In search of lost time, 7min., USA Directed by Marta Renzi A man and a woman inhabit the same surreal location though not, apparently, at the same time. Marta Renzi directs this black-and-white meditation on memory and absence, joined by long-time collaborators Charles Caster-Dudzick (camera), as well as Aislinn MacMaster & David Thomson (performers). With a nod to the sound score for Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker and a location inspired by Joelle Bouvier and Regis Obadia’s La Chambre.
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Spelonk unfolds in a dystopian Cape Town in the year 2044, a world ravaged by climate collapse and social upheaval. At its heart is Dante, a disillusioned bounty hunter, grappling with the moral dilemmas of his task to hunt rebels fighting over scarce water supplies. His fateful encounter with Ophelia, a rebel leader with secrets that could change the world, sets the stage for a thrilling, emotional journey of redemption and revolution.
Inspired by South Africa’s “Day Zero” water crisis, the film’s themes resonate globally, addressing pressing issues like climate change, resource inequality, and moral leadership in times of crisis. Spelonk blends local folklore, steampunk aesthetics, and intense action to craft a narrative that is both culturally authentic and universally relevant.
Jeff Russo is one of the most talented musicians and composers working in the industry today. His list of credits in the last 9 years is loaded with successful TV series and movies. In the last 2 years alone his has composed for the series Bull, Legion, Counterpart, Star Trek: Discovery, Lucifer, and his Emmy winning work in Fargo. It was an honor chatting with him one afternoon in his office while he was taking a break.
Matthew Toffolo: Where were you born and raised? Was music something you always saw yourself doing as a career?
I was born and raised in New York City. As far as I can remember, I loved music and it became apparent to me that this was something I always wanted to do – to be a musician. From middle school on I was always playing in bands. It’s something I was better at than other things. I was better at music than math or science for example. And I loved it too! It was obvious very early on that this was what I was going to do.
Are you from a family of creative people and musicians?
My dad was in fashion. He died when I was very young so I’m not all that familiar with what exactly he did. My mom was a homemaker. Not a huge fan of music, but very supportive in my passion for it.
So you’re in high school – where did you think you were headed as a musician?
I always wanted to be in a Rock Band. Rock and Roll was my drive! I was in a band for 25 years. Only 9-10 years ago did I change careers and think about composing.
What was your first composing job? And how did you get the job?
In 2006, my band took a break from playing and I had to figure what I had to do with my life. A good friend of mine, Wendy Milette, was working on a couple of television shows and asked me to come by. I watched what they did for a bit, and then they asked me to come to work. Watching what they did got me intrigued and eventually they asked me to write music cues for them and from there I was hooked. I worked for them for about a year and a half and eventually I got hired as a composer for my first job which was a TV show called THE UNUSUALS. Then things took off from there.
Noah Hawley was the showrunner of that show, and also the showrunner/creator of the TV series FARGO. So you guys have a relationship?
Yes. Great one. He called me up in 2013 and said he’s doing a series based on the FARGO movie and told me I’m on board. Then we got to work.
How did you prepare for doing that show? Did you go back and watch the original film?
I didn’t see a need to. I just read the scripts and looked at the emotional places in the script. Saw that the same tone was involved.
You were nominated for an Emmy for best music composition for the first two years, and eventually won the Emmy last year for your work in season 3. What is the Emmy winning experience like?
It’s a feeling is disbelief. The Emmy sits on the shelf in my office and it’s a crazy reminder. The feeling going up there and accepting the award is hard to describe. That moment – incredible. People will now say to you, “You’re an Emmy winner”. People have that in their minds from now on. My peers acknowledged me. It’s an honor.
What are you currently working on right now as we speak?
Season #2 of LEGION. And a Mark Wahlberg film coming out this summer (MILE 22, directed by Peter Berg). It’s been a lot of fun working on that film.
Besides the films you’ve work on, watch move have you watched the most time in your life?
Empire Strikes Back. I’ve seen it over 40 times.
Is there a type of project that you would like to work on that you haven’t yet?
I’d like to work on a Western.
What advice do you have for people who would like to work as a composer some day in the industry?
Most important thing is for someone to create their own voice. We are all unique and original in our own way so we all have a voice. Find it. It’s the only way to move forward.
Submit your CRIME short story to the festival here, and we will automatically have it performed by a professional actor and turned into a promotional video for yourself.
Accept only stories that fit into the CRIME genre. A mystery story is a type of fiction that involves a crime or other event that remains a mystery until the end of the story. The main character, often a detective, works to solve the mystery by: Finding clues, Examining motives, Identifying suspects, and Using logical deduction.
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)
This festival has a guaranteed 4-tier set up for each accepted script. (No matter what, all screenplays submitted receive FULL FEEDBACK on their work.) 1) Full Feedback on your script 2) Actors performance video reading of your script 3) Blog interview promotion. 4) Podcast interview on the Film Festival ITunes show
Deadline for FANTASY/SCI-FI Film & Screenplay Festival:
Spelonk unfolds in a dystopian Cape Town in the year 2044, a world ravaged by climate collapse and social upheaval. At its heart is Dante, a disillusioned bounty hunter, grappling with the moral dilemmas of his task to hunt rebels fighting over scarce water supplies. His fateful encounter with Ophelia, a rebel leader with secrets that could change the world, sets the stage for a thrilling, emotional journey of redemption and revolution.
