Author: festreviews

Today’s Podcast:  Filmmaker Christel Veraart (Santa Fe & Esmeralda – Crossroads)

festreviews PODCASTS

Santa Fe & Esmeralda – Crossroads, 16min., USA
Directed by Christel Veraart
In the transformative backdrop of Argentina’s evolving democracy and vibrant art scene from 1987 to 1996, “Santa Fe & Esmeralda – CrossRoads” chronicles the profound and enduring friendship between Kita, a young Dutch woman, and Lorenzo, the gay son of a prominent Argentine family. United by their love for music, they navigate complex family dynamics and the harsh realities of AIDS, with Kita becoming Lorenzo’s caregiver and preserving their bond through storytelling after his death, celebrating a love that transcends boundaries.

https://www.christelveraart.com/
https://www.facebook.com/christelveraart
https://www.instagram.com/christelveraart/

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

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

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Short Film Review: ANTI-SOCIAL CLUB. Directed by Danny Germansen

festreviews Short Film Movie Review, Uncategorized

“A futuristic tale about human freedom in modern society.”

“They enslaved her and took away everything she loved … Her freedom.”

Inspired by the life of and talks with Suzana Lungu

Anti-Social Club is a 24min art-house film about a young woman named Suzana who is living emancipated in nature but then is being forced by norms and rules of society to assimilate into to being a good, productive and law obedient citizen and contribute to society and the economics of the state, thereby becoming a slave of the system.

Project Links

Review by Andie Karvelis:

Inspired by the life and ideas of Suzana Lungu, Anti Social Club explores living off the land and being completely self-sufficient without having to answer to the government or modern society. In this very artistic film written, produced, directed and edited by Danny Germanson modern society is controlled by the government and it has the ultimate power. It can deem a person “deviant” and arrest them for not contributing to society and not paying taxes. Once arrested you are then brainwashed into being a productive member of society.


Suzana Lungu stars in the film as herself and the locations where this was shot are absolutely stunning. Steffen Graumann handled all the cinematography, lighting, coloring and he really did an outstanding job. Areas where the film swapped to black and white were equally as well balanced.


What really stood out to me was the music, the original score by Daria Balocchi was beautiful! It flowed with the peaceful countryside and then became much more sinister as we shifted to the government’s involvement.

Short Film Review: THE DIVIDE. Dystopian Thriller from UK

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Following a global humanitarian disaster, mankind seeks survival in the midst’s of more dominant predators on the earth.

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Directed by Paul Parker Parker, Nigel Woodley, Dom Reece Roberts

Review by Victoria Olson:

The short film, THE DIVIDE, is a brilliant dystopian landscape that perfectly molds contemporary themes in a way that should cause this narrative to win awards. The film captures the attention right away with the nightmarish setting of a woman running through a city with war-torn buildings and a car graveyard. It’s clear time has passed from the grass that has grown around the shells of the vehicles. Rarely is such cinematic detail seen in a short film.  

The character development is phenomenal. Two individuals that are from enemy clans are forced together to escape a predator that is never seen on screen. The themes that we deal with in the modern world are brought out as the man and woman spend the night together in a cave. They have misconceptions & beliefs about each other’s clans, something that we still do as we are stuck in our ways. This film shows that if forced to communicate that we might have more in common than we think. These characters proved it as they hid from the unseen monster, deciding at the end it would be better to work together to cause a distraction in order for the woman to return home. 

The choice to never show the predator is intriguing, leaving mystery as we hear the breathing and view the characters through a point-of-view lens. The post production turns the view of the creature black and white, while the characters see in color. It makes the predators even more ominous. 

The strongest portion of this film is towards the end, making it a great message to end with as the characters lament on their divided world as they long for a world of peace and harmony. The phrase a “Garden of Eden” is familiar, suggesting that the characters believe that paradise could be possible, which leaves a message of hope for this dystopian world. 

Short Film Review: LAND MASS. New Media from UK

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A new kind of liturgy is about to begin… a Land Mass. This is a spontaneous, vocal-visual liturgy for the land, sung by a unique choir, The Improvisers’ Choir, conducted by composer Jenni Roditi, who is creating her conducting directions as the improvised music is sung.

