film festival reviews

Interview with Festival Director Ruben Kazantsev (IPhone Film Festival)

festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

The iPhone Film Festival was started by a filmmaker for other filmmakers. There are thousands of talented artist that don’t have the resources that major film companies have to create a film. The website was designed to give artist an avenue to show off their gifts to the world by simply using their talents, creativity, and their iPhone.

http://www.iphoneff.com/

Interview with Ruben Kazantsev:

1) What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

A: Providing a outlet to showcase their work to the world

2) What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

A: Amazing films created by talented film makers from across the globe.

3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?

A: Shot on an iPhone

4) Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

A: For the most part I believe in the process of all festivals and hope they are doing their job to give a fair chance to all films submitted. I know we do

5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

A: Knowing that films are created because of us.

6) How has the festival changed since its inception?

A: Quality of the film get better year after year

7) Where do you see the festival by 2020?

A: We will be as big as the Oscars

8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?

A: iPhone film would have to be Departure https://vimeo.com/127691315 because I created the project 🙂

9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A: Creativity, team work and the drive to complete it

10) How is the film scene in your city?

A: My city started the film scene, so it is fun to be here

____
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Tadd Good (Snake Alley Festival of Film)

festreviews festival deadlines, Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized , , , , , , ,

The Snake Alley Festival of Film is dedicated to showcasing the best short films from around the world. Films will screen at the beautifully restored Capitol Theater in the heart of downtown Burlington, Iowa.

snakealleyfestivaloffilm.com/
Interview with Festival Director Tadd Good:
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Tadd Good: The Snake Alley Festival of Film brings together filmmakers from all corners of the world to network, learn, and enjoy each others films. Many professional and personal relationships have blossomed out of our little film festival. Our festival is all about the filmmakers and giving them an outlet to show their hard work to other like-minded people.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

TG: Our festival includes several blocks of short films, live screenplay stage readings, and this year we are working on workshops and guest speakers. We also organize after-parties for each night, and an awards ceremony to wrap up the event.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

TG: SNAFF accepts short films from almost every genre of film. The length limit is 45 minutes.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

TG: I think all of the local film festivals I’ve attended keep an open mind.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

TG: Our love for film and our local community is what motivates us.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

TG: Since our inceptions we try to grow each year. We look at what works as well as what doesn’t work and try to find a balance. We’ve definitely grown in number of submissions.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

TG: Bigger and better. We want to be a festival filmmakers remember and return to each year.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

TG: John Carpenter’s Halloween.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

TG: A great story told by a passionate filmmaker.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

TG: Our film scene is slowly growing. I actually program film at our local non-profit theater, so we’re trying to do more cult films, anniversary showings, and bigger events.

 

____
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Creative Director Josh Hope (Twister Alley Film Festival)

festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized , , , , , ,
Twitter: @TwisterAlleyFF
Interview with Josh Hope, Creative Director

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Josh Hope: We give filmmakers an opportunity to screen on the big screen in front of our enthusiastic audience at the beautiful and historic Woodward Arts Theater, and provide several opportunities to network with hundreds of other filmmakers/actors at our kick-off bbq block party and after parties. We also provide complimentary hotel rooms, airport shuttle, meals & adult beverages in our VIP filmmaker lounge all festival long for all visiting filmmakers/actors.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

JH: An amazing slate of films of all genres, the most welcoming & supportive audiences anywhere in the world, an opportunity to network with filmmakers/actors from all over the globe in one of the coolest screening venues in the country.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

JH: We have no real qualifications. If it’s good…we want to screen it.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

JH: Film Festival slates all depend on those programing them. Some festivals may be afraid to play certain types of genres of films depending on their programmers tastes and preferences. We’re happy to say will play films of all genres.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

JH: We’re indie filmmakers ourselves, so we provide a festival that would make us happy and proud to be a part of if we we’re visiting as filmmakers.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

JH: 2016 will be our 2nd year, so we’re still looking to grow and get better every chance we get.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

JH: We want to continue to grow within the community, and hopefully will add more days of screenings in the future. We’re also adding a live music element this year that we hope to continue to grow in the future.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

JH: Personally…Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is my favorite movie and I’ve seen it a lot. It gets better with each viewing.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

JH: I only need two words…great story

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

JH: Twister Alley Film Festival takes place in the heart of Northwest Oklahoma where I grew up. The film scene is non-existent other than our festival. We’re looking to change that.

