Come forth and slap me with your sharpened tongue and I shall take a blade and cut the serpent off.
For I speak within my soul,
something you degenerates would never know.
For the world I live in is mine and mine alone.
There is nothing here for you but the sticks and stones.
Mock my words and play thy games;
One thing for sure you will remember my name
Year: 2018
Read Poem: The Ruins, by William P. Robertson
The ruins were overgrown
with brambles & briars.
Crumbled walls cast shadows
in the moonlit gloom
& toadstools crunched underfoot.
Cold drafts seeped from
subterranean vaults.
Ghostly lovers embraced
like tangled roses.
–William P. Robertson
Read Poem: Poetry of Mind, by Joy Genauer
Little glitters of sunshine
Little trickles of rain
Resonate in my thoughts
Like flashes of light
Tremble like joy
Breathe with fear
Words spoken
Like splinters of glass
Or feathers that lift
High above the earth
In a blink they emerge
Asking for essence
Asking for clarity
Making themselves known
Read Poem by Dr. Cleveland W. Gibson
Please, don’t let the flowers
on my grave wither and die,
because if you do, I know
Mum and Dad will surely cry.
All Saints church stands tall, dignified,
not far from the grave where I lie,
A church filled with soulful people,
but ‘miss you, Mike,’ I hear you sigh.
In mellow eventide or chapel,
I hear the sharp bells ring out.
Once Dad took me into the belfry,
I loved the thrill without a doubt.
But there is a wind so cold,
as it blows across my chest.
I thank God for singing birds;
happy songs I love the best.
I’ll sing a song of sunshine,
my, I love the many seas so blue,
playing on the golden beaches
of the Med, Greece and Malta too.
My life has never ever been easy,
about DMD, there’s much to say.
But I’ve always done my best,
to smile, to…
View original post 155 more words
Interview with Festival Director Nicole Manoochehri (Los Angeles Dance Short Film Festival)
Los Angeles Dance Shorts Film Festival is a festival featuring dance films that are under ten minutes. The 2nd annual festival is taking place on June, 23rd 2018 and features a night of dance film, networking and a filmmakers Q&A.
Website: http://www.ladanceshortsfilmfest.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladanceshortsfilmfest/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladanceshortsfilmfest/
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Nicole Manoochehri: Giving filmmakers and dancers the opportunity to share their films in front of an audience, making connections and having the chance to speak about their films and the genre of screendance.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2018)?
A relaxed environment where you can grab a hot beverage and pastry from the cafe, watch dance films in the adjacent screening room, hopefully have a great time, learn something and bond with other dance film lovers.
3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?
Simply, dance under ten minutes.
4) Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Since becoming a festival director, I have realized that there are so many factors to take into account when considering a film for the festival’s program. We only have a limited amount of time available and we try our best to fit as many films in that slot as possible. I know how much goes into filmmaking and I really wish we could screen every single film that we receive. Especially with dance films, you are looking at art. Art is subjective. When it comes down to it, everything is just an opinion and as an artist myself you always have to remember to take nothing personal and just keep doing what you do best “Create”.
5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
When we start receiving submissions from around the world and I see these amazing films. I want to promote the films and the artist to the best of my ability and spread an awareness of dance films. It really can be a powerful and beautiful form of storytelling.
6) How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
FilmFreeway is great! We use it exclusively for our festival. I like to have everything in one place. It is my submission site of preference when submitting as well so I’m a huge fan here!
7) Where do you see the festival by 2023?
Hopefully, still around! Seriously though, I hope that in five years we have grown as a festival but still have the same vibe as when we first started. The goal would to be able to create more opportunities for the filmmakers and dancers. I would love to have multiple screenings with a full house in every single one!
8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?
“Amélie”. Love that film!
9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A film that is thought provoking.
10) How is the film scene in your city?
We are located in Los Angeles so the film scene is pretty popping! As far as the dance film scene goes, we are one of only four dance film festivals. Three (including us) have started in the last couple of years so I feel like the screendance scene is definitely growing here!
