“Thank you for awarding our film, Madame Donalda, Best Documentary and Best Editing!! We are delighted with this result and with your selection and judging process, and the overall experience in championing the work of experimental film.”
THE CAPTOR, 64min., USA
Directed by Sean De La Nuez
An ex-soldier with PTSD decides to become the vigilante of his neighborhood, taking justice into his own hands against porch pirates.
https://www.facebook.com/alejandra.alanis.ortiz
https://www.instagram.com/alejandra.alanis.ortiz/
Get to know the filmmaker:
What motivated you to make this film?
I was inspired by the growing problem of porch piracy, and I wanted to explore the idea of vigilante justice, questioning where the line is between right and wrong in taking matters into your own hands.
What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was surreal and incredibly gratifying to see the audience connect with the themes of the film, and their reactions gave me a lot of insight into how it resonated with different people.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Watch the FULL Festival NOW: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/land-mass
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.
Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/
LAND MASS, 48min,. UK
Directed by Jenni Roditi, Sara Pozin
A new kind of liturgy is about to begin… a Land Mass. This is a spontaneous, vocal-visual liturgy for the land, sung by a unique choir, The Improvisers’ Choir, conducted by composer Jenni Roditi, who is creating her conducting directions as the improvised music is sung.
http://www.theimproviserschoir.com/landmass
https://www.facebook.com/ticsingers
https://twitter.com/ticsingers
https://www.instagram.com/ticsingers
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-land-mass
TENDU, 2min., USA
Directed by Sophie Power, Michelene Mallard Billy
What happens when you grow up in a world where there was only one projected image of what a ballerina “should look like” – down to the pink nude pointe shoes?
https://www.sophiepower.info/
https://www.instagram.com/karaokeandvodka/
Get to know the filmmakers:
Michelene: What I connected the dots on is that all of my motivation to create documentary films are all mainly connected to African American arts, culture and society. Contemporary as well as commercial dance was such a safe space for me. I took part in a handful of productions during my formative years. I’ve followed the world of dance since I slowed down to finish school, and I’ve always been more fascinated with those who looked like me in a mainly white centered profession. After originally shelving the idea of making a Black ballet portrait during a stressful, hectic first semester of cramming and making multiple films to meet class deadlines, Sophie encouraged me to continue to develop the film, even offering to co-direct with me.Thus,Tendu was born.
Sophie: When Michelene first pitched the project, I knew right away that I’d like to collaborate to bring it to life. I was struck immediately by her passion for showcasing Black excellence and we both shared a combined interest in cinematography surrounding the movement of dance. In development, we came across many stories of microaggressions which Black dancers faced in their professional journeys. Particularly in the classrooms/studios of their youth. Because of this, we were driven to turn our focus towards those who were shaking this up and paving a better path for the next generation. The name ‘Tendu’ coming from the French word “tense”, is a core ballet movement which “serves as a foundation for many others”. For this project, we decided to play on this analogy by seeking out a selection of talented New York dancers/ teachers who, empowered by their craft, encourage young children of color to get involved in ballet. Thereby creating a warm and welcoming base from which Black talent can grow. Micah’s portrait is the first part of this series.
Subscribe to the podcast:
https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod
Watch the FULL Festival NOW: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/ndazkoh
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.
Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/
NDAZKOH, 64min,. Canada
Directed by Tracey April Cochrane
A documentary about a first nations community showing Strength, forgiveness and resilience.
https://www.facebook.com/calminchaosptsd/
https://www.instagram.com/traceycochrane8610/
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-ndazkoh
WILDsound is proud to showcase the best LGBTQ+ Films from the last year from around the world today.
Thursday November 28th. 7pm SHARP.
Event ends at 9pm.
98 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 full lineup of films: https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/lgbtq-toronto-festival/
Watch Film Festival HERE: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/november-documentary-life-festival
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.
Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/
Terra Draconis: posterity and prosperity of fossils in the modern age, 22min., USA
Directed by Braeden Clete Meyer
Since its inception as a commercial interest in the 19th century, a growing debate has formed around vertebrate fossils to collect, research, and sell significant specimens on the world stage. In 1997, the most-complete Tyrannosaurus Rex specimen found to date, Sue, was auctioned off to the Chicago Field Museum for an unprecedented $8.3 million.
https://www.instagram.com/flytyer97/
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-terra-draconis
GROWING UP, 54min., USA
Directed by Leslie Dektor
16 years in the making, “Growing Up” focuses on Fernando Pullum and the impact he’s had on thousands of youth in South Central Los Angeles. Through music Fernando rose above his own harrowing childhood and for decades he’s passed that gift along to his students. Graduates of Pullum’s program have gone on to play with Beyonce?, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, and Snoop Dogg, been recipients of 6 Grammy Awards; but he’s proudest of their growth as men and women. “When I started teaching, I just wanted to make whole people. I had no idea that I would be creating artists.”
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-growing-up
Directed by Richard R. Murray
When a new leader arrives at one of Michigan’s worst schools, he seeks help from a unique firm known for solving “impossible” school problems. But the challenges are enormous, the project has no funding, and the effort will confront bureaucracy, skepticism, indifference, profiteering, and even a pandemic.
https://equityschools.org/portfolio-item/academy-of-warren/
Review by Julie Sheppard:
A remarkable documentary short revealing how a Michigan school is updated from an old, dingy converted grocery store to a state-of-the-art, bright, colourful place of learning.
The main title of Natural Light captures the brilliance of this school design as highlighted many times in the film — the natural light of the new skylights in the ceilings all over the school makes such a positive difference to the environment. After hearing detailed interviews of school staff and expert planners, the viewer learns a lot about school design and benefits of natural light. Surprising stats are provided. For example, students in classes with natural light succeed 20% more than those in windowless classrooms.
It is fascinating to be shown the costly initial architect plans, and then the second set of more affordable, streamlined plans. Also compelling is witnessing the work in progress, and seeing black and white “before” shots and colourful “after” shots. It is encouraging to see the footage of students enjoying the new school playground and sports facilities, and the renovated classrooms.
The cheerful soundtrack throughout the film and the on-screen text about the school’s increasing success and current waiting list both serve to highlight this venture — a truly remarkable achievement to the benefit of students, staff and the community at large.
Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway:
Festival Reviews 