matthew toffolo wildsound

Interview with Festival Programmer Ross Williams (KILLER VALLEY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL)

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The Killer Valley Horror Film Festival was founded in 2007 by filmmaker Randy Granstrom. For 10 years we’ve been showcasing the best in indie horror and sci-fi.

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Fes(val succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Ross Williams: We really focus on our local filmmakers. If you live in Southern
Oregon or Northern California, we give you a free entry and a higher chance on getting accepted if you can come to the festival. We also keep the entry fees really low, it only $10 this year. The festival really began as a way for us to show our horror films to our friends and family in the area. It opened up to other local filmmakers in Southern Oregon and began to grow from there. Since we’re still so small, we can’t offer much. But we always let them and their friends in for free. We give out awards and give filmmakers a chance to see
their film on a big screen with an audience.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival
this year (2017)?

We really aim at horror fans. You can expect a killer lineup of short horror films. Some are funny. Some are gross. Some are seriously scary. The best films are all three. We try to mix it up and make it a fun night of horror. We usually have a special guest, the past two years it’s been Adrienne King of Friday the 13th fame, since she lives in our area and loves to interact with horror fans. We have fun horror props and decorations and you can get your picture taken
with Jason Voorhees or some of the other props we have around.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

We don’t care about premiere status. We don’t even care if the film is a few years old. Really we just want to showcase cool horror films. We’ve rejected really top-notch films because they didn’t have enough horror in them. And we’ve accepted “poorly” made films because they were entertaining on some other level. We’re really just trying to keep our audience and ourselves entertained.

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

I think horror in general is looked down on in the “serious” film festival circuit. Besides the few rare exceptions, you really only see horror films at horror festivals. So we’re trying to do our part in helping the genre. There’s no other horror festival that we know of in our area. You have to drive 5 hours north to Portland or 5 hours south to the Bay Area to see independent horror on the big screen.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Everybody involved in the festival is a filmmaker. We really want to make it a fun experience for filmmakers when they come. A chance for them to interact with horror fans and get true feedback on their films. For horror fans, we want to present a night of awesome horror films that they probably won’t see anywhere else.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Year one was a bit rough, it was our fault though. Because we really wanted to focus on filmmakers, we made it a free entry to the festival. We were absolutely bombarded by films. We had around 750 entries. A good 25% of those weren’t anywhere close to the right genre. It took forever for us to weed through all the films. This year we made it a $10 fee, just so filmmakers would pay attention when they were entering and not just see “free” and enter without reading our guidelines. It cut down our entries a lot, but the quality of films is a lot higher this year. Other than that, the process has been really smooth, we really like FilmFreeway.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Hopefully we can expand it to at least two nights by 2020. We’d like to eventually expand it into a horror-con of sorts, with horror actors, booths, cosplay, etc. But that’s just a dream at this point, we really need to put a lot more time and money into it if we’re going to get there.

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

Probably Star Wars, but as for the horror film I’ve seen the most it’s gotta be: Return of the Living Dead. In my opinion it’s the best zombie movie and the best horror-comedy ever made.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A film that’s fun to watch, has a compelling story and characters, is well made in all aspects and keeps you thinking about it afterwards.

How is the film scene in your city?

For a small town Ashland has a great film scene. We have a ton of filmmakers in the area, you can find somebody making a short film somewhere in the area almost every weekend. We’re all very supportive of each other’s work, we tend to pitch in a lot on each others projects. We have a great filmmaker organization in Southern Oregon Film and Media, that binds us all together. And we have a great film festival in the Ashland Independent Film Festival, in my opinion it’s one of the best I’ve ever attended as a goer and as a filmmaker. We at Killer Valley strive to be half as good someday.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director Jorge Blanco (THE HELL CHESS FILM FESTIVAL)

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The Hell Chess Film festival is an event celebrated in Campo de Gibraltar, Spain.

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

Jorge Blanco: My personal experience as filmmaker in Festivals is negative. The most part of festivals got nothing to do with the filmmakers dreams, but with another interests. The Hell Chess Festival is all about creativity, constant communication with the filmmakers and a beautiful message to the world.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

This year 2017 we had three venues, two in Madrid (Spain) and another in a big cinema of St Julian’s (Malta). Now, we are opening the submissions to the 2018 edition, probably in January. The new venues are still in searching process.
You will find pureness in terms of faith in creativity and faith in the best of the human spirit.

And probably if you are sensitive enough, a big surprise will change your life vision.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

When you select a film, even in the most honest way you choose what you like not what is always the best.

You got your own tastes. So the concept of winning means nothing when art itself is not objective.

