Movie Reviews of films that will be playing at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) in 2017. Go to TIFF 2017 Movie Reviews and read reviews of films showing at the festival.
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Edgy, strange and completely engaging, MIRACLE is the kind of small film from a small place like Lithuania (the country’s first film at TIFF in 15 years) that never gets distribution and should be a pick at TIFF.
The story centres on the owner of a struggling post-Soviet pig farm, Irena whose husband is always drunk and is sort of a pig himself. The farm is failing and Irena’s workers make fun of her behind her back. It is all dark and gloomy till an American suddenly appears and brings the so-called MIRACLE into place.
There is another MIRACLE (a plot twist) at the end of the film as well. But not without a price. The American, Bernardas buys and takes over the farm and gives the workers and Irena money for their shares. Irena ends up sleeping with him too.
Vertelyte’s film, especially its dead-pan humour immediately reminds one of the films of Aki Kaurismaki just like the actress who plays Irena looks remarkably alike Kati Outinen, Kaurismaki’s regular actress.
The only problem of the film is a satisfactory ending. But the weird one is good enough for me.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/231418027
Film Review: HUNTING PIGNUT (Canada 2016)
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Writer:
Stars:
Taylor Hickson, Joel Thomas Hynes, Bridget Wareham
HUNTING PIGNUT can be considered a true female project (from Newfoundland, Canada) with a female writer and director Martine Blue and two strong female protagonists. It is also Blue’s first feature and an autobiographical one at that. It is therefore not surprising that the film won Best First Feature at the Arizona International Film Festival and Best Canadian Feature at the Female Eye Film Festival.
The story centres on 15-year-old Bernice Kilfoy (rising star Taylor Hickson, fresh from her debut DEADPOOL). She hates her life in tiny, isolated Black Gut, Newfoundland. She believes that she will never live down a traumatic childhood that left her body and psyche deeply scarred. Bean (Amelia Manuel), her mother, tries to be a friend but is too busy struggling to get ahead. Self-centred, lonely, starved for attention and shunned by her peers, Bernice, who is bullied and constantly being beaten up, makes up stories about hanging out with her dad, of whom she hasn’t seen in 10 years. Her dejected spirit takes a strange turn when her dad dies of a heroin overdose and Pignut (Joel Thomas Hynes), a nihilistic gutter punk, shows up for his wake.
The death and funeral service occurs at the start of the film. The service is crashed by Pignuts punk friends who are thrown out of the funeral hall. It is discovered that they have stolen the father’s ashes.
Bernice stumbles upon Pignut’s writing journal and becomes obsessed with discovering more about her father, his mysterious facial tattoo, his best friend Pignut and their clan of nomadic gutter punks. Bernice embarks on an odyssey to hunt down her father’s ashes and to discover her place in his heart and in the world.
The best thing of the film is the depiction of the punk gutter scene. Director Blue drew on her previous experiences when she herself was in this scene. These people, squatted, panhandled and ate food from garbage dumpsters.
Bernice is shown in the film as a rebel who dives into the group, which initially rejects her due to her age.
The trouble with the film is that the story is not credible and filled with too may coincidences. The mother, Bean is genuinely trying to make an effort to connect with her daughter and it is hard to believe that Bernice still shuns her. When Bean travels to the city to find Bernice, she finds her out of the blue in a building doing drugs. The chances of this happening is close to negligible. In another scene after Bernice is beaten up by a punk ember, the cops happen to be right there.
At least Hickson and Manuel deliver winning performances as daughter and mother. Comedienne Mary Walsh, who happens to be appearing in anything Newfoundland has a cameo in the film.
Despite the film’s well intentions, like attempting to show love within the punk group, the film fails from its careless writing. The film benefits from a strong female presence but HUNTING PIGNUT deserves much better.
Interview with Festival Director Kristian Day (Interrobang Film Festival)
Presented as part of the Des Moines Arts Festival, the Interrobang film festival is three day multi-venue event taking place in the Des Moines East Village Neighborhood. The audience – whether cinema enthusiasts or curious newcomers – can experience curated screenings from films around the globe as well as experience hands on workshops, celebrity lectures, and industry parties.
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Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Kristian Day: All of our juried films are free to the public. As a filmmaker myself, I hate the process of submitting to festivals. You spend lots of money submitting your films and then if you are selected, the audience has to pay to see them on top of that. Which doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I want to take the risk out of going to a film festival. If your film festival is not a buyers market, then at the very least you want to help guarantee an audience for the films that have been selected.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?
