FilmFreeway Review

INSIDE OUT 2016 Toronto’s LGBT Film Festival

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The Inside Out LGBT film festival includes: 

PINK CARPET PREMIERES, FRESH FEATURES AND THE BEST IN CANQUEER CINEMA,

Public tickets Have gone on sale since May 12 at insideout.ca

The full schedule and description of films can also be found on the site.

The Presenting Sponsor is RBC Royal Bank

Premier Sponsor: CTV

Rounding out the Festival’s impressive programming this year are Galas & Special Presentations, treating audiences to exclusive premieres of the best in queer cinema; Premieres programme, offering audiences a chance to be among the first to screen the latest in queer cinematic achievements; the Spotlight on Canada series, celebrating Canada’s own emerging and established talent which includes the Festival favourite shorts programme Local Heroes; and a diverse collection of films in the Shorts program.

Taking place this year from May 26 to June 5, Inside Out celebrates 26 years of showcasing the most ground-breaking, powerful and entertaining work in LGBT cinema from Canada and around the world. 

GALAS & SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

The Galas & Special Presentations will feature films that are destined to become the future classics of LGBT cinema. Making its World Premiere as this year’s Women’s Gala is Toronto filmmaker Sarah Rotella’s ALMOST ADULTS starring Elisa Bauman and Natasha Negovanlis (stars of the popular web series Carmilla) in a poignant and hilarious examination of growing up and growing apart.  This year’s Centrepiece Gala is the directorial debut from actress-turned-director Clea DuVall with the International Premiere of THE INTERVENTION, a dramatic comedy featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Cobie Smulders, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Alia Shawkat , Vincent Piazza and Clea DuVall herself.

This year’s Special Presentations include Festival favourites Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau’s PARIS 05:59: THEO & HUGO, a sensitive and emotional look at intimacy and relationships against the backdrop of the city of lights; and HURRICANE BIANCA will hit this year’s Festival as a World Premiere starring season 6 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bianca Del Rio, as the new teacher in small town Texas who’s got drag on her side.

PREMIERES

Inside Out audiences will be among the first in Canada, North America or the world to screen fresh features offered by award-winning filmmakers and their emerging counterparts in the Premieres programme. BURN BURN BURN, from British filmmaker Chanya Button, follows Seph (Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmichael) and Alex (Chloe Pirrie) as they set across the UK with their late friend’s ashes in tow on a quest to fulfill his dying wish; Festival favourite Ira Sachs returns to Inside Out with his subtly powerful film LITTLE MEN, an intimate character study set in New York City focused on the budding friendship between two teenage boys; the revolutionary film LOEV from Indian director Sudhanshu Saria is a film that was made in absolute secrecy following India’s Supreme Court’s ruling that homosexuality be recriminalized; and Andrew Ahn’s breathtakingly honest SPA NIGHT, a depiction of the Korean-American immigrant experience and a look at what happens when tradition and familial expectations comes up against personal desires and the economic realities of American life.

SPOTLIGHT ON CANADA

The Spotlight on Canada programme is a bold showcase of Canadian queer cinema sure to delight, challenge and inspire. The lineup includes the World Premiere of Richard Lusimbo and Nancy Nicol’s AND STILL WE RISE, a moving documentary that provides an insider’s view of Uganda’s LGBTI communities’ fight against the Anti-Homosexual Act; CLOSET MONSTER, a distinctively offbeat and emotionally striking coming-of-age story from first-time director Stephen Dunn; Bretten Hannam’s NORTH MOUNTAIN, a film full of action and romance that adds another impressive film to the growing number of Canadian aboriginal LGBT films; RE:ORIENTATIONS reconnects with seven of the original participants of Richard Fung’s 1984 video Orientations: Lesbian and Gay Asians, the first documentary on queer Asians and racialized queers in Canada; and from Mark Kenneth Woods and Michael Yerxa comes TWO SOFT THINGS, TWO HARD THINGS, a thoughtful documentary following the preparations for a seminal LGBTQ Pride celebration in Nunavut.

CAPSULE REVIEWS OF SELECTED FILMS:

CHEMSEX (UK 2015) ***1/2

Directed by William Fairman and Max Gogarty

CHEMSEX is a British documentary on the subject commonly known by the North American acronym PnP which means party and play.  The partying involves the use of hard drugs like crystal meth and the play is sex, mostly involving gay males.  Director Fairman and Gogarty aim to educate audiences on the extent of the chemsex problem and how it is dealt within the London setting.  The problem is obviously more evident in a big city where drugs can be more easily obtained just as partners who indulge in the same excesses more easily found.  The film centres on David, working out of 57 Dean Street, a centre that treats the problem.  Various subjects are interviewed discussing candidly their chemsex activities and if they are willing, their addiction.  The camera also follows the subjects to the parties where the activities take place.  CHEMSEX is an extremely disturbing documentary.  The film ends on a positive note with many of the subjects in the film recovered and now leading normal lives.  The hero of the piece is David of Dean Street and the villain the impulsiveness of man.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZLqFHVnaMs

CLOSET MONSTER (Canada 2015) ***

Directed by Stephen Dunn

Newfie movie of an East Coast teenager and aspiring special-effects makeup artist, Oscar (Connor Jessup, BLACKBIRD) struggling with both his sexuality and his fear of his macho asshole father.  Oscar has a girlfriend, Gemma (Sofia Banzhaf) but pines for the new cute boy, Wilder (Aliocha Schneider) at his workplace.  The film teases all the way whether the relationship will happen, but the film takes a few turns.  The film uses the boy’s hamster (with a gender twist on it too) to provide insight to the story.  The hamster is voiced by Isabella Rossellini.  The film is a welcome comedic twist on the coming-of-age genre.  The film is not without flaws but given the fact that this is a first-time feature, CLOSET MONSTER is an assured debut. 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=1&v=VSLEI55SS5s

DOWNRIVER (Australia 2015) ***
Directed by Grant Scicluna

DOWNRIVER’s protagonist is teenager James (Reef Ireland).  When the film opens, he is just released from juvenile prison.  He returns home to mother, Paige (Kerry Fox) hoping to find out the truth about the death of a child.   James was sent to prison for it when the death occurred when they were kids.  The film’s setting is perfect for this kind of plot.  The action takes place in the country where a trailer park exists close by.  There is a river where the folks go fishing and there are caves and abandoned  structures.  But it is surprising that in such a male chauvinistic environment, almost every young male is gay or has had a gay sexual encounter.  The gay sex scenes are shot mostly in the dark, making the sex appear even more erotic. Cinematographer Laszlo Baranyai does an even better job with the shots in the open.  His camera glides across the beautiful murky waters of the river.  The country areas outside Melbourne, where the film is shot, never looked more stunning.  But one of the film’s flaws is its muddled narrative.  As the film progresses, there are many confusing incidents.  Despite the film’s flaws, DOWNRIVER is an absorbing film about youth angst. It covers universal issues like redemption, family ties, relationships, friendships and gay sex.  It does not skimp on the nastiness which occurs quite a lot in the film.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-98kUEnkxHM 

THE INTERVENTION (USA 2015) ***
Directed by Clea DuVall

THE INTERVENTION is an ensemble piece that aims to show how good people are on the inside – never mind what occurs on the exterior.  A couple could be fighting but deep down, they love each other and cannot live without sac other.  One is caught kissing another by her partner, but the kissing means nothing and the love deep inside overcomes all.  The story involves three couples (one of which is a lesbian couple) meeting in a summer home to intervene with the relationship of a fourth married one.  They deem the marriage toxic and that it best for two to live apart.  Of course, these things do not go as planned, especially since the organizer of the intervention gets drunk half the time and that each couple have problems of their own.  DuVall who also stars in the film directs the goings-on fairly well.  In fact the film is more believable and enjoyable than similar Hollywood ensemble comedies like MOTHER’S DAY and NEW YEAR’S EVE.  The film is in reality, four different short stories connected to he intervention theme with a good bond of drama and comedy.

LAST MEN STANDING (USA 2016) **

Directed by Erin Brethauer and Tim Hussin

LAST MEN STANDING begins with shots of San Francisco when it stood for the first vibrant gay city in the U.S where gays flocked there to live freely and without prejudice.  It then goes on to the era of AIDs describing how the streets were then emptied.  The film settles on its topic of 8 men who were diagnosed HIV positive then and have not died – living 30 years beyond their diagnoses.  According to the film, more than half of those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are older than 50, many of them gay.  The 8 men now past their fifties, tell their own stories.  The common thread is that each needs love in the form of a companion who cares.  But as well-intentioned as this documentary is, the film runs out of martial even at 66 minutes.  The stories are personal but not super interesting and there is nothing really insightful provided by the film either.

OTHER PEOPLE (USA 2016) ***

Directed by Chris Kelly

OTHER PEOPLE is the opening gala film for this year’s INSIDE OUT LGBT film festival.  The film directed by Chris Kelly and starring Jesse Plemons as David is ok but but nothing exceptional.  It also stars Molly Shannon playing a largely dramatic role as David’s mother dying of cancer with Oscar nominee June Squibb as grandma.  David is a struggling comedy writer, fresh off a breakup and in the midst of the worst year of his life, returns to Sacramento to care for his dying mother.   There are quite a few problems with the film.  For one, there is no real reason David needs to return to care for mother as Joanna still has a husband and two other daughters.  The film is laid out in months, and from the period David has returned, he has done nothing to help mother but to mope around and try to write.  there (Bradley Whitford) has still not accepted David for being gay which serves yet another reason why David should stay.  Audiences would rather see hilarious  comedienne Molly Shannon being funny – as she really is, but her taken is stifled here.  The film dos contain some good moments.  The best is the one David freaks out at a grocery store unable to find laxatives only to break down crying, “I am a good person.”  A grocery worker suddenly shows up, points to the laxatives in from of him and then, slowly limps away.  The film at least spares the audience from a sentimental death scene.  Still, bring tissues!

