Performed by Val Cole
Month: July 2025
FEMALE Festival 1st Scene Reading: HUMDRUM, by Daniela Di Salvo
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Geoff Mays
Gloria: Hannah Ehman
Esther: Val Cole
FEMALE Festival Best Scene: BITTER, by Jesse Speer
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Sean Ballantyne
Willow: Val Cole
Gert: Hannah Ehman
Action/Adventure Best Scene: SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, by Dara Sanandaji, Jeffrey Mulrain
Jay and Dollar seems like regular guys who hang out in hookah bars, however, these guys possess a special set of skills that will help the government get to the bottom of a terrorist threat.
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Hannah Ehman
Jay: Shawn Devlin
Dollar: Sean Ballantyne
Action/Adventure Best Scene Script: ONCE UPON A TIME IN SPACE, Darryl Mansel & Joshua Bishop
CAST LIST:
Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Broadcaster: Shawn Devlin
Old Gemini: Sean Ballantyne
Short Film Review: Can’t Stop, A Star Trek Fan Production
The starship USS Greenwich Village, commanded by Captain Glenn Dirk, is sent to the Deneb system, historically known as the site of Captain Picard’s first contact with the mysterious and powerful being Q. The crew expects a peaceful scientific mission, full of exploration, discovery, and data collection. Newly appointed First Officer Felipe Scott, descendant of the famous Montgomery Scott, brings a fresh approach to planning and enthusiasm for space exploration.
Project Links
Written & Directed by Radek Belina
Review by Victoria Angelique:
CAN’T STOP is more than just a STAR TREK fan film, it’s a tribute to the classic television show and the band, The Village People. This is a fun film that shows what the true love of fandoms means, to honor that which inspires.
The majority of fan films are disappointing when it comes to graphics. This film was careful to use high quality graphics for the spaceship and outer space itself. It didn’t look like it was made 40 years ago, as it was clear the filmmaker took time to make the graphics cinematic quality.
The costumes give to the amazing tribute that the filmmaker and cast gave to STAR TREK and The Village People. They appear to be carefully designed so that they honor both the show and the band when it is appropriate throughout the film.
The story itself is one that people can relate to, whether or not that are STAR TREK fans. The idea of being forced to take a vacation, whether or not you have time, and then still being forced to work during the mandated time off. The Captain on this ship is still being ordered to complete reports, even though he and his entire crew were ordered to take several months off. This is a theme all too common in the real world, which is stressful and makes this film relatable to anyone in the adult world.
This film, CAN’T STOP, really is the perfect tribute to STAR TREK and The Village People. It shows the love for both through song and dance while telling a story that everyone can enjoy.
Short Film Review: The Golem of Gabirol. Animation. Directed by Olga Volozova
My puppet film “The Golem of Gabirol” follows the legends about Solomon Ibn Gabirol (XI century, Andalusia, Spain), famous Hebrew poet and philosopher who allegedly created the female golem, for the sake of love…It i is a dramatic story that deals with the mysteries of the Creation and human existence. It has been told from the point of view of the young Andalusian girl.
Review by Victoria Angelique:
The animated film, THE GOLEM OF GABIROL, gives praise to vintage storytelling that takes the viewer back in time. The story feels like a parable that comes straight from scripture, complete with the soothing narration with the voice of a grandmother telling children her tale. It’s easy to sit back and just be swept away as the story takes flight.
This film takes from Jewish folklore, combining an allegorical tale to retell the familiar creation story of Adam and Eve. The surface story is a woman spotting a man forming a puppet from clay that looks just like her and the woman comes to life. She thinks the man loves this clay woman and is confused over his affections to her. It becomes clear of the allegory to Adam and Eve when figs are picked from a tree, symbolizing the tree of life.
The whimsical songs that are interspersed throughout the animated film are typical of Jewish culture, but it keeps the attention of the viewer. This is especially true if children are to pay attention and learn from the story. The song at the end is what really ties the surface story to the allegory of Adam’s affections for Eve and Lilith. This would make even the youngest viewer realize what they saw, enhancing their education of metaphors without needing the definition.
The vintage animation style is one rarely seen anymore, but it feels right for this particular story. It feels like scripture coming to life, as if flipping pages. It’s a simple paper animation, with little movement of the character’s on the screen as if reading from a picture book. It’s classic and works when telling stories of religious nature.
Feature Film Review: THE BOX TRAP. Directed by Meg Poveromo
The world of a blissfully detached woman turns upside down when she’s forced to adjust to the ordinary life that exists beyond working at an off-the-wall lesbian bar, and its rivalry with the gay club across the street.
Project Links
Review by Andie Kay:
Setting out to do a full length feature film is no easy task. It takes a village of very dedicated people to make a story come to life. Meg Poveromo was the writer, director and the leading character of this one hour and twenty-five minute comedy surrounding the LGBTQ community.
The coloring and cinematography by William Rubini was beautifully done and VisualKights did a great job with the visual effects. I enjoyed the creative way they did the phone call conversation at the start of the film. But I am getting a bit ahead of myself…
Meg Poveromo plays Jess, a selfish and self absorbed bartender at The Box Trap, a lesbian only dive bar. Meg did a great job as an actress in this role, her performance felt organic and realistic even though it can be difficult to identify with this style of anti-hero character because there are no redeemable qualities. Meg had this ability to make you want to like Jess.
The cast of characters range from wacky to wonderful in this farcical comedy where the filmmakers push the comedic boundaries into a raunchy, over the top romp. The storyline had great elements with the dominatrix who was once married to the rival bar owner. Each character seemed really well thought out and had their own likeability factor. I found myself holding out hope that Jess gets this character arc where we see her grow and understand the error of her ways but it didn’t come across that way in the end.
