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CONTRAPLANO, 7min., Brazil Directed by Débora Bukanowsky We’re so accustomed to seeing the movement in front of cameras that we don’t question: what’s it like to be behind a camera and produce cinema?
INSECT, 8min., Canada Directed by Cherelle Ann Sarah Higgins In a subterranean prison, a bitter young girl and her supernatural ally hold a strange and beautiful man captive to avenge the crimes he has committed against her.
SHUT UP & MAKE ME…., 12min., USA Directed by Claudine Pierre-Louis We witness the search for answers amongst depression through the eyes of the main character, Soul.
LATE WINTER, 17min., Croatia Directed by Jasna Safić Selma and Saša have been arranging for three weeks to go to dinner together, but on the day when they were finally given the opportunity to actually go, Saša’s mother conveys them that Saša’s demented father Vlado has gone and he needs to be found. Selma and Saša go to his parents’ settlement to find him, take him home and put him to the bed.
Lisa responds to a newspaper advert to meet Sarah in a hotel room for a night. They meet and have a wonderful night that sadly uncovers that one was badly abused and the other is currently suffering serious mental and physical bullying from a partner. Will this allow them to bond? What will they do?
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Ever hear the expression “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? That applies to this film, except maybe we should say “Don’t judge a film by its title”. An Advert for One Night begins with a deceptively simple concept that soon propels you into a much deeper and emotional story. Graham Birch wrote and directed this short film about Lisa answering Sarah’s advert in the newspaper and the bond that forms between them. This unfolds beautifully and answers the viewers immediate questions about the film’s premise. Director of Photography, Ross Yeandle did a wonderful job and was incredibly smart with the lighting. I loved the lighting change to let us know that both our leads were attracted to each other. Plus the music choices the filmmakers picked were spot on.
Valery Danko and Alina Tamara portrayed Lisa and Sarah and they had a lovely rapport on screen together. I believed they were attracted to one another, and when they shared the personal trauma they’d been through, it felt real to me. Their playful banter during the montage section was really well done, I wish there was more of that prior to the discovery of the trauma each had been through.
To tell this powerful and moving story in just 15 minutes felt a little rushed. I wanted it to be longer because it is such an impactful film that tugs on your heartstrings. All in all, Graham Birch and his team created a wonderful film that leaves you feeling hopeful.
Pakistan native Asim Khan Yousafzai is more than a freerunner: he is a teacher, a fighter, and above all, a survivor. As a child, he lived through the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Freerunner Asim Khan explains how he rose above limited resources to become a hero.
This exhilarating short film Asim Khan “AK” | Parkour inspires the viewer to embrace dreams against all odds. Asim Khan allows us to see his path from being exposed to the horrors of the tragic Pakistan earthquake of 2005 (with heartbreaking video footage of the quake and the resulting carnage), to displaying his repeated acrobatic attempts and failures, to recounting his wildly successful career as a freerunner.
The swift, inquisitive eye of the camera catches Asim’s intense athleticism as he jumps, twists, and flips — extreme close ups allow us to see his determined facial expressions and his agile limbs doing the work. It is thrilling to hear his underdog story about how he moved from enduring ridicule from others at the start of his pursuit, to being highly respected and honoured for his gravity-defying craft. The rapid-fire shots of him (and his equally determined teammates) running through the streets and scaling cement buildings were particularly electrifying.
It would be remiss not to mention the film’s soundtrack — moving from gloomy ominous refrains during the earthquake footage, to powerful rhythmic sounds during the dizzying parkour/freerunning scenes. Despite his painful struggles in the aftermath of the earthquake, the film proves that Asim is still able to fulfill his dream to literally “fly on earth”.
In Daniel Came Home, written and directed by Brian Gregory, the opening words, “Daniel is down & I think he is dead,” immediately jolt the audience into a state of alertness. Before we can settle into what might follow, the title card appears, confirming Daniel is, indeed, alive. However, the journey that follows is not the homecoming one expects to be welcomed with.
Set in a stark, black-and-white world, we meet Daniel, played by Adam Eveson, as he rocks on a chair—an image as eerie as it is telling of his fractured mental state. The atmosphere of the film, almost suffocating in its minimalism, allows the tension to build slowly, and we soon learn the man sitting across from him is his father, Jack, portrayed by David Keyes. The film unfolds with a simmering, quiet intensity, where the past collides violently with the present.
