WILDsound's The Film Podcast

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 20, 2026

EP. 1852: Edward Miskie (BACK TO NORMAL)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Edward Miskie about his documentary short film "Back to Normal," which explores the often overlooked experiences of cancer survivors after being declared cancer-free. Edward, a 14-year cancer survivor himself, explained that the film was inspired by the lack of narratives addressing the challenging transition period survivors face. He shared his personal journey of feeling displaced and the importance of connecting with others who shared similar feelings. Edward discussed the process of finding interview subjects through online communities and highlighted the candidness of the participants, including himself and two other main subjects, Megan and Victor. The conversation also touched on the physical and emotional changes survivors experience, the shift in relationships, and the broader impact of cancer on individuals and their communities. Edward mentioned his current work on developing a narrative project based on the documentary's themes and his involvement in advocacy and film events related to cancer survivorship. The interview concluded with praise for the film's production quality and the collaborative efforts of the team.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 20, 2026

EP. 1851: Filmmaker Brett Langolf (GENERATION: CURE )

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Brett Langolf about his documentary film "Generation: Cure." Brett explained how the film began as a planned short documentary about a man running 65 miles in 65 hours to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis but evolved into a deeper story about the family's journey after their niece Gabby passed away from the disease. The film was shot on very short notice with minimal funding, and Brett shared how they captured spontaneous moments like Chad's emotional story on Gabby's Bridge, which became a key scene in the film. Brett discussed the film's impact, including how it raised $15,000 in pledges before the run even started, and mentioned plans for a follow-up film documenting the next fundraising event. The conversation also touched on the perception issue around cystic fibrosis being thought of as cured when it's actually a disease that has had life extensions but not a complete cure.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 18, 2026

EP. 1850: Filmmakers Bruce Lazarus & Robert Martens (They Came in Peace)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Bruce and Robert, the filmmaking team behind "They Came in Peace." They discussed their collaboration on their fourth animated film together. The directors explained how they reunited after a 40-year separation in junior high school and began working together on animation projects, with Bruce handling music composition and Robert managing the visual animation using Photoshop. They discussed the evolution of their latest film from a 3-minute black-and-white short to a 12-minute color animation with full orchestra music, taking three years to complete. The film serves as an allegory about human narcissism and environmental responsibility, telling the story of Earthling astronauts who invade an alien planet and must eventually help clean up the damage they caused. The filmmakers also shared their plans for future projects, including creating visuals for Bruce's "City of the Future" music piece and potentially working on more abstract animation projects.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 18, 2026

EP. 1849: Filmmaker Winston James (THE FINAL MISSION)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed filmmaker Winston James about his crime thriller short film that was accepted into the Thriller/Suspense Festival. Winston shared his journey into filmmaking, starting as a schoolteacher who got his first film experience by helping a first-time director on set, which inspired him to pursue filmmaking professionally. He explained that the film took two years to complete due to budget constraints, requiring him to shoot the standoff scene separately from the original footage to achieve the desired suspenseful effect. The film was shot in a burnt-out apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, with professional actors and crew, and Winston expressed his relief at finally finishing the project after years of work. When discussing future plans, Winston indicated he is moving away from shorts to focus on feature films, as he has two suspense scripts ready for development.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 16, 2026

EP. 1848: Filmmaker Felipe Benitez & Stacy Whittle (The City's Green Room)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed the creative team behind "The City's Green Room," a 3-minute environmental film that played at the Environmental Film Festival that features world-renowned opera singer Rolando Villazón. Stacy, the writer & director, explained how they created a series called "Stories of Trees" to educate audiences about the importance of urban plant life through compelling storytelling combined with music. Felipe, the executive producer, described how they've produced 12 films so far, with the latest being a project in Salzburg, Austria, comparing Mozart to tree care. The team discussed their approach of making short, social media-friendly films that showcase real tree care activities while conveying broader environmental messages, with WILDsound sharing how the film inspired him to teach children about respecting trees during a baseball coaching session.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 16, 2026

EP. 1847: Screenwriter Maria Skillings (Echoes of Erdington)

