Personal details
- Professions: Director, Writer, Editor
Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger’s filmography reads like a quirky indie playlist you stumble across at 2 a.m. and can’t stop replaying. The guy’s probably best known for “Tater Tot & Patton” (2017), which—let’s be real—doesn’t sound like your typical Hollywood fare. It’s this odd, heartfelt story about a young woman crashing with her uncle on a remote South Dakota ranch. She’s basically running from her life, he’s sort of hiding from his, and together they muddle through grief, gallons of beer, and a bunch of weird, quiet bonding moments. Not exactly a rom-com, but there’s warmth and a raw, weird honesty there. Then there’s “Destroyer” from 2014—a title that sounds way more metal than the movie actually is. It’s not explosions and chaos, but more like a small-town drama, digging into the messiness of regret and second chances. Kightlinger isn’t afraid to let his characters make terrible choices, which, honestly, makes them feel way more real than the usual cardboard cutouts. Don’t sleep on “Paper People” (2013) either. It’s artsy, sure, but not pretentious. It’s about these awkward, mismatched folks bumping through life and trying to make sense of their own stories. Nothing is tied up in a neat bow, and that’s kind of the point. Kightlinger’s stuff lives in that space between tragic and funny, where you’re not sure if you want to laugh or wince. It’s indie cinema that actually feels indie—messy, moving, and weirdly true to life.
Andrew’s filmography? Honestly, it’s kind of wild. The guy’s racked up a laundry list of short films—it’s almost like he never sleeps. You’d think he’s hoarding credits for some secret prize, but nope, he’s just that into filmmaking. Every year, there’s a new title attached to his name, and half the time, you blink and miss one. Some of his shorts go for that artsy vibe, others just throw you straight into the chaos—no warning, just vibes and weird plot twists. It’s clear he’s not afraid to experiment, either. Whether he’s tackling drama, horror, or some offbeat comedy, Andrew dives in headfirst and never really sticks to a formula. People in indie circles know him as that guy who’ll try anything once, maybe twice if it works. Bottom line: if you scroll through short films from the last decade, chances are, you’ll spot Andrew’s name somewhere. The dude’s everywhere.
Konidela Ram Charan