For the first 9 years, the Interrobang Film Festival took place within the Des Moines Arts Festival. We have grown significantly and this year we have become a stand alone three day / multi venue event.
New additions this year:
Interrobang Film Challenge, a timed film competition similar to the 48hr Film Project that takes place the weekend prior and the films will then screen the weekend of the film festival.
Best of Show Award now includes how filmmakers market the film in our city. As most filmmakers know, once they are selected it is up to them to get people to come see their movie. I want to encourage old fashion showmanship. Fliers, parades, billboards, guerrilla marketing , whatever they need to do to get people in the seats! It is not only a big marketing tool for the festival but its fun for the city to have that experience. I give all the filmmakers every media contact in the city thats in my rolodex but they have to get more creative then just sending out press releases.
More parties. I don’t think young people have the attention span to sit and watch movies for hours like they used to. The Youtube generation likes things short, sweet and always moving. So we have a lot more non-screening events including a “Beers with Iowa Filmmakers” party and a cocktail hour with the Iowa Screenwriters Alliance.
What are the qualifications for the selected films?
I can’t say there is a specific qualification to select a film. There are obvious technical aspects I look for but I am always looking for something unique in each one. Sometimes I might watch it and think “this isn’t for me but I know there are definitely some people who will enjoy this”.
Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Sure. The bigger festivals are very political and I get that. If they don’t have some celebrity attached or if it hasn’t created some controversial buzz behind it then they are not really interested in it. But good films find their way. That is one thing I have learned over the years. A good will won’t go unnoticed if the creators never give up.
What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
I work in the film industry full time. I commute from Des Moines, Iowa to LA several times a year. I do this festival year after year because some day I hope that I don’t need to commute to LA for work. I want to see the industry move into more third markets (areas that are not LA or New York) and to do that you have to continue to develop that culture.
From an Iowan perspective, Des Moines is the capital city. It deserves to have a great film festival.
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
Great. I love FilmFreeway! We used to use Withoutabox but to be honest it was super tedious, clunky, and convoluted. I like being able to watch films within the site and its easy for the judges to do their work within the system.
Where do you see the festival by 2020?
Buyers market is always the goal. But it could also just take its place among the other festivals like 80/35, 515 Alive, and the Des Moines Arts Festival: an annual event that everyone in the region looks forward to attending, Either way I would be very happy. I don’t actually want to run this festival forever, I do it because it needs to be run by someone who doesn’t want to be the center of attention. The filmmakers, the audience, and everyone who makes the festival what it is are the most important aspects. There are some programers who think that they are the heroes and this not the attitude I want to see. Also whenever I see someone post things like “Great things on the horizon” on social media I am immediately turned off.
What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Once Upon A Time In The West. This is the single greatest film ever made.
In one sentence, what makes a great film?
Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, and Jason Robards are what make a great film. (See the answer to the previous question)
How is the film scene in your city?
It’s OK. We have several shows that film here but not many folks are properly trained to work on a real set. I am a 1st AD on a lot of projects and every time on Day 1 I run into either a camera operator or a sound mixer who hits record and yells “speeding” before I tell them to roll. I have to stop everything and explain to them that no one touches anything until I say so.
My dream would be that we would have people who could work on shows in bigger positions, not just PAs. That could happen but they just need to work more and have more opportunities to be trained.
*****
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
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Interview with Festival Director Albert G. Nigrin (New Jersey International Film Festival)
The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 35th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2017. The Festival will be held on select evenings between September 15 and October 15, 2017 and will showcase the best in independent film by featuring premiere screenings and special guest appearances by film directors, screenwriters, cast and crew. For more information go to http://www.njfilmfest.com, call (848) 932-8482 or e-mail us at NJMAC@aol.com or NJMAC12@gmail.com!
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Albert G. Nigrin: Our Festival does a terrific job getting independent filmmakers the media/press attention and audience they deserve. Most filmmakers who are screened go out of their way to praise the great work that we do. And they love seeing their films on our huge screen and on our hi-def projection system.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?
