THE LAST WISH, 14min., Ukraine Directed by Ilya Noyabrev On the threshold of the Supreme Court, everyone anxiously awaits the Decision about their fate. And only one strives to return to where a part of their soul remains…
DOBRINA, 5min., Germany Directed by Hannes Rall Lotte Reiniger meets Sergio Leone in this animated short, where desire burns as bright as the desert sun.
SMOLDERING SMOLDERING, 5min., Ukraine Directed by Ilya Noyabrev This song is about the faith of the Ukrainian people in victory and a bright future, and illustrates our present.
BELONG TO YOU, 6min., Iceland Directed by Ísak Magnússon, Óliver Sólberg Belong to you follows a swimming pool employee who thinks about his relationship with his coworker on a quiet night.
Entering its 18th year, WILDsound now gives filmmakers 5 tiers to showcase and promote their film. (all accepted films garner the audience feedback festival, the 2nd bonus screening, and the interviews.)
1) Screening #1, where you will also obtain your audience feedback video. 2) Screening #2 virtually on the streaming service WILDsound TV (optional) 3) Screening #3 at a sold-out public screening at the Carlton Cinemas in Toronto or the LA Live Regal Theatre in Los Angeles.
4) Podcast interview at WILDsound Radio on ITunes 5) Blog interview promoting you and your film.
The first film festival screening gives you our award-winning Audience FEEDBACK videos made for the short & feature films.
Festival is also known for it’s Screenplay portion of the festival. We do recorded script readings performed by professional actors. FULL Feedback no matter what, on all submissions from industry professionals.
WILDsound Writing and Film Festival—Daily Deadlines
– Your film will get screened in front of a large, broad audience.
– We are a feedback festival and you will actually hear what the industry and film lovers think of your film.
NEW Showcase: Submit your FEATURE FILM and receive an audience feedback promotional/testimonial video of your film. Great video to use to get into more festivals and/or promote your film. All submissions receive the committee’s feedback notes on their film no matter what, as per their request.
All festival videos garner 100s of views and set the film and filmmaker up to be accepted to more festivals from around the world.
Writing Festival—WEEKLY Screenplay Festival Events.
Accept stories from all over the world. FULL FEEDBACK on all entries from a committee of Professional writers, consultants, and producers. WINNERS get their stories read by professional actors at the monthly Writing Festival events. See deadlines below for screenplay, TV, novel, short story, and stage play contests.
We perform at least 20 winning screenplay readings a month.
Blow Me Down, 30 sec., USA Directed by Marta Renzi By turns goofy, sexy and poignant, BLOW ME DOWN messes with 3 dimensions and the 4th wall – or is it the 5th?
BLACK PRINTMAKERS OF Washington DC, 4min. USA Directed by Susan J. Goldman Washington, D.C. has a rich history of Black owned printmaking workshops where artists thrived and formed community. Before the 1970’s, Black artists had few opportunities to own their own studios, and showcase their art. Percy Martin and Michael Platt’s story is part of a larger history.
THE TANK trailer, 1min., USA Directed by Richard G. Miller 761st tank divison battles the Nazi in the battle of the Bugle.
Joan & Talbot trailer, 30sec. USA Directed by Megan Mann In the heat of the Hundred Years’ War, English Lord Talbot and the fierce French warrior Joan la Pucelle clash on the battlefield outside Orléans. Talbot, brimming with confidence, watches in disbelief as his once-victorious troops falter under the determined charge of a woman.
Kaelara: The Summoned Blade, 1min, USA Directed by Chris Vallone In a realm shattered by decades of tribal war, an unstoppable horde rises, forcing enemy clans into a fragile alliance. But one tribe holds back, hiding a powerful secret: a child, the last living heir. Her blood could end the old bloodlines—and give the horde control of the realm. Kaelara, a lone warrior haunted by loss, must rescue the child, reclaim the Sacred Relic, and stop the ritual that could plunge the realm into eternal shadow.
