THE SNAKE, 5min., Canada
Directed by Elizabeth Lewis
The film is based on an Aesop Fable about a woman who takes pity on what she believes is a helpless snake. When the snake recovers from her care, the results are deadly. The visuals reflect the lively soul music which contrasts with the looming deadly climax.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Loved the song and thought it had great possibilities for humour while still expressing a deeper message.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

About six months

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Entertaining and lively

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Dealing with the technical aspects. I live far from my tech person.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

At first I was of course flattered that they liked the film and they all seemed to have a smile on their face. I was also glad that none of them gave away any of the gags and plot points “spoilers” . Thank you for that.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I was in my twenties when I first started animating. And I have always loved stories and telling stories.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I obsessively watch films over and over to the point that I memorize every line. Recently, though, I have been obsessed with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals
implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I think that you are doing a great job and I am so appreciative and grateful that you provide such insightful recorded feedback. One thing that concerns me about all the festivals is this. Is AI in any way used in the selection
process? If it is , I would like to know about it.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway is incredible. It is so easy to promote and submit films. I have been a member for many years and the odd time I have had a problem, it was dealt with immediately and solved.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Chinese food.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I only start a new film when I love with the concept, usually a song. I have also written several screenplays for live action. So my next project could be either animation or a script.

LOUDER THAN LATER, 5min., USA
Directed by Matt Jenkins
The film follows Mara and Juno as they try to save their favorite punk bar, The Rusty Needle, only to discover that the real enemy isn’t a villain; it’s apathy. Their fight becomes a funny reminder of what it means to care loudly in a world that is too comfortable being quiet.

https://www.instagram.com/misfits_of_film/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

“Louder Than Later” is my attempt to bottle the chaotic joy of being young, loud, and convinced your favorite dive bar is the center of the universe. Growing up, I was shaped equally by the punk scene and the kind of fast, clever dialogue that makes everyday conversations feel like verbal ping-pong. This movie is where those two influences finally meet.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

It took six months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Punk fast

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

My biggest obstacle was finding a bar that had the look I wanted that would be available when I planned to film.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was thrilled that the first and third person who spoke seemed to enjoy the movie. That was what we were aiming for.

I was a little disappointed the second person who spoke didn’t seem to get the movie and thought it was a part of a larger sketch comedy program. She said it was “choppy.” I intentionally made abrupt and quick edits to emulate the rough edge punk music scene and especially the no wave film scene that was prevalent in New York City during the early punk years. Now I didn’t expect people to go “Oh that reminds me of no wave filmmaking” but I wanted the audience to feel the rough edge scene that early punk was.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I never didn’t realize I wanted to make movies I have always wanted to make them.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

“The Adventures of El Frenetico and Go-Girl” and “Red Victoria.”

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

You guys do a great job.

9. You submitted to the festival via Film Freeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Film Freeway works. It might help to further develop the search tools.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Ice cream.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Yes! We are in preproduction for our next short movie tentatively titled “Split the Well.” It’s about an Oklahoma oil man who is confronted by two women who each claim to be his daughter and they want their inheritance now!

Duck & Cover, 4min., USA
Directed by Vincent Truman
Safety in schools has never been more important. Follow these easy instructions and make your education more fun than ever!

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Answer: “Duck & Cover” started as a ten-minute piece at a festival outside Portland, Oregon. I was so enthralled with the writing and performance that I tracked down the writer, Meg Wiles, and actor, Gabby Bosso, and basically begged them to let me turn it into a film. It was too good to just disappear into the creative ether.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Answer: Meg Wiles and I corresponded for a few months, throwing drafts back and forth to each other as we whittled the ten-minute stage piece down to a four-minute film. Once we agreed on the final product, it took about a month to gather Gabby and the crew into a rented classroom. So, short answer: four months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Answer: Duck, cover.

4. What was the greatest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Answer: renting the classroom. The paperwork took about as long as it took to shoot the film.