You would see enlightening and inspiring films that you couldn’t see any place else in the state of New Jersey as they are all premieres. You would also get to interact with over 20 visiting filmmakers who come from all over the world to present their films and do Q+As with the audience. 17 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere screenings as part of the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2017. Some of these include: Jeremy Bryant’s very edgy short film Hitchhiking with a .357 Magnum; Minwoo Song’s brilliant experimental film Greeting In The Afternoon; Fred Riedel and Jerry Friends documentary film about the making of Lee Ranaldo’s upcoming release — Hello Hello Hello : Lee Ranaldo : Electric Trim; Leslie Ann Coles’ Melody Makers — a rock-doc that traces the birth of rock n’ roll journalism in the 1960s; Goran Trenchovski’s The Golden Five — an intimate feature film from Macedonia about the bonds of friendship, tested by unacknowledged acts of betrayal; Sara Leavitt’s short documentary Riverkeeper about Captain Bill Sheehan who has dedicated his life to preserving and protecting the New Jersey Meadowlands; Scott Morris’s Saving The Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport – a documentary about a successful grassroots effort to defeat a plan to build the world’s largest jetport on wetlands in the heart of New Jersey; Chiara Bellini’s Life by the Landfill — an inspiring documentary about a determined group of activists who took on the notoriously mismanaged system of trash collection in Rome, Italy; Jimmy Dinh’s hysterically funny and timely feature You Have A Nice Flight, Nurith Cohn’s amusing short film The Little Dictator; Jordna Horowitz’s surreal feature Painless; Sharon’s Chetrit’s surreal short from Israel Soup; and many others. This fall we will also be re-screening the films that were the Best of our Summer 2017 New Jersey International Film Festival. These include: First Bloom (Best Animation) , Kedi (Honorable Mention), The Ravens (Best Short), Emma (Best Feature), Passaic (Honorable Mention), and Levinsky Park (Best Documentary). There will be Free Food served at the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2017 except the shows on Thursdays prior to all the screenings courtesy of Jimmy John’s of New Brunswick! Visit our website for more info: http://www.njfilmfest.com
What are the qualifications for the selected films?
All works selected are screened by a panel of judges which included media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. Films are prescreened by 1st round judges and they basically weed the good films from the bad ones. We received over 370s for the current Fall 2017 New Jersey Film Festival and these judges selected about 100 films from these to be viewed by a final jury and they pick the finalists which are being publicly screened at our Festival. 17 finalists were selected for our Festival this Fall. All films viewed by the judges are scored from 1-10 with 10 being the highest. Films that receive 7s and higher for the most part were selected as finalists. Each piece is also scored with respect to the following categories: Originality, Creativity, Production Values, and Performances w/ the grades being Superior/Very Good/Good/Fair/Poor/NA. It is really very professionally run.
Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
All films are judged equally. Even the ones screened at 8AM get revisited by the jury to make sure they were given a fair shake. Also the fact that we have a two tiered judging process ensures that films are thoroughly examined. We also provide judges comments to any entrant who asks for them. The Festival judging process is, for sure, imprecise and I am certain many good films are not selected but that is the nature of the Festival process.
What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
We do the NJFF to make sure indy films get seen in our state. The New Jersey Film Festival is one of the longest running Film Festivals in New Jersey. It is now in it’s 36th year and I founded it back in 1982. It has grown from a seat of the pants film program to one the state’s largest and most popular Film Festivals.
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
Pretty good. It was certainly necessary to give Withouabox some competition. Now there are so many submission platforms to choose from.
Where do you see the festival by 2020?
The New Jersey Film Festival has gone through many different changes for a variety of reasons. It started as a revival program in the 1980s. Then we started doing 1st and 2nd run Art House films in addition to revival screenings due to the fact that our programs were growing and had more income to work, with. In the new millennium the Festival has transformed itself into a Festival which premiers Independent films in New Jersey. I expect the Film Festival to continue what we have been doing the last few years which is to help give a platform in New Jersey for indy films.
What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon and Bunuel/Dali’s Un Chien Andalou.
In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A great film is one that you can watch endlessly and never get tired of it.
How is the film scene in your city?
Vibrant. It was pretty dead when I got to New Brunswick in 1980 but now it is considered the mecca for filmgoers in New Jersey.
*****
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
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Interview with Wendy Markson, Founding Artistic Director for Breakthroughs Film Festival
The Breakthroughs Film Festival is the only festival in Canada devoted exclusively to short films by New Generation (18-30) female artists. We showcase films from any and every genre made by talented young women from all over the world. The title ‘Breakthroughs’ refers to the struggles emerging women artists face in an industry where they make up only 6 percent of directors, and must, in many cases, work even harder than their male counterparts to make their voices heard.
The 2015 Breakthroughs Film Festival will be held June 5-6, 2015.
