Jillian Abbott, Director, LISFF 2026, Best WIP Short Documentary, ‘Urban Garden’

- Can you please tell us about you and your daily life?

I teach writing at the City University of New York, so some days I teach, most days I grade. I try to find time each day to write, to go the Y and to my garden plot. Long days.

- When and how did you get into writing?

I wrote my first book at about nine years old. My mother bound it for me. Since then, I’ve been a full-time journalist, a freelancer, fiction writer (I think Queens Noir is still in print if you want to see a short story I wrote), then a screenwriter. I realized that getting your voice heard as a writer is hard and getting harder, but if you start making films yourself, you can get your ideas out there.

- How often do you write? Do you have a writing routine? And what inspires you to write?

Everything, everywhere, all at once inspires me (loved that movie BTW).

- How does it feel to have your work recognized?

It is amazing. It keeps me going.

- What's the best and most challenging thing about writing a Screenplay?

Setting the time aside and having the discipline to write it start to finish.

- How did you develop the idea for your LISP-selected story? Is there a story behind your story? And, how long have you been working on it?

I got an award for a WIP film – the tip is, just do it!

- Can you please give us a few tips about writing?

Find the method that works for you and stick to it.

- What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about competitions?

The best thing is getting recognition. The challenge is the same as for any artist: Rejection, rejection, rejection. 

- Lastly, do you recommend the writers/filmmakers submit to LISP/LISFF?

LISP, which chose my narrative screenplay The Fulness of Time as a finalist a few years ago, and now LISFF with this encouragement has been so good to me. I love your workshops too. This is a truly writer/filmmaker centered competition and I would just encourage people to enter. It is wonderful!