In Hell With Ivo Trailer, 2min., Bulgaria Directed by Kristina Nikolova Bulgarian queer artist Ivo Dimchev captivates audiences worldwide with his electrifying art shows, which blend singing and songwriting, theatre, dance, and visual art.
Shadow of the Impostor, 1min. UK Directed by Ortino Yang Shadow of the Impostor is a surreal psychological short film that follows Aiden, a struggling actor on the verge of a breakdown as he prepares for a major audition. Battling self-doubt, rejection, and the dehumanizing nature of the industry, Aiden begins to experience a mental split—his shadow detaches from him, reflecting his inner turmoil and fractured identity. As reality blurs with hallucination, Aiden’s confrontation with this shadow self culminates in a defiant act of rebellion during the audition, symbolizing his reclaiming of agency in a world that tries to erase him.
DILEMMA trailer, 1min., USA Directed by Travan Jay Hiatt Dilemma is a tense psychological thriller that delves into the consequences of a single, reckless decision. When high school friends find themselves trapped in a situation they can’t escape, panic sets in, and their once-close bond begins to fray. With each choice they make, the weight of their actions grows heavier, and the line between right and wrong blurs. Dilemma is a gripping exploration of guilt, fear, and where unexpected paths can lead us.
One of Us Pt 1, 1min,. USA Directed by Laquan D. Burroughs Three college kids look to join the nations most prestigious joint Fraternity, Alpha Omega Phi, and there’s only one more step for them to compete: A game night. However, this is no ordinary game night. Will these three be able to overcome the challenges ahead of them, or will their college experience take a horrific turn?
A Probability of Nature, 24sec., USA Directed Eian Hazzard A Probability of Nature is an experimental short I made on the Information Age. I wanted to explore the tangible benefits of technology as well as the often abstract challenges it presents to our collective mental health.
Doing Nothing, Going Nowhere, 45sec., USA Directed by Brandon Houser “Doing Nothing, Going Nowhere” is a zero-budget experimental short film that emerged during the writing and recording of an original alt/indie EP inspired by the 2000s–2010s soundscape. Blending surrealist visuals, humor, and philosophical musings, the film explores themes of god, death, meaning, and the tension of living in a postmodern world.
The Christopher Nolan Experience trailer, 3min,. Canada Directed by Matthew Putnam, Diego Pereira When struggling creative Christopher Nolan is dumped by his girlfriend upon her discovery that he is not the legendary director of films such as Oppenheimer and Interstellar, he decides to prove himself by staging a play adaptation of The Dark Knight. “The Christopher Nolan Experience” captures the behind-the-scenes efforts leading up to this anticipated disaster.
A dream in waking life, 35sec. Iran Directed by Hossein Moradizadeh A man is walking down the street in the dark and dreaming, suddenly the wind blows.
The Morgue, 11sec., Iran Directed by Majid Farzolahi A zombie girl comes out of the morgue and is horrified by the image of the movie The Ring on the TV. (Real voices of ghosts are used in this movie)
We Sock – End of the world, 2min., Finland, Directed by Petri Puroaho I created a web series with my spouse in 2020 to pass the time while living in long distance relationship, and then the process started to have a life of its own and became bigger than us. Our web series ”We Sock” was originally mainly recorded on Skype -sessions mixed with other footage. After several seasons and a feature film, we are soon starting to launch again a brand new season (5) for our webseries and a feature film to go with it, entitled We Sock – End of the world”. This time our journey takes us outside our Skype-“box” more than ever before, starting from the shooting location in South-America, where mega-blockbuster film-production turns the faith of Mr “Indyana” Sock Jones. And this teaser-trailer shows what happened and what will happen next.