So, all the non accepted films receive a letter explaining our reasons and our reviews to improve future films. In fact, the winner of our last edition got an incredible story behind. This filmmaker sent us a lot of films which were the most part of them rejected, but she improved the quality of her films until being the winner of the festival (what was a big surprise to her). The criteria of the festival is based in innovation, good taste and ethical values.

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

We live in a dark period to cinema. All the commercial films are based on remakes or old ideas but in the worst possible way. So, the lack of an ethical commitment penalizes the original works. So, many good brave films do not get a fair shake, but an unfair treatment. That´s why we invent the Hell Chess Festival, to all filmmakers who are hungry of justice.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

I tell you a story, Matthew. A real story. We needed an upper force to decide a prize to our festival. We were confused. It was a difficult decision. And when we chose the most beautiful verdict based in high ideals then something supernatural (or unknown) happened. It´s difficult to explain, so the best thing is watching the final minutes of this video made by our last season winner:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFEFqriK59g . The Hell chess Trophy has been the most important prize of her life, a prize guessed from beyond our reality.

This is our intimate motivation. Because we knew our path.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Very hard. Filmfreeway is a good tool but I personally hate the “Not Accepted” button. So, in the future I want to change the selection process. Maybe, we´d search for films and ask the directors to be included in the festival, or maybe creating special films only for the Hell Chess Festival. Something unique and compatible with our spirit.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

I see a bigger one but not a better one. Today´s Hell Chess Festival is heroic and pure. We need go on so. The last thing we want to be is a fake independent festival run by a Hollywood actor who wants all the cinema honey but none of the real independent sourness. If you decided to be a rich slave you cannot pretend to be a free adventurer.

My Festival got only one sponsor: From the ruin to paradise, society.
That´s the secret of being unique.

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

The Sidney Pollack´s romantic comedy Tootsie. Around 50 times, specially when I was a child. I remember our video Beta and I related the coming of home video with this film. Maybe Tootsie is more deeper than it looks, with a bunch of inspired actors and a story of acting, Television, good tips about men and women psychology, and the irony of success and failure in the audiovisual world.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

When you watch a great film you feel your life becomes important.

How is the film scene in your city?

Very funny. This is a spanish town with no cinemas in the centre (the old cinema disappeared) so you got to drive 7 kilometres to the unique cinema in 1.529 km². The decadence of cinemas is evident. Once upon a time things were different. But the key is not only Internet or tv or videoclubs. The key of this decadence is the decadence of cinema itself. I think in the place I live there was an actor of silent films. Everything is silence and I´m the only who speaks, that´s why I need to make festival far away my place. Sometimes I feel more closed to people like you than from my neighbours. I was 4 years old when I watched my first film Superman (1978) in a cinema room. I still remember my sensations. And not only I want to make movies, but being a saviour. Thanks for the questions.
 

Festival Director BIO: 

I founded a society called “From the ruin to Paradise” in 1998. 
Since that moment nothing is more important to me than this project. 
This society got cinema, educative and spiritual goals. 
The main project of this society is a feature film which is still the biggest, rebel and intelligent project you can imagine. 
In the meanwhile, I directed a 30 minutes film called Hell Chess. A totally innovative 
film in terms of narrative forms and a revision of our values as humans. 
And this film gives the name to our cinema event, The Hell Chess Festival. 
The Festival was a private event 5 years ago (where we played a chess tournament and watched our own movies) but in the Summer of 2016 the Festival began in Centro Cultural Pilar Miró, one of the best theatres in Madrid. We discovered experimental filmmakers like the veteran australian David King, a man of true talent who never won a prize until our event. We do not make any difference between actor/actress all compete in the same category of “Best Acting” like the last season where the actress Lola Manzano won her prize against many men. So our purpose is different indeed.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director Kristian Day (Interrobang Film Festival)

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Presented as part of the Des Moines Arts Festival, the Interrobang film festival is three day multi-venue event taking place in the Des Moines East Village Neighborhood. The audience – whether cinema enthusiasts or curious newcomers – can experience curated screenings from films around the globe as well as experience hands on workshops, celebrity lectures, and industry parties.

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

Kristian Day: All of our juried films are free to the public. As a filmmaker myself, I hate the process of submitting to festivals. You spend lots of money submitting your films and then if you are selected, the audience has to pay to see them on top of that. Which doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I want to take the risk out of going to a film festival. If your film festival is not a buyers market, then at the very least you want to help guarantee an audience for the films that have been selected.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

For the first 9 years, the Interrobang Film Festival took place within the Des Moines Arts Festival. We have grown significantly and this year we have become a stand alone three day / multi venue event.

New additions this year:

Interrobang Film Challenge, a timed film competition similar to the 48hr Film Project that takes place the weekend prior and the films will then screen the weekend of the film festival.

