Month: July 2024

Short Film Review: Staunch Moderates Experience.

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Directed by Meshach T Maldonado Lewis
Written by Gregory T Simmons

Project Links

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

The “Staunch Moderates Experience” is an experimental music video short film that captures the essence of current events and pop culture through an eclectic mix of home-style video and green screen visual effects. This film is a clear expression of activism, as the rap artists behind DJ Staunch and The Bigfoots use their platform to send powerful messages about pressing social issues. References from Palestine to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the lyrics highlight the artists’ commitment to raising awareness and advocating for change. The presence of the Sasquatch as the lead rapper adds a layer of humor and charm, making the overall tone uplifting and peaceful.


The “Staunch Moderates Experience” radiates a sense of love and light, reflecting the artists’ desire to spread positivity and consciousness. The energy of the performance is palpable, and the artists successfully convey their message in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The use of the Sasquatch costume itself symbolizes the ability to tackle difficult topics in a manner that is accessible and entertaining, allowing viewers to explore complex issues through the artistic medium of music and humor combined.


Musically, the film is a blend of multi genres, more noticeably on accounts of rap and rock n’ roll, evoking a vibe reminiscent of Willie Nelson meeting Notorious B.I.G. This experimental and eclectic mix sets the film apart, making it a standout piece. Although this might not be the typical genre one gravitates towards, the underlying messages and creative presentation make it a compelling watch. The visuals, ranging from Bill Maher footage to archival clips of Wall Street or people dancing, effectively complement the music and enhance the overall experience.


Produced and created by Gregory T. Simmons (rapper DJ Staunch), Clemmie Garad (rapper Casanova Ace), Darrelle Owens (rapper Shorty Mack), and Meshach Lewis (Editor and Music Supervisor), the “Staunch Moderates Experience” takes us on a journey through the history and achievements of the Staunch Moderates movement. This film, with its multi-genre compilation of music videos from three albums, offers a distinctive and impactful experience that leaves a lasting bright impression.

WILDsound Podcast: EP. 1272 – FILMMAKER DARON HAGEN (9/10: LOVE BEFORE THE FALL)

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LISTEN to the podcast: https://www.wildsoundpodcast.com/the-film-podcast-by-wildsound/2024/7/21/ep-1272-filmmaker-daron-hagen-910-love-before-the-fall

9/10: Love Before the Fall, 58min., USA

Directed by Daron Hagen

The myths of Orpheus and Charon are interwoven with the entirely sung magical-realist story of four friends dining in an Italian bistro who are fated to perish the next morning in the attack on the Twin Towers. At meal’s end, through magical realism, the restaurant’s mysterious strolling violinist is revealed to be Charon, hand extended, awaiting payment. Complying, each reconciles with death, and departs to the sounds of the next morning’s busy signals and the calls of first responders.

https://www.9-10operafilm.art/

https://facebook.com/burningsled

https://instagram.com/910_operafilm

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: : LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival

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This festival is designed to showcase the best of LGBTQ+ stories from around the world today! We accept screenplays (short, TV Pilot, feature) and short & feature films.

Submit via FilmFreeway:

Film Festivals:

Festivals occur every single month. We accept an assortment of shorts & feature films from around the world today monthly. We are proud to announce that we will be using the audience feedback format where all accepted films receive a video of people talking about their film at the festival. Excellent video to use for promotional purposes too. NOTE: To enhance the feedback video for the filmmakers, all festivals are held for a private selected audience only.

Screenplay Festivals:

We are proud to showcase 2-5 winning LGBTQ+ screenplays at our festival every single month!! Go to the site and watch the winning readings each month.

All entries receive full feedback from the industry. Accepted screenplays get their screenplays performed by professional actors.

One of North America’s leading gay destinations, Toronto has been holding Pride observances since the ’70s. The Pride parade draws more than 1.2 million spectators and participants annually, making it one of the top such draws in the world. The cinema is located in the Church & Wellesley area, where all of the Pride Events take place.

LGBTQ+ festivals occur 12 times a year. Go to the website for information on the next events.

All submissions receive feedback on their film no matter what.

