Funding To go into production, Gillis raised 70,000 dollars through private sponsors (Michael Huffington, Jacqueline Gill, and Ruth and Hans Blixt), and 30,000 dollars via Kickstarter together with co-EP Lucy Bidwell, in addition to the 47,000 dollars that he personally borrowed and the 30,000 dollars that More Media lent to the production on the hope that the film would eventually be picked up by The Swedish Film Institute. Five months after filming, in January 2016, the institute together with Sveriges Television finally approved their application, including Hold Me Down in the 3% of films awarded the "Moving Sweden" grant. Post production was thus relocated to Sweden, where Gillis completed the film with the participation of Bob Film Sweden. Filming Hold Me Down was shot entirely on location in the South Bronx: in the Mott Haven housing projects, in a local Chinese restaurant, on the New York subway, and in an actual brothel. It was filmed on a RED Epic Dragon with anamorphic lenses from Panavision by DP Steve Annis, line produced by Joshua Martinez, over the course of six days. Gillis has described his approach to directing actors as being influenced by Elia Kazan and John Cassavetes, providing the actors with psychological instigators (rather than requesting specific expressions) that achieve more lifelike performances. Post Production Post production was done in Sweden throughout 2016. The score was composed by Jonas Söderman Bohlin and performed by renowned cellist Kati Raitinen. Sound design was done by Aleksander Karshikoff at Across the Alley and the grade by Ola Bäccman. Visual cleanup was done by William and Sebastian Rosso. The film was edited by Niclas Gillis. Before the end credits begin, it reads "To Unique". Release Reception Following its world premiere at the Gothenburg International Film Festival, Hold Me Down has been universally lauded by critics, called "a powerful, powerful drama" by CNN. “Hands down near the very top of the list of the best films I've seen in 2018 and many other years as well”, Unseen Films; “I’ve seen a lot of short films in my 37 years, and I’m finding it difficult to recall one that was more emotionally affecting than Hold Me Down", Cultured Vulture; “Raw and teeming with social dialogue, Hold Me Down is a powerhouse short film that takes a sledgehammer to gender roles whilst never loosening its grip on the audience’s collar”, UK Film Review. Hold Me Down won