A Princess’s Plea, 8min., USA Directed by Brooke Thornton, Madison Hubler Princess Circe awaits in her tower when Vince Davenport, crown prince of a rich kingdom, comes to claim her as his wife. But with the beast left unslain and the princess left unimpressed, Vince’s quest takes a dark and unexpected turn.
I have always loved dragons since I was a little girl. That is what originally drew me to the realm of fantasy, and when I discovered Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, my world shifted. It was the equivalent of a comic book kid seeing his favorite superhero come to life on screen. I had an epiphany: That is the kind of character I want to play. Being a ‘dragon queen’ became a self-proclaimed part of my identity, and it shifted the way I moved through the world. It gave me confidence and strength- to put myself out there and claim my place. I felt this creative fire inside me, pushing me to write a story that would bring that dream to life. When the idea came to flip a well-known trope on its head, nothing could stop me. All this to say, the story came from deep within my soul. I created it for myself, and everything that comes after is just the cherry on top to one of the best things I’ve done in my life.
From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The film took about one year to make. The writing and filming process went by pretty quickly. I had a very clear vision going in and knew exactly what story I wanted to tell. The bulk of the time was spent with the editor, watching over his shoulder, nit-picking each second, and then working up the courage to actually show it to people when it was finished.
We loved how this festival operates! We entered our film, Sanguine Deposit, and we were thrilled to screen with them, but the feedback video was amazing! For filmmakers submitting our first film, we found this valuable information and worth the price of entry. Thank you and best wishes on your ongoing festivals.
This is a HYBRID film festival with live screenings for the audience feedback video you will receive, plus an optional virtual 2nd showcase to enhance the film’s exposure.
Festival also conducts blog and podcast interviews with the filmmaker. We have also started a filmmaker’s WhatsApp group with over 100 joined to date to chat about next project and make contacts etc….
Submit your ROMANCE or RELATIONSHIP Film or Screenplay to the festival today.
Get your short or feature film showcased at the private festival with the sole purpose of getting the filmmaker an audience feedback promotional video.
– NEW OPTION: Submit for a guaranteed acceptance.
– 8 Film Festival events a year.
– Filmmaker also receives a chance to talk about their film on the Film Festival ITunes Podcast and also do a blog interview.
– All accepted films receive an audience reaction video of how they felt about your film.
Then you can use that video to promote your film to get into more festivals and obtain a distribution deal.
Romance Screenplay Festival happens monthly.
– Full feedback given on all submissions by industry professionals.
– Winners get their script performed by professional actors and made into a video for them.
– Winners also get to talk about their work and script on the Film Festival ITunes Podcast.
Awards & Prizes
All submissions receive full feedback from the industry on their work. If your film is not formally accepted, you can email the festival for the committee’s feedback notes.
Ella and her friends take a weekend getaway to rural Australia to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with one another. However, an evil presence has other plans for them.
This riveting short, Sentient, taps into the concept that obsession with social media can cause people to mute their sentience, or ability to experience true human emotions and experiences.
The plot recounts a story about close friends launching into a getaway weekend as painful losses and truths are explored, with social media addiction being much of the culprit. As in classic horror, the lead protagonist is like the untouched virgin as she is “not on social media” and therefore is “not a threat” and is protected from harm.
The four main performers do justice to their places in the narrative, all delivering text in believable, conversational style, which serves as a foil to a zombie-like presence of characters once “infected” by AI. The pristine, modern home for the weekend escape is a perfect setting for this piece and makes the convincing gore seem even more graphic. The expert camera work helps create suspense and intensify the drama, as do the fitting musical choices, notably sombre keyboard for sad scenes and heavy rock during the wild party scene.
A viewer can glean a strong message of warning as the credits role. We sentient beings must steer clear of the dangers of sacrificing human connection to social media fixation, or risk losing those closest to us.
Manuel the barber, 7min,. Portugal Directed by José Augusto Carvalho One daughter and two grandchildren. He loves his daughter very much, but he hasn’t told her yet, maybe he’ll tell her today, after shooting this film.
Mayday, 7min., Portugal Directed by Miguel Gaspar From a report by a Portuguese volunteer who carried out maritime rescue missions on a ship of a German NGO during the current refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, “Mayday” builds a visual narrative, giving space to a reflection on the drama of this humanitarian issue.
Navigating the Clickety-Clack: How to Live a Peace-Filled Life in a Seemingly Toxic World, 22min,. USA Directed by Keith Leon S. Navigating the Clickety-Clack is a 24X award-winning enlightening TV Series, based on the 4-volume award-winning international BESTSELLER book series with the same name. Producer / director, Keith Leon S. hosts this 7-episode series exploring topics that include, death, fear, job loss, money fear, family issues, relationship challenges, and how to stay peace-filled in a seemingly toxic world.
