THE BRIDGE, 85min., USA
Directed by Evan Jackson Leong
Fifty years ago, our country grappled with widespread discrimination. In Los Angeles, neighborhood leaders challenged these barriers by establishing a community-focused bank, aiming to deliver the American dream to all. The East West Bank Foundation commissioned director Evan Leong to create The Bridge, which explores the struggles, perseverance, and successes of this remarkable journey.

http://www.thebridge-film.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

As a 6th generation Chinese American I’ve been fortunate to tell the stories of my community. The Bridge is a story about a humble Chinatown bank that not only grew the community but became a global influence furthering our place in society. For me, I’d be happy to tell these stories for the rest of my career. I was not only inspired but blessed to collaborate with the East West Foundation and Dominic Ng.

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

This project took about a year and a half to completion.

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

Bridging Communities

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

I think the biggest obstacle was finding a way to portray the bank as a character and give this film a heart. By definition, banks are financial institutions not community centers. But East West Bank’s story was different because its journey mirrored Asian America for the last 50 years. But to be fair once I started, there were such a wealth of beautiful ways the institution touched the community that the narrative revealed itself.

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

Just a lot of awesome feels! As a director, you’re constantly working in a silo with your editor and small team, so when you get positive feedback from your peers it affirms your own journey. Also, the feedback really highlighted underlying themes that I tried to subtly explore. Its great when the audience gets it!

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

I never thought being a filmmaker was a viable career choice growing up. Hollywood just felt so unattainable. But fortunately for me, while I was a UCLA undergrad I took a documentary class called Ethnocommunications. This program gave students the opportunity to learn about documentary filmmaking while telling stories about their own community. My first documentary was about a Chinese American historian from San Francisco who did the research that no one else was willing to do. I never felt so passionate about a process and I was hooked.

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

My first narrative film SNAKEHEAD

2nd would be Chungking Express

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 you’re doing a great job! It’s just nice to have an invested audience in this era of multitudes of content.

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

Using FilmFreeway has been intuitive and experience using the festival platform site has been positive.

10. What is your favorite meal?

My wife’s Sun DuBu-jjigae

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

A feature length documentary about LPGA phenom Rose Zhang.

A docuseries on IMSA racing featuring Daniel Wu.

O palhaço que há em nós, 18min., Portugal
Directed by Eduardo Robalo
“He says he will be a clown until his last day, but father, you will be a clown, forever. An actor in soul, a clown at heart.”

https://blackcastle.pt/en/project/o-palhaco-que-ha-em-nos-en/
https://www.facebook.com/blackcastle.pt/
https://twitter.com/BlackcastlePt/status/1611799462908665861
https://www.instagram.com/blackcastle.pt/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

This film is not just a story; it is a tribute to my father who, besides being a professional clown, is the main actor. Despite his career not achieving the success he deserved, I am determined to immortalize him through my film, aiming to win awards to show him that it was all worth it, which makes this project profoundly special to me.

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

The concept, cinematography, and almost all of the pre-production were developed roughly between May 2023 and July 2023. However, we put the project on hold until January 2024 with the goal of investing in more material for a better final result. In February 2024, we had five days of shooting, and it took us about a month to edit and finalize the project.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Eduardo prefers not to answer this question.

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

The biggest obstacle was undoubtedly my inexperience. Despite having a communication company and creating videos for companies and other artists, this was the first film I made, and since I never attended a film school or university, I had to learn a lot of new things as I encountered needs I didn’t know how to address.

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

Receiving feedback from the audience is incredible. They reflect intense months of work, so I believe it is important to enjoy this phase, listening to them and feeling what they want to convey. After all, without them, there would be no cinema.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

After finishing “The Clown Within Us”.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

“Joker” by Todd Phillips.

What is your favorite meal?

Eduardo prefers not to answer this question.

What is next for you? A new film?

In September of this year, we will be shooting our second short film to be released later in 2024. Additionally, I have already started writing my first feature film, which I intend to produce in 2025. However, we will face a new challenge of finding executive producers and investors who believe in the project. It will be our first high-investment project, and we aim for it to be recognized globally (the film’s foundation has everything for this to happen).

The story and forgiveness of José and Maria, 15min., Brazil
Directed by Victor Amaro
After 50 years, José and Maria definitively break off their marriage and agree to give statements to their grandson, for the first time, about the reasons that led them to make such a decision. A story about love, pain and forgiveness.

http://filhounicofilmes.com/
https://www.instagram.com/filhounicofilms

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I always found it sad the way the Brazilian family is portrayed in Brazilian cinema. There are countless layers that are never addressed, when I saw my grandparents’ situation I couldn’t think differently. I needed to document this, but I didn’t know I was capturing their last moments.