The heart of the story lies in their confrontation—rooted in family traditions, military service, and ultimately, a son’s rage against the abusive, fascist authority of his father. Daniel’s physical appearance, marred by facial scars and a disquieting tension in his movements, reflects the trauma that haunts him. His identity as a soldier, shattered by war, has left him no longer human but something primal, monstrous. He refers to himself as the “angel of death,” declaring both he and his father will be dead by sunrise. This line delivers a gut punch, foreshadowing the inevitability of their tragic end.
The performances are intense, particularly in the verbal sparring between father and son. Jack’s accusation, “You’re a monster,” and Daniel’s chilling response, “You created me,” reveal the film’s core: the destructive inheritance of violence and trauma. The moment Daniel shoots his father, the film becomes less about the act itself and more about the cold, intimate aftermath. Daniel cradles his father’s corpse with an unsettling tenderness, as though the bloodshed has finally brought him peace.
Daniel Came Home delves into the ravages of war, not just on the body but on the soul, highlighting how both the battlefield and the domestic sphere can become arenas of violence. In Daniel’s final moments, as he army crawls out of the room—triggered by PTSD flashbacks—it’s clear this film is about the emotional toll of war and the inescapable grip of family legacies. Brian Gregory’s direction, combined with haunting musical compositions that distinguish both Daniel and Jack, adds layers of emotional texture to the short’s grim, inevitable conclusion. Based on Gregory’s story Daniel from “The Fifth BHF Book of Horror Stories”, the film offers a chilling exploration of familial ruin, revenge, and the unrelenting scars left by both war and patriarchal oppression.
Daniel Came Home leaves a deep, unsettling impression—a compelling narrative bearing witness to the psychological horrors of abuse and the devastation of unresolved trauma.
Alex LeVesque is the founder of the Automotive Mentoring Group (AMG), a nonprofit that works to counter gang violence in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The organization recruits gang members from across the city and teaches them the skills needed to build careers as auto mechanics, thus giving a chance at reform to those who would otherwise likely fall victim to violence in the streets.
Your Everyday Heroes film group introduces us to Alex LeVesque, the CEO and founder of the AMG ( Automotive Mentoring Group ) in Chicago. This non-profit organization works to counter gang violence by giving gang members the opportunity to learn the skill sets needed to become auto mechanics as well as restoring vintage cars. However, Alex provides so much more than just that.
Alex and the AMG have created a community that gives gang members a choice at what kind of life they want to lead. Teaching them how to restore classic cars from the 1930’s all the way up to 1970’s. Alex is not only a mentor but a friend, big brother and positive role model in their lives showing them they can make another choice away from gang life. Alex truly has made a massive difference in so many young adults’ lives.
The cinematography in this film was wonderful, the vibrancy of the colors and high definition detail was perfect. The filmmakers did a wonderful job with the interview and how it was edited. Chicago is lucky to have Alex LeVesque and it was a joy to see the work he is doing.
OSCAR Winning Film for Best Live-Action Short film in 2025!!!!
After repeatedly failing Captcha tests, music producer Lara becomes obsessed with a disturbing question: could she be a robot?
Review by Julie Sheppard:
The short film I’m Not a Robot is a fictional tale, but it is so convincing that a viewer can almost believe in its validity. There are so many corporations using AI these days, instead of real humans, that the film’s premise does not stray too far from the truth. The performer playing Lara does a stellar job infusing her character with a wide variety of “human-like” emotions such as annoyance, doubt, embarrassment, anger and eventual desperation. The performers playing the sheepish, cowardly Daniel and the cold, dismissive Pam serve as superb foils to Lara, as she passionately defends her humanness.
Most of us are familiar with the rather annoying CAPTCHA test. After viewing this film, it will be forever hard to forget what we witnessed; when doing our obligatory CAPTCHA tests, we might ponder the surreal idea that we are all just bots, too — so much of our human connection has a technical element dividing us because of the computer generation in which we live.
The choice to play a version of the Radiohead song “Creep” to frame the film at the top and end is smart, encouraging us to question if we really are all “special”, or replaceable by technology. Suitable office and stairwell locations and the parking garage, in particular, serves the narrative for the jarring, unexpected ending. This intriguing film gives us existential pause and does a fabulous job blurring fact from fiction.
