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Data – The New Oil, 15min., Canada Directed by Spencer Maurice A young filmmaker-turned-law student takes us on a dark tour, revealing a clandestine ecosystem hidden from public view – a digital underworld that threatens democracy and civil society by ‘hacking’ our brains.
WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST?, 10min., Lebanon DIrected by Raafat Abou Daka “What Makes an Artist” is an introspective documentary that delves into the lives of the internationally renowned sculptor brothers Assaf, exploring the unexpected paths that led them to their craft. The film peels back the layers of their fame to reveal the human side of their journey, offering a rare glimpse into their early struggles and the alternate careers they nearly pursued.
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.
PLASTIC TOURISM, 18min., Indonesia Directed by Ira Setiawati “Plastic Tourism” is more than a documentary; it challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. It is a call to action and testament of the delicate balance between human leisure and environmental responsibility.
YOUR EVERYDAY HEROES OF COSTA RICA, 25min., USA Directed by Hernán Salcedo Your Everyday Heroes traveled to Costa Rica and searched for inspirational everyday people who are changing the world. Jeremy, Tracey, Vernon and Che are clearly all examples of what it takes to be a Hero, and we’re proud to share their stories with you.
Mad For It: Tim Emmett’s insane life, so far…, 16min., USA Directed by Jon Glassberg One of the most influential adventurers of our time that you’ve probably never heard of, Tim Emmett has been everywhere. He’s on the BBC, he’s flying through the sky in a wingsuit, he’s mingling with royalty, and dangling off a cliff with only air and water below. This Brit has been innovating adventure for almost three decades and shows no signs of slowing down. He’s totally mad for it, and as he approaches his fiftieth year (having retired from B.A.S.E. jumping, thank god) we look back on what he’s done so far, cheeky antics included.
Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.
The Second City – A Documentary, 34min., USA Directed by Samson Ziegelman My goal with this documentary is to share the magic of The Second City and the art of improvisation with actor and writer Bob Odenkirk and Second City Vice President Kelly Leonard. We discuss their Second City experiences, the stars they have worked with, how improv shaped their careers, and advice for the younger generation. sammyziegelman@gmail.com
King Harold is insufferable. His bad behavior is poisoning his universe. This goes on until one day, the Angel of Death decides that he has to have a word with the king. My daughter summarized it best: “It’s about a deranged tyrant meets Christmas Carol with some interdimensional pizazz.”
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
Fantasy, political satire
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Troubled multiverse
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Doctor Who
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Johann Sebastian Bach: “Ich will nur dir zu Ehren lebel.” (I want to live only to honor thee.)
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
Ferien auf Saltkrokan (Astrid Lindgren) (Vacations on Saltkrokan)
7. What motivated you to write this story?
The news vortex, it’s killing our universe. If thoughts can change reality, we need to think differently.
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Erich Fromm
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Family, art, nature
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
Just a whim.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
As my daughter said: “Write as if nobody is ever going to read your stuff.”
The Edge of Dreaming is a collection of vignettes that paint an overall picture of this new fantasy universe. I have specifically chosen a point in time when the world and its characters are at a crossroads. Technology is surpassing tradition, old ideas give way to new, and the pioneering and often destructive personalities that take advantage of that are thrust into the spotlight. I feel like this is particularly relevant to our current situation. The teething pains of the 21st century are on full display and its important to explore that.
2. What genres would you say this story is in?
I straddle fantasy, sci fi, and horror. I would say overall the world is a fantastical one full of magic, deities, and empire. However, due to the specific time period I have chosen, magic is giving way to technology, deities are fading into the occult, and empires have bloated themselves into beaurocracy. Unavoidably, elements of Sci fi and horror therefore bleed into my work.
3. How would you describe this story in two words?
Great question. I would class all my work as original and allegorical.
4. What movie have you seen the most in your life?
Although my writing has quiet a serious tone, I love cheesy 80s movies. It would be between Big Trouble In Little China and The Princess Bride.
5. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
I’m always looking for new music so it’s hard to say, but if You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon comes on I am right there singing along to every word (yes, even the verses).
6. Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
My sister bought me a copy of A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James in 2017. I have read it nearly every year since then. It’s a brilliant piece of work. Every time I read it I pick up new pieces of information, new nuances to the story. To me it’s an absolute classic.
7. What motivated you to write this story?
My very dear friend JM and I came up with this fantasy world while we were living together during university. Over nearly a decade of friendship, we mapped out the rise and fall of every empire, the birth and death of every god. The world’s creation and its inevitable demise. The cultures, the technologies, the judical systems, the religious systems, absolutely every nook and crannie. It often felt as if we weren’t creating it, but rather discovering it. Like it was always there, and every time we sat down together to work on it we’d extend the map out just that little bit more.
