Question & answer session after the festival screening with filmmakers from the September 25th, 2025 festival at the Carlton Cinemas, in downtown Toronto, Canada.
Conversation with creators: – Deb Ethier (The Once Upon a Time that Never Was) – Ash K Tysowski (After the Spread) – Atoosa Moshashaee (10min. More)
The Once Upon a Time that Never Was Directed by Deb Ethier Animated experimental music video for the original song “The Once Upon a Time that Never Was”. With words and music by Deb Ethier and sung by Belén Mariscotti, the song evokes those compelling (and often disquieting) moments from childhood fairy tales, challenging our memories of them.
After the Spread, 3min., Canada Directed by Ash K Tysowski A group of teenagers navigate their night-life, and their emotions, to the song “After the Spread” by “the Idea of machines”
10 min more, 9min., Canada Directed by Atoosa Moshashaee A schoolgirl is waiting for her mom to pick her up from after school and the last 10 minutes seems very hard to get through, until her drawing comes to make her companionship.
SOLITARY ROAD, 76min., Sweden Directed by Johan Palmgren There is a road in the middle of the wilderness, far North of the Arcitic Circle in the Swedish mountains. It was built 1955 and was supposed to lead to Norway. The work was interrupted and now there is only a fragment of a road of 20 kilometres without connection to the general road system. Along the road there are five villages, where time has stopped. There is no electricity nor any water. The villagers have transported old cars over the ice of the lake Torneträsk from Kiruna to this unique place. The cars date from the 60 ́s and 70s. We filmed big and small aspects of life here for three years.
INSECT, 8min, Canada, Fantasy Directed by Cherelle Ann, Sarah Higgins In a subterranean prison, a bitter young girl and her supernatural ally hold a strange and beautiful man captive to avenge the crimes he has committed against her.
PORTRAIT OF CONSUMPTION, 8min,. Canada, Experimental Directed by Gillian Fortin Expressed in a metaphorical universe; a young woman named Jane Doe’s entire existence depends on the interactions of her social following as if she is a mere puppet on strings desperately seeking approval through the digital form of likes, comments and emojis. When she is hit with a wave of cyber bullying following a post she made, Jane Doe begins to spiral into a dark descent where the very fabric of her reality begins to fray. In one final act to regain her social status, Jane performs a grand gesture for her audience just as the curtain closes.
DAISY, 11min,. Australia, Romance/Period Drama Directed by Alyssa Scott “Daisy,” inspired by the real-life tale of our writer’s great-grandparents in 1930s Australia, unfolds the courageous journey of a young woman who defies societal expectations and risks losing everything as she embarks on a forbidden love affair, challenging the boundaries of family, faith, and the pursuit of true happiness.
.Do .Re .Mi, 9min,. USA, Drama Directed by Yuan Yao A girl with a talent for dance is about to face one of the most important auditions of her life, but on that day an accident happens…
NIGHT FEEDING, 6min, USA, Horror Directed by Sarah K Reimers Exhaustion and sleep-deprivation begin to take their toll on a new mother, who struggles through the strange, dark stillness of the 4am feeding.
HER LAST DAY, 14min,. China, Drama Directed by Jiacheng Wang A woman “Meizi” with her child who has lived in domestic violence for years travels back to her past wedding with her abusive husband while facing the decision to change her marriage.
Afrolistic: Black Healing From Zimbabwe to the Bay, 22min., Zimbabwe, Documentary Directed by Nekia Wright, Shylet Ndarambwa Black American healer shares about her practice and explores traditional healing, music, and dance in Zimbabwe.
THE BIG JOHNSON, 95min., USA Directed by Lola Rocknrolla Dean Johnson was a famous New York drag queen, rock star, sex party promoter and late in life escort. In 2007 Dean went on a job and never came back. Was it just an accidental OD, Dean had a history of drug use or was it something more sinister? Another escort died in the same apartment four days earlier. The mystery of his death is only part of Dean Johnson’s wild life. Dean was the first in many things, the first bald drag queen, the first to throw sex parties in the 80s during the AIDS crisis, the first openly gay singer on Island records (which cost him his record deal). The first and only person to throw a LGBTQ party at the iconic rock club CBGBs. Through Deans ups and downs, heroin, sobriety, love, sex, music, community, HIV, poverty, Dean survived them all. Until he didn’t. This film brings you into the burned out, fabulous world of the 80s East Village where the looming AIDS crisis made you want to live every day like it was your last. Dean Johnson personified this time in New York and in gay history. Dean Johnson was the man, the myth, the Big Johnson.
MARGUERITE, 30sec., USA Marguerite’s return home turns into a real nightmare. Where is she? Who are these people? She will try by all means to find her way back and finally providence is will be on her side.
ARMY MEN. 15sec., Iran Plastic soldiers are fighting.
SYRUP, 87sec., Italy Video played by me, with a Samsung cellular, walking along a Canal, in Monfalcone (Italy). I sing my song “Syrup”.
THE DON OF WEST HOLLYWOOD, 3min., USA A mafia don accused of being gay must prove that he is straight or die.
OUT OF CONTROL, 2min., Norway Anna, a PhD student from Berlin, makes a groundbreaking discovery in the Middle East. She also uncovers a mysterious necklace that ties to a powerful organization. As they tighten the grip of her life, Anna gathers forces and starts the race to open the necklace’s secrets, expose the organization and reclaim her freedom. A high-stake thriller of discovery, danger and courage.
The Game Rudimentary Reel, 3min., USA When Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, Mutants and Serial Killers battle for the chance to rule the underworld! All will fight and some will die! The Game happens in and out the arena!
tBlack OPS Rehab, 4min., Australia When explosions destroy a remote secret rehabilitation hospital for special forces, the seven remaining decorated veteran survivors must try to cross a hundred miles of desert in wheelchairs while confronting the realization that one of them is really a terrorist and has planned to trap them all into getting killed by the illegal human hybrid monsters now stalking them
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 1min,. Brazil
SMILE FOR THE DEAD, 2min., USA Trailer for the feature documentary Smile for the Dead
Entreseres, 2min., USA Trailer for “Entreseres” / BETWEEN
EAT THE MOON, 19 seconds, Iran The monster eats the moon.
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VOICES OF MADIDI, 24min., Canada Directed by Jonathan Derksen Bolivia’s Madidi National Park is considered to be the most biodiverse place on planet earth. The Uchupiamonas people, who call the park home, are in a constant battle against forces eager to exploit the protected area for its hydroelectric potential, hardwoods and gold. In this documentary, we hear from of the eco-warriors at the front lines.
PEEPAL, 33min., India Directed by Ganesh Hanmantrao Chowgule Peepal is the story of Mahesh, a 10-year-old, nature-loving village boy, who shares a deep and unbreakable bond with a majestic Peepal tree. After the tragic and unexpected death of his father, Mahesh is forced to leave his village and move to the city, leaving behind everything he holds dear, including his beloved tree. As he tearfully bids farewell, he makes a heartfelt promise to the Peepal tree that one day, he will return, buy the surrounding land, and protect it forever.
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THE KENTUCKY COWBOY, 58min., USA Directed by Mike Goldberg Despite becoming a success on the football field, a man struggles internally with mental health issues all his life, as he continuously tries to gain acceptance from his father and legendary football coach.
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WE ARE WE DANCE WE PAINT, 37min., USA Directed by Leslie Dektor For decades, the poor and dispossessed have been herded and confined to Skid Row. In Passing Through, the seemingly lost find a new sense of community.
A NATION’S TABLE, 11min,. Canada Directed by Garrett Smith Ask a farmer, a fisher, a chef, and a home cook to define ‘Canadian food’ and you’ll get four different answers. After all, the food found in Canada is as diverse as the people who live here.
THE CYCLE OF FASHION, 5min., China Directed by Xiruo Jiang The documentary follows the curator, Katherine, as she intends to shed light on the environmental consequences of the fashion industry through her upcoming art exhibition and encourage viewers to rethink their relationship with clothing and consumption. Driven by a desire to approach the reality of fashion waste, Katherine ventures beyond the walls of her gallery and into the heart of garment production factories. Here, she witnesses firsthand the staggering amount of waste generated in the process of creating trendy clothing pieces that often end up discarded or unused.
SMOKE OR FAMILY, 14min., India Directed by Jaswant Mintu The protagonist in the film “Smoke or Family” is a heavy smoker who visits a hospital for a teeth problem. There, doctors tell him to quit smoking, explaining that it’s causing his teeth issues and could lead to lung cancer and other health problems. However, he defends his smoking habit, claiming he is different from other smokers.
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FRAGMENTS OF A HALF LIFE, 33min., Australia Directed by Johnny Abegg A Son deep dives into a period of grief after losing his Father, whilst his Mum recounts the life he never got to share. Through introspection he resurfaces knowing where to find him.
MADE IN PARADISE, 44min., India Directed by Aniruddha Das Set against the stunning backdrop of Ladakh, Made In Paradise tells the story of the Changpa nomads, guardians of the world’s finest Pashmina. A testament to human resilience and perseverance, the film highlights the community’s immense respect for the environment, and its attempt to protect a rich heritage and culture, only to ensure that their Pashmina remains a global treasure. The film also explores the symbiotic relationship between the herders and their animals, the legacy of the Pashmina, and the fight to preserve a way of life that teeters on the edge of survival.
THE LAST LION, 14min., UK Directed by Matt Campion ‘The Last Lion’ is a thought-provoking short film that explores the heart-breaking possibility that lions could go extinct. This emotional story is told with the help of Kevin Richardson and Bobcat the lion’s unique bond, the breath-taking beauty of South Africa’s landscapes and the incredible talent of spoken word artist Sophia Thakur.
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Logline A Double Life unveils the gripping true story of Stephen Bingham, a lawyer accused of passing a gun to prisoners’ rights leader George Jackson in 1971. Forced into a life on the run, Bingham spends 13 years underground, eluding capture while fiercely determined to clear his name.
Short Synopsis A Double Life unveils the gripping true story of Stephen Bingham, a lawyer accused of passing a gun to prisoners’ rights leader George Jackson in 1971. Forced into a life on the run, Bingham spends 13 years underground, eluding capture while fiercely determined to clear his name. Through a mesmerizing blend of firsthand accounts, rare archival materials, and poignant interviews, the story traces Bingham’s astonishing odyssey. As he battles inner demons, seeks new meaning and love, and navigates a world of danger, the film sheds light on his unwavering quest for justice and redemption against all odds.
This film is as much about Steve/Robert as it is about his times. The turbulent era of civil rights, student rebellion, and state surveillance forms the backdrop of a personal story of a man who managed to remain focused on his values and ideals through multiple disruptions and tragedies. The story is told through the multiple perspectives of his friends and colleagues in both the US and France, as well as family members both alive and dead. It is also a generational story, of the tensions that arise when worldviews collide between parents and their children, mirroring wider divides in the society at large. And it is a love story, of Steve and Françoise, who had to make a choice to risk everything. To tell this complex story spanning eras and continents, the narrative weaves back and forth between present and past, through a combination of verité treatments and archival, to unveil a drama of racial injustice, state surveillance, family jealousi es and political divides.
The film has a lyrical quality when Steve and others are reflecting about the times, the decisions, the challenges and the obstacles that have to be confronted after 13 years of a life on the run. Walking in the Vincennes forest in Paris, Steve learns to say his given name again. Paul Harris, part of Steve’s legal defense team, reflects on why people are willing to risk everything to return home as we drive through a dark tunnel, taking us into the heart of complex decision-making.
This is a story that needs to be told. It is powerfully relevant in the present era of social unrest and activism, when we as a nation are struggling to come to terms with the truth of our own dark past. In this contemporary climate, we have much to learn from the life stories of people like Stephen Bingham. It is not only a film of his times, it is a film for our times.
Festival Reviews 