For more information, please contact us at wendy@breakthroughsfilmfestival.com, and check out our website: http://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com
Matthew Toffolo Interviews Founding Artistic Director Wendy Markson:
Matthew: Why is the city of Toronto the perfect fit for what you’re showcasing at the festival?
Wendy: Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America and one of the most multicultural cities in the world, allowing Breakthroughs to draw on a great…
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Interview with Festival Director Gabor Pertic (Breakthroughs Film Festival)
Breakthroughs Film Festival also features a panel discussion with the participating directors, giving the audience a chance to learn more about what these amazing women can do!
http://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com/
Get to know Festival Director Gabor Pertic:
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Gabor Pertic: In an industry where women still struggle to get their work seen and heard, Breakthroughs provides an opportunity for new generation female filmmakers to have their films programmed and brought to a big screen. The films and filmmakers we showcase are often times just entering the film industry, which is a crowded, intimidating space to begin with. It…
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Interview with Kelly Michael Stewart, Festival Director for Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival
A weekend long festival celebrating the best in contemporary Canadian horror filmmaking.
Matthew Toffolo Interviews Artistic Director Kelly Michael Stewart:
Matthew: Why is the city of Toronto the perfect fit for what you’re showcasing at the festival?
Kelly: In many ways I don’t think Blood in the Snow (BITS) could have happened in any other city. We have a thriving festival culture in Toronto with over 70 festivals in the city including of course TIFF.
The film scene here is very collaborative and filmmakers really do like to help each other here. I’ve been told from filmmakers from other regions that that don’t get along the way that Toronto filmmakers tend to do. It can be competitive but its rarely done in a backstabbing way here. Part of BITS success comes from the other filmmakers plugging and supporting the films playing at the festival, so in a way I…
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Interview with Festival Director Michael McLaughlin (Disappear Here Film Festival)
The Disappear Here Film Festival is a first of its kind in Donegal, Ireland. The inaugural DHFF is a 3 day festival taking place in Ballyliffin, Co Donegal from (Culture Night) Friday 22nd September 2017. Our versatile programme will include screenings, talks, educational workshops and a host of entertainment events through which we will provide a unique festival experience.
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Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Michael McLaughlin: It is offering them the opportunity to have their work seen by an audience that wouldn’t necessarily get a chance to see it. It also gives them the chance to network and make connections with others working within the industry. Gaining feedback from an impartial audience is something that can be worthwhile, especially for those that are starting out in the industry. To showcase your work on a big screen, in an environment such as a film festival is a an excellent platform for all filmmakers to avail of.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?
The festival is for anyone that loves films, as well as those working or considering working within the industry in the future. We are aiming to offer something for children and adults alike. Disappear Here Film Festival will be another opportunity for the people to get together and celebrate the creative talent on offer through the medium of film. There will be various art installations dotted around the village, allowing people to experience not only film but also, other forms of creative expression.
What are the qualifications for the selected films?
There are no set qualifications and we decided against running with a theme for this inaugural year. What we are after is film making that is engaging, that is entertaining and ultimately that challenges audiences, & makes an audience feel something.
Do you think that some films don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Yes, I would probably accept that, but obviously I can’t speak on behalf of other film festivals. Films that are maybe high quality and tick all the boxes in terms of one panel member, might be deemed exceptional while another might deem it average, meaning that some films get dropped and don’t make it to selection. Also programmers have a very specific programme duration for short films, so lots of longer short films cannot get shown. My advice to filmmakers making shorts, is to actually keep them short – below 12mins max.
What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
The film festival came about by a desire to showcase the talents of
independent film making in Ireland and to allow audiences in Donegal
access to films they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to see.
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
In a word, incredible. It streamlined the whole application and submission process. It allowed us to make direct contact iwhtdirectors to clarify any information during the submission process. It made the experience more seamless and less stressful.
Where do you see the festival by 2020?
As a major player not just on the national scene here in Ireland, but internationally as well.
What film have you seen the most times in your life?
True Romance! Loved the screenplay by Tarantino and it’s one of Tony Scotts best as far as I’m concerned. Also, like everyone else I fell in love with Alabama, just a little bit!
In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A great film needs to be always entertaining, never ever boring.
How is the film scene in your city?
Getting better all the time! Lots of great filmmakers, crew & locations that have to be seen to be believed! Actually Star Wars- The Last Jedi filmed here last year, so we can’t wait to see our area showcased for an international audience in that film.