JDZ lab, 28min., Portugal Directed by Miguel Gaspar In September of 2019 we arrived in Jingdezhen (JDZ), China, for an artistic residency supported by a scholarship granted by the Fundação Oriente. Jingdezhen is a unique city in what ceramics are concerned, everything revolving around this activity.
COLD ISOLATION, 4min., Portugal Directed by José Augusto Carvalho We travel in the empty interior of ourselves, meaningless passengers.
Manuel the barber, 7min,. Portugal Directed by José Augusto Carvalho One daughter and two grandchildren. He loves his daughter very much, but he hasn’t told her yet, maybe he’ll tell her today, after shooting this film.
A Good Place to Be, 14min., Denmark Directed by Marcus Mandal This film is produced for the Danish “Autism Center Storstrøm” to tell about their big effort to help people with autism.
Mayday, 7min., Portugal Directed by Miguel Gaspar From a report by a Portuguese volunteer who carried out maritime rescue missions on a ship of a German NGO during the current refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, “Mayday” builds a visual narrative, giving space to a reflection on the drama of this humanitarian issue.
PORTRAIT OF KELLY GAVINOSER, 5min., Argentina Directed by Ileana Andrea Gomez Gavinoser PORTRAIT OF KELLY GAVINOSER- DOCUMENTARY SHORT OF LIFE
Salem Aftermath Sizzle, 2min., USA The dialogue in this film clip is derived from the latest research and historical analysis of Ann Putnam. By incorporating newly discovered documents, human behavioral science, and AI, we have reconstructed what Ann likely would have said if given the chance.
SPADE, 1min., A prospect champion boxer gets caught up in the street life, and now he has to fight for his survival outside of the ring.
BLACK MAGIK, 2min., Italy What happens when a group of kids find themselves sharing a passion, that of music that awakens the dark side of our consciences? What happens when you find yourself in your hands with the possibility of transforming into a demon?
Agents of Project Blue Book/Wrestling with Survival, 3min., A group of ragtag soldiers try to stop a Reptilian Alien Invasion that could alter history, featuring the music stylings of Bill Mumy of “Lost in Space” featuring Bill Mumy & Tom Sizemore.
FALLING INTO FRAME, 2min., This capstone project is a trailer to a hypothetical film: After a magical painting sends June and Robert to a mysterious forest, they must learn that the best path is the one taken together. As they race against time to return home, will their love rekindle once again?
PURA SANGRE, 1min. Frankie and Lucky, two young artists navigating love and identity in New York City, cross paths again after years of separation. Their reunion in a bookstore triggers a flood of memories, reopening wounds from their past relationship. As Frankie revisits the apartment they once shared, the film delves into their tumultuous past—Lucky’s struggle with trust, Frankie’s desire for autonomy, and the emotional weight of unspoken truths.
NONA DAY, 1min. Black female vampire series.
SNOW Proof-of-Concept, 2min. When an aspiring young American painter discovers that she’s pregnant with a child that her husband may not want, she’s forced to confront her troubled marriage, finding the strength to change her life when she falls in love with a Danish poet.
OUR KEYS, 22sec., As Chris and Lizzie are getting ready for their work days they realize that the keys to the house are missing leading to a bigger fight about their relationship.
FIRE IN MY BELLY, 40sec. Richard was in his recording studio working on a new song when he suddenly fell unconscious to the floor… he was told his heart stopped for 19 seconds…
THE WISH FOR LOVE, 1min. The story of a young man who is learning about life and is in search of his destiny.
TALK, 30sec. “TALK” starring Detroit’s Tony J Black ( Sting; Apples Never Fall) is a drama delving into the nuances of love, communication, and the mysterious impact of silence. The narrative unfolds through the complex dynamics between characters, exploring emotional connections and the unspoken aspects of relationships. As the story meanders through intimate scenes, it gradually reveals the main character’s struggles with communication and the consequences of having unresolved conflicts in his relationships. The evolving plot touches on isolation, education, and transformation, leaving the audience to contemplate the intricate dance of human connections.
RED BIRD, 2min. Maximilien Abadie learns of his father Alex’s death under mysterious circumstances. Officially, it was ruled a car accident—one seemingly caused by Alex himself. But Alex was more than just a father, he was a relentless police officer, known for his discipline and ruthless efficiency. Working in the shadows under the alias “Red Bird”, he was a secret vigilante who took on the city’s most complex cases.
Living 1 new day, 2min. Nothing lasts in this cruel world, not even our suffering.