5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.

What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?

Answer: Development. Bouncing drafts of the film back and forth with the original author was a study in diplomacy, respect and desire to create something unique.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Answer: I used to do a lot of theater (directing, acting, writing, blah blah blah). As live and immediate as theater is, it does not last beyond the curtain call. I wanted more permanence.

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?

Answer: The Great Race, a (now) obscure broad and very silly comedy with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

Answer: Larry David or Christopher Guest.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?

Answer: it gives a lot of good experience in getting rejected.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Answer: somewhere between unagi/sushi and hot dogs from Costco.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Answer: I just finished what I think is a wonderful piece called Sex Doll, again starring Gabby Bosso, and am in the process of getting it rejected from various festivals worldwide.

My Proudest Moment, 5min., Australia
Directed by Imbi Männik
This independent micro-short documentary captures interviews with two trailblazers changing the narrative discourse in the area of disability in Australia, Tim Cahalan and Joanne Hatchard, through the sharing of their ‘proudest moment’.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
It first arose when I saw Tim Cahalan’s inspiring social media post “still one of my proudest moments” referencing his 2019 visit to Parliament House, Canberra Australia to raise awareness of being a victim to the Government’s robodebt scheme – Tim expands on this in the film and I’m so grateful & humbled that he, as well as other interviewee Joanne Hatchard, said yes and trusted me to share their stories. Joanne is an absolute powerhouse– I wanted to interview her from the moment I saw her present at an online conference about autistic females – her positive energy and laugh is infectious – you can feel it through the screen.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Being a micro-film it was a relatively quick turnaround. Thanks to the editors William & Dale, being timely and dedicated, we finished within a couple of weeks after shooting. Pre-planning, storyboarding & location scouting was several hours, shooting half a day, followed by over 8 hours editing. The portrait artist Ralph (who also happens to be my dad) drew Tim & Joanne in the film within a couple of hours of meeting them – so we were able to film the artist drawing them on same day shooting the interviews – a tight shooting schedule but we got it all done within half a day.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Authentically joyful.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Getting the editing ‘knives out’ and cutting back the film footage to under 5 minutes – both interviewees shared amazing insights and stories and there were so many gold nuggets…it was so hard to choose which parts to cut!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was absolutely floored by the positivity and beautiful film critiquing of the audience– thank you to those 3 audience members who went to the effort to record your insightful comments. What a cool experience it was to have an indie microfilm made in little old Adelaide South Australia be viewed & critiqued by an audience at a Festival in the US/Canada!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Over 8 years ago when I first made a little film on my mobile phone for a local film festival.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Jim Henson’s ‘The Labryrinth’ (with David Bowie & Jennifer Connelly) – a children’s classic!

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
If there’s any way to further assist with mentoring, education, support and funding for emerging indie filmmakers.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I’ve learned so much from using FilmFreeway for the first time over the course of this year – it’s a great platform for becoming acquainted with film festivals not only locally but around the world, networking and getting your work seen out there – including finding festivals that will support & spotlight emerging indie filmmakers (particularly if your film has an extremely low budget!).

10. What is your favorite meal?
I love the fresh local seafood in South Australia – anything with prawns or lobster in it!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Hopefully this time next year I’ve made another documentary, interviewed a few more trailblazers; shining a light on inclusivity, disABILITY, resilience and overcoming adversity (already have some ideas brewing!).

DON’T BE AFRAID, 1min., Germany
Directed by Brian J. Rassmann
A painter suffers from sleep paralysis.

https://www.instagram.com/brian_bass_dop/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
This started as a small proof of concept for a bigger film I want to make, originally around 15 to 20 minutes. I first imagined it as a kind of poetry film, but the more I sit with it, the more I see it becoming a narrative short.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take?
I wrote the script and showed it to my friends. They liked it, so we just went for it and shot the whole thing in a friend’s studio in a single day. All in all it was about three days of work, counting prep and post.