Mx., 14sec., UK Directed by Wwenen Lusa “Mx.” is a title used as a gender-neutral alternative to Mr. or Ms., reflecting inclusivity in gender identity. This film delves into the tension between gender identity and societal expectations, highlighting the quest for selfhood amidst oppression. Through the lens of diverse, non-binary lesbians, it showcases their struggles with physical acceptance, cultural pressures, and homophobia. The narrative emphasizes the symbolic power of costumes and dance as tools for inner awakening and liberation, illustrating the beauty and strength found in diverse identities. By following the journeys of these individuals, “Mx.” challenges societal norms and questions how the fashion industry can lead the way in accepting varied gender expressions, ultimately portraying the ongoing fight for identity acceptance and understanding.
Confession of a serial killer, 1min., Italy Directed by Francesco Maffei Max Rinaldi, a journalist and blogger with a past as a film critic, receives a phone call from a man announcing that he is a serial killer and wants to provide him with a confession of his heinous murders
Black / White & the “Other Colours”, 1min., Turkey Directed by Doğa Yılmaz A man gets ready to go out. When he steps outside and integrates into society, he becomes a different person. While walking, he sees a woman he knows, and both of them pause, exchanging a gaze before continuing on their paths. When they turn back and exchange glances again, the man changes. The woman, however, continues exploring the city streets. In the evening, as she returns home, she sees a man, different from the one she previously encountered, sitting on the stairs, drinking wine. The woman transforms and sits next to the man. They spend some time drinking wine together. As the hours pass, both of them transform into completely different individuals. They observe the view and walk hand in hand on the streets. When they arrive home, both of them transform once again. They make love and fall asleep. In the early morning, two men are lying in bed. The character we previously saw as masculine gets up and goes to the bathroom. As he bends down to wash his face, he transforms. When he stands up, he becomes a man we haven’t seen before. When he bends down again, the woman’s identity looks at herself in the mirror.
A showcase of the best HORROR films in the world today!
AUDIENCE AWARDS: Best Short Film: THE SPECTER OF CHRISTMAS Best Story: SUBMERGED Best Performances: SHADOW OF THE IMPOSTER Best Direction: REPETITION Best Experimental: FLESH WISH Best Micro-Short: BREACH Best Visual Design: Folie Glacée
THE SPECTER OF CHRISTMAS, 11min., USA Directed by Joel Harlow Official selection of Fantasia 2025 and voted Best Short FIlm at IFS/LA FilmFest 2025 The Specter of Christmas marks the fourth film in the “Old Time Radio” short film series. This time, a holiday adventure loosely based on “T’was the Night Before Christmas” narrated by Paul Giamatti.
SUBMERGED, 14min., Brazil Directed by Heloísa Cardoso A young woman waits for her lover for a secret trip. However, he does not show up and does not respond to her messages. That’s when strange and inexplicable events begin to happen in her house. She asks for help from her lover, who ignores her. Realizing that she is hopelessly alone, she gives up waiting for salvation and surrenders to her own shadow.
SHADOW OF THE IMPOSTER, 5min., UK Directed by Ortino Yang Shadow of the Impostor is a surreal psychological short film that follows Aiden, a struggling actor on the verge of a breakdown as he prepares for a major audition. Battling self-doubt, rejection, and the dehumanizing nature of the industry, Aiden begins to experience a mental split—his shadow detaches from him, reflecting his inner turmoil and fractured identity. As reality blurs with hallucination, Aiden’s confrontation with this shadow self culminates in a defiant act of rebellion during the audition, symbolizing his reclaiming of agency in a world that tries to erase him.
REPETITION, 5min., Italy Directed by Michele Lazzaro In the middle of the night, over a desolate bridge, a woman is chased by a man. Everything suggests that she is the prey, but in reality she is the hunter: a beautiful vampire who endlessly repeats her trap with the help of her accomplices.
Folie Glacée, 11min., Canada Directed by Louis Rémillard Eli et Vincent se commandent une collation à la crèmerie locale sans s’attendre aux horreurs qui ruineront leurs rendez-vous en amoureux.
