If we will be facing a devastating human species crises in the future , can we do it better than 2020 ?
Review by Andie Karvelis:
There’s an old saying about the devil’s in the details. You can have something planned so perfectly but the details trip you up and in effect, ruin everything. The filmmakers of Rehearsal grabbed that detail loving devil by the horns and essentially laughed in his face.
Every detail was meticulously executed in Rehearsal, bringing to life an entire world that was seamlessly integrated between computer graphics and live action. The CG team of Miya Shen and Stephen Hu are a powerhouse of talent. But that’s just one part of making a great short film, you need a fantastic script.
That’s where Liane Yang and director Allan Shen come in. They created a story that was believable yet futuristic. When the Tiara virus threatens the entire population on Earth, other planets become the hope of continuing the human race.
So creating an environment on another planet is no easy feat. Clothing, sets, plant life, technology all have to be envisioned and created. Right down to the drinks and the style of your dishware. Director of photography, Vanon Li made certain the entire film had a futuristic look and feel. Plus every actor did an incredible job keeping you on the edge of your seat until a twist ending you don’t see coming.
Hopefully this is just the first in a series of films involving August and the Tiara virus.
A Farmer from a multi-generational Teton Valley Family uses horse power and antique equipment to show the value of long held practices to a world bent on “progress.”
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Farming has been an integral part of our society for hundreds of years. As the times move forward becoming more technologically advanced, some things are better with traditional methods. Hay Day is a unique documentary about a multi-generational Teton Valley family that uses horse power and antique equipment on their farm.
The interviews with each family member and getting an inside look into the productivity of using traditional farming methods was fascinating. Plus it must make it easier on the environment leaving no carbon footprint. Cinematography was very good and I appreciated the variations of using cell phone footage and camera footage to capture this family at work.
This film is educational and wildly interesting. It definitely makes you stop and think about traditional ways being the better option.
Hope. Inspiration. Freedom. All these words conjure powerful feelings and we each define what these things mean to us. What inspires you? What gives you hope? What is your idea of freedom? These three words are the best way to describe Barbette & Fontaine – hope, inspiration and freedom.
Directors John-Carlos Estrada and Zak Zeh did an amazing job with this film. As did Thomas Swafford with his sensational cinematography work. They honored a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, Barbette. She paved the way in the early 1900’s by embracing the freedom to be herself and gave countless others inspiration and hope. One of those individuals is Cynthia Lee Fontaine, a wonderful drag performer. There have been so many parallels in Fontaine’s life to Babette’s and the struggles they both faced and overcame.
This film is so beautifully and artfully done. You can’t help but be inspired, hopeful and to remember that freedom of expression is a form of love… and love always wins.
A typical suburban neighborhood is plunged into a nightmare as an invisible, monstrous force begins picking the neighbors off, one by one. The terror outside the house is no match to the terror that forms inside the house where survival, isolation, and hunger all play tricks of the mind for a man, an expectant wife, and their unborn child. The film begs the big question and the great reveal – What is eating the neighbors?
“Sparrow Street” takes bold strides in the eerie footsteps of Darren Aronofsky’s “Mother!” by transcending unconventional horror tropes and delving into a narrative rich with allegorical depth. Directed by Billy Jack, the film invites audiences to navigate a world where horror extends beyond the supernatural, into the intricacies of human existence in the dark side of nature.
At the heart of the film lies a compelling gluttonous metaphor, encapsulated by the theme of aggressive eating and discussions about the poisoned state of our food supply. The script artfully explores questions about what defines a healthy diet and the reflections of our dietary choices to our very identity. In a suburban neighborhood where the wind becomes an antagonist, forcing people indoors, the movie builds a mysterious universe where something is in the air, leading to the demise of neighbors.
The initial gluttonous perception of food, the sustenance of our bodies, creates a sense of urgency and desperation among the characters. The narrative follows a couple expecting a child, emphasizing the consequences of their gluttonous choices that push them into perilous territory. The film takes a grim turn when heinous situations unfold within the confines of their home, ultimately resulting in the tragic death of the wife and the harrowing delivery of the baby from her corpse.
“Sparrow Street” masterfully portrays the theme of sacrifice when faced with the bleak reality of having nothing left to live for. The protagonist’s journey reflects the resilience to keep going despite overwhelming despair. A pivotal moment of salvation arises as an apple lies at the end of the bed, challenging conventional perceptions of perishables in an apocalyptic setting. The temptation of the apple, stolen by another, foreshadows the characters demise, drawing a poignant parallel to the biblical story of Eve eating the forbidden fruit.
