KINGDOM, 8min., Poland
Directed by Jagoda Turlik
Past, Present, Future – Three orders determining the space of life. Distant, but without each other they do not constitute truth. They coexist as a sum, a stream of experience. The past stores memories, evokes sentiments, but also hides demons. There is no future, it may be dangerous. The present forces you to decide in what direction to go “here and now”

https://www.instagram.com/jatu_film/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

My passion to dance/movement and film of course. It’s amazing how eye of camera transformes everything around and let the ideas come true. A curiosity and need to looking for my privet treasures and small discovers make me motivated too. It’s the kind of serching😁 😁I like to check if my ideas and pictures which I have in my mind will work on a screen.
The background of motivation is the fact that 4 years ago I realised that I did’t do anything what I dream and want so I thounght I should start materialise my concepts. I love dance/movement and film so I promised myself I will be create the one short dance film in every a year. I work as a script supervisor in polish film indastry and help directors making theirs films but I can’t say that those films are mine. I’m a „helper” not creator there so I decided to do it beside the fact that it’s not easy because of a lot of elements and factors… but the proces when the ideas come up and than transform in the film frames makes me feel I have causative power and than a privilege working with supercreative people. This is my motivation every time when I make a project.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I found an idea (my basic inspiration was a poem „Kingdom” of the polish romantic poet Cyprian Kamil Norwid) 1,5 years ago. Later the concept has chanced and developed so now stayed only a title and some props. I don’t underline this aspect because treat this poetry as a start point to my creative proces. From the first thought to the final version run a lot of months. Of cours shooting period was very short and we did it very fast but it’s a very low budget project so… I had to deal with many challanges. Very good lesson and school of everything 😁

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

„Go forward”

4. What obstacles were there to complete the film?

Unfortunately money

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was stressed! but also very happy that those nice people spent their valuable time to watch my film. I suspect that during watching the audience’s opinions I had red cheeks because of emotions 🙂

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

When I was a child during listening music very often I saw „films” in my imagination (in the most part of causes there were dance films) but i never thought about being a filmmaker.

I have started work in film indastry after musicologist studies by chance and stay there (meanwhile graduated from film production studies) but I did not feel that I can do films by myself as a director or creator. Hidden my ideas in my head thinking that mayby someday will come the proper moment to try. Four year ago I experienced health problem and it was a moment when i understood that Lifetime is a limited in time and If I want to do something I must start do it now.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

There is a few.
„Filip” (polish film), Interstellar, Athena, The Fugitive, Godfellas, Cold War, FishTank, he Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford,
My no 1 is „silent light” C. Reygadas

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I see that the best way to develop and progress is to attend the festival in person, but it is often difficult.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

very good. useful, easy to use. I like this way of submitting films.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I don’t have the one favorite because I love eating very much so it’s hard to pick up only one meal (my first thought was that maybe a broth? 😁) but for example I don’t eat sweets.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes! I’m still thinking about new one. I’m going to play with time and ages and of course I see a lot to locations and colors in.
Wysłane z iPada

EX-WIVES, 7min., USA
Directed by Darius Aaron Frye
The Opening scene from the hit musical “Six” that details the lives of King Henry VIII’s six wives.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I have a love for music and musicals. Musical theater is a big motivation to me. When I found out about SIX( the source material) I loved the idea that the show presents itself as a pop concert. I figured making a spice girls-esque music video from it would be very interesting.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It took the better part of a year to complete this project.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Rich and exciting

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle was the fact that the cast of ladies were all so busy. They only met in person twice. Once when we recorded the song and during the shoot. So if we didn’t get what we needed that day the project would have to be re-cast. Also if we needed changes to the track I had to figure it out.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It touched my heart. The feedback was so nice and I’m so glad they understood the project.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Oh this is something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I remember. So I was definitely pretty young. Maybe Kindergarten.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

It’s a toss up between Jurassic Park and Who Frame Roger Rabbit.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I love the in-person setting & recognition. It gives us a a chance to network and get live feedback.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It has been incredible. It’s definitely given me access to to more festivals than I would’ve had if I was looking on my own. It’s also so to find free fests too.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I love Italian food!

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I have many films just like Ex-wives. Based on musicals. But I’ve just finished a new original suspense horror film.

