Q&A with Filmmaker James Smith, Writer-Director of Cosmic Crash
Cosmic Crash • - • BFF 2026
In James Smith’s stop-motion sci-fi horror short "Cosmic Crash", an otherworldly being crashes near a lab, unleashing chaos. The German film brings a compact extraterrestrial premise into the tactile, high-stakes world of clay animation.
Smith has been making stop-motion films for more than a decade, and approaches the medium as an all-encompassing craft—from ideas and animation to sound, writing, and editing. Below, he reflects on alien encounters, irreversible practical effects, and finding time to create around a full-time job.
Tell us about the moment this film began for you.
The idea of an otherworldly being crash landing on Earth seemed quite inspiring, followed by the crazy things that could happen. While thinking about it, the idea of the encounters taking place in a lab arose.
What scene, character, image, or idea was the key that unlocked the film for you?
Mainly the thought of a flying saucer crash landing and a tiny alien emerging from it in search of a lab. Also, the idea of connecting with another otherworldly being was kind of interesting for me. Many questions arise, like what's his purpose, why did he come? Is the creature on a mission?
Cosmic Crash Trailer
Why did this story feel important for you to tell now?
I just love sci-fi horror films. The fact that the villain is opposing a threat when he actually just wants to rescue his best buddy from the lab.
What was the biggest creative challenge or risk you took in making the film?
The biggest challenge with this stop-motion film was that I distorted the main human character within the process with gore and action effects to the extent that it was impossible to revert to the previous state. Therefore, I continued with the same character for the rest of the animation. It was quite tough as I had no backup character and just hoped the character wouldn't break. The sound design was quite challenging, like finding an appropriate sound for the aliens.
Was there a point when you weren’t sure you would finish the film? What kept you going?
Well, the original ending felt much too sad and I never intended the film to be too dramatic. I reshot the whole ending sequence with a more satisfying conclusion.
What surprised you most about the film as it evolved from the original idea to the finished work?
What surprised me the most was that during the process of animation I had so many other ideas that deviated from my script.
What do you hope audiences take away from experiencing the film?
The process of animating a claymation film is, on multiple levels, very time consuming. I hope the audience enjoys this kind of art and this otherworldly story.
Is there a particular scene or moment you’re especially excited for audiences to experience at BFF?
I just love the reactions when the flying saucer crash lands and the alien emerges. That's always fun to see with an audience.
What are you working on or developing next?
At present I'm in the process of creating another stop-motion short film as well as writing a stop-motion feature film.
Is there anything about this film, its inspiration, production, or your own journey that you think audiences or journalists should know?
Maybe the fact that I really love making my films myself, everything. The ideas, animation, the sound creation, writing, editing. It's truly a passion of mine, even though it's a trying process.
What does “Make Time for Your Dreams” mean to you at this point in your creative life?
My full-time job only allows me the time at weekends or after work to continue making films. So I very much value this little time I have to make a film.
See Cosmic Crash at BFF 2026
NEW YORK PREMIERE
Saturday • October 10, 2026 • 2:30 PM
Animation Showcase
Williamsburg Cinemas
When an otherworldly being crashes near a lab, chaos is unleashed.
GET TICKETS → https://www.bushwickfilmfestival.com/tickets
The 19th Annual Bushwick Film Festival returns October 7–11, 2026, bringing filmmakers and audiences together for five days of independent film, conversation, and community across Brooklyn
James Smith, born on March 20th 1996, is a filmmaker with a passion for stop motion animated films. He's been creating stop motion films for over ten years. His award-winning short films Monster Encounters (2020), Demons in the Closet (2023) and Cosmic Crash (2025) have been screened at over 150 international film festivals.
SEE IT AT BFF 2026
Cosmic Crash
NEW YORK PREMIERE
Saturday, October 10
2:30 PM
Animation Showcase
Williamsburg Cinemas
GET TICKETS
2:30 PM
Animation Showcase
Williamsburg Cinemas
