THE FABULOUS MISADVENTURES OF PIZZA BOY, 18min,. USA
Directed by Trevor Motes
Pizza Boy is the town’s most popular and fun-loving Pizza Delivery Boy. After an encounter with a rude customer, a motivational speaker ad on TV motivates him to face his bullies.

https://www.instagram.com/pizzaboymovie/

Get to know the filmmaker:

In 2022, I began my final year at college/film school. I looked back at the previous 3 years of film school and felt unsatisfied with my experience. I wasn’t known for doing anything cool or creative at my school, nobody asked me to be on their sets, and when they did, they only wanted me as an actor, a grip, or to use my truck to tow equipment. I felt unseen and like I wasn’t valued amongst my classmates. I decided for my senior thesis, I wanted to prove everyone wrong, and I ended up writing, producing, directing, acting, producing music for, marketing, editing, and publicly premiering this on my own, and the effect was way bigger than I thought it would be. The hype leading up to this being released became well known at my school. I was underestimated and underused for a long time, but in the end I finally proved my value and worth.

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

THORNWHIP EXPLORATIONS, 7min., USA
Directed by Chase Korzep
In this short comedy film, Australian wilderness expert, Max Thornwhip, takes on the perilous Australian bush with his trusty partner, John Simmons. With danger lurking behind every corner, will Max make it out alive?

https://www.instagram.com/sadurnproductions

Get to know Writer/Producer Michael Hooper:

The idea for this film came when I was watching an Australian wilderness show, and someone got bit by a snake. I remembered that the way people can “stop” snake venom from killing someone is to suck it out before it reaches the bloodstream. I then thought that it would be funny if the person on the show got bit in a more private or intimate area. Then, I thought of how people pee on jellyfish stings to help stop the pain. It suddenly occurred to me that all the ways people can “save your life” in the wild, are somewhat perverted. So I decided to write a short skit about it, but obviously took it up a notch and made it more absurd/unrealistic as the skit went on.

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

DERECK FROM HINGE, 7min., USA
Directed by Jeff Rones
Fresh off a breakup, a young millennial tries her luck on a popular dating app with a gen z.

Get to know the filmmaker:
As a single twenty-seven-year-old in 2024, I am no stranger to dating apps. Unfortunately, what dating apps promise is a far cry from what they achieve for the people on them. I wanted to channel my frustration into something relatable. Although studies on the impact of mental health and self-esteem from dating apps are out there, active dialogue on how these apps are affecting the users is few and far between. I hope that my film builds awareness on what we actually seek from swiping away our loneliness. Perhaps the commodification of building connection and romance is not actually in our best interest. My hope is that this film allows the audience to dig deeper and laugh at the ridiculousness that is dating apps.

Another aspect that I wanted to incorporate was the generational gap between millennials and generation z. As someone on the cusp of these generations, I find myself caught in the middle. I might frequently use “puppers” to describe cute dogs like Madison, or find myself caught up on TikTok like Dereck, although maybe not on a first date. There is much humor to be found in this dissonance. I believe there are deep issues that both generations find themselves in, but I know the film can only scrape the surface. These issues include a reckoning with the pervasiveness of social media, a worsening housing market, social isolation of a pandemic, and a rapidly changing climate. I hope that my film can start these conversations between generations to reach some common ground.

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

BIG EXIT, 11min,. USA
Directed by David Sackerman
Josh is a lonely, awkward individual who is ignored by his coworkers and disrespected by his boss, but when he gets some bad news, he comes up with a scheme to get the last laugh.

https://www.facebook.com/bigexitshortfilm2021
https://twitter.com/big_exit_film
https://www.instagram.com/big_exit_shortfilm_2021/

Get to know the filmmaker:

This started out as an assignment at Columbia College Chicago in which we were tasked to write a ten-page screenplay based on a true story. Our teacher suggested a “weird news stories” aggregator, which we all looked at, and the top headline was about a man from New Zealand who had just hired an “emotional support clown” for his layoff meeting! I added certain elements like his boss’s unlikeable personality and Josh’s meekness and desire to connect with others. As an autistic person I’ve had a lot of experience wanting to fit in but struggling no matter what I do, and one of the ways I overcame that was comedy. It’s a great tool for fighting sadness and for spitting in the face of an oppressive system!