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

Get to know creator/producer Paris Joy:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I’m Paris Joy, the creator, co-writer, producer and lead in The Final Curtain Call. I created this film to spread awareness on human trafficking in order to start conversations, to one day stamp it out. This issue is spread vast and wide across the entire world, and without speaking up and being a voice for the voiceless, it will only continue to worsen. I hope this film can give viewers an insight into this issue, so we can come together to put an end to human trafficking.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The initial idea was pitched in August 2023 and after pre-production, production and post production, it was concluded in December 2023.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Powerful and emotional.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle was creating a film that was intense and authentically portrayed the idea of human trafficking without it being too confronting. As much as the real problem is more horrific in real life, I wanted my film to be digestible in order to reach more audiences and start conversations. Thus the choice was made to show its harsh effects in a more abstract form so it maintained powerful, but also watchable. That is why I chose to make it a musical, as music is a great art form to convey emotions in an entertaining manner. I worked alongside Hannah Carmen who wrote majority of the 5 original songs in the film. The music truly enhances the whole story and brought the film together and it wouldn’t have been possible without Hannah’s incredible work.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I cried tears of joy! For others to view my film and see the true depth and meaning behind it made the months of work truly worth it. I am so thrilled that my vision was interpreted correctly and it served its purpose to spread awareness.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve been acting since I was only 5 years old and I’ve always had a very creative side to me. Upon coming to Los Angeles to study with the American Arts Film and Television Academy, I found my love for the entertainment industry only grew. After learning from my incredible teachers, Jessica Orcsik and Robbie Ryde, I realized I could be an extraordinary actor and also expand to be multi hyphenated. I knew I wanted to learn about every role and process that goes into creating films from pre to post production, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the industry. So when we were fortunate enough to pitch our own films, I knew I wanted to not only be the lead actress but also the creator, co-writer and producer. Furthermore, I wanted to use the opportunity to use my own voice and stand up for something I am passionate about. I was grateful to collaborate with an amazing team, including Jessica Orcsik, Hannah Carmen, Robbie Ryde, Maty Young, and Liz Meinders.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

This is a classic but I would have to say Harry Potter. I’ve read all the books and watched the movies countless times.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Add the nominations and winners to IMDb.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Fantastic! Great site and very easy to navigate.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My personal favorite are açaí bowls. They’re so refreshing on a hot summer day.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I’m very excited to announce that I have been cast in a tv series that’s in development with Rockwell Media Partners, Candlefire Films, and Diversity Pictures.

Feel free to follow all my socials @iamparisjoy to follow me on my journey to see what’s to come!

BRAINLAND, 13min., UK
Directed by Chiara D’Anna
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.

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

Get to know writer/producer Ken Barrett:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The opera ‘Brainland’ weaves together stories from the history of 20th century neuroscience, stories involving large egos and questionable ethics. One of those stories, the origin of the psychosurgery movement in the 1930s, is a self-contained chamber opera with a story arc and dramatic conclusion. That gave us the idea to make it as a short film. It was created by a collective of artists including writers, composer, designer, costumier, choreographer, first time film director, mixed professional and student cast, a unique historical location and a tiny budget.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

We started writing the opera in 2019 and continued through Covid. The idea for the film arose in early 2023, it was filmed in October 2023, editing completed in February 2024.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

‘Opera lives’.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Constraints of money and time – it was filmed in a 200 year old operating theatre in Central London and we only had one day to complete the shooting by director Chiara D’Anna dead a great job!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Delighted to get such positive responses – particularly as our story telling medium is opera!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I am interested in telling stories and film fitted the bill for this story.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

‘A Matter of Life and Death’ from 1946 by Michael Powell and Emerich Pressberger.- I even recorded an episode of our ‘Brainland’ podcast discussing it with a flim historian ( https://shows.acast.com/brainland/episodes/a-matter-of-life-and-death-the-movie-and-its-origins)

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

This is our first submission to festivals and are delighted by how this has gone.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Film Freeway is a great platform that makes submitting to festivals very simple.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Any meal in Italy

11. What is next for you? A new film?

We want to stage the rest of the opera and as a next step may stage the other psychosurgery story in the piece, on the infamous ‘ice-pick’ lobotomy, with puppets. The opera website is: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk

OUT OF THE DARK, 3min,. USA
Directed by Alexa Ruggiero, Ashley Carrizo
A screendance film that portrays how certain relationships in ones life can cause turmoil. The process of letting someone go can be freeing while also being an emotional rollercoaster full of sadness, anger, and relief.

Get to know the filmmakers:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Alexa: To tell a story people can relate and connect to. I’ve always been passionate about dance so l loved using movement verse a script to tell that story.

Ashley: I had always wanted to create my own work on film but didn’t know how or where to start. I was associate choreographer last year on another artist’s project. That experience gave me the inspiration to want to create my own work with cameras and sets verse just creating choreography for stage

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Alexa: About 2.5 months.

