Author: festreviews

Today’s Podcast: Screenwriter Aleks Lyons (LIFESOURCE)

festreviews PODCASTS

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrJ8KUPyDZ8

What’s The Best Part of A Story?

A young oceanographer discovers her gradfather’s plane – part of the Lost Patrol – and is thrust into an emotional journey with a rebellious reporter as the government tries to cover up what really happened that night in 1945. The duo uncovers an extraordinary truth of how water, our most precious resource, has a will and consciousness of its own and is an active, seemingly invisible, participant in its own survival from human destruction.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

In LIFESOURCE, well known historic events (the disappearance of 5 war planes we’ve come to call the lost patrol in 1945), a government cover-up, mysterious deaths and a romance, all come together when humanity’s killing of its life source (all of Earth’s water sources) reaches a tipping point and humanity and water are out of harmony.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It speaks to what humans are doing to the water sources on our planet and the value systems we’ve chosen to embrace and at the same time it stands on its own as a fun ride while creating awareness.

Subscribe to the podcast:

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

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

March 2025 ACTION/FANTASY/SCI-FI/THRILLER Festival 5 STAR Testimonials!

festreviews filmfreeway, FilmFreeway Review

Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway. Deadline Today:

A wonderful experience, the Table Read was a real thrill. Thanks !!!!

I can’t thank the Action/Adventure Film Festival for the promotion they have done for my film! They really go above and beyond with giving you multiple options to promote and support the film(s), and the reception to my film was also amazing. A highlight in my first ever festival run.

I can’t emphasize enough how helpful the Action/Adventure Film & Screenplay Festival has been for both me and my short film, HIGHWAY! Matt and Allison really deliver great and useful promotional material for the films that become official selections. The audience reactions video was absolutely fantastic and useful–I linked it to my film on Film Freeway, because all of the great comments about the film by the viewers is a great way to get festivals interested in taking the film into serious consideration. Also, the print interview was fantastic. I posted that link on Film Freeway, as well, and forwarded it to friends on social media (and many of them actually read it, haha)! And I just had the podcast interview with Matt, and that was an absolute pleasure, too. So, all in all, I just can’t say enough good about the Action/Adventure Film & Screenplay Festival! These folks go above and beyond!

I was so impressed by their warm hospitality, quick response time and their willingness to explain and support us in every aspect. I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity to join this festival and highly recommend it!

Watch Today’s Festival: WILDsound DOC Shorts Festival: March 19/20 event

festreviews Watch Today's Film Festival, Watch Today’s Film Festival

Watch Film Festival: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/wildsound-doc-shorts-march-2025

Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

BENGAL MEMORY, 34min,. USA
Directed by Fahim Hamid
A Bangladeshi American undertakes a journey to learn about Bangladesh’s liberation war and his family’s immigration to America, while grappling with the cognitive dissonance of belonging to both countries. Through personal interviews, archival materials, and declassified recordings, the film exposes the forgotten genocide of 1971 and the controversial role the U.S. played in it.

https://www.instagram.com/fajita8

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-bengal-memory



Undaunted, 9min., USA
Directed by Benjamin Jefferson
A nursing student must find a way to move forward after suddenly becoming paralyzed.

https://www.instagram.com/abennyjfilm/

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-undaunted

New film on the Platform: IN THE SILENCE OF THE HEART, 20min., Sci-Fi/Drama

festreviews Short Film Movie Review , ,

Watch Film: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-el-silencio-del-corazon-corte

Sabie lives with Valentín. After years of abuse and prolonged depression, Sabie is waiting for a sign from God that would grant her permission to take her husband’s life, and then her own.

https://www.instagram.com/realizador.audiovisual

Directed by Fernando Lazzarini

New Film on the Platform: VULPES, 7min., USA, Drama

festreviews Watch Short Film of the Day , , ,

Watch Film: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/vulpes

After many years of conjuring the idea of ‘man’ and what it means to be human, a sly nimble fox spirit becomes a human to learn their ways.​

https://lhoffheimer.myportfolio.com/work

https://www.instagram.com/l.hoffheimer/

Directed by Laura Hoffheimer

Director Statement
Vulpes is one of the first short films I’ve ever written that has been made. I studied screenwriting in upstate New York before moving to Boston in 2021 to complete my studies at Emerson College. At Emerson, I found an amazing group of people who helped me execute my writing on the screen. I am always fascinated with the human condition and the story of Vulpes represents just that by exploring human’s purpose on earth.

Cast: Aaron Chang

New Film on the Platform: GIFT, 8min., USA, Drama

festreviews Short Film Movie Review , , ,

Watch Film: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-gift

A jaded alcoholic has his world view challenged by an unexpected act.

