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Interview with Festival Director Shawn P. Greene (Great Lakes Christian Film Festival)

festreviews Festival Interview, film festival, film festival reviews, Interview, interviews, matthew toffolo wildsound, Uncategorized , , , ,

Christian Filmmakers are on the rise, and as technology advances and is more accessible to more and more people, new outlets are necessary to meet the demand of new Christian Films. The third festival in 2017 will be located in Buffalo, NY, the gateway to the Great Lakes. Buffalo has a rich history, and many stories to tell.

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Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Shawn P. Greene: The filmmakers are getting the validation for distribution and sales of their film, making new contacts to collaborate with, and leaving inspired to continue filmmaking future products.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

Attendees will see our new venue creating a great atmosphere to enjoy an entire weekend of networking and screening films.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

The biggest thing is this is a CHRISTIAN Film Festival. What does that mean? For starters, this is a festival for Christian Filmmakers or anyone looking to submit a Christian-themed film. The target audience is for the whole family.

Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

I think the presence of the filmmakers can make or break the benefits a film fest can provide.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

The absence of a faith-based festival in our region. While there are many great festivals in the area, non focus on the artistic talents of the Christian Film Industry.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

I can’t complain. It feels seamless.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Bigger and better.

What film have you seen the most times in your life?

Star Wars.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A film is great because of the story, told in an interesting and entertaining way.

How is the film scene in your city?

Buffalo, NY has grown to be a go-to city from NY and LA film companies because of an array or landmarks, scenery, and talent. [TMNT2, Marshall]

 

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
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Film Review: RISK (USA 2017) ***

festreviews 2017 movies, movie, Movie Review, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca

rick.jpgThe story of WikiLeak’s editor-in-chief Julian Assange as seen by documentary filmmaker Laura Poitras.

Director: Laura Poitras
Writer: Laura Poitras (narration)
Stars: Julian Assange, Sarah Harrison, Jacob Appelbaum

Review by Gilbert Seah

One might remember the name – Laura Poitras. She was the one who accompanied Edward Snowden from Hong Kong to Moscow when he was in exile, while making the comprehensive doc Oscar Winning CITIZENFOUR that educated the world on the world’s most famous NSA whistleblower. Poitras returns to her roots, dealing again with what she knows best – making docs on whistleblowers or the like. Her new subject is an equally wanted man by the FBI, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Julian is from Norfolk, England.

As with documentary subjects, the subject has to be larger than life, more than a normal person. In a surprise interview with singer/activist Lady Gaga at the embassy, Assange’s answer to one of her questions sums up the man. “Let’s not pretend for a moment I’m a normal person.”

The film begins with his call to the top brass in the U.S. , Julian wishing to speak personally with Hilary Clinton. His famous quote on the phone, Julian Assange: We don’t have a problem, you have a problem. Of course the U.S. authorities do not believe him, and the film documents the escalation of how Julian became one of America’s most wanted men.

As a result since the summer of 2012, Assange has been living at Ecuador’s London Embassy, having received asylum following sexual assault allegations in Sweden – offences Assange denies committing. Going to Sweden would also make him eligible for extradition to the U.S.

One of the most interesting things about documentaries is that the documentarist can never be 100% sure of the film’s end outcome. The same can be said for RISK. Her subject says that he never foresaw the events happening the way they did, and she herself was concerned with the film’s ending. The most important fact is that the doc would highly compromise Julian’s safety.

The film also detours with the side subject of Private Manning who was prosecuted by the U.S. and finally sentenced to more than 140 years of prison.

RISK, as in her other films, incites the anger of the audience at the U.S. authorities especially the FBI, a favourite target. The silly excuse of terrorist protection is again given as an excuse to compromise the privacy of the public. But the case is that they lie and do not reveal how much they have already violated citizen’s rights. The doc is good to explain that unless one is in their radar, they cannot do much with the data that they have – a case of too much data and too little manpower.

RISK ties in with Poitras other doc CITIZENFOUR with Sbowden on display in this film as well.

Because of the film’s nature and subject, it is at times all over the place, as Julian runs from one safe haven to another. The film also feels like an espionage thriller – only that this is the real thing. A fascinating documentary that should be seen!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1teM525rVlc

_________

Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

Film Review: THE WHITE ROSE, 5min, USA, Thriller/Film Noir

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Played at the April 2017 LA FEEDBACK Film Festival.