Watch the best scene reading: https://youtu.be/LeLjDjPZmLY

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Maria Lena Skillings about her feature screenplay "Echoes of Erdington," which was selected from the Horror Underground Festival. Maria explained that the screenplay was inspired by true events involving two identical murders that occurred 157 years apart in Irdington, England - one in the 1800s and another in the 1970s. She described how she developed the story by researching these real cases and incorporating elements of a potential curse or reincarnation theme. Maria discussed her decision to set the story in the 1990s, noting that she preferred this era for its charm, character connections, and the absence of modern technology that would interfere with character development. She shared that the screenplay took seven years to complete and involved extensive research and feedback from her sister to ensure the ending provided proper closure and redemption for the main character. The conversation also covered Maria's background as a journalist and her work in both acting and writing, including a children's book and other screenplays.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 13, 2026

EP. 1846: Screenwriter Michael Hayes (In The Shadows)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Michael Hayes about his winning teleplay screenplay "In the Shadows," which tells the story of a retired teacher coming to terms with his bisexuality while being in an interracial marriage. Michael explained that the five-episode mini-series explores how his character's wife handles his developing intergenerational relationship with a younger man, addressing themes of bisexuality, marriage, and emotional connection. When asked about his writing background, Michael revealed this was his first screenplay despite having written three books over 15-20 years, stating that reading Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" unblocked his creative writing in screenplay format. The conversation also touched on Michael's personal experiences with bisexuality, his meeting with James Baldwin in 1973 while stationed in Germany, and his historical non-fiction books about American presidents, particularly focusing on the political climate from Eisenhower through Nixon.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 13, 2026

EP. 1845: Poet Alexander Lizardo Peterson (BODY FOR WHO)

Watch the POETRY movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glnV1DMyRW8

The conversation centered on Alexander Lizardo Peterson's poem "Body for Who," which was adapted into a poetry film by WILDsound. Alexander shared that the poem's inspiration came from his lifelong struggles with body image, influenced by cultural expectations and social media standards, but that perspective shifted positively after the birth of his son. He discussed his journey with writing, including his initial dislike of poetry, his evolution through different college majors, and how his wife's encouragement led him to pursue English and writing. Alexander reflected on his personal growth, the importance of his family's support, and his aspirations to publish a poetry book and write screenplays. The discussion also touched on the emotional experience of parenthood and the desire to cherish each moment with his young son.

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https://www.instagram.com/iyeofomedia

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 12, 2026

EP. 1844: Filmmaker Ivars Kovalevskis (QUELLED)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Ivars Kovalevskis about his short film "Quelled," a psychological crime thriller from Ireland that won at the Thriller/Suspense festival. Ivars discussed his background in film, starting in his 40s after learning graphic design and animation, and his collaboration with the Dublin Filmmakers group, where he met crew members and actors. He explained his multi-role approach as director, cinematographer, and editor to reduce costs while maintaining creative control and described the film's production process, including location scouting in Dublin city center and County Wicklow, as well as the collaboration with sound designer Rinsler on the atmospheric sound design. The conversation covered the film's structure, which subverts typical short film conventions by introducing the antagonist first before revealing the protagonist, and explored Ivars' interest in psychological themes and the human mind, particularly concepts like confabulation and PTSD-related memory issues.

https://www.instagram.com/blualexfilm

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https://www.instagram.com/johnnycancer13/

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 11, 2026

EP. 1843: Filmmaker Johnny Mischief-Cancer (ROAD CALLED HOME)

Matthew Toffolo chatted with Johnny Mischief-Cancer, about his animated music video "Roll Call Home" for Jenny Wu's song, which was showcased at Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Festival. Johnny, based in Portland, Oregon, directed and animated the entire project himself, including rotoscoping and mouth movement work, though he had to take a six-month hiatus due to the sudden death of an old bandmate. The video depicts a space journey metaphor for touring as a musician, featuring alien species (crabs) and locations like Paris and Edmonton, with Johnny working remotely with Jenny who is based in Ottawa, Canada. Despite personal challenges, Johnny completed the project with support from his therapist, who helped him manage grief while working on the video.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 9, 2026