Directed by Vince Eisenson

Writer & Producer: Al Julian

https://www.instagram.com/vinceeisenson/

Director Statement
This film was based on a real experience our screenwriter (Al Julian) had while leading group therapy sessions several years ago. The project went through a few iterations, and my involvement changed at different steps along the way. Eventually, I realized I had become attached to the characters, the story, the atmosphere, and the central questions to such a degree that I needed to direct the piece. This wasn’t an easy decision, especially since I had signed on to act in it. I guess sometimes you just have to go all in.
The story for me was always about a simple question: what does it take for people to really change? A lot of these characters are locked in – mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. They have decided what life has to offer and aren’t interested in looking beyond their current views. I’m sure we all know people like that – or believe we do. Perhaps we feel that way ourselves. Hopefully this short will provide some answers we hadn’t considered. Or maybe it will just raise the right questions.

New Film on the Platform: PACING THE POOL, 8min., Australia, Documentary/Sports

festreviews Watch Short Film of the Day , ,

Watch Film: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-pacing-the-pool

A tiny glimpse into the extraordinary life of Richard Pace. A different approach to life might have seen him crushed under the weight of the physical and mental stresses he has been through since he was a child, however, healing waters have helped him rise above it all!

https://www.facebook.com/jay.jegathesan

https://www.instagram.com/radheya_j/?hl=en

Directed by Radheya Jegatheva

Produced by Jay Jay Jegathesan

Director Statement
We all know water is the source of all life. But for Richard Pace it’s more than just a source of sustenance – being in the water is an immense source of healing and provides the framework for a loving community. Being able to capture that essence was really heart-warming to see, and it made the filmmaking process a truly special experience.

This is a documentary that only reveals a small slice of Richard’s astounding life. I wanted to literally and figuratively depict what goes on under the surface – both in his body and mind. Loneliness, fear, friendship, hope, love. Years of battling a debilitating bone disease has not worn him down. He’s stronger than ever, and it’s great to see Richard is still keeping pace.

Great to have my mother (Mirae) and father (Jay Jay) involved in this film in various capacities!

Camera & Lens Specs:
Cameras: Arri Alexa Classic
Lenses: Zeiss CP3 Primes, Sony Cinealta Primes, Zeiss 70-300mm Compact Zoom, Leitz Cine 18mm Summicron-C lens

New Film on the Platform: THE STAMP, 10min., USA, Comedy

festreviews Uncategorized

Watch Film: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-the-stamp-short-film

A satire on how to complete a task within government bureaucracy.

https://linktr.ee/anniewaits18

https://instagram.com/the.stamp.shortfilm

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/the-stamp-review

Directed by Sharon Mayo

Director Statement
I graduated from NYU University in 2001 and ended up working in post production for 15 years in different spaces — the government space, the corporate space and the broadcast space just to name a few.

One of my most infuriating jobs was for a government contractor. I’m a woman with a high work ethic who likes to get tasks done in the most efficient manner to make the most of my time. This short film is based upon my experiences of being too much of a go-getter, too ambitious, too much in general for a government space. When I tried to conform to the job, I found myself miserable and felt that my talents were being wasted.

In retrospect, I now realize the importance of working in an environment that encourages innovation and imagination is key to uplifting society as a whole.

I made this film to highlight three main statements:
1. Your environment can kill your creativity and imagination if you stay within it long enough.
2. There’s a reason why the energy at the DMV or the Post Office can be somewhat suicidal and,
3. A new job may promise money for financial freedom but can be at the cost of your mental health.

Wrap this all up in a package (where my strengths are in post and improvisational comedy) and the results are the short film satire, The Stamp.

Cast: Joe Hoenig, Gorby Mufan Shih, Katherine Burns, Nana Fobi Duffuor

New Film on the Platform: THE TEA AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TEAPOT, 19min,. France/Vietnam

festreviews Watch Short Film of the Day ,

Watch Festival: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-the-tea-at-the-bottom-of-the-teapot

In 19th century Vietnam, Chau is a young bubbling man who does not control his emotions. His meeting with a woman, Master of tea, and the nature, will upset his life.

Directed by Lou Ma Ho

Cast: Santi Sudaros, Junko Murakami

https://makifilms.wixsite.com/productions

https://www.instagram.com/marcolivierlouveau/

Today’s Writing Festival Deadlines: March 18th, 2025

festreviews writing and film festival, writing festival

 FIRST Scene Screenplay Festival
https://firstscenescreenplay.com/

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 by industry professionals.).

  • Full Feedback
  • Performance video reading of your script
  • Blog interview to promote your script
  • Podcast interview on the ITunes Film Festival show

HISTORICAL FICTION Short Story Festival

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

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.

CRIME/MYSTERY Novel Festival

Crime/Mystery Novel Festival

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.

3 options to submit:

  • Full novel for feedback & results
  • 1st Chapter for feedback & results
  • Performance video promotional reading of your novel