March 11^th, 2022 co-writers of brand-new horror-comedy ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME Tom Palmer and Tom Stourton – who also stars as Pete in the film – visited the Angelika Film Center in Manhattan for a Q&A after opening night showings of the film!

Watch the full Q&A here:

               Palmer and Stourton discussed many aspects of how the film was made, from the inspiration for the film to the writing process, to producing and creating the film and beyond! Inspired by Stourton’s experience of social anxiety at a wedding – and convincing himself that he was only invited as a joke, regardless of what anyone else might suggest – ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME tonally captures a deeply relatable anxiety, transforming it into a grim reality. Between co-writing and starring in the film, Stourton is able to truly exemplify his experiences in a visceral truth on screen, subjecting himself and the audience to his deepest fears and anxieties.

               Creating a film in a pandemic is no simple task, regardless of budget and experience. However, comedy duo Palmer and Stourton make it look like a piece of cake, creating a masterpiece through their struggles. Between casting and crafting the creative team, their vision was at the forefront of the creative process. They recount the difficulties of creating the film – ranging from a canine actor refusing to bark to having to hunt down decrepit cars from junkyards – but are also able to admire and enjoy the creative liberties that they were able to maintain while heading the creative team alongside director Andrew Gaynord.  

               ALL MY FRIENDS HATE ME is a must-see for all, relating deeply to the universal experience of growing up alongside friends at different paces, social anxieties, and what it feels like to drift apart. Pulling from close, personal experiences from the writers, the emotion and tone is tangible to all who experience this cinematic thrill.