Interview Clip: (no trailer available): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFF919bw9Yc

PARIS 05:59: THEO & HUGO

(THEO ET HUGO DANS LE MEME BATEAU) (France 2016) ****
Directed by Olivier Ducastel et Jacques Martineau

Directors Ducastel and Martineau have already wowed gay audiences with their earlier films THE ADVENTURES OF FELIX and COTE D’AZUR.  Their new movie on first love will certainly be another film to remember.  It begins with an X-rated 18 minutes sequence in a sex club which commonly exists as a bath house (spa) where Theo and Hugo meet and have steamy sex for the first time amidst a sea of naked men.  Despite the setting, the love comes across as a sweet and ‘innocent’ one which is put to the test after they leave the spa.  Theo (Francois Nambot) confesses that he had f***ed Hugo (Geofrey Couet) sans condom.   And trouble begins in paradise.  The couple also meet a Syrian kebab worker and an old lady in the metro.  In a short few minutes, these two deliver an abridged but very effective view on life as they see it.  Despite the film dwelling on two characters, they apparently unaffected lives in the world are put into perspective rather brilliantly.   It is an absorbing film and turns out to be a sweet romantic film about first love.  A perfect film to watch at Inside Out.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWiTP8V95oU 

WHERE ARE YOU GOING, HABIBI? (Germany 2015) ***
Directed by Tor Iber

WHERE ARE YOU GOING, HABIBI? is a sweet German film with a setting around a Turkish family living in Berlin.  Ibrahim (Cem Alkan), is gay and outed to his family by his sister.  As a result, he is kicked out of his family home by his father.  Fortunately, he is taken in by his gay-positive uncle (Neil Malik Abdullah, looking like a turkish George Clooney).  Amidst all this mayhem, Ibrahim falls in love with a straight blonde German, Alexander (Martin Walde).  The relationship is one of friendship that grows into something beautiful.  The issues of coming out and first love are nothing new and have been treaded once too often in gay films.  Yet, this sweet and non-pushy film makes it difficult to dislike.  The main message is tolerance, which is important not only in the film’s setting but in the entire world these days.  Habibi is the Arab word for baby or sweetheart.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NGPWraYtV0

*****

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Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

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Interview with Festival Director Rafael Jovine (Frame by Sound Festival)

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Breaking away from traditional norms, Frame by Sound presented by Vents Magazine offer patrons a unique and groundbreaking experience of its own kind. By taking it online, FxS reaches audiences around the world in an effort to bring a personal film and music festival in the comfort of their own home. Various ways to experience are via computer, mobile, ROKU/APPLE TV.

Interview with Rafael Jovine

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

Rafael Jovine: Helping them reach out more people. As a online fest, we aren’t limited to any city or country in the world -well, except those that aren’t too internet friendly-, as a filmmaker myself I know how painful is to look for the perfect festival around the world, and our mission is basically to be a one-stop for them. We are also bringing a great group of talented filmmakers and crew members that would be doing this very educative and in some cases, practical, workshops and panels that aims to teach them some tips and how to be better on their particular field.

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

RJ: Comfort. Fun and definitely for all filmmakers and film enthusiasts this would be an exciting learning experience. We are doing our best to have some creative and talented group of speakers from pretty much each department in a film, from the usual suspects like directors, producers, writers to the not common such as Editors, Directors of Photography, Art Directors, Custom, designers, etc.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films? 

RJ: Creativity at the time of writing and producing a film, some sort of uniqueness on the way the story is told, engagement and so many things more I am sure those who attend the festival would see.

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

RJ: Totally! Through history we have seen all these great and iconic filmmakers who have been rejected at the early stage of their careers like Wes Anderson. And I think it’s both a matter of time as many festivals are very limited by time and in some case scenarios, elitism.

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

RJ: Well, personally I can’t afford to go to any of this big festivals like Sundance, SXSW, etc. and those who are luckier, they have to spend thousands in cash. So we are also thinking on those who attend this festival, we are aiming to bring an equally exciting festival at a cheaper price and without they having to travel to another city or country.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception? 

RJ: This would be our second year, so not too much haha. The format has definitely change, we are totally focusing on the online format instead of the physical as we did last year, we are also adding the musical element, the workshops and we are extending our panels by including other departments of a film production.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020? 

RJ: Ruling the world! Hahaha. But seriously, though the online format isn’t as new as I thought it was, we are definitely more ambitious and hopefully by then everything goes as plan and this would become the new way of enjoying festivals.

