Year: 2015

Interview with Michele Baker, Crossroads Film Festival

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The 16th Annual Crossroads Film Festival is happening April 9-12, 2015 at Malco Grandview Theater in Madison, Mississippi, with parties and receptions around the Jackson Metro area. The festival features cash prizes for filmmakers, workshops, evening receptions and live music.

Crossroads Film Society was born out of vision of a small group of Mississippi filmmakers and enthusiasts wanting to celebrate the art of filmmaking by providing a venue to enjoy selected films and by providing opportunities for aspiring and established filmmakers to learn more about the craft. Patrons enjoy Crossroads events throughout the year, but Crossroads Film Festival is the headliner of the Society’s calendar. Film awards are chosen through a juried process. Films are selected from submissions coming from Mississippians and from filmmakers around the country and even beyond.

The Crossroads mantra is “Everyone has a story” and it spends its time and energy promoting and exploring some of the best stories.

http://www.crossroadsfilmfestival.com

Matthew Toffolo interviews Crossroads Film Festival Coordinator Michele Baker:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Michele: The goal of Crossroads Film Festival is simple: to promote and support Mississippi films and filmmakers, which includes bringing in films from throughout the country. Part of our mission is also to promote up and coming filmmakers, including female and minority filmmakers.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Michele: Crossroads Film Society began the annual film festival in 1999. In the beginning, the festival was a few film lovers coming together to see a couple of indie films. In the 16 years since then, it has grown to a four-day event showcasing hundreds of films from across the globe. Crossroads has grown and evolved to a marvelous mix of short films about politics, features about the Southern experience, wonderful animation including animated films by high-school-aged filmmakers, and much more. Each year we include a huge variety of films on every topic imaginable – from experimental silent films about kudzu, to making craft beer, to inspiring films about social justice, to stories about the LGBT community, to faith-based documentaries, and more. There are family-friendly and kid-friendly films, and we always show a widely distributed feature with a well-known cast.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Michele: We received nearly 850 films this year (Thanks, FilmFreeway!) and are still selecting our films right now, but we anticipate showing about 75-85 films, including a Showcase of local music videos.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Michele: Well, it’s still in the works, but there will be an exceptional lineup. We have several international films that will screen together, and some wonderful films made by a young filmmaker from our Gulf Coast.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Michele: Our theme this year is one we’ve embraced for several years now: “Everybody has a Story. What’s yours?” This year is also our 16th birthday.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Michele: Crossroads’ ultimate goal is to become more of a regional festival. Right now we’re well known in Mississippi and Louisiana, because we actively partner with festivals in those areas. But Crossroads has a venerable history which leads me to believe that expansion is the way to go.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Michele: Jackson and nearby Canton, Mississippi are both becoming more popular with filmmakers. As you know, Mississippi Film Office is the liaison to filmmakers hoping to shoot their masterpieces in our beautiful state. I can proudly say that Mississippi has one of the best financial incentives packages around, which, when combined with our hardworking and talented cast and crew members and our varied and beautiful landscape (not to mention our history), makes Mississippi an ideal place to film.

Matthew: What films have you seen the most in your life?

Michele: Personally, I like stories of all types that make me think. I like action films, romantic comedies, documentaries, experimental films… I like it all. As long as it tells a story, and the characters compel me to feel something, I’m going to like it. In that way, Crossroads Film Festival Coordinator is a dream job – I get to watch movies all day!

Interview with Ashley Berens, from the North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival

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Matthew Toffolo Interviews Ashley Berens, Marketing & Promotion Specialist, Public Media Network
North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Out of the heart of the Midwest, the North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival looked for films done on a shoe-string budget. Our categories included: Long Feature, Short Feature, Short Documentary/Profile, Animation, and an all-new challenge…MicroCam. Our budget restrictions were under 10K for Long Features and under 5K for other categories (not including equipment costs). With our whole new challenge of MicroCam, we wanted people to use their small devices (iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, GoPros – no DSLR’s allowed) and be able to edit them in their software of choice.