MOVIE POSTERTHE WHITE ROSE, 5min, USA, Thriller/Film Noir
Directed by Rebecca Scott

A lone gunman, interrogates his prisoner, to find the truth.

Review by Kierston Drier:

White Rose, directed by Rebecca Scott, is a powerful, symbolic and dramatic remodeling of a classic Noir piece. The interrogation, the cool agent out to track down the criminal, the quick, rapid fire dialogue pushing the criminal into the corner where he must confess- all here, all sharp and pulsating with tension.

There is a masked prisoner, and one armed interrogator filled with revenge, and victim dear to them both. Cinematically this is a piece filled with vivid images, bright contrasts and wicked symbolic representations. A thoughtful and well composed pieced with a killer twist.

If you like sharp, quick, dramatic crimes, this is a film that will have you biting your nails. And when the mask comes off our criminal, prepare your jaw to drop.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

Film Review: CONFESSION, USA, Horror/Thriller

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Played at the April 2017 LA FEEDBACK Film Festival.

MOVIE POSTERCONFESSION, 5min, USA, Horror/Thriller
Directed by Sofia Vyshnevetska

The loving father, after kidnapping and cruelly killed his little daughter by pedophile, turns into a proficient butcher. Desire of revenge will be confessed in another way of expiation…

Review by Kierston Drier:

Revenge, is a complicated emotion. It burrows inside us and simmers slowly. Enter Confessions, directed by Sofia Vyshnevestka, a subtle, striking, beautifully short and terrifying film. Subtle, because you don’t immediately know what the motives of the two men in the room are- but they are there, and one is passing a wad of money over to the other.

And after a quick breakdown to what is and is not allowed, the first man is brought down the dirty hall to a dirty bedroom and let inside. On the bed, appears to be a young girl.

Feeling sick? If you are anything like this reviewer, you might be. But the twist will push you to your breaking point.

A gut wrenching tale with many moral layers, I’m Not Him is a fascinating story of love, loss, desire, damnation and the ultimate revenge. It’s a dark tale with a gut wrenching twist not to be missed, this piece also boasts beautiful colors and excellent shooting. Check out Confession but be warned- it is not for the faint of heart.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

HIGHLIGHTS – April 6, 2017 LA FEEDBACK Film Festival

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lafeedbackfilmfestival's avatarLos Angeles feedback film festival

AUDIENCE FESTIVAL AWARDS

Best Film: THE NEON STRUGGLE

Best Performances: UNCLE ALBERT

Best Cinematography: CONFESSION

Best Music: The music from THE NEON STRUGGLE

WATCH THE AUDIENCE FEEDBACK VIDEOS for each film: 

festival posterCONFESSION, 5min, USA, Horror/Thriller
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterTHE WHITE ROSE, 5min, USA, Thriller/Film Noir
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterHAVE A LITTLE FAITH, 12min, USA, Comedy
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterUNCLE ALBERT, 11min, USA, Dark Comedy
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterGEORGE, 7min, USA, Documentary
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK		festival posterTHE LONG GOODBYE: AN ALZHEIMER’S STORY, 5min, USA, Documentary
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK
festival posterTHE NEON STRUGGLE, 38min, USA, Documentary
WATCH Audience FEEDBACK

The LOS ANGELES APRIL 2017 FEEDBACK Film Festival gave our audiences the best of short movies from the United States. The first half was a selection of “Female Directed films”. The second half was a selection of “Documentary films”.

The theme of the festival was “END OF THE LINE”.

Every film showcased was about a…

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Film Review: JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT (USA 2015) ***

festreviews 2017 movies, movie, Movie Review, Uncategorized , , , , , ,

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca

jeremiah_tower.jpgBoth a biopic of a complicated man and an exploration of the gathering forces that converged to shape a new American cuisine and create the cult of “celebrity chef”.

Director: Lydia Tenaglia
Stars: Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Francesca De Luca

Review by Gilbert Seah

 What’s so special and who is this Jeremiah Tower that the man deserves a full length documentary dedicated to his honour?