____
Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Patrick Vella (Malta Horror Film Festival)

festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , ,

The Malta Horror Film Festival is somehow different from many other festivals, because it is always moving from one spooky venue to another every year! The festival attracts about 3000 horror adrenaline enthusiasts who also come to experience our yearly 30 minute Horror House Experience! The films are constantly running from 7pm till 2am for 3 days! The feeling is spectacular and the atmosphere is somehow atmospheric! This year 2016 we are including the Feature film sections and including new genres, such as Horror Comedy and Horror Cartoons!

Website: http://www.maltahorrorfest.com/ 

Interview with Patrick Vella:

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Patrick Vella: Well, besides more exposures in other countries, we do offer the best filmmakers an opportunity to film with us in Malta. Malta has been quite a target to many film Makers and Producers including Spielberg, Pitt, and lately Bay. Malta has lots to offer and is a great location for many various genres of films!

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

PV: As in the Past, our festival is a moving festival from one site to the other, We have to admit that our ScareThrough is much more famous than the film festival however thanks to the Horror House, the Festival is gaining every year more success!!! The festival is pretty vivid, and live, as you can experience (before or after) the Scarethrough! This is our 6th extended Edition!

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

PV: Shorts, Feature, Animation, and Comedy Horror.
Shorts not longer than 20 minutes, Feature we leave it open . Any language is considered as long as it is english subtitled.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

PV: It is a tricky question! We always receive tons of films! Hundreds of Films! Some are great, some are mediocre, some are “WTF”…. however we have always issues with judges who have always different opinions!!! 🙂 The problem lies in different opinions, rarely you find unison in understanding!

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

PV: The love and passion in arts combined with media and filming making. We are artists, we wanted to create something for Malta. This is not our only project, but surely it is one that we keep it on top!

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

PV: To be honest, not much, as we love the formula! What we are working on, is better promotion for the film festival per se… as we believe it could do better! We are not ashamed to say that the festival needs more visitors as much as it gets the live scare through and the parties! However we are working on it by really choosing carefully our selections.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

PV: A fixed Place perhaps, however as I said previously we do love the change of sites, as it helps the audience to come the year after, as they love the idea of having a themed festival, in various places, being a dungeon, an abandoned Mansion or a Haunted Cinema!!!! Yet, there will have to come a day where the festival has a fixed Place ( of course it will be used for various projects)

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

PV: I must admit, without sounding Cliche … I keep watching The Exorcist ( original movie) and though the effects are not relevant for todays technology, few films, beat that story! Story is essential, plot and the sense of point of no return are essential in such genres!

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

PV: STORY – PLOT – SCRIPT – GOOD ACTORS – GOOD FILMING – GOOD PRODUCTION – GOOD POST ( as in order)

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

PV: Film scene in Malta, internationally speaking is superb. Indigenous Film making still needs a lot of advancement…

—

Interview with Festival Director Nathan Fleet (Hamilton Film Festival)

festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

The 11th Annual Hamilton Film Festival (HFF XI) is one of Canada’s most important up-and-coming film festivals. This year’s festival will feature over $15,000 in prize value, plus the opportunity to network with, and pitch your projects to, film buyers, agents, distributors and other film-makers.

www.hamiltonfilmfestival.com

Interview with Festival Director Nathan Fleet

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Nathan Fleet: Quality networking and in the past 2 years, getting distributors interested in our content, which is why we are bringing the Canadian Film Market this year.

So many filmmakers have met and made films because of their meeting at HFF

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

NF: The biggest change is the Canadian Film Market. The focus will be on film sales, film pitches and coproductions with Canada. This will be an affordable opportunity for people to participate in a Market setting along side our film festival. As far as the festival goes, our programming team is exceptional so you will see some of the world’s best films, including Canada. Our policy is to not pre select a theme or genre. We let the submissions dictate the way our festival looks.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

NF: Honestly, if it is good, we want to see in on our screens. Again, our programming team have keen eyes for great material. It blows me away sometimes that some of the top tier don’t accept some of these. We also have room for First Time Filmmakers and Student films and we don’t scale them as harshly as we might for an established production company.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

NF: I do and while I am sure each has their own reason, it is nearly impossible for a festival to program everything they receive.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

NF: Initially it was a cool thing to do to gather some films and screen them one evening. What better way to network with a hundred filmmakers in one week!