____
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 single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Interview with Festival Director Warren Workman (Feature Film Festival)
With a history of excellence in selecting the best films Feature Film Festival delivers a reputation that will draw attention to your film. Every submission is screened by no less than three committee members. All nominees are then viewed by the entire jury. The winner in each category will receive a beautifully engraved trophy.
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Warren Workman: Filmmakers attending the festival will find their films being played in a big beautiful theater with incredible picture, sound and an audience that LOVES indie cinema. If the filmmaker is not able to attend they will also appreciate that all selected film are given a 500+ word written review on our website from on of our film staff. Also winners at the Feature Film Festival walk away with a beautiful custom trophy.
2) What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2018)?
Expect to experience some of the greatest films you have never heard of. But more importantly prepare to meet many filmmakers of patrons that are enthusiastic about your film.
3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?
Each film is screened by 3 people before moving on to our grand jury. The grand jury then chooses the selected films and votes for a winner.
4) Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Some film festivals are understaffed or do not have the resources to run a festival successfully. We put the filmmaker first always and that starts at the screening process. Every film is in competition with itself and we are looking for the best.
5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
We all work in the film industry. Some of us are filmmakers, screenwriters, agents, and distributors. We combine all the elements that make a successful film team that makes the type of festival we would want to attend.
6) How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
FilmFreeway is incredible. We used other services in the past but now take submissions exclusively through FilmFreeway because it is easy to use and the customer service is outstanding.
7) Where do you see the festival by 2023?
We see this festival growing fast. By 2023 I expect this festival will be 2 weeks long and on 2-3 screens the entire run of the festival.
8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?
It’s A Wonderful Life
9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?
Any film that resonates with the audience on an emotional level is a great film. Those are the type of films we look for as they stay with the audience for a long time.
10) How is the film scene in your city?
The film scene in Utah is growing. Add in all the activities to do within a short drive and you have a location that great work work and play.
_____
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 single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Interview with Festival Director Marc D. Lyons (Variety International Film Festival)
The First Annual Variety International Film Festival (June 1st & 2nd, 2018) will feature emerging filmmakers in various mediums.
- 646-953-7676
- 21-12 30th Rd
Long Island City, New york 11102
United States - Website
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Marc D. Lyons : Our festival is providing a platform of exposure for independent filmmakers, specifically targeting minority filmmakers with a unique approach to the craft and a fresh voice and vision to the industry as a whole.
2) What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2018)?
This year we couldn’t be happier with our submissions! Variety is definitely the word to describe this years festival. From the storylines, to the unique subject matters, our festival audience is sure to leave enlightened as well as entertained.
3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?
Our rules are simple. Entries must be no longer than 25 mins. That’s it!, other than that, we maintain a strict rule of never stifling anyone’s creativity, the sky’s the limit! If you can dream it, we can screen it! (cheesy yes!, but it’s true!)
4) Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Absolutely!, it can be so hard just starting out in this industry!, all you want is a chance for your work to get seen and your voice to get heard, but the problem is, you have to start at the bottom, and unfortunately that means the quality of your work may not be up to certain festival standards. We try to look past budget issues and see the artists vision. That’s what makes us so different from other festivals.
5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
The children and young adults!, we have a huge adolescent following, seeing the hard work and dedication these young people have put into these films makes it all worth it. Seeing what they did on a shoestring budget and through pure hard work and determination is remarkable.
6) How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
We love partnering with filmfreeway!, its literally a one stop shop for fillmakers and festivals!, we can screen and judge all in one place. It makes life so much easier not having to chase down the many different formats films today come in.
7) Where do you see the festival by 2023?
We hope to continue to be the launching pad for emerging filmamkers, our ultimate goal is to inspire the youth of today to think outside of the box and create the next multimedia phenomenon. Finding their voices through life’s most powerful medium. The cinema!
8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?