FLESH WISH, 4min., UK Directed by Timothy Benjamin Slessor An experimental horror inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, David Cronenberg and Clive Barker, this music video / short details in an abstract way the summoning of demons through a ritual performed behind the locked doors of a 1970s terraced house. Images are a combination of 8mm cinefilm, analog stills and materal initially generated with the use of a variety of AI platforms before they were brought into After Effects were they were everything was heavily manipulated, with many layers of texture, noise and grain added, lighting added or altered, images distorted and blended together and so on. The actual editing was arduous, often frame-by-frame (everything was done by hand) with images further distorted and manipulated with a variety of blending modes. It was a one-man job and that one man was very, very tired by the end of it!
A showcase of the best Female Films from around the world today!
AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS: Best Feature Film: Greytown Girl Best Short Film: Menopause Menopaws Best Performances: Sentient Best Story: iHostage Best Direction: Living an American Dream Best Micro-Short: Born
SENTIENT, 33min., Australia Directed by Kayley Atkinson Ella and her friends take a weekend getaway to rural Australia to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with one another. However, an evil presence has other plans for them.
Menopause Menopaws, 14min., USA Directed by Akiko Matsumoto This short comedic film about menopause uses humor as a powerful tool to break down walls and spark honest conversations. While menopause can be overwhelming—hot flashes, mood swings, sleep issues—it also has moments of unexpected hilarity. By leaning into the comedy, the film shines a light on the realities of this transition, helping women feel seen, less alone, and hopefully sharing a few well-earned laughs along the way.
iHostage, 14min., Australia Directed by Rosemary Reid Abducted from her idyllic paradise and drugged, Ranger Jane Winter must escape her bonds or risk being caught in a predator’s unforgiving web forever.
LIVING AN AMERICAN DREAM, 45min., USA Directed by Clare McKay Two Haitian brothers, along with family and friends, discuss their experiences growing up adopted in a ranching lifestyle and how rodeo plays a part. A story of faith, passion, drive and following your dreams no matter where you’re from or plan to go.
BORN, 3min., Australia Directed by Yixin Sun This 2D experimental animation depicts a planet with reproductive functions, exploring the transformations associated with pregnancy and childbirth. By portraying these changes on both a psychological and physical level, the animation aims to highlight the impact of reproductive trauma and advocate for greater societal awareness and compassionate care.
A showcase of the best fantasy/sci-fi shorts from around the world today.
AUDIENCE AWARDS: Best Feature Film: STAYCATION Best Short Film: Focal Point Best Direction: Sumarsólstöður Best Story: The Krystal Game Best Peformances: Can’t Stop, A Star Trek Fan Production Best Micro-Short: The Grey Owl
Staycation, 93min., USA Directed by Russell Emanuel How is the world affected by a catastrophic event? Everyday people live through a government mandated quarantine during a global pandemic while desperate scientists race to find a cure before it’s too late.
Sumarsólstöður, 30min., France Directed by Amélie Ravalec In a world where art and reality collide, Miho’s vivid dreams reveal the cosmic force of the Architecture, uniting her with artists across the globe in a desperate battle to heal the universe.
The Krystal Gene, 13min., USA Directed by Stuart Michael Daly, Jobe Wolf In 2024, A troubled young mother (Sophia) and her psychic son (Jacob) are desperately on the run from a super soldier unit, known as ‘Black Sun’. Such an elite and ancient order will stop at nothing in abducting her son for weaponizing his DNA to gene splice slave humans for a WW3 draft.
Focal Point, 27min., USA Directed by Raphael Buisson In a dystopian future, a grieving scientist discovers Earth exists within a single neuron. He launches a desperate quest across space and time to find his son.
Can’t Stop, A Star Trek Fan Production, 24min., Czech Republic Directed by Radek Belina The starship USS Greenwich Village, commanded by Captain Glenn Dirk, is sent to the Deneb system, historically known as the site of Captain Picard’s first contact with the mysterious and powerful being Q. The crew expects a peaceful scientific mission, full of exploration, discovery, and data collection. Newly appointed First Officer Felipe Scott, descendant of the famous Montgomery Scott, brings a fresh approach to planning and enthusiasm for space exploration.