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

DETECTIVE TICKLES, 6min., USA
Directed by Elizabeth Laidlaw
Detective tickles is a film Noir sketch that is in episode 1. It is about a party clown who turns Private eye. The sketch pays homage to film noir tropes, and is filmed in the classic style of black and white. The sketch stands well on its own, but I recommend watching the full pilot to be immersed into the Trash Panda world.

https://www.youtube.com/@trashpandacomedy9305
https://www.instagram.com/thetrashpandacomedy/

Get to know writer Fee Basanavicius, writer Marissa Chastain & director Elizabeth Laidlaw

Elizabeth (Director): have been a noir nut for a long time. A WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION and DOUBLE INDEMNITY are two of my all-time favorites. I use the “anklet” scene of the latter to teach film directing to newbie film students. When Dean handed this script to me I.. well, I basically SAT on him and told him he HAD to let me direct it.

Fee (Writer): My comedy partner Marissa and I are comedians so our goal with all of our Trash Panda Comedy work is to release as many endorphins in people’s brains as we can. With Tickles we wanted to do that by being as silly as possible while playing it as straight/to period as possible. Elizabeth and her expertise helped us achieve just that.

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

SEDUCTIVE DEVOTION, 7min,. USA
Directed by Destin Gerek
In a society where narratives of male perpetrators and harm inflicted upon women prevail, “Seductive Devotion” emerges as a powerful experimental short film presenting an inspiring alternative. Through captivating imagery and a stirring poetic voiceover, the film portrays a positive model of how a man can profoundly and healingly show up for a woman. It challenges societal norms and redefines love, intimacy, and relationships, highlighting the transformative energy between souls. “Seductive Devotion” celebrates vulnerability, courage, empathy, strength, receptivity, and grace, igniting a yearning for the level of committed desire depicted on screen. In a time marked by mistrust and division, this visually arresting and emotionally resonant film offers a refreshing perspective on the healing power of love and understanding, fostering positive change in our perception and engagement in intimate relationships.

http://seductivedevotion.com/
https://instagram.com/destingerek

Get to know the filmmaker:
It seems that too many people have forgotten how to love. The divide between men and women has become so stark. The constant blame, shame, and negative assumptions about each other seem so prevalent. I am a lover of love. I am a lover of women. I am a lover of the feminine: this mysterious and indescribable energy, that I have trained myself over the years to become very attuned to. A force that seems largely misunderstood by our culture. Yet, just as much, notions of masculinity have become so distorted. I wanted to showcase a dynamic between a man and a woman that exemplifies devotional love – to show what it can mean and look like for a man to show up for, and to uplift, a woman with all that he has. And to do so in a way that not only doesn’t weaken him, but through which he finds a deeper power that exists within himself.

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

BAGS, 29min,. Canada
Directed by Mitch Ray
Jamie Gascoigne’s daily routine is disrupted one morning by his roommate Korey in their living room, still up from the night before with his musician friend Brody. Despite his displeasure with this development, his passive aggressive nature prevents him from confronting the issue in any meaningful way. What starts as a minor annoyance descends into a nightmarish daily reality as the events around him trigger things within him that he’s tried to repress and unlock things within him that he never realized were there in the first place.

https://www.instagram.com/bags.short.film/

Get to know the filmmaker:

The first time I met Mark McGee a few years ago he was staying at Kevin’s apartment – the same one in the film – and he emerged from his sleep and immediately cut into this deadpan bit as the passive aggressive roommate. Essentially the first scene in the film but with the roles reversed. That bit eventually served as the catalyst for the premise and the simple comedic premise of an untenable living arrangement lends itself effectively and authentically to a myriad of scenarios and social dynamics that confront uncomfortable and relatable issues, such as addiction, sexuality and repression.

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

JOINTS, 12min., USA, Horror/Comedy
Directed by Hadrian Lynn

Get to know the filmmaker:

I was and still am obsessed with the zombie genre, and have always wanted to do a zombie film. When the opportunity rose to make a 10-15 minute short film, I gladly took it and created this film! Other than my love of zombie movies, some other sources and motivated/inspired me were the movie 12 Angry Men and my own personal life.

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

Watch the Comedy Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tes3KjVmO6

From the writer:

‘Down At The Val’ is about a down on his luck young man who left his family’s golf course business and tried striking out on his own only to have it all go bad when his fiancée dumps him and his bank fires him. He returns to the course to find he’s been replaced by a sixteen year old girl with an incredible talent for the game and he soon realizes his dreams of making millions may not be as important as his new respect for family and friends. But the course is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, so he has to find a way to save ir or he will not only lose his newfound friends but he will destroy his family’s legacy.