Ashley: About 2.5 months

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Alexa: Heart wrenching and ruthless.

Ashley: Raw and relatable

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Alexa: Ensuring that there weren’t a ton of people in the background when on the Brooklyn Bridge or making sure the transitions were smooth and made sense from scene to scene.

Ashley: Being on set doing both the performance and directing. Perform as the talent and making sure I stayed in character and conveyed the message we set out to portray was one challenge. Then also stepping away after takes and making sure we captured all those details we wanted to see were exactly what we imagined timing wise, choreographically, camera angles, etc.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Alexa: I was in awe to hear how people felt about it and how they portrayed it. It feels like what we set out to do was accomplished.

Ashley: I was speechless the first time watching. I just laughed out load out of excitement. I couldn’t believe we created something of this caliber on our first try and people had such a positive response to it. I was so proud of us to see we really conveyed the message we wanted to tell the audience without them knowing anything about it beforehand.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Alexa: I realized I wanted to make films after the connection I formed with Ashley. We have a certain creative connection that works and we will continue to make masterpieces together.

Ashley: Ever since I was younger I wanted to tell stories. I’d imagine how music videos should look when I’d hear a song I liked especially on long car rides as a kid. I never really acted on it or found the right person to create work like this with. When Alexa reached out to me about creating a film together I was ecstatic I found another creative who shared the same interests in storytelling on film.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Alexa: The Breakfast Club OR Good Will Hunting

Ashley: Jumanji

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Alexa: Unsure at the moment

Ashley: I think adding some kind of mentorship event with past winners could be beneficial. Or a mixer with industry professionals and the selected participants of the festival for q&a’s.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Alexa: Great! An easy process.

Ashley: Incredible, and easy to navigate. This is our first time using FilmFreeway and I really enjoy it.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Alexa: A good slice of NYC pizza

Ashley: Mac and cheese – even though I’m lactose intolerant its worth it

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Alexa: Yes! A new film that is light and fun will be released towards the end of the summer

Ashley: Yes! We will be shooting a new film this summer with an entirely different message and feeling. It will be upbeat, fun, and make you want summer to never end.

PROJECT 405: LOST AT SEA, 12min,. USA
Directed by Josie Hull
Aspiring artist Alexia, grieves the loss of a loved one and struggles to finish her painting. The-o, her personal AI assistant, who has little understanding of human emotions, tries everything in his power to feed her longing soul.

https://www.fenderbenderfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/fenderbenderfilms/

Get to know actors & creators Marco Labate and Gica Pucca

What motivated you to make this film?

M: Coming from pretty intense personal journeys, we wanted to work with the idea of fantasy vs. reality, and we chose to use grief as a vehicle. At the end of the day, you can always make the choice to either acknowledge or ignore what you feel, but the latter can lead to confusion, and reality always catches up to you.

G: We liked exploring the concept of artificial intelligence and the modern world, conflicting with art and human emotion.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

We initially didn’t have much of an idea of how long this would take. We just kept fleshing out the concept by ourselves until we brought Fender Bender Films in, which was essential in making the project actually happen. From start to finish, Project 405 took us around 7 months to complete.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

M: Human nature
G: System failure

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

To put the idea into paper. The initial concept was pretty broad so we had a hard time pinpointing how and what we wanted to show the audience. Thanks to our director Josie coming in, we could finally finish what we started and get the production going.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was heartwarming to see how this film was able to resonate with the audience. This is the part that we eagerly wait for from the beginning of a project, to find out what people take from our piece. After all, this is who we’re making it for.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

M: I was always very inspired by movies, especially as a kid. I always came out of the movie theater hypnotized by the new ways a movie has taught me to look at things, like my world was broadened a little bit every time. In a way, I was raised by films. Now, all I want to do is to provide that feeling of innocence to other people, almost as a thank you to the people who made me feel the same way.

G: I like the quality that movies have to transform the imaginary into reality. For me, it’s a way to keep playing “what if” but in the adult world. I realized that I never wanted to let go of my imagination growing up. So making movies became a way to collect a part of it and put it into frames, with the possibility of sharing those stories with the world.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

M: I don’t know if I should be proud or ashamed, but it was either The Incredibles or Monsters Inc.

G: I’ve seen The Witch by A24 more times than I can remember. It’s my favorite horror tale.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

We really appreciate the possibility of getting as much feedback as possible, either through text, audio or video!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Our experience was pretty straightforward and rewarding. The platform is really simple to work with.

10. What is your favorite meal?

M: I’m a huge fan of rice and beans with fries on the side and a good steak.

