A short film spotlighting Gary Llamido, an antiques collector and restoration artist. We have an intimate conversation with Gary on the important role that Samurai Armor has played in his life, as well as the impact it continues to have on the world.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Silk and Iron introduces us to Gary Llamido, a conservationist and restoration artist of Japanese armor. This intimate documentary produced by Mohammad Sigari is beautifully done.
I’ve been in countless museums and seen these gorgeous (yet intimidating) Samurai armor displays and wondered how they were able to save these pieces of history. That’s where Gary Llamido comes in. While he isn’t responsible for all the restored Japanese armor in the world, the ones he has worked on are amazing. Director Kee Streater Heywood did a wonderful job taking us through Gary’s journey so we could learn his process. The history in finding out about different clans and what kind of armor they had to what the individual pieces of armor are called.
The film had a great flow and it always kept your attention. That is in part due to Daniel Raphael Ancheta who handled the cinematography and artistic camera angles. All of this coupled with the exceptional score of the film. It truly is fascinating to watch Gary work as he returns the armor to their former glory but keeping the spirit of the armor intact.
When a man buys a cuckoo clock for his wife, he discovers that there is more behind the cuckoo’s door than just the cuckoo.
Review by Andy Karvelis:
Who doesn’t love a morality tale with a bit of a supernatural twist? If you’ve ever been a fan of The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits and Alfred Hitchcock presents you will enjoy Beyond the Door. Originally this was a short story from Philip K. Dick but it was adapted for the screen by P. James Norris.
When a husband buys a cuckoo clock for his wife’s birthday and see’s how attached she becomes to the sweet little cuckoo inside he becomes increasingly jealous. Especially when the cuckoo will only chime for his wife. Can an inanimate object really detect a person’s character? This one can.
There is some stunning cinematography in this film provided by Gregory Klino, who also directed, edited and did a fantastic job of portraying the husband, Larry. His co-director was MJ Palo. Both Gregory and MJ did a great job in having it be seamless as to who was directing what. I really enjoyed how this film had an old world feel to it, much like the TV shows that inspired this film. The music composer Neil Nayyar really gave this film an incredible, very suspenseful score that fit perfectly within the genre.
This short film with a long title is a Hip Hop twist on a classic cautionary tale starts with an adventurous little boy getting lost on the wrong side of town. Childhood labor and public safety may sound like heavy topics, but they’re presented in an approachable manner in this timely and important project.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
It’s not every day you see an independent animated film that is so flawlessly done, you think a major studio is behind it. Sony, Pixar and DreamWorks should be envious of the sheer brilliance that is Venus Jones. She is the powerhouse behind Lil’ RED is RIDING the wrong way in the HOOD.
Venus Jones wrote, produced, directed and performed the narrative in this cautionary tale with a modern twist. Most of us are familiar with the original Little Red Riding Hood but this is such a clever adaptation. It tackles some serious topics in an approachable way while creating a story that is relevant to today. The rhymes within the narrative are so ingeniously crafted and performed by Venus, it immediately hooks you.
The animation and illustrative team consisting of Mutai Emmanuel, Stanley Munyiri and Ian Mburu gave this film a hip style. They found the balance between fun and serious with the art style and color scheme. Malcolm Lee provided the music and it was so perfect.
Getting any film to be entertaining and educational is a challenge but this one absolutely nails it. I’m going to go out on a limb here because this film was so sensational. I would love to see Venus Jones and her team make this the first film in a series because I think children (and adults) can definitely benefit from watching it.
With a title like “Eat Your Young” anyone would be a little skeptical at first, but then you hear these glorious harmonies. I’m such a sucker for A Cappella harmonies that have a smidge of dissonance and then it resolves. You might as well have told me I won a trip to Disney World, that’s how excited I get. Eat Your Young did not disappoint me. As the vocalists continued to impress me, as well as make me a little jealous if I am honest, the camera pans to a stunning room with dancers all decked in white dresses.
Since I was so entranced by the music I almost missed how the filmmakers used one continuous shot for the first minute. One. Continuous. Shot. I immediately started the film again and yep, there it was! They did this so seamlessly and the camera work was beyond incredible that my eargasm had to wait. The fluidity of the dancers was a sight to behold and the choreography was sheer perfection. The dancers’ movements accented areas of the music and vice versa, it was bliss.
Without having such fantastic cinematography, that harmony between A Cappella music and dancers would have been lost, but the filmmakers made sure that would never happen. I’m very grateful to them because this entire film was powerful, emotional and just gorgeous. Every moment of this film was done with such precision and it totally pays off with how sensational it is.
By the end, we are left with only these words “Inlight – 10”. Wha??? That’s it? But, but, but…I want to be able to gush about how incredible each individual is. I can’t do that if you leave me with a mystery. I feel I know more about Banksy that I do about the illusive Inlight – 10. All I can say is, you all have outdone yourselves on such an amazing film.