The film expertly weaves a sense of refuge into its narrative, evolving into an anxiety-driven environment years later. The passage of time provides a glimpse into the future for the main characters, now navigating a world where their baby has grown, walks, and receives an education even. The palpable weight of anxiety in the air resonates, mirroring the real-world experiences of a society emerging back into function from a pandemic. “Sparrow Street” subtly encapsulates the emotions and challenges faced collectively without explicitly stating the parallel to our shared community experiences.
“Sparrow Street” is a thought-provoking cinematic exploration transcending the horror genre, blending allegory with suspenseful storytelling. Billy Jack’s direction, coupled with a poignant script, delivers a film that not only chills but also prompts reflection on the complexities of human choices and the enduring effects of societal upheaval.
A showcase of the best new movies and their respective trailers from around the world today.
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
Best Story: CANEPA´S ROAD BRIDE Best Editing: WAIT Best Direction: THE MEMORY OF MY HEART Dance Trailer: THE TIDES Student Trailer: DEAR FORGIVENESS Music Video Trailer: FEARLESS Thriller/Suspense Trailer: THE BATON ROUGE SERIAL KILLER Crime/Mystery Trailer: THE D WORD Comedy Trailer: OMG! THE CAPTAIN IS HERE Mockumentary Trailer: THE END OF DAYS Sci-Fi Trailer: BLACK HOLE Mythological Trailer: SICK TWISTED FAIRIES Supernatural Trailer: DELUSIONAL STATE Documentary Trailer: DREAM BIG FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN Horror Trailer: ABHORRENT
See the Full Lineup of Films:
THE TIDES, 2min., Directed by Sophia Williams The beginnings of a movement to amplify the under-heard voices of dance. Created and directed by female Cypriot/New Zealander artistic director, Sophia Williams, and choreographed by Leiland Charles on the Artists of Pointeworks.
DEAR FORGIVENESS, 2min., Directed by Lawrence Dumas Jr. A young and successful entrepreneur is about to launch one of the biggest deals of his life. This deal will put him in the top 1% of the business world. He is striving to honor his mother Sunshine Sandison who passed a year ago. Jaden deals with grief and resentment towards his father Brian who left during Sunshine’s sickness. This is hindering Jaden from completely locking in on the upcoming brand launch.
FEARLESS, 30 seconds Directed by Asel Suluu Our project is a celebration of women’s empowerment, uniqueness, and freedom. It revolves around a fearless female persona who boldly embraces her freedom and refuses to be constrained by boundaries, prejudices, or stereotypes. Her belief is simple but powerful: YOU are in charge of your life, do what you love, and be fearless.
THE BATON ROUGE SERIAL KILLER, 3min., DIrected by Bishop Stevens This film unravels the haunting true story of the first African American serial killer, Derrick Todd Lee, whose chilling reign of terror spanned from 1993 to 2003 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The film exposes a dark chapter in history where racial bias shields a cunning predator, challenging investigators and the community.
OMG! THE CAPTAIN IS HERE. Part 2, 1min. Directed by Anaëlle Morf, Cristina Müller A TikToker explores a haunted boat. Part 2. anaelle.morf@gmail.com
THE END OF DAYS, 1min., DIrected by Jonathan Christopher Martin-Ives In this mock trailer, a British teenager, gifted with clairvoyancy seeks to warn anyone who will listen to her about an impending alien attack. She falls on deaf ears.
BLACK HOLE, 3min., Directed by Jim Territo A Space Probe reflects on all it’s learned and lost as it drifts into oblivion; a “Space Cowboy Ballad”. Michael-Leon Wooley, vocals. Proof-of concept for a full-length animated feature.
WAIT, 1min., Directed by Jared Jacobsen, Lorena Diaz A man and a woman suddenly find themselves alone in a vacant lot and neither can remember how they got there.
KUINERRAQ, 4min., Directed by Magnus Shipe A young seventh grader explores the heritage of his maternal grandma through this glance at a Yu’pik village and his Native Alaskan roots.
IF HUMANS WERE PLASTIC BOTTLES, 2min., Directed by Muhammad Wafri Zaidani Telling the feelings of a plastic bottle if it was a human.The film becomes a powerful allegory for environmental sustainability, urging viewers to reflect on their own habits and consider the long-term consequences of a throwaway culture. “If humans were plastic bottles” delivers a poignant message about the importance of individual responsibility, collective action, and the need for a more sustainable way of living.