G: I’m deeply missing my grandma’s cod recipe right now…

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Hopefully we get to keep working on as many passion projects as humanly possible in the future and to find even more ways of telling stories that we love.

M: I’m currently writing a script for a feature film. The idea is to have a mix between Due Date and Good Will Hunting!

G: I currently have The Last Encore (2024) and Three Card Pull (2024) on festival runs. I’m also looking for talent representation as an actress and a distributor for my future feature film.

MERCY OF OTHERS, 105min., Australia
Directed by Damien Giglietta
In the haunting shadow of a recent tragedy, “Mercy of Others” unfolds as a close-knit group of six friends reunite to mourn the loss of a friend. This gathering, meant for solace and reminiscence, swiftly uncovers buried tensions and unresolved conflicts within their circle, revealing a complex web of emotions and relationships.

https://www.sixplacedpictures.com/mercy-of-others
https://www.facebook.com/88to1productions
https://www.instagram.com/sixplacedpictures

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Stepping into my 2nd feature film project I wanted a film that will impact those who watch it. In our own world we are the heroes of our own story, but unbeknownst to us, we are villains in the eyes of others. Our actions, small and big impact the people around us, whether we intend to or not we can end up doing a lot of damage.

Mercy of Others is a story that has been brewing for some time. It took on many shapes and forms but in 2022, I decided to pull no punches. The film tackles a lot of uncomfortable and intense subject matter. We leave no stone unturned to drive home the point that every action causes an unintentional reaction.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
There was an older version of this script that was more of a cat and mouse thriller. It was shelved for several years until early 2022. I did a reimagining/rework of the original concept to make it more slower, darker and tragic. From that moment I did the rewrite in about 4 weeks. Pre production was about 3.5 weeks, 17 nights to shoot and 1.5 years in post.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Intense Consequences

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Being under resourced, lack of time, the long night shoots and the long haul of post production. There are many stories to tell in the making of, but we’ll go with those few.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Thrilled. Great to hear from them, amazing feedback and great to know we are hitting the right notes we aimed for.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

When I was early teens, watching films from Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, made me want to get into filmmaking.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The original Halloween, Desperado

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think audience feedback is the biggest one. Festivals can be quite known to filmmakers and folks in the arts, but a challenge for all filmmakers is to have a direct response from everyday audiences. It can be hard for a filmmaker to find their audience this helps.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Yeah great so far, nice and easy.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Pasta!

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Writing my next project to hopefully head into production in 2025.

SOLITUDE, 87min., USA
Directed by Jeremy Brown, Mick Strawn
A famous upbeat survivalist is cast for a popular television
series about surviving in solitude, but survival turns to despair when she discovers a supernatural entity’s presence.

http://www.brownspacefilms.com/
https://www.facebook.com/solitudefilm2023
https://twitter.com/brownspacefilm
https://www.instagram.com/solitude_film_2024/

Get to know filmmaker Jeremy Brown:

What motivated you to make this film?

“Solitude was born from my fascination with the human psyche under extreme conditions. I wanted to explore how isolation can unravel even the strongest characters, and delve into the terror lurking within our minds. I was also a huge fan of the TV series on the History Channel called “Alone.” It was the perfect catalyst to move forward with writing this film”

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

“It took us approximately three years from conception to completion. It was a journey filled with creative challenges, but each step brought us closer to realizing our vision for Solitude.”

How would you describe your film in two words!?

“Intense. Isolation.”

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

“Balancing the atmospheric tension with the emotional depth of the characters was a significant challenge. We wanted to ensure that the horror elements resonated while maintaining a compelling narrative arc.”

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

“It was incredibly rewarding to see how our audience connected with the characters and themes of Solitude. Their insights and reactions were cool, and it was nice to hear from someone not directly tied to the film.”

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

“I’ve been captivated by films since childhood, but it was during my teenage years that I realized the power of storytelling through filmmaking. After my first viewing of “Return of the Living Dead”, I knew then that I wanted to craft stories that provoke thought and evoke emotions.”

What film have you seen the most in your life?

“I’ve watched ‘Jaws’ countless times. It’s a masterclass in suspense and character-driven storytelling, and it never fails to captivate me with each viewing.”

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

“Creating opportunities for networking and mentorship sessions with industry professionals would be invaluable. Additionally, platforms for filmmakers to engage directly with their audience post-screening can foster meaningful connections.”

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?

“FilmFreeway has been an essential tool for us to reach a global audience of film enthusiasts and industry professionals. The platform’s user-friendly interface and robust features have streamlined our submission process and expanded our film’s reach.”

