transitioning into an AI world, how have you found delving into this real world issue further?

We do our best to keep up with the latest AI innovations, and honestly, as storytellers, we can’t help but be blown away by the incredible advancements. Some AI technologies are so sophisticated, they almost seem otherworldly. However, what concerns us still is the speed at which AI and automation are evolving. It feels as though the world is racing forward without fully considering or preparing for the potential consequences. As we navigate this transition, our hope is that society remains mindful of the impact on everyday people—those who are just trying to make ends meet or seeking to live a fulfilling life. In this rapidly changing world, it’s more important than ever that we look out for one another.

Prior to playing at HollyShorts, Technicians was played at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. What feedback have you received in response to the film?

The feedback has been phenomenal. Our film packs a lot in its runtime and a benefit of that is there are several themes for audiences to resonate with. It really was such a validating experience. The most we can ask for as artists is that our work reaches people on an emotional level. So far, it feels like Technicians has really accomplished that.

The film was made as part of ‘Indeed’s Rising Voices’ program, a program created to discover, invest in and share stories crafted by BIPOC filmmakers and storytellers. What does it mean to have been chosen as 1 of the final 10 films out of the 100s submitted to be selected as a winner?

One of our favorite quotes from Stephen King answers this perfectly; “Validation for your ambition.” Being selected for Rising Voices Season 4, knowing how competitive it was, is so special and validating. We felt like the people at Indeed, Hillman Grad, and 271 films believed in us as filmmakersing and wanted to amplify our voice. That kind of support and empowerment is transformative, and has stuck with us ever since.

What have you learned/taken away from creating the film?

Our biggest takeaway from this experience is the importance of trusting our voices and experiences as filmmakers. We’ve been in the industry for a while now, and we’ve gone through quite a bit—from pitching to editing to writing. All those experiences really came into play during this process. Even though this was our first time with this specific program, a lot of it felt familiar in one way or another. There were moments where we’d hit a roadblock, and one of us would say, “Remember when we worked on that project? This is kinda like that.” It made us realize we know more than we give ourselves credit for, and in a way, it gave even more meaning to all the filmmaking experiences we’ve had before.

What can viewers expect from the film?

Audiences can expect a deeply human story at its core. While the film explores themes of automation and the looming threat of job loss in a near-future setting, it’s ultimately about two people connecting, learning about each other, and realizing they’re more alike than they ever imagined.

What would you like for viewers to take away from the film?

At a time where the future is full of uncertainty, what we can control is how we treat each other. So why not do that with kindness and empathy?

Interview by Lucy Basaba.

To find out more about Technicians, visit here…