Project Links

Directed by Jenni Roditi, Sara Pozin

Review by Julie Sheppard:

Land Mass, this fabulous, liturgically-styled piece from the UK was structured into 12 unique sections. These sections were brought to life by three major elements: gorgeous visuals, moving poetry, and a cacophony of sounds by The Improvisers’ Choir. 

The first element of visual imagery was adeptly presented by superimposing and blurring items and playing with intense light and shadow. There was also captivating footage of wildlife — from the humblest of insects, to majestic birds, to humans in action.  

The second prominent element was the stirring poem, which asked sage questions and offered a host of rhymes and observations about humanity and nature, oftentimes repeating phrases for emphasis.  

The final element which gave the piece both a sense of reverence and of play was the vocal work of the choir, which shifted from hauntingly lyrical to frightening and discordant, always in direct line with the visuals. The fact that we got to see the singers performing near the end made the work all the more dynamic and immediate.

While the 12 sections were quite distinct, the overall film had strong cohesion, demonstrating consistency in the artists’ energy and their passionate commitment to the project.

Today’s FREE Film Festival: COMEDY Film & Screenplay Festival

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Submit via FilmFreeway:

NEW OPTIONS:

1) All film submissions are FREE. Opportunity to have your film showcased on the popular streaming service for 48 hours.

OR

2) All submissions receive an automatic acceptance to the festival where they will receive their audience feeback video, plus have 2 interviews (blog & podcast).

For option 2: We have created a hybrid festival with 4 tiers to enhance your film and your festival experience. All accepted films receive all four tier options:

Tier #1 – Your film plays at a private festival event where the audience will record their comments/reactions to your film on their camera or phone, then we edit them and send you a promotional video. No matter what you will receive a promotional video of your film of people commenting on your film.

Tier #2 (optional) – We put up your film live on Daily Film Festival stream for 40 hours and invite a select industry audience to watch it. With this system, some films have already received a distribution deal as many platforms are looking for solid feature and short documentaries. We can not guarantee anything of course but this has been very helpful to many in the past. (see testimonials below)

Then (Tier #3) we will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your film. Then after that (Tier #4) we will set up a podcast interview on our popular ITunes show where will we chat with you about the process of how the film was made.

Deadline Today: NEW YORK Feedback Film Festival.

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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 (optional). Festival also conducts blog and podcast interviews with the filmmaker. We have also started a filmmaker’s WhatsApp group with over 150 joined to date to chat about next project and make contacts etc….

Submit via FilmFreeway:

Monthly Festival designed to showcase the best of films (shorts, features, web series) and screenplays (short, feature, TV) in the world today.

FILM FESTIVAL:

We are proud to announce a FOUR tier festival set up of your accepted film at the festival. Two screenings of your film at our festival, plus two separate interviews.

Screening #1 will take place in NYC and will be a private screening for a select group of people. They will then go home after the festival and record their comments of your film. Then we turn those comments into our regular FEEDBACK Festival Video.

For context, here is an example of a video from a recent festival: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EviO64sSbrA

Screening #2 takes place one time only (for FREE) VIRTUALLY for all to see on our online feed every single day. 365 festivals in 2022. Already these screenings are garnering an audience of 1000s each day.

So in the end you will have TWO showcases of your film and you’ll receive your audience feedback video a week before the Virtual Festival.

Then (Tier #3) we will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your film. Then after that (Tier #4) we will set up a podcast interview on our popular ITunes show where will we chat with you about the process of how the film was made.

SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL:

Winning screenplays performed by professional actors and made into a video each month. Film festival also occurs each month.

FULL FEEDBACK on all screenplay submissions. Film submissions can also request the committee’s feedback notes on their film.

