Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: CHICAGO Feedback Film Festival

Submit your Short Film and get it showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival in Chicago.

Submit your film via FilmFreeway:

The fastest growing film festival in the world today:

Your film will get screened in front of a large, broad audience.

– We are a feedback festival and you will actually hear what people and film lovers think of your film.

– Your film is screened and then talked about with the audience, lead by a Professional Industry moderator. (NOTE: Screenings are now held in private to maximize the audience feedback video you will receive.)

– We then post the audience feedback video online right after the festival for you to watch.

NEW Showcase: Submit your FEATURE FILM and receive an audience feedback promotional/testimonial video of your film. Great video to use to get into more festivals and/or promote your film.

Watch Today’s Film Festivals: Best of STUDENT Shorts & ACTION Feature Film Winner

Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

watch Film Festival #1: ACTION Feature Film Winner
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/the-princes-feature-film

THE PRINCES, 90min., Action
Directed by Luiz Rosemberg Filho
On a hot night in Rio de Janeiro, two men seek pleasure and ultraviolence. They invite two prostitutes to accompany them on this risky and intense adventure. A critique of the social system that evokes Passolini, Lynch and Jodorowsky. The posthumous film by Luiz Rosemberg Filho


Watch Film Festival #2: Best of STUDENT Shorts
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/may-26-student-shorts

See the Full Lineup of Films:

MOB FAMILY TIES, 9min., Canada
Directed by Britt Dallyn
After grandpa Michael begins to unintentionally rat on old associates due to his mental decline, the Leslie’s, a mob family, face a moral dilemma whether they need to whack grandpa or not as they host his possible final meal in this send up of traditional TV sitcoms.

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-mob-family-ties

SOULSUCKER, 6min., Canada
Directed by Karl Strass-Hundal, Sam Cmelo
A security guard has his spark reignited.

NIGHT OF SIX CENTURIES, 7min,. Israel
Directed by Alina Lebedeva
The time machine has been created. It is used to rescue innocent people. The first is a girl sentenced to stake by inquisition.

LA POMME- a day with Asmodeus, 11min., Nigeria
Directed by Theo-Ziny Joel
“A man of God faces a tough challenge when he’s grieving. A lustful demon tests his beliefs, making him confront his desires and faith.”

BACKPACK, 12min., Israel
Directed by Alina Alexander Lebedeva
When parents and school cannot do anything, HE takes the charge

READ MY BODY, 11min., Nigeria
Directed by Theo-Ziny Joel
Bala wants to be a warrior like his father. He wants to own a machete too and go to war, instead of going to school.

https://web.facebook.com/theozinyjoel/
https://twitter.com/YorubaHausaBoy
https://www.instagram.com/theo_ziny/

FIND ME ONLINE, 19min., Uganda
Directed by Brian “Vons” Mukisa
A story about a couple Eric(Joseph Alvin Mumpi) & Veronica(Mutesi Brenda) where a fashion-star pretty lassie Suzzan(Nabakiibi Joana Jojo) from an online dating site barges into their relationship. Eventually, Veronica abducts Eric & Suzzan where Veronica stabs Eric to death.

SURVIVOR, 13min., Iran
Directed by Karim Azimi
Some immigrants by the sea are waiting for them to cross the sea.. A young couple with other immigrants are going to the light of the world, but they have problems when their baby is born.

WILDsound Podcast: EP. 1227 – FILMMAKER TOR KRISTOFFERSEN (DIRECT ACTION)

DIRECT ACTION, 13min., UK
Directed by Tor Kristoffersen
A teenage environmentalist leads a protest
against a coal mine, setting her on a collision course
with her father, the police and courts.

https://www.instagram.com/torkistoffersen/

Get to know the filmmaker:

A few things – the first is obviously the climate crisis, which is pretty much the backdrop (in some way) for all the scripts I write – having this unprecedented and existential issue staring us in the face, which we’re not really dealing with has always motivated me to try and tackle it in some small way and I think fictional stories are a very important way of doing that. In England we’ve got a government which after making some good noises about Net Zero has started giving the green light for more coal mines and oil fields, while at the same time introducing some draconian laws making peaceful protest virtually illegal and giving some pretty hefty sentences to climate protesters which is pretty alarming. Most climate protesters don’t want to go out and start marching down streets (you can trust me on that) but they’re pretty well informed on the science – indeed the ones I know are some of the most educated people in our society such as doctors and scientists so it’s quite alarming when we start locking these people up for trying to raise awareness of the subject. I totally appreciate that their tactics can divide the room but the reason they’re doing this is because we’re ignoring the problem.

