Nicole De Meneses is a freelance Writer, Director, Producer working in the Bay Area. She makes independent genre films that showcase and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Fresh off her latest project Dead in Love she is in pre-production of a new film Last bite, which is currently raising funds at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dark-rainbows-sapphic-stories-shine. She was nice enough to stop by and give us the skinny on the new movie and her creative influences.
Q) You are in the pre production stages of Last Bites. Can you give our audience a quick rundown on the story and what inspired you to start working on it?
A) Last Bite is currently in pre-production. We’re casting, building our creative team, and actively crowdfunding while pitching to investors to secure the final financing for production later this year. Every donation, share, and show of support helps us get one step closer to bringing this bold, queer vampire story to life.
Last Bite is a sapphic vampire thriller set in San Francisco. The film is best described as The Hunger meets Anora. Gritty, intimate, and emotionally charged. At its center is an unexpected romance between Kali, a fearless call girl, and Alba, a centuries-old vampire who hires her for the night. If Kali can reignite Alba’s thirst, she’ll be granted immortality. But as desires deepen and secrets unravel, come dawn, only one question remains: who will survive the night?
With Last Bite, I wanted to explore themes of lust, power, and survival through the lens of vampire mythology, I’ve long been drawn to vampires and I wanted to tell an unapologetic, emotionally rich story that captures the complexity of queer identity and female sexuality, reclaiming space in a genre that has too often excluded us.
Q) Who are the actresses that will be starring in Last Bites?
A) We’re currently casting for the feature version of Last Bite.
Q) What are the challenges and advantages to wearing many hats on a film?
A)One of the biggest challenges in making a LGBT films is financing but wearing multiple hats helps with that.
Q) You are coming off your first full length movie Dead In Love. What do you think you learned from that production that will affect future projects?
A) I like to tell people that Dead in Love is the first pancake. It’s a little rough around the edges but it still tastes good. Spend money on a good sound person and never say you’ll fix it in post.
Q) What do you think there is about horror that tends to attract a queer audience?
A) Horror speaks to the outsider experience, which is why it resonates so strongly with queer audiences.
Q) What other independent filmmakers have influenced you? What was the film that made you want a director?
A) I’ve always been inspired by Robert Rodriguez. The way he makes films with his family and community, and stays fiercely authentic in the process. His DIY spirit and unapologetic storytelling remind me that powerful cinema doesn’t have to come from big budgets, it comes from heart, hustle, and the people you create with.
I didn’t grow up thinking I could be a director. I knew I loved movies, but the idea of actually making them felt impossibly far away. Finding my voice as a storyteller took years. I didn’t make my first short film until I was 36. One of the hardest things any artist can do is give themselves permission to try. There will always be obstacles but often, the biggest one is believing in yourself. Making that first short film changed everything for me.
Q) Do you have any thoughts on what you might do after Last Bite?
A) If Last Bite hits a core with audiences I have sequels planned for a trilogy. I’m also writing a lesbian Bachata movie. Think Dirty Dancing but gayer and with a magical time loop.
Q) If people want to support Last Bite or get more information about Dark Rainbow Films where should they go?
A) Go to our GoFundMe page and help us take the last bite. 🩸 https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-dark-rainbows-sapphic-stories-shine
All donations are tax deductible.
Follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes at @darkrainbpwfilms.
Final four questions –we ask everybody.
Q) When the zombies take over the world, where will you be?
A) I will break into my local movie theatre and survive off of popcorn and candy and shelter in place with my long haired chihuahua.
Q ) What is your favorite Fandom (could be sports, pop culture, favorite director or author)
A) I love the Evil Dead films. I live for blood, chaos, and cult horror. “Hail to the king, baby.”(Army of Darkness)
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
A) Everyone should go to Barcelona and walk the gardens of Park Güell.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
A) I’m a triplet.
You can check out a preview of Last Bite Below
Paper Phoenix ink 