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

The art of making a short comedy.

http://www.thejoemcgowan.co.uk/
https://instagram.com/joe_mcgowan88

TAKEAWAY - A couple can't decide what takeaway they want for dinner.

PISS UP - Two men meet in an alley after a few too many.

From the filmmaker:

Getting the edit right. There were a few shots that were left on the cutting room floor so it wouldn’t feel too bloated. The film needed to get to when the classical music kicked in as soon as possible and the build up between the two characters took some time to get things as smooth and as funny as possible. I remember feeling at one point that the film wasn’t good, so I stripped a lot of shots back and it benefitted from being cut down immensely.

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

DAY FLIPPERS, 16min., USA, Dark Comedy
Directed by Isaac Cushman
The production of a home renovation TV series is disrupted by the presence of a malevolent spirit.

Interview with:

Director Isaac Cushman

Producer Dylan Samson

Cinematographer Brendan Parker

Production Designer Alex Royston

Makeup/Sound Sarah Sweet

From filmmaker Isaac Cushman:

Honestly, it was my buddy Alex Royston, who was the Production Designer on the film. I first shared the idea with him and Dylan Samson (Producer) when we were out shooting a fake Mountain Dew ad for a class. It was an idea that was inspired by films like Grave Encounters (2011) and Ghostwatch (1992), both of which feature the crew of a television program encountering actual paranormal activity. Having most of my experience in comedy writing, I thought taking an HGTV-style show and putting those characters into a similar situation would be ripe for a hybrid of comedy and horror. It was an idea I proposed as a non-school project because it seemed too “big” to do as an assignment but since we had no other ideas we liked for our upcoming final project, we moved forward with it. I was skeptical at first but Alex championed the idea and rallied the troops. I couldn’t be more grateful for that, I was right that it was going to be difficult but because of Alex’s enthusiasm for the idea, I was given an opportunity to prove to myself that I was capable of more than I thought and we made something that I am really proud of. I now see just how possible even the most insane ideas can be with the right people and a little ingenuity.

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

T’AI CHI MAN!, 3min,. USA
Directed by Zach Brewster-Geisz
A robbery is foiled by a uniquely incompetent superhero.

http://zachbg.com/filmmaker
http://instagram.com/zachbg7

Get to know the filmmaker:

My wife used to take T’ai Chi, and she told me about a crack someone had made about how they were “learning to beat people up really slowly.” That stuck with me, and the idea came pretty quickly after that. As for motivation, I’m always up to make people laugh.

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

POLISH/ENGLISH PHRASEBOOK, 1min., USA, Comedy
Directd by Eric Maierson
My father finds the only page he needs in the phrasebook.

https://www.ericmaierson.com/
https://www.instagram.com/captaingboy/
https://twitter.com/gboy

From filmmaker Eric Maierson:
This short was made in part as a response to feeling isolated because of COVID. I wanted to collaborate but wanted to do so in a safe manner. I “found” the poem on a trip to Poland in 1995. So between the time I copied it into my notebook and made the film, I literally doubled my 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.

Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

GPS, 10min., USA, Comedy/Drama
Directed by Nell Dashiell
Kim and Jamie – an upscale, young urban couple – have just arrived home after an evening out with friends when Kim hears a noise. Fearing that a burglar may be prowling around downstairs, Kim dispatches Jamie to investigate. As it happens, Kim is on the right track: Rob, an amateur cat burglar, is hiding in a coat closet – and, as Kim gives Jamie instructions as to where she has carefully hidden their valuables, Rob is given just the detailed info he needs to accomplish his mission.

http://gpsshortmovie.com/
https://www.facebook.com/GPSshortmovie

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
• I had what I thought was a cute idea and I was dying to actually make a film.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
• The short answer is bound to be deceptive. Here’s the long answer: technically it took three years – but I had a slew of major interruptions including a day job, a family and a pandemic. If you subtract the interruptions, the actual script took about four hours over two separate days, and the actual filming took 48 hours. Editing took forever.

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

STAGE MANAGED, 28min., USA, Comedy
Directed by Guy Noland
A suburban community theater must successfully produce a knock-off version of “My Fair Lady” in order to keep their doors open.

http://www.viralentertain.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

I grew up in the theater and made the transition to filmmaking in college, but always held onto my love for the stage. When the pandemic hit, everything shut down in Hollywood and all of my friends were out of work, so I thought, “Hey, let’s put something together to keep everyone working!” Then I had to come up with something that we could do on a shoestring budget, easy, not a lot of locations, and would hit a niche audience. That’s when I came up with the idea of Stage Managed.