SICK TWISTED FAIRIES, 3min., Directed by Marisa L. Williams Original music from the motion picture “Demons Among Us” by Thorisaz, Joshua Brian Knight, and Ras Shomari; featuring Flying Veda and Morgan as dark fairies.
THE MEMORY OF MY HEART, 2min,. Directed by Marc Martinez In a quest for healing, a bereaved child psychologist uncovers a sinister secret buried within her patient’s new heart, leading to a dramatic crusade for justice amidst a backdrop of unspoken tensions.
GONE WITH THE WINDSHIELD, 2min., Directed by Lawrence Riggins Crash Test Dummies bust out of their car factory to rescue one of their own. From the Award Winning Screenplay.
CANEPA´S ROAD BRIDE, 2min., Directed by Victor LANGUASCO There is a popular legend “The bride of Canepa’s Road” which was spread among the northern towns in Argentina a long time ago, similar to a Latin American legend called “The Moaning”.
Músika, 4min., Directed by Alberto Herrera A delightfully harmonic tale of the origin of music
ROBOT ASTEROID, 1min., Directed by Paul May A trailer for my sci/fi horror screenplay.
DELUSIONAL STATE, 3min., Directed by Trelanda Lowe Following a near-fatal accident at a party, Ryan McDillon must resolve his issues within thirty days according to Angel and Mr. Grim over a work-related bet the two have together. Ryan must make amends among the people in his life. He must maneuver through his dysfunctional family, a pregnant girlfriend, hiding his boyfriend from his girlfriend, dealing with his long-time best “friend” who only wants to keep Ryan in the party world for selfish reasons, navigating painful PTSD memories from his childhood pastor, and battling sobriety.
DREAM BIG FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN, 3min., Directed by Peter Vordenberg The trailer for Dream Big, a documentary about listening rather than talking in order to make progress in our fight against climate change.
ABHORRENT, 1min. Directed by Anthony Buziak A smalltown deputy must discover the source of a recent slew of animal attacks
Dante, the prisoner of the tower, is a movie about the human condition. It appears to be the story of two young vampires, Dante and Sol. Dante has concealed himself in a tower in complete isolation from the outside world. Sol is coming to help him to find out an exit and confront the world of the “humans”. This movie is something more than the story of two youngsters trying to find a place of their own. This film is about our own efforts to leave “the tower” we live in, our confort zone, in order to find a new meaning, a more friendly place in a world that is not made for vampires or humans. Like Dante you have to take a step forward even with the risk of being burned by the sunlight. In this context Sol, the girl, acts as a simbol of that challenge. She may be a girl friend, but also, using the words of master Jodorowski, she becomes your own inner strengh urging you to take a step into the void and make a change in your life.
40 minute short film. Written & Directed by Frank Reyes
There’s something so fascinating about Vampires, or perhaps that’s just me. To my delight, the genre has grown in popularity with films like Underworld, Blade, The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, Castlevania and of course Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Even Twilight has found a place in pop culture.
Writer, Director and Producer Frank Reyes has found a new twist on the Vampire tale. As a young boy, Dante finds refuge from humans killing his kind in an abandoned tower. His sanctuary turns into a prison after centuries of fear and isolation. He will have to face his fears when Sol stumbles onto his hiding place.
The visual landscape is absolutely stunning, and Cristobal Reyes did an amazing job with the cinematography. The music, in-camera special effects, makeup and wardrobe all immersed you into Dante’s world. What’s incredibly unique is this is a story about stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking a risk in spite of your fears and growing as a person…or vampire.
Fausto wakes up in the middle of the night, with the news about his father dying. However, he refuses to go to him. Overtaken by his own rage, his decision causes a time loop that will eventually give him the opportunity to face his own forgiveness, loss, and life itself.
Grief is something that affects all of us at one time or another. It’s a universal language that we all speak and can understand. Loop is a unique tale of grief but also of forgiveness. You can’t help but wonder if writer Sandro Ventura Mantilla was speaking from experience when he wrote this because it so clearly expresses all these emotions you feel when losing a parent. Especially one you aren’t on good terms with.
Director Alejandro Pedemonte did a sensational job with the actors, he really understood what this film needed emotionally and each actor was incredibly believable. The cinematography from Jair Guillen was some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a short film. The hues that were used complimented the story in such perfect symmetry creating a seamless tale.
Smart writing, brilliant acting and a plot line that is poignant makes this film worth watching more than once.
A showcase of the best new movies and their respective trailers from around the world today.