SWIFT CURRENT SWIMMER, 30sec. Swift Current Swimmer is a sweeping, emotive piece that mirrors the epic life cycle of salmon from their birth in gentle mountain streams to their return as full-grown adults. It’s crafted for a full symphony orchestra, yet uniquely integrates beginner string players in a way that parallels the salmon’s growth.
TROPOS, 1min.,
The Final Mission, A Star Trek Fan Production, 1min. Amid the chaos of war, the crew of the USS Pioneer faces a mystery that will push their ship, their values, and their bonds to the brink.
BORN, 17sec This 2D experimental animation depicts a planet with reproductive functions, exploring the transformations associated with pregnancy and childbirth. By portraying these changes on both a psychological and physical level, the animation aims to highlight the impact of reproductive trauma and advocate for greater societal awareness and compassionate care.
SHOE DOWN, 43sec.
THE APOLOGY (ACT 1), 2min. The Apology is the first of 2 short documentaries, by Métis filmmaker Matt LeMay and Inuk filmmaker Crystal Martin of Indigenous Geographic deliver an unprecedented, emotionally charged portrait of a pivotal moment in Canada’s journey toward truth and reconciliation. As the only film crew in the world granted exclusive access to the Indigenous delegation’s visit to the Vatican, they take viewers deep inside the historic week that led to Pope Francis’s apology for the Catholic Church’s role in operating the Canadian residential school system.
What If?, 2min. Directed by Bradley Bothwell While working up the nerve to ask her crush out, an anxious high school girl is sucked into her imagination of what could go wrong.
Things I Never Said, 2min Directed by Eden Quan A young girl reminisces on her memories with her brother. Searching for him, she finds that she is unable to catch up.
The Mooning, 3min., Directed by, Mason Klesch, Vivian Osness The Mooning is an animated mocumentary that reveals the truth behind the 1969 moon landing.
The Bad Crow, 2min., Directed by Busra Sena Gazioglu In an evil crow fairytale book, a bad omened adventurer crow tries to prove the narrator that he is good.
Starlight Cantina, 2min Directed by Monica Lagrange An 80’s fast food safety training video that gets aliens ready for their first day on the job, where each deadly task prepares the worker for the mortal dangers of the workplace, with the final task being to defeat the monster in the fridge.
Soarin’ Heights, 2min., Directed by Jack Haris After the ruthless mob boss of the city, Mr. Giant, steals the deed to Lucky Jack’s magic bean farm, the farmer must use his wits to sneak into the mob boss’s skyscraper in the clouds to do whatever he can to take it back.
Snow Dog, 3min., Directed by Christina Park, Marisol Salazar Montoya Holly’s Christmas morning takes a whimsical twist as her mischievous snow dog grows bigger and wilder.
Sea of Lightning, 2min. Directed by Jin Guo On an Alien planet, a storm beast mother tries to protect her fragile eggs as she battles against a hunting vehicle preying on her Energy Spike
Rock, 3min. Directed by Shania Zhou, Julia Edwards A Rock is zapped to life by an evil witch’s wand and is terrified of her newfound sentience. A chill Frog helps her experience the joy of friendship and learn to appreciate life.
Planet Fitness, 1min Directed by Casey Schwarzschild Getting fed up with the Flat Earth debates, Earth decides to prove his roundness and end the millennia old debate – through bulking up and working out.
Mantaur, 2min. USA Directed by Sophia “Roo” Bakken In ancient Greece, a reverse-centaur struggles with comparing himself to his perfect centaur brother and seeks to prove himself an Olympian challenge.
Hotel L’infini, 3min., USA Directed by May (Hsi-Chen) Lee, Lindsay Browne Jacque, a diligent bellboy of the extravagant Hotel L’infini, is caught red-handed for possible murder by a brooding detective who chases him through the hotel.
Don’t Feed the Unicorn, 3min. Directed by Kimberly Peh, Katherine Hogan While foraging in a magical forest, a young troll feeds a persistent wild unicorn behind his dad’s back. But once he runs out of food, Junior quickly learns through a dark twist why you don’t feed the unicorn!
Contracting the Cooties, 2min. Directed by Skylar Levine, Maya Bayewitch A pair of second grade girls, Parker and Maggie, are playing at a playground when Maggie touches a boy’s hand, unaware that she just contracted the cooties, and Parker must help her find the cure before it’s too late.
Butterfly Business, 2min. Directed by Amanda Mai An overworked office worker has the quirk of turning into a butterfly under stress. We watch him struggle to keep his insect side a secret as the pressure of his office life becomes so intense he can’t take it anymore.
Festival Reviews 
