Festival Reviews

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Filmmaker Podcast EP. 1378 – Filmmaker Katherine Costal (TRUE ROMANCE)

December 8, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS EP. 1378 - Filmmaker Katherine Costal (TRUE ROMANCE)

TRUE ROMANCE, 29min., Canada
Directed by Katherine Costal
A lovesick teenager tries to rekindle her relationship with a past boyfriend by inviting him to a surprise party, only to discover the harsh truth behind their romance and the love lives of the guests.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I got the idea for it after watching other people’s love lives, and seeing all the emotionally immature and unaffectionate behaviours they encountered. I noticed that a lot of people fall into these kinds of relationships but it happens most commonly to the younger crowd. I wanted to depict some of those dynamics from an outside perspective and show what observing the dating culture can look like. I think that when you’re in your teens and early twenties, love and romance can be too serious of a thing for you to know how to navigate, so your early relationships will likely end badly. For that reason I think it can be difficult to find love in the world when you’re a hopeless romantic. At the same time, there’s societal pressure to begin dating at a young age, and that pressure’s just not necessary when it’s perfectly okay to be single and use that time to understand yourself. I wanted to tell people that they shouldn’t be disheartened by the hurtful or incompatible behaviour they may experience, and that they should wait for the person that satisfies the idea of romance they have.

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

I enjoyed hearing the audience’s thoughts and what they each took away from the film. I especially appreciated how a lot of them identified the types of relationships I was depicting and I hope that they understood the satirical nature of this film. It was fun to see them react to the conflicts and listen to how they perceived the surrealistic way the characters talked and behaved. I had speculated before what viewers would think of the semi-surrealism that I put into it so the feedback video is very helpful to me in gauging that. I really liked how each of them seemed to have their own favourite thing about the film and it’s nice to hear their opinions.

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Writer Podcast EP. 1377 – Screenwriter Sarah Edmonds (KEVIN’S NOT DEAD)

December 7, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Screenwriter Sarah Edmonds (KEVIN’S NOT DEAD)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcVED8gwsec

G-man and Greg are just two guys trying to get through the day by doing the bare minimum. However, when a vampire hunter appears at their place of business, the pair start to suspect that their sunscreen-loving coworker Kevin is her target. After a few near-misses with the hunter’s traps, G-man and Greg decide to put their lives on the line to save Kevin from her murderous plot—even if he is undead.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

“Kevin’s Not Dead” is about two small town mechanics who are suddenly roped into helping a Romanian vampire hunter fulfill her quest for revenge. However, when her target turns out to be their strange but seemingly harmless coworker, they start to question whose side they’re really on.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

This screenplay is a horror comedy (emphasis on the comedy).

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

I’m a bit biased, obviously, but I think the biggest draw for this screenplay in terms of production value is just that it’s fun! This screenplay offers a campy take on the vampire film that offers a nod to the classics while also keeping a more lighthearted contemporary tone throughout that I think works well for attracting both horror and non-horror fans alike. It’s a relatively self-contained script, as well, which is hopefully appealing in terms of set and budget demands. I think it strikes a good balance of being a low-budget option with a fairly broad audience appeal.

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Filmmaker Podcast EP. 1376 – Filmmaker Serkan Aktaş (RESURRECTION UNDER THE OCEAN)

December 6, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Serkan Aktaş (RESURRECTION UNDER THE OCEAN)

RESURRECTION UNDER THE OCEAN, 3min., Turkey, Experimental
Directed by Serkan Aktaş
“Resurrection under the Ocean” is about the resurrection of a man who was helplessly sinking to the bottom of the ocean, after falling to the bottom of the ocean, with a symbolic narrative.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

“Making Resurrection under the Ocean was driven by a deep personal and creative desire to explore themes of human resilience and transformation in the face of adversity. The ocean has always been a powerful metaphor for the unknown, for both the depths of the human experience and the mysteries that lie beyond our comprehension. I wanted to create a story that reflected the fragility and strength of life, much like the ocean itself—where vast, powerful forces exist beneath the surface, often unseen.
The inspiration also came from my fascination with the idea of rebirth. In many ways, the ocean represents a kind of infinite possibility, a place where life can be both created and destroyed. This duality resonated with me on a personal level, and I wanted to explore the transformative power of human experience, especially in the face of environmental change and the shifting tides of society.