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1) Screening #1 where you will also obtain your audience feedback video. 2) Screening #2 virtually on the streaming service WILDsound TV (optional) 3) Screening #3 at a sold out public screening at the Carlton Cinemas in Toronto, or the LA LVE Regal Theatre in Los Angeles.
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WILDsound Writing and Film Festival – Daily Deadlines
“Shadows of Stardom” (Inspired by True Events) is a screenplay that follows the journey of Jack, a middle-aged man with unfulfilled dreams of acting and dancing. The story delves into the stark contrast between Jack’s vivid dream sequences, where he experiences success and fulfillment, and the harsh realities of his daily life in his dimly lit living room. Through a series of poignant scenes, Jack grapples with perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of his passions as he navigates the challenges of pursuing his artistic ambitions. The screenplay explores themes of longing, disappointment, and determination, offering a character-driven narrative that resonates with the complexities of human experience.
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
My screenplay, Shadows of Stardom, is inspired by true events and explores the intense pressures and hidden struggles of an up-and-coming actor in the entertainment industry. It delves into themes of ambition, identity, and the cost of fame, as the protagonist navigates the fine line between personal integrity and the seductive allure of stardom.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Shadows of Stardom offers a fresh and poignant look at the entertainment industry, providing an introspective and authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by actors behind the scenes. It speaks to universal themes of ambition, self-discovery, and the human cost of success, making it a story that resonates with a wide audience. Additionally, the script’s blend of drama and psychological tension, grounded in real-life experiences, makes it a compelling piece for the big screen.
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TINSELTOWN’S QUEER: 30 YEARS LATER, USA Directed by Nicholas Snow Long before Will & Grace, Brokeback Mountain, Queer Eye or RuPaul, there was Nicholas Snow and Tinseltown’s Queer. In preparation for the 30th Anniversary of Nicholas Snow’s ground-breaking public access television show, Tinseltown’s Queer, he accidentally made this documentary featuring iconic archival television clips of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, as well as champions of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
SNAPSHOTS, 85min., Spain Directed by Miguel Ángel Mengó Snapshots reflects twelve dialogues without beginning or end, held between twenty-four characters, inhabitants of the outskirts of a city, at some point in their lives, always marked by incommunication and time lost in the era of access to information and immediacy.
BINATE, 16min., USA Directed by Sahvannah Rae A new cloning program goes murderously wrong when the binate begins to act on their own accord after coming into consciousness.
KALEIDOSCOPE, 7min., USA Directed by Alex C. Isom In a world where society is conditioned to only see black and white, those who do see color are mocked and considered deviants. After a tarot reading, Jade starts reconsidering how she looks at the world, and is reminded of the times where she was able to see color. This experimental short film aims to take the topic that has been at the forefront of a lot of people’s minds, gender, and reimagine it in an easier to understand metaphor.
PRISIONERA DEL LENTE, 85min., Italy Directed by Rodrigo Acosta Tannure “Prisionera del Lente” tells the story of a typical young woman who enjoys publishing her photos on social networks. She is contacted by an alleged photographer with a terrible plan of abuse and torture; she could be his victim. From there we see how she desperately tries to escape throughout the property”
KING CHARLES III: THE REAL ME, The Inner Voice of Society, 45min., Italy Directed by John Plas Its content has been authorized by Buckingham Palace. I also casted the Documentary and organized hiring of the Studio. The production includes rare documentation of pictures enhanced by Artificial Intelligence and a combination of previous public interviews in UK Media. Fortunately, the documentary has received terrific reviews on a National and International level. The Screenwriter of the Documentary has collaborated as a copywriter for the NETFLIX Show THE CROWN. In this Programme we looked highlights from the King’s life, filming shots and interviews that have been published through the years in different media sources.
MONA’S NORTH BEACH NOIR, 21min., USA Directed by Kip Pearson It’s San Francisco in the 1950s and post war paranoia is at its height. Mitch Marlowe (niece of detective Philip Marlowe) lands in town to start a new life…. passing as a man. She’s brash, confident and very comfortable presenting as a man. What she discovers in North Beach is a vibrant world of artists, criminals, corrupt cops, jazz clubs and the LGBTQ+ shadow world. But is it safe for her anywhere?
OKEANOS, 18min., USA Directed by PJ Rivera When a distraught man has a terrifying nightmare about his death, he must reconcile the reasons he is being haunted by voices and a dark presence in order to let go.
Festival Reviews 