I’m a filmmaker as well so this is definitely the type of event I want to attend.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

NF: We grew and grew but maintained our local connection. Our tag is Locally Focused, Internationally Recognized. We always want to make sure that we have room for local filmmakers to grow and exhibit. We earn the “Hamilton” in our title.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

NF: Unless there is a drastic change in formats and viewing habits, I love the road we are on. I would love for the Festival and the Market to become a destination and I think that is where we are already headed.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

NF: Star Wars: Episode IV

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

NF: There is no one thing as it is a combination of all craftspeople presenting their best within the project.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

NF: It’s growing everyday. We have a new film district with Digital Canaries, we have more and more talent from Toronto moving into the city, we have an 11 year old Festival and now a Film Market. You will be able to take your film from Concept to Acquisition in Hamilton.

—-

Nathan Fleet is a professional musician, filmmaker and educator from Hamilton Ontario Canada.
​He runs the Hamilton Film Festival, the Hamilton Film Expo,  the Canadian Film Market and Blue Pick Media.

In 2015, Nathan travelled to Comic-Con International in San Diego to support the screening of his short comedy Air Knob, which has screened around the world in theatres, broadcast and in the air!

​He is currently working to complete his rock album Talk To The Machine, which is expected in 2016.

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Executive Director Lisa Veliz (Environmental Film Festival at Yale)

festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Q&A with the Artistic Director, Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

Brazilian trash workers, killer whales, and food waste all share one thing in common–they’ve been featured in the largest student-run environmental film festival in the world. Mark your calendars—the 8th annual Environmental Film Festival at Yale (EFFY) is taking place from April 1-9, 2016 in New Haven, Connecticut. This festival draws audiences of over 1,700 each year and several films that have been screened at EFFY in years past have since won Oscars, Emmys, and are now shown on Netflix. This festival was founded by a group of graduate students at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and it has grown to include the greater Yale and New Haven communities while maintaining inclusivity through FREE admission for all.

Interview with Lisa Veliz: 

Matthew Toffolo: What is the festival attempting to accomplish for filmmakers and the attendees? 

Lisa Veliz: The goal of EFFY is to shed light on environmental issues through the medium of film. We work diligently to make this festival inclusive for all through free admission and diverse in terms of content throughout the festival.

MT: How many countries represented the festival last year and in 2016? 

LV: This year we have received submissions from over 26 countries, and we are currently in the process of reviewing films for final selection. Last year, we had films from more than 30 countries.

MT: How did the festival get started? 

LV: The festival was founded 8 years ago, by a small group of graduate students at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. It started with a few films over 2 days and it has grown to encompass close to 20 total student, feature, and short films over 9 days.

MT: Where do you see the festival in 5 years? 

LV: My 5-year vision for EFFY is to take a front seat at the table with the premier environmental film festivals worldwide, and to leverage the network of both student-run festivals as well as environmental initiatives to ultimately reach larger audiences than ever before.

MT: How is the film scene at Yale University?

LV: I’m very new to the film scene, so I’m not sure I can speak to the film scene on campus at-large.

MT: How many films do you anticipate showcasing at your 2016 Film Festival?

LV: We’ll be showcasing 22 films (features, shorts, and student films)

MT: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to expect for the 2016 Festival?

LV: We’ll be integrating virtual reality experiences, a special Youth Film Summit, and a few Sundance films!

MT: What are your feelings on certain high ranking US politicians who feel that there isn’t any environmental issues happening around the world?

LV: I don’t understand why we’re still debating the severity and legitimacy of the environmental crisis we face today. We don’t need more proof of extreme weather conditions and mass species extinction to understand that we are at a turning point in the history of this planet. These issues affect business, the economy, public health, and–most of all–our children. I think climate-denying politicians will surely be in for a rude awakening.

MT: When did you join the festival? Is it always a student run affair and handed off to a new group every 3-5 years? 

LV: I stepped up as ED in June 2015, and it’s been an interesting process to think about the succession plan, because our Master’s programs are typically only two years long–it makes succession planning very challenging. We’re working on making EFFY more integrated into the fabric of the university and particularly at the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

MT: If I am attending the festival in New Haven, what else should I see? Landmarks etc..? And what restaurant(s) do I need to go to?    

LV: I’d recommend hiking up to East Rock, dining at Caseus or Da Legna, and going for drinks/pool at Bar. These are my New Haven favorites!