Watch Today’s Festival: Winning MUSICAL Feature Film

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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 EXPERIMENTAL/MUSIC Festival: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/9-10-love-before-the-fall

9/10: Love Before the Fall, 58min., USA
Directed by Daron Hagen
The myths of Orpheus and Charon are interwoven with the entirely sung magical-realist story of four friends dining in an Italian bistro who are fated to perish the next morning in the attack on the Twin Towers. At meal’s end, through magical realism, the restaurant’s mysterious strolling violinist is revealed to be Charon, hand extended, awaiting payment. Complying, each reconciles with death, and departs to the sounds of the next morning’s busy signals and the calls of first responders.

https://www.9-10operafilm.art/
https://facebook.com/burningsled
https://instagram.com/910_operafilm

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-910

EP. 1285 (WILDsound Actors Podcast #1) – Actor/Musician Amanda Lyberg (MY ROCKSTAR film)

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LISTEN to the podcast: https://www.wildsoundpodcast.com/the-film-podcast-by-wildsound/2024/7/27/ep-1285-wildsound-actors-podcast-1-actormusician-amanda-lyberg-my-rockstar-film

MY ROCKSTAR, 13min,. USA
Directed by Stephanie Williams, Graham Nothrup
“My Rockstar” is a compelling and emotional short film that follows the journey of Amanda (aka “Eva” of the band Eva Under Fire”), a determined young Latina woman who dreams of becoming a rockstar while navigating the challenges of her father’s opiate addiction.

WILDsound Podcaster Hannah Ehman interviews Amanda Lyberg. They talk about her role in the award winning film MY ROCKSTAR, plus working as an artist, musician, and actor in the Detroit, Michigan area.

Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/

Watch Hannah’s national commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: FANTASY/SCI-FI Film & Screenplay Festival

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Over 75 FIVE Star Reviews on FilmFreeway!

FANTASY and SCI-FI Stories used to be a fringe market. Now they are in the mainstream and forever as movies, television shows, and stories in this genre are a multi-billion dollar market.

Submit via FilmFreeway:

This is a HYBRID film festival (NOT an online festival) with live screenings for the audience feedback video you will receive, plus an optional virtual 2nd showcase to enhance the film’s exposure. Festival also conducts blog and podcast interviews with the filmmaker. We have also started a filmmaker’s WhatsApp group with over 100 joined to date to chat about next project and make contacts etc….

Get your script and story performed by professional actors at the Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival. WINNING reading every single month!

Get your short or feature film showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival and get an audience video. Now a monthly festival taking place in either Chicago, Los Angeles, or Toronto

All festival dates have been updated to private screenings with the same Audience FEEDBACK videos made for the short & feature films, and recorded script readings performed by professional actors for the screenplays. This is our way of showing community over distance so everyone around the world can experience our Audience Feedback videos.

We specialize in showcasing Fantasy/Sci-Fi stories and making sure that when the work is ready, the writer will benefit by at least obtaining a solid agent.

Awards & Prizes

Accepted Films get their films showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival. Then you’ll garner an Audience Video on your film which is a great promotional vehicle, which will set you up to get submitted to future festivals.

Accepted Screenplays get their work performed by professional actors at the writing festival. 3-5 weeks after submitting, you will be sent an email with your full feedback and told if your script is ready to be performed at our festival. We do not have finalists etc.. It is either a winner or a rewrite is suggested and you have a chance to re-submit at a discount rate.

Watch Today’s Festival: Best of EXPERIMENTAL Film Festival

festreviews Watch Short Film of the Day ,
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 EXPERIMENTAL Festival: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/28-experimental-fest

See the Full Lineup of Films:

THE FINAL CURTAIN CALL, 16min,. USA
Directed by Jessica Orcsik, Robbie Ryde
As Ella embarks on a musical journey, she meets 4 other teenagers, each with a new song. Taking place in a mysterious theater, the musical numbers reveal heart wrenching stories of child trafficking sung in new and creative ways. The Final Curtain Call combines a serious matter with the power of music to convey an impactful message and tell a devastating story.

http://www.diversitypictures.org/ https://www.instagram.com/thefinalcurtaincall_shortfilm

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



PUNK SINATRA, 11min,. USA
Directed Sebastian Macchia
‘Punk Sinatra’ is not only a whimsical mockumentary but also a groundbreaking first in cinema—it’s the first AI-created mockumentary. The film unfurls the fictitious tale of Punk Sinatra, an imagined long-lost cousin of Frank Sinatra, humorously credited with sparking the punk rock revolution. This entirely fabricated character pioneers the raw, straightforward lyricism and ‘Do It Yourself’ ethos of punk music.