The film also stems from my love of storytelling that combines both the physical and emotional realms. The underwater setting allowed me to visually convey feelings of isolation and survival, while also diving deep into the psychological effects of confronting the unknown. Ultimately, Resurrection under the Ocean is a reflection on human survival, connection, and renewal, all set against one of the most powerful and mysterious forces in nature.”

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

“Watching the audience react to Resurrection under the Ocean in the feedback video was both humbling and exciting. It was incredible to hear their thoughts and to see how the film connected with them. The feedback was deeply insightful, and I was moved by the emotions it evoked. It reassured me that the story resonated with people, and it reinforced my passion for filmmaking.”

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Today’s Podcast: EP. 1375 – Filmmakers Matthew Vargas & Ryan Wilson (STRING HEAD)

December 5, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Matthew Vargas & Ryan Wilson (STRING HEAD)

STRING HEAD, 7min., USA
Directed by Matthew Vargas
A man in bed, after failing to fall asleep, is forcefully kept awake by String Head – an entity made of string that psychologically tortures him by wrapping him in a cocoon made from the deepest, darkest thoughts of his mind.

Conversation with director Matthew Vargas & Cinematographer Ryan Wilson Subscribe to the podcas

Get to know Matthew Vargas

What motivated you to make this film?
One night at 3:00 AM I had a vision of String Head walking into my room. A thread of red string was on top of me. Thinking of String Head at the end of my bed was a creepy fascinating image – I had to make it and explore it. I also wanted to push the boundaries with Production Design as I never have before and use it to really convey symbolism and tell a story.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I love the reactions and I feel so giddy about the different analyses. The positive reaction to the final song made my sound designer, Rochelle, very happy as they wrote + sang the song themselves under their artist name La Roche. The comparison of the film to night terrors that occur in real life was so on point that I felt a great sigh of relief. Many ideas had to be conveyed in this film and I feel as though they all landed. I was worried because there is no dialogue, but that is intentionally so in the film because these terribly anxious moments usually occur wordless and in the brain.

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Filmmaker Podcast EP. 1374 – Writer/Producer Virginia Duivenvoorden (KITE)

December 4, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Writer/Producer Virginia Duivenvoorden (KITE)

KITE, 6min,. Canada
Directed by Jerry Trieus
A short film about a dancer on a mission to experience flight. The journey is disappointing and filled with challenges. The result is a transformation as the dance artist finds strength through perseverance and ultimately freedom.

Get to know writer/producer Virginia Duivenvoorden:

What motivated you to make this film?

Kite began as a stage piece where I incorporated film on stage in the form of projections. I knew that I eventually would like to also see it as a film on its own. It all began as a photograph by Brooke McAllister. in one of the photos, I was wearing a black skirt and dancing with a 7 yard piece of tulle fabric. I loved the photos. In 2021 I decided to choreograph a dance to match them. That’s when Kite was born. When I started the choreography, I was in too much physical pain to think about performing. That’s when Brynne Harper started working on KITE. We spent two years developing the stage piece and we shared it in three different performances two were outdoor performances and one on stage for a work in progress showing. I approached Kites in all aspects from building and flying them to studying the history. All of the processes became part of the kite story from the failed kites that never flew and then to the handmade windsocks , which were actually amazing. It became a story about transforming from looking outside oneself to looking inside and finding that sense of flight and freedom from within the body. That was a journey that I really needed to make in order to process what was happening in my body with the pain and other medical conditions that I was coping with during the creation process.

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

I felt emotional seeing that the piece was clear in its message and was being received very much in the way that I had hoped for. It was rewarding to see that the message of resiliency and strength had shone through.

