11 BLOCKS TO GO: THE BET, 10min., USA
Directed by Nathaniel P. Claridad
Samantha, a free-spirited hapless romantic, discovers her 30-something-year-old BFF Drew, a gay high-functioning drug-addled sex addict, hosting an orgy in lieu of honoring his personal commitments.
https://www.instagram.com/11blockstogo/
Conversation wth the screenwriter & stars of the film Jack Utrata & Ashley Alexander.
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THE VISITOR, 11min., USA
Directed by Nikolaus Aldrich
With his relationship in a rough patch and his career stalled, A man tries to find new purpose by retreating to the Pacific Northwest. While there, strange things begin to happen as he grapples with his sense of reality.
https://www.instagram.com/thevisitor_shortfilm2024/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
As a kid I was always fascinated by the subject of UFOs and Aliens. But I never really spent much time thinking about it as an adult. Then last year it was in the news a lot. It sort of re-ignited that curiosity I had as a child. There was so much storytelling potential that I drafted out a whole trilogy of films based on an idea that had come to me. I decided to start small and develop this as a short. The short film is essentially the opening prologue for the feature. While writing the short I wanted to make sure that it could work both as an intro to a feature but a self contained story as well.
I wanted to map the films in a way that naturally progresses through the emotions of what I imagine one would go through if they were to experience this. So starting in a Sci-Fi/Horror genre made sense to me. But if I’m lucky enough to expand this further it wouldn’t necessarily stick with that genre throughout the story.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was surreal. There were some things mentioned that honed right in on specific points I was trying to make. The idea of the Visitor(s) and how technically all the characters are alien to this location was a very intentional bit. I was happy to see that point come across. It was also so fun to see how the audience brought their own interpretations to it, what kinds of genres it fit into and filmmakers it reminded them of. There was a lot of hard work put into the film from every department and I was very happy to hear that those teams were given mentions. They really pushed the film into the next level.
The reaction to the film has been so positive. With its inception coming from a relatively dark time in my life. I really don’t have words to describe how incredible it feels to hear others talking about the film and engaging with it enthusiastically. My initial reaction was that this whole strange journey was worth it. I couldn’t be prouder of how it turned out and hearing the reactions to it made me a bit emotional if I’m being honest. I was very moved by the whole experience because it’s surprisingly pretty rare in the festival circuit to really get that kind of direct feedback on your work.
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THE DAYS OF KNIGHT, 9min., USA
Directed by John P Martinez
A highly trained operative, belonging to a clandestine ancient group of expert mercenaries, is given a mission to recover a valuable item for one of the 13 most influential families on Earth. As war breaks out and alliances formed centuries ago crumble, survival becomes the top priority for everyone involved.
https://www.instagram.com/1018filmsaz/
Get to know the filmmkaer:
What motivated you to make this film?
This was on my bucket list of things to accomplish. I always wanted to create a short film and decide to just do it! I should have done this long ago…
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was a fanatastic experience seeing their reaction. I was stunned, speechless and amazed.
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And The Balls Roll On… The Real Story of the Beautiful Game of Skee-Ball, 93min., USA
Directed by Thaddeus O. Cooper, Kevin B Kreitman
This is the story of Skee-Ball—a unique game, patented in 1908 by a long forgotten inventor living in Vineland NJ: Joseph Fourestier Simpson. The film explores the era in which the young inventor grew up, as the industrial revolution created the new middle class, and the explosion of amusement parks that allowed them to flee their crowded industrial neighborhoods for a few hours of pleasure.
http://www.nomoreboxes.com/AndTheBallsRollOn.html
https://www.facebook.com/atbrothemovie
Get to know the filmmakers Thaddeus O. Cooper, Kevin B Kreitman:
What motivated you to make this film?
Thad wanted to get back into shooting video and was looking for a small project—a 10 minute YouTube video about the history of Skee-Ball. He started digging into the real but unknown inventor, and discovered a surprisingly dramatic and moving story, and then the rest of the saga that has its own drama and memorable characters…and we knew we just had to tell the story.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Thad: Dumbfounded! When you work on a project for this long, you don’t know what the impact is going to be. You have a skewed perspective.
Kevin: I was just thrilled. It hit exactly what we were trying to get the film to do. They appreciated the drama, the weaving of history through the Skee-Ball story, they liked our narrator and voice actors, and it made them nostalgic!
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FLY AWAY, FROGGY BOY, 8min., Canada
Directed by Mia Lobo
Fly Detective Francis McFly loses his partner to the infamous ‘Croaks’, a frog gang at the centre of his most recent investigation. Stricken by grief, he decides to get revenge, and go head to head with their ravenous leader, The Frogfather.
https://mialobo.com/home
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
Fly Away, Froggy Boy was my final year thesis film. Everyone in their final year at my animation program was required to pitch a film idea, present it to our final year classmates, and the film ideas were chosen based on popular vote. The idea came from a joke between me and my partner (the co-creator, foley artist and voice of McFly), quite literally “Imagine if you pitched a film about a fly getting revenge on frogs”. I decided to pitch it to my class to see if anyone would be drawn to the idea as much as we were. We ended up one of the four films chosen to be made that year! People really love the idea.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was a great feedback video!I found it really interesting to see what aspects of the film jump out at people. The whole project is a lot less surprising and fresh for me because I worked on it for so long. Being able to hear people talk about the specific elements of the film that they found really unique, fresh and fun, reminds me of how great the project is, and how I felt the exact same way during the process.
