Deadline Today to Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway:
Excellent festival! Very communicative and the feedback videos are a treat to watch. We were honored to also join the Wildsound Festival podcast after winning best short film, which ended up being an awesome and in-depth discussion on our project. We felt very appreciated as filmmakers and would definitely recommend anyone submits!
M. Varga
Participating in the Experimental/Dance/Music Film Festival has been an amazing experience! The team is professional, supportive, and genuinely passionate about celebrating creativity.
The audience feedback video was such a thoughtful and unique addition and it meant so much to hear how viewers connected with our work. Being awarded Best Music Video for “Play the Key Revised” was an incredible honor, and we’re thrilled to have been part of such a well-curated and inspiring event.
S. Westphal
Very well done and generous in their offerings. HOME was well-represented within this Festival. Grateful.
S. Schoeder
Second time screening at Experimental, Dance & Music Film Festival and once again it’s been a great experience. The audience feedback videos are great promotional tools and they have several other offerings that are beneficial to filmmakers. Truly enjoy having my work considered and screened by them.
HELLBOUND FUGITIVE, 5min., USA Directed by Christopher Patrick Vallone In a desperate bid for freedom, a convict seeks refuge in a decaying fortress within the mountains. He inadvertently enters a nightmarish arena where ancient demons punish the wicked, and survival means fighting hell itself.
What motivated you to make this film? SO this film is just a piece of a feature length script I wrote 18 years ago when I was just getting out of indie filmmaking after 10 years. AI came into my life almost 2 years ago, and so I started to dabble in it. I started to make a film trailer to that feature I wrote, and then started to see some AI horror, thriller contests online, and decided to make a short “Hellbound Fugitive” as a piece off of the trailer I was producing. I figured I had some scenes made already from the trailer, why not make a short from some of the clips? So that’s what I did.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? Very cool, so glad everyone enjoyed it, and the constructive criticism was great too, great advice to help me improve next time.
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
BEFORE THE BEES ARE AWAKE, 13min., Denmark Directed by Dariya Cheremisina An unfolding story of urban beekeeping factory in the heart of Copenhagen. A place that sees honey as an invitation but not a product. It is a home for a community of local beekeepers, volunteers and family histories of emigration that goes along the production line.
Beyond the Surface: The Whale Shark Chronicles, 15min., Thailand Directed by Dr. Alongkot Chukaew “Beyond the Surface: The Whale Shark Chronicles,” the new journey continues from the first documentary, “Giants of the Deep: The Whale Shark Story.” By narrowing her focus to this species, Claire discovers that her passion unveils a much larger narrative. After her extensive research and exploration, it shows that the whale shark’s population is undeniably declining, evidenced by the increasingly rare sightings. These results formed a question that lingers in her mind: What are the factors that impact the whale sharks decreasing population to this extent? As she delves into critical issues like global warming and climate change, she reveals how these significant challenges not only impact whale sharks and marine life but also the entire planet and its inhabitants. Recognizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems, she knew she had to broaden her explorations on land.
The Future of Chinampas: A Perspective From Its People, 30min., Mexico Directed by Aldo Márquez The Interdisciplinary Environmental Association (IEA) and the Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad-IE (LANCIS) UNAM have partnered with Restauracion Ecológica y Desarrollo, (REDES), to present, “The Future of Chinampas: A Perspective From Its People ”. This documentary aims to bring attention to Xochimilco, a sensitive and important agroecosystem in the southern part of Mexico City. Restauración Ecológica y Desarrollo, REDES, informs the audience about a sensitive agroecosystem in the southern part of Mexico City. The story is told from the perspective of local farmers who express both their efforts to maintain relevance despite the state’s changes in food production, and to conserve and restore what is for many farmers their only livelihood. Ongoing conflicts with governments, water scarcity and a changing society are present in Xochimilco, along with a desire to preserve centuries of agriculture tradition.