[talking about the coolest celebrities he ever met] I’ve met so many cool people! Samuel L. Jackson was such a nice guy. I’ve loved watching him since I was little, so it was really great to get to talk to him. Also, Andy Richter, Kevin Nealon and Tim Meadows. I would love to work with Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Smith, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
The people who support me are so great! They all say such nice things that make me feel really great. I love it when people compliment me on the way I act, because it is not an easy thing, and there is so much criticism out there.
What is the theme of your poem? The theme of “The Beautiful Scar” is learning to find the beauty in the humanity we often rob ourselves of when we feel like the world is rejecting us.
What motivated you to write this poem? During the first year of the MFA program at UNR-Lake Tahoe, I was away at our winter residency, and I was so encapsulated by my colleagues’ vulnerability and the power they gave to their truth of the hardships they experienced in their own lives. One of them told me that my writing was already at that level but what held me back was withholding my own truth to protect those I was writing about. This poem was the turning point for me to be more honest and vulnerable, not just with my audience, but with myself. It was a difficult process to grasp and write through but for the first time in my 25 years [at the time] of life, I finally felt free.
How long have you been writing poetry? I was a slow-learner as a kid, so I caught on to reading and writing at a later age than my siblings did, but I began creative writing through free-writing in 1st grade when I was six years old. I began learning how to write poetry at eight years old and began writing my own poems at twelve years old, so I’ve been writing for about twenty-two years with seventeen years to this day of writing poetry and it’s a blessing I always remind myself to be grateful for.
As an actor, I’ve always found that my job is not to judge the content in which I’ve agreed to perform in. What I try to do is just find the truth in every moment that they’ve written.
I love it and it is a blessing to be able to have seventy-five to eighty episodes to develop a character and find your voice. You have a similar through voice, and yet you are making different decisions, and so you act differently and you make different choices, as that is what your character would do.
There’s not too many things I’m afraid of, but I’m not too brave when it comes to sitting in a chair getting my teeth drilled.
Part of an actor’s job, in my opinion, is adjust to the characteristics of the director and try to understand to how he tries to work.
Once, or Maybe Twice is about the longing for an absent person who cannot be forgotten. The idea that the person is thought of periodically is tongue in cheek for thinking about them constantly. Most of the imagery is set to emphasize the spiritual connection shared through sex, lust, distance, and emotional closeness.
2) What motivated you to write this poem?
Lots of people put so much of an emphasis on sex as a release or some kind of validation. Sometimes it is but its always been something sacred to me in the sense of giving and receiving vulnerability and naked closeness. The things that a lot of people are afraid of or the bodies they’re ashamed of. Finding beauty in the shared time of intimacy and trust is like magic. Hard to forget. I’m always grateful for every encounter I’ve been privileged to experience. There’s a lot more to it than that. When the casual fun becomes love or celestial abandon.
3) How long have you been writing poetry?
All my life. Even when I was little I’d scribble out words I thought were funny or I’d make up silly little songs.
4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
Lou Reed
5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?
I don’t perform my poetry in public. The opportunity made me curious to see how it would sound out loud. I’m also a fan of Val Cole, so it wasn’t a hard sell. She read the piece beautifully and she even got my name right
6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?
I’ve self-published a few books of poetry and stories, as well as one novel in 2024. You can find them all on the Barnes & Noble website if you search my name.
I’m also an active musician in the New England area, writing songs and performing in bars or concerts. It’s fun.
7) What is your passion in life?
To live with more kindness than fear. Eat every donut.
—- POEM:
Once, or maybe twice When I remembered how You started fire Howling in that midnight way We read about in books And calm within the kindness Pressed and turned to roll In recompense The clemency sought out Would never burn you from within But lie awake and wonder Once, or maybe twice When I remembered how Your hands caressed The long and the invisible While reaching out for God Or something close enough To break your heart and leave You weeping out from joy In heated beds of doubt beguiled All misplaced, regained, removed And locked up safely somewhere Once, or maybe twice
Festival Reviews 