Watch THE LAST CHRISTMAS. 12min., Canada, Horror/Comedy (new film on the platform)

Sign up for the FREE 3-DAY trial using the link, or go to http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch the festival here: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-the-last-christmas

A mischievous 8-year-old girl unleashes a twisted Christmas nightmare, when her plans to capture Santa Claus go horribly wrong.

Summary: ‘Tis the night before Christmas and all is peaceful. That is until High School Cheerleader, Kirsten, is awoken in the middle of the night by her mischievous 8-year-old sister, Alice. Teased at school for still believing in Santa, Alice’s plan to capture the mythical gift giver and prove his existence has gone horribly wrong. The living room is trashed and Santa lies dead amidst a gruesome Christmas crime scene! The girls argue over their predicament, but Alice has a plan and convinces her older sister they must work together to get rid of the evidence and bury the body before anyone finds out they killed Christmas! As the girls struggle to drag Saint Nick’s carcass across the back yard, they are pleasantly surprised to find he is still alive! But just as things are starting to look up for the trouble-making sisters, they soon discover that Santa Claus isn’t quite the beloved character we’ve all grown up to believe.

http://www.thelastchristmasfilm.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thelastxmasfilm

Director Statement

Growing up in England during the 80s and 90s, I was very much a product of the American Pop Culture invasion of the time. With a particular affinity for Hollywood Cinema, as a young lad, I dreamt of emulating my heroes, such as Marty McFly, Ray Stantz, Fievel and The Goonies. When one fateful night, at just 8 years of age, two friends introduced me to a whole new world of cinematic wonders with horror classics, such as The Lost Boys (1987) The Monster Squad (1987) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984). I was instantly drawn to the conflicting allure of the horror genre and thus my passion for film-making and the desire to tell my own stories of the macabre was confirmed.

With such romantic beginnings I wanted my short film debut to be a love letter to the very 80s and 90s horror and adventure movies that inspired me as an artist and as an individual. I’m sure, like all writer/directors, I was eager for an original idea that would be appealing and entertaining for a wide audience, while also allowing me to showcase my own style of visual storytelling with emphasis on character, performance, dialogue, theme and expressive lighting. Fortunately, the concept for The Last Christmas hit me like that of the Flux Capacitor to Doctor Emmett Brown, and despite no prior affinity for the festive season, I was immediately drawn to the darker themes of Christmas, such as greed, jealousy and vanity; commonly suppressed or sugar-coated during the festivities, studying these themes, along with the opportunity to explore preconceived notions and characters in unique ways would help ensure The Last Christmas is not only an original and appealing entry into a sub-genre starving of horror content, but an original and appealing entry into the horror genre as a whole.

Today’s Podcast: EP. 1583: Screenwriter Ryan Armstrong (SADDLED WITH)

Watch the best scene reading: https://youtu.be/biuPP3yLUY4

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

A gunslinger is hired to rescue and return a young person to their family despite all outlaws, odds, and attire.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Western, Action, Drama

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I believe, especially now, that understanding, listening, and accepting are something we need to get back to doing. Whatever form/medium necessary to push that, might be helpful.

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch SUGAR BEACH feature (LGBTQ+ Festival winner) (in case you missed it)

Watch the festival now by signing up for the FREE 3-DAY trial using the link, or go to http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch Festival: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/sugar-beach-feature-lgbtq-festival-winner

Rosalyn, a wealthy and talented high school senior, grapples with immense grief after the loss of her brother in a surfing accident. The void left behind by his absence consumes her, and she begins a descent into addiction—alcohol becoming her solace as she numbs the pain and confusion. Amidst her downward spiral, she finds herself in a complex relationship with two other people, Isaac, and Emma. Drawn to the comfort and sweetness of their affection, the throuple provides a fleeting sense of escape, but Rosalyn’s internal struggle with grief and substance abuse complicates her search for self-love, growth, healing and identity.

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Directed by Noely Mendoza
Written by Zoe Manzotti

Cast: Zoe Manzotti, Kelli Garner, Michael Landes, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson

Director Statement
I was immediately drawn to the story of two young women who refuse to wait for permission or apologize for their desires. In a culture that pressures young people, especially women, to suppress their sexuality and conform to rigid expectations, watching these characters take control felt both powerful and necessary. Their boldness in pursuing what they want becomes an act of rebellion against societal constraints.