The other main issue I was interested in was how a lot of young females were being dealt with (particularly by the press in the UK) for taking part in these protests — basically how they were being branded as ‘fanatical’ and that reminded me of the suffragette movement. We look back on that with selective amnesia in the UK, Emily Pankhurst and the woman who fought for their rights are now rightly celebrated but at the time they were horribly vilified and they had to use some pretty hard core tactics which are never mentioned. A lot of women were imprisoned for simply wanting rights and I found there to be an interesting parallel here. So out of that (and a few women I have met) Emily Phliips was born – I then really liked the idea that her mum had played a role in activism but her dad saw work opportunities in the mine – this enabled me to bring the other side I wanted to explore as well – which is the struggle a lot of people have with paying the bills and how lack of political leadership makes the transition away from fossil fuels very real and economically scary for a lot of people. These are themes I was able to explore more in the feature but they’re touched on very lightly here.

Today’s Writing Festival Deadline: FREE POETRY CONTEST

All entries get their POEM shown on this website. AND, you can submit your Poem to be made into a MOVIE.

Submit on the Main page: https://festivalforpoetry.com/

GET YOUR POETRY SEEN. SUBMIT ANYTIME


The RULES are simple:

1. Write a POEM. Send it to this contest for FREE and it will be POSTED on this site guaranteed for 100,000s to see. (you own all rights to this poem and whenever you want it taken down, send us an email).

2. Email your POEM to submission@festivalforpoetry.com in .pdf, .doc, .wpd, .rtf, or .fdr format or just cut and paste it into the body of the email.

3. SUBMIT as many poems as you like. (NOTE: One FREE poem per person. If you like to submit multiple poems, please let us know and we’ll give you price quote.)

4. Let us know what GENRE each of your submitted poems falls under. (as many genres as you want). Angry, Cocky, Dark, Death, Family, Fear, Friendship, Funeral, Funny, Hope, Hurt, Inspirational, Kids, Life, Long, Love, Motivational, Painful, Personality, Philosophical, Political, Pressure, Redemption, Relationships, Religion, Revenge, Rhyme, Romantic, Sad, Sexy, Society, Work. OR YOU NAME YOUR OWN GENRE!!

Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: TORONTO Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival

Over 50 FIVE Star Reviews!

EW OPTION: For limited time – Option to submit and garner an automatic acceptance of your film. Agenda is to create exposure for the filmmaker and their film!

With that acceptance, you will receive an audience feedback video. a written movie review on festivalreviews.org, and a blog interview.

Submit via FilmFreeway:

Since 2016, the FEEDBACK Film Festival has been showcasing the best of Documentary Short Films. We now will be showcasing a Documentary Film Festival every month in the heart of downtown Toronto at the Carlton Cinemas.

We have created a hybrid festival with 4 tiers to enhance your film and your festival experience. All accepted films receive all four tier options:

Tier #1 – Your film plays at a private festival event where the audience will record their comments/reactions to your film on their camera or phone, then we edit them and send you a promotional video. No matter what you will receive a promotional video of your film of people commenting on your film.

Tier #2 (optional) – We put up your film live on our FILM FESTIVAL APP for 24 hours and invite a select industry audience to watch it. With this system, some films have already received a distribution deal as many platforms are looking for solid feature and short documentaries. We can not guarantee anything of course but this has been very helpful to many in the past. (see testimonials below)

Then (Tier #3) we will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your film. Then after that (Tier #4) we will set up a podcast interview on our popular ITunes show where will we chat with you about the process of how the film was made.

——

We also will be showcasing winning documentary treatments at our festival every single month.

