244. Interview | SEAWEED SNACKS Director Sylvia Ray (Slamdance 2026)

In SEAWEED SNACKS, Ellis (Patrick Cage) is a dad trying to traverse the awkwardness of being the only parent at a kid's birthday party who doesn't know anyone else...and who also just doesn't wanna be there.

Enter Rick (Kamal Angelo Bolden). He's everything Ellis isn't: bubbly, outgoing, embraced by every other parent. And he's walking in Ellis' direction - ah, damn it.

The movie takes a surrealist approach to entering me into Ellis' mind as he's bombarded by Rick's social (and overly personal) invasion. It's playful, mischievous, but that's mostly because I can also see way too much of myself within Ellis and I think I need that weird angle or insane sound effect to keep from reflecting too hard upon my life.

Plus, I think the director, Sylvia Ray, is a big proponent of giving oneself grace if (and when) perfection isn't achieved. ---

Music provided Content ID free by @goodkidband

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