Best of Show Award now includes how filmmakers market the film in our city. As most filmmakers know, once they are selected it is up to them to get people to come see their movie. I want to encourage old fashion showmanship. Fliers, parades, billboards, guerrilla marketing , whatever they need to do to get people in the seats! It is not only a big marketing tool for the festival but its fun for the city to have that experience. I give all the filmmakers every media contact in the city thats in my rolodex but they have to get more creative then just sending out press releases.

More parties. I don’t think young people have the attention span to sit and watch movies for hours like they used to. The Youtube generation likes things short, sweet and always moving. So we have a lot more non-screening events including a “Beers with Iowa Filmmakers” party and a cocktail hour with the Iowa Screenwriters Alliance.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

I can’t say there is a specific qualification to select a film. There are obvious technical aspects I look for but I am always looking for something unique in each one. Sometimes I might watch it and think “this isn’t for me but I know there are definitely some people who will enjoy this”.

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

Sure. The bigger festivals are very political and I get that. If they don’t have some celebrity attached or if it hasn’t created some controversial buzz behind it then they are not really interested in it. But good films find their way. That is one thing I have learned over the years. A good will won’t go unnoticed if the creators never give up.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

I work in the film industry full time. I commute from Des Moines, Iowa to LA several times a year. I do this festival year after year because some day I hope that I don’t need to commute to LA for work. I want to see the industry move into more third markets (areas that are not LA or New York) and to do that you have to continue to develop that culture.

From an Iowan perspective, Des Moines is the capital city. It deserves to have a great film festival.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Great. I love FilmFreeway! We used to use Withoutabox but to be honest it was super tedious, clunky, and convoluted. I like being able to watch films within the site and its easy for the judges to do their work within the system.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Buyers market is always the goal. But it could also just take its place among the other festivals like 80/35, 515 Alive, and the Des Moines Arts Festival: an annual event that everyone in the region looks forward to attending, Either way I would be very happy. I don’t actually want to run this festival forever, I do it because it needs to be run by someone who doesn’t want to be the center of attention. The filmmakers, the audience, and everyone who makes the festival what it is are the most important aspects. There are some programers who think that they are the heroes and this not the attitude I want to see. Also whenever I see someone post things like “Great things on the horizon” on social media I am immediately turned off.

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

Once Upon A Time In The West. This is the single greatest film ever made.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Henry Fonda, and Jason Robards are what make a great film. (See the answer to the previous question)

How is the film scene in your city?

It’s OK. We have several shows that film here but not many folks are properly trained to work on a real set. I am a 1st AD on a lot of projects and every time on Day 1 I run into either a camera operator or a sound mixer who hits record and yells “speeding” before I tell them to roll. I have to stop everything and explain to them that no one touches anything until I say so.

My dream would be that we would have people who could work on shows in bigger positions, not just PAs. That could happen but they just need to work more and have more opportunities to be trained.
 

 
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director Albert G. Nigrin (New Jersey International Film Festival)

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The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 35th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2017. The Festival will be held on select evenings between September 15 and October 15, 2017 and will showcase the best in independent film by featuring premiere screenings and special guest appearances by film directors, screenwriters, cast and crew. For more information go to http://www.njfilmfest.com, call (848) 932-8482 or e-mail us at NJMAC@aol.com or NJMAC12@gmail.com!

 

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

Albert G. Nigrin: Our Festival does a terrific job getting independent filmmakers the media/press attention and audience they deserve. Most filmmakers who are screened go out of their way to praise the great work that we do. And they love seeing their films on our huge screen and on our hi-def projection system.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

You would see enlightening and inspiring films that you couldn’t see any place else in the state of New Jersey as they are all premieres. You would also get to interact with over 20 visiting filmmakers who come from all over the world to present their films and do Q+As with the audience. 17 films will have their New Jersey or Area Premiere screenings as part of the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2017. Some of these include: Jeremy Bryant’s very edgy short film Hitchhiking with a .357 Magnum; Minwoo Song’s brilliant experimental film Greeting In The Afternoon; Fred Riedel and Jerry Friends documentary film about the making of Lee Ranaldo’s upcoming release — Hello Hello Hello : Lee Ranaldo : Electric Trim; Leslie Ann Coles’ Melody Makers — a rock-doc that traces the birth of rock n’ roll journalism in the 1960s; Goran Trenchovski’s The Golden Five — an intimate feature film from Macedonia about the bonds of friendship, tested by unacknowledged acts of betrayal; Sara Leavitt’s short documentary Riverkeeper about Captain Bill Sheehan who has dedicated his life to preserving and protecting the New Jersey Meadowlands; Scott Morris’s Saving The Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport ­– a documentary about a successful grassroots effort to defeat a plan to build the world’s largest jetport on wetlands in the heart of New Jersey; Chiara Bellini’s Life by the Landfill — an inspiring documentary about a determined group of activists who took on the notoriously mismanaged system of trash collection in Rome, Italy; Jimmy Dinh’s hysterically funny and timely feature You Have A Nice Flight, Nurith Cohn’s amusing short film The Little Dictator; Jordna Horowitz’s surreal feature Painless; Sharon’s Chetrit’s surreal short from Israel Soup; and many others. This fall we will also be re-screening the films that were the Best of our Summer 2017 New Jersey International Film Festival. These include: First Bloom (Best Animation) , Kedi (Honorable Mention), The Ravens (Best Short), Emma (Best Feature), Passaic (Honorable Mention), and Levinsky Park (Best Documentary). There will be Free Food served at the New Jersey Film Festival Fall 2017 except the shows on Thursdays prior to all the screenings courtesy of Jimmy John’s of New Brunswick! Visit our website for more info: http://www.njfilmfest.com