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
MOVIE TRAILER: Red Dog & Bates
EDITED TRAILER: Wallie’s Gals
FEATURE FILM TRAILER: Dante
DOCUMENTARY TRAILER: Water
COMEDY TRAILER: Attack of the Killer Refridgerator 2
EXPERIMENTAL TRAILER: Q 1
ACTION TRAILER: Hard Ride
LGBTQ+ TRAILER: Skin Show / Live
SCI-FI TRAILER: Celeste
MOCK TRAILER: The End of Days
HORROR TRAILER: Goodbye God, I’ve Gone to Bodie
STUDENT FILM TRAILER: Wrong Girl
DRAMA TRAILER: Son-Of-A-Preacher-Man
ANIMATION TRAILER: The Scarlet Knight: Defender of the Block
See the Full Lineup of Films:
WATER TRAILER, 10min., USA
Directed by Gary Beeber
“WATER” is a feature documentary film by Gary Beeber that focuses on Ohio’s source of water and what’s being done to protect it for future generations.
DANTE, 1min.
Directed by Frank Reyes
This is the trailer of this middle lengh film. In here you will find a hint of the story and some of the awards and selections the movie has collected so far.
ATTACK OF THE KILLER REFRIGERATOR 2, 1min., USA
Directed by Michael Savino
During a high school house party, the refrigerator is plugged in and turns the students into sliced meats. A group of survivors battle to save their lives and stop the wrath of the Killer Refrigerator.
Q 1, 1min,. Croatia
Directed by Silvano Perozic
Moving mandala what I started with a simple circle .
HARD RIDE, 3min., Australia
Directed by Rod Power
Three ex-military men set off on a motorcycle Ride .. their journey gets caught up in a Biker Gangster War all over a sexy pole dancer and will see the bikers who want their girl back and gangsters their drugs however the three riders are unaware .. this leads to the final battle Bikers & Gangsters against trained WAR vets
SKIN SHOW / LIVE, 2min,. USA
Directed by Richard Daniels
This is a short trailer for the film SKIN SHOW / LIVE, the paintings of Dan Romer by Richard Daniels.
PSAs, 2min., USA
Directed by Lisa Spencer
Midle school students make two minute long PSAs against drinking alcohol.
CELESTE, 3min., China
Directed by ?? ?
In the fifth century of human interstellar colonization, an artist traversed across galaxies in exploration of the true colors of human civilization and emotions – the Celeste. Even though ultimately discovering the profound mystery of civilization’s essence, there was no power to save humanity.
INVADER FROM PLANET X, 1min.
Directed by Jonathan Christopher Martin-Ives
THE END OF DAYS, 1min., USA
Directed by Jonathan Christopher Martin-Ives
In this mock trailer, a British teenager, gifted with clairvoyancy seeks to warn anyone who will listen to her about an imbedding alien attack. She falls on deaf ears.
GOODBYE GOD, I’VE GONE TO BODIE, 30 seconds, USA
Directed by Kirby Wright
Teaser Trailer for Animated Series set in a Wild West ghost town in California. Here we have our Ghost Gurl narrator providing an overview of the concept.
LOVE DON’T BULLY, 1min., USA
Directed by Ilysa Spencer
SEE HOW THAT JIGGLES, 1min., USA
Directed by Ilysa Spencer
Just a lil ride around the farm on this old fashioned bike.
WRONG GIRL, 1min., USA
Directed by Caitlyn Melton
Steven, a human trafficker is looking for his next victim. He comes across Heather, your average waitress, but soon finds out she isn’t as innocent as she seems.
RED DOG & BATES, 3min., USA
Directed by Xochi Blymyer
In 1958, Red Dog & Bates decided to walk from Los Angeles to Mexico City. 2300 miles, 12 pairs of shoes, 7 months and 1 extraordinary adventure!
FULL THROTTLE, 6min., France
Directed by Gabriel Boyer
A young man gets into a gleaming Porsche and rushes at breakneck speed through the streets of Toulouse.
SON-OF-A-PREACHER MAN, 2min., USA
Directed by Brandon M Glover
A promising young executive involuntarily falls in love with a young gambler who ultimately ruins her career, and finds himself looking for redemption, while she has to start over.
