Watch the winning feature film from the Toronto LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

VALLEY OF A THOUSAND HILLS, 97min., South Africa, Drama
Directed by Bonie Sithebe
A young woman is in love with a woman, but they’re soon separated when she is forced into an arranged marriage with her lover’s brother.

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Project Links

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Director Biography – Bonie Sithebe

Award-winning director and producer. Bonie Sithebe founded Durban Motion Pictures 15 years ago and has produced many large scale films that have been screened on several national broadcasters. She also created more than 30 highly successful television films. She holds an international production certificate. Bonie also worked as a storyliner and writer on a popular drama series. In 2019, she served as board member and treasurer for Sister’s Working in Film and Television. Bonie is an enthusiastic collaborator who has built strong relationships with industry leaders. By mentoring, she…

ONE ON ONE, 5min., USA, Drama
Directed by Jack Wolf Perry
A fierce acting coach uses intense techniques to get a performance out of his shy new student.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Over the summer I attended Berridge Programs which includes a filmmaking course in Normandy France. One On One was my class project.

The script the characters read in One On One is actually from another short film I made a few months before. I knew that if I was going to have a script within a script, it’d be impossible to write the lines they’d be rehearsing without thinking about where I’d be breaking it apart and inserting other lines so I decided to use something already finished that I was familiar with.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to…

HOUSE AFTER, 16min,. Canada, Drama/Historical
Directed by Dustin McGladrey
House After is an Indigenous story that takes place in the 1940s in the middle of the second world war in a cabin on the west coast of Canada. We follow a grieving widow and her child as they experience the duality of living an Indigenous life and the pressures of conformity from the church.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The film is my way of conceptualizing and dealing with my intergenerational trauma. I concluded that while at film school, I’d like to tackle my childhood and family trauma so that when I”m dealing with bigger budgets, I can deal with them in a good way. For instance, this film taught me that I must take care of myself in all aspects of pre, prod, and post. There were times on set when…

HOUSE AFTER, 16min,. Canada, Drama/Historical
Directed by Dustin McGladrey
House After is an Indigenous story that takes place in the 1940s in the middle of the second world war in a cabin on the west coast of Canada. We follow a grieving widow and her child as they experience the duality of living an Indigenous life and the pressures of conformity from the church.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The film is my way of conceptualizing and dealing with my intergenerational trauma. I concluded that while at film school, I’d like to tackle my childhood and family trauma so that when I”m dealing with bigger budgets, I can deal with them in a good way. For instance, this film taught me that I must take care of myself in all aspects of pre, prod, and post. There were times on set when…

TOMARO, 17min., Nigeria, Documentary
Directed by Kimberly Cecchini
Bring out the voices and offer an honest, intimate glimpse into the complexities of life in a riverine community outside of the city in Nigeria.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

As a teacher, I believe in the power of education and, in getting to know the Tomaro community, I heard their desire to build their community’s leadership with that power.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Five years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Future leadership.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Cash flow!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was grateful for the kind words and appreciate…

BROCA, 21min., Canada, Comedy
Directed Luis Oliva
BROCA is a psychological dark comedy about an anxiety ridden actor named Vernon. He is haunted by his negative self talk. After an audition, hope appears for the first time in his life and career. Will he keep it together for his callback or will things get out of hand?

https://paradimeproductions.ca/broca/
https://www.facebook.com/productionsparadime

Get to know writer/actor Chris Cavener:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

A: To be honest it began with seeing if I can come up with a script in a week, and then, ultimately, it turned into a service to everyone who suffers from any sort of mental health challenges. There was also the thrill of being able to properly and safely shoot a short film in times where our group of artists weren’t getting much, if any, work, and everyone was feeling pretty shitty.

2. From the idea…

Cut from his 1938 Oregon college team, pint-sized, teary-eyed basketball player takes the coach’s advice and sets a goal of proving him wrong. He returns to his parents’ California home and works exhaustively on getting stronger. He then painstakingly tries to secure the coach’s blessing by attempting a 600-mile bicycle journey and a 2,000-mile hitchhiking adventure encountering wildlife, thieves and a Miss America Pageant contestant.

http://www.cstalbott.com/
https://www.instagram.com/cstalbott3/

CAST LIST:

Narrator: Elizabeth Rose Morriss
Ma: Kyana Teresa
Pop: Steve Rizzo
Jackson: Sean Ballantyne

Showcase of the best FILMS in the world today.

Audience Award Winners:
Best Film: XPENDABLE
Best Documentary: THE LOVE SONGS OF OEDIPUS REX

Watch the Audience Feedback Video for each film:

THE LOVE SONGS OF OEDIPUS REX, 21min., Canada, Documentary

Directed by Luke Sargent
Documentary about musician Benjamin Hackman (The Holy Gasp) processing personal loss and heartbreak, through creating a massive concept album.

WATCH HERE – The audience feedback video of the film!

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XPENDABLE, 30min., USA, Crime

Directed by Walter Ernest Haussner
1957. Two crime organizations. Two people sent in to avert a war. Who will walk away?

WATCH HERE – The audience feedback video of the film!

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Showcase of the best FILMS in the world today.

Audience Award Winners:
Best Film: ATARAXIA
Best Cinematography: THE AFTERMATH
Best Direction: MISLEAD
Best Performances: WONDER WHEEL

Watch the Audience Feedback Video for each film:

THE AFTERMATH, 7min., USA, Poem

Directed by LaChelle Joy Hunt
LaChelle Hunt’s “The Aftermath”, is a moody Common Era drama atop the windy seaside hills of Point Reyes. Evelyn arrives in California in 1912 after traveling across America to pursue her dreams once shared with another. She deals with being alone on this journey and looks through her darkness to find a new light.

WATCH HERE – The audience feedback video of the film!

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WONDER WHEEL, 11min., USA, Drama

Directed by Caleb John Cushing
A couple goes on a date at an amusement park.

WATCH HERE – The audience feedback video of the film!

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MISLEAD, 18min., USA, Drama

Directed by Steven P. Perkins
Harry hit a…

Showcase of the best FILMS in the world today.

Audience Award Winners:
Best Short Form Short Film: SPOONS
Best Long Form Short Film: THE HOUSE WITH ONE MAN
Best Slapsick: NIGHTMARE AT CAMP BLOODBATH

Best Dark Comedy: THE THIRD
Best Performances: NUCLEAR LA
Best Direction: FLEECED
Best Cinematography: BROCA
Best Sound & Music: VADGEVERTISING
Best Animation: HEY TOBY HEY OWEN: THIS IS NOT SPONSORED BY VALVOLINE

Watch the Audience Feedback Video for each film:

THE THIRD, 4min., USA, Comedy

Directed by Jonathan Kehoe
Making friends is hard.

WATCH HERE – The audience feedback video of the film!

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NIGHTMARE AT CAMP BLOODBATH, 6min., USA, Comedy

Directed by Dylan Arnow
After discovering their lodge totaled by a neighboring camp, two counselors are stalked and prayed upon by the local legend Terrance Fisher in his slapstick parody

WATCH HERE – The audience feedback video of the film!

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BROCA, 21min., Canada, Comedy

Directed by…