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

All works selected are screened by a panel of judges which included media professionals, journalists, students, and academics. Films are prescreened by 1st round judges and they basically weed the good films from the bad ones. We received over 370s for the current Fall 2017 New Jersey Film Festival and these judges selected about 100 films from these to be viewed by a final jury and they pick the finalists which are being publicly screened at our Festival. 17 finalists were selected for our Festival this Fall. All films viewed by the judges are scored from 1-10 with 10 being the highest. Films that receive 7s and higher for the most part were selected as finalists. Each piece is also scored with respect to the following categories: Originality, Creativity, Production Values, and Performances w/ the grades being Superior/Very Good/Good/Fair/Poor/NA. It is really very professionally run.

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

All films are judged equally. Even the ones screened at 8AM get revisited by the jury to make sure they were given a fair shake. Also the fact that we have a two tiered judging process ensures that films are thoroughly examined. We also provide judges comments to any entrant who asks for them. The Festival judging process is, for sure, imprecise and I am certain many good films are not selected but that is the nature of the Festival process.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

We do the NJFF to make sure indy films get seen in our state. The New Jersey Film Festival is one of the longest running Film Festivals in New Jersey. It is now in it’s 36th year and I founded it back in 1982. It has grown from a seat of the pants film program to one the state’s largest and most popular Film Festivals.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Pretty good. It was certainly necessary to give Withouabox some competition. Now there are so many submission platforms to choose from.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

The New Jersey Film Festival has gone through many different changes for a variety of reasons. It started as a revival program in the 1980s. Then we started doing 1st and 2nd run Art House films in addition to revival screenings due to the fact that our programs were growing and had more income to work, with. In the new millennium the Festival has transformed itself into a Festival which premiers Independent films in New Jersey. I expect the Film Festival to continue what we have been doing the last few years which is to help give a platform in New Jersey for indy films.

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

Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon and Bunuel/Dali’s Un Chien Andalou.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A great film is one that you can watch endlessly and never get tired of it.

How is the film scene in your city?

Vibrant. It was pretty dead when I got to New Brunswick in 1980 but now it is considered the mecca for filmgoers in New Jersey.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director Michael McLaughlin (Disappear Here Film Festival)

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The Disappear Here Film Festival is a first of its kind in Donegal, Ireland. The inaugural DHFF is a 3 day festival taking place in Ballyliffin, Co Donegal from (Culture Night) Friday 22nd September 2017.  Our versatile programme will include screenings, talks, educational workshops and a host of entertainment events through which we will provide a unique festival experience.

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

Michael McLaughlin: It is offering them the opportunity to have their work seen by an audience that wouldn’t necessarily get a chance to see it. It also gives them the chance to network and make connections with others working within the industry. Gaining feedback from an impartial audience is something that can be worthwhile, especially for those that are starting out in the industry. To showcase your work on a big screen, in an environment such as a film festival is a an excellent platform for all filmmakers to avail of.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

The festival is for anyone that loves films, as well as those working or considering working within the industry in the future. We are aiming to offer something for children and adults alike. Disappear Here Film Festival will be another opportunity for the people to get together and celebrate the creative talent on offer through the medium of film. There will be various art installations dotted around the village, allowing people to experience not only film but also, other forms of creative expression.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

There are no set qualifications and we decided against running with a theme for this inaugural year. What we are after is film making that is engaging, that is entertaining and ultimately that challenges audiences, & makes an audience feel something.