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

RJ: I would say Pirates of the Caribbean and Inception.

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

RJ: Creativity, hands down.

MT: How is the film scene in your city? 

RJ: It’s definitely growing. We started focusing more on it like 6 years ago, before it there wasn’t too much of an industry and we barely get one or two movies produced by year, now we get like 20 or so films produced. What we definitely need is a signature, we are currently lost in the sea of mimmicks.

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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 towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Amanda Perry (Cutting Edge Film Festival)

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The Cutting Edge Festival is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization which endeavors to promote the best filmmakers and their films to an ever-growing worldwide audience as a powerful medium that inspires creativity, encourages introspection, and compels the exploration of the senses, and expands the imagination.

The festival uses the monies raised from film submission fees to promote and expand the world of Independent Filmmaking as an ever increasing endeavor.

www.cuttingedgefilmfest.com

Interview with Amanda Perry:

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

We feel that in the two years since we established our Festival that we have offered hundreds of Filmmakers from around the world a lot of additional exposure for their work to countless lovers of Independent Film the world over. As I’m sure that you know, for an Independent Filmmaker, exposure of their films is everything.

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

First, our festival is produced strictly through a virtual film screening platform, and there really isn’t a physical event to attend. However, what a Filmmaker who is screening at the CEIFF could expect is not only a great deal of exposure for their film, but additionally they should expect the potential for their film to come to the attention of Distributors, and a Filmmaker should most certainly expect that the audiences for their film will be of the warmest kind. What a virtual attendee of our festival should expect should be films of all genres that are among the highest caliber in the world.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Like most Festivals in the world, ours makes it’s film selections based on the quality of Directing, cinematography, story line, script plot, writing, acting, production values, and lighting along with many other elements of the film. Most importantly though, we think that a film overall should be entertaining and should capture the viewer’s attention from start to finish.

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

I think that most Festival, ours included, try their best to offer every Filmmaker who submits their film an equal opportunity to be selected and screened. However, I also think that there are a few Festivals out there that seem to focus more on the big budget films which have celebrities attached to them, and less on the smaller budget films with no celebrity involvement. Though this is not the case with the majority of Festivals, there are a few with this focus, and I feel that it is unfortunate because there are countless films that are produced with little or nearly no budget that would rival those larger budget films.

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

Very simply, a love of film, a great respect for the Independent Filmmaker, and our passion for the art of Filmmaking.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

The Fest hasn’t really changed, though we have learned quite a bit and have refined many of our systems and processes as to allow for what we feel is a better overall experience for the Filmmaker from the submission process all the way through to the end of the Festival.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Hopefully still producing Festivals that are much better, and much more well attended each year.

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

That is really hard to answer because I have seen so very many, both Independent and “Hollywood” films.

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

As I said above, what I think makes a great film is for the film to have the ability to capture the viewer’s attention from start to finish, drawing the viewer into a new reality created by the Filmmaker to the point that the viewer forgets that it’s a movie.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

As with many cities around this Country, I think the the demand for Independent Film has grown, and will continue to do so over the coming years.

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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 towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Stanley Cobos (Action Packed Film Festival)

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Action Packed Film Festival, is an event that is solely dedicated to films that are covered under that genre of action. Any project that has stunts, well coordinated fighting scenes and can be easily categorized as an action film can finally find a dedicated home at this film festival.All films that we receive will be viewed by industry professionals, and only a few of the best that we received will be officially selected to screen at the festival.

http://actionpackedfilmfest.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/actionpackedfilmfestival

Interview with Stanley Cobos:

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

Stanley Cobos: We’re setting up for a community of filmmakers that love to make films, more focused on action genre. We’re not opposed to other genres, but this festival in particularly focuses on the action genre. Action packed films are usually the tentpole films of the industry. Blockbuster films, that generate followings and an automatic hit (for the most part) in the box office. Most award ceremonies and film festivals appeal to the comedy,lighthearted and drama films. Regardless of the box office success of the action packed film. The action packed film is pure entertainment. What we intend to do and what is makes it succeeding for our filmmakers, is to focus on them now and push them further in their career. Our festival will showcase two seminars, networking events, and a special award ceremony where we intend to award three individuals (that are not in the festival) that are professionals working and mainly focused in the action film genre as stunt performers.

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

SC: I would hope that it will be a complete success and entertaining, but most important, that our filmmakers have an amazing and memorable experience. It’s important that they continue in their path towards this at time difficult journey as a filmmaker. We want to acknowledge them.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

SC: A well executed film that has action and well coordinated stunts. It took a great deal of time and dedication to make these films, especially if they had little to no budget. When we see a project and we like it, and found it truly entertaining, it makes the cut. It wasn’t easy. Our judges viewed hundreds of film. We had to decline a handful of amazing and just plain beautifully shot films that looked so beyond professional, it was hard to say no; but they did not fit our genre – action. So the films have to be considered an action type film. Regardless if it’s action-thriller, or any other type of film; as long as it falls in the action classification (chases, stunts, fighting sequences, etc.) that’s what we’re looking for. As well as the obvious, good story telling.

