Author: festreviews

Short Film Review: Pie In the Sky. Directed by Susan May Lee Lim

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Pie in the Sky” is an enchanting music video that marries playful animation with the raw power of original recordings at Abbey Road Studio One, and a resplendent orchestral performance at the Barbican Concert Hall, London. The video opens with world-acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet leading the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Robert Ziegler, in a captivating orchestral performance, his artistry setting the stage. From this vibrant live spectacle, we’re ushered into a whimsical animated adventure that playfully asks: “What is the ‘pie in the sky’?”

Project Links

Review by Andie Kay:

This behind the scenes look at recording the music for an animated short had a twist. There was a surprise engagement proposal from the composer, Ron J. Danziger to the Lyricist and creator, Christina Teenz Tan. Don’t worry, she said yes.


Filmed and recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios and the Barbican Concert Hall In London, the cinematography was stunning. Musically, the score for the film being played by a full orchestra was just spellbinding. The transition into the animated film was a bit jarring even though the art and animation by Samudiza Kajal Saikia was beautiful.


The actors and narrator of the animated portion did a really nice job although I would have preferred to see a gradual overlay of individual orchestral musicians than the windowed inserts. We go from a cinematic orchestra to a very pop-rock song that had a slightly different vibe. The vocal harmonies were gorgeous and the hook was catchy but it felt more like an end credits song rather than where it appeared in the animated
segment.


This has a lot of different elements that were put together and I really wanted a voice over or on camera host to act as a guide but the performances were absolutely amazing.

Short Film Review: TV MAN. Directed by Leonardo Valenti

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While getting ready for a date with the girl of his dreams, Marco is visited by a man in the TV who starts talking to him. And he has a request to make… Hallucination or reality? That’s what Marco will have to figure out in this absurd and slapstick comedy.

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Review by Julie C. Sheppard:

The short TV Man is an entertaining romp. The satirical plotline has elements of farce, sci-fi and even social commentary. The lead actor has mastered broad comedy with hilarious facial expressions, showing a wide range of high intensity emotions, such as giddiness, infatuation and extreme surprise. His goofiness is infectious and endearing. He is a strong foil to the work of the actor playing the TV Man, who does a stellar job depicting a scheming con man. The screenplay that allows for elements of science fiction, is also quite amusing with its rapid-fire banter.

Cinematography in this short is thematically layered in that the footage of the TV screen switches from actual programming to the in-screen prison. The camera also makes use of extreme close ups and glitchy frames to advance the tale. 

Plucky orchestral refrains serve to enhance the funny moments, as ominous vocals underscore the darker, more sinister idea of TV imprisonment – – despite this edge of gloom and the social comments on the dangers of screen obsessions and betrayal, TV Man is more of a droll adventure.

Short Film Review: COSMIC HANDSHAKE. Directed by Steven Wright Clarkson

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This video is about unity. As a christian, I know I can learn something from just about everyone. Opening your heart to other countries and their people and customs undoubtedly bridges the barriers that this world needs so very much. No matter what religion, color, creed, race, sexual orientation, etc., we are all children of God. He loves each and every one of us immensely. He wants to form a strong relationship with every creation including us. Peace and Christ’s love to each of you,

Review by Julie C. Sheppard:

Cosmic Handshake is a visually electrifying video. From the outset, the artistry takes the viewer along a rapid path of dynamic imagery. It is not just a striking twist of movement – – it is also an exploration of multi-faith symbolism. Familiar religious icons are displayed in vitally brilliant shimmers. A shiny peace sign and uniting handshakes are also central to this display. Human and alien hands reach out, we see acts of kindness and bonding, in addition to live action footage of a diverse group of children joyfully linked together.

The vibrant colours are rich, and the textures are sumptuous, a tapestry of outer space vistas and surreal nature scenes. The other striking element of this video is the use of gorgeous fractal-like kaleidoscope displays.

All this beauty is entwined with a cacophony of sounds – – piercing guitar, low bass notes and hearty percussion. The combination of meaningful icons, breathtaking palettes and soulful musical composition all make Cosmic Handshake an unforgettable immersive experience about love and acceptance.

Today’s Podcast: EP. 1604: Filmmaker Brandon Katcher (Resonance in the Castle)

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Resonance in the Castle, 17min., USA

Directed by Brandon Katcher

A mysterious castle breathes with light and color, drawing all who enter into its shifting embrace. Stained glass spills vivid hues across ancient stone, golden reflections dance over strange artifacts, and ethereal performances flare up like living paintings. Surreal, electric, and unbound by space or time. Musicians, dancers, and performance artists bring their visions to life, each performance casting a ripple, before fading into the ether. A place of mystery and spectacle, this living museum exists only in the moment it is seen, leaving behind only echoes. Here, the castle is not a place but a state of mind, a dream in motion, inviting us to lose ourselves within its walls.

https://www.lostsummitfilms.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

The opportunity to make Resonance in the Castle came at a key moment in my life, when I felt directionless and depleted. I had just wrapped a grueling, two-year documentary production, and like so many filmmakers, I found myself in that fog of burnout and uncertainty. What’s next? And then, pure coincidence gave me the opportunity to join an artist residency in a century-old castle in Italy. I traveled there with only a few basic ideas, the glimmer of a story. But through collaboration with musicians, dancers, sculptors, and actors from around the world, a film was born through the freedom of creating without expectation.