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

Yes, I would probably accept that, but obviously I can’t speak on behalf of other film festivals. Films that are maybe high quality and tick all the boxes in terms of one panel member, might be deemed exceptional while another might deem it average, meaning that some films get dropped and don’t make it to selection. Also programmers have a very specific programme duration for short films, so lots of longer short films cannot get shown. My advice to filmmakers making shorts, is to actually keep them short – below 12mins max.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

The film festival came about by a desire to showcase the talents of
independent film making in Ireland and to allow audiences in Donegal
access to films they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to see.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

In a word, incredible. It streamlined the whole application and submission process. It allowed us to make direct contact iwhtdirectors to clarify any information during the submission process. It made the experience more seamless and less stressful.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

As a major player not just on the national scene here in Ireland, but internationally as well.

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

True Romance! Loved the screenplay by Tarantino and it’s one of Tony Scotts best as far as I’m concerned. Also, like everyone else I fell in love with Alabama, just a little bit!

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A great film needs to be always entertaining, never ever boring.

How is the film scene in your city?

Getting better all the time! Lots of great filmmakers, crew & locations that have to be seen to be believed! Actually Star Wars- The Last Jedi filmed here last year, so we can’t wait to see our area showcased for an international audience in that film.

Disappear Here Film Festival2.jpg

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director Terrence Sanders (Platform Film Festival)

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Platform Film Festival’s mission is to celebrate the masters of filmmaking and discover the next generation of innovative creatives. Platform is the connective tissue that bonds the wondrous union between art and film. PFF will present an uncensored view of the World through the most important and relevant artists and filmmakers creating 2D and 3D work without fear, monetary incentives or artificial borders. PFF is a creative forum where like minds can have a sense of community being celebrated by the publlc-at-large and their contemporaries.

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

Terrence Sanders: Platform Film Festival mission is to provide a necessary platform for filmmakers in hopes of creating a greater awareness for important films.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

TS: Eclectic programming with an artistic bend. Films that entertain and educate. New discoveries that will resonate with the viewer long after they leave the venue.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

TS: Voice, substance and vision.

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

TS: It’s a power struggle whenever money is part of the equation. Each film submitted is competing for exposure and notoriety. Each jury favors a different trend, celebrity, subject matter or theme on a yearly basis. What’s favorable this year might not be favorable the next. Sometimes the unknown underdog is the winner and most times whether we like it or not it’s the financed studio favorite.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

TS: The love of the medium. I owe everything that I am today to the transformative power of cinema. I want to share great films with my audience.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

TS: It’s been great. We were going to partner with Withoutabox but the process was complicated to say the least. Filmfreeway was simple and personable. It was a great fit. I hope to grow with this company and community.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

TS: Joining the list of respected, important and relevant film festivals in the World.

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

TS: I’m a film freak. I have literally watched 5 movies a day for that last 25 years. I’ve seen everything. A few favorites are; The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Libertine, A Pure Formality, The Royal Tenenbaums, Blue Caprice, Ballast, O Brother Where Art Thou?, In the Mood For Love, Maderlay, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, Gangster No. 1, etc.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

TS: Three words: writing, cinematography and performance.

How is the film scene in your city?

TS: I live in Los Angeles – what do you think?

Platform Film Festival2.jpg

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
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Interview with Festival Director Orvil Kunga (Afrikans On Film Festival)

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A unique opportunity to see films rarely seen on the big screen. A well attended festival noted for shining a light on the multilayered aspect of Afrikan filmmaking. It boasts informed discussions, workshops, a unique Afrikan craft market and great cultural food (vegan options available). With performance, poetry and story-telling thrown in for good measure. A true Afrikan experience that will tingle the senses, inform, insight and educate.

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

Orvil Kunga: Afrikans on Film festival has been successful in premiering work for filmmakers who are often overlooked in the wider discourse of mainstream cinema.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

Our festival exists solely to promote the multilayered aspect of African centred, creativity. Those who attend our festival should expect films from the African continent, along with African centred films from US, UK and Europe. Many of them are UK premiers. All have been selected because they speak to the essence of the on-going journey of the African body.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

We look at films across the board. Animation, documentaries, drama and even music videos.

There is no criteria as such. As the curator, I am interested in films which skilfully portray where African filmmaking is now but also where these contemporary stories sit within Africa’s uniquely spiritual nature of story-telling. Whilst a few of the films screened might be made by non-Black, African people (either from the continent or the diaspora), it is ultimately, the African-centred nature that forms the main criteria for selection.