The setting became equally important to the narrative. California’s Spanish Colonial architecture carries a haunting beauty built on histories we collectively refuse to acknowledge. The grand estates of places like Rancho Palos Verdes function as fortresses of privilege: stunning yet exclusionary. I wanted these structures to operate as characters themselves, gorgeous but subtly menacing, reflecting the beautiful facades that often mask darker truths.

At its core, this film explores how the throuple evolves into a chosen family. When traditional family structures and societal institutions fail to provide the love and acceptance young people desperately need, they must forge their own networks of care and support. These three characters discover something authentic together: a way of loving and supporting each other that surpasses the hollow relationships they witness in the adult world around them.

Stylistically, we employed handheld cinematography inspired by verité techniques and my background in documentary filmmaking. Multiple perspectives unfold simultaneously, creating an intimate, unguarded viewing experience. Rather than observing from a distance, audiences discover these pivotal moments alongside the characters, fostering deeper emotional connection and authenticity.

This story feels particularly urgent in our current moment. Young people are actively redefining love, relationships, and family structures while traditional institutions crumble around them. In an era defined by uncertainty and upheaval, the most radical act might simply be creating your own version of home: building the love and stability that the world has failed to provide.

Watch Today’s FREE Festival: Winning LGBTQ+ Festival Shorts

Watch the festival at 8PM EST FOR FREE by signing up for the FREE 3-DAY trial using the link, or go to http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch today’s Festival: https://www.wildsound.ca/events/winning-lgbtq-festival-shorts

AT ARM’S LENGTH, 5min. USA
Directed by August Broussard
When a neurotic teen asks his best friend to break his arm for prescription meds, what starts as a twisted favor spirals into an absurd test of loyalty — with consequences neither of them is quite prepared for.

https://instagram.com/augustvbroussard

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-at-arm-s-length



JIMBO: BIG TOP, 3min., USA
Directed by Brad Hammer
https://www.instagram.com/jimbothedragclown

https://www.instagram.com/jimbothedragclown

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-jimbo-big-top



STEALING ASH, 13min., USA
Directed by Frances Capel
After their best friend dies, four best friends plan a heist to steal their ashes and take them on a final joyride for the send off they deserve.

https://instagram.com/campyatc

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feeedback-stealing-ash

Deadline Today (Sept. 12th): TRAGIC COMEDY Stage Play Festival

Submit via Submittable: https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/331393/tragic-comedy-stage-play-writing-contest-get-play-performed-by-professional-acto

This festival contest is brought to you by the Festival for Comedy: http://www.festivalforcomedy.com 

I have to really thank the actors for my reading, nothing short of terrific as they were, nothing short of incredibly smart, attractive, and perceptive as they were. They brought the script to life.  – F. Maffai

FULL FEEDBACK on your stage play from our committee of Professional Playwriters, Production Heads and Story Consultants. Get a best scene of your stage play performed at the writing festival and made into a video for the winner.

Submit your 10 Page Play, 1 Act Play, or Full Stage Play to the Festival.

Deadline Today (Sept. 12th) FANTASY/SCI-FI Novel Festival

Submit your Novel on the Festival page: https://fantasyscififestival.com/fantasysci-fi-novel-festival/

SAVE $50 off the regular submission for full novel submissions. Garner FULL FEEDBACK on your novel by our committee of industry professionals. Get a transcript of your novel performed by professional actors at the Fantasy Sci-Fi Festival Festival.

NEW OPTION: 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)

 

UPCOMING Novel Festival Deadlines:

13th – LGBTQ+ NOVEL CONTEST

14th – COMEDY NOVEL CONTEST

15th – DYSTOPIAN NOVEL CONTEST

16th – PARANORMAL NOVEL CONTEST

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17th – LITERARY FICTION NOVEL CONTEST

18th – CRIME/MYSTERY NOVEL CONTEST

19th – HISTORY NOVEL CONTEST

20th 

Deadline Today (Sept. 12th): FEMALE Writers Short Story Festival

Submit your short story on the festival page: https://femalefilmfestival.com/female-writers-short-story-festival/

Submit your FEMALE Written 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 are written by female writers.