Tower is a Master Chef and restaurateur who change the look of restauranting. As chef, he would mingle among the customers, something never done before and he created the importance of a chef’s name in a city. Tower was also a very intriguing person, a visionary and someone, everyone admires.

“I have known Jeremiah for 14 years and yet I can say that I do not know him.” So says one of Jeremiah’s friends. The documentary takes considerable amount of time to introduce this Master Chef and restaurateur to the audience. It is only after 15 minutes that the doc links food to the man, in a cruise ship where Jeremiah, as a boy tastes his first cream cake dessert.

JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT is the new food documentary tat explores the remarkable life of Jeremiah Tower, one of the most controversial and influential figures in the history of American gastronomy. Tower began his career at the renowned Chez Panisse in Berkeley in 1972, becoming a pioneering figure in the emerging California cuisine movement. After leaving Chez Panisse, due in part to a famously contentious relationship with founder Alice Waters, Tower went on to launch his own legendary Stars Restaurant in San Francisco. Stars was an overnight sensation and soon became one of America’s top-grossing U.S. restaurants.

After several years, Tower mysteriously walked away from Stars and then disappeared from the scene for nearly two decades, only to resurface (as when the film opens) in the most unlikely of places: New York City’s fabled but troubled Tavern on the Green. There, he launched a journey of self-discovery (offering loss of voiceover for the film on this matter) familiar to anyone who has ever imagined themselves to be an artist. Featuring interviews by Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Ruth Reichl and Martha Stewart, this delicious documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of America’s first celebrity chef.

The film traces using a combination or home movie footage and re-enactments how Jeremiah grew into cooking. He was always living in posh hotels whee he discovered the kitchen, dazzled by the cooking aromas. The hotel kitchen staff adopted him as their own. The audience is told Jeremiah read menus more than story books and concocted meals form the menus as well as collected menus. All this explains Jeremiah’s chef roots in a fascinating manner.

Besides haute cuisine, director Tenaglai also reveals the personal and difficult life of the man. Tower was a homosexual, coming out during taboo times. His restaurant, Stars was singled out by the AIDs activists, despite him paying the hospital ills for two of his employees who came down with the disease. Everyone wanted to sleep with him – and he did with both sexes. His relationship with Alice Waters, an important part of his life is also given due screen time.

JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT is an interesting account of an interesting man. The doc will not disappoint.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSwXSPigOk

_________

Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

 

Film Review: HOUNDS OF LOVE (Australia 2016) ****

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Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca

houndsoflove.jpgVicki Maloney is randomly abducted from a suburban street by a disturbed couple.

Director: Ben Young
Writer: Ben Young
Stars: Emma Booth, Ashleigh Cummings, Stephen Curry

Review by Gilbert Seah 

 Not wholly original, but still absorbing, HOUNDS OF LOVE, writer/director Ben Young’s story of an abducted teenager by a disturbed couple pays homage to David Lynch’s BLUE VELVET. The slow motion beginning of HOUNDS OF LOVE and the common theme of kidnapping reminds cineastes immediately of BLUE VELVET.

HOUNDS OF LOVE is supposed to be based on true events – macabre as they may be. The setting is 1987, Perth, Australia whee a seemingly typical Australian suburban couple have a secret hobby – kidnapping schoolgirls and murdering them. But their latest desperate victim finds ways inside their heads.

The slow motioned tracking shot of schoolgirls playing netball after school is stunning as it is eerie. One can tell something is going to happen – the abduction of the first victim of the kidnapping couple. For those unfamiliar with the game (played in places like Britain, Australia and Singapore where this reviewer was born), the scene is even more fascinating with the girls in netball outfits tossing a ball into a net.

The film then settles on the next victim. Vicki (Ashley Cummings), a rebellious teen, is first seen in the film after having ‘it’ with her boyfriend Jason (Harrison Gilbertson). Vicki is staying with her mother, Maggie (Susie Porter) who she cannot get along with. After being grounded, Vicki sneaks off to a party at night when she is abducted by Evelyn and John White (Emma Booth and Stephen Curry). The audience would likely think that this is what Vicki deserves, after misbehaving and disobedience. But then, no human being should go through what she does in the next few days.
The one thing that stands out in this film (and differentiates from Lynch’s BLUE VELVET) is director Young’s ability to connect his audience with his characters.

