Today’s #FilmFreeway Testimonial: #LGBTQ+ Toronto #Film & #Screenplay Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/LGBTTorontoFilmFestival
Great festival! They go above and beyond to give your film the attention it deserves. Super helpful, and the feedback video is an amazing touch!
Today’s #FilmFreeway Testimonial: #FANTASY/#SCIFI Film & Screenplay Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/FantasySciFiFilmScreenplayFestival
Loved being a part of this festival! This festival offered a unique array of additives that made the fee more than worth it! We loved our audience feedback video and doing the blog + podcast interview #filmfestival #film
Today’s FilmFreeway Testimonial: HORROR Underground Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/horrorunderground
I want to thank the HORROR Underground Film & Screenplay Festival in awarding my horror short, Come the Nightfall for Best Direction. This is one of the best film festivals I’ve ever been a part of. Highly recommend this one to all #filmmakers. #horror #horrorfestival #filmfreeway
Today’s #FilmFreeway Testimonial: FEMALE Feedback Film Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/FEEDBACKFemaleFilmFestivalFFFF
The festival were super responsive and helpful, the podcast was a delight and the feedback video was glowing it was as if my mum was interviewed! Everyone involved in the festival went above and beyond. #femalefestival #filmfreeway #femalefilmfestival #shortfilmfestival
Today’s #FilmFreeway Testimonial: WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Screenplay Festival
https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival
The #WILDsound Feedback Festival has to be one of the most groundbreaking festivals because the reviews are always from a diverse perspective on the body of work submitted. #filmfestival We appreciate this festival and how it incorporates all film producers to submit their work from varying backgrounds. I enjoy spending time watching the many short films submitted on their platform. Congratulations to WILDsound Feedback Festival and their team! All great work being done here!
Top 10 tips to make an independent film.
Peter Markle nailed this advice.
This is key theory advice on making a great film on a limited budget. Next step is to use it on a practical level and make a film. Or make another film !!! #indiefilm #filmmaking #makeamovie #petermarkle #film
Festival played at the end of September 2025. Showcasing the best of NEW movie trailers from around the world. Over 180 submissions.
AUDIENCE AWARDS:
Best Movie Trailer: THE AGE OF THE EMPATH
Best Action: THE SOOTHSAYER
Best Cinematography: THE HUNTED
Best Comedy: THE DON OF WEST HOLLYWOOD
Best Concept Film: THE ANGEL’S TEARS
Best Crime: MY SAFE PLACE
Best Direction: THE POINTLESS ADVENTURES OF DARTMAN
Best Drama: ROOTLESS
Best Environmental: PRECURSOR
Best Experimental: THE INTERVIEW
Best Fantasy: HOLLER
Best Mystery: HOTEL PURGATORIO
Best Performances: THE NOMAD
Best Quest: FYR
Best Sci-Fi: CROSSTUNNELS
Best Story: THE GOBLINS OF SYCAMORE STREET
Best Student Trailer: FATHER DADDY
Best TV Web Series: TMM: PRELUDE
Best Twist: BLACK JACK DAISY
Best Visual Design: THE GUNSLINGER GRIFTER LOGAN
THE GUNSLINGER GRIFTER LOGAN, 2min., USA
Directed by Stephen Rubac
THE GOBLINS OF SYCAMORE STREET, 3min., USA
Directed by Jay Lorenz
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world where goblins aren’t just creatures of myth and legend, but your next-door neighbors? In this story, we journey into the heart of a goblin family who decides to leave a life of mischief and swap their forest home for the suburban tranquility of Sycamore Street. It’s a tale that blends the fantastical with the everyday, exploring the joys and challenges of adapting to new environments, celebrating the unique qualities of each family member, and proving that even goblins can find happiness in the most unexpected places.
THE POINTLESS ADVENTURES OF DARTMAN, 2min., USA
Directed by Jay Lorenz
Mason Wright was formerly a well-respected astronaut for the Merritt City Space Station, until a career ending injury from an accident on his most recent mission, left him spending his remaining days as a guide for the Space Station. Coincidently, the accident resulted in an exploding meteor, which projected a radioactive fragment directly at the vicinity of Merritt City.
