2025 Annual Awards Interviews: The Team Behind “Come and Find Me”, the Most Awarded Film of IndieX Film Fest 2025

Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive interview with writer-director Carmine Carpenito, 1st AD Nicole Odermatt, and cast member Benjamin Zumstein, the team behind Come and Find Me (Switzerland)—the most awarded film of the 2025 IndieX Film Fest Annual Awards. The film took home five honors, namely Best Mystery Short, Best First Time Male Director, Best Young Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score of the Year.

The conversation was captured by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles.

Come and Find Me, a taut psychological mystery from Swiss filmmaker Carmine Carpenito, had its world premiere at IndieX Film Fest in Los Angeles. The film follows a 14-year-old boy (Fflyn Edwards, known for playing Prince Harry in The Crown), who receives an unexpected and surreal call from the afterlife in the middle of the night—leading him to uncover a shocking truth. With a chilling twist that challenges perceptions of safety and awareness, the film sparks reflection long after the credits roll.

Fflyn Edwards and Nikolai Bosshardt in *Come and Find Me*

Carpenito, who also participated in the IndieX Q&A panel as a guest speaker, developed the film independently as a self-financed debut. Without formal film school training or prior credits, he undertook the project with significant personal investment—both financial and creative.

The production faced notable challenges: it was shot entirely in a forest with no electricity, required filming exclusively after sunset to match the script’s timeline, and had to navigate regulatory restrictions in order to cast a child in the leading role. These creative choices reflect a clear commitment to authenticity and atmosphere.

The director has spoken about his decision to avoid the common day-for-night technique, choosing instead to film during actual nighttime hours over a four-day schedule. The result is a film that feels grounded, immersive, and emotionally resonant.

Carmine Carpenito at the IndieX Q&A Panel wirh AJ Lambert, Anthony Young, Arielle Raycene, and Kayden Tokarski

Drawing unexpected inspiration from Life as a House, Come and Find Me explores themes of fractured familial relationships—specifically the emotional weight of a broken father-son dynamic—through the lens of mystery and psychological tension. It is a technically impressive and emotionally complex film that stands out for its artistic ambition and execution.

Watch the interview, and trailer, below to learn more about the production’s journey, the creative risks behind the camera, and how this first-time filmmaker transformed personal vision into one of the year’s most celebrated short films.