A composer chooses to write music for “Alice in Wonderland” and by doing so accidentally opens a portal inside her piano, falls down the rabbit hole into the Wonderland and meets manifestations of different sides of her own character – Queen of Hearts and Jabberwocky.
Review by Parker Jesse Chase:
“Metamorfosi,” a whimsical journey into the musical wonderland created by composer Milana Zilnik, offers a delightful five-minute escape into the realms of imagination and self-discovery. Written and Directed by Arty Sandler, the film weaves a unique narrative centered around a composer’s accidental plunge into Wonderland through her own piano, blending elements of fantasy and music seamlessly.
The film opens with an exploration of the composer’s piano, symbolically representing the entrance to the rabbit hole. The subsequent descent, captured with a clever pull-back camera technique, introduces us to the surreal Wonderland—a world of floating musicians, trinkets, and captivating landscapes. The steampunk-inspired aesthetic adds a touch of eclectic creativity, reminiscent of the classic “Alice in Wonderland.”
Milana Zilnik, who not only composed the enchanting music but also portrayed the characters, brings the essence of Alice, the Queen of Hearts, and Jabberwocky to life. The visual spectacle is heightened by the meticulous production design by Sergey and Daniel Boyko, showcasing a breathtaking Wonderland that feels both magical and slightly surreal.
As the composer dances between her different personas, the camera skillfully captures her artistic process within the vastness of a whimsical forest. The introduction of Jabberwocky, adorned in a masquerade mask, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. The film effortlessly blends reality and fantasy, making the human presence seem both out of place and perfectly fitting within the Wonderland setting.
A standout moment in the film is this breathtaking wide shot of the composer perched upon a cliff, playing the keys of her soul, surrounded by the fantastical landscape. The film skillfully integrates a sword fight between Alice and Jabberwocky, with the composer transforming into a steampunk stagnant version of the villain—a symbolic representation of the internal musical notes within the composer’s creative mind.
While the sword fight sequence may be deemed mediocre, it serves its purpose in conveying the internal conflict of the composer. The transition back to reality, where the composer sets down her pen, provides a satisfying conclusion to the fantastical journey.
The music, composed by Milana Zilnik, serves as the heartbeat of the film. Well-paced and intricately woven into the narrative, it not only sets the scene but also tells a compelling story of its own. The collaboration with musicians such as Vitaliy Tkachuk, Yoed Nir, Boris Khodorkovsky, Phil DiMercurio, and Craig Akin enriches the auditory experience, creating a harmonious blend of instruments that complements the visual spectacle.
“Metamorfosi” is a testament to the creative prowess of its creators while tributing a classic tale, with director Arty Sandler orchestrating a visually stunning and musically captivating journey. The film invites viewers to delve into the depths of their imagination and embrace the transformative power of music. In just five minutes, “Metamorfosi” leaves a lasting impression—with a magical interlude that lingers even after the final note has faded
The body of a dying old woman lies in a bed in stillness, while her soul is dancing on the magic stage she dreamt to be all her life. The blinding lights and the clapping of an imaginary audience, accompany her to the final curtain call. In this poetic piece, life and death blend in a metaphoric farewell dance.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Writer/Director Flaminia Graziadei has delivered a poignant and beautiful film about life transitioning to death. Those precious final moments where the soul breaks free of its mortal bindings.
There are so many things I truly appreciated about this film. It felt like Flaminia Graziadei knew exactly how to take each aspect (music, narrative, dancers, lighting, cinematography, etc, etc) and have them seamlessly fit together to make an exceptional piece of art. The cinematography from Marina Kissopulos was spectacular. Each shot was crafted with an expert eye that flowed gorgeously with the score by Silvia Leonetti. The choreography and dancers Paola Maffoletti and Caterina Genta were an absolute joy to watch.
The story is told through the dance but also through this amazing narrative by Karin Geigerich. Her cadence, inflection and emotion really capture your attention and you can’t help but relate to each word.
Yours is a wonderful film worth watching more than once
When a young couple quarrel in a cafe, the window washer decides to get in on the action.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
We’ve all had an experience where we’ve been in our favorite coffee house and witnessed a couple having an argument. Awwwkwaaaard. You want to look at them, but don’t want to look at them and you can’t help but overhear everything. When the window washer also happens to be a mime, it’s an opportunity too good to pass up. For the mime.
Written, directed and Produced by Robert Tartell. The Window Washer is a comedy where our lovely mime, played by Heba Toulan, just can’t help but get involved in the argument on the other side of the glass. As you can imagine, pandemonium ensues..
The cinematography is really gorgeous, thanks to Carlos Felipe Garcia. Especially the work he achieved in not getting reflections in the glass. Clever sound design by Macleod Williams with cafe chatter and the music by #Uppbeat fit this piece so well.
The Window Washer tells a fun and complete story all within 7 minutes.