*****
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
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Interview with Festival Director Barry J. Gillis (Edmonton Festival of Fear)
This is a great opportunity for Filmmakers World Wide to Submit their Films. Plans are already in the works to expand the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR for 2018, and beyond.
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Barry J. Gillis: This is the First Year for the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR International Film Festival, which will be a Two Day Film Festival this year, and a Three Day Film Festival next year. We plan on adding more days year after year, as we continue to expand and grow. Our Deadline for Submissions ended yesterday, and we haven’t had a chance to Promote the Official Selections, as they have not been Announced yet. However, when we do Announce the Official Selections that will play on the Big Screen at the Landmark City Centre, in Edmonton, Alberta.
We plan on Promoting the hell out of all of the Fantastic Films that will Screen at this years Film
Festival, and we would expect that the Filmmakers will be very happy with the way we Promote, and push their Amazing Feature Films and Shorts, and the way we are Promoting the Film Festival in general. For instance we already are set to have a 30 Second Film Festival Promo Film play before every Movie that people go to see at the World Class Landmark Cinemas, City Centre Location. The Promo will play on 9 Big Screens, before each and every Movie that people watch every day for 29 days before the Film Festival, and it lets everyone know where they can buy Tickets, which further leads them to all of the Movies that will play, along with Trailers, photos, and info about all of the Filmmakers Movies… The Promo will play in front of huge Audiences who are out to see the latest Great Movies that Landmark Cinemas is playing. These are Huge Audiences, that will be attending movies such as Stephen King’s “IT”. We have been sinking a fair amount of money into Promoting the Film Festival, and we have Sold alot of VIP TICKETS before any of the Movies have even been Announced, and we expect that when the Official Selections are Announced, and when the Public sees what they are in for, Ticket Sales are going to go through the roof.
Landmark Cinemas 9, City Centre Location, is a First Class Venue, and for for all of the Filmmakers who will be attending the Film Festival, they are going to be very happy that they Submitted their Movie to the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?
You can expect to be entertained like there is no tomorrow. You can expect to have the time of your life at the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR International Film Festival. You can expect to get your monies worth and more. You can expect a Grand Opening on the Red Carpet on Friday the 13th of October, at 6:30pm, before the OPENING NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA which Starts on the Big Screen at 7pm sharp, with a Phenomenal Feature Film. (which we cannot Announce the name of, until we Announce everything on September 7th.) You can expect that all of the Official Selections are NEW FEATURE FILMS and SHORTS, that have never been seen anywhere, aside from other Film Festivals, unless they are making their World Premiere at our Film Festival.
The line up also includes, North America Premieres, Canada Premieres, Western Canada Premieres, etc. None of the Movies have ever played the Big Screen in Edmonton, Canada. You can expect Films that have Won Awards at other Film Festivals, and you can expect Films that may have been overlooked by other Film Festivals.
You can also expect the Time Of Your Life at the After Party, which will be at Fionn Macool’s Irish Pub, which is right beside Landmark Cinemas. We have Free Food coming in at 11:30pm, (First Come Firsy Come First Served) on Saturday October 14th, afer we give out the Awards for Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, etc, etc. The Filmmakers who Win, will be given the coveted, COREY FELDMAN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, Which the Film Festival determines. And then there will be AWARDS that the Audience Votes on through Ballots, and the Winners will recieve an AUDIENCE AWARD, as determined by the Audience. People can also expect to be treated like Gold by the wonderful Staff at Landmark Cinemas… Landmark has been so co-operative in this entire process, from Territory Sales Manager Kristin Woodford,(Kushneryk) to Director of Corporate Sales & Sponsorship Scot Benson, in Calgary, to the General Manager of the City Centre Location, Renee Gobeil, to all of the front line workers that we encountered. Everyone is in for the time of their lives…
What are the qualifications for the selected films?
The Official Selections must be Completed on or after January 1st, 2016. We have had to disqualify some Films, because they were Completed before that date. However, because they overlooked the Rules, and paid a Submission Fee to Enter the Competition, Vice President, Len J. Phillips and I decided that we would give all of the Filmmakers a FREE WAIVER, for the next Film
that they Submit to the Film Festival, and in a couple of cases, we did not have to wait until next years Film Festival, or at some other time in the future, because a couple of the Filmmakers, got back to us right away and Submitted another Movie free of charge.