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

SC: I really do. It’s a lot of based on who you know and if you have the right amount of funding backing your project. There are amazing films that exist, but don’t get the full amount of recognition because there wasn’t enough money to place it in-front of enough eyes. That’s why web content is starting to gain momentum. Also, it’s difficult to succeed without a name talent. It’s not easy to have someone watch a film if there is no “attachment” to it. It’s unfortunate because there are a lot of great actors out there that will act and do a stellar performance without the need of hassling through the red tape of managers and agents and payment that at times is more than the films project, especially if it’s independently made.

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

SC: We’re filmmakers ourselves and know that feeling of making it. Even if it’s just for one day. We want to spread that. Spread the hope and allow for a great networking opportunity, it’s key in this industry.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

SC: Well, this is our first year and so far, it’s been doing great. We focused on a good genre and have been able to watch some great films and are looking forward to showcasing it for all to see! August 20-21, 2016!

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

SC: It will be a milestone, and we hope to see the growth of it and the expansion of it become something that filmmakers will look forward to seeing and being a part of. We hope that generate a good community and be able to assist in funding other projects.

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

SC: The Fifth Element, it’s one of those films that I can’t ever get enough of. I also enjoy Total Recall, The Professional and V for Vandetta.

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

SC: Great story with an amazingly talented cast and crew.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

SC: Well we’re based in Los Angeles, so it’s a thriving scene, I’m just glad the tax incentive’s are starting to catch-up.

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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 towww.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Umberto Santacroce (The Gulf of Naples Film Festival)

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The aim of the Festival is to promote and circulate cinema and cutting-edge films, foster discussion between various branches of learning, and provide a space for the cinematic arts and other disciplines to engage with each other and grow.

Go to Website

Interview with Umberto Santacroce:

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

Umberto Santacroce: GoN IFF is a new festival, the result of the encounter of three filmmakers with different experiences in cinema, television and theatre. The difficulties we have experienced in distributing our works led us to create a new opportunity for all lo-to-no budget producers; thanks to this opportunity, all those who make low cost yet valuable films, like we do, have the chance to promote their artwork and exchange ideas and expertise.

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

US: This is the second edition of the GoN IFF. Thanks to the serious approach shown in the first edition, our Festival is getting more and more popular and prestigious day by day. There has been an increase in the number of films submitted and of media interested in our Festival. Accordingly, the better the quality of the Festival, the greater the attention given by media to the participants who will enjoy the opportunity to show their works to increasingly wider audiences. And, last but not least, films will be awarded based on their quality.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

US: Although we have decided to select indie films which are not promoted and distributed through the main channels, our Festival is actually open to everyone, but definitely, the films that benefit from a strong budget will not be evaluated from a technical point of view, but only for their concepts and scripts.

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

US: I believe that in the main festivals the awards usually go to the filmmakers who simply had the chance to spend more money on their production, so, they could hire popular actors, as well as skillful technicians and professionals. Moreover, for the support of their high investments, producers and distributors launch massive – at times even deceptive – campaigns, overrating the films and attracting huge audiences. While low budget films usually do not get the success they deserve.

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

US: The fact that different people from different countries with different cultures, sharing the love for this form of art, may gather and become a source of mutual inspiration, getting beyond all borders and potential prejudices.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

US: Now it is too early to talk about a proper change; anyway, since the first year, many more participants have joined our festival and public institutions have started giving us some attention. We are now considering implementing new sections, in order to enhance the cultural value of the festival.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

US: In Naples, of course. With key partners in the national and international institutions. People need quality and we want to continue what we started last year, growing year after year, promoting new awards and turning our festival into the true celebration of top quality films, involving a bigger audience. We also hope to extend the festival’s calendar from 3 days, which is the period set now, to 10 or 15 days. We are well aware that this is very challenging, but there are good conditions and encouraging signs for improvement!

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

US: Well, it happened many times. Every film expresses emotions and fortunately, every film is very different. I love many genres but I am particularly keen on those which are milestones in the story of this art, I mean, the films produced in the 50’s and the 60’s both in Italy and in the U.S.A. Each film represents a step forward in the growth of this sector. For example, just compare “Clash of the Titans” – the 1981 epic film by Desmond Davis, featuring an all-star cast, with well done animated scenes – with its 2010 remake. Even if I prefer the original film, its remake represents the natural evolution of filmmaking with special effects and animations which are light years ahead of the first production. And I could go on indefinitely…

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

US: The depiction of universal values, such as justice, equality, solidarity, and the ability to communicate emotions.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

US: There was a time when Naples was a sort of capital city of the film industry. The famous Galleria Umberto arcade and its lively cafés were the meeting area of people from different backgrounds and the birthplace of hundreds of new production companies. This happened in the years between the 19th and 20th century, a time of intense film production, and implementation of new techniques and art styles.