When a Chinese mother visits her son in Manhattan to celebrate news of his engagement, she’s taken aback to discover that her son is actually planning to marry another man. As she watches the couple prepare to come out to her, she must grapple with her emotions and decide how to react to the news.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Ahhhhhh, parents. We’ve all got ‘em, amirite? Some of us get along fantastically with our parents, while others don’t. Some of us, including myself, are a little afraid of our parents. Especially the parent who is the main authority figure. Our parents can be judgy and critical because they love us and want what’s best for us but it’s still nerve wracking sometimes. Welcome to Motherland. The story of a Mom traveling overseas to visit her son and meet his new fiancee for the first time. If that isn’t stressful, I don’t know what is. However, that’s just the beginning. Written, Directed and Edited by Lijie Xie with the screenplay by Lijie Xie and Victoria Hirakawa-Castro. They have created a story that is beautiful, relatable and pretty ingenious with the plot twists.
Having a great story is only part of making a great film. You need a great cast and crew. Lijie Xie delivers on this aspect too. The cinematography from Jonathan Zhao is beautiful and the music really elevates the entire film thanks to Oscar Pan. The cast is absolutely amazing. Rika Yu plays Mom and she is sensational, her son Nick is portrayed by Kai Wang. Kai did such a fantastic job getting you to feel everything he was feeling. You can’t help but empathize with his character. Andrew Wong plays William, the fiancee. It’s impossible not to fall in love with William. Andrew is so endearing and he added these brilliant moments of levity during tense scenes. The rapport between Rika, Kai and Andrew just shines on screen and part of that has to do with wonderful directing.
This is one of those films that taps into so many different emotions and leaves you feeling inspired and hopeful.
This short film tells the story of a couple who dislike doing household chores. They purchase a robot to assist them with these tasks, but due to the robot’s self-learning capabilities, it eventually develops the desire to replace the female protagonist.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Technology is a major part of our everyday lives and with each new day there are more advances in technology. These advances make our lives easier and we don’t even need to touch anything, just call out “Hey Siri” or “Hey Alexa”. It’s not hard to imagine that one day soon we will have the level of A.I. similar to that in Detroit Become Human, X Machina or my personal favorite, a Baymax like in Big Hero 6.
However, as much as I would love to have a personal healthcare companion who fights crime, I can’t help but think about The Terminator, and we all know what happened there. Writer/Director Mingyang Li found a great balance with the story of Hannah. A very useful A.I. to help with the mundane tasks that a busy couple doesn’t have time for. It’s perfectly creepy that the A.I. looks exactly like the girlfriend. Mingyang Li gives a great Black Mirror-esque story that builds as we watch our robot, Anna, become more sentient.
The music fit the mood and futuristic setting of this film brilliantly thanks to Mengchen Sun and the cinematography by Jiayu Li and Mingyang Li was really well done. Fantastic job in casting identical twins Bianca and Dilara Foscht who portray Hannah/Anna. Jacob Wilson did a wonderful job as Mike. This is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Natal, in his early fifties belongs to a generation that broke social barriers, worshiped cerebral movies, drugs and rock’n roll. However, he does not accept it well when Milene, his only daughter, takes her boyfriend to sleep at home with her. In the middle of the night, unable to put a stop to the sex in the next-door bedroom, he locks himself in his car parked in his building garage. That’s when Silvana, his wife, comes after him. In the quietness of the late night, only witnessed by the parked cars and the garage surveillance cams, Natal tries to unburden his difficulty to accept costumes for which he fought so much. He ends up telling his wife secrets about his past, he has an epiphany: he was never young. Now, being in his early fifties, he doesn’t need to like what everyone else liked, do what everyone else did, be as everyone else was. He is old, he has always been. However, Silvana’s memory says the opposite and he sees himself back to his past and younger than ever.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
One of the most dreaded moments for a father in parenthood, when you realize your daughter is having sex. The film is centered around the father in crisis, Natal, as he copes with this knowledge and commiserates with his wife, Silvana.
Director, Isabella Secchin, really understands how to tell a story and get great performances from her actors. The voice talents of Joao Brandao act as our guide and narrator. His inflection and emotion was perfect and added a sense of comedy. There is also this beautiful bond between the actors portraying Natal and Silvana. You truly believe they are a married couple who’s been through everything together. They have some wonderfully tender moments and some that are very humorous. You think you know where the story is going and it takes you in a wonderfully unexpected direction.
The cinematography is absolutely stunning, with very clever and creative camera angles so the car scenes never become stagnant. Every flashback sequence is lit a little differently, so there is no doubt you are either seeing a memory or something from Natal’s imagination. The music the filmmakers chose for this was sheer genius. It’s playful but has a sense of urgency to it that matches our protagonist’s struggle.
Growing up is hard. Sometimes it’s even harder for our parents
Festival Reviews 