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

Certainly. African people within the creative industries are often marginalised in the West and the African narrative has almost been erased from mainstream TV and cinema globally. The representation of the African body has historically been mediated through a white (all too often male) gaze. This is problematic and has severely hindered the African’s ability to tell our human stories to the world.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Our lived experience guides our passion for creating a platform for pushing the multi-prismic nature of these stores. It is great when we see this work on the big screen. It’s great when we see a room full of young and older people, their eyes wide open looking at the screen, in total awe at the quality, richness and range of these stories.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Its been amazing! Although we’ve been running for 6 years, we’ve not tried FilmFreeway before and have been blown away by the amount of submissions received in such a short space of time since registering on the site. If there is a gripe, then it would be that some people avoided (deliberate or otherwise), the fact that we seek African films. Films either made by Africans or films which focus on African people.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Our Afrikans on film festival has been serving films to the public for over 5 years, free of charge. Which is amazing! It has been partially funded by a small organisation in London, called Peckham and Nunhead Free Film Festivals, who receive funding from the local borough of Southwark and thankfully collaborate with us in order to get these beautiful films on screen. Whilst the ‘free’ film festival may well continue under this relationship, Afrikans on Film as a subsidiary film provider, seeks wider sponsorship as we aim to push the festival to twice a year and provide pop-up screenings throughout the year. We hope to provide an out-reach programme, working with creatives here in the UK and linking them with creatives around the African world. If all goes to plan, by 2020 we should be bigger and better!

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

Aah difficult one! Black Girl (Ousmane Sembene), Sankofa (Haile Gerima). BAFTA nominated, Short film – Mwansa The Great (Rungana Nyoni), watched and shared many times! Battledream Chronicles (Alain Bidard). An animated feature from Guadeloupe. The first feature from Guadeloupe is a gem on many levels and I’ve watched it too many times! Summer Of Gods (Eliciana Nascimento), Oya Rise of The Orishas (Nosa Igbinedion). Award-winning web-series Ackee and Saltfish (Cecile Emeke).

I know you said ‘film’ but an unfair question deserves an unfair answer!lol

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A great film speaks to an inert truth, appeals to the viewer through codes and tropes which unites the soul and lingers on, connecting others as its memories ripple.

How is the film scene in your city?

In London the independent scene is vibrant.

Online platforms have changed the game as cities/filmmakers become more and more interconnected.

Although all the big and medium films come through this city, the home of BFI’s LFF (London Film Festival), Afrikans on Film festival, attempts to serve a need and we feel, remains among the best places to see unique work from up-coming filmmakers who are equally passionate about sharing the Afrikan story.

‘K’ in Afrikan represents a disruption from the contemporary spelling, echoing the politicised presence of the festival and the consciousness of Afrikan-centred creative.

 

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director Sarah Marshall (Bluenose-Ability Film Festival (BAFF))

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Bluenose-Ability Film Festival (BAFF), is Atlantic Canada’s first and only disability focused film festival for adults and youth. Our festival’s taking place Thursday, November 30 through Sunday, December 3, 2017. We’re excited to announce that our theme is Celebrating 150 Years of Diversity, in honour of Canada’s 150 Years of Confederation.

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

Sarah Marshall: The Bluenose-Ability Film Festival (BAFF) is Atlantic Canada’s first and only disability-focused film festival. We, therefore, offer a unique and open platform for filmmakers to express themselves. Our culture of inclusion allows filmmakers to portray their experiences and perceptions of disability culture in an open and accepting environment.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

This year, you can expect an inviting environment, tons of local and international films, specialty screenings (Such as LGBTQIA+,) a mental health discussion panel, and a glamourous awards gala. This is our third year of operations, and we’ve just undergone a bit of fine-tuning and rebranding. We aim to deliver a modern, unique experience to our community.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

This year, our theme is “150 Years of Diversity,” in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday. Films must fit with this theme. Diversity is a broad word – we’re seeing films about disability, mental health, immigration, and personal journeys. If the film isn’t directly related to the theme, we ask that the filmmaker be from a diverse background. Other than that, we ask that films be under the 25 minute mark. We also look for technical excellence such as a well-written script, thoughtful cinematography, and good music selection. We, however, have different award categories for all levels of filmmakers. Youth can submit films into their own category. We think it’s important to give new filmmakers an opportunity to tell their stories.

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

I think that some film festivals ignore work from inexperienced filmmakers and miss out on some important messaging. We offer a community of growth and support to new filmmakers, and offer year-round Future Filmmaker workshops to youth who wish to improve their skills. We also have youth categories so less experienced filmmakers get a chance to rule their own section of the festival.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Our main motivation is to provide a unique and creative platform for the disability community to share their stories. There’s a huge lack of diversity in the mainstream film industry. We want to encourage people from all backgrounds to participate in film culture. Our festival encourages disabled actors/actresses to play their own parts, and for diverse filmmakers to tell their stories and experiences without judgement or biases. We also have a scripted category that allows creative individuals to share their own crafted stories.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

It’s been pretty wonderful. We receive tons of submissions, and they’re very easy to assess and download through FilmFreeway. It’s also easy to get in touch with the filmmakers.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

We’d like to expand our attendance and strengthen our relationships with our supports and sponsors. We’d also like to add a few more members to our team. All in all, we just want to see BAFF get bigger and better each year!