The Official Selections must not be boring. We are looking for Feature Films and Shorts that excite us, and will excite our Audiences. I hate to say this but we have had some Feature Films that came in for instance that had great Movie Trailers that would bring in the fans by the boatload. However, upon watching the actual Movie… 20 and 30 minutes in, etc, etc, there was nothing happening… Some of these Movies had the great pay off at the end, etc, etc, but we are looking for Movies that grab us right away, and turn the excitement level up right away, and then keep the pace going…
Some of these Feature Films were awesome in every way, and some were made on big budgets, and the Acting was top notch, and the Cinematography, and Screenplay, etc, etc, are World Class, but these kinds of Movies where nothing much is happening for long periods of time, are better off playing at another Film Festival where Boring Drama is King… Yes we want great Stories, and yes, we love great Acting, and even great Drama, and yes these Movies were great, but if the Movie is too boring, and the pace is slow as hell, and we are not being entertained every step of the way, save your Submission Fee, and Submit your Feature Film to another Film Festival.
You must be over 18 to Attend our Film Festival, and the Official Films are for Mature Audiences, not the faint at heart. This is the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR International Film Festival, not the ANNE OF GREEN GABLES FAMILY FILMS FESTIVAL, lol..
Do you think that some films don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Yes I do, and I truly believe that, and not only do I believe that, I know it because I am a Writer, Producer, Director myself, and I have dealt with various Film Festivals over the years. However, on the other end of the coin, Film Festivals have time constraints and cannot Screen every Movie that has been Submitted. There are some great Films that we would like to play at this years Film Festival, but we just cannot fit these Films in, and we had to make some tough choices, and in some cases, it bothers me to no end, that a certain Film will not play at this years Film Festival, because we just cannot fit all of the Films in this year that we would like to Screen. However, if the Film was Completed after January 1st, 2017 it will still be Eligible to play at next years Film Festival, and we will have an extra day, with more time slots to fit in more Films.
I not only believe that some Films are over looked, I know it from hearing back from the Filmmakers themselves. We have contacted some of the Filmmakers to let them know that there Film was in high contention to play at the Film Festival, and to ask them one question or another about their Film, and in many cases they said that they Submitted their Movie to other Film Festivals, and we were the first Film Festival to Contact them.
Some of these Movies have been Completed in 2016, and have had World Premieres, and only Screened at a Festival or two, and even though their Films have been Submitted to other Film Festivals, but never got Selected to play at other Film Festivals, and these are great Films that we are talking about, and I would have been the first person to Select a certain Film over, another Film that the Film Festival Screened…
But at the same time, every Film Festival has their own needs, and they have their own ways that they want to Program the Film Festival, plus, as I was mentioning before, there are only so many time slots, and tough choices have to be made between what you are going to Screen at your Film Festival, and what you are not going to Screen at your Film Festival. Your Film could be great, but maybe the Film Festival thinks the Film is too long, or two short to Screen at their Film Festival. Maybe they already have 10 Feature Length and Short Films set to play their Film Festival from the United States, Canada, or wherever, and they want to now include a Film from Germany… I mean there is a tonne of reasons why a Film might not play a Film Festival, outside of whether the Film is a great Film or not.
I guess at the end of the day, I see it as a yes, and no answer, on the one hand your Film may get overlooked, I mean who knows if every Film Festival is even watching all of the Films??? Your guess is as good as mine. However, these Film Festivals would be crazy not to watch all of the Films, because you never know what you may discover… We don’t build our lineup on what STIGES, or FANTASIA, or any other Film Festival has Screened… or just because your Film Screened at FRIGHT FEST, doesn’t mean that you are automatically going to have your Film Screen at the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR International Film Festival. We watch all of the Films, and give them all a chance, and if we believe that the Film should play at our Film Festival,
we will Screen it, if we can fit it in. But, as I also say, sometimes you have to choose one Film over another because maybe one Film is 30 Minutes, and the other is 8 Minutes, and you only have room to Screen an 8 Minute Film, because all of the Time Slots are taken… This is a big reason why I look forward to next year, when we will have Three Days to Screen Movies, and then keep adding more days, and more time slots to play more Films at the Film Festival in the future… A Film Festival also has a tough choices when it comes to various Films, because I know in our case, for instance you have three great Films that you would love to Screen at the Film Festival, and it’s tough to decide what should be played and what should not be played, because the Films are so amazing… But, maybe one of the Films is going to be a World Premiere, or a Canadian Premiere… Whereas, maybe the other Film(s) are only going to be a Western Canada Premiere, or an Edmonton Premiere, because the Film already played at the great Calgary International Film Festival, and it has already Premiered in Alberta… That’s not to say we won’t Screen your Film if it played Calgary, but we have a choice to make between two awesome Films… We also want to Screen a few Amazing Local Films in the lineup as well. These are Movies that were made in the Province of Alberta, and it comes down to those kinds of decisions as well…