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Film Podcast EP. 1373 – Musicians Kevin Osorio, Felix Goransch, Sawyer Smith (NEW WORLD music video)

December 3, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Sawyer Smith (NEW WORLD music video)

NEW WORLD, 3min,. USA
Directed by Kevin Brayant Osorio
New World is a chaotic and bizarre song, featuring a stop motion music video just as chaotic and just as bizarre. New World has an angular dark burn and a certain obliqueness. New World is the kind of chaos we all get

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/faine1/faine
https://www.instagram.com/werefaine/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
Originally, we were going to make a hand drawn, frame by frame animation for the music video. It was laid out and storyboarded, but it didn’t pan out. The best alternate/immediate option seemed to be making a stop motion music video instead.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s very nice and flattering to see the audience’s reactions. Most times, you know people have viewed something you’ve made, but that doesn’t mean you’ve gotten a “reaction” from them; especially online. Creating can be very one sided. Initial/immediate reactions are interesting to me. You can only make one first impression.

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Filmmaker Podcast EP. 1372 – Filmmaker Mishka Bality (ATLS)

December 2, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Mishka Bality (ATLS)

ATLS, 11min., Canada
Directed by Mishka Balilty
In a dystopian future where a powerful elite class prolongs their lives by exploiting young women for their babies’ organs, two women, find themselves on the run from their oppressors. Desperate to escape a fate of forced impregnation and organ extraction, they flee to a remote cabin. Their refuge becomes a sanctuary where they share their dreams and fears, finding solace in each other’s company. However, their fleeting happiness is overshadowed by the ever-looming threat of capture. Their love story, which began in desperation and hope, culminates in a tragic and devastating finale. ATLS is a powerful exploration of love, freedom, and the inescapable shadows of a world that seeks to tear them apart.

https://www.wtfimproductions.com/registration
https://www.facebook.com/wtfim
https://www.instagram.com/whothefuckismishka/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?
I was inspired by Romeo and Juliet one day while listening to the soundtrack from the movie, I started to see this film come to life in my mind. I always loved the reading the play when I was younger… and so I began writing a tragic love story and soon I had a script.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very nervous how it would be received. But I was overjoyed to see that people understood our creative vision and enjoyed the film.

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Today’s Podcast: EP. 1371 – Filmmaker Dale Loon (WAKING CONUNDRUM)

December 1, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Filmmaker Dale Loon (WAKING CONUNDRUM)

WAKING CONUNDRUM, 11min., Canada
Directed by Dale Loon, Alyssa-Rose Hunter
Waking up in a room with a ceiling that seems to never end. A man struggles with his memory of recent events but remembers everything else from the past. The man meets a woman and brings him down to great disbelief and shock that shakes every atom in his body. A scheme is planned to escape this room. But is the plan for real?

Get to know filmmaker Dale Loon:

What motivated you to make this film?

Your not gonna be so impressed, but at the time when I was in school. I came to a point where I needed a script in order to advance in the Toronto Film School program. And I only had one class, 4 hours to do it. 20 minutes was spent making beats of the story. Another 40 minutes character building. Then the last 3 hours was spend writing the script in a rush.

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

The one thing I expected for sure was the unseen betrayal from Venora. The audience saw a connection sparking between them, then at the end? They were shocked and shooked. Everything I wrote is what I wanted in the audiences reactions, and it was puuuuurfect!

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Screenwriter Podcast EP. 1370 – Screenwriter A. E. Guaake (TRUST ME)

November 30, 2024 festreviews PODCASTS Screenwriter A. E. Guaake (TRUST ME)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMJRNPKTfgY

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

My screenplay is about the Hulder, a mystical human-like creature with a cow’s tail, famous from Norwegian folklore, who has to go to Earth on a dangerous mission to con an orphan teenage boy in order to save her young brother from dying.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?

Adventure/Fantasy (low fantasy)

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Because it is an action-packed story centred on making impossible choices, woven into a layered mystery where nothing is as it seems.

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