Website: nxmwfilm.org
Free Screening Event Day: May 16, 2015
Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Epic Center downtown

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Ashley: As a non-profit Community Media Center, Public Media Network has witnessed the talent and caliber of video production on a small budget. What we know is that you can do many things on your own, or with a small crew, and get a tremendous product – it’s in our DNA. We wanted to showcase media and films from everywhere (we’ve gone international!) that it doesn’t have to have a large Hollywood budget.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Ashley: The festival started out in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a Micro-Budget Film Festival. After losing their venue, we were asked if we could take the festival on. This year was a pilot project, and based on the enthusiastic response, we’ve been greenlighted for next year. Call for entries will be January 18 – February 19, 2016.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Ashley: We are looking at screening roughly 36 films, selected from across the 5 categories.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Ashley: Your guess is as good as ours! We’ve recognized small film making niches in our area, and our hope is that the community will come to our free screening event on May 16, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Ashley: Recognizing talent, making connections and inspiring filmmakers that something amazing can be done with such a small budget.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Ashley: In 5 years, we hope to still be celebrating Micro-Budget talent. Since this is our first year, we hope to expand further year by year. Will the budget still be 5K and 10K? We don’t know…we may have to adjust for cost of living… 🙂

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Ashley: There are many local colleges and universities that have film or media production programs. There are also many local groups that appreciate film – like one of our sponsors, the Kalamazoo Film Society. Media is huge in Michigan, and seeing as Kalamazoo is a mid-sized community, we wanted to have great prizes. In each category, 1st place receives $1,000, 2nd places receives $500, and 3rd place receives $100. We will have an awards ceremony on the day of the screening.

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Ashley: Personally, I enjoy many types of films – documentaries being my favorite. But I have to say that Mean Girls is the best!

Interview with First Scene Screenplay Winner (HELLCAT) J. Alan Hostetter

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I’ve been writing for 40 years, but not self-promoting. The WILDsound Festival is giving me a chance to finally flaunt my wares. It’s time.

– J. Alan Hostetter, on the WILDsound experience.

    Watch the Winning 1st Scene Screenplay HELLCAT:

    CAST LIST:

    NARRATOR – Ryan Fisher
    Guise – Geoff Mays
    Sterner – Andy Bridge
    Fries – Andrew Farr
    Cat – Holly Sarchfield

Matthew Toffolo interviews J. Alan Hostetter:

Matthew: What is your screenplay about?

J. Alan: “Hellcat” is about a Pennsylvania state police detective who investigates a blackmail plot as it is going awry, various leads connecting a mysterious woman who once partially castrated her rapist.

Matthew: Why should this script be made into a movie?

J. Alan: Not only is it a tightly plotted thriller, with memorable–even iconic–characters, but the story is actually about something, exploring whether it is more cruel and unusual to put a sex offender in prison…

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Interview with Angelina Carkic, First Scene Screenplay Winner (LEGRAND)

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An e-mail announcing the existence of this opportunity was sent to me. I liked what they offered and I sent them my work and logline. Their feedback was particularly constructive. The person actually read and understood the story. I thank them for that and would recommend their site to all writers.

– Angelina Carkic, on the WILDsound experience.

    Watch the First Scene Reading of LEGRAND:

    CAST LIST:

    NARRATOR – Ryan Fisher
    Legrand – Geoff Mays
    Foulard – Andy Bridge
    Thibodeau – Andrew Farr
    Clair – Holly Sarchfield

Matthew Toffolo interviews Angelina Carkic:

Matthew: What is your screenplay about?

