SEYLA HOSSAINI is a longtime writer and budding filmmaker from Richmond, VA. She has a background in directing and editing music videos, promotional videos for local businesses, and doing public relations work with a Richmond recording studio. 

Seyla also fronts garage rock band Toward Space (as a vocalist/bassist) who have been touring nationally for the last 7 years. Her biggest inspirations are the newest films coming out of the New French Extremity movement, as well as existential literature from the 1940’s and 30’s. 

Ella Valentine: Hi Seyla! We are thrilled to have you here! You’re such a multi-talent! Singer, writer, and director among others! How did you develop yourself as a creative throughout the years? 

Seyla Hossaini: I have always been first and foremost a writer. I started writing as soon as I was able to pick up a pen, and throughout the years that has translated into many different mediums. When I was younger I had phases with poetry, and thought I would become a novelist at one point. Screenwriting and music have just been the mediums that allowed me to express myself the most accurately. Music, with writing and then performance- film, with writing and then shooting- I love the steps from writing into something so physical and dimensional.    

Ella Valentine: You are currently running a fundraising campaign for your vampire horror short, “We’ll Still Be Here” – tell us more about the project! 

Seyla Hossaini: “We’ll Still Be Here” is a proof of concept for a feature film that I’ve written and want to get funded! This short focuses on the backstory of one of the antagonists in the feature, “Mel” who is going to be played by Lindsey Normington (recently starred as “Diamond” in Anora 2024). 

Ella Valentine: Have you always been a horror buff? What is the inspiration behind the project? 

Seyla Hossaini: Yes! I got really into horror when I was probably 12 years old. I find horror comforting, which sounds sick. But I think it’s because it feels less anxiety-inducing to face all the darkness, and just bask in it. The unknown feels more threatening. I face some of my own worst fears in this short film, or at least, put the characters through them. 

Ella Valentine: Without any spoilers, what can you tease about the plot?

Seyla Hossaini: The story focuses on two cousins, one who’s at her lowest point in life and one who was turned into a vampire on a self discovery trip to Europe. They’re going to be reunited after years of not seeing each other. 

Ella Valentine: You are also exploring vampirism in it – what drew you to this aspect of horror? 

Seyla Hossaini: I think vampirism is a vehicle for a lot of metaphors and themes. It’s got a sexual nature to it that I enjoy, and the idea of immortality is interesting. I’m not going to lie- when I was in junior high, my theatre geek friends and I had an obsession with vampires. We definitely drank each other’s blood at some point. 

Ella Valentine: When writing a character or casting actors, what is something that grabs your attention in an actor or an aspect within your characters you fixate over?

Seyla Hossaini: Sometimes I picture a specific actor when I’m writing a character. In this case, I didn’t write the story with any particular casting in mind. Once I imagined Paige Smelzter as Fern and Lindsey Normington as Mel, I couldn’t really get it out of my head and so I definitely became attached to the idea of them playing those roles. The two actors actually look similar enough that they could easily be cousins. 

Ella Valentine: What are your favorite vampire movies or TV shows?

Seyla Hossaini: “Let The Right One In” the original Swedish version is a big influence for this project, I actually just told my DP to watch it. “Only Lovers Left Alive” directed by Jim Jarmusch. “A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night” is another great one. 

Ella Valentine: And besides horror, what else are you binge-watching these days? 

Seyla Hossaini: In terms of binging, I’m ready for season 3 of Yellowjackets. More gay stuff is happening and I’m seated. 

Ella Valentine: You have your hands full with both music and film, how do you manage priorities and what is the ultimate dream?

Seyla Hossaini: The ultimate dream is to be doing nothing but music and film. 

Ella Valentine: What should we expect to see from you music-wise in the future? Anything in the works?

Seyla Hossaini: My band Toward Space has a new single and music video underway! Coming this spring. 

Ella Valentine: Do you have a circle of creative friends to collaborate with? And would you share any tips for people who want to find collaborators but are maybe more anti-social, loners or a bit shy? 

Seyla Hossaini: My artist friends are my lifeline. Even friends of mine who aren’t “artists” have ended up in my projects. Oliv Hampton, Noah Peterson, and Olivia Gropp were in my last film “Wigglers” and are starring in this upcoming project. I love how collaborative film is. I love watching what folks bring to characters from their own life. My advice to folks looking for other creatives to make art with- social media is obviously one of the best tools, you can reach out to anybody and the worst outcome is they say “no” or don’t respond. It’s always worth reaching out to someone and asking to grab coffee and talk about art. That’s a good place to start. 

Ella Valentine: A lot of people are also afraid of rejection or failure – do you ever fear those? 

Seyla Hossaini: I just had a conversation with a friend about this recently! It’s okay to feel your feelings- when you do get rejected it’s okay to cry. As long as you don’t stop, it’s fine. I cry all the fucking time. I’m scared every day. Put your fear and frustration into the art. We’re artists- we feel a lot of shit. But if you stop making art, you’re doomed. Feel all your feelings and MAKE ART. AND SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD. 

Ella Valentine: We’d love to get to know you more – what are some of your quirks or icks?

Seyla Hossaini: Does having OCD count as a quirk? My icks…gum chewing. Romantic comedies. When men say “you’re one of the guys.” I’m one of the girls. My girlfriends and I are just a gang of gross girls. 

Ella Valentine: What is your advice for creatives who struggle to keep up with the motivation when life gets in the way? 

Seyla Hossaini: Keep writing or working on art even if the writing/art is coming out bad. Something will come of it eventually. But if you’re not working, nothing’s going to come. 

Ella Valentine: Thank you so much for being here! We can’t wait to see “We’ll Still Be Here” once it’s released! Please share a link to your fundraising campaign for our audience!

Seyla Hossaini: Thank you! And thank you for giving a platform to freaky female artists. Here is a link to our IndieGoGo fundraising page: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/we-ll-still-be-here-a-vampire-short-film#/ Cheers!