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

I SPEAK THE NIGHT, 19min., Germany
Directed by Doris Schmid
A reflection on perception, imagination and on artistic expression of the collective real, external world, in relation to the subjective inner life of each individual.

Work

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-i-speak-the-night

SO I, 3min., China
Directed by Charlotte Sun
This film is a hand-drawn animation exploring the concept of animation through dance movements. In the meanwhile, it gives a perspective about loneliness, the invevitable isolation of physical body as well as ging a introspective approach, thourgh self-exploration. Sometimes the thing I’ve been longing for isn’t really exsist in places I can see, So I decided to I dance.

https://www.instagram.com/lingtong_sun?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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

Feature Film Review: ECHOES OF DREAMS. Directed by Vanessa Mariveles

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Reyna, a struggling DJ in Silicon Valley, has to pivot her career in order to survive. Having the worst year ever, she is forced to join the “gig economy” so she can pay rent while living with her pushy mother. While dating women for the first time, she finds herself in comical situations. Through determination, self-discovery, and the power of faith, Reyna learns to overcome adversity and finds her true calling and love.

http://marivelesproductions.com/

https://instagram.com/mariveles.productions

Review by Julie C. Sheppard:

This feature, Echoes of Dreams, was a moving exploration of how hard work, persistence and the support of a loved one can allow for dreams to become a reality. Across the board, the performances of the cast were true to life. The awkwardness of the lead’s initial failures both professionally and socially was believably painful. The added frustration of constant parental pressure to succeed made the lead’s desperation even more dire.  Another hardship was the lead’s exposure to a lover whose family’s homophobia would demand their lesbian relationship be a secret forever. In contrast, the depiction of the joy and freedom between the lovers Reyna and Tiya was heartwarming.

The pulsing soundtrack and stirring vocals below textless scenes of either frustration or sensual passion (enriched with erotic slo-mo camera shots) worked seamlessly. Various dating locations were well-selected, such as a bike path, a bowling alley, restaurants, an inviting couch and a comfortable bedroom. The screenplay was sensitive and thoughtful, as the central relationship was rich in caring, trust and support, which allowed for Reyna’s character arc – moving from failure to success in both work and love. Reyna’s dreams were no longer just distant echoes, but now were tangible and real.

EP. 1280 – Writer/Producer Ken Barrett (BRAINLAND – Opera Film)

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Conversation with writer/producer Ken Barrett about the Opera Film “BRAINLAND”

In 1935 Egas Moniz, renowned Portuguese neurologist, visit psychiatrist Sobral Cid in order to persuade him allow his patients to be act as subjects for Moniz’s experiemntal treatment – frontal leucotomy. After some resistance Cid agrees. The first such operation is staged, but Moniz’s exhaltation is cut short by an attempt on his life. This self-contained chamber opera is actually scene 7 from a longer opera of the same name that tells three stories from the history of 20th century brain science (rather than a screenplay we worked with a libretto). it was filmed very quickly with little resources and involved professional and non-professional cast & crew. The music is by Stephen Brown. Directed by Chiara D’Anna

https://www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk/

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Last week of July FilmFreeway 50% off Discount Codes:

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WILDsound Film & Screenplay Festival
1st Scene & Short Screenplay Festival
Student FEEDBACK Film Festival
FAN FICTION Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival
50% off code: wild50

FANTASY/SCI-FI Film & Screenplay Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/FantasySciFiFilmScreenplayFestival
50% off code: scififantasy50

Toronto LGBTQ+ Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/LGBTTorontoFilmFestival
50% off code: lgbt50

EXPERIMENTAL, DANCE, & MUSIC FESTIVAL
https://filmfreeway.com/ExperimentalFilmMusicVideoFestival
50% off code – 50offexperimental

ENVIRONMENTAL Film & Screenplay Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/EnvironmentalFestival
50% off code: environment50

FEMALE Feedback Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/FEEDBACKFemaleFilmFestivalFFFF
50% off code: female50

ROMANCE & RELATIONSHIPS FESTIVAL
https://filmfreeway.com/RomanceFestival
50% off code – romance

ACTION/ADVENTURE Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/ActionAdventure
50% off code: actions50

Toronto DOCUMENTARY Feature & Short Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/TorontoDocumentaryFilmFestival
50% off code: torontodoc50off

THRILLER/SUSPENSE Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/ThrillerSuspenseFestival
50% off code: 50thriller