Hannah Ehman chats with actor Benjamin Eio on the making of the short film
TAINTED. TAINTED, 11min,. Singapore
Directed by Ian Wee
In a world driven by corporate greed and unethical genetic experimentation, Darien, the pioneering human clone, finds himself obsolete against a superior 2nd Generation Clone, leading to his and his mentor’s targeting. Following his mentor’s death, Darien’s hidden hybrid nature—combining human and vampire DNA—surfaces during a critical confrontation, granting him unexpected survival. Marked as a “Tainted” failure yet possessing newfound powers, Darien faces an ambiguous future, embodying the narrative’s critique of ambition’s perils and the poignant fallout of manipulative sciences.
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.
ARGIE BERMAN, 9min., USA Directed by Fon Davis A recovering alcoholic uses her coming out story in her stand-up act and her therapy sessions to explain her addiction and her relationship with her mother.
SECRET IDENTITY, 35min,. UK Directed by Gurjoeth Singh Bassra A closeted gay actor who’s known for playing a superhero character on an 80s TV show must confront his dual identity.
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.
Review by Julie C. Sheppard:
Hellbound Fugitive is a horrifying yet masterful short that takes an escaped convict literally and figuratively down a highway to hell. The brilliant AI generated imagery tells a gruesome tale of judgment and justice.
The endless stream of police cars after the prisoner gives him little choice but to enter an ancient, crumbling castle to meet his doom. Artful choice to contrast the gloomy rainy night of pursuit with the lava hot flames emanating from the hallways and the demonic monsters in the castle — flames so intense that you can almost feel the heat they generate. The soundtrack deftly moves along with the central figure, from melancholy outdoors to explosive and booming indoors, as bloody and grisly tentacles finally seal death.
The classic narrative of evil life choices resulting in hellfire and eternal damnation is an ancient one, but this short retells the story with dramatic full force, using the all the advantages of modern technology.
The festival was great and we received a lot of good feedback. We were happily surprised to see that they also gave out recognition awards. We will submit to this again.
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.
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
I spent four summers at The Second City, learning and performing improv, and it left an indelible impression on me. With this documentary, I wanted to give back to The Second City and hopefully inspire people interested in comedy to give improv a try.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I am so pleased and grateful that people responded so positively. I am very glad people learned more about The Second City!
When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved being creative. I have always been interested in movies and my passion sparked after I watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The way John Hughes highlighted Chicago, the city I grew up in, was deeply inspiring to me, and I hope to one day highlight the city in a similar way through my films.
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 LAST GUARDIAN, 3min., South Korea Directed by Visionary Y In a world devastated by environmental destruction and resource scarcity, water has become the rarest and most precious resource. A 7-year-old boy, Kai, and his humanoid guardian, Ethan, embark on a journey to restore the Earth. Rebuilding the “water-generating tree” envisioned by Kai’s father, Ethan faces the ultimate choice of sacrificing his energy to bring life back to the planet.
THIS LAND, 18min., UK Directed by Nicholas Jones Roisin stands alone in the rugged Irish countryside, a guardian of the mystical land that has been in her family for generations. As a greedy relative seeks to exploit the earth beneath her feet, Roisin’s unwavering will and deep-rooted connection to the land propel her to fight back, unyielding in her defence of the magic that lies at the heart of the landscape.
SEPULCHER, 6min., Mexico Directed by Brian Rivera, Walter Rivera A man travels a desolated land looking for mythical object that can bring back life to the land.
THE NATURE OF CONSCIOUSNESS, 6min., USA Directed by Jen Guy Metcalf A traveler explores a places between reality and dreams, control and chaos, the known and unknown, as she comes to a realization about her existence.
5 Innovations Shaping the Future, Inspired by Nature, 10min,. USA Directed by Miranda Berger Watch five animated shorts, each sharing biomimetic innovations from the Biomimicry Institute’s Ray of Hope Accelerator.
I was delighted to hear all the feedback. I found it very interesting to see what had caught the viewers’ attention in the film and how they understood it. I’m also very happy that my film has been seen by so many people.
After spending their tenth wedding anniversary at the Mackinac Island, Jackson and Rebecca are in a tragic car accident which leaves her in a coma for 6 months and Jackson dead. After she wakes up, she has to grieve the loss and this takes a toll on her. She meets Patrick when he comes to the school to unblock a toilet one of her students filled with sand. He feels familiar to her but she brushes it off until she goes to a church to attend grief counseling, the same church he is attending AA meetings at. They become close until she realises that Patrick was the reason for the accident.
Get to know the writer:
1.. What is your screenplay about? Collateral Hearts is about how one navigates the complexities of grief, forgiveness, and healing after experiencing profound loss and trauma.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Drama, Romance, Family
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? I feel like in a world seeking empathy, forgiveness, and resilience, Collateral Hearts offers a timely exploration of the power of second chances and healing after unimaginable loss. As audiences resonate with universal themes of grief, addiction, and hope, this story speaks to the struggles and redemption many face today, making it both poignant and relevant.
Festival Reviews 