What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
First of all, I have been secretly thinking about Founding a Film Festival for over 30 years… I grew up in a time when you could go to the Saturday or Sunday Matinee a couple of blocks up the road from where I grew up in Parkdale, Toronto, and watch Feature Films and Shorts all day long. For example, when I went to see JAWS in 1977, or whatever year it was, they would build JAWS up, or any other New Feature Length Film, and it might play at let’s say, 7pm… But, before all of that went down, (getting to see JAWS) you would get to the Movie Theatre early in the day, and they would be Screening other Films that were already released. So before JAWS, you might watch ENTER THE DRAGON, Starring Bruce Lee, and then they would play a THREE STOOGES, Short, or an Animated Short, or two, or three, and then they might play an Alfred Hitchcock Movie that was already Released, years previously, or a Western, or a Comedy, or whatever… These were great times to be growing up in, and I used to go to the Movies almost every week, and I would see all kinds of great Feature Films and Shorts… From LAUREL AND HARDY, to SQUIRM, and all of the old TARZAN MOVIES, and the list goes on and on… This was Cinema at it’s finest… You would watch all of these Movies, but in the back of your mind, you new the Big Movie of the day, (JAWS) was going to be playing at 7pm… You would be buying popcorn, candy bars, licorice, chips, and drinking pop all day at the Theatre, and after the Big Movie of the day was over, they were still Screening another Movie or two…
It’s not like that anymore, but, people can get a similar “fix” by Attending a Film Festival… And I can hardly wait to see all of these Movies play on the Big Screen, even though I have already watched all of the Movies already. I can hardly wait to see the Films Screen one after the other, and re-live that experience. An experience, for the most part that you can only get at a Film Festival. The only difference between watching Movies all day on a Saturday or Sunday when I was a kid, is that these will be all New Feature and Short Films, that were Completed after January 1st, 2016, and have not been Released anywhere yet. We don’t Screen Movies that
are Available on Youtube, Vimeo, or anywhere else on the Internet either. If the Movie has been Privately Screened, or it has played other Film Festivals, that’s fine, but if it has already been Released, it won’t be playing the Film Festival…
Personally, I am motivated to treat people the way that I was treated at the World Class Calgary International Film Festival by awesome people like Executive Director Steve Schroeder, Programmer Brenda Lieberman, and one of the Programmers at the time, Bruce Fletcher.
I really got to know Bruce Fletcher, and he was instrumental in getting my Feature Film Screened, in San Francisco, at ANOTHER HOLE IN THE HEAD FILM FESTIVAL. Bruce Showed me around San Francisco when I flew down there for the U.S. Premiere of THE KILLING GAMES, and he’s just an all around great guy. That’s how I want the Filmmakers, and Fans to be treated at our Film Festival.
The entire Team is Motivated by Films, Films, and more Films… We love discovering Great Films. If we can make a few dollars on the side, that would be great too… But the Motivation is our extreme passion for wanting to Screen Great Movies, and having everyone experience the times of their lives…
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
The Film Freeway is the GREATEST Site known to human kind… The Submission Process has been FLAWLESS, and I cannot say enough about the Customer Service that I get from Anna, and others at the Film Freeway. We had tonnes and tonnes of Submissions through the Film Freeway, and we are very happy with the Film Freeway, and have no plans of Signing up with any other site… EVER… 🙂
Where do you see the festival by 2020?
I see the Festival as a 5 or 7 Day Film Festival by 2020…
What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Aside from THNGS (1989), Starring Amber Lynn, which I have watched who knows how many times, at Screenings and Events, and at home every now and then to try and figure out how we ever got this monstrosity of a Terrible Film completed and Released by Mel Lieberman in the first place, and how it ever became a Feature Film with a huge Cult Following, lol Hmmm… I would have to say I am not 100% sure, but I have watched the following Movies alot of times. SCARFACE, TAXI DRIVER, COMBAT SHOCK, (the Uncut version) RAMBO (2008), which is my Favorite RAMBO Movie of all time, and one of my favorite top Movies of all time… UNLAWFUL ENTRY Starring Ray Liotta, Kurt Russel, and Madeleine Stowe is another Movie that I have watched many times… And come to think of it the Italian Film CINEMA PARADISO. I just love that Movie, and it’s time for another viewing… The Short Film that I have watched more than any other, is POLICE STATE by Director NICK ZEDD…
In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A Great Film has to touch you, excite you, bring you to a place where everything else in your life is forgotten, where nothing else in life matters, with the exception of this great film that you are
watching and experiencing right now…
How is the film scene in your city?