2. From idea to final product, how long did it take you to make this film?
The entire process took more or less 1 year. It was a very challenging process, finding a good narrative that respected both parties

3. How would you describe your film in two words?
Raw and real

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
It was definitely my emotional side, being able to complete the story without getting emotional and wanting to drop everything. Even though it’s work, seeing my grandfather being completely weakened by cancer and my grandmother’s emotions with this situation is something that hurts a lot.

5. What were your initial reactions to watching the audience talk about your film in the feedback video?
It’s impressive how cinema unites cultures, even though I’m a young Brazilian from the countryside, the public’s observations spoke in a cultural way with my artistic proposal. My family was moved and it even became an article in my city’s newspaper.

6. When did you realize you wanted to make films?
Since I was a child, I always wanted to watch films whenever possible, when I discovered that there was a profession as a projector, I fell in love. This triggered me observing that no film seemed like my life, that is, there were many narratives that had never been addressed in national cinema. This culminated in my profession.

7. Which film have you seen the most in your life?
Definitely Fight Club. It was the first experience I had on internet forums, we discussed and debated as much as possible about it. This awakened me to the fact that a raw film can have its fantasy side, losing its essence.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you advance your film career?
I believe it helps with publicity and industry relations. Brazilian cinema urgently needs support and encouragement from large industries.

9. You registered for the festival via FilmFreeway. What has your experience been like working on the festival platform website?
Perfect, thank you for being so kind.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Pizza for sure!

ECHOES OF DREAMS, 84min., USA
Directed by Vanessa Mariveles
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

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film? What motivated me to make Echoes of Dreams was wanting to tell an underdog story mixed with romance and comedy since those are my favorite genres. I wanted to write something quickly and get it made in 2023 so I decided to tell my own story.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? It took 7 months to make the film from idea to finished product. I had the idea to write this story early July 2023 and wrote the first draft on 4th of July weekend, started casting in parallel, then shot my first scene July 28th. Editing took most of the time from October to end of January 2024.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The color correction and post-production audio were the biggest obstacles I faced, because I did it myself with limited experience. Then I had to come up with funds to hire a Post-audio/music score person and collaborate with them and give them direction on how I wanted the final product to sound.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? My initial reaction from the audience feedback was that I am glad they enjoyed the story and the stop-motion animation. I’m glad the feedback was also about technical things that should be re-visted like color-correction and audio.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? I realized I wanted to make films in high school.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? I have watched Avatar 3 times in the theaters. Also, Home Alone is one of my favorite movies even now.

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 your festival does a great job in promoting filmmakers through interviews and social media posts. If there was a virtual networking event that your festival could host at the end of the year, that would be great for filmmakers to collaborate.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? My experience with FilmFreeway is great and seamless. Makes it easy to search for specific festivals.

10. What is your favorite meal? I love Italian food and Thai food.

11. What is next for you? A new film? I am currently writing an action feature film titled Bad Ryder that is a blend between Baby Driver and Thelma & Louise.

AN ENDING, 7min., USA
Directed by Sarah Young
Based on a true love story, and shot on location in Queens NYC during the heart of the Covid 19 Pandemic, this film is a tribute to those who stayed and those who had to go.

https://christopherfcosta.com/#an-ending
https://www.instagram.com/thisismecfc/

Get to know producer Christopher F. Costa:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The pandemic had been happening, and Brian I struck a deal and decided to move. We were living in a one-bedroom apartment and Brian was also working from home. It wasn’t a lot of space, and our windows faced walls. We had also been restless and itchy. I missed being creative, especially with my peers. I missed connection and collaboration. I missed being connected to others in my group–and the city, frankly.

When I had the chance to sneak out onto the fire escape and up to the roof, it felt like I could finally have some space–and breathe. There was usually almost no one else up there. But also, I could see across Queens and the Manhattan skyline. Sometimes I’d spot others on their own rooftops. And then there was always one moment that made me feel connected to others. That was 7PM when we would cheer and clang pots and make noise for all the first responders. You could hear people making noise and cheering from far and wide. It was magical, it was full of gratitude, and I always felt connected to my home.