This collection of vignettes is just the beginning. I feel like it’s my mission to bring this world to life and let people explore it like we did. JM put it perfectly, if we only allow this world to exist in our heads it’s as if we’re killing everyone in it. I don’t want that on my conscience.
8. If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Language barrier not withstanding, wouldn’t you want to have dinner with Jesus and see what all the fuss is about?
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
I love music. Before taking writing seriously I was pretty convinced I would make a career in the music industry. Albeit my teenage rap albums never blew up, but it did lead me all the way to Pakistan where I worked for a very cool company called Karachi Community Radio. Genuine pioneers and a complete inspiration, you should check them out.
10. What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
I perform my work regularly at open mics. I believe if it doesn’t sound good coming out of your mouth, it won’t sound good inside somebody else’s head. So I was curious to see what a professional actor could do with it.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
I’m only at the beginning of my journey as a writer, so it seems a little hypocritical to give advice, but I have had a lot of experience with the creative process so I’ll speak on that.
I’d say the biggest piece of advice I can give is don’t be too precious about your work. Your characters, your world, your story, sure. But the writing itself? Be ready to kill it again and again and again. If you’re slaving over a sentence, or a paragraph, or a story for too long and you can’t get it to work, it means it doesn’t work. Free yourself from the burden, kill it.
Log Line: Struggling with insecurity and doubt about the longevity of their relationship, an American couple travels to Iceland for answers through a unique form of therapy, threatening both their relationship and their lives. Every relationship is a leap of faith.
Synopsis: In the mesmerizing landscapes of Iceland, a disillusioned yet determined American couple, Fawn and Rabbit, embark on a desperate journey for answers to their critical relationship questions through an unconventional couple’s therapy program – HOPPA. Their path leads through a series of harrowing experiences designed to reveal their truest selves while challenging their perception of reality and their beliefs about love and life. As their experiences grow increasingly eerie and nightmarish, they struggle with their inherent differences, relentless lack of communication, and uncompromising needs of each other. Their journey culminates at the edge of a cliff, where a moment of revelation leads to chaos and unfathomable implications from their decisions throughout their HOPPA experience.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Psychological Thriller, Horror, Drama
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The story explores relatable, honest partnership struggles as both parties navigate the possibility of compromising their individuality for a shared life together, and the depths they will go to know if their relationship is worth that risk.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Haunting polarity
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Nigel: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Secret of the Ooze Ashley: Can’t Hardly Wait
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
1 year, started after 2023 holiday in Europe
How many stories have you written?
4 complete; Nigel has been writing stories since he was a kid
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Nigel: Modern Leper, Frightened Rabbit Ashley: Where Is My Mind, The Pixies
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Character development. The main characters are based on us and our relationship, but we did not want to make them gender specific so it was challenging to hold character continuity while intertwining our traits into both equally.
Formatting. We are new screenwriters and learning through trial and error as we go. Our story was maybe not taken as seriously as it could have been from formatting mistakes.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Nigel: All forms of self-expression and creativity, travel Ashley: Finding my best self, solving hard problems, travel
You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
The platform site allows for additional inputs like pitch decks, social media, and audio/visual tools. Unsure at this point how much this benefits the submission.
What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
Feedback was actionable. We could tell the reader took time to read and understand the screenplay – not AI-generated responses.
This was a well-rated festival with many success stories. The short turnaround time with multiple winners within a year was also attractive.
The killing of a teenage basketball prodigy in New York presents a life-threatening challenge for a beautiful Latina detective and her partner.
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about? White Chocolate is about a female detective who, along with her male partner, has to solve the killing of a high school basketball prodigy in Yonkers, New York (near New York City). Detective Erika Gonzalez is a single mom and the daughter of a cop killed in the line of duty. Her son’s father, who proved unfaithful during their relationship, has been recently released from prison. The story focuses on Erika’s resilience in the face of personal and professional challenges, as well as the unwanted attention that comes to an attractive woman who simply wants to do her job.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Drama, Crime, Sports.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Erika is a character who faces so many challenges in a male-dominated profession and is constantly being tested, which makes her someone worth rooting for. Also, the basketball prodigy represents the hopes and dreams of many in a city not noted for producing famous people. Many in the community live vicariously through him, making his killing difficult for them to process. Fingers are pointed in many different directions. There’s a whodunit element to the story. Those who may be able to identify the killer before the detectives may be intrigued by the lengths to which the killer tries to avoid accountability.
