The Tryon International Film Festival 2024 (TRIFF24) is kicking off its 10^th anniversary of its weekend-long festival of independent films and filmmaking on November 22, 2024 in Tryon, NC, with Swedish film Just Like Me. The film takes the audience on a journey between laughter and tears in this heartwarming story by UCLA film student, Andreas Thelander.  

Andreas Thelander is an award-winning film director from Sweden who completed UCLA's intensive 4-year master’s program in film direction from 2016 to 2020. His debut feature film Just Like Me showcases his talents as a director, writer, and producer. The film has won multiple awards at film festivals around the world. Thelander's achievements include receiving The Charles & Lucielle King Family Foundation Fellowship in 2019 for his film Let the Ghost Pass and The Motion Picture Association of America Award in 2018 for Jamie the Superheroine. He has also been honored with The UCLA TFT Executive Board Scholarship in 2019 and has been a recipient of The Paulson Award for three consecutive years (2017, 2018, 2019). Before UCLA, Andreas had made nine short films and a commercial and had dreamed of UCLA's directing program since he was 16. He finally got in when he was 36 -- “I was one of the oldest students in my class, and already in my first year, my goal was to make a feature film as my graduation film in the fourth year. I felt like I couldn’t wait any longer. There, I had all the resources, all the students to make it with, and all the support from my professors. I felt like I would never get that chance again.”

This original, heartwarming feature comedy about a young single mother with autism who wins $250,000 on a scratch-off ticket on TV and spends it on having coffee with people to learn more about how humans work. The TRIFF24 opening Gala and Feature Film Sponsor author Clayton Smith shared “I was completely fascinated, while watching this foreign film with English subtitles -- my attention never wandered. Just Like Me is funny, clever, and a front runner for attention.” The film director’s participation at TRIFF24 is supported by the Embassy of Sweden Washington. Thelander wrote the script in 10 days, but his graduation film was initially meant to be something much simpler. A film that would take place in just one room. He worked on that script for three years, but it never seemed to work. Eventually, time ran out for the script, and he had to abandon it. That's when he came up with Just Like Me, but instead of a one location shoot, he ended up shooting at 14 locations, with 63 actors, 150 extras, over 18 shooting days in Stockholm, Sweden.  All actors are from Sweden.

”I started acting by a lucky opportunity when I was asked to participate in my hometown’s theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof. I was 12 years old, and it was such an inspiring experience.” shared Cecilia Falkebring who plays the lead character Maria. She shared “Having the opportunity to play Maria has been such an honor and joy. We all find ourselves in awkward and difficult situations in life. We feel anxiety, happiness, hopefulness; we look for acknowledgement and meaningful relationships, we fail at some things and succeed at others, and our reactions aren’t always what we expect them to be.”

"Celebrating a decade of cinematic excellence at the Tryon International Film Festival is a true honor. This festival, which has grown from humble beginnings into a world-class event, not only showcases exceptional films but also fosters a global community of creativity and storytelling. We are particularly proud to have Sweden represented with Just Like Me, a film that humorously explores the complexities of life, identity, and human connection. It’s a reminder that sometimes, in the most unexpected ways, our shared stories bring us closer together" shared Magnus Natt och Dag, Swedish Honorary Consul.

Thelander will host a short Q&A following the TRIFF24 opening night feature film at the historic Tryon Theatre and share his behind-the-scenes insights with pass holders during a coffee on Saturday morning. The feature film will be preceded by Come and Save Me, starring Fred Armisen, a film by Greenville, SC filmmaker Chris White.  Tickets for the opening films and Old Hollywood-themed Gala with heavy appetizers, cash bar and music at The Fitzgerald in Tryon on November 22, 2024 event, VIP tickets or Saturday/Sunday, education institute and/or event passes are available at www.tryoninternationalfilmfestival.org.

Photos: Andreas Thelander, cast and crew during filming of Just Like Me in Stockholm, Sweden.