However, after Cinecittà was built, Rome attracted the whole world of film industry.

Nowadays, the new digital techniques have greatly reduced the costs of film making allowing everyone to easily record a video. The young generations are definitely showing a growing involvement in this art. Cinema schools and training courses are now becoming increasingly popular, and I believe that there are some talented artists among the emergent filmmakers, who will be successful in the next future. However, the national institutions still do not acknowledge and support cinema with adequate fundings.

gulfofnaples

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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 http://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Janice Kurbjun (Breckenridge Film Festival)

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Since its opening event in 1981, the Breckenridge Film Festival has celebrated the art of filmmaking. Each year a unique and varied array of independent films, premieres, receptions, educational programs and retrospectives honoring featured guests takes place high in the Colorado Rockies. Currently celebrating its 36th year, the Festival has hosted such guests as Alan Arkin, James Earl Jones, Robert Loggia, Marsha Mason, Sydney Pollack, Mary Steenburgen, Donald Sutherland, Eva Marie Saint, Jon Voight, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Favreau, Michael York , Jo Beth Williams, Connie Nielsen, Irvin Kershner, Thomas Haden Church, AnnaSophia Robb and DB Sweeney. Educational outreach programs, children’s films, celebrity guests, independent filmmaker forums and other events celebrating the art of film, contribute to the Festival’s diverse program. The University of Colorado at Boulder has presented classic and foreign films with faculty members leading interrelated discussions.

breckfilmfestWebsite: http://www.breckfilmfest.com/

Interview with Janice Kurbjun

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

We host roughly 30 filmmakers at our festival each year. These are filmmakers who submit their films and are accepted through our review process. In attending the Breckenridge Film Festival, they are presented the opportunity to mix and mingle with each other as well as with distributors scouting talent, the Colorado Film Commission, staff of which regularly attends the festival, and with high-level industry talent attending the festival in support of our featured films. We pride ourselves on offering an excellent visit for filmmakers both in terms of quality of experience as well as quality of industry relations.

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

Filmmakers attending each festival can expect the excellent opportunity to take advantage of first-come, first-served complimentary lodging, which helps facilitate filmmakers’ ability to attend festivals to promote their films, interact with audiences and discover new and interesting partnerships, distribution ideas and other creative direction while enjoying the fabulous scenery of the Rocky Mountains. The festival provides support in promoting films, offering unique and interesting opportunities to mix with industry professionals and generally, to enjoy fall and all the wonderful activities offered in the mountains at that time.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Films must fall into one of eight categories: Drama, Short Drama, Comedy, Short Comedy, Documentary, Animation, Spiritual and Adventure. Films also must have been completed in March 2015 to May 2016 to be considered.

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

The Breckenridge Film Festival believes in allowing all filmmakers to submit films for consideration, making the playing field as level and fair as possible. We curate only a handful of films every year, and so we pride ourselves on our high acceptance rate of approximately 15%. Filmmakers take notice. We receive excellent films each year, showcasing that not only are there drastic striations in the industry, but that there are excellent films just waiting to be seen. Our audiences marvel at the variety of films we screen annually and leave the festival with a deeper understanding of the depth and breadth of the independent film community.

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

We believe in the power of film and media to inspire, educate and entertain. The best films for our festival will touch on issues in new and interesting ways that resonate with our audiences. The best films will leave audiences feeling inspired. And of course, the best films will entertain audiences as they accomplish the first two goals.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

In 1981, the Breckenridge Film Festival showcased Hollywood front runner films. As the industry has changed, so too has the Breckenridge Film Festival, as it has opted to focus on the broadening world of independent film and up and coming filmmakers. Today, we are primarily an independent film festival featuring unique talent from across the globe.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

We intend to be a vibrant, interactive festival focused on the power of storytelling and featuring excellent pictures that resonate with our audiences. We intend to continue to be a place for filmmakers to mix and mingle with each other and find inspiration of their own.

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

Either Star Wars or Amelie. Might be a toss up…

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

To quote a great man, “the movies are like a machine that generates empathy. It lets you understand a little bit more about different hopes, aspirations, dreams and fears. It helps us to identify with the people who are sharing this journey with us.” – Roger Ebert.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

Rich. Our residents are more in tune with art house films than they are with first-run Hollywood features. They seek and crave the inspirational, empathetic experience art house films can provide.

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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.

Interview with Festival Director Celia Xavier (Tribal Film Festival)

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Tribal Film Festival seeks Indigenous films from around the world. TFF plays an important part in pushing for the accessibility of Indigenous films with inspiring and uplifting stories that change people’s lives.

