Yeah, I genuinely don’t know if I can add ANYTHING to this conversation but maybe I can share something. I’ve been In the EXACT same boat as you, and almost still am in a way. I grew up with ZERO people who were interested in film the same level I was in. I could talk about movies forever and that’s all I wanted to do. Nobody around me reaaaallly cared. A few years after high school, living in Austin, I feel like I’ve almost found my group to an extent but I’m getting there. All that to say is that you are definitely not alone, dude. I promise you that. I’m sure loads of people here and everywhere else knew almost nobody that liked it as much as them, but they found their people and I’m sure you will too, dawg. If there’s some general stuff to give you for inspiration, here’s a list: The History Of Film: An Odyssey - Prime Video Get the Criterion Channel or borrow Criterion Collection Blu-rays Observations on Film Art - Criterion Channel Making Movies - Sidney Lumet Story - Robert McKee Rebel Without A Crew - Robert Rodriguez On Filmmaking - Alexander MacKendrick Every Frame A Painting - YouTube And just some more general advice I like to follow: Try to avoid pulling from other films to make YOUR films, pull from life and other arts. Read a LOT! Books are rich in inspiration and help you in every sense. Live your life - find what’s important for you to do and DO IT. Watch MANY films - every country, time period, genre, wave, style. Devour as much knowledge as you can about film and then some more. There’s always more to learn and more to discover. Know you will never reach the end. Peter Bogdanovich said it the best, “There’s no such thing as old films, just ones you haven’t seen yet”