Angelina: LeGrand is about a celebrated French detective who mourns the death of his unrequited love and unable to stay in the place where everywhere he turns he’s reminded of her he plans to leave the country. When a dismembered leg turns up in his antique shop, a hedge for his retirement…

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Interview with Screenplay Winner John Pisano-Thomsen, (Climactic Scene: Dietrich Danzig)

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Although a fictitious character set against a historical background, Dietrich Danzig is the last known living survivor of the Pink Triangles arrested for homosexuality during the reign of the Third Reich.Through a 2011 interview with Dr. Theodrik Bitten of the United States Holocaust Museum, Dietrich, at the age of 95, takes us back to his young life as a successful ballet dancer in 1935. Coping with life under the Nazi re-enforcement of immorality law Paragraph 175 (a law that makes homosexuality illegal and punishable), Dietrich pursues an impossible romance with a resurfaced, childhood friend named Karsten. Charming, yet conflicted, Karsten is controlled by his stepfather, a Lt. Colonel in the Nazi SS who has forced his stepson to become a Nazi officer through extortion. Eventually, Dietrich’s pursuit to keep this love affair going leads to his tragic interment to Dachau Concentration Camp. However, through a synchronicity of lucky circumstance, smarts…

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Michael Trenholm, Executive Director The Ottawa Northeast Film Festival

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The Ottawa Northeast Film Festival or The ONE Film Festival is a not-for-profit community organization created to develop and implement plans in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for an annual film festival. Our focus is primarily on filmmakers and films created in Northeast North America. The Northeastern United States geographic region is the most economically developed, densely populated and culturally diverse region in the United States. Combined with the talents of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, this event has already won an unprecedented number of endorsements.

Our festival will be held May 21, 22, 23 this year.

Mathew Toffolo interviews Executive Director Michael Trenholm

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Michael: There are three areas we focus on. To operate a film festival presenting
films, music and other multidisciplinary activities to the public
primarily created within the geographic area of Northeast North America,
to promote and create interest in those creative works and to assist in
the creation of opportunities for participants by the strengthening of
business relationships and economic activity within Ottawa, Eastern
Canada, the Northeast United States and globally.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Michael: I would estimate about thirty films at this point. However, we plan to
operate on a year-round basis and that will provide other opportunities
throughout the year.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Michael: I think our initial goal is to create public and film industry interest in
what we are doing and the method we have chosen. We want to create an
atmosphere that will engage the public.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Michael: Our theme this year is Women in Film.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Michael: I think we are well positioned to become a very popular festival.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Michael: It’s growing,

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Michael: My personal favourite has always been Good Morning Vietnam with Robin
Williams. I worked in radio broadcasting for many years, which I guess
explains why.

    * * * * *

Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.

Free (or PWYL) Toronto Film Festival Event. Thur. Feb. 26th, 7pm Carlton Cinemas

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First event of 2015 (Best of Short Films from around the world): RSVP your FEEDBACK Toronto Film Festival seats. FREE or Pay what you like option!

Thursday February 26th event. 7pm to 9pm, Carlton Cinemas, 20 Carlton Street.

RSVP your seats now for the event. Plus, see full details of every film being played.

http://www.wildsound.ca/torontofilmfestivals.html

There is also an option to BUY Festival Tickets for all 10 events for 2015.

We have a terrific lineup of films for our first event of 2015. Amazing short films from Canada, Greece, Turkey, USA, and Australia.

Giving you films from all corners of the world in different genres and formats. And there is a theme that ties all the films together. You pick the theme on the night and you win a big prize!

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Interview with Chris Payne, winning playwright (Veils of Justice)

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    Watch the Winning Stage Play reading of ‘VEILS OF JUSTICE’ by Chris Payne

    CAST LIST:

    NARRATOR – Sean Ballantyne
    Mazen Tomedo – Vince Jerad
    Lynn – Ida Jagaric
    Chris – Rob Salerno
    Doug – Jim Canale
    Gerrie – Danielle Nicole
    Miriam – Alissa DeGrazia

Matthew Toffolo interviews playwright Chris Payne:

Matthew: What is your stage play about?

Chris: A wife finds out that her husband has accused a young Saudi of beating, torturing and raping him, but the Muslim male defendant’s Jewish female’s lawyer shows evidence that indicates innocence – triggering the wife’s journey with her gay brother through fear, betrayals and prejudice in post 9/11 New York City.

Matthew: Why should this play be produced?