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DARK ROOM, 11min., USA
Directed by Rogelio Robles
After losing everything, a man slowly and painfully loses his mind right before your eyes. Becoming the serial killer he was destined to be.
https://www.instagram.com/roy_horror_director/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
It was something that I felt I needed to make. Everyone deals with loss and depression differently. I wanted to get this out there and show my perspective on what it would look like for someone to slowly lose their mind.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s awesome to get multiple viewpoints and interpretations of the film. Sometimes I hear something I didn’t quite think about before and I’m like wow that was actually awesome!
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GIN RUMMY, 17min., USA
Directed by Suzanne Baird
I’m excited to share our project made from love and friendship..Three best friends have been playing Gin Rummy every week for over 50 years. On this Gin Rummy night they have made other plans as a final bonding of the trio.
Get to know the filmmaker Suzanne Baird:
What motivated you to make this film?
There were several motivators. The biggest was that my mother was dying from Dementia. It was an illness that she had for about 10 years and was in the final phases. At the same time, Roe V. Wade was repealed, and this required an examination of the question of choice on many levels. Do we have dominion over our bodies, male or female, to make choices about our health and existence.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was really gratified! They were so positive and thoughtful. It was a greatfeature of your festival. So appreciated!!
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LISTEN to the podcast: http://www.wildsoundpodcast.com/the-film-podcast-by-wildsound/2024/11/8/ep-1350-filmmaker-moumita-das-christmas-crew
CHRISTMAS CREW, 7min., Canada
Directed by Moumita Das
“Christmas Crew – A Story About Collective Kindness” is a heartwarming documentary that follows the inspiring journey of John and Junie White, affectionately known as the Christmas Crew. What began as a simple act of generosity in their living room has blossomed into a remarkable community tradition, transforming the lives of many in Cape Breton’s Sydney and Glace Bay areas.https://www.facebook.com/dasmoumita
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
I am always drawn to human interest stories. They captivate me because of their realness, and I find immense joy in discovering and sharing the stories of real-life heroes. By pure coincidence, I came across the Christmas Crew, a group of kind-hearted people who spread joy during the holiday season by providing turkey dinners to those in need. Their generosity and compassion inspired me to create a film that would tell their story and share it with the world.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talk about your film in the feedback video?
The audience feedback was invaluable. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to watch and review my film. I was overjoyed that they appreciated my work, and winning the Best Human Interest Film award, as chosen by the audience, was a truly humbling experience.
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STUCK, 13min., USA
Directed by Emma Grace Lukens
A couple’s ambiguous relationship becomes slightly more clear as they lie on their living room floor, discussing their dating lives.
https://www.instagram.com/stuck.short.film/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
It started with the desire to direct Mary Frances Noser and Maximilien Blanc. Writing for the dynamic between such talented actors was a pleasure. As soon as I had a draft of the script I sent it to our cinematographer and editor, Raina Virginia. I am so lucky to have made this film with dear friends, including all those who would come on board to elevate our project.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was so proud to hear the audience’s feedback. What an honor to hear encouragement from those who have spent time with my art. To see and be seen by an audience for my work is so thrilling. Thank you for this entire experience. It means a great deal.
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LISTEN to the podcast: http://www.wildsoundpodcast.com/the-film-podcast-by-wildsound/2024/11/6/ep-1348-filmmaking-team-of-quitting-drugs-a-musical-documentary
QUITTING DRUGS, 20min., USA
Directed by Ali Imran Ch, Fatima Mughal
Bumb Shah is a Pakistani rapper whose traumatic life experiences heavily influence his music. Like many artists, he began using drugs early in his career, hoping that they would fuel his creativity. Before long, he fell into a rabbit hole of addiction-centered depravity, something that was reflected in his music.
http://www.youreverydayheroes.com/
https://www.instagram.com/youreverydayheroes/
Conversation with:
Executive Producer Albert Crane
Co-Director Ali Imran Ch
Doc Subject/Musician Bumb Shah
Get to know Producer Albert Crane:
What motivated you to make this film?
Living in California at the time, there is a huge community of recovery institutions. I had learned about them and one of our Stories in Season 3 will be a Recovery doctor, so this story along with that one was an easy choice to make.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Listening to people enjoy our work is amazing. I love the candid approach this festival takes on the feedback. I liked how they commented on the use of the filters to showcase time.
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Festival Reviews 