Telling stories through film and conversation.
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WILDsound's The Film Podcast

In each episode, the C.E.O. of WILDsound, Matthew Toffolo, chats about all things storytelling and film. Conversations with talented individual from all around the world.

Posts in Film Festival
September 1, 2023 - Filmmaker Darieus Legg (STOKER MACHINE)

STOKER MACHINE, 12min., USA
Directed by Darieus Legg
Stoker Machine is a must-see animated surf documentary. Chad Campbell, an expert surfer discovers a mysterious surfboard on the big island of Hawaii. The retro board provides only a phone number and an email address as clues to its origin, leading Chad to accidentally uncover a central-coast California surf legend. The man they call, “Stoker”.

http://darieuslegg.com/
https://www.instagram.com/darieuslegg

Get to know the filmmaker:
My motivation to make this film was born out of a deep need to contribute something to the world beyond corporate DEI “content”. I wanted to make a personal film on my own terms with no censorship. I made a feature film in my home state of Hawaii twelve years ago and it was a traumatic experience for me. I spent the next eleven years working in Hollywood learning from experts and avoiding the elephant in the room – doing personal artwork. The pandemic happened and it gave me the space and time to be quiet and listen to what the Universe was asking me to do. Luckily I was paying attention when my neighbor Chad Campbell came home with this mysterious surfboard, the Stoker Machine. I knew immediately this was the story I had to tell.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 31, 2023 - Filmmaker Eli Canter (ARTBOY)

ARTBOY, 14min., USA
Directed by Eli Canter
On Halloween night, a shy high school artist navigates social validation and the bittersweet lines between friendship and heartbreak.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9780775/?ref_=pro_nm_visitcons
https://www.instagram.com/artboyshort/

Get to know the filmmaker:

Artboy was my Boston University senior thesis film. I wanted to create a film where the main character dealt with his emotional life through drawing and imagination, but I also wanted to include 2D animated sequences that could help to capture his internal world. I wanted to capture the feeling of how everything feels like such a big deal in high school and the bittersweet lines of friendship and heartbreak at that age.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 30, 2023 - Filmmakers Dominique Caron, Sonia Betiana Frickx (¡Quédate en casa!)

¡Quédate en casa!, 33min., Mexico
Directed by Dominique Caron
As the world battles with an evolving global pandemic, a bohemian paradise coastal town is put into lockdown. Alvaro, a local resident panicked by the virus threat, volunteers as a vigilante to fend off any possible transgressions to the lockdown regulations. However, his fragile authority is challenged when a group of free spirited party-goers refuse to abide.

Get to know the filmmaker:

Self producing a film is always a challenge, especially with no money. One of the greatest challenges is to find dedicated collaborateur that will be willing to work on your project. I was in a small Mexican town when the first covid 19 lockdown happened. I immediately thought it was an amazing opportunity to make a film because everything was closed and all the people had a lot of time available. It was therefore easier to produce a film with almost no budget in a collaborative way.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 29, 2023 - Filmmaker Rebecca Demeter (HAPPINESS IS AN ILLUSION)

HAPPINESS IS AN ILLUSION, 13min., USA, Drama
Directed by Rebecca Demeter
A woman tries to figure out modern relationships, but realizes she might have missed the most important relationship she could ever have.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=660045165
https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.demeter/

Get to know the filmmaker:

– As a 30 something single woman living in a big city, I was frustrated by dating apps and that everywhere I looked, people were constantly staring at their phones. I decided to combine the two, and to put a sci-fi/satirical spin on the story.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 28, 2023 - Filmmaker Siubhan Ni Ghriofa (THE PAGETURNER)

THE PAGETURNER, 10min., Ireland
Directed by Siubhan Ni Ghriofa
A page turner for some of the worlds leading classical soloists Tom has a secret that may end his beloved career.

https://www.twitter.com/siuysiu

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 27, 2023 - Filmmaker Felipe Urrea (COLLECTIONS)

COLLECTIONS, 10min., Canada
Directed by Felipe Urrea
Adelaide, is overwhelmed by the chaos in her own home and turns to her friend Theo for help, but as they dig deeper into the clutter, they uncover secrets and emotional baggage that Adelaide has been struggling to deal with.

https://facebook.com/collectionsmovie
https://instagram.com/collectionsmovie

Get to know the filmmaker:

Initially, my close relationship with the film's writer, Claire Lloyd, drew me to their script. From the moment I read it, I resonated with its themes. Prior to pursuing a filmmaking career, I felt trapped and lost after a previous relationship ended. Seeking solace, I reached out to a long-lost friend and found comfort in the power of connection. 'Collections' in many ways is about that, through the filming process I realized that, that was my primary force behind this film.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 26, 2023 - Filmmaker Siham Kortas (FAIRY FINGERS (DOIGTS DE FEE))

