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 Fashion
EP. 1192 - Filmmaker Alijah Johnson (CIRCLES)

CIRCLES, 6min., USA
Directed by Alijah Johnson
“Circles” is a visually stunning short film that takes the audience on a symbolic journey of personal transformation. The protagonist undergoes a profound metamorphosis, depicted through allegorical scenes representing different stages of self-discovery and growth. “Circles” explores the intricate dance between self-discovery, vulnerability, determination, sacrifice, and artistic power. Through its rich symbolism and powerful visuals, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys of transformation and the circles they navigate in becoming their true selves.

https://www.instagram.com/alijah.aj/?hl=en

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/circles-review

Get to know the filmmaker:

Well, the inspiration behind “Circles ” stemmed from a deeply personal experience I went through a breakup with my ex-girlfriend. Instead of letting that experience crush me, I decided to channel that energy into something transformative. It was like becoming an alchemist, transmuting pain into creative fuel. As I delved deeper into exploring energies and self-discovery, I realized the power we have over our own filters. I believe we create filters we have a process of interpreting information that we’re not fully aware of and become aware of we choose to let in and how we process it. Which takes a lot of self exploration to become aware of. This journey of self-awareness and transformation became the driving force behind the film. I wanted to emerge from that dark phase as a completely new person, (dark night of the soul double entendre for the mountain scene) and this film captures that journey of metamorphosis. This film was like medication for me, especially during a period of depression and profound personal transformation. Going through a metamorphosis is very uncomfortable, much like many processes in nature where growth is necessary. For instance, plants breaking through soil or butterfly coming out a cocoon. It’s not pretty or comforting, but it’s necessary for growth. A lot was Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, the theme of circles reflects the idea that we can get stuck in one perspective or state of consciousness, trapped by our irreplaceable filters. This film served as a reminder that exploring new perspectives is essential for personal growth, even if it means destroying old aspects of ourselves. The process of making the film was just as therapeutic as the final product. It taught me that I have the power to bring my visions to life and that the journey as an artist brining things from the unseen world that you only have access to, to reality is challenging but rewarding. Ultimately, “Circles” became a message to myself, guiding me through my own transformation and helping me learn valuable lessons not only when I was making it but also for myself in the future.

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.

EP. 1104 - Camilo Velásquez A. (EQUILIBRIO)

EQUILIBRIO, 3min., Columbia
Directed by Camilo Velásquez A.
Dance and fluidity. Strength and movement.
Energy that arises from the very center and always carries itself in circular motion.
Opposing forces that are observed and acknowledged, reflecting and merging at the same time to become one and create balance.

https://alamoaudiovisual.com/
https://www.instagram.com/alamoaudiovisual/

Get to know the filmmaker:

When Punto Blanco (the brand) added Álamo, our production company, to the project in the first brainstorming meetings, we wanted to show the immensity, that nature had so much power that it visually influenced our being. We find the stillness, the fertile darkness that gives rise to life. In its mystery, we find introspection, receptivity and hidden wisdom. It is the seed deep in the earth, the calm before the storm. Counterbalanced by the vitality of nature, the burning fire that drives the action. It is the radiant sun that illuminates the world, the energy that drives us to seek new experiences and conquer horizons. In its dynamism, we find the power of transformation and passion. When Nuquí was finally proposed, we knew that this was the place that would transmit the idea.

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.

Sept. 24, 2023 - Filmmaker Leah O’Donnell (BLUE BURROW)

BLUE BURROW, 14min., USA
Directed by Leah O’Donnell
Blue Burrow is a short movement based film fully immersed in the sun, sand, and water of Lake Huron. The shore is the meeting place for characters of different species, while the world underwater comes to represent the subconscious. Perspectives shift from fish to human to sun, and metaphors about our relationship to the natural world emerge.

https://www.leahfayeodonnell.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_leahfaye/

Get to know the filmmaker:

Growing up in Michigan, the Great Lakes were a prominent element of my childhood memories. They are the largest fresh water source in the world, with waves and views that could easily be mistaken for the ocean. Several years ago, I became interested in site-specific dance and began dreaming up images of a live performance on Lake Huron, where I have swam many times with my family. The idea to make it a film came once COVID hit. Live performances were being rapidly shut down and I realized that not only would a film be safer for the performers, but we would be able to share the work with more people. Because the camera became the audience’s eye, we were able to more deeply immerse ourselves into the water, showing more intimate perspectives of the landscape and the choreography.