THE SCARLET KNIGHT: DEFENDER OF THE BLOCK, 2min,. USA
Directed by Juaquan Herron
Scarlet Knight: Defender of the Block” unfolds a mesmerizing tale of two cousins, raised by their grandparents and aspiring to become emergency room doctors in their hometown. Their lives take an extraordinary turn when they stumble upon Merlin’s magical gem, thrusting them into the roles of modern-day knights. As the gem triggers medieval chaos, transforming others into creatures, the cousins find themselves in a heated family feud, torn between using force or alternative methods to save their community. This thrilling fantasy adventure explores the intersection of magic, family ties, and the struggle to protect what matters most.
WALLIE’S GALS, 3min., USA
Directed by Mary C. Ferrara
The official trailer for the upcoming feature comedy, “Wallie’s Gals.” About a group of women who worked at a clothing store back in the ’80s. 30 years later they reunite, wackier than ever.
WORDLOTTO, 2min., USA
Written by Tom Lop
As ‘alternative facts’ began to overrun every corner of free speech, Western Civilization found itself divided like never before. Shouting replaced listening. Each side was utterly convinced of its rightness. Spoken words gushed forth, regardless of law or propriety. Citizens saw a verbal Civil War on the horizon and demanded something be done. Welcome to the world of the WordMeter, where every utterance is not only counted but also granted at the discretion of the higher powers. Everyone agrees this is a generous system because allotments of words can be replenished simply by scratching a winning ticket in the WordLotto.
We enter the story where two close friends, Fern and Marcie get together at a local coffee shop to celebrate a birthday. Fern has been going through two years of cycles of In Vitro, desperately trying to get pregnant but with no success. Her husband, Nick’s coping mechanism has been dressing up with the family Cat and taking silly pictures. Marcie jokingly suggests that Fern just book a vacation for herself and leave hubby with the cat. All this to help soften the reality that the birthday Fern celebrates today is that of a child she miscarried two years before.
Directed by Grace Samson, Barry Samson
Review by Andie Karvelis:
One of the most impressive things about this film is that off-screen it’s a family affair. Written by Grace Samson, directed by Grace and Barry Samson with a flawless score by Chanel Samson.
The premise of the film surrounds Fern, played by Rae Cofsky, who is currently going through In vitro to get pregnant after having a miscarriage two years before. This is incredibly well acted by both Rae Cofsky and Vanessa Simon, who portrays Marcie. However it’s the server, Yelizaveta Sorkin, who absolutely steals the show with her endearingly awkward rendition of Happy Birthday.
Giancarlo Diaz did an amazing job with the cinematography and I have to commend Grace Samson for writing such a poignant script. This Samson family did a wonderful job making such an emotional and moving film.
A prince called Kalendar falls in love with a prostitute, Scherazade, who’s under the protection of an evil witch. Thanks to his friends and the help of a goddess, he frees Scherazade.
Review by Parker Jesse Chase:
Michele Stella’s “Scherazade’s Cloak” is an enchanting journey into a world of love, dreams, and the magical threads binding them together. Set against this extravagant backdrop of biblical and mystical folklore elements, the film tells the story of Prince Kalendar’s love for Scherazade, a prostitute protected by an evil witch, and the extraordinary lengths he goes to free them with the help of his brothers and a goddess.
The film begins by inviting the audience to gaze up into the clouds, as if we’re at heaven’s gates, leading us into the realm of dreams. The narrative unfolds in acts like a dream within a dream, with Kalendar as the bringer of feast and the swan, tied to Scherazade by a magnificent cloak. The importance of friendship and familial bonds encourages viewers to see one another as family, with statements like “Let’s feel like brothers.” adds definitive layers to the visual experience.
The destruction of the cloak becomes a pivotal moment, but the dream aids the brave, and with the help of a gifted sewing needle, Kalendar and his friends craft a new cloak for Scherazade. The film beautifully explores the ephemeral nature of dreams, suggesting these fantastical elements “never were but always are.”
The film’s execution is beautiful and artistically compelling. The cinematography seamlessly blends individuals into the lens, creating a visual tapestry becoming a part of the art itself. The production design, reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel, enhances the visual storytelling experience, with page master elements coming to life in the surrounding paintings. The costume design, hair and makeup, and production design collectively build a believable world in which effortlessly transports the audience into the heart of the story.
The narrator, with an expressive dialect, skillfully captures and allures the audience deeper into the unfolding narrative. Despite the witch’s opposition, viewers find themselves emotionally invested in the couple’s journey, especially as the torn cloak becomes a symbol of rebellion and resilience.
“Scherazade’s Cloak” is a visually stunning short in which captivates with its embellished cinematography and expressive storytelling. The film successfully marries its artistic freedoms with classical storytelling elements, resulting in an overall visually enchanting experience.
Festival Reviews 