What is your favorite meal?

“My wife makes amazing comfort food, but her scallop potato/ham/cheese/peas is probably my favorite food. It’s comfort food that fuels both creativity and unadulterated happiness.”

What is next for you? A new film?

“We are eager to gauge Solitude’s reception with audiences before committing to future projects. The current film market presents significant challenges, particularly for indie filmmakers, where financial viability remains elusive. Producing the type of films I envision requires substantial capital investment, yet low-budget productions face daunting odds akin to a lottery. As we navigate these realities, we aim to make informed decisions that align creativity with sustainable business strategies. As robotic as that sounds, it’s a sad reality I’m facing with moving from a passion to a viable work model.”

RESILIENT GENIUS, 73min,. Canada
Directed by Joanne M. Hodges
Resilient Genius gives voice to children and youth affected by war, conflict, and political unrest. 13 children and youth immerse us in memories of Syria, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Rwanda, Afghanistan and Iraq, reflecting on their lives before, during, and after experiences of violence. Their raw recollections, expressions of wisdom and transformative acts provide a powerful call to action.

https://twitter.com/hodgesjoanne

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I had family members living in Tigray during the height of the violence in the Tigray War. The Ethiopian governments turned off telecommunications, electricity, and water to the 7 million people living in Tigray, targeted items essential for life and destroyed their infrastructure, withheld food and medicine, closed banks, destroyed cultural heritage items, committed massacres, and widespread acts of sexual violence that were genocidal in nature. Nearly a million Tigrayans died; it was clearly a genocide, and yet despite the shocking level of violence and crime, the general public hardly knew anything about the Tigray War. As I walked through my city of Toronto, feeling the impact and weight of the war on the diaspora and myself, I came to realize how important it is to be conscious of the told and untold trauma many refugees have experienced before arriving in Canada. I met Mulugeta Abai, the executive director of the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture (CCVT), when we both sat on the board of directors of an organization called Ethiopian Canadians for Peace. CCVT wanted to create a short video that profiled and elevated children’s and youth’s voices, highlighting their unique experiences of conflict and war. Partway through filming, I realized I likely had enough content to create a feature-length film. With over 110 armed conflicts around the world right now and so many people seeking refuge in safer countries, I feel it is critically important that we understand the many unique impacts that war and civil unrest have on our children and youth, so I pushed ahead and created this feature-length film, maintaining the original vision of letting the children and youth describe their experiences in their own words.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

One year

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Immersive, transformative.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

It was not exactly an obstacle, but I paid careful attention to the relationships I developed with the families, children, and youth I interviewed. I also carefully selected a small crew. We were working with such a highly vulnerable population, and I really wanted to ensure that we built and maintained trust. Implementing an advanced consent protocol was also important to me so that youth and parents were given multiple opportunities to approve how their stories were portrayed.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

It was moving, and I really appreciated hearing their observations and reflections. I hope that those of us who watch Resilient Genius remember to suspend judgment when we interact with refugees, that parents remember we don’t know what kids at our local playground or school might have lived through, and that decision-makers remember how many kids with these experiences are living in our communities.

6. What is next for you? A new film?

I am working on a documentary about the Tigray War. I am also a community organizer and human rights defender. In the coming months, I will likely do a bit of all three.

THE BLUE ANGEL…NIGHT CLUB, 25min., Mexico
Directed by René Pereyra
Set in the 1990s, in a Mexico so turbulent, insecure, and pitiful that we continue to live in to this day, “The Blue Angel… Night Club” tells, In the form of dark comedy, a poignant story about homophobia and a false “machismo” that conceals a latent homosexuality within a northern town, full of “macho” men; and on the brink of disappearing.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Well, the fact that I believe homophobia it´s a phenom that cause a lot of crime in our society, but at same time, I believe that those crimes are because of “Macho Men”.

Nowadays, movies treat this kind of problems in a very light or superficial way.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The idea of making this film came around 4 years ago; but the shooting took us only 4 days.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Complaint and Freedom.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Money matters.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Was a lot of enjoyment because they understood the problem and the message we wanted to transmit.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Since I was a kid; then when I went to New York to study, I definitely knew that that was what I wanted to do in my life, movies.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

“The Last Picture Show” by Bogdanovich

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Because the money matters, it would be nice that you offer some kind of economical help to the people who participate.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Nice and easily.

10. What is your favorite meal?

“Mole verde” (Mexican food).

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Of course! We are preparing the long feature film of “The Blue Angel … Night Club”. But at the same time, we have plenty other stories that willing to be shoot.