___

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Short Film Movie Review: THE FAUCET (4min, USA, Comedy)

festreviews 2016 movies, Amanda Lomonaco, audience feedback festival, comedy festival, film festival, film festival reviews, Movie Review, Short Film Movie Review, shorts showcase, Uncategorized , , , , , , ,

THE FAUCET played to rave reviews at the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival in January 2016.

MOVIE POSTER

THE FAUCET, 4min, USA, Comedy

Directed by Samip Raval & Danny Klimetz

Movie Review by Amanda Lomonaco:

How many times have we tried to wash our hands on touch-less faucets, or tried to dry them on automatic driers, only to look like idiots as we stupidly wave our hands in front of an unresponsive sensor? We put a man on the moon, but we still can’t invent dependable motion sensors somehow. Yet thankfully these situations lead to hilarious plotlines, such as that in Samit Raval and Danny Klimetz’ film The Faucet.

The only minor critique I would have for this short is that, for such a predictable outcome, the film lasts a little longer than you would normally expect. Regardless, Raval and Klimetz still manage to somehow extend the element of comedy by using a few clever curveballs throughout the film. These unexpected mini-twists almost turn the technology itself into a character that is simply out to get our poor, hygiene-conscious, protagonist.

If you enjoy being frustrated, or you have some sort of a gripe with new technology, then you will very likely enjoy The Faucet. I do not all into any of these categories myself, but I was certainly able to appreciate the humour in this film. After all, lets face it, who doesn’t enjoy a good comedy? Particularly one that so many of us can relate to.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the short film

Short Film Movie Review: LIKE IN THE MOVIES (5min, Italy, Documentary)

festreviews Amanda Lomonaco, audience feedback festival, Documentary, film festival, film festival reviews, Movie Review, Short Film Movie Review, shorts showcase, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

LIKE IN THE MOVIES played to rave reviews at the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival in January 2016.

MOVIE POSTER

LIKE IN THE MOVIES, 5min, Italy, Documentary

Directed by Francesco Faralli

Following his cinephile passion, Daniele Bonarini (from the Association “Il Cenacolo Francescano”), realizes digital feature films shot with the enthusiastic support of friends and volunteers using disabled persons as actors.

Movie Review by Amanda Lomonaco:

This is the second of Francesco Faralli’s films that I’ve seen, and the second with Tiziano Barbini’s participation, and I can’t help but smile every time. There is something truly wonderful in the work that Faralli does by making films with the disabled. He creates true masterpieces, and, in pretending, provides us with a deep look into who these people really are.

There is a split second where you’re watching Faralli’s films where I noticed myself laughing at a disabled person, a concept that I had always imagined appauling. Nevertheless, it’s impossible to not laugh while watching Faralli’s work. Him and his actors create wonderfully heartwarming stories that demonstrate just what the disabled are truly capable of, and I can truly say it’s a hell of a lot more than I can do.

Tiziano Barbini is one Faralli’s most popular leading men, and together the pair have won several awards in film festivals world wide. Tiziano, at least in Faralli’s films, is a very positive, loving, and emotional person, who seems to experience every detail of the world with the intensity most of us reserve for more extreme achievements. He truly exemplifies the concept of living life to the fullest, and appreciating every moment, smiling at the smallest of details, and pointing out beauty everywhere he goes.

Perhaps it’s just because I’m a sentimental ball of mush, but I could watch Faralli’s films a million times and never get bored of them. Tiziano stole my heart in the very first of his documentaries that I watched, and without ever even meeting him, I know he’ll always be able to bring a smile to my face. I don’t know if everyone would enjoy this film as much as I did. The audience at Wild Sound certainly seemed to give it a very positive reception. In any case I urge you to look in to some of Faralli’s work. What he is doing both for the independent film industry and for the disabled community in Italy is amazing, and it deserves more attention from all of us.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the short film

Short Film Movie Review: YO SOY PEDRO (10min, France, Sci-Fi/Comedy)

festreviews Amanda Lomonaco, audience feedback festival, fantasy, film festival, film festival reviews, gangster, Movie Review, sci-fi, Short Film Movie Review, shorts showcase, Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

YO SOY PEDRO was the winner of Best Musical Score at the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival in January 2016. 

MOVIE POSTERYO SOY PEDRO, 10min, France, Sci-Fi/Comedy
Directed by Jordan Inconstant

1977. Mackenzie and Banks are two Americans cops who encounter an alien that has just crashed. The police take him for a film actor and decide to bring it back to Hollywood studios. 