THE AGE OF THE EMPATH, 2min., USA
Directed by Steve Brown
When a trailblazing physicist is about to prove that consciousness can transform the material world, she is met with violent opposition from an ancient and powerful order.
THE DON OF WEST HOLLYWOOD, 3min., USA
Directed by Dominic Paolo Testa
A mafia don accused of being gay must prove that he is straight or die.
THE NOMAD, 1min., Australia
Directed by Wesley October
In a sun-scorched desert where the law is as relentless as the heat, a lone biker known only as The Nomad rides the empty highways, trailed by the shadow of a vulture. Passing through hostile towns and tense standoffs, his journey seems aimless until a single bullet reveals his true purpose
MY SAFE PLACE, 1min., USA
Directed by Brenda Patricia Garza
After surviving a classroom shooting as the sole survivor, seven-year-old Lisa struggles with the quiet psychological aftermath of trauma. Once carefree, she becomes consumed by fear — questioning safety, and the world around her. As her family attempts to help her heal, Lisa must confront survivor’s guilt and redefine what “safe” truly means in a world that suddenly feels fragile. My Safe Place is an intimate portrait of childhood innocence interrupted.
rgvtalentconsulting@gmail.com
HOLLER, 2min., USA
Directed by Devin Michael Smock, Samuel David
After the world ends quietly, a hardened loner and a pregnant young woman form an uneasy alliance across the ruins of rural America. Part western, part road movie, part slow-burn apocalypse — it’s a story about survival, guilt, and finding scraps of hope in a world that’s lost its soul.
CROSSTUNNELS, 20 seconds, Serbia
Directed by Ivan Miodrag Cvetkovic
*CROSSTUNNELS = Final Timefall script page 41 (Religion in the age of space exploration)
THE SOOTHSAYER, 1min., UK
Directed by Nick Sneath
A skilled assassin is sent back in time to stop a dark cult from seizing an ancient relic that could reshape history. As he fights through medieval lands, haunted by visions and hunted by supernatural foes, he must piece together the shattered artifact before time itself is lost along with the only chance to save the woman he loves.
BLACK JACK DAISY, 2min., USA
Directed by Greg Ferrara
A man’s wife disappears while he is away on business. His friend agrees to go to their house to find her but she’s not there. An old man tells him the legend of Black Jack Daisy, the wandering soul of a murderer who claims her lost loves throughout time. And warns him, “You don’t want to meet her.”
PRECURSOR, 2min., USA
Directed by Steve Brown
When a mysterious contagion traps its victims in paralyzing loops of déjà vu, a burned-out neurosurgeon races against time to save lives, only to stumble upon a conspiratorial plot to wipe out the human race.
FȲR, 1min., UK
Directed by Mackenzie Fuller
A young warrior and his aging mentor confront the Mother, a primordial being of nature who blurs the line between creation and control.
TMM: Prelude, 2min., USA
Directed by Keith Diamante Hence
The Mini Series Will Be Very Very Short Episodes Of The Immediate Events Leading Up To The Official Full First Season Of The Drama Series “The Masked Men”.
THE HUNTED, 90sec., USA
Directed by Josh Herum
THE INTERVIEW, 5min., Italy
Directed by Sara Bergamini, Daniele Zucchini
Daniel has a job interview via Zoom, but at one point, he finds himself face to face with a projection of his mind that puts him in difficulty and makes fun of him.
ROOTLESS, 1min., Canada
Directed by Leslie Gabriela Ortiz
Nila is interviewed by an immigration officer in Canada. This marks the beginning of her immigrant journey. She calmly answers the questions, but a chaos of fear and confusion shocks her inner world. A year later, the questions continue on other people’s lips and faces. The last question: “Was it worth it? It prompts Nila to break the fourth wall and look into the camera; the answer is no longer hers alone, but that of whoever is behind the screen.
https://www.instagram.com/tropical_trinity_toronto
HOTEL PURGATORIO, 3min., Philippines
Directed by Joey Agbayani
THE ANGEL’S TEARS, 1min., France
Directed by Chris Garcia
After several centuries, Angel Gabriel and the Fallen Lucifer meet to play a game of chess that will have repercussions for both kingdoms.