3. How would you describe your film in two words?
Sleep paralysis.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Since I live with sleep paralysis myself, the hardest part was actually getting myself to write about it in the first place, and then to start collecting those first impressions on Pinterest for a moodboard.

5. What were your initial reactions to the audience feedback video?
It was really nice to see people getting pulled in and finding it gripping, especially for a film that’s only a minute long. And it was fascinating to hear what people read into it.

6. When did you realize you wanted to make films?
I started studying at 19, but back then I still had other goals. My real fire for film was lit about two years ago by a very good friend of mine. He and I are actually shooting a feature right now that we’ve split into six short films.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Probably something like the Bourne movies, Johnny English, or Lammbock (a German comedy).

8. What other elements of the festival experience could we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help further your career?
Honestly, I was already really happy with how friendly and professional the festival was. These video feedbacks are a lovely touch and worth their weight in gold. I haven’t come across that at other festivals.

9. How was your experience working on FilmFreeway?
Very smooth and uncomplicated.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Just a relaxed breakfast with fresh rolls a friend of mine bakes himself.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Alongside the six short films we’re shooting right now, I’ve written a script for a dark action comedy. It’ll be a 25-minute film that we’re planning to shoot in November. It’s inspired by films like Bourne, Johnny English, and The Naked Gun – and it’ll have some horror elements too.

HAVE A BANANA with The Jive Aces, 4min., UK
Directed by Kevin Short
Have a Banana is a song that features in the award-winning film Bonnie & Clive, this is a swing version cover from the UK’s top swing band The Jive Aces.

https://www.instagram.com/k4kfilms

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

‘Have a Banana’ is a song that features in our feature film ‘Bonnie & Clive’, and we wanted to make a single of the song to promote the film. So, the perfect band to cover the song was the UK’s top swing band ‘The Jive Aces’ who just happen to wear trademark yellow suits – perfect attire for our fun banana song. It then seemed right to film the recording, and add some direct quotes from the film, about the benefits of the banana. We also extended the filming to outside shots, and a scenario which, again, reflected some of the spirit of the ‘Bonnie & Clive’ feature.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

With a comprehensive prep and a strict schedule, both the recording of the song and the filming of the video was accomplished in one day, with a small crew of three. Postproduction (Edit/colorizing/sound design/graphics) was completed over one week. From idea to execution and final product, was a period of approximately one month.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Banana Karma!

4. What was the greatest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

As it was filmed in one day, with various interior and exterior shots, and the weather was ever-changing throughout the day, we had to take the opportunity to shoot outside whenever it wasn’t raining. This, of course, meant stopping anything we were trying to do inside, and quickly setting up outside. We had to do this a few times, and it was only the good spirits of all involved that allowed us to get it all done before sunset.

5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.

What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?

Having a trio of roles as Writer/Director/Producer, I have to say all stages are exciting, bar the stress of distribution. I guess the three most enjoyable moments are: writing & finishing the screenplay/shooting & wrapping the film/finalizing the edit. Not forgetting, seeing it on the big screen for the first time.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I went to see a double-bill of Hal Hartley’s ‘Trust’ and ‘Simple Men’ and came out wanting to make movies. I had been working in the industry as an actor/writer, and knew a wealth of talent within the profession, and wanted to put a repertory of both performers and crew together, a little like Hartley did. Fortunately, over the past 15years, I have managed to keep a lot of those same people on board. So, many thanks to them, for all we’ve achieved.

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?

Arthur Penn’s ‘Bonnie & Clyde’.

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

Being mainly UK-based, having worked with him in the theatre, Sir Richard Eyre would be my first choice.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?

I have had many successful experiences via FilmFreeway. There have been occasional festivals that have not conducted themselves well, and on these occasions FilmFreeway have stepped in and done the right thing.