However, I did see so much potential in the storyline of wanting to save the dive bar from going out of business and I wish that was more the main focal point of the plot. The ending felt a bit rushed to me instead of a deliberate twist. Regardless, The Box Trap is a playful, naughty ride with a ton of heart that will undoubtedly entertain.
Emmy Winning Make-Up Artist Paul Engelen (Game of Thrones)
Paul Engelen is is 2 time Emmy winner, and 2 time Oscar nominated Makeup artist. He has worked on some of the greatest/most successful films and TV shows in the last 40 years, including: Game of Thrones (2 Emmy wins), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Oscar nomination), The Legend of Tarzan (Oscar nomination), Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (dir. George Lucas), Gladiator (dir. Ridley Scott), Munich (dir. Steven Spielberg), Batman (dir. Tim Burton) and Reds (dir. Warren Beatty).
Many have stated that his makeup design for Nicole Kidman on “The Hours” is the key reason for her Oscar Win for Best Actress (see pic below). The same can be said for his work on Renée Zellweger for her Oscar Win on “Cold Mountain”. How those films received zero Oscar nominations for Makeup is still a mystery.
It was an honor to chat with Paul Engelen and talk about his art:
Matthew Toffolo: You’ve worked on over 80 Productions as a Makeup Artist in the last 45 years. Do you have a favorite experience?
Paul Engelen: Every new project presents challenges, experiences and memories. I would say I have been extremely lucky to have had a very wide variety and range of projects to work on. I suppose if pressed, I would mention working on ‘Empire of the Sun” and ‘Star Wars, The Phantom Menace’ to be particular highlights, but I would also name “Pink Floyd, The Wall’ to be a fascinating experience. My present project for NBC, directed by Tarsem Singh; ‘The Emerald City’ is proving just as interesting though!
PHOTO: Paul with Director George Lucas on ‘Star Wars: The Phantom Menace’:
MT: Is there a type of story/film that you would love to work on that you haven’t worked on yet? Or have you covered all of your bases?
PE: I think I have covered most bases! Contemporary stories to science fiction, several medieval themes which I must admit, is probably my favourite genre. I’d love to do a ‘western’, directed by someone like Tarantino!
MT: You’ve won 2 Emmys (for Game of Thrones) and have been nominated for 2 Oscars. Does winning or losing mean a lot to you? Or it is really just about the film?
PE: It’s great being nominated, but winning is a blast!! It means your peers think your work is worthy.
MT: What is the main job being the Makeup Department Head on a production?
PE: Well, I would say, it’s about all the aspects of the running a department. Putting a crew together that would be the best for the production. The conversations and collaboration with director, production and costume designers are all paramount in going into production.
PHOTO: Paul with Director/Actor Clint Eastwood on ‘White Hunter, Black Heart’:
MT: What has been your most difficult job and/or production to date?
PE: Movies generally have a specific format regarding the production structure, which is the area I come from, so it was quite a shock when ‘Game of Thrones” came my way, and I had to put my mind to working on 10 scripts, with two, sometimes three separate units shooting in different countries at the same time! Very testing. Since then, I am being offered more of this type of production, which, although very challenging, I do find stimulating.
MT: You’ve worked on many fantasy and action movies/TV shows. Is there a reason why you seem to love working in these genres?
PE: Again, I have been very lucky in the type of productions that has been offered to me. I am comfortable with the larger type of production with big name directors, irrespective of genres. Often the actors can be a contributing influence on the reason for working on a particular project.
MT: How has the makeup department changed from 35 years ago to today?
PE: I don’t think things have changed much over the years. It has always been ‘challenging’ to put creative people together for months on end, and hope that the peace can be maintained!! I like to think people who work with me look forward to getting together on shows!
PHOTO: Paul with actor Val Kilmer on ‘The Saint’:
MT: Besides the films you’ve worked on, what movie have you seen the most in your life?
PE: I still absolutely adore watching Gregory Peck in ‘Moby Dick’, which, incidentaly had Charlie Parker as the Makeup Designer, who was one of the finest artists in our profession. Such a wonderful film.
MT: Do you have any advice for high school and university students who want to work makeup in the film industry?
PE: It’s a tough business to be in, but incredibly rewarding when you see your work up there on display. – and to be honest, there is a certain amount of luck involved with getting work in the first place, but perseverance and striving to be the best is essential.
PHOTO: Paul with actor Mel Gibson on “Mutiny on the Bounty’.:
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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.
PHOTO: Nicole Kidman transforms via makeup in “The Hours”:
Watch Today’s FREE Film Festival: DOC Feature Film: Depth Nomads – Kazakhstan
FREE festival starts at 8pm EST tonight at http://www.wildsound.ca/browse
Watch the festival here: https://www.wildsound.ca/events/doc-feature-film-depth-nomads-kazakhstan
Watch over 480 award winning short films now: https://www.wildsound.ca/watch-award-winning-short-films-1
Depth Nomads – Kazakhstan, 78min., France
Directed by Arnaud Palu
Laurent was once an elite French judoka. In 2008, he participated in the Beijing Olympics, carrying the hopes of a nation only to walk out moments later, defeated in his first fight. What followed wasn’t just the end of a match, but the quiet burial of a dream. He gave up on judo, silenced by shame, convinced that failure defined him. When we invited him to join us in the forgotten steppes of Kazakhstan, he accepted, not to return to the sport, but to finally confront the part of himself he had abandoned.
https://www.instagram.com/depth.nomads/
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-depth-nomads
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