Director Young devotes a lot of time towards his female characters. Evelyn is shown to be the most sympathetic of the film’s characters. She loves her dog, her partner-in-crime, John (a real nasty piece of work) and is just caught with all the bad luck. The audience ends up sympathizing with both her as well as Vicki. Vicki’s mother, Maggie is also portrayed as a strong mother, who despite having to take s*** from her daughter, loves her to no end and will not give up in the search for her. The father, Trevor (Damian de Montemas) and Jason are hilariously given token roles.

What is impressive too are the top notch performances all around. Emma Booth carries the lead role confidently as well as the two other women Cummings and Porter. Stephen Curry who plays the nastiest villain seen in a while, looks completely different (most remembered from the Aussie film THE CASTLE) with his tacky moustache. Young spends some time with him grooming his moustache in the mirror before strutting out of the bathroom like a stud.

The film is expectedly violent and the ending matches the violence of BLUE VELVET without resorting to tricks like the cutting off of an ear. The climax of the film is a real nail-biter.

HOUNDS OF LOVE unsettled festival audiences in Venice and at SXSW and will definitely do the same with audiences everywhere. Young is clearly a talent to watch. Universal Pictures has already signed him on to direct the new 2018 sci-fi thriller EXTINCTION.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNEurXzvHqE

_________

Also, Free logline submissions. The Writing Festival network averages over 95,000 unique visitors a day.
Great way to get your story out: http://www.wildsound.ca/logline.html

Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival:http://www.wildsound.ca

Watch recent Writing Festival Videos. At least 15 winning videos a month:http://www.wildsoundfestival.com

 

Interview with Lindsey Paricio (Lights, Camera, Take Action Film Festival)

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A film festival highlighting food insecurity and poverty in the Fort Collins community. Sponsored by the FoCo Cafe and The Downtown Fort Collins Business Association (DBA), the festival is intended to bring together the network of food insecurity organizations that span the Fort Collins community. Additionally, the festival aims to raise awareness about food insecurity, food justice, poverty, homelessness, food equality, access to healthy eating, etc. There will be a panel discussion following the showing of the films featuring representatives from local hunger and poverty prevention organizations.

Contact
  • Email
  • 225 Maple Street
    Fort Collins, CO 80521
    United States
  • Website
  • Facebook

    •  
    Matthew Tofolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

    This festival is providing an opportunity for filmmakers to explore a range of issues surrounding food insecurity. These problems – homelessness, hunger, nutrition, food access, etc- are often hard to describe and put into words, but this festival is allowing filmmakers to be able to capture the issues in a real way. We are helping to celebrate the creativity and artistry of film makers in their expressions of little documented issues, and we are allowing them a chance to share any of their personal experiences with food insecurity in a way that can and will actively be viewed and discussed by others in an attempt to help.

    What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

    Attendees may expect the unveiling and premier of the winning film in each category – youth, college, community, and photography. Following this, a screening of the feature documentary ‘The Starfish Throwers’ will occur, and then the community in attendance will have the opportunity to ask panelists from local food security organizations and the filmmakers questions about food insecurity and the surrounding issues. This will help create a discussion about the issue and steps to alleviate it, and all attendees are encouraged to participate!

    What are the qualifications for the selected films?

    Films (and photos) must be shorter than 8 minutes in length, and must represent some issue surrounding food insecurity. The filmmaker must identify in one of four categories: youth, college, community, or photo.

    Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

    Many films that address unpleasant issues, or even just issues that are currently popular to showcase, don’t get a fair chance at film festivals. Food Insecurity is one of those issues that is not easy to showcase and not in style to talk about. Thus, our festival is hoping to provide a platform for these films to receive a chance at recognition.

    What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

    My team and I are very passionate about addressing food security ikn our local communities. All of us are interns at the FoCo café, the first non-profit café located in Fort Collins, Colorado. Because of our experiences working at the café and seeing the impacts of hunger and the power a good meal and welcoming community on a daily basis, we know that every person has the ability to contribute to solving this issue. One of the first steps to do this is to educate people about food insecurity.

