After killing his bride on the night of their wedding, a deranged man must come to terms with his guilt.
https://www.instagram.com/brandon.wickson
Directed by Brandon Wickson
Logline: Love and imagination come together to make for a most memorable Halloween.
https://facepaint.team/
https://www.facebook.com/facepaintkenellen
https://www.instagram.com/facepaintnonprofit/
Directed by John Vo, Ken Yoffe, Ellen Weisberg
Director Statement
Ken Yoffe’s and Ellen Weisberg’s stories, including Justin and the Werloobee and Full Moon, strive to promote kindness and empathy, love and friendship.
http://alexsebastian.de/
https://facebook.com/alexsebastianmuc
https://instagram.com/alexsebastianmuc
Directed by Alex Sebastian
Cast: Lisa Surmann, Manuel Köhler, Joseph Hehenwarter
Director Statement
Lost At Sea is another ambitious project we were not sure whether we could pull it off with the limited budget available from a self producing artists point of view. In the end we found partners in crime who believed in the story and brought this incredible piece of film to light. My love goes out to everyone involved!
This film is an investigation of movement within a natural landscape, of rich textures and textiles in motion, and of the mystery of ritual. It provides a window into a private world of a group of women, dancing together unselfconsciously among natural landscapes and dressed in lusciously colored textiles. Throughout the film, sugar cane is ripped, bitten, and swung about as a meditation on this indulgent substance—echoing themes of vice and virtue.
https://www.facebook.com/CONTRATIEMPOActivistDanceTheater/
https://www.instagram.com/contra_tiempo/
Directed by Ana Maria Alvarez
Cinematography: Meena Murugesen
Performers: Bobbie Bell, Ana Maria Alvarez, Shamell Bell, Jennet Galdamez
Onámuh, 22min,. Mexico
Directed by Miguel Ángel Vives Ponzanelli
Onámuh, a humanoid marked by past abuses, searches for resources to survive. Árret, a deity of the earth, helps him and takes him to her lair, where Onámuh finds the energy he needed. However, his need turns into an addiction, leading him to abuse Árret and make her his prisoner. As the environment rapidly deteriorates, Onámuh must make a fatal decision due to his accumulated guilt.
https://www.instagram.com/pm.a.v/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
Philosophically, I’ve always loved the ideas Nietzsche had around nature and the way Humans perceive it in terms of an ego out of proportions. We humans tend to try and trap nature in our supposed “reason” but, in that futile attempt, we unleash a destructive force that tries to compensate the shameful fact that we understand almost nothing in the greater scheme of the natural universe. I wanted to portray that struggle with visual metaphors, symbols and allegories.
This brings me to the social part of the motivation to do the film. I’m mexican and, inside my country, we have deep problems concerning the destruction and exploitation of the natural environment. So, I saw an opportunity to try and create awareness of the problem that affects Mexico but also the entire planet as well. A good film can change perspectives and put people into action. Hopefully, this short film generates a bit of that in the audiences that watch it.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I cried. Really, I did. I felt like the film directors that inspired me to do films. My sole purpose has always been to give audiences something worth watching you know? Good quality, good script, performances and attention to detail! The feedback video gave me validation to do more without compromising.
Subscribe to the podcast:
A slow burning and silent eerie tale about escaping followed by personal transformations, addiction, programed human nature and the primal urges of evolved creature comforts through a macabre metaphorical manufacturing process. Written, Directed and Scored by Ty Bru. Starring Austin Rich.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Writer, Director and Composer Ty Bru has a specific vision with Shucks. This
experimental/horror/music video is definitely a journey into the macabre. Shot entirely in black
and white helped give the film that eerie quality of being in the middle of nowhere. Choosing to
make this a silent film also lent itself to a “story” that could constantly metamorphosize and not
fall into one genre.
Musically this film was just as diverse. The score at times reflected an ominous tone and slowed
down to build the suspense and then dramatically switched to an uptempo almost rave quality
which constantly kept you guessing. The props were done with utmost care and had a really
cool yet sinister look to them, especially when they were utilized in conjunction with the
flickering television.
The creativity with camera work and angles, especially with the shots that were indoors on a
tripod came out great. I wish the hand held shots were done by steadicam due to the amount of
shake, it was hard to focus on what was happening on screen. This is definitely a film that
makes you question what was reality and what wasn’t. In the end, the film lets you decide.
Project Links
Watch the Festival Film: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/under-5-minute-festival-february-2025
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:
FOUR MOM, 2min., Israel
Directed by Itay Semo
“FOUR MOM” is a short animated film displaying an ordinary morning in the life of a single working mom of 4.
https://www.instagram.com/semo16itay
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-four-mom
THE WHIRLING DERVISH, 2min., Egypt
Directed by Osama Elolemy
In the mesmerizing whirling dance of the Sufi lady, grace and devotion blend seamlessly. Her movements, like poetry in motion, transcend time and space, capturing the essence of the divine in every spin. The gentle flow of her white garments symbolizes purity, while her serene expression reflects inner peace and connection to the universe. As she twirls, she becomes a living embodiment of spiritual ecstasy, inviting us to join her in this sacred dance of unity and love
https://www.genieinaclick.com/
https://www.instagram.com/genieinaclick/
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-the-whirling-dervish
DO YOU HEAR ME, 5min., China
Directed by Yao Xiao
Do You Hear Me tells a story about the invisible power dynamics and conflicts within a traditional Chinese family. This family has grown accustomed to the father’s absence and indifference. The mother buys a bag of expensive apples for her daughter, who does not like apples. A seemingly intimate yet tense silent contest unfolds between mother and daughter.