UPCOMING Short Story Deadlines:

13th – BIOGRAPHY SHORT STORY

BIOGRAPHY Short Story Festival (everyone wins) – April 13th deadline

14th – RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY SHORT STORY

RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY Short Story Festival (everyone wins) – Deadline April 14th

15th – HORROR SHORT STORY

16th – EXPERIMENTAL SHORT STORY

17th – MAGICAL REALISM SHORT STORY

MAGICAL REALISM Short Story Festival (automatic acceptance) – Deadline March 17th

18th – HISTORICAL FICTION SHORT STORY

HISTORICAL FICTION Short Story Festival (automatic acceptance) – Deadline March 18th

19th – MYSTERY SHORT STORY

MYSTERY Short Story Festival (automatic acceptance) – Deadline April 19th

20th – SPORTS SHORT STORY

https://sportsfilmfestival.video/sports-short-story-festival/embed/#?secret=vraNwLHkjX#?secret=6BrrJOUpSJ

Deadline Today (Sept. 12th): ANIMATION Feedback Screenplay Festival

Submit your Animation Screenplay on the Festival page: https://feedbackanimationfestival.com/

Submit your Animation Short or Feature Film and get it showcased at the FEEDBACK Film Festival. 10 film festival dates a year held in Los Angeles and Toronto.

Screenplay Festivals occur every single month. Submit your animation geared script.

FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay from our committee of Professional Screenwriters, Production Heads and Script Consultants. Get your entire script performed at the writing festival. SUBMIT your FEATURE, TV or SHORT SCREENPLAY.

Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation. Looking for screenplays from all over the world.

UPCOMING Screenplay Festival Deadlines:

13th – LGBTQ+ Screenplay Festival
https://lgbttorontofilmfestival.com/lgbtq-screenplay-festival/

14th – COMEDY Screenplay Festival
https://festivalforcomedy.com/comedy-screenplay-festival-contest/

15th – ROMANCE Screenplay Festival
https://festivalforromance.com/

16th – DYSTOPIAN Screenplay Festival
https://thrillersuspensefestival.com/dystopian-screenplay-festival/

17th – DIVERSITY Screenplay Festival
https://storypitches.com/diversity/

17th – PARANORMAL Screenplay Festival
https://fantasyscififestival.com/paranormal-screenplay-festival/

18th – FIRST Scene Screenplay Festival
https://firstscenescreenplay.com/

19th – FANTASY/SCI-FI Screenplay Festival
https://fantasyscififestival.com/

20th – HISTORY Screenplay Festival
https://documentaryshortfilmfestival.com/history-screenplay-festival/

21st – ACTION/ADVENTURE Screenplay Festival
https://actionadventurefestival.ca/deadlines/

22nd – BLACK Writers Screenplay Festival
https://blackfeedbackfilmfestival.com/black-screenwriters-festival/

23rd – SCIENCE & NATURE Screenplay Festival
https://environmentalfestival.com/science-and-nature-screenplay-festival/

Today’s 5 STAR FilmFreeway Testimonial: EXPERIMENTAL/DANCE/MUSIC Festival

Deadline Today to Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway:

The Experimental, Dance & Music Film Festival provided a truly supportive experience for my project Demons. The communication was clear and professional, and the submission process was smooth and easy to navigate. I appreciated how the festival highlighted unique voices in poetry and experimental film, giving space for projects that might not fit into traditional categories.

It was exciting to see my work recognized and included, and I felt that the organizers genuinely cared about celebrating creativity and artistic risk-taking. This is a festival that values innovation and authenticity, and I would definitely recommend it to other filmmakers exploring experimental or cross-genre storytelling.

September 2025 Film Freeway Testimonials for the ACTION/CRIME/MYSTERY Festival

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,

Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway:

The Action/Crime/Mystery Film & Screenplay Festival is definitely worth your time! They provide invaluable resources for filmmakers, and they also are very helpful while recognizing your work. I recommend.


I can’t express how glad I am that I submitted to The Action/ Crime/ Mystery Film & Screenplay Festival! It’s been a fantastic experience all around! The format and organization make it streamlined and simple to participate in, they offer benefits that I’ve never seen at other festivals, and their process and assessment are well-rounded and fair. This will be my go-to festival from here on out!


Great festival! Very quick to respond and give feedback. It was a pleasure to be a part of and be selected. Thank you!


Great festival that transmits a good feeling!! Thank you!!