EP. 1842: Writer Lily Lejeune (The Memory Thief)

Matthew Toffolo chatted with Lily Lejeune about their short story "The Memory Thief," which was adapted into a film. Lily explained the story’s dystopian premise, where pronouns are outlawed, and discussed its inspirations from novels like 1984, Anthem, and Gallia's Daughters. She shared her background, including growing up on a farm in Iowa, learning to read late, and her journey into writing and competitive speaking. Lily also talked about her time in the Navy as a nuclear mechanic, her current studies in pre-law, and her passion for writing and D&D. The conversation covered her writing process, her aspirations as a writer and future lawyer, and her experiences transitioning from a non-traditional upbringing to conventional schooling. Matthew congratulated Lily on her achievements and expressed interest in promoting more of her work in the future.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 5, 2026

EP. 1841: Filmmaker/Musician David Joyce (The war On Art - The Doomsday Poets )

Matthew Toffolo chats with David Joyce about his short film "The War on Art of Doomsday Poets," a 20-minute musical comedy that serves as a promotional vehicle for his band, the Doomsday Poets. David explained that the band intentionally avoids social media and streaming services, instead selling physical products with NFC tags that provide access to their music on a secure cloud platform. The film originated from podcast skits that gained popularity, and David is now directing a feature-length version of the same concept while maintaining the band's offline approach to music distribution. David shared his background as a bass player and music producer who previously toured with bands in the 1980s, transitioning to studio work before getting into film production during the pandemic. He discussed his collaboration with singer Adam Theriault, who creates music described as a unique blend similar to "if Prince and the Doobie Brothers had a love child," and their plans to complete the feature film with one final day of shooting.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 2, 2026

EP. 1840: Screenwriter Rocky Karri (Ammamma & Raag)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Rocky Karri, who discussed his award-winning sci-fi TV pilot script "Ammamma & Raag." Rocky explained that the story was inspired by his relationship with his grandmother and his own experiences growing up in Milwaukee with Indian parents. He described the process of writing the script at USC's MFA program and his plans to adapt it into a comic book. Rocky also mentioned his feature film script, "Open Arrangement," a romantic comedy about an arranged marriage with a modern twist. He shared his journey from Milwaukee to Los Angeles, his graduation from USC, and his current efforts to gain representation in the industry. The conversation also touched on cultural influences, personal inspirations, and the themes of love and self-discovery in his writing.

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https://www.instagram.com/jennaiise/

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 1, 2026

EP. 1839: Jenna Mayer (SO-RAWR-ITY GIRLS)

SO-RAWR-ITY GIRLS, 2min., Canada

Directed by Jenna Mayer

Nerdy dinosaur Herbert wants to hook up with a girl at the carnivore sorority party, and the girls all want a piece of Herbert too.

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Jenna Mayer, a recent animation graduate from Sheridan College, about her thesis film "Raw It T Girls," a 2-minute hand-drawn animation featuring dinosaur characters in a sorority setting. Jenna explained the film's concept came from a real-life interaction with a friend who wanted to dance with women at a club, and she chose dinosaurs as characters because people connect more with animals than humans in animated films. She discussed her animation process, which took 7 months to complete with approximately 300 hours of work, and her future plans to transition into live-action filmmaking to create longer projects. WILDsound praised the film's creative approach and suggested it would be well-received at film festivals, while Jenna shared her interest in dark comedy and her desire to move beyond animation into other storytelling mediums.