Watch Today’s Film Festival: FASHION Film Festival – May 23/24 event

Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Watch the Festival HERE:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/may-23-fashion-festival

See the Full Lineup of Films:

FIRST YOU, THEN I, 3min., USA
Directd by Ashleigh Coffelt
A woman finds herself caught in a toxic relationship, struggling between fighting for herself or disconnecting from the one she loves.

http://www.missashproductions.com/
https://instagram.com/missashproductions

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/first-you-audience-feedback

FORBIDDEN REVERIE, 4min,. China
Directed by Yisong Huang
“Forbidden Reverie” is a groundbreaking 3D CG film that navigates the dynamic virtual realm of Generation Z. Through the characters inspired by the iconic tale of “Farewell My Concubine,” the film sheds light on the struggles, victories, and identity journeys within the LGBTQ+ community. Using innovative Peking opera virtual fashion and compelling film techniques, the project provides a powerful platform for increased visibility and acceptance. “Forbidden Reverie” not only captivates artistically but also challenges societal norms, contributing to a vital conversation on LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance in contemporary contexts.

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/forbidden-reverie-audience-feedback

HERCULES RECYCLED 2.0., 79min., USA
Directed by Don Moriarty, Greg Alt
Combining the cheesiest parts of 9 epic “Sword and Sandal” movies
(including “Hercules”, “Hercules Unchained, and “Last Days of
Pompeii”), Hercules Recycled 2.0 is an insane, redubbed hybrid
comedy/adventure set in a future where the power’s run out and the world has collapsed into primal chaos.

http://herculesrecycled2.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HerculesRecycled2

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-hercules-recycled-20

Short Film Review: Déjà Vu. Action/Drama. Directed by Jean Frenette

Synopsis:

John is convinced he’s been on this planet for longer than his lifetime. This feeling of knowing more than what meets the eye troubles him deeply. To find some peace of mind, he decides to consult an hypnotherapist to dive into his subconscious and get some clarity. This leads him to find some truth in his beliefs: the one that he has been living through multiple bodies, for centuries.

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

In the action-drama “Déjà Vu,” director Jean Frenette takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through time and consciousness, masterfully exploring the enigmatic phenomenon of déjà vu and past- lives. The film centers on John Monroe (Raphael Grosz-Harvey), a man tormented by a profound sense that he has lived multiple lifetimes. This unsettling feeling propels him to seek answers through hypnotherapy, leading to a revelation transcending his current existence.


The narrative begins with a contemplative John grappling with an inexplicable familiarity of the world surrounding him. His search for clarity brings him to a hypnotherapist’s office, setting the stage for a deep dive into his subconscious. Frenette skillfully utilizes a series of b-roll transition cuts, seamlessly integrating these with John’s voiceover, which draws the viewer into John’s introspective journey through his point-of-view lens.

The film’s depiction of hypnosis is both intriguing and immersive. As John undergoes the session, the story unveils his belief in past lives, supported by vivid, almost surreal, visual storytelling. The Japanese influences (from 1492) presented in the film add a layer of depth and authenticity, enhancing the narrative’s exploration of reincarnation and eternal souls.

One of the standout aspects of “Déjà Vu” is its sound design. The film refrains from excessive or gratuitous action, opting instead for a soundscape that heightens the sensory experience. Every auditory detail—from the subtle ambiance to the intense moments of action—elevates the film, making the viewer feel every moment alongside John.

The film’s visuals are equally compelling. The locations, whether the serene therapy office or the dense, mysterious forest of John’s past life, are meticulously chosen to create a cohesive and immersive world. The cinematography, particularly the extreme close-ups and slow-motion sequences, effectively builds tension and conveys John’s growing paranoia and confusion.

Grosz-Harvey delivers a poignant performance as John Monroe, embodying the character’s inner turmoil and determination with a quiet intensity. The film’s pacing, while brisk, allows for moments of introspection and revelation, culminating in an open-ended conclusion that leaves the audience pondering the nature of time and identity.

“Déjà Vu” is a captivating exploration of the soul’s journey through time, blending action, drama, and philosophical inquiry into a compelling short film. It’s a beautiful piece that not only tells a story but invites the viewer to question the very fabric of their existence. With strong performances, thoughtful direction, and a hauntingly beautiful score, “Déjà Vu” is a testament to the power of short films to leave a lasting impact.

Short Film Review: CHOMP. Directed by Carter Bowden

Synopsis:

A young man is challenged both psychically and psychologically when he takes part in an experiment led by a mysterious scientist.