10. What is your favorite meal?

An authentically cooked Chinese pork/chicken rice dish, with dim sum dumplings on the side.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

We are currently looking to get worldwide distribution of our feature ‘Bonnie & Clive’, following a recent short UK cinema release. Plus, we have a few other features which we are intending to redistribute. Otherwise, a film version of a hit stage show we did, a Goth Cinderella musical, and a very alternative Christmas film musical, are both on the burner.

27 YEARS OLD, 1min., Belgium
Directed by Sandrine Lambert
A vivid memory of 2001, when I was 27, captured in just one minute (everything turned out fine 🙂

Get to know the filmmaker:

27 years – Sandrine Lambert

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Every morning I write down a memory. To do so, I try to truly relive it, to bring the details back to mind. This super short film originated from one of my pieces.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

This film is only one minute long; I worked on it for about a month. I work entirely alone, which allows me to work very intuitively and directly.
At a certain point, I see something in what I wrote down. Then I start brainstorming about the visuals. Next, I create a script board and start looking for music (I also always play the piano for my own films). After that, the drawing begins; that is the biggest part of the work. This film contains about 130 hours of drawing. As I go along, new ideas come to me, which I add to my script board. After drawing, I animate, record or find foley sounds, and then edit.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Very analog

4. What was the greatest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I find making a film nothing but enjoyable. When the film is finished, I see everything that could have been better. That is always quite a lot 🙂 I take some time to evaluate and take my own feedback with me to my next film project.

5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.
What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?

Production. Making the film, just being in my world and creating a world of my own, is incomparable to anything.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

For 25 years, I was busy writing and illustrating children’s books. But I have always had a passion for film as well. However, that seemed less feasible, as I have no formal training.

Nevertheless, I have also been creating very simple stop-motion animations for over ten years. I made these to promote my books.

When my son started studying animation, I felt that making a film can resemble making a book. I decided to really do it my way, with the (admittedly substantial) experience I have. I also had to learn new skills, which makes it even more interesting. But I feel that what I do is truly close to my heart.
Going to the movies and film festivals often motivates me enormously; I love this world.

7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?

The Cook, the Thief, his Wife, and her Lover (by Peter Greenaway)

8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?

If I could: Aki Kaurismäki 🙂 I love the atmosphere of his films, and his way of working.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?

Very good! It is a lot of work to find festivals that fit what you do, but everything is well organized.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Vegetarian ramen

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am currently working on an erotic film about people my age (50+). In my paper-cut style, I hope to create something that is lighthearted, even a bit childlike, but that also touches and conveys a message.

https://www.instagram.com/avondroodboeken

Zayn struggles under the weight of mounting professional and emotional expectations. Unexpectedly trapped on a rooftop before a decisive meeting, he finds himself face to face with Frank, an older man haunted by regret. What begins as a chance encounter forces Zayn to confront the cost of suppressing his vulnerability, leading him to question the definition of strength he has always lived by.

Review by Julie C. Sheppard:

Heartfelt exploration of humanity is on full display in the soulful short, You’ll Be A Man, My Son. It is able to fluidly recount several intertwined storylines. With each of these storylines, a character is struggling with a feeling of deep discontent with a current life situation due to regretful choices.

The performances of the cast members are superb, especially the three central male characters — a man fighting against the need for violent retribution, an engaged man plagued with being a workaholic, and a father who is estranged from his daughter due to his past mistakes. The performances show strong character arcs as they express their regrets intensely but then feel much more empowered after experiencing passionate release.

The various locations, such as residential homes, a city park, and even a rooftop view, all support the narrative showing modern day living, in this case infused with angst. A poignant soundtrack elevates the tender, emotionally charged scenes. Eventually and fortunately, the film grants the audience a satisfying resolution, where humanity’s equilibrium is restored.

CLIP from WILDsound Podcast EP. 1847: Screenwriter Maria Skillings (Echoes of Erdington)

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

CLIP from WILDsound Podcast: EP. 1877: Mark Mori (Baristas vs. Billionaire)

—

Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.