Year: 2024

Today’s Novel Festival: HISTORY Festival

festreviews novels

Submit your HISTORY Book by the deadline.

Submit on the submission page: https://documentaryshortfilmfestival.com/history-novel-festival/

History is a narrative that describes, analyzes, and questions past events, and examines the patterns of cause and effect. It’s a collection of stories told by many different people, and is subject to constant revision and reinterpretation.

Get FULL FEEDBACK on either the 1st chapter or entire novel book from our committee of professional writers and writing consultants. Get your novel performed by a professional actor at the festival.

NEW OPTION: Or, just submit for an actor performance reading transcript of your novel (any 5 pages of your book). Great way to promote the sales of your book if you’re already published. (see examples on the video playlist below.)

SUBMIT your novel now (both your 1st chapter or full novel accepted) To be eligible for our Writing Festival Events. Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation.

Today’s Podcast: EP. 1386 – Filmmaker Sammy Verni (LOW DOWN LARRY CONQUERS THE MOON MEN)

festreviews PODCASTS

LOW DOWN LARRY CONQUERS THE MOON MEN, 4min., USA
Directed by Sammy Verni
At the height of the Space Race in July 1969, Larry Johnson and his trusty sidekick Spike, endeavor to be the first man (and dog) to set foot (and paw) on the Moon.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

Low Down Larry Conquers the Moon Men is the first in a series of shorts that I have made based on a comic book character I used to draw when I was about ten years old. I see it as a love letter to that time in my life, as well as an homage to sci fi b movies, classic stop motion and the Saturday morning cartoons that I grew up with.

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

I was happy to see the reviewers understood the style, the inspiration and the humor of the film. They even made me aware of some plot points and themes I hadn’t even considered when I was creating the story!

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

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

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch Today’s Film Festival: DOCUMENTARY Best of ENVIRONMENTAL Films

festreviews Today's Film Festival

Watch Film Festival HERE: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/doc-environmental-december

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/

SEE THE FULL LINEUP OF FILMS:

FRAGMENTS OF A HALF LIFE, 33min., Australia
Directed by Johnny Abegg
A Son deep dives into a period of grief after losing his Father, whilst his Mum recounts the life he never got to share. Through introspection he resurfaces knowing where to find him.

https://www.instagram.com/johnnyabegg/

Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-fragments-of-a-half-life

MADE IN PARADISE, 44min., India
Directed by Aniruddha Das
Set against the stunning backdrop of Ladakh, Made In Paradise tells the story of the Changpa nomads, guardians of the world’s finest Pashmina. A testament to human resilience and perseverance, the film highlights the community’s immense respect for the environment, and its attempt to protect a rich heritage and culture, only to ensure that their Pashmina remains a global treasure. The film also explores the symbiotic relationship between the herders and their animals, the legacy of the Pashmina, and the fight to preserve a way of life that teeters on the edge of survival.

https://madeinparadisefilm.com/
https://x.com/pashminafilm
https://www.instagram.com/pashminafilm/

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

THE LAST LION, 14min., UK
Directed by Matt Campion
‘The Last Lion’ is a thought-provoking short film that explores the heart-breaking possibility that lions could go extinct. This emotional story is told with the help of Kevin Richardson and Bobcat the lion’s unique bond, the breath-taking beauty of South Africa’s landscapes and the incredible talent of spoken word artist Sophia Thakur.

https://www.instagram.com/mattcampion/

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

Turning 27 Today: Nico Hiraga. Happy Birthday

festreviews Uncategorized

Watch the best of films now by signing up for the FREE 7 Day trial. New Festival Daily: https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

NICO HIRAGA SHOT BY ANGELLA CHOE – FLAUNT MAGAZINE
LOS ANGELES – MAY 13: Nico Hiraga at the “Booksmart” Premiere at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on May 13, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA

Born
December 19, 1997 · San Francisco, California, USA

He is of Japanese (father) and German-English (mother) descent.

Turning 44 Today: Jake Gyllenhaal. Happy Birthday

festreviews Uncategorized

Watch the best of films now by signing up for the FREE 7 Day trial. New Festival Daily: https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Born
December 19, 1980 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth name
Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal

QUOTES:

[1999] Being a star doesn’t last. That’s not what life should be about. It’s a complete illusion that really has nothing to do with you. For me, finding out about life is the most important thing.