4. How would you describe this script in two words? Kick-ass feminist.
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life? Spike Lee’s classic Do The Right Thing. It was filmed in my old neighborhood, Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, New York. Spike got Bed-Stuy (“Do or die”) just right, particularly how gentrification changed the neighborhood in the late 1980s and how businesses owned by White people served the community on the one hand but failed to reinvest in the neighborhood because they did not live there. The riot scene at the end, which included Spike’s character hurling a garbage can through the window of Sal’s Famous Pizzeria, was inevitable but no less dramatic.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay? Off and on for two years. Real life kept getting in the way. But largely because of how I saw Erika as a resilient, kick-ass feminist, I had to make the time to finish this screenplay and share it with as many people as possible.
7. How many stories have you written? Two screenplays. The other is Iceman, which is about a Black hockey trailblazer in the 1995-96 National Hockey League season. I’m also the author of four books: Breaking the Ice: The Black Experience in Professional Hockey (Insomniac Press, Toronto), the first book that told the unique stories of Black players in hockey; Call the Yankees My Daddy: Reflections on Baseball, Race, and Family; Charging the Net: A History of Blacks in Tennis from Althea Gibson and Arthur to the Williams Sisters; and Different Strokes: Serena, Venus, and the Unfinished Black Tennis Revolution. My books reside at the intersection of sports and sociology. I used to cover the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes for The News & Observer in Raleigh and the New York Rangers for Newsday in New York. The lead character in Iceman is based on Black NHL players I wrote about in Breaking the Ice.
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?) “Up, Up, and Away” by The Fifth Dimension. The song is so hopeful, which I need in these times. There are so many occasions when I would love to get into a beautiful balloon and escape all the madness, particularly with Donald Trump back in the White House. (Sigh.)
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay? A bad breakup with someone who thought I was turning her daughter against her. I wasn’t. I lost my motivation to write for a while. There’s no roadmap on how to overcome heartbreak. Believe me, I checked. But since my lead character in White Chocolate draws upon inner strength and resilience to get things done, how could I quit?
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? Sports, watching and participating. I completed the New York City Marathon in 2013, but tore a ligament in my ankle. I run shorter races now. Movies (features and documentaries). I recently enjoyed Pedro Almodovar’s The Room Next Door, Babygirl (but I consider the ending a cop out), Nickel Boys, and Conclave. I’m a documentary fan because I’ve appeared in five of them: Black Ice (hockey); Soul on Ice (hockey); Beyond Their Years (hockey, baseball); Althea & Arthur (tennis); and A Perfect Match (tennis). I’m also an avid reader. I loved James by Percival Elliott.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site? I found the process of entering this screenplay easy to navigate. I don’t enter too many contests, but this one focuses on women-centered scripts. We certainly need more of those to better chronicle the human experience. The more submission platforms like this one the better.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received? I love that there is a festival devoted to telling the stories of women. Especially women-identified women, not caricatures. I’m very happy with the initial feedback. I look forward to working with Wildsound to help me promote White Chocolate.
Ultimately it’s about loneliness and how if can look different through grief or mental illness. Some people struggle with it and seem to function well (career, appearing ‘normal’) and others seems devastated emotionally and outwardly. Each of my main characters deal with it in different ways, but the fact is human beings need connection.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
This is a slice of life drama.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I think resilience is always something that speaks to audiences. In spite of real challenges of grief and mental illness, it’s important to own your challenges and work through them.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Humanely complex
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
It’s a toss up between The Princess Bride, Casablanca and When Harry Met Sally. At different times in my life, I could recite each of them word for word.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
Several months.
7. How many stories have you written?
Short stories – dozens. Stage/screenplays – six completed/nearing completion. I am also writing a young adult fantasy book that is about 75% completed.
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Laughter in the Rain by Neil Sedaka (it’s a good reminder)
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
I always struggle with staying true to the character. They become so real to me and I want to “fix” them. It’s important to stay real to them and whatever resolution happens, it needs to make sense for them.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Although I make fun of it in the play, I’m actually a vegan. I think the world needs more kindness and it certainly needs more of a focus on global warming.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site?
It’s been so exciting to hear my work was enjoyed. The feedback was invaluable and the entire experience has been so encouraging.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I think I’m finally feeling brave enough to have my work “out there” and I’m grateful to FilmFreeway for helping in that endeavour.