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

Not knowing what to expect from the location or the artists involved, I arrived in Italy with only basic ideas and visuals in my head. Once I was able to see the castle in person and meet the artists, those ideas became collaborations, and the scenes took shape. Each artist had a plan for their live performance, which we adapted for each room and scene. The actual filming took place over two days and became an improvisation as I learned to “dance” with each performer. During the week in the castle, we also performed live in front of an audience and filmed a documentary of the event. Once I returned home, the editing process took about two months.

Subscribe to the podcast:

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Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: EXPERIMENTAL/DANCE/MUSIC Festival (201 FIVE STAR Reviews!)

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Deadline Today to Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway:

OVER 200 FIVE star reviews on FilmFreeway!

In-person public screenings, plus other avenues to enhance the filmmaker’s film (audience feedback video, virtual festival, blog & podcast interview).

NOTE: The festival has 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 public live event where we will record the audience reactions of your short or feature and then send you the feedback video. Or, it 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 the Film Festival Streaming Service for 30 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 films. 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.

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The goal of this festival is to showcase the best of new experimental short films and independent music videos from around the world. Films that don’t get a fair shake from other film festivals because programmers don’t know where to “categorize” these films. There isn’t a typical linear story occurring so most festivals can’t truly understand the talent and beauty around these films.

We want to showcase films that showcase true originality and talent from filmmakers from every corner of the globe. And also showcase new musicians who have made a music video and want it to be shown.

Deadline Today: HISTORY Screenplay Festival

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Submit to the festival on their site: https://documentaryshortfilmfestival.com/history-screenplay-festival/

Submit your screenplay that’s a historical story genre and/or plot line to the festival.

FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay from our committee of Professional Screenwriters, Production Heads and Script Consultants. Get your entire script performed at the writing festival.

SUBMIT your FEATURE, TV PILOT or SHORT SCREENPLAY.

Submissions take 3-5 weeks for evaluation. Looking for screenplays from all over the world.

This festival has a guaranteed 4-tier set up for each accepted script. (No matter what, all screenplays submitted receive FULL FEEDBACK on their work.)

1st Tier: FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay (all submissions)

2nd Tier: Accepted scripts (25% on average of submitted entries) get a best scene of their screenplay performed by professional actors and made into a promotional video.

3rd Tier: We will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your film.

4th Tier: Then we will set up a podcast interview on our popular ITunes show where will we will promote the winning writer and script.

(BONUS: 5th Tier. A winning screenwriter’s WhatsApp group has just been formed. Over 50 writers to date. Great way to share ideas and contacts with people in the industry.)

Deadline Today: Sports Short Story Festival (automatic acceptance)

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Submit on the submission page: https://sportsfilmfestival.video/sports-short-story-festival/

Submit your SPORTS short story to the festival, and we will automatically have it performed by a professional actor and turned into a promotional video for yourself.

Accept only stories that fit into the sports genre.

Sports storytelling is more than just reporting scores. It’s about weaving narratives that connect us emotionally to athletes, teams, and events.

See example of recent reading completed:

Deadline Today: Family & Kids Novel Writing Festival

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Submit to the festival today: https://festivalforfamily.com/family-kids-novel-writing-festival/

Submit your Family or Kids Book by the deadline. 

FAMILY and KIDS Books will always be needed and wanted in our society. If you can write a great family story, then you are definitely on your way to having a great career. This portion of the Writing Festival would like to present at least 20 new works of Family Novels in the next 12 months. Submit your family novel today:

Watch Novel Performance Readings:

Deadline Today: POLITICAL STAGE PLAY Writing Contest (get play performed by professional actors)

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Submit your Stage Play via Submittable: https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/331401/political-stage-play-writing-contest-get-play-performed-by-professional-actors

Festival contest brought to you by the  Political Feedback Festival: https://politicalfeedbackfestival.events/

I have to really thank the actors for my reading, nothing short of terrific as they were, nothing short of incredibly smart, attractive, and perceptive as they were. They brought the script to life.  – F. Maffai

FULL FEEDBACK on your stage play from our committee of Professional Playwriters, Production Heads and Story Consultants. Get a best scene of your stage play performed at the writing festival and made into a video for the winner.

Submit your 10 Page Play, 1 Act Play, or Full Stage Play to the Festival.

SUBMIT your STAGE PLAY Today  You will receive feedback on your play in 3-5 weeks