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

“A filmmaker, during a pitch session, witnesses his story face drastic changes according to the producer's liking while the character in his story reacts to those changes.”

https://twitter.com/ideasarewelcom1

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

This musical theatre thematic cabaret, is a love letter to the tormented artist. Who deals with internal battles behind closed doors, but at the end of the day still CHOOSES to CREATE beauty and art, out of the tragedy. Comedy/tragedy are the same face. Tragedy informs the comedy. Tragedy informs the beauty.

Project Links

• Website

• Instagram

  Director Statement

  In May of 2020 I was set to write/perform a musical theatre Cabaret as a final project of my BFA program. It was shelved due to the pandemic. This project meant a lot to me and I wanted it to mean something. I never truly finished writing it at the time, so I figured it just wasn’t the right timing. Fast forward two years, some rewrites, and many new life experiences later, I have finally tied a nice little bow on this thing. I had the vision to rework it into a short film, as I felt it's message would be more effective and reach more people this way. This project is a love letter to the tormented artist. Who deals with internal battles behind closed doors, but at the end of the day still CHOOSES to CREATE beauty and art, out of the tragedy. Tragedy informs the comedy. Tragedy informs the beauty.

• 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
  

In this fun monster romcom, a first date is interrupted by the oddest thing - a roaming Kaiju.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1501183/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Director Biography - Christian Gossett Vila

From the age of nineteen I have been a professional storyteller. My drawing ability has led me from theater design to graphic novels to film, television and video games. My favorite directors are all illustrators (Kurosawa, Hitchcock, Cameron, Ridley Scott, Joe Johnston) and it wasn't long after learning this that I moved into directing television. I am currently working on the story art team for Zac Snyder's animated series, Army of the Dead - soon to be streaming on Netflix.

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

MUTINY! is the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY at the July 2022 LA COMEDY Film Festival. Conversation with director Matthew Gratzner who is a fountain of insight with his multiple years working in the industry on many top film productions.

Project Links

• Website

• Twitter

• Instagram

Director Biography - Matthew Gratzner

MATTHEW GRATZNER | Writer/Director
IMDB: https://imdb.to/3gTjaVc

Matthew’s foray into entertainment started in theater growing up in Miami, Florida, where he dove headfirst into writing, directing and acting— ever the resourceful artist, he also designed and built costumes, sets and props to further his vision.

Leaving Miami to pursue filmmaking in Los Angeles, Matthew started briefly as an actor, acquiring his SAG card in Mel Brooks’ Robin Hood: Men In Tights.

Realizing quickly his passion was directing, he shifted to working behind the camera. Opportunities led to work in visual effects where he flourished as an art director, visual effects supervisor and co-founder of the Academy Award winning, New Deal Studios, Inc. (www.newdealstudios.com).

Between VFX projects Matthew directed several commercials and short films. After a number of successful years, Matthew decided to leave VFX to focus solely on writing and directing. Then the opportunity with the film, The Aviator, started a 10 year relationship with Martin Scorsese as a key member of Rob Legato's VFX team as Visual Effects/Miniature Effects Supervisor as well as Visual Effects Art Director.

Matthew was integral to creating scenes such as the horrific plane crash in The Aviator, the many subtle effects shots in The Departed, realizing the eerie environments for Shutter Island, and creating the epic train crash in Hugo.

He received a BAFTA nomination for The Aviator for best VFX, and Emmy nomination for best VFX on the Tom Hanks/HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. Matthew also received a Clio and a Cannes Golden Lion for commercials as well as multiple VES Awards. Matthew is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

While Matthew never attended film school, he felt being on set with Martin Scorsese was a master class in filmmaking— which encouraged his passion to create content— pioneering cinematic virtual reality and co-writing and directing two independent feature films currently in post.

Matthew loves and feels most comfortable working with actors-- and thinks that while visual effects, art direction and stunt work are all extremely important visually—without the emotion of compelling characters and a strong story, a project’s success is diminished greatly.

Matthew also has several projects in development with his latest company, Proof of Concept Entertainment, Inc. (www.proofofconceptent.com)

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

ANIMAL APPETITES was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the May 2022 WILDsound Film Festival.

http://eccemedia.ca/

“A struggling massage therapist is solicited by one of her clients for a sexual favor in exchange for money and a misbehaving pet.”

Conversation with filmmaker Quentin Ferrant on the making of the film.

WATCH this film on July 8th. Go to the WILDsound TV app. 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