“Chrysalis” navigates the story of Deniz, an enigmatic alien who, upon arriving on Earth, assumes the form of a 20-something girl. Driven by loneliness and curiosity, she becomes captivated by the vibrant Turkish culture. Alternating between the euphoria of her love with a Turkish woman, Melisa, and the aftermath of a tragic loss caused by homophobia in modern Turkish society, the narrative weaves subtle hints alluding to Deniz’s true nature, inviting contemplation on whether she is an extraterrestrial or a representation of someone who feels like an outsider within their own country. The story delicately portrays the healing journey of both Deniz and Melisa’s grieving mother within a city so capable of profound love, yet at times challenged to extend that love to others.
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
The screenplay explores what it means to love in a city like Istanbul- a place that is both beautiful and complicated. Growing up in this country (as with any country), you can find love in every corner within its people. However, there’s also a heartbreaking cycle of hate that seeps through, especially towards the LGBTQ community.
Istanbul is naturally a loving city, but the struggle to embrace all forms of love has persisted for years. This paradox inspired me to create a story that highlights the loneliness and complexity of being part of a community like this in Istanbul. Despite the hate, I believe the city is and will always be filled with love- sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to see that love in its purest form is universal. My love is no different than your love.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Chrysalis falls under romance and drama.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
This screenplay touches on deeply important themes, but the beauty and complexity of Istanbul cannot fully be captured in words alone. To truly understand its essence—the contrasts between love and hate, beauty and struggle—it must be seen visually. A film would allow audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant, raw, and emotional world of this story.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Unyielding love.
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
I’m not ashamed to say La La Land! It has a magical atmosphere, vibrant storytelling, and a beautiful love story that draws me back in every time.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
About six to seven months.
7. How many stories have you written?
Unofficially, I’ve written about seven stories since I started pursuing writing seriously.
8. What is your favorite song?
Somebody to Love by Queen. There’s a bit of cheesiness and irony, but I embrace it wholeheartedly!
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
One of the biggest challenges was believing in myself. I struggled with confidence and went through several major drafts before finding the right one. Ultimately, I realized that I wasn’t telling this story for myself- I was telling it for my community. That shift in mindset gave me the courage to finish.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
When I’m not writing, I’m passionate about reading! Diving into other people’s worlds is one of my favorite ways to spend time.
11. What has been your experience working with FilmFreeway?
FilmFreeway has been a fantastic resource. It introduced me to so many festivals I never knew existed, many of which are perfect matches for Chrysalis. It’s an invaluable tool for emerging artists.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I actually submitted an earlier draft of this screenplay once before. I knew it wasn’t ready, but the feedback I received motivated me to keep improving until I felt confident in the story. This festival stood out to me because of its international reach and its celebration of LGBTQ stories- its very existence is inspiring to me.
Love Unveiled explores the collision of two different worlds. Sophie, a driven and self-centered woman, dreams of a political career in Washington, D.C., but her plans derail when her father’s gambling debts entrap her with Drago, a ruthless mafia boss in Split, Croatia. Forced into a marriage with Drago’s son, Ivan, Sophie finds herself in a world of crime and moral uncertainty.
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about? Love Unveiled follows Sophie, an ambitious young woman determined to build a successful political career. Her life gets derailed when she has to marry a conflicted Croatian mobster to settle her father’s gambling debt. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, redemption, and self-discovery.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Romance Crime Drama
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? The screenplay offers a fresh take on the collision of two vastly different worlds. Currently, there isn’t a film similar to Love Unveiled released in the past 6 years which makes it a unique selling point. Love Unveiled explores universal themes that are compelling to the worldwide audience.
4. How would you describe this script in two words? Unexpected destiny
5. What movie have you seen the most times in your life? The Passion of the Christ, I watch it on every Good Friday.
6. How long have you been working on this screenplay? I got the idea in November 2023 and I wrote my 1st draft in January, so for a year more or less.
7. How many stories have you written? I’ve written a few scenes ahead of this, but you could say this is my first real story and screenplay.
8. What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?) I can’t say I know the answer, I love music. Currently, it’s Les Barricades Misterieuses. A beautiful classical piano piece.
9. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay? Trying to put my creative vision in the number of pages I can operate with whilst also maintaining the audience’s engagement.
10. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about? I’m extremely versatile, from singing and playing instruments to working on a farm or being a firefighter.
11. You entered your screenplay via FilmFreeway. What has been your experiences working with the submission platform site? Easy, it’s a great site to find the competitions and festivals you’re looking for and apply your project.
12. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received? I entered the festival to showcase my work, but also to see if what I do is good enough for the industry. The feedback was insightful, affirming the strengths but also my doubts about the script and giving me an idea I didn’t remember before.
Festival Reviews 