Website: http://tribalfilmfestival.com/

Interview with Celia Xavier:

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

We showcase films highlighting international indigenous content as well as projects produced by Oklahoma Native filmmakers.

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

The excitement of seeing films that you can’t see anywhere else, certainly not in theaters in Oklahoma. We create events centered on blocks of programming – such as our children’s films with ice cream donated by our local Ice Cream Social – turning those events into celebrations. This year Native American Straight dancers will be on hand to celebrate a local film on ceremonial dancing . Opening night features our Silent Auction Red Carpet event and a wine and cheese tasting, which always attracts a large crowd.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Indigenous content or features Indigenous actors

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

Absolutely. Some festivals are political, which is an unfair advantage to most of us. But that is great because that is one of the reasons we started ours.

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

We are filmmakers ourselves. Personally, I have been to numerous of festivals. There are numerous great films that don’t get into the “Big Three,” and we have the option of screening those for our audience. Speaking of the “Big Three,” we dislike the caste system that has evolved in the festival world: the VIP ticket sales, the high ticket prices, the separation this creates amongst “the have and the have nots”. Our festival is free to anyone and everyone. We treat everyone like a VIP!

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

Filmmakers can now choose whether to be distributed on our TribalTV digital platform after screening at our festival.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

In four years we hope to have expanded, holding screenings in the theater at our neighboring university NSU and showing children’s movies outdoors in the center square. These locations are all within walking distance from our current theater and are one of the reasons we picked this town for our festival. We’d also envision a famous band open our reception.

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

What a timely question. The only film I have seen more than once is “Purple Rain”.

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

The unexpected, authentic journey a film takes you on.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

Not very much of a scene at all.

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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.

Interview with Festival Director Connie Spielberg (Creative Arts Film Festival)

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The Creative Arts Film Festival is an annual international film festival that is designed to showcase and promote short films and filmmakers. CAFF runs throughout the entire month of December and we offer worldwide exposure, free promotional listings, international audiences, and the prestigious “Perfect Spirit Film Awards”. And, yes, we do accept Music Videos in any of the genres.

December 1-31, 2016
http://www.creativeartsfilmfestival.com/

Interview with Connie Spielberg:

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

Getting them noticed in the industry, getting them fans, and getting them to believe in themselves.

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

Well, we’re online, so attendance is quite different. But, generally, as always, we expect excitement and rabid curiosity for the films and filmmakers.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Under 60 minutes and some kind of mind-blowing moment that isn’t a slick trick or a bourgeois attempt at being smarter than the audience. That’s it.

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

Of course. I want to say most, but I won’t, so…some film fests won’t even watch our film unless there’s something alluring attached, like a star, a celeb, a writer, etc. Something that says money or influence. To be quite honest, almost every star vehicle we’ve ever received, we’ve denied. They can get very boring, very fast, and everyone expects the star to carry the project. Most times, no. Not that it’s the star’s fault. Mostly it’s the producer or director’s fault for just bad filmmaking. RULE OF THUMB — Spend your money on making awesome moments happen, not on celebrities. Or mix it up somehow…think Slingblade. Or get a star that CAN act. What we really like is finding some diamond in the rough that has real story-telling power. Something that excites the viewer with fresh new ideas.

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

Discovering True Talent.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

It hasn’t. We were a pain in the ass when we started, and we still are. If the film is great, we can’t stop talking about it. If the film sucks, we can’t stop talking about it.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Exactly the same. Offering up really great new films by really great new filmmakers.

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

“Robocop” (Verhoeven). It’s SO much more than just a superhero movie and it told so many stories within it’s 90 minute frame.

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

In one sentence? …if it doesn’t suck? No, no…seriously, this is a tough one. I mean, why was “Kick-Ass” so awesome, and “Kick-Ass 2” so lame? Why did “Legends of the Fall” make me cry like a little child, and “The English Patient” make me want to blow my brains out from boredom? Plus, there’s esoteric, and there’s practical. Okay, I think I have it. Here it is…What makes a great film, esoterically? Everybody knowing, and doing, their job passionately. AND, what makes a great film, practically — tell the story honestly. Don’t be clever or slick. Just tell the story honestly. Actually, swap those two answers and I think that nails it.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

The film scene is always abuzz with everything from sucky to savvy. ut the movie scene is completely jaded and stale.
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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.

Interview with Festival Director Lana Westbrook (Boise Film Festival)

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The Boise Film Festival supports and promotes film arts for the local community and for filmmakers and their audiences world-wide. Through the production of an annual film festival and year round events and educational activities, the Boise Film Festival engages the entire community in the appreciation of the film arts. Now in its 2nd year, the Boise Film Festival celebrates innovative and original filmmaking for the Treasure Valley Community.

