Anya Kai, reporting
Peam Patrathiranond, a filmmaker and student at the University of Rochester, will present his film “The Dating Scene” at the 4th Annual Below the Line Film Festival. This festival, produced by Chill Bucket Productions, is a two-night event held on October 10 and 11, 2025, in New York City. “The Dating Scene” is an official selection for the Saturday, October 11 screening, which is dedicated to student filmmakers.
“The Dating Scene”: A Director’s Debut
For Peam Patrathiranond, “The Dating Scene” was his first venture into directing a narrative film after working on over 15 short films in other capacities. The project, which started as a small, low-risk endeavor, turned into an award-winning production. The film has been featured in five festivals so far and has won two awards.
The production faced numerous obstacles, including a very tight schedule—the entire film was shot in just one night over six hours. The budget was also extremely limited, with a total of only $30 spent on the production, as all equipment was acquired “in-kind.” Patrathiranond credits the dedication of his cast and crew, all of whom were juggling full-time school and part-time jobs, for making the project a success. He is grateful for their trust in his vision and hopes that audiences will enjoy watching the film as much as the team enjoyed making it.
The script for “The Dating Scene” was written by Andrew Favoloro, a writer Patrathiranond met through his network of filmmakers in New York City. While not autobiographical, the film allowed Patrathiranond to have full creative control and responsibility over a project, an experience he found invaluable.
Peam Patrathiranond’s Journey
Originally from Thailand, Patrathiranond is a Digital Media Studies and Business student at the University of Rochester. His journey to filmmaking wasn’t always clear; he initially planned to pursue a career in STEM fields. However, a realization during a high school physics class led him to change his path and fully embrace his passion for filmmaking, videography, and photography. Since then, he has worked on over 38 projects, from music videos to feature films.
He finds inspiration not in awards or recognition, but in seeing the joy his work brings to others. Patrathiranond has been a leader in the filmmaking community at his university, serving as co-president of the Undergraduate Film Council and running the Video Studio.
Looking ahead, Patrathiranond is eager to get back to directing. He plans to continue pushing himself in the world of cinematography and producing, but “The Dating Scene” has reaffirmed his love for bringing smiles to people’s faces through film.
Below the Line Film Festival and Chill Bucket Productions
The Below the Line Film Festival, a staple of the New York independent film scene, is a project of Chill Bucket Productions. The festival aims to celebrate and amplify the voices of filmmakers working on a budget, providing a platform for independent and student artists. Producers Jeff and George Rocco, along with Dakota Martin, created Chill Bucket Productions with the mission to foster a safe and welcoming environment where all artists can create and share their work. They believe that everyone, regardless of background, is welcome on the “stage” of filmmaking. The festival provides a crucial opportunity for up-and-coming artists like Peam Patrathiranond to showcase their work and connect with a wider audience.
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