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

I’ve watched “The Butterfly Effect” an unreasonable amount of times. Something about the flashback effects and the twisted plot makes me hang on to my seat every time. I’ve also watched the entire “Breaking Bad” series more than once or twice. The cinematography is absolutely stunning.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A unique, engaging story paired with thoughtful artistic choices.

How is the film scene in your city?

There’s a few other film festivals around and quite a booming industry for filmmakers in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There’s college programs nearby for film students, and lots of opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work. BAFF, however, is the only FREE film festival you can find in Halifax. We made the decision to be a free festival so we can be inclusive and accommodating to our entire community. We want to share film culture with everyone, regardless of background or barriers.

Bluenose-Ability Film Festival2.jpg

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Directors Roger and Shelley Gillespie (COPA SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL)

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COPA SHORTS FILM FEST, INC. launched its first film festival in February 2017.  It is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit that focuses on creating a great learning and entertainment experience for filmmakers, screenwriters and film lovers locally, regionally, nationally, and worldwide. The festival takes places at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle in Maricopa, Arizona about 35 miles from downtown Phoenix.

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

Roger and Shelley Gillespie: Copa Shorts Film Fest, now starting its second year of programming, has succeeded in highlighting talented filmmakers of short films and screenplays. In a state-of-the-art digital venue, we showed 56 short films in our first festival this February. The films were from around the world and the U.S.

In addition to showcasing films, we provided four screenwriters the opportunity to have table reads of their short screenplays. Each of the four finalists, from four different states, could see their name on the screen and their words voiced by actors.

We also are succeeding at offering workshops to provide hands-on learning experiences for new and upcoming filmmakers for free.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

Our 2017 festival was held in February of this year. For 2018, attendees can expect more experiences to learn and enjoy film and screenplays. We’re doubling the festival workshops so attendees can have an opportunity to learn from professionals about above and below the line skills. Attendees can also relax in our fabulous location, UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, to see the films and experience the screenplay table reads.

We’re in our submission period through October 13, so we don’t know all of the films and screenplays that could be featured in February.

However, we have added a category for military veteran films and we’re seeing some excellent early entries. We’ve also added a separate category for high school filmmakers, as well as college filmmakers.

At our VIP and Wrap Award parties, we’ll be showcasing award-winning Native American musical performers, Native Spirit and Arvel Bird. The parties will be a chance for film attendees, filmmakers, and screenwriters to network.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

CSFF accepts films that are from two to twenty minutes (including credits) in the following categories: Native American, high school student, college student, military veteran and in genres of animation, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, and sci-fi.

The selected films are reviewed by Arizona State University film students and film professionals. We examine story, technical, acting, and overall impact of the film.
For screenplays, we expect screenplays to be no longer than 15 pages and also examine dialogue as one of the major criteria.v

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

Potentially, some film reviewers may not have expertise in reviewing films. This could lead to personal bias.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Our team offers this festival because we love films and we want to provide opportunities for talent to be encouraged and showcased. We offer educational workshops to help filmmakers improve their skills. And, in our growing city, we like the idea of providing a major cultural artistic event to attract people.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

We have had an extremely positive experience working exclusively with FilmFreeway. Their staff has been responsive when we had questions (We were a first-time festival this year) and everything worked smoothly.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

By 2020, we expect that the festival will be at least a day longer to provide more workshops, more submissions, more attendees, and really strong repeat business.

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

I’m a romantic. I’ve probably seen Pretty Woman tied with Dirty Dancing the most times in my life.

Roger has seen High Plains Drifter the most.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A great film is one that makes you think, has a memorable premise, characters, and technical aspects that all work together to create something you want to see repeatedly and talk about with others.

How is the film scene in your city?

Maricopa is a new city that has grown exponentially in the last 14 years. Our festival location, UltraStar Multi-tainment Center, was built almost five years ago. Films shown tend to favor blockbusters. We typically have to travel out of town to see art films, indie films and shorts programs.

In our community, there is an avid following for films from school students through senior citizens. Maricopa is home to several current and former filmmakers, screenwriters, Hollywood film professionals and actors. Several worthy locally-made films were shown in our festival.
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BIOS:

Roger and Shelley Gillespie are co-founders of Copa Shorts Film Fest, which began as a desire to create an event focused around film for our community of Maricopa, Arizona.

Roger Gillespie is a screenwriter, producer, film critic and host of the monthly “3-Hour Movie Critic” event at UltraStar, who has been involved in film, broadcasting and journalism since high school.

