The Global Search for Education: Neha Gautam’s Heartwarming Tale of Friendship Amid COVID-19
This month, audiences can screen No New Friends on the Planet Classroom Network. The film is curated for the Planet Classroom Network by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.
No New Friends, directed by Neha Gautam, is a heartwarming story set during the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows a four-year-old boy in New York City who struggles to make friends but finds a connection with a girl across the street, capturing the innocence and resilience of childhood during challenging times.
The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Neha Gautam.
Neha, what inspired you to create a film about childhood friendship during the COVID-19 pandemic?
As someone living in the city, I noticed many people had the luxury of leaving to another place outside the city. The city changed drastically. I am an educator and I felt for the children the most. I saw how much it affected their ability to socialize and felt sympathetic for them and thought of how they must cope.
In addition, there were restrictions to shooting during COVID. This was partly because there were restrictions at that time with how many people you could have on set and in the same space and also having an easier time with safety protocols if you cast people who were in a pod or related, which I did.
How did you work with the child actors and their real-life mothers to bring authenticity to their performances?
I had to keep reminding them not to act and just be in the moment. I spent a lot of time playing with Timmy, my lead, and gaining his trust but also just letting him be himself.
Can you share any challenges you faced while filming during the pandemic and how you overcame them?
I was almost not approved to shoot by my film school because another film crew contracted COVID while shooting. We had to be super careful, get everyone tested, and have the least amount of people possible on set.
And my final question is what message do you hope audiences take away from No New Friends?
Children exist in worlds that we can’t fathom. I believe they adapt and cope, and dreaming and imagination can help them cope. I also think we should be sympathetic to their experiences and give them room to play and imagine. We can learn a lot from them.
Thank you Neha!
C.M. Rubin with Neha Gautam
Don’t miss No New Friends, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network, curated by KIDS FIRST! Film Festival.