Today’s Podcast: Filmmaker Vanessa Mariveles (ECHOES OF DREAMS)

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ECHOES OF DREAMS, 84min., USA
Directed by Vanessa Mariveles
Reyna, a struggling DJ in Silicon Valley, has to pivot her career in order to survive. Having the worst year ever, she is forced to join the “gig economy” so she can pay rent while living with her pushy mother. While dating women for the first time, she finds herself in comical situations. Through determination, self-discovery, and the power of faith, Reyna learns to overcome adversity and finds her true calling and love.

http://marivelesproductions.com/
https://instagram.com/mariveles.productions

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated me to make Echoes of Dreams was wanting to tell an underdog story mixed with romance and comedy since those are my favorite genres. I wanted to write something quickly and get it made in 2023 so I decided to tell my own story.

Subscribe to the podcast:

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

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Today’s Writing Deadline: Action/Adventure Novel Festival. SPECIAL Deadline

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Garner FULL FEEDBACK on your action/adventure novel by our committee of industry professionals. Get a transcript of your novel performed by professional actors at the Action/Adventure Festival.

Submit here: https://actionadventurefestival.ca/actionadventure-novel-festival/

Action/Adventure Novel Readings in 2023:
16 – Novels/Stories Performed (winner every month)

WATCH Winning Action/Adventure Story Readings:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&listType=playlist&list=PL-0CVDAfvxioc3cpyvCMog73BLT7VbpH2

The #1 Action/Adventure Festival and Contest in the World today!

– Offers novelists and storytellers at all levels the fantastic opportunity to hear their stories read aloud using TOP PROFESSIONAL ACTORS (see below for recent performance readings).

– One of the best places in the world for the writers to add sales to their self-published novel and/or obtain and agent.

– No matter what happens, you will receive full feedback on your work by our established committee. No other place in the world will you get coverage for the price you pay.

– Even if you’re just looking for feedback of your work, this is the festival for you.

– It’s there for all to see. The proof is in the viewership. These videos garner 1000s of views online.

– We specialize in showcasing Action/Adventure stories and making sure that when the work is ready, the writer will benefit by at least obtaining a solid agent.

Watch Today’s Festival: COMEDY Shorts Festival

festreviews Today's Film Festival

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.

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

CLICK the link to watch the film directly:

DANGLE THE CAT, 13min., Ireland
Directed by Niall Reynolds
3 thieves are chased into a messy situation, involving 2 cat thieves, an unhappy couple, a con man and yes… A cat.

Watch film directly here:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/dangle-the-cat

HI! NEIGHBOR, 16min., USA
Directed by Alex Nicoletti
A young man with Down Syndrome enlists the help of a reluctant neighbor when he decides to smoke weed for the first time.

https://www.instagram.com/alex.nicoletti

Watch film directly here:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/hi-neighbor

NOVA, 7min., USA
Directed by Noah Guardado
In the year 2468, Jackson, a seasoned bounty hunter, finds himself in dire straits when his partner mysteriously vanishes. Struggling with financial difficulties, Jackson reluctantly accepts a risky job offer to track down an elusive criminal. Set in a futuristic world with elements of sci-fi and cyberpunk, NOVA explores themes of identity and betrayal amidst a backdrop of advanced technology and quirky characters.

https://www.instagram.com/nova_themovie/

Watch film directly here:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/nova

Today’s FREE Film Festival Deadline: POLITICAL Film Festival

festreviews FilmFreeway Review

Festival designed to showcase independent politically inclined films from all corners of the world.

Submit via FilmFreeway:

Agenda is to help show the world stories with a macro political agenda. This is purely a partisan minded festival. Our goal is to show films from different ideological points of view. (As long as their is no hate filled, racist, sexist, or violent points of view)

In this time of divided cultures, our idealistic agenda is to help bridge the gap in some small way. To entertain and educate by films and screenplays that need to be seen by the world.

Festival will occur every single month.

POLITICAL Film Festival VIRTUAL Events occurs once a month on the WILDsound Streaming Service.

All film submissions are FREE. Opportunity to have your film showcased on the popular streaming service for 48 hours.

(Other opportunities to garner a distribution deal with the company and have your film showcased always on the streaming service.)

It also intends to showcase screenplays that are politically themed. We give full feedback on all entries. Winners get their script performed by professional actors and made into a promotional video.