Project Links

Review by Victoria Angelique:

The film, CHOMP, serves an allegory for the danger of being addicted to processed food, what people would do for money and the corruption of science when it’s used for evil. Ryan is warned by Xander that the Doctor performing the experiment is evil, but he’s not sure until he is forced to consume cheeseballs. Their bodies and mental state change before they can even think about the danger they’ve put themselves in and the Evil Scientist thinks it’s funny. 

The set design and cinematography pull the viewer right into the film, instantly invested in what is going on in this laboratory. It seems sinister from the start, with the checkered walls and the only bright color the vibrant orange of the cheeseball. A symbol of the innocence of childhood is used for a wicked science experiment. The reason for this experiment is never revealed, only that the Scientists involved seem to enjoy torturing people. 

The effects in CHOMP are award winning. It makes the viewer feel as distorted as Ryan feels once he consumes the cheeseballs. When the world resets with Daisy and the changed Ryan, it seems back to normal except for a few glitches. It’s as if the audience is in Ryan’s mind, as he regains control of his life to save Daisy. 

This film felt like it should be a feature, with more questions asked then answered. The purpose of the experiment is never divulged. CHOMP is still a great film as it leaves the audience wanting more while being able to have the concept ingrained into their minds. 

Short Film Review: SCREAMING SILENCE. Directed by Kalyn Elizabeth Wood, Hal Waghorn

Synopsis:

In the hauntingly enigmatic and dialogue-free short film, ‘Screaming Silence’, Elizabeth, a young woman in the aftermath of a traumatic event, navigates her world through a haunting soundscape of everyday noises, which ‘peoples’ her world and forces her to face her reality of circumstances and her fear of reaching out for help. As the audience intimately experiences her journey, Elizabeth’s silence becomes a bittersweet force, echoing the profound emotional depth that empowers her to move forward in an altruistic twist of an ending.

Project Links

Review by Victoria Angelique:

The film, SCREAMING SILENCE, captures the pain and complex emotions a woman goes through when dealing with tragic circumstances. Elizabeth has secluded herself, ignoring the calls from her mother as she deals with whatever happened to bring her to this point. There are some clues that suggest she was either dumped or worse, sexually assaulted. 

Elizabeth is having trouble focusing, her world surreal as she comes to terms with her pregnancy and how she is being forced to deal with this alone as she retreats inside her own mind. Her emotions are a rollercoaster. She goes from terrified and miserable to finally accepting the pregnancy only for the misery to come flying back when she miscarries. The sorrow is short lived as relief sets in, proving that a woman’s emotions are complex.

Long, focused shots set the tone of the film as they depict Elizabeth’s emotional state. It takes a lot for her to do simple tasks such as making tea or even bathing. It’s draining as she forces herself to complete simple chores. The natural sounds aid the uncomfortable tension as she suffers in silence. It’s only after her miscarriage that Elizabeth is able to reach out to her mother and exit her home. She’s finally able to reenter life. 

SCREAMING SILENCE goes through a whirlwind of emotion. It’s a visual essay that shows the world of Elizabeth is complex and there is not a simple solution to end her suffering. Sometimes it is better to get away to think and other times it’s better to scream. This film shows that women often feel forced to deal with events alone, just to find peace in the circumstances of her life.

Short Film Review: AWAITING WONDER. Poem Movie. Directed by Eleana Theophilou

Synopsis:

A poetic exploration of a love story, of a widower that is going through the lonely journey of coming to terms with the sudden loss of his wife.

Review by Andie Karvelis:

We all know the pain of losing someone close to us. Someone that we love. A person so important to us that when they pass, it’s as if a piece of you went with them. We struggle with processing our grief, all the memories and that ache in our chest that won’t stop.


Writer/Director Eleana Theophilou has created an empathetic film about love, loss and the grievin process. The black and white cinematography fit this piece so well. Cleverly adding in some special effects showing the sea rolling backwards helped tell the story of a husband who lost his wife. Eleana also creatively added in text panes, asking questions and then giving answers so the audience envisioned a preternatural conversation between the couple.


The score was done by Lazaros Hajiandonis and it was really beautiful. It helped complete the emotional connection between viewer and film. This was also performed by Eleana and Paul Mason. On screen they both had such a fantastic rapport, very believable that they were a couple and married for years. Such a poetic look at love, life and loss.