Crisis Point, 3min., Romania Directed by Valentin Raileanu As a result of resource depletion, a virus outbreak stripping the afflicted of what makes them human and finally, war, humanity’s sovereignty has fallen. In dwindling numbers, the survivors have been driven out of their homes in the search for safety, while a former soldier travels through the toxic environment in search of a cure.
What motivated you to make this film? Valentin Raileanu, a talented and successful stuntman, fight choreographer, camera operator, and my mentor in this wonderful field, has always had a passion for filmmaking and a wealth of insane ideas to bring to life. This passion led him to explore the subtleties of being a film director. When he proposed the idea of a post-apocalyptic short to me, I immediately knew we had to do it. I fell in love with the concept of showcasing a violent and harsh reality as a consequence of human recklessness. It was also a great opportunity for me to put my newly learned stunt skills to the test. Since I was young, I’ve loved acting and dreamed of participating in film festivals with my own projects. Even though this isn’t our first project together, it is the first one we’re submitting to festivals.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Approximately 10 weeks in total, give or take a few days. Pre-production lasted 5 weeks (for choreography, camera rehearsal, and preview), followed by 1 week of shooting, and another 4 weeks for post-production (editing and FX).
Submit your HISTORICAL FICTION 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.
A historical fiction story is a fictional story that takes place in the past and incorporates details about the time period to achieve authenticity. These details can include social norms, customs, traditions, and manners. Historical fiction stories can include actual historical figures or events, but the people and their actions are invented by the author.
Garner FULL FEEDBACK on your crime/mystery novel by our committee of industry professionals. Get a transcript reading of your book performed by professional actors at the Crime/Mystery Festival and made into a promotional video for your novel.
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 TODAY: Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway:
IN-PERSON screenings and HYBRID Festival Mode: Entering its 9th year, the Toronto & Los Angeles Documentary Festival now gives filmmakers 5 tiers to showcase and promote their film. (All accepted films get all five tiers).
1) Screening #1: Where you will obtain your audience feedback video.
2) Screening #2: (optional) virtual festival (48-hour promotional showcase) on the film festival streaming service.
3) Screening #3 at a sold-out public screening at the Carlton Cinemas in Toronto OR the LA LIVE Regal Cinemas in downtown Los Angeles. (note: 3rd screening only for short films and also not guaranteed for the guaranteed submission option.)
4) Podcast interview at WILDsound Radio on ITunes
5) Blog interview promoting you and your film.
The first film festival screening gives you our award-winning audience feedback videos made for the short & feature films.
Since 2016, the FEEDBACK Film Festival has been showcasing the best of documentary short films. We now will be showcasing a documentary film festival every month in the heart of downtown Toronto at the Carlton Cinemas.
MAUTHAUSEN, 10min., Greece Directed by Panagiotis Kountouras, Aristarchos Papadaniel Swan song of the world-renowned Greek composer, freedom fighter and cultural icon Mikis Theodorakis (ZORBA, Z, Serpico). Resurrecting the memory of the concentration camp survivor and founder of the modern Greek post-war theatre Iakovos Kambanellis.
clipping. – Run It, 5min., USA Directed by Lawrence P. Klein Sub Pop Music Video – International Spy Game of Shadow characters and conspiracies set to the clipping. style of cyberpunk future,
I’m back, 4min., Ukraine Directed by Ilya Noyabrev “I’m back” is a heartfelt song about coming back home after a long absence. The singer reflects on the warmth and familiarity of her homeland, where every breath feels easier and every moment more meaningful. Through vivid imagery of maternal love and the embrace of the earth, the song captures the deep emotional connection to one’s roots, offering a sense of peace, freedom, and rediscovered desire for life.
Cabaré, 6min., Brazil Directed by Emerson de Lucca Brandt Drama, body, poetry. Dude São Thiago breathes new fire into brazilians João Bosco & Aldir Blanc’s classic “Cabaré”—a standout from his debut double album O Sexo do Vento. This isn’t just a cover—it’s a reinvention. A ritual. A reclamation.
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.
MAGICAL REALISM Short Story Festival (everyone wins):
Submit your MAGICAL REALISM Short Story to the Festival 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 MAGICAL REALISM genre. Magical realism stories feature fantastical elements that seem ordinary and blend into the story.The focus is on what the magical elements mean for the characters, rather than the elements themselves.
Literary fiction isa category of novels that prioritize style, character, and theme over plot.It’s often considered to be more serious than genre fiction, which is commercial fiction written for entertainment.