I reached out to Joey and Sarah and asked if they wanted to do a thing. I told them we had a full and empty apartment to use, and my husband and I as actors. I know I wanted to include that moment on the rooftop at the end, and the feeling of up and out–and home. Sarah was in to direct and Joey said he could draft something up for a short film. And we were off!

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

Almost four years.

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

Finding home

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

Getting through all the brand new COVID SAG-AFTRA regulations was an obstacle course. We had to make sure we were tested, masked, and had a COVID Officer (which our dear producer friend Jonathan stepped in and did for us).

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

It was so heartening and touching to hear how people were moved by the film. Even without dialogue, the story was clear and gave an unexpected ending that left people with hope. And to hear that was a gift.

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

My whole life, I was a nerd, loving math and science in school. I didn’t decide to study acting till halfway through undergrad, and it’s been quite the journey. But, I did take photography for two years in high school and loved being behind the camera. I also was raised watching movies thanks to my mother. We watched every kind of film, many of them which I shouldn’t have watched till probably a much older age. But that lifetime of film-watching and film-loving has now led me to where I am today–finally producing my first film. Onward and upward!

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

This is a hard one because I will watch a movie to death, over and over (especially in my youth). They’re like friends. If we remove the 90s Disney canon because it will throw off the curve (Aladdin, The Lion King, etc.), I would think it’s probably my favorite(s), Alien and Aliens, that or The Sound of Music.

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

Honestly, getting the feedback was such a unique and rewarding experience. I wish more festivals implemented that.

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

It has been very easy to use and navigate!

10. What is your favorite meal?

The one I made this weekend for the first time in a long time–lasagna.

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

I have a couple short films I acted in, one which is currently making the rounds in the festival circuit–Hot Idiot–and the other which should be there soon–Pining. I’m starting to write for the first time, so I’m also looking forward to choosing my next project I want to produce (which I also hope to co-direct).

TI AMO, MR. NIBBLES, 8min,. UK
Directed by Govind Chandran
Casey wants to tell Mia she loves her; but it might not be the right time.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
The actors. The original idea was more of a ‘writing exercise’ for me – I engaged with social media and posted my process and workflow and got feedback etc – but really it was both Emily Kontu and Kelsey Cooke, not just having faith in the project but being passionate about it that really made me delve deeper into it than I would have otherwise.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It was written over the course of 3 days in December. For health reasons there was then a bit of a break from me, and I returned to it in March, developing it further for a 2 day shoot in May. It was edited then across a further 4 days.

How would you describe your film in two words!
Warm Hug.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The Plush Hamster was just a nightmare. Always late. Rude. Such a diva. In all seriousness though, it was a pretty smooth shoot. The size and dimensions of the space we were shooting in was the biggest obstacle but wasn’t anything insurmountable.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s scary and anxiety laden before you watch it but really it was amazing to see that everyone ‘got the vibe’. Everything – down to the specific language or terms being used – were exactly the words we’d been using when discussing the project even in planning stages so really it was just amazing to see that we did what we set out to. Aside from that, it’s always fantastic to see your film resonate with audiences.

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
In my late teens really. I started doing little bits of video for theatre shows and that really skyrocketed into studying film and then making films. I think I’ve always been into ‘storytelling’ in one form or another though so this became a natural extension of that.

What film have you seen the most in your life?
I’m a Star Wars nerd so… it’s not to say that any of those are my ‘favourite films’ but my fandom for the franchise puts it top on my list in terms of ‘most seen’ and I would watch them obsessively as a kid.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Your communication has been stellar. Possible mixing industry professionals with audiences could provide a varied viewpoint too.

You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Really good. I’ve pretty much used FilmFreeway since its inception – the platform itself is very smooth. I’ve been involved in filmmaking since ‘Withoutabox’ was the standard and seen the evolution from that into FilmFreeway so I’m quite comfortable with it.

What is your favorite meal?
I am a sucker for Pizza’s or Thai Food.

What is next for you? A new film?
Two shorts, and three features all in development stages. Got funding? Lets talk.

