Oscar Labovich, Director
“As a filmmaker, I have one goal: make a feature-length film of the highest caliber. Not just any feature, but a great one. One that I would feel proud to watch with my Dad.
Goodnight, Operator is my big swing at this singular goal.
As a young filmmaker—fresh out of school—I believe now is the time to attack this holy grail. I’m not waiting for the opportunity to come to me, I’m manufacturing my own.
Goodnight, Operator is the type of story you’d find in a paperback pulp western with a loose spine and the name “Chester Nelson” etched in the front cover. It’s the type of story your grandfather would tell you in front of a campfire. It’s a small, simple story—told the right way.”
- Oscar Labovich, Director
Oscar is a filmmaker from San Francisco who grew up watching Harold Lloyd and Lon Chaney flicks with his Dad.
While attending the University of Texas, Oscar became enveloped in his own studies of the craft of filmmaking. There, filmmakers Kulechov, Vigo, Figueroa, Visconti, Bresson, Fuller, and Mamet became his champions. Through a path of film theory, Oscar taught himself to think of film critically, to form opinions, to challenge others; to ask “why?” every time a character moves, a line is spoken, the film cuts.
While attending film school, Oscar wrote, directed, and produced three award-winning 16mm short films. Oscar shoots exclusively on film because he loves the process of filmmaking just as much as films themselves.
Oscar’s goal has always been to direct feature films and, with this project, he’s doing just that.
Kate Mansberger, Producer
Kate has worked as a producer throughout her time as a student studying film at the University of Texas at Austin, and her collaborations with Oscar have been some of her favorite projects.
Working on Oscar’s short film The Trunk (2023) was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and she is ready to make their collaborations a twice-in-a-lifetime experience that will be even bigger and better.
Kate has been a filmmaker, writer, and storyteller her entire life. Her main inspirations include Miranda July, Chloë Sevigny, Ava DuVernay, Kelly Reichardt, Joan Didion, and Nora Ephron. She wants to add her name to the list of influential women breaking the high glass ceiling in the art world.