3 ways to submit: 1st chapter. full novel. performance reading.
I was fortunate enough to sit down with Art Director/Production Designer Jeremy Woolsey to chat about the world of film-making. Jeremy has worked in the Art Department on over 40 Hollywood productions including Vacation, Ouija, The Haunting in Connecticut 2, Pitch Perfect, Million Dollar Arm, Dirty Grandpa, and Bastard.
Matthew Toffolo: Film fans always get Production Design and Art Director mixed up, thinking they are the same position? Can you tell people what the difference is?
Jeremy Woolsey: The Production Designer is the head of the department and lays out the visual look of the film (along with the DP and Director). The Art Director runs the department and makes sure that vision is executed on time and on budget. Scheduling, budgeting and planning are all key components of the Art Director’s job.
Matthew: You’ve worked in the Art Department in over 40 productions in the last 10 years. Is there one or two films that you’re most proud of?
Jeremy: I am proud to be a part of the runaway hit “Pitch Perfect” .. That film has touched a great deal of people. And I think our work on “Million Dollar Arm” was rewarding.
Matthew: Who is your Art Director/Production Designer mentor?
Jeremy: Barry Robison …. I have worked with him seven times and he has helped me get to a different level of filmmaking.
Matthew: Is there is a Production Designer working today that you haven’t yet met that you’ve a big fan of?
Jeremy: Jack Fisk …. Legendary figure and craftsman. We have a really good mutual friend, so maybe one day.
Matthew: 5) As of this interview, the film “Dirty Grandpa” is premiering, a film you were the Art Director on. How was working on that production with the legendary Robert DeNiro?
Jeremy: I normally don’t get too excited about seeing an actor on set, but the first day he stepped on set it was pretty cool. Was in the presence of a living master even if the subject matter was a raunchy departure.
Matthew: How did you get started in the studio film Art Director world?
Jeremy: Was it something you always wanted to do, or did the job find you? I started in the music production business in the 90’s then transitioned into entertainment production in New York in the summer of 2001.
Matthew: If there is a case of getting type-Art Direction casted!, you might be with the comedy/road trip movie. Bastards. Dirty Grandpa. Vacation. Is there is distinct different when working on these films in comparison to a non-road trip movie?
Jeremy: Not really … maybe more exteriors. And larger signage.
Matthew: How about working on a film like “Million Dollar Arm”, where the majority of the film was set in India. Does an art director move with the main crew when there is a major location change?
Jeremy: In that case, I was handling the Atlanta portion and Mark Robins out of New Zealand handled India.
Matthew: What type of film would you LOVE to work on that you haven’t worked on yet?
Jeremy: I just started a period show set in the 60’s. Great story and great group of people, so it is a welcome departure.
Matthew: What film, besides ones that you have worked on, have you seen the most in your life?
Jeremy: Goodfellas
Matthew: How often to you re-watch the past films you’ve worked on? If you’re flipping through the channels late one night on a random Tuesday for example, and “Pitch Perfect” is on, do you watch?
Jeremy: Most of them aren’t the kind you would watch more than once, but if Pitch Perfect is on the screen I will give it a watch.
Matthew: In a typical studio film, how many crew members are on the Production Design team?
On the budget sizes I work on (20m to 45M) … We will generally have 10-12 in the office.
—- Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK DAILY Festival held online and in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.
Lakme, 1min., Mexico Directed by Paulina Daemmrich, Piotr Redlinski Gorgeousness, poetry and miracle of human body in motion. Evolving in spirals, dancing through spaces.
WHERE DEATH DWELLS, 14min., Canada Directed by Lee Levi Cochran A chance encounter with the daughter of one of her victims forces Undead Skye Wallace to confront the dark reality of her existence.
Yep, 6min., China In the fluidity of identity, we are always at risk of becoming outsiders—watching the world unfold from the margins, caught between belonging and detachment.
I love ABC, 4min., USA Directed by JIA WU Two girls, good friends. Side by side, room to room, they explore, invent, compete, confide. They remember being little and imagine being grown. They dream of horses. Their journey has begun.
This was the best festival we’ve entered! It is DEFINITELY filmmaker friendly, and knows exactly what we need to help get our work out there. The quality of the marketing materials/audience feedback we got was awesome as well. Thank God for LGBTQ+ Toronto & Los Angeles Film Festival!
Festival Reviews 