The Film Scene in Edmonton is huge… Edmonton has the biggest Movie going Population in Canada. More people go to the Movie Theatre here to watch Movies than in any other City in Canada. I believe that is Per Capita… but I’m not 100% sure… But we are number one over my hometown of Toronto, and other Cities such as Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. People love going to the Movies in Edmonton… In Terms of Filmmaking… There are alot of people making Independent Feature Length, and Short Films in Edmonton, and we have some great Filmmakers making great Films in this City, and I believe that it is going to continue and thrive here in Edmonton, as far as Filmmaking goes…
I believe that we could be doing more in General as a City to influence Producers, and Directors, and Hollywood in general, to Shoot their next Feature Film in Edmonton, and if I had anything to do with any part of the process to bring Hollywood to Edmonton, there would be alot of changes in the way we do business here as a City, and Hollywood, and the Big Independents, etc, would be coming to Edmonton by the Boatloads to shoot their Feature Length Films in Edmonton. Edmonton is truly a great City. I was born and raised in Toronto, but in terms of the friendliness factor… Edmonton is leaps and bounds over Toronto when in terms of being a friendly City… I moved here because I found the people so friendly and relaxed… Toronto is more of a rat race… Toronto is a great City… Don’t get me wrong, I love visiting my hometown, and going to see my mother and friends, and having a great overall time in Toronto at various attractions, etc, etc… However, there is something special about Edmonton, and the people here. It is a very friendly city, and very easy to get to know people here, and there is always something new to discover in Edmonton, even if you were born here, or living here for almost 20 years, like I have… There is always something new to discover in this great City.
In any event, maybe we can Attract Hollywood, along with all kinds of other Production companies to shoot their Feature Films in Edmonton. Maybe even the Edmonton FESTIVAL OF FEAR International Film Festival can be instrumental in that process as well…
*****
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
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Interview with Festival Director Terrence Sanders (Platform Film Festival)
Platform Film Festival’s mission is to celebrate the masters of filmmaking and discover the next generation of innovative creatives. Platform is the connective tissue that bonds the wondrous union between art and film. PFF will present an uncensored view of the World through the most important and relevant artists and filmmakers creating 2D and 3D work without fear, monetary incentives or artificial borders. PFF is a creative forum where like minds can have a sense of community being celebrated by the publlc-at-large and their contemporaries.
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Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Terrence Sanders: Platform Film Festival mission is to provide a necessary platform for filmmakers in hopes of creating a greater awareness for important films.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?
TS: Eclectic programming with an artistic bend. Films that entertain and educate. New discoveries that will resonate with the viewer long after they leave the venue.
What are the qualifications for the selected films?
TS: Voice, substance and vision.
Do you think that some films don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
TS: It’s a power struggle whenever money is part of the equation. Each film submitted is competing for exposure and notoriety. Each jury favors a different trend, celebrity, subject matter or theme on a yearly basis. What’s favorable this year might not be favorable the next. Sometimes the unknown underdog is the winner and most times whether we like it or not it’s the financed studio favorite.
What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
TS: The love of the medium. I owe everything that I am today to the transformative power of cinema. I want to share great films with my audience.
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
TS: It’s been great. We were going to partner with Withoutabox but the process was complicated to say the least. Filmfreeway was simple and personable. It was a great fit. I hope to grow with this company and community.
Where do you see the festival by 2020?
TS: Joining the list of respected, important and relevant film festivals in the World.
What film have you seen the most times in your life?
TS: I’m a film freak. I have literally watched 5 movies a day for that last 25 years. I’ve seen everything. A few favorites are; The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Libertine, A Pure Formality, The Royal Tenenbaums, Blue Caprice, Ballast, O Brother Where Art Thou?, In the Mood For Love, Maderlay, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, Gangster No. 1, etc.
In one sentence, what makes a great film?
TS: Three words: writing, cinematography and performance.
How is the film scene in your city?
TS: I live in Los Angeles – what do you think?
*****
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
| SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script Voted #1 TV Contest in North America. |
SUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed |
Festival Reviews 