What would you sacrifice to achieve your greatest dream? In 1994, a seventeen-year-old actor walked out of a theater after watching Pulp Fiction and made himself a promise: one day, he would direct his own independent film. He had no money. No connections. No script. Just an unshakable conviction that someday, somehow, he would make it happen. Thirty years is a long time to wait for anything. Kristoffer Polaha's journey from that pivotal moment to the director's chair is a masterclass in persistence, patience, and the power of never giving up on your dreams. Along the way, he faced seven cancelled television series, crushing professional disappointments, financial struggles that brought him to his knees, and countless moments when giving up would have been easier than pushing forward. But he never stopped learning. Every film set became a classroom. Every director he worked with taught him something valuable. Every setback prepared him for the opportunity he didn't yet know was coming. This is the remarkable true story behind Mimics, the genre-bending film that blends romance, horror, comedy, and thriller into something audiences had never seen before. From the discovery of Marc Oakley's brilliant screenplay about a desperate impressionist who makes a dangerous deal with a malevolent puppet, to assembling a dream cast including Stephen Tobolowsky and Chris Parnell, to filming in just fifteen intense days in his hometown of Reno, Nevada-this documentary reveals every triumph, challenge, and lesson learned along the way. Discover how Kristoffer directed and starred in the film simultaneously, navigating the impossible challenge of being both artist and overseer. Learn the secrets behind bringing the terrifying puppet Fergus to life using practical effects that made audiences genuinely uncomfortable. Experience the emotional weight of finally achieving a three-decade dream while working alongside his own son and father. Perfect for aspiring filmmakers, independent artists, dreamers who refuse to quit, and anyone who has ever been told their goals are impossible, this book proves that patience and preparation can transform the impossible into reality. Because here's the truth most people won't tell you: overnight success is a myth. Real dreams take time. They require sacrifice. They demand that you show up day after day, year after year, even when no one's watching and nothing seems to be happening. This is what that kind of commitment looks like. From a theater seat in 1994 to February 13, 2026, when Mimics premiered in theaters across America, this is the complete story of turning vision into reality-proof that dreams don't have to die just because they take thirty years to achieve. "If Kristoffer Polaha could wait three decades and still achieve his dream, what excuse do any of us have for giving up?"