MEXILLONARIA, 15min., Spain Directed by Pablo Chouza The mussel in Galicia has its own character. Consumed from the Iron era to the present day, marking a turning point with the arrival of the first boats in the Ría de Arousa around 1945. At this time, it goes from a rustic and primary collection to being transformed into a crop, becoming the economic engine for many localities coastal
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
Data – The New Oil, 15min., Canada Directed by Spencer Maurice A young filmmaker-turned-law student takes us on a dark tour, revealing a clandestine ecosystem hidden from public view – a digital underworld that threatens democracy and civil society by ‘hacking’ our brains.
WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST?, 10min., Lebanon DIrected by Raafat Abou Daka “What Makes an Artist” is an introspective documentary that delves into the lives of the internationally renowned sculptor brothers Assaf, exploring the unexpected paths that led them to their craft. The film peels back the layers of their fame to reveal the human side of their journey, offering a rare glimpse into their early struggles and the alternate careers they nearly pursued.
THE LAST LION, 14min., UK Directed by Matt Campion ‘The Last Lion’ is a thought-provoking short film that explores the heart-breaking possibility that lions could go extinct. This emotional story is told with the help of Kevin Richardson and Bobcat the lion’s unique bond, the breath-taking beauty of South Africa’s landscapes and the incredible talent of spoken word artist Sophia Thakur.
PLASTIC TOURISM, 18min., Indonesia Directed by Ira Setiawati “Plastic Tourism” is more than a documentary; it challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. It is a call to action and testament of the delicate balance between human leisure and environmental responsibility.
YOUR EVERYDAY HEROES OF COSTA RICA, 25min., USA Directed by Hernán Salcedo Your Everyday Heroes traveled to Costa Rica and searched for inspirational everyday people who are changing the world. Jeremy, Tracey, Vernon and Che are clearly all examples of what it takes to be a Hero, and we’re proud to share their stories with you.
Mad For It: Tim Emmett’s insane life, so far…, 16min., USA Directed by Jon Glassberg One of the most influential adventurers of our time that you’ve probably never heard of, Tim Emmett has been everywhere. He’s on the BBC, he’s flying through the sky in a wingsuit, he’s mingling with royalty, and dangling off a cliff with only air and water below. This Brit has been innovating adventure for almost three decades and shows no signs of slowing down. He’s totally mad for it, and as he approaches his fiftieth year (having retired from B.A.S.E. jumping, thank god) we look back on what he’s done so far, cheeky antics included.
“My team and myself are very happy we got a “Best Cinematography” award from Fantasy/Sci-Fi Film & Screenplay Festival. It’s a great festival to be a part of. We got a video with great in-depth audience feedback. It’s very interesting what people from the other side of the globe have to say about our film. I even got a podcast interview, how awesome is that!”
BAD BLOOD, 19min., Argentina Directed by Guillermo Ronco Abandoned by the state and with his daughter’s life at stake, police officer Rafael chooses to break his deepest convictions and commit a crime to resolve his situation. But when what was supposed to be a robbery turns into a kidnapping, he discovers that there are limits he cannot cross.
What motivated you to make this film? In 2018/19, I began developing my first feature film, “Saints of Buenaventura”, but it was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. So, my next move to push forward this project was to shoot a short film with similar characteristics in terms of tone and artistic style. So, I took the structure of the third act of the first draft of that script and turned it into a story with a beginning and end in less than 20 minutes.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It was awesome! The way they got engaged and moved by the story, and their comments about the right pacing and the sound score building suspense and anticipation. I work so consciously on those topics that it makes me very proud that I got them right. Feedback is priceless for us filmmakers. Thanks so much for that!