Inspired by South Africa’s “Day Zero” water crisis, the film’s themes resonate globally, addressing pressing issues like climate change, resource inequality, and moral leadership in times of crisis. Spelonk blends local folklore, steampunk aesthetics, and intense action to craft a narrative that is both culturally authentic and universally relevant.
Director Statement The world of Spelonk is one which we seldom see on screens. The beautiful Cape Town that we know and love, is transformed as the backdrop of the futuristic apocalyptic film. The population has been broken into tribes, clans, groups of people that stay together to survive, based on functional needs. Spelonk draws inspiration from diverse African cultures, languages, and topical matters. I love the African patterns, colours, and designs. Ancient weapons, diverse fighting styles, unique costumes and rich folk tales are the things I’m working with to create the distant world of Spelonk. It is exciting to create this action-packed futuristic movie, showing for the first time post-apocalyptic South Africa.
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ELIZA, 11min., USA Directed by Bianca Roth After hitting rock bottom, 23 year old MIA, updates her home AI system to help turn her life around. What start out as small “life improvements” slowly begin to control her.
C-grade SF Movie, 3min., South Korea Directed by Sangwook Ahn Scoffing at prophecies of alien invasion, it wasn’t a grand space fleet that drove humanity to the brink of extinction. It was the cataclysm of Earth itself – skies choked with volcanic ash, mutant viruses running rampant – and the AI’s ruthless biochip surveillance network strangling survivors in ruined cities.
The Dandelion Girl, 19min., Canada Directed by Rogan Loves Mark, a middle-aged man encounters a young, mysterious woman, while staying at his cabin, who claims to be a time traveler from the future. Over the course of a few days, Mark and the young woman, Julie, begin to form a budding romance with one another. Mark is unhappy in his life, in a stale marriage, where he goes through the motions of living and work.
The Red Market, 9min., USA Directed by Christopher Matthew Spencer Zephyr Sage, drowning in debt, turns to the Global Organ Donor Exchange to sell his body parts. Facing ruthless creditors and a manipulative loan shark, Hyacinth, he treads a perilous path where each choice could cost more than money.
The Voice of Fear, 5min., Brazil Directed by Henrique Arruda In how many worlds has your fear trapped you? This film may not give you an answer, but it’ll show you some of mine.
Harry loves Sandy and has planned “the big date” to propose, but between his twin, her twin, the guys from the Bobcat rugby team, Roxie, Linda, and One Eye’d Jacks, the world seems against it. Comedy.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
Physical therapist Harry Goodman meticulously plans a romantic evening to propose to his intelligent and vivacious girlfriend Sandy. But what should be a seamless night of fine dining and heartfelt commitment rapidly unravels into chaos as meddling rugby teammates, flirtatious coworkers, a jealous bouncer, and an unexpected armed robbery sidetrack every effort. With the engagement ring left behind and a police chase unfolding,
Harry and Sandy must navigate misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and family dysfunction—all while questioning how well they truly know each other. A raucous romantic comedy that careens through slapstick, screwball, and sincere emotional beats,
The Big Date asks whether true love can survive a night gone completely off the rails.
Submit your FAMILY film for FREE and get your film showcased on the Film Festival platform http://www.wildsound.ca for 48 hours. Award winners after the festival too!
NOW offering guaranteed acceptances for all submissions in 2025.
A showcase of the best of new family-driven movies and screenplays in the world today
FILM FESTIVAL:
Another option to submit: Each submitted film is guaranteed acceptance.
1) Screening #1, where you will also obtain your audience feedback video.
2) Screening #2 virtually on the streaming service WILDsound TV (optional)
3) Podcast interview at WILDsound Radio on ITunes
4) Blog interview promoting you and your film.
SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL:
1st Tier: FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay
2nd Tier: Garner a best scene of screenplay performed by professional actors and made into a promotional video.
Then (Tier #3), we will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your script.
Then after that (Tier #4), we will set up a podcast interview on our popular iTunes show where will we chat with you about the process of how the film was made.
So excited to be part of this festival. They were very helpful and encouraging. I especially love the feedback section and how quickly they communicate with you so you are right on top of it all. The festival offers valuable extras designed to boost your film’s visibility and reach a wider audience. It has so far been a very positive experience and highly recommend them. Thank you,
We feel greatly honoured to have been selected by Crime/Film Festival and granted an award. The whole experience was awesome and the Festival Team is really fantastic. Thanks again for your consideration and support
What a wonderful experience! The audience feedback was thoughtful and positive and the communication from the festival was top notch. The festival goes above and beyond in providing opportunities for exposure and promotion.
Festival Reviews 