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https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/aptitude-audience-feedback

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloAugust 28, 2026

EP. 1838: Filmmaker Natasha Mynhier (APTITUDE)

Matthew Toffolo chats with Natasha Mynhier, the director of a 20-minute sci-fi short film that premiered at the Sci-Fi Fantasy Film Festival. Natasha discussed her film, which explores themes of aptitude testing and AI in the future, inspired by real-world developments where companies like Microsoft use video game-based hiring exams to assess candidates. The film, shot in Los Angeles using a government building as a set, was made possible through Natasha's participation in AFI's Directing Workshop for Women Plus program, where she worked with cinematographer Hanna Plotzer to create a tension-filled thriller centered on a South Asian protagonist taking an exam that determines her future. The film serves as a proof of concept for a potential series, with Natasha emphasizing the importance of maintaining subjective storytelling while quickly establishing exposition in sci-fi narratives.

https://www.instagram.com/natashamynhier

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloAugust 25, 2026

EP. 1837: Filmmaker/Actor Nathan Clarkson (Act of Contrition)

Matthew Toffolo chats with Nathan Clarkson about their short film "Actof Contrition." Nathan explained that the film was shot in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City, which posed lighting challenges due to its stained glass windows. He shared the inspiration for the story, which came from a desire to explore conversations between disparate characters, similar to his previous work. Nathan revealed that his brother composed the music for the film, as he does for most of his projects. He discussed the casting process, particularly the challenge of finding an actress who could convincingly portray a movie star, which led to casting Elizabeth Tate. Nathan described the filming technique, which involved performing long scenes in one take to maintain authenticity. The conversation also touched on the film's themes of humanity and the roles people play in life. Finally, Nathan mentioned that he is currently in pre-production for a Hitchcockian thriller, marking a new genre for him.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloAugust 23, 2026

EP. 1836: Filmmaker Francisco Passuelo (LUIS AT HOME)

Matthew Toffolo interviews Francisco Passuelo about his documentary film "Luis at Home," a 10-minute short film that premiered at the LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Francisco, an Argentinian-Canadian cinematographer based in Vancouver, discussed his 10-year friendship with Luis, a Mexican immigrant who came out as gay after arriving in Vancouver 20 years ago. The documentary took 2-3 months to shoot and edit, with Francisco filming Luis's daily routine and conducting interviews to capture his journey of immigration, coming out, and cultural integration. Francisco explained his approach of filming naturally, including a 3-4 minute kitchen scene and scenes at Luis's workplace at The Two Parrots restaurant, while focusing on the loneliness and self-reflection inherent in an immigrant's experience. The film was well-received, and Francisco is now working on new projects, including a music video for an El Salvadoran artist and developing a new script for a fictional romantic queer story about a teenager.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloAugust 20, 2026

EP. 1835: Writer/Producer/Chef Chris Scott (WHAT'S LEFT)

Instagram feed: https://www.instagram.com/ChefChris512/

Matthew Toffolo chats with CHEF Chris Scott about his short film "What's Left," which tells the story of a former executive chef now working as a dishwasher while raising his special needs son. Chris explained that the film is the first in a planned series aimed at highlighting the untold stories of marginalized workers in the restaurant industry, addressing themes like ageism and racism. He discussed the film's production process, his collaboration with director Odinger Mitchell, and the casting of Paul Brown in the lead role. Chris shared personal connections to the story, including his own experience as a chef and having a son on the autism spectrum. The discussion also touched on the evolution of the chef profession, the authenticity of kitchen life as depicted in media like "The Bear," and the challenges and traumas faced by restaurant workers. Chris mentioned his next project, which will focus on a Latin chef, and the conversation ended with a brief tangent about basketball and Taylor Swift's influence on Knicks fandom.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloAugust 17, 2026

EP. 1834: Filmmaker David Goo (Tragically, a make or break question)

Matthew Toffolo chats with filmmaker David Goog about his one-minute film, which has been accepted into multiple film festivals. David explained that the film, based on his personal feelings rather than a true story, centers on a first date where he judges his date based on her liking Ed Sheeran, reflecting on how people's tastes and fandoms can define their identities and create judgmental attitudes. The film was made for about £100 with his creative partner Jackie Tamayo, who also co-starred, and was shot in an authentic cafe setting. David discussed how the film resonates with audiences because it speaks to universal experiences of judgment based on likes and dislikes, particularly in today's social media era where everyone's preferences are publicly known. He expressed surprise at the film's success and mentioned his plans to create a larger project called "Chango" about an eco-revolutionary character, though he questioned whether he has the energy to direct a full feature film.

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