Filmmaker Spotlight
Hayes Tufts
A Seat at the Table
Director: Hayes Tufts
Country : USA
Runtime: 9:36
Genre: Queer Horror
Language: English
Completion Year: 2025
Links: Instagram
Synopsis
When Ben brings his new boyfriend, Chuck, home for Thanksgiving dinner, the two must navigate the growing tension as Chuck is not who Ben's family was expecting.
About the Director
Hayes Tufts is a queer identified filmmaker based in Portland, Oregon. Hayes is passionate about telling stories that depict true human emotional experiences in surreal situations. He hopes to help audiences relate to those they otherwise wouldn't by sharing their stories told through juxtaposed genres, focusing on what we all have in common by showcasing what makes us all unique.
Director Statement
The holidays can be a tense time for many families. People often set aside differences to share a meal with those they may never otherwise have anything in common with. A Seat at the Table tells a nerve-wracking story that many queer people have experienced, bringing a new partner home for the holidays. In our main character Ben's case, bringing home a partner of the same sex without disclosing this to his unknowing family. This film's use of warm and inviting visuals starkly contrasts the tense family dynamic.