That’s a difficult questions Personally, there aren’t many films that I have NOT seen. I am a true film fanatic. But to answer your question, it’s a tie between “Giant” and “Good Will Hunting”. I’m a sucker for a great storyline and character ark.
9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A great film is a film that never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve seen it!
10) How is the film scene in your city?
Astoria is truly America’s melting pot. It’s a unique, very diverse city filled with character and creativity.
_____
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 single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Interview with Festival Director Eric Morgret (Crypticon Seattle Horror Film Festival))
In 2017 Crypticon Seattle was picked as the Best Convention in Seattle by the readers of The Seattle Weekly. Crypticon Seattle, the convention is in its 11th year and Crypticon Seattle Film Festival is in its 7th year. Crypticon Seattle is the convention celebrating the Pacific Northwest’s Darker Side. Three days of your favorite actors, authors, and artists, along with tons of new people and things you never knew existed. But we are so much more than a tidal wave of blood, guts, and scares.
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Eric Morgret: We provide a fun event with an amazing convention around it. It is a little different than most festivals. We are in a hotel and don’t have a full theater set-up. We do however love the…
View original post 756 more words
Film Review: KUSAMA: INFINITY (USA 2018) ***
Submit your Screenplay to the Festival TODAY
Artist Yayoi Kusama and experts discuss her life and work, from her modest beginnings in Japan to becoming an internationally renowned artist.
Director:
Writers:
Heather Lenz, Keita Ideno (co-writer)
Star:
When I was a kid reading conic books, one of my favourites was a character from the Harvey Comics Richie Rich Group called Little Dot. Little Dot was a little girl completely obsessed with dots. Not only was her name dot, but she always wears a polka dot dress and goes around doing everything related to dots. Who would think that there is actually such a real life character in the world. And in the art world, too. This dot obsessed person is dot artist Yayoi Kusama. In her own words in this eye-opening film: “My life is a dot among millions of dots in the Universe.” Kusama is also revealed to be a bit dotty, spending a fair portion of her life in a mental institution in Japan.
A rival of Warhol in the ‘60s, Kusama battled sexism and racism in America while her hallucinations of polka dots eventually led her to the Tokyo mental institution.
Yayoi Kusama is a Japanese born painter who made it big and famous in America. Her work is characterized by thousands of dots in an infinity of nets, thus requiring a tremendous amount of work. One of her most influential painting is called “Pacific Ocean” where the ocean waves are looked upon an as unending pattern of nets.
Like many documentaries on artists, director Lenz devotes screen time showing the artist at work as well as her displayed work (including the best ones like “Green Death” and “PaciFic Ocean”) exhibited at the galleries. Compared to other artist documentaries especially LEANING INTO THE WIND which was released also the same time as KUSAMA, more time is devoted to the artist’s life. Lenz follows Kusama from her childhood (not a pleasant one with a domineering mother prohibiting her to paint and her womanizing father) to the present. Kusama is still alive (now in her 80’s) and speaks to the camera about her work and aspirations. The film also contains photos of her during her younger days, when she was protesting the Vietnam War with the hippies in America. Her nakedness caught on and news of her bashfulness reached Japan, causing quite the stir and her rejection by the Japanese people.
If there is anything to learn about Kusama, it is her determination that led to her success in the art world. She made her way to America on the heels of WWII. There, without connections and speaking only broken English, she devoted herself to her one true love, making art. On her first day in New York, Kusama has stated that she climbed to the top of the Empire State Building, looked down upon the city below, and made a decision to stand out from everyone she saw below and become a star. She shows that despite all odds, she finally climbed fame and respect. Another message that could be learnt is that all the fame and money cannot replace loneliness and happiness. She has spent 30 year living in a mental institution in Japan.
Despite the grim nature of the artist, Lenz’s documentary is bright and upbeat with music and colours flowing freely through her doc. KUSAMA INFINITY turns out to be as fierce a film as Kusama’s fierce determination to become a world-renowned artist.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85-_M_BJH1U
Festival Reviews 