Movie Review by Amanda Lomonaco:

Yo Soy Pedro is one of the most unique films I have seen in a while, and it took me a little discussion with other audience members in order to truly appreciate it in all its glory. I guess that just serves as all the more proof of how misunderstood the science fiction genre can be. Nevertheless once I got a better handle on it, I realized how great of an example this film was that science fiction doesn’t need complex story-lines or super expensive production values to create quality entertainment.

Jordan Inconstant’s short film could not embody the director’s own name more. A Hollywood based film, spoken almost entirely in French, with extremely obvious, not-so-special effects Yo Soy Pedro manages to embrace two different genres while still making a political statement. Tired of watching numerous films based in different countries where everyone speaks English, Inconstant decided to create one in the United States, where everyone speaks French. Moreover, he adds to his critique of Holywood cinema by very poorly dubbing the only supposedly Spanish speaking actor in the film. In fact, despite my fluency with the language I could barely tell it was even Spanish that he was speaking – thank goodness for subtitles.

It’s impossible not to appreciate the cleverness of Inconstant’s creation, through everything from his plotline, to his production values, to his intricate use of language. Inconstant proves that he is able to laugh at himself, and at the film industry as a whole, while still embracing it with all its flaws. He not only seizes at Hollywood’s cheesiest cliches, he subverts them so cleverly that you could watch his film repeatedly and discover a new facet each time.

I’m not sure I’d go so far as to declare this film is for everyone, but it certainly has a strong appeal to a well-informed cinemaphile. In fact, for fans of Tim Burton, I have to admit some aspects of this film reminded me quite a bit of Ed Wood.Anyone who’s seen Burton’s infamous flop will quickly understand why Yo Soy Pedro might incite equally mixed reactions. If you’re a fan of clever, self-reflexive Hollywood comedy, give Inconstant’s film a shot. If he doesn’t have you on the floor laughing, he’ll at the very least be able to force our an involuntary smile from you.

Watch the AUDIENCE FEEDBACK Festival of the Short Film:

Short Film Movie Review: DISAPPEARED (5min, Canada, Fantasy/Romance)

festreviews 2016 movies, Amanda Lomonaco, audience feedback festival, fantasy, film festival reviews, Movie Review, Uncategorized , , , , , , ,

DISAPPEARED played to rave reviews at the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival in January 2016. 

DISAPPEARED, 5min, Canada, Fantasy/Romance
Directed by Jon Silverberg

On the day he plans to propose to his girlfriend, a lowly shipping clerk finds a fountain pen that cause objects to vanish. He embraces the strange phenomenon as a novelty, until it threatens to impede his romantic plans, and very existence.

Movie Review by Amanda Lomonaco:

This film definitely played on one of my biggest fears, and despite its light-hearted nature I couldn’t help but feel a heavy knot in my gut after watching this. I have mentioned repeatedly in my reviews how much I am a fan of horror, but perhaps the very fact that Disappeared isn’t a horror film is what got my nerves jumping. Fortunately I seem to be the only person in the audience with a phobia for disappearances, as everyone else seems to have simply enjoyed it for what it was, even more so for its open-endedness.

While Jon Silverbeg’s introductory performance could have been a little more convincing, this minor flaw is quickly forgotten as the rest of the story draws us in. There’s even a certain catharsis in the very idea of a magical “erasing” pen that can make all our troubles go away. You can’t help but root for Silverberg’s character as you watch him magic all his problems away just so he can make it to dinner and propose to his girlfriend.

The best thing about this short was most certainly the ending… in a good way. It is both surprising, and vague enough to let you create your own satisfying version, and even leave you longing for a sequel. One audience members cleverly pointed out that it would have been interesting to encounter the other people or objects that the magical pen had been used on. In fact nothing says Jon Silverberg’s character wouldn’t encounter exactly that just moments later. The film ends so abruptly it leaves all that room precisely for you to interpret and decide where his life goes to from here.

It’s easy to deduce from here that this film is certainly one for the more creatively minded. Nevertheless, caution should be taken for those with a phobia of disappearing loved ones, like me. I guess that also makes this perfect for lovers of mystery. It’s always nice to appreciate good home-grown cinema, and Disappeared is definitely a good example of the capacity of the Canadian imagination.

Watch the AUDIENCE FEEDBACK Festival of the Short Film: