Dante, the prisoner of the tower, is a movie about the human condition. It appears to be the story of two young vampires, Dante and Sol. Dante has concealed himself in a tower in complete isolation from the outside world. Sol is coming to help him to find out an exit and confront the world of the “humans”. This movie is something more than the story of two youngsters trying to find a place of their own. This film is about our own efforts to leave “the tower” we live in, our confort zone, in order to find a new meaning, a more friendly place in a world that is not made for vampires or humans. Like Dante you have to take a step forward even with the risk of being burned by the sunlight. In this context Sol, the girl, acts as a simbol of that challenge. She may be a girl friend, but also, using the words of master Jodorowski, she becomes your own inner strengh urging you to take a step into the void and make a change in your life.
40 minute short film. Written & Directed by Frank Reyes
There’s something so fascinating about Vampires, or perhaps that’s just me. To my delight, the genre has grown in popularity with films like Underworld, Blade, The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, Castlevania and of course Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Even Twilight has found a place in pop culture.
Writer, Director and Producer Frank Reyes has found a new twist on the Vampire tale. As a young boy, Dante finds refuge from humans killing his kind in an abandoned tower. His sanctuary turns into a prison after centuries of fear and isolation. He will have to face his fears when Sol stumbles onto his hiding place.
The visual landscape is absolutely stunning, and Cristobal Reyes did an amazing job with the cinematography. The music, in-camera special effects, makeup and wardrobe all immersed you into Dante’s world. What’s incredibly unique is this is a story about stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking a risk in spite of your fears and growing as a person…or vampire.
Fausto wakes up in the middle of the night, with the news about his father dying. However, he refuses to go to him. Overtaken by his own rage, his decision causes a time loop that will eventually give him the opportunity to face his own forgiveness, loss, and life itself.
Grief is something that affects all of us at one time or another. It’s a universal language that we all speak and can understand. Loop is a unique tale of grief but also of forgiveness. You can’t help but wonder if writer Sandro Ventura Mantilla was speaking from experience when he wrote this because it so clearly expresses all these emotions you feel when losing a parent. Especially one you aren’t on good terms with.
Director Alejandro Pedemonte did a sensational job with the actors, he really understood what this film needed emotionally and each actor was incredibly believable. The cinematography from Jair Guillen was some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in a short film. The hues that were used complimented the story in such perfect symmetry creating a seamless tale.
Smart writing, brilliant acting and a plot line that is poignant makes this film worth watching more than once.
A showcase of the best new movies and their respective trailers from around the world today.
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
MOVIE TRAILER: Red Dog & Bates
EDITED TRAILER: Wallie’s Gals
FEATURE FILM TRAILER: Dante
DOCUMENTARY TRAILER: Water
COMEDY TRAILER: Attack of the Killer Refridgerator 2
EXPERIMENTAL TRAILER: Q 1
ACTION TRAILER: Hard Ride
LGBTQ+ TRAILER: Skin Show / Live
SCI-FI TRAILER: Celeste
MOCK TRAILER: The End of Days
HORROR TRAILER: Goodbye God, I’ve Gone to Bodie
STUDENT FILM TRAILER: Wrong Girl
DRAMA TRAILER: Son-Of-A-Preacher-Man
ANIMATION TRAILER: The Scarlet Knight: Defender of the Block
See the Full Lineup of Films:
WATER TRAILER, 10min., USA
Directed by Gary Beeber
“WATER” is a feature documentary film by Gary Beeber that focuses on Ohio’s source of water and what’s being done to protect it for future generations.
DANTE, 1min.
Directed by Frank Reyes
This is the trailer of this middle lengh film. In here you will find a hint of the story and some of the awards and selections the movie has collected so far.
ATTACK OF THE KILLER REFRIGERATOR 2, 1min., USA
Directed by Michael Savino
During a high school house party, the refrigerator is plugged in and turns the students into sliced meats. A group of survivors battle to save their lives and stop the wrath of the Killer Refrigerator.
Q 1, 1min,. Croatia
Directed by Silvano Perozic
Moving mandala what I started with a simple circle .
HARD RIDE, 3min., Australia
Directed by Rod Power
Three ex-military men set off on a motorcycle Ride .. their journey gets caught up in a Biker Gangster War all over a sexy pole dancer and will see the bikers who want their girl back and gangsters their drugs however the three riders are unaware .. this leads to the final battle Bikers & Gangsters against trained WAR vets
SKIN SHOW / LIVE, 2min,. USA
Directed by Richard Daniels
This is a short trailer for the film SKIN SHOW / LIVE, the paintings of Dan Romer by Richard Daniels.
PSAs, 2min., USA
Directed by Lisa Spencer
Midle school students make two minute long PSAs against drinking alcohol.
CELESTE, 3min., China
Directed by ?? ?
In the fifth century of human interstellar colonization, an artist traversed across galaxies in exploration of the true colors of human civilization and emotions – the Celeste. Even though ultimately discovering the profound mystery of civilization’s essence, there was no power to save humanity.
INVADER FROM PLANET X, 1min.
Directed by Jonathan Christopher Martin-Ives
THE END OF DAYS, 1min., USA
Directed by Jonathan Christopher Martin-Ives
In this mock trailer, a British teenager, gifted with clairvoyancy seeks to warn anyone who will listen to her about an imbedding alien attack. She falls on deaf ears.
GOODBYE GOD, I’VE GONE TO BODIE, 30 seconds, USA
Directed by Kirby Wright
Teaser Trailer for Animated Series set in a Wild West ghost town in California. Here we have our Ghost Gurl narrator providing an overview of the concept.
LOVE DON’T BULLY, 1min., USA
Directed by Ilysa Spencer
SEE HOW THAT JIGGLES, 1min., USA
Directed by Ilysa Spencer
Just a lil ride around the farm on this old fashioned bike.
WRONG GIRL, 1min., USA
Directed by Caitlyn Melton
Steven, a human trafficker is looking for his next victim. He comes across Heather, your average waitress, but soon finds out she isn’t as innocent as she seems.
RED DOG & BATES, 3min., USA
Directed by Xochi Blymyer
In 1958, Red Dog & Bates decided to walk from Los Angeles to Mexico City. 2300 miles, 12 pairs of shoes, 7 months and 1 extraordinary adventure!
FULL THROTTLE, 6min., France
Directed by Gabriel Boyer
A young man gets into a gleaming Porsche and rushes at breakneck speed through the streets of Toulouse.
SON-OF-A-PREACHER MAN, 2min., USA
Directed by Brandon M Glover
A promising young executive involuntarily falls in love with a young gambler who ultimately ruins her career, and finds himself looking for redemption, while she has to start over.
THE SCARLET KNIGHT: DEFENDER OF THE BLOCK, 2min,. USA
Directed by Juaquan Herron
Scarlet Knight: Defender of the Block” unfolds a mesmerizing tale of two cousins, raised by their grandparents and aspiring to become emergency room doctors in their hometown. Their lives take an extraordinary turn when they stumble upon Merlin’s magical gem, thrusting them into the roles of modern-day knights. As the gem triggers medieval chaos, transforming others into creatures, the cousins find themselves in a heated family feud, torn between using force or alternative methods to save their community. This thrilling fantasy adventure explores the intersection of magic, family ties, and the struggle to protect what matters most.
WALLIE’S GALS, 3min., USA
Directed by Mary C. Ferrara
The official trailer for the upcoming feature comedy, “Wallie’s Gals.” About a group of women who worked at a clothing store back in the ’80s. 30 years later they reunite, wackier than ever.
WORDLOTTO, 2min., USA
Written by Tom Lop
As ‘alternative facts’ began to overrun every corner of free speech, Western Civilization found itself divided like never before. Shouting replaced listening. Each side was utterly convinced of its rightness. Spoken words gushed forth, regardless of law or propriety. Citizens saw a verbal Civil War on the horizon and demanded something be done. Welcome to the world of the WordMeter, where every utterance is not only counted but also granted at the discretion of the higher powers. Everyone agrees this is a generous system because allotments of words can be replenished simply by scratching a winning ticket in the WordLotto.
We enter the story where two close friends, Fern and Marcie get together at a local coffee shop to celebrate a birthday. Fern has been going through two years of cycles of In Vitro, desperately trying to get pregnant but with no success. Her husband, Nick’s coping mechanism has been dressing up with the family Cat and taking silly pictures. Marcie jokingly suggests that Fern just book a vacation for herself and leave hubby with the cat. All this to help soften the reality that the birthday Fern celebrates today is that of a child she miscarried two years before.
Directed by Grace Samson, Barry Samson
Review by Andie Karvelis:
One of the most impressive things about this film is that off-screen it’s a family affair. Written by Grace Samson, directed by Grace and Barry Samson with a flawless score by Chanel Samson.
The premise of the film surrounds Fern, played by Rae Cofsky, who is currently going through In vitro to get pregnant after having a miscarriage two years before. This is incredibly well acted by both Rae Cofsky and Vanessa Simon, who portrays Marcie. However it’s the server, Yelizaveta Sorkin, who absolutely steals the show with her endearingly awkward rendition of Happy Birthday.
Giancarlo Diaz did an amazing job with the cinematography and I have to commend Grace Samson for writing such a poignant script. This Samson family did a wonderful job making such an emotional and moving film.
A prince called Kalendar falls in love with a prostitute, Scherazade, who’s under the protection of an evil witch. Thanks to his friends and the help of a goddess, he frees Scherazade.
Review by Parker Jesse Chase:
Michele Stella’s “Scherazade’s Cloak” is an enchanting journey into a world of love, dreams, and the magical threads binding them together. Set against this extravagant backdrop of biblical and mystical folklore elements, the film tells the story of Prince Kalendar’s love for Scherazade, a prostitute protected by an evil witch, and the extraordinary lengths he goes to free them with the help of his brothers and a goddess.
The film begins by inviting the audience to gaze up into the clouds, as if we’re at heaven’s gates, leading us into the realm of dreams. The narrative unfolds in acts like a dream within a dream, with Kalendar as the bringer of feast and the swan, tied to Scherazade by a magnificent cloak. The importance of friendship and familial bonds encourages viewers to see one another as family, with statements like “Let’s feel like brothers.” adds definitive layers to the visual experience.
The destruction of the cloak becomes a pivotal moment, but the dream aids the brave, and with the help of a gifted sewing needle, Kalendar and his friends craft a new cloak for Scherazade. The film beautifully explores the ephemeral nature of dreams, suggesting these fantastical elements “never were but always are.”
The film’s execution is beautiful and artistically compelling. The cinematography seamlessly blends individuals into the lens, creating a visual tapestry becoming a part of the art itself. The production design, reminiscent of the Sistine Chapel, enhances the visual storytelling experience, with page master elements coming to life in the surrounding paintings. The costume design, hair and makeup, and production design collectively build a believable world in which effortlessly transports the audience into the heart of the story.
The narrator, with an expressive dialect, skillfully captures and allures the audience deeper into the unfolding narrative. Despite the witch’s opposition, viewers find themselves emotionally invested in the couple’s journey, especially as the torn cloak becomes a symbol of rebellion and resilience.
“Scherazade’s Cloak” is a visually stunning short in which captivates with its embellished cinematography and expressive storytelling. The film successfully marries its artistic freedoms with classical storytelling elements, resulting in an overall visually enchanting experience.
An 8 year old girl adopted from China leads her father to a deeper understanding of what she faces in a new culture and what she longs for from her home country.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
This heartfelt film about an 8 year girl who was adopted from China was beautifully written by D. Andrew Hartfield and Tillie Hartfield. Just watching the bond between father and daughter will have you smiling but the direction the story took and how skillfully it was told will touch your heart.
The cast was phenomenal, Ming Xuan as Tillie, D. Andrew Hartfield as the Father and Sara Atkinson portraying the Mother. Each actor was so believable and you could see the rapport between them. Director Noelle P. Wilson did a wonderful job and creator D. Andrew Hartsfield also assisted in directing. The cinematography was beautiful thanks to Ben Enke and the score by Sean Turner, accentuated the emotion in the film.
One of my favorite parts was the game they played together. You could tell that D. Andrew Hartfield was writing from experience and it translated so perfectly on screen. Making this entire film an absolute joy to watch.
“Darb Zubaydah” is an inspiring documentary film that chronicles the epic hiking trip of 150 individuals, led by retired Major General Abdul Aziz Al-Obaida, along the ancient pilgrims’ trail known as “Darb Zubaydah.” The adventure begins in the historic city of Faid and spans a distance of 96 kilometers. This captivating film not only captures the physical challenges and triumphs of the journey but delves into the rich history of the renowned Darb Zubaydah trail.
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Darb Zubaydah is an inspiring documentary film that chronicles the epic hiking trip of 150 individuals along the ancient pilgrims’ trail known as “Darb Zubaydah”. The director of photography and director Dunya Alatva did an amazing job bringing this vision to life. The cinematography alone is just spectacular and that is in part due to drone operator Mezyad Alatveh as well as camera operators Mohammad Ikinci and Mohannad Alshamari,
The 96 kilometer (that’s 59.6516 miles for those who are curious) journey was led by retired Major General Abdul Aziz Al-Obaida and the interviews conducted with him as well as various hikers was interesting and very moving. The film’s score was provided by Hichem Makni and it complimented every step of this adventure beautifully.
“When a wild night ends rubbing shoulders with the LA mob, a directionless college grad has to get his friend out of danger, or it’ll be her blood on the streets next.”
Review by Andie Karvelis:
Writer and Director Elijah Chandler tackles the crime/action-thriller genre with finesse! There’s a great balance between telling the story in present time and through flashbacks. That in and of itself really helped build the suspense and keep you on the edge of your seat. Director of Photography Sam Frank did some sensational work with black and white, giving it depth and texture. This gave the film a “noir” kind of feel to it.
The actors did a nice job and everyone was very believable, as was the spfx makeup that was used. Sometimes it’s hard to get makeup effects to show in black and white film and they did a nice job without going overboard. What really elevates this film is the music provided by Arend Erasmus, its pulse pounding and driving when it needs to be and then fades into an unsettling tone that raises the suspense level.
A showcase of the best new movies and their respective trailers from around the world today.
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS:
MOVIE TRAILER of the MONTH: Don’t Die in Dubai EDITED TRAILER: Limited Slip MOCK TRAILER: The End of Days SCI-FI TRAILER: Staycation HORROR TRAILER: Appointment with the Plague Doctor, Lester Haywood COMEDY TRAILER: Naughty in Az CRIME/MYSTERY TRAILER: 27 LGBTQ+ TRAILER: Martinez, Margaritas and Murder! KIDS TRAILER: Robbie & Mollie ENVIRONMENTAL TRAILER: Water Star Medicine MYSTERY TRAILER: Wait DOCUMENTARY TRAILER: Anatolia Ancient Nature
See the Full Lineup of Films:
ANATOLIA ANCIENT NATURE, 2min. Turkey Directed by Burak Dogansoysal The Anatolian Ancient Nature documentary is a project that aims to create a visual inventory of the Anatolian geography, which contains species that are extremely important for the natural history heritage of our world. Our primary goal is to document little-known, iconic, endemic and endangered species in high quality and pass them on to future generations.
WAIT Trailer, 1min., Directed by Jared Jacobsen, Lorena Diaz A man and a woman suddenly find themselves alone in a vacant lot and neither can remember how they got there.
THE AMERICAN RIVIERA DETECTIVE AGENCY, 2min., Directed by Sidney Bailey Mike Durant, a private investigator working in Santa Barbara, specializes in high end divorce cases among the rich denizens of California’s American Riviera. Stepping outside his usual purview, Durant agrees to help a grieving widow, who suspects her husband’s death in a motorcycle accident is directly connected to the contents of a camera she discovered after his death which contains surveillance pictures and video clips of numerous people, associated with his place of work – Bristol Scott Engineering (BSE) – a developer of drone software for the US military. Durant’s investigation leads him into a minefield of corruption, betrayal and murder that very nearly ends with his own death at the hands of
SUNDOWN, 1min. Directed by Bob Brill Trailer for the short film “Sundown”
WATER STAR MEDICINE, 2min., Directed by Ilysa Spencer a PSA about water
ROBBIE & MOLLIE, 1min., Directed by KIDS ‘N TRICKS Robbie the seal and Mollie the seagull are living the good life by the sea. But dangers have been lurking on the beach and in the water for some time now. It’s not natural enemies that they now have to fear, it’s mainly plastic rubbish from humans that collects in the sea and threatens their habitat.
UNTO THE LEAST OF THESE, 3min., Directed by Kandis Heckler When a group of diverse and eclectic social workers with more dysfunction than the Homeless they serve, line up for services at a faith based agency they unwillingly work through their own prejudice, privilege and guilt.
MARTINEZ, MARGARITAS AND MURDER! Directed by James Helsing, Kirk Demorest As Freddy Martinez’s friends are murdered one by one, he is recruited by a private investigator to help set a trap for the killer responsible: The Bedroom Butcher.
27 trailer, 1min., Directed by Nino Pace Film trailer for the heist drama 27. The stresses of everyday life are causing too much anxiety for Max, he wants an easy way out. for his family. Would you do wrong to makes things right?
NAUGHTY IN AZ, 3min. Written by Christopher Harmon A shy divorcee reluctantly enters the world of nude dancing in mid 90’s Phoenix, as a fish out of water – but after numerous raucous and over the top … often dangerous, adventures — she achieves inner peace and transforms into a star.
LIMITED SLIP, 1min., Directed by Clint Calvert, Caleb Johnson Trailer for the short film Limited Slip
ECHO RHYME, 3min. Directed by Caleb Johnson, Jeff Johnson Trailer: for the feature film Echo Rhyme
APPOINTMENT WITH THE PLAGUE DOCTOR, LESTER HAYWOOD, 8min,. Directed by L.S. Strange
DELUSIONAL STATE, 3min., Directed by Trelanda Lowe
DOUBLE OR NUTIN’, 2min. Directed by Stewart Brodian A local actor tries to start a comedy variety show on public access TV using celebrity impersonators.
HUMAN GAME 2 – The Culling Of A King trailer, 1min. Directed by Nathan Waire Trailer for the sequel.
STAYCATION, 1min., Directed by Russell Emanuel Lead virologist Edward Bellows plays tête-a-tête with hard-hitting journalist Grace Baxter as the world collapses under the weight of a global pandemic. She holds nothing back as she fires question after question, seeking answers from the beleaguered professor. Meanwhile, Britt and Marnie, college roommates being forced to live together, must deal with their newfound realities of this global pandemic. And, a couple Matt and Cathy, stuck in lockdown and separated between continents, spend some belated quality time via webcam toasting to foreign brandy and reminiscing on the past.
THE END OF DAYS, 1min. Directed by Jonathan Christopher Martin-Ives In this mock trailer, a British teenager, gifted with clairvoyancy seeks to warn anyone who will listen to her about an imbedding alien attack. She falls on deaf ears.
MY SISTERS’ CUP, 3min. Directed by Cortez Mack An inspirational story about four sisters learning the value of sisterhood through the teachings and wisdom of their mother
DON’T DIE IN DUBAI, 4min., Written by Christopher Harmon A bad boy living, cannabis loving, Rap star is terrified about turning 50 and dying like his peers, so he travels to Dubai to find ‘magic bud’ that stops aging … while there to judge a Belly-Dancing contest — but underworld villains threaten his life and ruin his high. He struggles to survive long enough to appreciate his life, his friends and to blaze for another day.
Festival Reviews 