[on the one role that got away] I’d have to say Ewan McGregor’s part in Moulin Rouge! (2001). It was so close. I sang and everything. I went through months of auditions. It was between me, Heath Ledger and Ewan. I think it came down to age and where people were in their careers. I was the youngest and the least known. I would hope it didn’t have anything to do with talent. Maybe it did.

I admire actors and artists who devote just as much time to their life as they do to their work.

Turning 52 Today: Alyssa Milano. Happy Birthday

festreviews Uncategorized

Watch the best of films now by signing up for the FREE 7 Day trial. New Festival Daily: https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Born
December 19, 1972 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Birth name
Alyssa Jayne Milano

Spouses
Dave Bugliari (August 15, 2009 – present) (2 children)
Cinjun Tate (January 1, 1999 – November 20, 1999) (divorced)

QUOTES:

I’ve always believed in experiencing everything in life. When you walk out with blinders on, you cut yourself off from the angels and the fairies.

We were in Brooklyn and we stopped by a neighbor’s house … there were these dogs there and I guess they had puppies, she was going to keep one but said she may have to put the rest to sleep if she couldn’t find homes for them, so if we knew anyone that wanted puppies to let her know. I asked what she meant by “putting them to sleep”, so I asked and my mom being as subtle as possible said it means they are going to kill them. So we took home one named Pluto.

Animals, they are one of the most beautiful gifts we have and, you know, if there are people that have compassion, there are very few people that put their money into animal rescue organizations. And if there is someone that has that passion, animals need all the help they can get.

Turning 55 Today:Kristy Swanson. Happy Birthday

festreviews Uncategorized

Watch the best of films now by signing up for the FREE 7 Day trial. New Festival Daily: https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Born
December 19, 1969 · Mission Viejo, California, USA

Birth name
Kristen Noel Swanson

Spouse
Lloyd Eisler(February 7, 2009 – present) (1 child)

QUOTES:

I won’t date a guy who doesn’t own a toolbox. I’m not saying you need to be able to knock down a wall or build a house or anything like that. But I’ve been out with a couple of guys who didn’t own toolboxes, and they couldn’t even change a light bulb.

I’ve always been this strong-willed person and I’ve always been in love with acting. I love every aspect of show business and that includes both the show part of it and the business part of it.

[on posing for Playboy] I could not pass up the opportunity to work with the renowned photographer, Phillip Dixon, and by the look of my pictorial I think I made the perfect choice.

Turning 38 Today: Annie Murphy. Happy Birthday

festreviews Happy Birthday

Watch the best of films now by signing up for the FREE 7 Day trial. New Festival Daily: https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

 

Born
December 19, 1986 · Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Birth name
Anne Frances Murphy

Spouse
Menno Versteeg(August 20, 2011 – present)

QUOTES:

Oh my god! The 6 years that I spent working on this show have been the best 6 years of my entire life, and I’m so, so, proud of the cast, and the crew, and the writers, and I can’t believe that Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara are my friends. I’m so proud to be a part of a show that’s about love, kindness, inclusively, and acceptance because those are 4 things that we need more than ever right now. And hi to my family and friends and I love you so, so, much and this is really, really wild. Thank you so, so, much! -Emmy Awards Acceptance speech

Turning 44 Today: Marla Sokoloff. Happy Birthday

festreviews Happy Birthday

Watch the best of films now by signing up for the FREE 7 Day trial. New Festival Daily: https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Born
December 19, 1980 · San Francisco, California, USA

Birth name
Marla Lynne Sokoloff

Spouse
Alec Puro(November 8, 2009 – present) (3 children)

QUOTES:

The most frustrating thing for me as a singer is that people have pinpointed me as an actress who suddenly woke up one day and decided that I wanted to sing.

I’m pretty sure this is it for the teen movie thing. It’s so frustrating to read when you get to page 20 and you’re like, Oy! It’s the same thing again!

I didn’t go to a normal high school. It was for people in the performing arts.

An agent saw one of the plays I did at ACT, but my mom was like, No, she’s too young. I became so annoying that a year and a half later she just couldn’t stand hearing me any more!