FAIRY FINGERS (DOIGTS DE FEE), 22min,. Canada
Directed by Siham Kortas
Fairy Fingers is a documentary that tells the story of my son, who, despite his difference was able to grow up, take on challenges and realize his potential. It’s a story about how I, as a parent, went from a feeling of helplessness to one of pride and fascination.

https://www.facebook.com/doigtsdefeeparsihamkortas
https://mobile.twitter.com/sihamkortas?lang=en

Get to know the filmmaker:

When my son Paul told me in May 2021 that my daughter-in-law Lilie was pregnant, I immediately thought it was time to tell his wonderful story of hope, confidence and perseverance.
I had to produce a short film to tell his story, our story, with the idea of giving courage and hope to other families who also live with differences.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 26, 2023 - Filmmaker Benjamin Gaun (SKINWALKER)

SKINWALKER, 12min,. USA
Directed by Benjamin Gaun
Two cowboy brothers investigate the disappearances of their townfolk in the cold woods of Northern Arizona, only to find that they are the ones being hunted, by something not quite animal or human.

https://www.instagram.com/cityboys.llc/

Get to know the filmmaker:
I decided I wanted to pursue film as a writer/director and met some talented actors that wanted to gain experience. I wrote a minimalist script and we just went out and winged it! I wrote SKINWALKER in about 2 weeks, only about 13 pages and we prepped for about a month planning it out with equipment and location. Then we shot it all in one night. After filming it then took about 3 months to edit which I did the majority of myself. Editing was by far the hardest part and I will be definitely be hiring someone for my next film!

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 25, 2023 - Filmmakers Marie Breyen (NIELS BOHR – LARGER THAN LIFE)

NEILS BOHR – LARGER THAN LIFE, 77min., Denmark, Documentary
Directed by Marie Breyen, Anna von Lowzow
Niels Bohr – Larger Than Life” is an international documentary film that has great relevance to the world of today, with a war in Europe and the importance of co-operation between nations and science.
The story is about one of the world’s greatest scientists and his Institute – Niels Bohr, who received the Nobel Prize in 1922 for his ground-breaking model of the atom. At the time no-one imagined that his Institute would accommodate 27 Nobel Prize recipients and be the leading centre for quantum mechanics, thus laying the bricks for the computer revolution but also for the most powerful man-made weapon ever created.

Get to know filmmaker:


The years 2021 and 2022 was the 100 years anniversary for the Niels Bohr Institute and The year that Niels Bohr received Denmark’s first Nobel prize In physics. Years before that we decided to do the documentary so that it could be part of the anniversary.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 24, 2023 - Filmmaker Alexandru George Kardos (The Social Café)

THE SOCIAL CAFE, 12min., Romania, Documentary


Directed by Alexandru George Kardos


Lucian founded Cofeels: a Social Café. But what does it really mean?

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 23, 2023 - RECEDING short film team (Renee Garcia, Sophia Nesterova, Valentyna Nesterova-Ashakhmetova)

RECEDING, 16min., USA, Drama Directed by Renee Garcia

Sophia, is an 8-years-old girl suffering from Alopecia, where she can have sudden hair loss or a receding hair line. She gets bullied by other kids for her hair condition, but then surprises her mom, Mary when she asks permission to try-out for cheerleading which unexpectedly builds bravery and confidence in her.

https://www.instagram.com/sophianesterova2023/

Interview with director Renee Garcia

Producer/writer Valentyna Nesterova-Ashakhmetova

Actor Sophia Nesterova

Get to know director Renee Garcia

Valentyna Nesterova-Ashakhmetova, the Ex. Producer wanted to tell her true story with her daughter Sophia, their journey they went through together with having Alopecia. Adriana Kostetska, the Producer brought it all together and brought in an award-winning Director Renee she has worked with prior to Direct, write and tell their inspirational story on film that she is honored to tell their story.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 22, 2023 - Filmmaker Aubrey Scott (ENTER YOUR NAME)

ENTER YOUR NAME, 3min., USA
Directed by Aubrey Scott
Enter Your Name is a surreal fantasy film that serves as an allegory to the experiences of a pre-transition trans person, with horror elements to allude to the complex emotions and inner turmoil that one can go through.

https://enteryournamenull.wixsite.com/enteryourname
https://twitter.com/enteryourfilm
https://www.instagram.com/enteryournamefilm/

Get to know the filmmaker:

“Enter Your Name” is my attempt at using subtle environmental storytelling and surreal fantasy elements to explain the complex feelings a pre-transition trans person goes through. As a trans woman, I wanted to show a story that explains more to do with those feelings, pre-transition rather than post. What little media there is that portrays trans people shows it as this watered down element of the character, just an attribute. I wanted to tell a trans story, that is to say, about the people who struggle to understand and accept it about themself. Being a trans woman from a conservative family in Mississippi, this is something that I am deeply passionate in and need to tell and share. The title “Enter Your Name” is in reference to the character naming screen at the beginning of most role-playing games, as that is a lot of young trans peoples first experience with confronting the complex feelings of misunderstood gender dysphoria.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 22, 2023 - Screenwriter Ryan P. Dooley (Topher & Nate & The Invaders From Mars)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G_fvjDyr-Y

A down-on-his-luck gay man looks back on his former relationship with the love of his life… which just so happened to coincide with the Martian invasion of Earth.