Chris: No shoulds… but the play could add value and draw paying audiences in several ways:

– Heighten a sense of connection and compassion between potentially antagonistic groups (Muslims/non-Muslims, Jews-Muslims, Straight-LGBT… an early draft…

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DEADLINE TODAY: SHORT Screenplay Contest Festival SAVE $10 – FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed at 2015 festival

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DEADLINE TODAY: SHORT Screenplay Contest Festival SAVE $10 – FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed at 2015 festival
http://www.wildsound.ca/shortscriptcontest.html

Watch Recent Winning Short Screenplay Readings:
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/short_script_readings.html

– Get FULL FEEDBACK on your script. Winners get their script performed by professional actors at the Writing Festival.

Watch Recent Short Screenplay Readings:

THE PARTICULAR DAY, Short Screenplay Reading by Roberto Lezzi

GIVE MY LOVE TO ROSE – Short Screenplay Reading by Michael Sieve

BOOMERANG THE GREAT – Short Screenplay by Ana R. Dominick

DOUBLE CROSS – Short Script by Cat Stewart & Stephen Hoover

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Interview with Greg Coffey, Festival Director of Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival

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OTF is a Perth based internationally recognised festival, that aims to develop, encourage and promote filmmakers, and expand the world of comedy to the nation and the world; equally giving new and independent filmmakers of the world the opportunity to have their films seen in a festival dedicated to the wide & wild genre ‘comedy’.

Our definition of comedy is – A film driven by, or ultimately concluding with and excellent sense of humour.

http://www.overthefence.com.au/

Matthew Toffolo interview Greg Coffey:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Greg: Our mission is to offer a refreshing challenge to people’s ideas of ‘what comedy is’; to give our audience a whole new experience of the way in which funny stories can be told through a the wide variety of filmmaking styles, genres, and from all countries across the world!

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Greg: Our 1st festival was held in 1 venue in Perth. Since then we have grown to be the big-gest touring comedy film festival in Australia- touring to over 40 centres and screens across Australia. And we have been invited to screen in Brazil & the UK.

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Greg: Can range12 -16 short films. This year we have 12 short films selected

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Greg: This year we have an amazing selection of comedy shorts dealing with a view on love, angst & the peculiar deception life can – & filmmakers do – take us on.

We delve in to ‘dreams & peeing in bed!’; a ‘faecal existential crisis’; ‘many failed suicide attempts’; that first ‘meeting with your girlfriend’s parents’… and if u think that’s gotta be seriously & wickedly odd then wait ‘til you see the; bizarre world of the ‘new middle class; ‘desperately looking young’; and, ‘the trials of love, love … and love’s failure!!!

Get ready for the incredibly rich & strange worlds according to twelve amazing filmmakers from across the planet, and, all with an excellent sense of humour!

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Greg: Each year we do have a theme, and it is created from the films selected. We do not look for it, nor, ask for it, it simply arises from the selection of films. It’s kind of mysterious that once selected its almost like it pops out! The theme that arose for this years fest is Love, Angst & Other Deceptions.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Greg: We will be screening in a cities and centres as we have done. I see us featuring special events, ie indie & new features and long shorts in a cross section of co-produced events in Major festivals.

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Greg: Perth is an exciting city for indie and grassroots filmmaking.

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Greg: Tricky question , way too many on my list, so going for the one that left me most impacted me, and challenged me at the same time. That’s got to be the ‘Life of Brian’. Why? – because of how they were able to usurp religion and the crazy belief systems humans want to live by, all-the-while presenting the bizarre concern/reluctance to be an individual… and that scene is the BEST! There are few comedy feature films which have come near to being so radical, challenging, and, had so much to say, all with an excellent sense of humour – since.

    * * * * *

Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival . He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes. Took over full reins of the WILDsound Festival in May 2013. From then to the end of 2014, he’s presented over 90 movies at the monthly FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto, plus has had over 60 screenplays and stories performed by professional actors at the bi-monthly Writing Festival.