https://www.instagram.com/yaoxiaoart
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-do-you-hear-me
HOMA – The guardian of the light, 5min., Uruguay
Directed by Juan Pablo Bornio
HOMA is a great project for the proposal of the DETOUR Festival in 2024, making a short film of less than 5 minutes in 1 take, within the “Western Creole” genre. (Uruguayan Western).
https://www.instagram.com/juanpablobornio/
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-homa
MUSIC HAS HIS BACK: Leo Pearlstein, the 104-year-old drummer, 4min., USA
Directed by David Bluefield
How music has shaped the life of a 104-year-old
https://www.instagram.com/thedavidbluefield/
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-music-has-his-back
SNEEZE, 5min., UK
Directed by Gareth Brierley
A woman sneezes and goes on an unexpected journey.
http://www.peopleshow.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/garethbrierley/
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-sneeze
JOY! BLUE MOON, 3min., USA
Directed by John Vollmer
Music and images intertwine for a joyful experience.
Watch the audience feedback video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-joy-blue-moon
AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best MOVIE TRAILER:EAT THE MOON
Best Animation Trailer: OUT OF CONTROL
Best Cinematography: HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Best Crime Trailer: THE DON OF WEST HOLLYWOOD
Best Direction: Entreseres
Best Editing: MARGUERITE
Best Experimental Trailer: Black OPS Rehab
Best Music Video Trailer: SYRUP
Best Sci-Fi Trailer: SMILE FOR THE DEAD
Best Story: ARMY MEN
See details of every trailer:
MARGUERITE, 30sec., USA
Marguerite’s return home turns into a real nightmare. Where is she? Who are these people? She will try by all means to find her way back and finally providence is will be on her side.
ARMY MEN. 1min., Iran
Plastic soldiers are fighting.
SYRUP, 87sec., Italy
Video played by me, with a Samsung cellular, walking along a Canal, in Monfalcone (Italy). I sing my song “Syrup”.
THE DON OF WEST HOLLYWOOD, 3min., USA
A mafia don accused of being gay must prove that he is straight or die.
OUT OF CONTROL, 2min., Norway
Anna, a PhD student from Berlin, makes a groundbreaking discovery in the Middle East. She also uncovers a mysterious necklace that ties to a powerful organization. As they tighten the grip of her life, Anna gathers forces and starts the race to open the necklace’s secrets, expose the organization and reclaim her freedom. A high-stake thriller of discovery, danger and courage.
The Game Rudimentary Reel, 3min., USA
When Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, Mutants and Serial Killers battle for the chance to rule the underworld! All will fight and some will die! The Game happens in and out the arena!
Black OPS Rehab, 4min., Australia
When explosions destroy a remote secret rehabilitation hospital for special forces, the seven remaining decorated veteran survivors must try to cross a hundred miles of desert in wheelchairs while confronting the realization that one of them is really a terrorist and has planned to trap them all into getting killed by the illegal human hybrid monsters now stalking them.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 1min,. Brazil
SMILE FOR THE DEAD, 2min., USA
Trailer for the feature documentary Smile for the Dead
charlie – charlie.puritano@gmail.com
Entreseres, 2min., USA
Trailer for “Entreseres” / BETWEEN
EAT THE MOON, 19 seconds, Iran
The monster eats the moon.
Watch the film here: https://www.wildsound.ca/watch-award-winning-short-films/videos/watch-abandon
Dwight a 50 year old left over 80’s metal rocker who’s still holding onto his rockstar dreams while living at home with his mom and working as an Uber driver has a one night stand with Vivian a married lady who struggles with letting go of her wild side.
https://instagram.com/jeffhilliard
Director Statement
I’m just a song and dance man.
THE FARMHOUSE, 15min,. Australia
Directed by Luke Creely
A young woman, living alone in an isolated rural farmhouse, is haunted one night by a mysterious entity which forces her to confront her inner demons and traumatic past.
https://instagram.com/_lcfilms
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I have always been drawn to slow-burn horror cinema in the mould of Michael Haneke from Austria. His early films are fascinating explorations of the human psyche. This has inspired me from the beginning of my career. I am also very interested in pain and trauma as key themes in my films. So, my aim was to make a Haneke-style horror film that immerses the viewer and makes them uncomfortable as they observe a character who is alone and grappling with PTSD from a past traumatic event.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Roughly twelve months, accounting for the scripting, crowdfunding, pre-production, production and post-production phases.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Immersive and unrelenting.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Crowdfunding is always a challenge. But I am very grateful to our incredible pledgers for helping us achieve our funding goal and making this film a reality.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
The audience feedback video was excellent because the members who spoke understood the film and my intentions as director. They “got it”. And this means that I did what I needed to do as director. Their interpretations were interesting to listen to as well.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
As a university undergraduate. I watched Picnic at Hanging Rock at a first-year film course at Monash University and fell in love with Australian cinema, horror cinema, and film in general. After that I started making films with my friends and learnt by getting out there and doing it.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Greg McLean’s Wolf Creek. I wrote my PhD on it. I know the film so well I could quote it verbatim – dialogue as well as each camera shot/angle.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Your festival is one of the best out there. Clear and fast communication, and so many incredible platforms and opportunities for filmmakers to have their work screened and promoted. You really look after your filmmakers. Other festivals should take a leaf out of your book.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
The platform is easy to navigate, and the interface is well-organised. It’s the go-to for filmmakers in the festival phase. FilmFreeway is great.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Mexican. Anything Mexican.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
I will be launching a horror podcast in the next couple of months where I will provide deep-dive textual and cultural analyses of different horror films and filmmakers. And there may be a film or two coming soon too, but I’ll remain tip-lipped on that for now.
Festival Reviews 