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Kyana Teresa
Topher: Sean Devlin
Nate: Allan Michael

Get to know the writer:
Topher & Nate & The Invaders from Mars tells the story of Nate, a gay delivery driver looking back on his relationship with Topher, the love of his life, which coincided with the Martian invasion of Earth.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 21, 2023 - Filmmaker Martine Gaudissart

TONIGHT, 2min,. USA, Music Video Animation

Directed by Martine Gaudissart

3D animated music video of the song TONIGHT from the animated musical RUNAWAY CRICKET created by Martine Gaudissart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuVuMrSjXXQ

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 19, 2023 - Filmmaker Jordan Lee Douglas Sims (METHOD OF HEALING)

METHOD OF HEALING, 7min., USA
Directed by Jordan Lee Douglas Sims
After his daughter’s suicide, a mourning father goes to a new therapist. However, things are not as they appear.

https://www.amanwithfriends.com/methodofhealing

Get to know the filmmaker:
I’ve always loved surprising people. That’s always been one of my favorite parts of watching films: the surprise and the awe. I also wanted to challenge myself with this story (this was the largest budget and production for one of my shorts). The challenge of making a conversation between two people sitting in a room exciting and engaging, the challenge of shooting a fight scene, the challenge of putting an actor in a bunch of prosthetic make-up, and the challenge to put this all together into a cohesive narrative.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 18, 2023 - Filmmaker Melissa Stanton (TURN OF FATE)

TURN OF FATE, 4min., UK
Directed by Melissa Stanton
A young Ballerina visits a fortune teller. What has fate got in store for her?

Get to know the filmmaker:

I was making my first film, Ghostlight, during lockdown, and I just started having dreams about a Ballerina and a fortune teller. It all started from there.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 18, 2023 - Filmmaker Chérine Yazbeck (BEIRUT PORT BLAST STORIES)

BEIRUT PORT BLAST STORIES, 30min., Lebanon

Directed by Chérine Yazbeck

This is the story of four people who lost a family member in the Beirut port explosion on August 4, 2020. A fifth person who worked nearly half a century explains the rise and fall of a port that was in the heydays the flagship of the Lebanese economy. The documentary gives voice to the families of victims who bring their brother or sister back to life for a few moments.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 17, 2023 - Creative team of short film RUMI’S RUMBA

RUMI’S RUMBA, 19min., USA
Directed by George Kostopoulos
Professor Johnson, a college poetry professor, lectures his students on a poem by Rumi. When class finishes, one of the students, Olivia, approaches the professor with a question about the poem. This leads into a romantic fantasy musical sequence. Conflict arises soon after when Dean Cox and his secretary, Miss Flannigan, accuse Professor Johnson of exploiting Olivia.

Conversation with:

Director George Kostopoulos

Actor Chase Newhart
Actor Greg Amici

Cinematographer Nicola Raggi

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

August 16, 2023 - Filmmaker Jurijs Kruze (NOT AN ORDINARY MECHANIC)

NOT AN ORDINARY MECHANIC, 5min., Latvia, Action
Directed by Jurijs Kruze
Nick Mecha is a person of many talents, who works as a mechanic at the workshop, but dreams to become a great dancer and perform on a big stage. But Nick’s “luck” always gets him into different tricky situations. This is one of them.

https://www.facebook.com/jurijs.kruze
https://www.instagram.com/jkruze

Get to know the filmmaker:

To be honest it was more like an improvisation, all started in a gym with a small action camera DJI Osmo Action, we filmed a funny fight video and it turned out so good that I said to our team that we gotta make a short film, only thing we need is an idea of why they are fighting and for what. All that we had in the beginning was an unfinished fight sequence.

The script was created in the last moment before shooting started.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

Aug. 15, 2023 - Filmmaker Bruna Valentini (WE ARE LEGENDS)

WE ARE LEGENDS, 9min., Brazil
Directed by Bruna Valentini
Time as we know it first came from a young man, but little did he know, he wasn’t the only one with powers and time on his hands.

Get to know the filmmaker:

The story was created when I was younger, because when I was going through tough times, I became upset with how “time” was moving around me. The concept came from a requirement of my university in order to get my degree. There, all the students in the last year in Fashion Design had to make a fashion film as our final project and I always wished to make a short film, so I took this opportunity and joined my story and the project.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.