THE FLOWER DUET, 5min., USA
Directed by Eddie Jelinet
Directed by Artist Eddie Jelinet this art visual film is an homage to the musical piece of Leo Delibes “the flower duet”

http://www.eddiejelinet.com/
https://facebook.com/eddiejelinet
https://twitter.com/eddiejelinet
https://instagram.com/eddiejelinet

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I have always been very fascinated by cinema, the impact that cinema has on human emotions is so powerful. Cinema is a lot like painting, it is creating beauty. Making the imagination materialize in front of your eyes is something really beautiful…

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I usually get lot of ideas and let them go around my head for a while until I am ready to make them become a reality. I have been thinking about this since before the pandemic , so i had to wait for a while, but once I had the opportunity i think it took me a few months to complete it. We filmed it in one day but always the process of getting the music right for film and the editing always takes time.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
In my personal experience i think the music is what it took the longest to complete or get the permission to use the music. I got 2 different musicians to allow me to use their recordings since the original is a famous french opera that I’m using for this film. So what i did is to blend the 2 pieces into one for the film.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I feel very proud and privileged to have people talking about and liking my work. I think they understood my film because the main purpose of the film is to show the beauty of the art in a way like dreaming about being a flower blooming and the discovery of love.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Cinema has always fascinated me but it was a few years ago when I started to create some surrealistic photography that I decided to explore and experiment with short fim and now it has transformed into a passion..

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
mmmm so many but i will say my favorite film is “Cinema Paradiso” from the director Giuseppe Tornatore, I also big fan of foreign and European cinema but i think probably a film i have watched most it might be Beauty and the Beast.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Well this experience has been great and what more can I ask for, so i can’t really think of something. But i have to say thank you for allowing artists like me that create freely and letting creativity be the driver of the projects. This festival is giving us the opportunity to show our work freely and that’s a very satisfying experience be part of.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Its been great , i think it is very easy and very convenient for filmmakers to use FilmFreeway

10. What is your favorite meal?
I love all food, it is one of the pleasures this life has for us. There’s nothing like enjoying a delicious meal.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
i have a few projects on my hands in the making, I’ve been working on a book of all my artwork since i’m an artist and painter, and i have a new short film called “Chess Game.” Also im working on a documentary about my artwork, hopefully i have the experience to be part of your festival again soon.

YOUR EVERYDAY HEROES OF COSTA RICA, 25min., USA
Directed by Hernán Salcedo
Your Everyday Heroes traveled to Costa Rica and searched for inspirational everyday people who are changing the world. Jeremy, Tracey, Vernon and Che are clearly all examples of what it takes to be a Hero, and we’re proud to share their stories with you.

http://www.youreverydayheroes.com/
https://www.facebook.com/youreverydayheroes
https://twitter.com/YEDHeroes
https://www.instagram.com/youreverydayheroes/

Get to know producer Albert H. Crane:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
One of our film crews traveled to Costa Rica to film Jeremy Levine at Wild Sun Rescue of an episode of season two. Once they arrived, they kept meeting amazing people who were involved with their own non-profits, so we decided to feature all of them in a longer documentary in an effort to draw attention to their causes.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
To make this film? This production has many legs… Each hero ended up being featured in their own episode, then we decided to combine the 3 animal rescues and recut it from scratch, so to get this far has taken just about a year. That is why you see Che in the after credits, as he was the 4th hero we filmed in Costa Rica, but didn’t hit the theme of this story.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
We faced a lot of challenges and obstacles our biggest one was moving quickly and timing of filming since we wanted to capture the release of the turtles and birds.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Incredibly heartfelt and warming, we truly appreciate the time and effort that has gone into this project in all aspects.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
As I’m the Executive Producer of the film, it’s always been a dream to be apart of a film, but now getting to see the whole process from idea to filming, to editing and watching it on film, to now winning a category has been an life long dream.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life? Besides Your Everyday Heroes of Costa Rica, which I’ve watched thousands of times, It would be Grease probably the most, as a kid I had the VHS of it, and thought being a T-Bird was awesome, but as I grew older, I leaned more to Pulp Fiction as probably the most watched. Thinking about that, I might just a super fan of Jon Travolta.

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 appreciate all of the support you’ve given us through this experience, and love the fact that we won Best Documentary, The group chat is definitely an added bonus. What I’m struggling with is the process after submission, what happens on the other side once we hit payment on the festival website.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? It’s pretty self explanatory in general, but would love to know the back end process, as you could recall, you called me Hernan for a bit, who is the Director of the piece, I had created the custom field of Executive Producer, but I’m sure your connection just defaults to the director.

10. What is your favorite meal? Anything my wife cooks, but if i had to pick something, would be cheese Raviolis with her families red sauce, it’s so good.

11. What is next for you? A new film? We are launching a new site www.youreverydayheroes.world along with Season 3 of our Docu-Series on www.youreverydayheroes.com in the next few weeks, so hopefully you’ll be seeing more from us shortly. We got tons of new stories, new locations, new film crews, I’m getting chills just thinking about it.