FATHER DADDY, 40sec. USA
Directed by Mayrav Estrin
A conflicted young priest struggles with his seductive demons and unfamiliar desires as he navigates a life of faith, temptation, and the path to redemption, all while being a leader of faith in his church community.
LEMONADE PARTY, 5min., USA
Directed by Alexander Minas
A scientist has discovered the “interdimensional hop.” On a mission, she lands in an alternate universe where the world feels like an idyllic 1950’s lemonade party but she soon discovers something sinister lies beneath.
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film? This was part of the 48 Hour Film competition in San Francisco (filmed at my home in Oakland). I had a great and motivated team – specifically a fierce DP (Deidre Locklear) and Producer (Hillary Pierce) who wrangled everything to make this film a success.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Because it was a competition, we could only plan for so much like wrangling crew, props, equipment but we truly didn’t know what would come to fruition until the kick-off. We literally had 48 hours to concept, write, shoot, edit and deliver this film!
3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Bad party.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Probably writing the film and using the parameters given to us by the competition. I think at one point I wanted to use a green screen and my producer and DP reeled me in from that.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? I was surprised how well they received it. I really REALLY wanted it to do well in the 48 Hour Film project but I was so nervous I thought I was going to have a panic attack in the theater – but people came up to me and told me how much they loved the visuals and the camera-heads.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films? In high school. I took a film class and our big project was to make a film. It was in the 90s so I believe we filmed on 8mm tape, transferred the media to a VHS and edited between two VCRs. A time was had.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life? It’s a toss up between Jurassic Park or Poltergeist! The common denominator is Spielberg, cliche I know, but still!
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 have no notes, it’s so cool to get a full review on my film! Thank you@
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site? Seamless!
10. What is your favorite meal? A toss up between quesadillas or pizza (might just be the cheese).
11. What is next for you? A new film? I would love to find the time to make a fantasy film set in an urban environment. I’ve been mulling over some ideas!
FAT BOI, 3min., USA
Directed by Lynnette Cabrera
This is biig red couch’s first professional music video! As a Washington Filmworks project, FAT BOI was filmed at Harbor Island Studios in Seattle Washington. biig red couch is thrilled to make his music video debut with Equinox Productions, especially beside his buddy and hype-man Antonio the capybara. Antonio surfs through biig red couch’s journey from delusion to drab to FABULOUS!
https://www.instagram.com/biigredcouch
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
My DP who I have known since he was a child encouraged me for several months to tackle the largest film project in my life.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took over 3 years from concept to finish to get this done.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Inspiring and Joyful
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Communication amongst the crew.
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution.
What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Production was exhilarating and fun!
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make music videos in my mid 40’s.
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
Because I watch Groundhog’s Day on repeat every year on February 2nd, it takes the prize but Howl’s Moving Castle is a close second.
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
So, as an older, hispanic female filmmaker with a chronic illness, I know Hollywood and the industry are not for me. The current system drains the creativity out of the process and I am not interested in selling my soul to be a part of it. That being said, I would like to work with experienced and diverse crews on well funded projects that showcase collaboration and imagination. And truly, I’m only interested in making my own films and not working in the industry for the above stated reasons.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Filmfreeway is great unless you encounter a glitch in submitting and then it’s not terribly intuitive.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Pho Tai Nam
11. What is next for you? A new film?
About to launch a fundraiser for Antonio the capybara’s next short film starring him as the Solstice King who brings back the light. Besides that project we have been developing a web series about the Zucchini 500 races at the local county fair that I preside over as The Zuccchini Queen. Also on the slate is a post apocalyptic feel good feature movie featuring, you guessed it, Antonio the capybara! Last but not least I’m working with an animator to animate a short film I illustrated as a children’s book, the script recently won some local awards.
Festival Reviews 