    People learn in different ways and have different skillsets to contribute, and so we are motivated to instigate this festival because it is a way for people to learn and contribute in a new way.

    How has your Film Freeway submission process been?

    FilmFreeway has been a wonderful tool for this process, though we did have an issue with artists submitting videos that had nothing to do with out topic. It has taken quite a bit of sorting to narrow down the entries to applicable films for our judges to evaluate.

    Where do you see the festival by 2020?

    This is the first year of Lights, Camera, Take Action, and we definitely hope to make this an annual event. By 2020 we hope to have expanded this festival to include both a larger audience and a larger entry pool. We also hope to have developed partnership with community organizations to be able to use the films and photos created to help educate the community in a scope that goes beyond the festival.

    What film have you seen the most times in your life?

    I have seen Lord of the Rings the most in my life time (all of them!). They were my favorite books when I was younger, and the beauty in them keeps me watching!

    In one sentence, what makes a great film?

    A great film is one that captures the heart of the audience and inspires them to stand up and do something.

    How is the film scene in your city?

    Fort Collins is a great city for an aspiring film maker. There are many film festivals, at both large and small platforms, throughout the year, often sponsored by local theaters or
    brewery’s.

    Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

    SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
    Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.    		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
    FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed    		 Screenplay CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) Screenplay CONTEST
    Submit the first stages of your film an

Interview with the American Youth Film Festival

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The American Youth Film Festival™ is an opportunity for the youth to showcase their movie making skills. Many young people regularly produce movies that are then posted on websites such as YouTube and Facebook. We want to capture that interest and channel it to understand the “love of film or film making” through the eyes of youth filmmakers.

Contact
  • Email
  • Atlanta, GA
    United States
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

    • Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

    The American Youth Film Festival succeeds at providing a platform for student filmmakers to showcase their talents as writers, storytellers and directors.

    What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

    Attendees can expect screenings from up-and-coming student filmmakers from around the world. You can also expect workshops and panel discussions featuring some of the leading actors, producers, and industry professionals.

    What are the qualifications for the selected films?

    All “Official Selections” will be chosen based on originality/creativity, cinematography, sound, direction, length, and ability to capture its audience.

    Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

    No, I think most films are judged based on how well they follow the rules set forth by the festival.

    What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

    After working with thousands of children in after-school programs since 2006, the American Youth Film Festival was developed to give student filmmakers an opportunity to express their creative writing, directing and storytelling skills on film, plus the festival is an extension of traditional arts programs.

    How has your Film Freeway subm ission process been?

    The Film Freeway submission process has been great for our festival, it’s simple and easy to use, which is very appealing to our filmmakers.

    Where do you see the festival by 2020?

    Our goal for The American Youth Film Festival is to be the premiere student film festival in the country, a Cannes-type festival for student filmmakers that is the “top destination” event to showcase their films and network with industry professionals.

    What film have you seen the most times in your life?

    Silver Streak, with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder, arguably the greatest comedy duo in the history of film.

    In one sentence, what makes a great film?

    The ability to connect with the audience through laughter and make them forget about the pressure and/or problems they may be facing makes a film great.

    How is the film scene in your city?

    Over the last few years the film scene in Atlanta has grown rapidly to become the third largest producer of movies in the country with over 125 movies being shot in and around the metropolitan area yearly.

    Inspiring Positive Youth Expression thru Film and Photography!
    The American Youth Film Festival…

    Launched in Columbus, GA on June 12, 2015 at the Columbus State University Center for International Studies after three years of market research. The festival launch screened film from ten states and one foreign country, it also included an awards ceremony, panel discussions and workshops featuring industry professionals such as, actress and film maker Stacy Cunningham (StacyCunningham.com), whose credits includes over 40 stage and screen productions including an upcoming episode of Tyler Perry’s ” If Loving You Is Wrong,” discussed her experiences in the entertainment industry and moderated the panel discussion. Also facilitating a workshop was actress, image consultant, multi-media producer Alima Albari (AlimaIndustries.com ) and (www.StudioNinetyTwo.com) whose industry experience includes film, music video & event production, talent booking & model representation, conducted a talent workshop and explained to the students the importance of image in the entertainment industry.

    Participating via SKYPE was Los Angeles, CA-based producer Ian Mallahan, an Emmy nominated producer whose past credits include Survivor, Undercover Boss, American Chopper and he is currently the Executive Producer of HGTV”s “Ellen’s Design Challenge” with Ellen DeGeneres.

    The 2016 American Youth Film Festival was hosted in July 2016 at The Conference Center at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in Atlanta, GA and screened film from twenty-seven states and eight foreign countries. The opening night meet & greet at the Microsoft store at Lenox Mall was attended by over forty industry professionals and student filmmakers and screened four “Official Selection” shorts. Festival workshops were conducted by VH1 Reality star David Dees, actress and image consultant Alima Albari, actress and storyteller Roxann Remekie, director and producer Paul Fant and a photography workshop by TWR Photography.

    The 2017 American Youth Film Festival, to be held June 8 – 10, 2017 at The Conference Center at Atlanta Metropolitan State College, promises to be the largest, most exciting festival ever with many of the most fascinating industry professionals the Atlanta entertainment film scene has to offer.

    Since inception, the American Youth Film Festival has worked closely with the Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA and Girls Inc . to introduce their respective members to filmmaking. This is a family event and parents, students, and educators from around the country attend the festival to support the film makers.

     

    americanyouth-2

    Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

    SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
    Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.    		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
    FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed    		 Screenplay CONTESTFIRST SCENE (first 10pgs) Screenplay CONTEST
    Submit the first stages of your film an

Film Review: JACKIE BOY (Canada 2015) ***1/2

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Deadlines to Submit your Screenplay, Novel, Story, or Poem to the festival: http://www.wildsound.ca

jackie_boyA self-destructive womanizer falls for a girl with mysterious intentions.

Director: Cody Campanale
Writer: Cody Campanale
Stars: Alino Giraldi, Shannon Coulter, Edward Charette

Review by Gilbert Seah

As far as nasty films go, JACKIE BOY is arguably the nastiest screened this year. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. Ottawa based writer/director Cody Campanale has nailed a gritty, disturbing yet absorbing tale of self-destructive males on the sexual prowl.

The film’s lead character is Jack (Alino Giraldi) nicknamed by his close friends as Jackie Boy. The film never reveals the race of the three, though they look East Indian, but more likely Italian from the name of the actors portraying them. When the film opens Jack has picked up a girl at a party and they make out, doing drugs and drink. He takes her home and shoots lots of nude shots of her using his cellular. When she is sleeping, he posts them on twitter under #meow (obviously for pussy). The film has a contemporary edge, with whatever is happening on screen – the disco, pots and pans music, the drugs, the social media and the liberal decadence. But Jackie’s mean deed will come back to haunt him later in the story.

But Jackie eventually meets Jasmine (Shannon Coultier), a mysterious woman who cock teases Jack to no end. She also causes a rift between him and his best friends Cal (Edward Charette) and Tony (Andrew Di Rosa).

Campanale’s film deserves credit in many departments. For a sexual predator, director Campanale has achieved the tough task of getting the audience to root for him. This is accomplished in several ways. For one, he is shown to be kind to his pet cat, slapping his friend Cal who has shot the cat with a paintball and cleaning it gently after. He has a sick father who he visits and looks after in hospital. But mostly, Campanale shows that his friends are worse than him. Cal, though cleans Jack up after a night vomitting from drink and drugs, assaults Jasmine while Tony is a no-good fat husband who fools his wife to think that he is on a diet to lose weight as well as believing him to be looking for work. Jackie is also shown to be turning into a more responsible male after falling for Jasmine. When Jackie finally gets what is due to him from his past acts, the audience actually sympathizes with his character. But the film never shows what Jackie or Cal do for work or their background how they have became buddies.

Alino Giraldi proves to be an actor capable of carrying an entire movie. He is not the sexiest person alive, but the camera knows how to create that needed sexiness by focusing on his tattoo, clothes and hunky build. The camera also does not shy from showing particularly the male genitals.

JACKIE BOY ends up a film one would appreciate more than one would imagine. It is well shot, written (though with sparse dialogue), directed and acted and is an absorbing (though one can hardly call it entertaining) watch from beginning to end.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shwdjkpju00

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