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
The Second City – A Documentary, 34min., USA Directed by Samson Ziegelman My goal with this documentary is to share the magic of The Second City and the art of improvisation with actor and writer Bob Odenkirk and Second City Vice President Kelly Leonard. We discuss their Second City experiences, the stars they have worked with, how improv shaped their careers, and advice for the younger generation. sammyziegelman@gmail.com
King Harold is insufferable. His bad behavior is poisoning his universe. This goes on until one day, the Angel of Death decides that he has to have a word with the king. My daughter summarized it best: “It’s about a deranged tyrant meets Christmas Carol with some interdimensional pizazz.”
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
Fantasy, political satire
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Troubled multiverse
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Doctor Who
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Johann Sebastian Bach: “Ich will nur dir zu Ehren lebel.” (I want to live only to honor thee.)
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Ferien auf Saltkrokan (Astrid Lindgren) (Vacations on Saltkrokan)
7. What motivated you to write this story?
The news vortex, it’s killing our universe. If thoughts can change reality, we need to think differently.
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Erich Fromm
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Family, art, nature
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
Just a whim.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
As my daughter said: “Write as if nobody is ever going to read your stuff.”
The Edge of Dreaming is a collection of vignettes that paint an overall picture of this new fantasy universe. I have specifically chosen a point in time when the world and its characters are at a crossroads. Technology is surpassing tradition, old ideas give way to new, and the pioneering and often destructive personalities that take advantage of that are thrust into the spotlight. I feel like this is particularly relevant to our current situation. The teething pains of the 21st century are on full display and its important to explore that.
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
I straddle fantasy, sci fi, and horror. I would say overall the world is a fantastical one full of magic, deities, and empire. However, due to the specific time period I have chosen, magic is giving way to technology, deities are fading into the occult, and empires have bloated themselves into beaurocracy. Unavoidably, elements of Sci fi and horror therefore bleed into my work.
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Great question. I would class all my work as original and allegorical.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Although my writing has quiet a serious tone, I love cheesy 80s movies. It would be between Big Trouble In Little China and The Princess Bride.
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
I’m always looking for new music so it’s hard to say, but if You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon comes on I am right there singing along to every word (yes, even the verses).
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
My sister bought me a copy of A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James in 2017. I have read it nearly every year since then. It’s a brilliant piece of work. Every time I read it I pick up new pieces of information, new nuances to the story. To me it’s an absolute classic.
7. What motivated you to write this story?
My very dear friend JM and I came up with this fantasy world while we were living together during university. Over nearly a decade of friendship, we mapped out the rise and fall of every empire, the birth and death of every god. The world’s creation and its inevitable demise. The cultures, the technologies, the judical systems, the religious systems, absolutely every nook and crannie. It often felt as if we weren’t creating it, but rather discovering it. Like it was always there, and every time we sat down together to work on it we’d extend the map out just that little bit more.
This collection of vignettes is just the beginning. I feel like it’s my mission to bring this world to life and let people explore it like we did. JM put it perfectly, if we only allow this world to exist in our heads it’s as if we’re killing everyone in it. I don’t want that on my conscience.
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Language barrier not withstanding, wouldn’t you want to have dinner with Jesus and see what all the fuss is about?
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love music. Before taking writing seriously I was pretty convinced I would make a career in the music industry. Albeit my teenage rap albums never blew up, but it did lead me all the way to Pakistan where I worked for a very cool company called Karachi Community Radio. Genuine pioneers and a complete inspiration, you should check them out.
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
I perform my work regularly at open mics. I believe if it doesn’t sound good coming out of your mouth, it won’t sound good inside somebody else’s head. So I was curious to see what a professional actor could do with it.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
I’m only at the beginning of my journey as a writer, so it seems a little hypocritical to give advice, but I have had a lot of experience with the creative process so I’ll speak on that.
I’d say the biggest piece of advice I can give is don’t be too precious about your work. Your characters, your world, your story, sure. But the writing itself? Be ready to kill it again and again and again. If you’re slaving over a sentence, or a paragraph, or a story for too long and you can’t get it to work, it means it doesn’t work. Free yourself from the burden, kill it.
Festival Reviews 