Interview with Lana Westbrook:

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

Lana Westbrook: Boise Film Festival strives to not only provide a spotlight for local-to-Idaho films and filmmakers, but to redefine how film festivals interact with filmmakers. Ultimately, we hope to be a monetary resource for any films and filmmakers wanting to film within Idaho and continue to expand from there. Currently in our second year, we’re working towards our big goals by bringing filmmakers to and highlighting their work in an exciting and thriving film community here in Boise. Filmmakers – local, national or international – interacting with each other and discussing how we continue to make films and the film industry great: that’s what we seek to provide for filmmakers.

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

LW: A strong, intimate connection with all other Festival filmmakers, team members, volunteers, and audiences. The Boise community’s affinity for film is incredibly prevalent and exciting right now, but we want to direct that passion in a productive and balanced way. It’s a fascinating time to come and check out the film scene here. For more insight, check out this story from the team behind “How to Be Cute and Break Hearts” after they came to our inaugural Boise Film Festival last September: http://www.boisefilmfestival.org/blog/2016/3/23/htbcabh-filmmaker-perspective.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

LW: We’re excited by an local-to-Idaho submissions, but are also thrilled when we receive submissions from near and far places. We look for diverse stories filled with real storytelling talent that shines through any kind of technology.

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

LW: Sometimes. There are a lot of politics involved in creating a public event that is sponsored by various individuals/groups but highlights incredibly detailed, emotional, and/or personal content. BFF works hard to keep an independent and open mentality when watching our submissions.

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

LW: The love of film and our passion for shining the spotlight on Idaho as a production destination. We’ve all been filmmakers, writers, actors, etc. on a project before and that excitement for telling “Not the Same Old Stories” is what drives us to put on BFF. We want Boise and the rest of Idaho to be known not just for our potatoes, but also for how great those potatoes (and other amazing parts that make up our community) look on camera.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

LW: We’re constantly trying to extend our outreach through community fundraising events and even adding an additional arm to this year’s Festival through the Idaho Comedy Film Festival, scheduled for January 2017. Any collaboration we can do with local productions and performers is what we’re interested in and we tend to follow that wherever it takes us while still focusing on the ultimate goal of BFF.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

LW: BFF would love to be everyone’s BFF by 2020 – filmmakers, writers, actors, investors for film, etc. from all around the world. BFF2020 will be our fourth year and it would be amazing to see how far we’ve come in terms of size, where our submissions come from, and we hope to have a featured reel of films made through our newly set-up production fund.

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

LW: Lucky Number Slevin… Josh Hartnett and Lucy Liu are a match made in James Bond Heaven and that extra spice is added by a perfect redemption plot twist with the help of Bruce Willis, Sir Ben Kingsley, and Morgan Freeman.

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

LW: A great film is one that makes you forget it’s a film at all.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

LW: Exponentially growing! There are multiple film festivals the community relishes throughout the year and we’re so excited to be one of them. Production and industry is also growing with the help of a few production companies and film initiatives led by various local groups who know how incredible Idaho is as a landscape and backdrop for our stories.

boisefilmfestival

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.

Interview with Festival Director Freda Sideroff (Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival)

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garifunaThe GIIFF was founded in 2012 with a mission to preserve the values and aspirations of all indigenous people and Garifuna cultures. Founded by Freda Sideroff an indigene of the Garifuna, the GIFF’s mission is to specifically support the preservation of all indigenous cultures in the world through art and film.

Official Website: http://www.garifunafilmfestival.com/filmfestival

Interview with Freda Sideroff

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

Freda Sideroff: GIIFF is succeeding at creating a platform uniting filmmakers from around the globe with common causes to share the stories

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

FS: 41 films with 18 films/docs making Worldwide premieres Screening at 5th Annual GIIFF with a global impact , indigenous art installation International Symposium and cultural performances.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

FS: Supporting the preservation of indigenous cultures. Our filmmakers and films must consist of characters that offers cultural diversity.

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

FS: I suspect that some films don’t get a fair shake from certain film festival if they don’t serve the best interest of the film festival .

And if so, why?

FS: If you choose to accept a certain film subject it means that in some way you become responsible or forced to become aware with what it means to deal with the issues.

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

FS: What motivates me and my team is knowing that the contribution that GIIFF is making brings together leaders from communities from around the globe creating a platform for their voices and the voices of their communities to be heard.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

FS: The first year GIIFF screened only Garifuna related films and now it includes films and documentaries about the indigenous from around the globe including our international symposium which will include leaders from indigenous communities from Fiji , West Papua ,Guatemala , Honduras, Belize , Hawaii, Tribal Leaders from North America to name a few .

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

FS: By 2020 my hope is that GIIFF will attract sponsors and it will no longer be costing us out of personal pocket .

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

FS: Sarafina by director Stephen Spielberg starring Whoopi Goldberg

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

FS: What makes a great film is when you find yourself impacted by the story.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

FS: Hollywood is here we are in the land of where films are made need I say more.

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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.