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.

June 21, 2023 - Filmmakers Brock Gregory Newman & Joshua James DeVargas (LVCI)

LVCI, 3min., USA, Fashion
Directed by Brock Gregory Newman
A woman wanders the desert in search of a connection to her spiritual self and is transported to a darker realm where she makes contact with another side of herself.

https://www.kentsunamishep.com/lvci
http://instagram.com/undergroundtsu

Get to know the filmmaker:

Quite a bland answer but I was invited by my close friend and long-time collaborator Josh DeVargas to join an already existing photoshoot. The video was originally meant to be a supplementary piece to the photos but quickly grew into its own thing.

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.

June 16, 2023 - Filmmaker Annekatrin Meyers (ISIS)

ISIS, 5min., Germany, Experimental
Directed by Annekatrin Meyers
After Osiris´ death Isis travels the entire country in search of her beloved’s mortal remains. With her boundless love and her magic skills, she wants to overcome death and bring Osiris back to life for one night.

https://meyers-buero.de/
https://www.instagram.com/fee_meyers/

Get to know the filmmaker:

“Isis” is a very personal project. After shooting many commercial films I really wanted to do something that would strongly portrait my own voice. The perception of motherhood and femininity in our society are topics I am firmly affected by. The Egyptian myth of “Isis and Osiris”, with Isis as the mother of life and the its translation into modern times, proved to be a powerful way for me to negotiate those topics.

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.

March 1, 2023 - Filmmaker Julianne Martin (THE SPACE BETWEEN US)

THE SPACE BETWEEN US, 3min., USA, Comedy Animation
Directed by Julianne Martin
A lonely spaceman’s desperate desire for company seems bound to come true when a mysterious ship arrives at his space station.

Get to know the filmmaker:

I originally wrote and boarded this project in September-November of 2020 as a way to cope with my own emotional distress during the Covid-19 lockdown. We were over half a year into quarantine, and I kept feeling as though I was remote from everyone and living on the moon. I also felt really unmoored by such prolonged isolation and fear, and was very weary of only connecting with broader society through screens. The era also felt really tumultuous and dangerous– the news was full of people protesting mask mandates, there was palpable tension and dread in the air leading up to the US 2020 election, and it felt like society was really fraying at the seams. This project really helped me process conflicting feelings of wanting to be with other people again while also feeling very scared, angry and threatened.

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.

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February 21, 2023 - FOREVER BOUND film team (Rob Bell, Elisa Messi, Flavio Carlotti)

FOREVER BOUND, 7min., Italian, Fashion
Directed by Rob Bell
For Forever Bound, we wanted to explore the theme of fate’s adversarial role in a relationship, how destiny, if you believe in such a thing, plays an important role in how our lives turn out. It’s an exciting challenge solving the puzzle of how we are able to communicate such a personal, and yet universally experienced, stage in life. Our aim is that through both action and costume we will be able to artistically portray the inception of a separating thought, consequent tensions, and ultimately the final relief and acceptance of such a painful truth.

https://www.instagram.com/1190productions/

Conversation with

Director Rob Bell.

Writer/Producer Elisa Messi.

Composer/Producer: Flavio Carlotti


From Elisa Messi:

During the pandemic, the desire to take a different professional direction was born. After much reflection, we started to combine the best of our professional experiences to create something that could represent and satisfy us. The desire to be able to express a message through fashion and music, using video as a medium, fascinated us right from the start. Thus was born the idea of telling a story that spoke on several levels. Expressing emotions through clothes and jewellery, defining emotions through colours. Thinking of music as a fourth character on stage, capable of guiding and suggesting through sounds despite the insubstantiality of the body. This fascinated us so much that we created Forever Bound.

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.

Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

February 9, 2023 - Filmmaker Duy Viet Hai Tong (LONG KISS GOODBYE)

LONG KISS GOODBYE, 8min., Canada, Relationships
Directed by Duy Viet Hai Tong
A window into the last day of a relationship.

Get to know the filmmaker:

I made this film during a period where not a lot of things were happening around me. I was just trying to find my feet in a new environment. I had just graduated from university and moved to Canada. So, I think there was a personal component to making the film because it was for me to reflect on such a long journey from when I was a kid to just being done with the education environment and moving to another phase in life.

The relationship aspect of it came down to reflecting on past experiences and combining them with other things I know of. That’s where the European arthouse influence came in and I thought what a great tribute it would be to have a romance film in that style set in the modern day. We did ditch the excessive smoking though.

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.

Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

October 23, 2022 - Filmmaker Nickolas Powers-Gomez (A TRUE NATURE)

A TRUE NATURE, 15min., USA, Fantasy
Directed by Nickolas Powers-Gomez
Plague survivors, Liam, Bird, and Hamill navigate morality and survival instinct as they struggle to make their way through a treacherous new world in order to reach the nearest safe haven known as, “the station.”

http://www.realisticpoetryfilms.com/

Playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. 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.

Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

September 28, 2022 - Filmmaker Malik Amandla (APPLES AND APPLESAUCE)

"Apples and Applesauce" is about a model that sacrifices her art career for financial security and a photographer that sacrifices everyone in their life for their artistic ambitions.


https://www.instagram.com/malikproductions/

Malik Amandla is a writer and director born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He received his BA in Film Production from California State University Northridge. In 2020, he wrote and directed his first feature film, "Apples and Applesauce." He loves to create unique stories with a diverse cast and crew.

Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. 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.

Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

March 2, 2022 - Musician/Filmmakers Filmmakers Stella Cole & Emma Scotson (FINE)

FINE was the winner of Best Performances at the February 2022 EXPERIMENTAL Film Festival.


https://www.stellaxemma.com/

FINE, the Official Music Video - Sometimes no is enough without having to explain the story of why. This video embodies and presents as many depictions of “no” as possible.

Conversation with artists Stella Cole and Emma Scotson on the making of the film and the creation of the song.

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February 7, 2022 - Filmmaker Rosa Carranza (THE LAST SONG)

THE LAST SONG played to rave reviews at the January 2022 FEMALE Filmmakers Film Festival.


Also playing at the WILDsound TV app next month. You can watch for free and sign up 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.


”Max, the last man on earth, spends his days surviving the zombie apocalypse in his apocalypse bunker, creating video logs to document his life. One day, he finds a guitar, and begins teaching himself to play, finding solace in it.”

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Dec 12, 2021 - Creators Arturo Bandinelli & Celina Liesegang (Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human body)

“Viscera: Autopsy of a (non)human body” was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the December 2021 DANCE Film Festival.

Conversation with Producer/Choreographer Celina Liesegang & Director/DP/Editor Arturo Bandinelli on the making of this amazing short artistic piece.

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October 9, 2021 - Director/Choreographer Rachel Leigh Dolan (only living boy)

only living boy; a love/hate story for New York is a dance narrative about the duality of being an artist in the city. We are equally inspired and disparaged at the same time.

Winner of BEST FILM at the October 2021 DANCE Film Festival. You can watch the film and festival right now for FREE on the website page.

Interview with the talented Rachel Leigh Dolan (https://www.rachelleighdolan.com/) on the making of “only living boy” from conception to distribution.

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August 16, 2021 - Animator/Director Johan Samuelsson (THE SHIFT)

THE SHIFT was the winner of BEST ANIMATION at the August 2021 ANIMATION Feedback Film Festival.

Conversation with artist Johan Samuelsson on the process making this 7 minute short film basically all my himself (minus the sound & music design). Check out his website at https://www.jesamuelsson.com/

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July 21, 2021 - Drag Queen Superstar TeTe Bang (WHERE LOVE LIVES feature doc)

Tete Bang was one of the main subjects in the award winning documentary feature WHERE LOVE LIVES, that is a part of our July 2021 LGBTQ+ Film Festival. We chat with the Drag Queen Superstar about being a part of this film and how she really had a lot of trust in the director’s vision.

You can visit TeTe’s website at www.tetebang.co.uk/ and follow on Intagram @tete_bang

You can watch the festival HERE until the morning of July 23, 2021

WHERE LOVE LIVES, 54min., USA, LGBT Music

Directed by Brilliams

Through the stories of Glitterbox’s kaleidoscopic family of artists, dancers and queer performers, Where Love Lives explores themes of identity and self-expression and the vital importance that clubland plays for those whose identities are not fully accepted in the mainstream. Expertly navigating through nightlife culture’s history, and introducing its present, the film meets the fabulous creatures that inhabit it, and connects the dots that drew each of them to answer dance music’s call. 

About Glitterbox

Glitterbox is a nightlife brand and record label founded in 2014 by Defected Records head Simon Dunmore, now one of the world’s most talked-about club nights. Starting as a weekly party in Ibiza, Glitterbox has evolved into a global brand hosting parties in established venues across the world from New York to Amsterdam, Croatia, Australia and more. Characterised by an inclusive, uplifting party atmosphere designed to unite all ages, persuasions and walks of life on the dancefloor, Glitterbox parties bring the world’s most respected DJs to appear alongside emerging talents for a soundtrack of dance music in its purest forms. Meanwhile the 21st-century disco label is renowned by discerning music lovers for breaking the latest dancefloor anthems, while celebrating the origins of dance music with golden era disco and house.

Glitterbox’s Classic House & Disco Anthems playlist: https://defstream.lnk.to/Glitbx

General links:
wherelovelives.film
glitterboxibiza.com
twitter.com/Glitterbox
instagram.com/glitterboxibiza
facebook.com/glitterboxibiza

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Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

June 26, 2021 - Filmmakers Michael & Mathias Jener, Lisa Brandt (SUPERHUMAN)

SUPERHUMAN was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the June 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL Film Festival. You can watch the festival today (all day for free) HERE


Conversation with the team who brought SUPERHUMAN together and the terrific & important message it has.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest


May 14, 2021 - Filmmaker/Animator Shuyler Nazareth (READY THE PRINCE Music Video)

READY THE PRINCE – REGICIDE song won at special award for BEST ANIMATION at the May 2021 MUSIC Film Festival. Watch the MUSIC VIDEO at the MUSIC Film Festival today for FREE HERE.

Conversation with animator/director Shuyler Nazareth on the process making this terrific animation video based on the song by his longtime friends who formed the band READY THE PRINCE.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

May 10, 2021 - Actor/Writer Brian Falduto (NOSEBLEED)

Being inspired to make a film from a real life experience, mixed with an acting class exercise. NOSEBLEED was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the May 2021 LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

Conversation with the writer/actor of the short film Brian Falduto. Brian also chats about how he got into the industry as a child acting playing a key role in the megahit SCHOOL OF ROCK film in 2003 at 11 years old.

WATCH the LGBTQ+ Best of Shorts Festival NOW.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

May 7, 2021 - Choreographer/Filmmaker Didier MULLERAS (WAITING ROOM)

What the world was like in 1997 when a dancer in the South of France decided to post his dance videos on a thing called the Internet. Amazing chat with filmmaker Didier MULLERAS who has directed over 100 dance movies.

His film, WAITING ROOM, was the winner of BEST DANCE FILM at the May 2021 DANCE Film Festival. WATCH the amazing 1 hour festival RIGHT NOW.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest