ELIZA, 11min., USA
Directed by Bianca Roth
After hitting rock bottom, 23 year old MIA, updates her home AI system to help turn her life around. What start out as small “life improvements” slowly begin to control her.

http://biancarothfilms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/biancaaroth/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I first got the idea to make this film when I kept hearing about everyone using chat gpt… honestly myself included! Obviously this AI helps a lot of people in their day to day life which I think can be a great thing. However, as the uprising of AI technology becomes more and more prevalent I started to think about where the boundary is. How much can AI help until it begins to just do things for us, and then at what point does that begin to take over. This led me to a bigger thought of will AI get so smart it begins to take over…. I hope not! These are some of things I had in my head and I wanted to create a snapshot of one person’s experience during that AI takeover.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
I wrote the script over the summer in 2024 and we shot the project over the course of 2 days in September and somehow were able to edit, color, and sound design by October 31st!! (I was determined to release it on Halloween!)

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I hate to say it but… time and money… although I am very happy with what we created despite these limitations!

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very happy to hear that a lot of the themes and messages I had put into the film came across. I wanted to show the buildup of how AI can start as helpful and pose the question of what can happen if it becomes too much. I am so happy people enjoyed it!

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to.

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

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 feedback video was a wonderful thing to incorporate. Usually when you hear back from a festival it’s just through filmfreeway so it was really nice to get the validation that people not only enjoyed it but connected with it in a way that I was aiming for.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Great! I love it.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Sushi or pizza

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am working on another short film… this time a comedy! This short is actually a proof of concept for a pilot that I have written and submitted to a few screenwriting festivals so I am excited to get these characters on the screen!

THE BOMB, 25min., Turkey
Directed by Onur Dogan
In the Balkan region, where lawlessness prevailed during the war, a man receives a threatening death letter from the gang he used to be a member of. Thereupon, he plans to escape to America with his pregnant wife. On the last night, after being threatened by the gang, the man leaves the house to persuade the gang members, but does not come back. Instead, an hour later, gang members enter the house.The gang leader starts a game in which he tells the woman that if she fulfills his wishes, she can see her husband again as a reward.

https://www.instagram.com/bombafilmi/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

This story is one of the war stories written by Ömer Seyfettin, one of the most famous writers of Turkish literature, inspired by his observations during his real-life captivity during the Balkan Wars in the 1910s. I had been thinking of working on an adapted script for a long time. After the first two short films I wrote and directed, this time I wanted to work on a story I didn’t write and adapt it to see what I could do. This war story, which is almost like a horror story, attracted me because it is forgotten and censored today, and I wanted to make this story. Also, when I think about the wars going on in the West and East, I thought that the subject is still relevant and that it will make viewers think about the effects of war.

2. How long did it take to make this film, from idea to finished product?

I turned the story into a script and adapted it in about 6 months. Then, our shooting preparations, casting process, rehearsals and technical preparations started. We shot the film in 3 days and post-production lasted 4 months. So, I can say that it is a 1-year process from the idea stage to the screen.

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

Ruthless and dark

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

All of my actors had different ongoing projects such as theater and TV series, and it took a long time to arrange the schedules of the 7 actors other than myself. Apart from that, we shot the film in the winter and there was no infrastructure such as electricity and water in the wooden house we used. For this, we used a generator and a caravan. Also, the weather was cold and rainy that day. Although it was the weather I wanted to see in the film, the weather made shooting conditions difficult and extended the duration.

5. What were your first reactions while watching the audience talk about your film in the feedback video?

I watched it with admiration and was very happy. It is fascinating to adapt an old literary story from our own country to the screen after 100 years and to see it touch different audiences in different countries. I remembered once again why and how much I love cinema. Thank you very much for this beautiful video you prepared. The most important thing for a director is to get feedback from viewers about their film. I think this is the best reward. Thank you for providing this, even though there are miles between us.

6. When did you realize you wanted to make a film?
I remember wanting to make a film since I was a child. I would be inspired by the films, series, and computer games I watched and dream about making films about them.

7. What film have you watched the most in your life?
I think my favorite film, which I have watched many times and know every frame by heart, is Child’s Play (1988).

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

The video you made about audience reactions is a difference maker and touches the heart of a filmmaker. Interactive experiences like this are the way to reach as many viewers as possible and make the film visible. When this is strong and done in large numbers, it is the most important thing to advance a filmmaker’s career. Also, talking to international producers about the film can be a good option.

9. You applied to the festival through FilmFreeway. How were your experiences working on the festival platform site?
Filmfreeway is the application site that makes the application process very easy, has the best interface and speed. It allows our films to reach festivals all over the world in a very short time. Applying for films from here speeds up our work a lot.

10. What is your favorite food?

I love many delicious foods, it is hard to distinguish among the dishes, but my favorite dessert is definitely ice cream. I definitely visit ice cream shops in every new country I go to and I definitely try different flavors and different styles of ice cream. Ice cream is indispensable for me.

11. What’s next? A new movie?
Yes, the feature-length version of Bomb is next. I am currently writing the feature-length version to shoot in the coming years. In addition, the short film version you watched will be dubbed in English and will meet the audience again in feature-length form with other films in a horror anthology through the Black Mandala production company at horror film festivals, film markets and box offices.

SANGUINE DEPOSIT, 15min., USA
Directed by Robert Del Campo
Mac is a violent, train hopping, drifter who has found himself wandering from small town to small town during the Great Depression. He is a sadist with no compunction about using robbery, or even murder, to survive. Although he seems happy-go-lucky, he can become annoyed or angered easily. To Mac, the world, and everything in it, are up for grabs to someone who is not afraid to use violence as a tool.

https://www.instagram.com/sanguine_deposit/

Get to know writer, executive producer, and lead actor (Mac), Dr. Greg McWhorter.

1. What motivated you to make this film?

Without getting into too much detail, I basically saw that I had an opportunity to work with a director to create my vision of a black-and-white, silent, horror, film, and I approached him with it and luckily, he agreed to work with me on it. I always wanted to make a silent horror film that would’ve been like the first slasher film ever made but also like a lost film from the 30s that we’re just discovering nowadays. And I wanted it to be violent, but also fitting with the times and I knew I had the chance to use a lot of great sets and I have an eye for buying the right pieces for the costumes and props. Basically this was in my head for years and I saw the opportunity to work with the right director to get this done.

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

Like I said, the idea has been going around my head for years, but from the moment I approached the director and sold him the idea to the point where we actually had a finished film, took us about 2 1/2 years. So it was crucial to get the continuity, right (which fell on me).

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

Vintage slasher.

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

The hardest part was actually in the changing landscape in the cities we shot in. If we had made this film five or 10 years ago, we would’ve had no problem having some amazing alley shots, but with gentrification and Alleys being blocked off to keep the homeless from living in them, it was really hard to get some good alley scenes and that really held us up

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

I was actually pleasantly impressed and excited by how much they seem to like the story and the acting, which was my doing. But I’m glad they also talked a lot about the cinematography which was my director’s doing. We made a good team and this film never would’ve been made if it wasn’t for both of us bringing our talents to it. I am always thrilled to learn when an audience likes our film as that is what it’s made for… Entertainment!

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

I’ve actually wanted to make films my whole life, but I’m more of a writer and actor than doing the technical end. I used to work for a television station doing technical work and I realized that that side was not something I enjoyed. Sitting around editing for hours upon hours when I could be doing other things. This is where my director’s talents came in to play as he loves the technical and with the camera shots and the editing, and he even learned how to do some computer generated images during the making of our film, which expanded his repertoire of skills and abilities in filmmaking.

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

I have to preface this by saying that I love films from around the world and silent films, and of course, horror films, but probably the film I’ve seen the most is Big Fat Greek Wedding. I know this doesn’t fit with me, writing horror and making a horror film, but I’ve played it over and over again for background as I was working on my doctoral degree and also when I’ve written my non-horror novels. So you can say it’s been played the most of my house, but I don’t know if I’ve really watched it that much. It’s just a nice smart film to have playing in the background that I don’t have to pay too much attention to, but it still has decent dialogue and is not annoying with loud noises or big explosions or other nonsense to distract me from my writing.

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’m not too sure, but as of right now, I’m pretty happy with the festival experience. Of course I’d like to know more about where the films are shown and if it’s possible to attend some of these screenings.

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

Film freeway has been fantastic for us, and it has enabled us to get our film screened in festivals that otherwise we may never have known about. I have nothing but good things to say about Film freeway. If you were a filmmaker, it’s a fantastic resource.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I’m a foodie and I love food from around the world so that’s a tough question. I love Indian food, Thai food, South American cuisine, and so on. I will say that no matter where I go in the world I can’t wait to come home and get some good Mexican food! Growing up in Southern California, Mexican food is my soul food! Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, caldos (soups), etc., are all my favorites! If I had to pick just one meal, I would say it would have to be a combo platter with a taco and enchilada and a chile relleno.

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

My director and I are moving forward with a new film, which is already in preproduction. I can’t see too much about it now, but it is another horror film, but this one will be set in modern times with color and full sound. My director is really gonna push the envelope with color and lighting and I’m gonna be pushing myself on my acting ability as the lead in this one as well. We’re really excited about it and we think that it’s going to be a great calling card for us to hopefully bigger productions. I’m 55 years old and my director is 60, but we feel that age is just a number and we still have great hopes for working on even greater films in the future!

LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, 10min., USA
Directed by Nick Noyes
In “Like, Comment, Share,” Casey, a social media influencer, takes on a house-sitting job for the night. Casey’s lighthearted updates quickly turn into a desperate plea for help as the night progresses.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Last year, I attended a friend’s short horror film festival, and I was deeply inspired by the incredible films I saw. I knew I wanted to create something for the following year, with the hope of getting into their festival. It was exciting to have a clear goal, Given my work in social media and my conflicted feelings about its negative impact on mental health, this theme felt like the perfect foundation. After brainstorming several story ideas, it made sense to land on this one—it allowed me to channel those thoughts into a project that was both meaningful and creatively fulfilling.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
We made this film in just five days. After spending almost the entire year trying to think of different short film ideas writing scripts, I saw a post that the final deadline for my friends festival was in 5 days… and I realized I probably wouldn’t have time to make a film for it—especially since I had to film a documentary over the weekend. However, the documentary was bringing me to LA, where Aria lives, so I asked if she’d be up for filming something if I came up with an idea. She was down and we kind of just dove into it.

Given the restrictions—one actor, a three-hour filming window, and the need to edit on the flight home—the format naturally fell into place. I wrote the script the next day, and when we got to the location, we adjusted a lot on the spot to work with the time and space.

3. How would you describe your film in two words?
“Tension, tension.”

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The biggest obstacle we faced was definitely the time constraints—we were really up against it with this one. However, I think those limitations actually worked in our favor. They forced us to focus on making fast, strong decisions without overcomplicating things. It also pushed us to lean into what was available to us, which ultimately helped shape the film’s style and format.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
When you make something, you just hope the goals you had for the film come across. For me, this film was meant to be, first and foremost, a really fun and tension-filled 10 minutes. But I also wanted it to make people think—about how we interact with social media, how someone sharing a fun update might actually be feeling really sad, and how they probably need to step away from social media and ask for help. The underlying horror I wanted to highlight wasn’t about an intruder, but the unsettling reality of normal life. Hearing the audience pick up on those layers was both validating and really meaningful. I also really liked the notion of making this a short series, That was a really fun idea what i’ve been thinking about since I watched the video.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make films while sitting in a movie theater in high school. My eyes left the screen for a moment, and I looked at all the silhouetted people around me, sharing this collective experience. That moment has stayed with me and has repeated a few times in my life, always leaving me with the same feeling: I want to create something that gives people that shared experience. I’m not the best at talking to people, so the idea of connecting with them through film has always been exciting and meaningful to me.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
The most recent film I’ve watched over and over is Lisa Frankenstein. It’s such a light and fun watch, oozing with nostalgia for the kinds of movies I grew up on. At the same time, it’s a really beautiful story about loving someone despite their—sometimes terrible—faults. The addition of horror elements makes it even more enjoyable, showcasing how amazing this genre can be. It blends gore and scares with so much heart and humor, which is exactly what I love about horror—it’s endlessly versatile and emotional.

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 really appreciate that your festival has so many layers to it, especially as a filmmaker who can’t always attend every festival my films are accepted into. It can be a strange feeling when a festival comes and goes, and I have no idea how my film was received. The additional support you offer after the festival is incredibly helpful—filmmaking is so hard, and any assistance in getting your film out into the world is invaluable.

That said, I do feel a bit conflicted when it comes to festival services that come with added costs. While I completely understand the expenses involved, sometimes it can feel a bit scammy—not necessarily because of your festival, but more due to the reputation of some FilmFreeway festivals. I think separating emails about services from general festival communication would be a great way to keep everything feeling clear and genuine.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
This was my first time using FilmFreeway, and my experience has been mixed. I really appreciate that this platform exists—it’s an incredible resource for filmmakers—but I was surprised by how many sketchy festivals are kind of validated by FilmFreeway platform, you really need to read the fine print. It was a harsh lesson to learn, and while I don’t know of a better option out there, I definitely feel more informed for the next time I submit a film.

10. What is your favorite meal?
My favorite meal is probably a savory Dutch baby topped with arugula and goat cheese.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
as a low to no budget horror film maker, I’m currently working on a horror anthology film consisting of five short horror stories. We’ve filmed one so far and are gearing up to shoot the next one in March. I like the idea of having a festival edit of each of the shorts and then longer versions that are shown in the anthology format.

At the end of the month, Aria and I are also starting production on a horror feature film. It’s a found-footage story about a group of friends who head to a remote location to make a horror movie, only to find that the behind-the-scenes drama becomes scarier than the film itself. It’s my first feature, and much like Like Comment Share, it’s come together quickly. I’m super excited we film in 10 days! it’s going to be a lot of fun!

RSVP your tickets on the program page: https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/romance-toronto-festival/

WILDsound is proud to showcase the best ROMANCE Films from the last year from around the world today.

Monday February 10th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
90 minute program of films. Followed by Q&A with filmmakers in attendance.

Carlton Cinemas in downtown Toronto.
20 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5B 2H5
(College Street Subway)
MAP to cinema

Tickets are FREE or Pay as you like. (Tickets generally sell out. First RSVP. First served.)

Email festival to RSVP tickets@wildsound.ca
Or, text the festival directly at 416-568-9046

SEE THE LINEUP OF FILMS:

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 the 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

A ROBOT ROM COM, 7min,. USA
Directed by Jonathan Hludzinski
A romantic comedy about a pair of robots who learn that love isn’t easy even if you can download it directly into your CPU.

DUNES, 10min., France
Directed by Virginie Kahn
It could be a Harlem theater in the fifties. Two strangers share the same emotion while watching a movie. The cinema exit door opens onto an imaginary desert where they will meet, alone in the world, around a dance that is sometimes tender, sometimes dramatic, and soon playful. A tribute to the feelings we share when going to the cinema.

LOVE LETTER TO GLASGOW, 6min., UK
Directed by Myria Christophini
An experimental animated short that makes an artistic commentary on the perception of some Glaswegians on romantic love.

http://myriachristophiniart.com/

https://www.instagram.com/myria_christophini/

HIRA, 10min., Italy
Directed by Emanuele Colognese
Hira loves sunflower seeds, the red color, and the silence that envelops the world when she extinguishes it, for she possesses this power. Meanwhile, Matteo adores Haribo candies, Rubik’s cubes, and Russian literature. One day, these two individuals cross paths (or rather, collide), and their anonymous bodies become familiar faces, with their piercing blue eyes and thick curls. It takes just a little to intertwine two existences. But how can the same knots be untangled? Against the backdrop of a modern Milan, two stories unfold, not of love but of life.

RACHEL AND RAHA, 16min,. Canada
Directed by Nedda Sarshar
Rachel and Raha is a short film about second chances and how the people in your past make reappearances at strange moments in your life. Rachel is a grad student living in her parents house in North York and enjoying her summer break when her old best friend (a girl who ghosted her in middle school) moves into her grandparents home across the street.

HONEYMOON, 4min,. Switzerland
Directed by Anaëlle Morf
A man and a woman meet in a bar for the first time.

SING ME TO SLEEP, 25min., USA
Directed by Mario Valdivieso
“Sing Me To Sleep” follows the story of a young couple by the name of Marc and Julia. Julia has been diagnosed with cancer, and she is at the point where her disease has become terminal. Marc decides to take his dying wife home so they can make the most of their last days together.

https://www.instagram.com/sing_me_to_sleep_film/

TEENAGE LOVE FOREVER, 5min,. UK
Directed by Imogen Harrison
A visual poem about love, communication, surrender, and being human.

Today’s Submittable Deadlines: February 10th, 2025

YEAR 2025 Poetry – FREE submission or pay for a reading or movie

http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/316648/year-2025-poetry-festival-contest-free&title=YEAR%202025%20Poetry%20Festival%20Contest%20(Free)

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CINQUAIN Poetry – FREE submission or pay for a reading or movie

http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/301195/cinquain-poetry-submission&title=CINQUAIN%20Poetry%20Submission

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FAMILY Short Story Festival (automatic acceptance)

6000-8000 words story

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314809/family-short-story-festival-6000-8000-words-everyone-wins

4000-6000 words story

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314808/family-short-story-festival-4000-6000-words-everyone-wins

2000-4000 words story

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314807/family-short-story-festival-2000-4000-words-everyone-wins

0-2000 words story

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314805/family-short-story-festival-0-2000-words-everyone-wins

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DRAMA Novel Contest Festival

Full Novel Festival:

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314032/drama-full-novel-festival

1st Chapter Novel Festival:

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314034/drama-novel-video-transcript-reading

Novel Transcript Reading:

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/314034/drama-novel-video-transcript-reading

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SPORTS Screenplay Contest:

https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/301201/sports-screenplay-contest

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