He has independently written and co-written over 10 screenplays including quarter-finalist for his full-length feature, Saving Liberty, in Francis Ford Coppola’s annual, internationally-renowned American Zoetrope Screenwriting Contest.

An alumni member of Ball State University’s Film and Broadcasting School, and Hal Croasmun’s Screenwriting U, Roger is the first to tell anyone that he can teach you how to format a screenplay in a few minutes, but “it’s the story that matters, and that takes a little more time.”

Shelley Gillespie multi-faceted background includes years as an award-winning journalist (The Communicator, Arizona Republic, Times Publications), an educator and adjunct professor (CAC, NAU), writing coach, marketing consultant and author. (Hiking for the Couch Potato: A Guide for the Exercise-Challenged.) Shelley also shares writing credit for Saving Liberty with Roger.

She has raised millions for not-for-profits, managed training programs and events, and created marketing programs for a shopping mall and corporations.

Shelley holds a BA in English from Vassar College and an MS in Educational Administration from State University of NY at Albany.

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

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Interview with Festival Director George Gänaeaard (Short Film Breaks)

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Short Film Breaks is the only film festival taking place in private companies.

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

Our main goal is to promote the independent filmmakers from all around the world. We love to screen films from different cultures and different backgrounds to our audience and we love to see how they react to them. For big chunks of time we accept submissions of films under no fees and when we charge fees, it’s only to transform them into prizes for the filmmakers. All in all, our main mission is to bring the films in front of our audience as easy as we possibly can, for both the filmmakers and the audience.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

Short Film Breaks is a special festival, because it’s the only festival taking place in private companies. That means that we are showing films to employees of private companies, right where they are working. As we like to say it, SHORT FILM BREAKS is the only film festival taking place in private companies, for an audience formed exclusively by employees, in a bid to offer smart break opportunities while promoting the independent movie industry around the world.

That means that to be able to attend the festival you’d need to be an employee of the companies that are our partners.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Last year we only had two categories, Best International Film and Best Romanian Film and we were expecting films under 30 minutes. But starting with 2017 we’ve expanded to many more categories, for different genres, types and styles. It’s best to check the platforms we have added Short Film Breaks on. At the moment we’re present on the following:
FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/festival/ShortFilmBreaks
FestHome: https://festhome.com/f/sfb
Reelport: https://reelport.com/festivals/8575
Click For Festivals: https://www.clickforfestivals.com/short-film-breaks
Submissions for next year’s edition will start on September 18, 2017.

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

I couldn’t answer about other festivals. I am part of a Facebook group with many other festival organizers and we all take great care of the films we receive.

At Short Film Breaks, for example, we now have two selection phases. In phase one each film is watched by three judges and only the films with top ratings advance to the second phase. In the second phase, a committee made of four judges watch them and decide who is selected for our festival. That means that before being shows in the festival a film will be watched by seven different judges. And even the ones that do not get selected have been watched by at least three.

Starting with next year we plan to introduce the Extended Deadline. This will be the final deadline, with the highest fees, but all the films that are sent to us during this deadline will receive the judging forms.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Seeing our audience enjoy the films we bring in front of them, discovering new filmmakers and films, those are the best parts of our job.

But something that can’t be compared with anything else is the projections we organized in the remote parts of Nepal and Indonesia. Witnessing your children, or even adults, watch a film for the first time in their life is the highest motivation one could ask for.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

We totally love FilmFreeway. It’s the platform we started with, last year, when we received just a bit under 2000 submissions. This year we’ve received 2066 films on FilmFreeway alone. Even if we also joined FestHome and Reelport, we’re received over 90% of our submissions on FilmFreeway. Amazing!!

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

We’d love to have screenings in more and more companies, to reach a wider audience. And we’d also love to continue with the special events and screenings we’re organizing in remote parts of the world. We’re in discussions now to also hold screenings in the favelas in Rio.

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

Uhm… I don’t really watch the same film too often. Fight Club and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, each about 3-4 times. But I’ve watched in excess of 4000 films, many of them made before the 70’s, many from Europe, Asia, Latin America. Watching eclectic films, from different cultures and production years, that’s the goal.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A film that succeeds in conveying an emotion, or a film that succeeds in changing your perception about something you were taking for granted.

How is the film scene in your city?

We have a few film festivals in Bucharest, but not the biggest in Romania, TIFF, which is taking place in Cluj-Napoca. But we have the biggest film festival for short films here, NexT International Film Festival, a partner of ours, the festival we started our projections with, back in 2014.

There are a dozen cinemas, though not as many as we’d want them to be, especially as the most of them are multiplexes, inside the malls. For a city as big as Bucharest is, we could have more places where films are shown.
 

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed