Lucia & Nicole, 10min., USA
Directed by Marlene Emilia Rios
On the cusp of adulthood Lucia finds her childhood friend Nicole living on the street. Houseless after coming out, Lucia’s mother Ximena invites her into their home. However, Nicole’s re-appearance into their lives raises questions about their own daughter’s identity and how to respond to Lucia and Nicole’s re-connection.

https://instagram.com/huelgamedia

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make this film because growing up I had this idea of romance that came from my grandparents’ stories of how they met, their serenading—and I’d sit in my living room and watch ‘A Walk in the Clouds,’ and I’d dream of romance. As I grew older, I realized there were no depictions of this for queer love. There wasn’t a vision of the future to latch on to. It seemed to only exist to me in vague, whispered possibilities. Very rarely do we actually get to see romantic films about queer relationships. I wanted to make something that was an ode to those moments and those films I loved as a child, ‘A Walk in the Clouds,’ ‘Pride & Prejudice’ but that existed in a world that was grounded to me. And I knew I wanted to showcase the beautiful community of Albuquerque that had welcomed me as a student and seems to be in constant celebration of identity. I wanted to make the kind of story you could imagine your grandmothers or your cool old aunts telling you someday about how they met long ago, and how their romance blossomed over the years.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Longer than I’d like, this film really pulled together through challenging moments in my life, as seems to be the case with most films. I wrote the first draft of this film back in my bedroom in New Jersey during the early intense social isolation days of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Back when we were all still afraid of our grocery bags, wiping everything down with sanitizing wipes as sirens blared down the suburban streets of New Jersey.

Then in 2023 we were finally able to shoot in Albuquerque for 2 days. Years in the making for days. It took a little over a year to complete post production, as I shot this film while I was employed full-time and finished it after I was laid off. Giving me the bittersweet gift of time to devote my full attention to finishing the film. It’s been a comfort to me through so many long cold moments of life—which I think is why it was always important to me that the film felt warm and I hope it does for others too.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Queer joy.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Time, the most expensive luxury and the enduring enemy. We had only 2 days to shoot and we were producing remotely from Los Angeles, so it was very much a hit-the-ground-running sort of shoot. And the entire film takes place during the day with no dusk or dawn moments, so we had to be very organized. So much of making short films is an exercise in precision and being concise. We had to get the film there, arrange the camera, pick up the gear, find bicycles, source costumes, confirm our locations and so on and so on. I met most of the crew on the morning of, and only met the cast face to face then. It was definitely an interesting experiment in creating a sense of familiarity so quickly, which was definitely another obstacle for me as a director. I knew I was asking for vulnerability from everyone on board in some form or another so even though we were short on time it was important to me to gather everyone before our first shot and lay out my intent and what this story meant to me so we could all be on equal footing. I wanted everyone that worked on this film to truly feel like the valued and skilled collaborators they are.

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

I was pleasantly surprised to see how people connected with the story, this film is a departure from my previous work, and I think of this film as coming from the more romantic and idealistic part’s of myself and I’m glad to see that recognized. I’d love to live in a world full of empathy and community care and I very consciously chose to reject certain narratives and stereotypes when writing and directing this project because I wanted to show that, and it’s really gratifying to see people appreciate that. It’s always meaningful to see when your intent comes through and when people are able to connect to a story that feels so personal to you. As storytellers we always strive to connect with people and stir an emotion within them, but with shorts, it’s often hard to gauge impact. Sometimes they live only in private screenings or online. Being able to hear from an audience is especially valuable in this sense.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Truthfully, it happened in a conversation with my father when I was about 12. There’s an expression that you can’t be what you can’t see, or rather you don’t know what you don’t know. In my case, I grew up loving stories, listening to my grandfather pass down tall tales, reading whatever I could get from the library, picking the weekly rental my mom would allow me from Blockbuster—but I hadn’t realized there was actually a path for me there. I simply didn’t know that there were entire industries, careers in these fields. So I remember having this heart-to-heart about what I wanted to do when I get older. I liked writing, but I wanted more. And that was when my dad asked me why I didn’t think about making movies if I liked them so much? It felt at once like a light bulb moment and a realization that the writing was on the wall.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

It’s either Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2 or Joe Wright’s Pride & Prejudice.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

More opportunities to connect with fellow filmmakers and demystify key career steps—funding a film, stepping up to a feature, breaking into TV.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

I like how centralized everything is on FilmFreeway, it makes it incredibly easy to create and manage a festival strategy and get your work seen.

10. What is your favorite meal?

This is really a hardball question. I’m always open to tacos and a tamarind margarita.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

For sure, I don’t plan to stop. There’s so many stories I’d love to tell, lingering in my mind just waiting for the right moment. I’d love to do something else shot on film. Right now I’m exploring a few different ideas—either a queer relationship horror about losing yourself in the one you love or a sci-fi project about a sex robot tailor-made to fulfill our darkest fantasies. I’m always writing new things and experimenting with different styles. I’ve a 90-page road film centered around coping with the betrayal of a deceased spouse. And another short about cult-like Homeowners Association simmering on the backburner as well.

The Rich Kid Rules (Ep. 1: 362 Rules of a High School Dropout), 59min., USA
Directed by A.L. Pruitt, Makenna Perkal
A new kind of coming-of-age crime drama series with horses, dance, a dysfunctional family, and an upstairs/downstairs romance with a reverse Cinderella story twist.

http://therichkidrules.com/
https://www.instagram.com/therichkidrules

Get to know Writer/Producer Thomas Willoughby:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I was a high school dropout, and over the years, I jotted down helpful “rules” that kind and tough mentors have taught me. I told my wife that I was thinking about writing a book (362 Rules of a High School Dropout), and I had already codified and created a draft manuscript, but she said, “Nobody will buy a book about High School Dropout Rules”). So I said, OK, I’ll shoot a documentary — she gave the same answer and said I had to shoot a TV Series or Film to get anyone to watch it. So the idea was formed.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

From the beginning of my writing down the rules, over 20 years. From my wife’s tough love advice, since 2018 (7 years approx.). One of my first steps was to go back to community college and sign up for film classes part-time (at age 25, with no high school degree, I had gone to community college, then UCLA, then UC Davis Law School), so it was a logical first step and I got my AA in 2025.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Enlightening Paths

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Communicating my vision for the project!

Everybody loved the script, but once we shot it, we were four steps in front of the audience instead of one or two steps ahead. We had to reshoot a softer intro to the modern universe of professional kids who don’t attend schools (e.g., varsity athletes used to be the best; now, kid pros competing on traveling teams are the best, and many don’t attend school). With the reshot soft intro to this universe, how these kids interacted with the crime drama made so much better sense, and the Pilot worked to set up multiple interesting storylines.

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

We had a premiere a week before at Grauman’s (fka Manns, now TCL) Chinese Theatres in Hollywood, and there were over 150 in attendance. We had a great after-party with many not connected to the project, and the feedback there was so positive and specific. We wanted to see how that feedback matched the WILDsound feedback, and it turned out to be virtually identical, with many of the same issues discussed (e.g., 1st scene, some loved others, others didn’t).

The feedback from both was very positive. Everyone wanted to know what happens next to their favorite characters, and pretty much everyone was surprised at how the multiple physical universes somehow meshed: Dance, Horse Show Jumping, Stall Mucking, Big Business, and Crime. Not to mention the cast with Young and Old characters, all of whom had multi-layered characters; we honestly had no idea if it was going to work, and it did at the Premiere and in the Wildsound feedback.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I started shooting on an 8mm (not even a Super 8) ski racing at Mt. Baldy Ski Lifts in SoCal/ in the early 1970s, and my wife is a horse trainer. Between ski racing and horses and all our kid’s sports, I have been shooting on film, then VHS, then the Nikon camera with an autozoom and autofocus long ago, and it has continued my whole life. We shot this film with my Red Komodo X with Zeiss lenses.

I shot a five-minute promo film for my wife’s stable, where our pilot was shot, and a short film in community college before this one. But, as for actually doing a real project like this (We got SAG AFTRA approval for the film and used SAG and Indie actors), that started when my wife told me to do a film not a book.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Apocalypse Now

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I loved having the Premiere at the Grauman’s (fka Manns now TCL) Chinese Theatres. What a great thing for the crew and actors, basically we used it as a focus group and a wrap party that we had never had. All but one of the cast made it, and lots of the crew.

The feedback video from Wildsound is hugely helpful. I worry whether they ever give bad reviews if they don’t like it; they were just so positive about ours.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It’s a great platform, no problems.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Anything Keto friendly — trying to eliminate processed foods.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I would love to produce or coproduce the rest of the series (or even host another production company shooting the series at our farm/stable). We are open to any and all ideas.

Seconds in Eternity, 42min., Estonia/Germany
Directed by Christian Schu
An elegant woman in her later years feels the relentless march of time as she mourns her lost youth and missed chances. Alone in a dimly lit room, her life seems to fade with each cigarette she smokes. She observes a vibrant young woman, envying her youth and vitality. Through her introspections, we explore her deep desires and regrets. The narrative, rich with poetry and flashbacks, takes a dramatic turn with a potential murder, leading to a surprising twist. Despite its dark beginnings as a Film Noir, the film transforms into a celebration of life, ending on a hopeful, life-affirming note.

https://secondsineternity.com/
https://instagram.com/christian_schu_film

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Marina Welsch, the main actress contacted me in 2022, having this film idea and some sort of script. I loved the idea behind, added my own value and took it from there.
I loved the idea of showing that, to be able to heal, we have to unite with ourselves first. Our past is an important part of us and we must accept it, to come further in life, to reach the next level.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
October 2022 til February 2025 – 2 years and 4 months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Worth watching.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle was surely creating this film on a very low budget, while everyone of us had other projects simultaneously. But the whole crew was amazing and we’ve made it work out.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I honestly had goosebumps from listening to the audience talking about Seconds in Eternity. I’ve been thrilled to get such a positive feedback.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I’ve been around 8 years old, playing with LEGO bricks. But instead of building fire stations and police stations, I’ve been building TV studios and movie sets.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
That’s a very good question, as there are many that I like to rewatch. Surely many Christopher Noland and Wes Anderson movies, such as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Interstellar, Tenet or Memento.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I believe that Wildsound is already performing extremely well as a film festival. I truly enjoyed the process and still enjoying it.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
I know Filmfreeway since a few years already and to me, it’s working well. What I always do before submitting is, I’m checking the festival thoroughly. I don’t like film festivals that just exist to make money from filmmakers. We all need to live, I understand that, but there can be a big difference between a winner of a film festival and a winner of a film festival. Sometimes everybody’s winning, no matter how terrible the movie is and that’s what I really don’t like.-

10. What is your favorite meal?
Seriously too much to mention…
However, if I need to choose, I’ll choose a grass fed beef steak.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I’m currently in development of the next film, this time a 90 minutes feature film, again with Marina Welsch as a producer and writer, maybe this time not in the lead cast. But we’ll see – it’s still in its early stage.

Jake & Pete’s Christmas Special, 20min., UK
Directed by Luke Marley
When the spirit of Christmas seems to have left a small town in Gloucestershire, Jake and Pete must find a way to restore it in time for Christmas.

https://www.instagram.com/jakeandpeteshortfilm/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

So, I did my first short using this art style Henry VIII and it was brutal and I swore to never do stop motion again, then eventually I thought about doing something that really felt character driven, and it had been a few years since Taylor and I have worked together on a project. So I asked if he wanted to work on something and we came up with a Christmas film.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I had expected for it to take about 6 months, but it took about a year to complete the whole film.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Honestly, I think very honest.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I would probably say, when animating not bumping the table or anything.

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

So, we were thrilled. I think before hand we hadn’t really seen any thoughts on the film or anything. So we’re not sure if people liked the plot or the joke landed. So I think it was great to know that it all worked out in the end.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I think it was very gradual, when I was in college I was studying computing in my first year then I transferred to media for my 2nd/3rd. So on my media course is how I got into a lot of those aspects but it’s also how I got into voice acting.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I would say Plains, Trains and Automobiles.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

At the moment judging by the experiences I’ve had so far, I can’t think of anything. The festivals all seem to have been great so far. I really do wish I had something to say though.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

It’s been great! Before I started using it I thought that I would have to reach out using all different ways. But having one site makes everything easy and streamlined.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Honestly, probably not the best to have. So I live in the UK. My favourite meal is when I go over to the U.S and have the famous bowl at KFC. We don’t have that over here.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Well, there’s stuff in the works. So we will have to see.

Sowing the Seeds of Love, 18min., USA
Directed by Riley Young
Sowing the Seeds of Love explores the obscure and peculiar sex lives of animals through the eyes of Hulk Hogan (1980’s WWE wrestler icon), Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood from the popular 1970’s sitcom Three’s Company), and Robert Picardo (known for his character as the Holographic Doctor on the 1990’s Star Trek: Voyager series). Their role in this film is to satire their popularity to make the subject of animal sexuality more digestible to those without a scientific background.

https://www.rileyoung.com/new-page-1
https://www.instagram.com/_riley_young_/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What was your motivation to make this film?

My true motivation for making this film was to find an engaging and accessible way to communicate science to a broad audience. With a background in Marine Science, I experienced firsthand during my capstone research project how challenging it can be to make scientific concepts exciting and understandable for those without a science background. That realization led me to pursue documentary filmmaking as a way to bridge that gap—bringing science to life in a way that is fun, accurate, and captivating for viewers of all backgrounds.

Two major inspirations shaped this film. The first was Jean Painlevé, a French filmmaker and pioneer of underwater cinema. His films explored the mysteries of marine life while blending science with humor, making complex topics engaging and accessible. The second was Isabella Rossellini’s Green Porno series, where she playfully reenacts animal mating behaviors in surreal, theatrical settings. Her bold, unconventional approach to documentary filmmaking opened my eyes to new ways of presenting science—ways that are visually striking, thought-provoking, and deeply entertaining. Both of these influences challenged traditional documentary styles, incorporating themes of sexual identity, gender norms, and finding beauty in the unexpected—ideas that became a driving force behind my own film.

Drawing from these inspirations, I wanted to create something fresh, quirky, and exciting while still staying true to scientific accuracy. That’s how Sowing the Seeds of Love was born. My film follows a trio of celebrity hosts who use humor, animation, and their star power to educate audiences about unconventional animal mating science—while drawing thought-provoking parallels to societal conversations around sexual identities. My goal is to reach people who might not typically watch documentaries—because let’s face it, the word “documentary” alone can turn some people away. I want to change that by proving that science can be just as entertaining as it is enlightening.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I first came up with the idea about a year before fully committing to making the film. Once I moved into pre production, the entire process—from development to the final product—took about a year and a half.

How would you describe your film in two words!?

Two words that come to mind are quirky and educational.

What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

There were several obstacles in making this film. One of the biggest was shooting entirely on 16mm film. I wanted to capture an authentic, nostalgic feel that reflected the shows my celebrity hosts were known for. However, working with film came with challenges—I had a limited amount of stock, which meant only a few takes per scene, and I never truly knew how the footage turned out until it came back from development.

Another challenge was working with an extremely small crew—just me and my DP, Zach Robinson. This made production more demanding, but despite the limitations, we made it work. In the end, these challenges pushed us to be more creative, and I’m incredibly proud of how the film came together.

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

I was so pleasantly surprised by the feedback video! It was amazing to hear people’s first reactions to my film and see how much they genuinely enjoyed it. Their excitement reassured me that this concept resonates with audiences, which motivates me to keep developing it further. I’d love to expand this idea into a full show with even more animals, more celebrities, and, of course, more fascinating mating habits to share with the world!

When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I’ve always been a huge film buff, but it wasn’t until college—while earning my undergraduate degree in Marine Science—that I realized I wanted to pursue filmmaking. Experiencing firsthand how challenging science communication can be pushed me toward documentary filmmaking as a way to bridge that gap and make science more accessible and engaging.

What film have you seen the most in your life?

The film I have seen the most in my life is probably Harold and Maude. It is so quirky and funny but with this message of hope and positivity. It is a beautiful story that touches my heart every time.

What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I loved my experience with this festival because it’s so difficult to get independent films seen by a wide audience. This festival stands out not only for providing valuable, unbiased feedback but also for showcasing films to a diverse group of viewers. One addition that could be helpful is knowing more about the people in the feedback video—such as their backgrounds or areas of interest. That insight would help me understand what types of audiences my film is attracting and how I might refine my approach for future projects.

What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is an In-N-Out burger without the meat (vegetarian) but with the addition of pickles and chili peppers with a side of animal fries with chopped chilis. I love a little spice.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Next for me is to use this film as a proof of concept and try to pitch this idea to be able to pursue this as a T.V. show. I think this idea has huge potential to really make an impact in both entertainment but also education.

The Story of Marjan the Bunny, 3min., Slovenia
Directed by Mitja Manjek
Marjan the bunny was the first pet of little Mitja, which was named after his dad. One day boy found an empty cage and he didn’t know where the bunny had disappeared.

http://www.mancekmitja.si/en/Films/ProfessionalYears/TheStoryOfMarjanTheBunny/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

In 2016 I made a film “Self-portrait” and I felt that there was something missing, but I didn’t want to make another self-portrait, instead I decided to make a portrait of my pet, where I can play a significant role. I also felt obligated to let people know that the family where I come from, was not so perfect as it seemed from the outside. Financial support from our national television was also very important, but the main thing that motivated me, was my belief that this could be a good film, because I told the story to other people and I saw them having high emotional reaction to it.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

The main story got stuck in head for 30 years before the film was released to the public. The first idea about making the film out of it was around September 2021, when I had a conversation about it with a local sculptor. I spent two weeks in February 2022 making a screenplay, storyboard, a financial and shooting plan and other materials to apply for funds. The realization took time from mid-September 2023 to end-March 2024.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Intense & Real

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I didn’t experience any real obstacles until the very last day of realization, when I received a very strong criticism from Slovenian national television accusing me of breaking our contract and that I should remake basically the whole film. Instead of doing that, I started sending my film to various film festivals and to Slovenian Film Archives to secure its place in history. Television later softened their approach but still censored the raw meat sequence, as they said it was inapropriate to show it to any audiences at any time.

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

My initial reaction was smile. It was very nice to see all of these people talking about my film and I’m very grateful for their feedback and engagement. I would also like to thank to the audience for their vote.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

Making films was a very natural progression from making comics and music, because I could merge them both into an animated film. The main inspiration for me to get involved in filmmaking was first Slovenian feature-length animated film “Socialization of a bull?”, that was made in 1998. I started drawing my first film the same year as a 10 years old boy.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Socialization of a Bull?, Bugs Bunny Films, Coffin Joe Trilogy, South Park Films

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

The most satisfying experience that could further my filmmaking career at this point in time would be receiving a monetary award.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

I’m glad how simple it is to submit my films to various film festivals. I wish more festivals were on FilmFreeway.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Raw fish.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I am planing to create a new film based on comics that I drew for magazine of Slovenian fishermen.

VAMPIRES AT NIGHT, 20min., Canada
Directed by Mark Anatoly Falko
A young happy couple are attacked by a vampire. Soon, the young woman transforms into a monster. Will true love prevail?

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I was inspired by my love of horror films and classic black & white films, more specifically the films of F.W. Murnau.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took me a year, from October 2023 – October 2024. Most of the film was volunteers, so you had to work around their schedules.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Evoke Emotion.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Time, money and organizing people. Again, since everyone was volunteers you had to work around their schedules.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very happy that they enjoyed it. I was also very happy that the criticisms they had were the same ones I had, I feel like I have a better understanding of what audiences expect.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Around high school, I directed a couple one act plays but I found film more intriguing.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Honestly, probably 2008’s ‘Drillbit Taylor’. Through junior high and high school I played that movie on DVD over and over again on the weekends while I was home alone, usually falling asleep and waking up to the play menu. Otherwise, I’d say maybe Welles’ ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘F for Fake’ I’ve seen a lot. If not those, possibly my vhs of ‘Mystery Men’ or ‘Lion King’ when I was a child.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Nothing really, your festival is really the best festival I’ve seen so far. You guys offered wonder options and really helped me advertise my film with all the work you guys have done. I’m absolutely gonna apply to your festival for every horror film I make. Let me know if you guys branch off into other genres as well.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It’s going alright so far, very organized and the website looks aesthetically appealing.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Oven cooked hickory sauce pork chops and pan fried brown rice with steamed broccoli made by my Mother.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I’m working on a sister film to ‘Vampires At Night’ which will be about witches, hopefully I can get it finished by the end of 2025. Aside from that I’m just trying to write and get involved in more projects.