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Filmmaker Yusuke Nakamae (ECHOES)

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ECHOES, 8min., Japan
Directed by Yusuke Nakamae
The Third World War has left Earth’s resources depleted, pushing humanity to the brink of extinction. Learning from the repeated mistakes of history, humanity turns to the advanced decision-making capabilities of AI to find a path forward. The solution proposed by the AI is an ambitious plan: transporting energy from outer space back to Earth.

https://www.instagram.com/yusuke.nakamae

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
The release of ChatGPT in 2022 really sparked something in me.
As a UX designer at Hulu Japan, I’ve always been close to technology and digital experiences—but that moment made me seriously reflect on what creativity means in an age where AI can generate content.
That question became the seed of ECHOES.
The sci-fi setting naturally came from my own personal taste and the kinds of stories I love to watch and tell.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took about 7 months from concept to completion.
Since I created this film as a solo project—writing, directing, editing, and designing everything myself—it was a very intense process, but it allowed me to shape the story exactly the way I envisioned it.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Technological Fall.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
One of the biggest challenges was working with 3D design and visual effects.
While I wasn’t starting completely from zero, my skills at the time were limited and far from professional.
Since I was handling every aspect of the film myself, I had to significantly improve those abilities throughout the process.
Of course, I’m still learning, and in many ways, my technical limitations became part of the film’s visual language—both as a constraint and a characteristic.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was deeply moved and surprised by how many people picked up on the symbolism and emotional undertones. Seeing that the themes I care about resonated across borders and cultures was incredibly rewarding.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Working as a UX designer at Hulu Japan, I’ve always been surrounded by films and storytelling.
Being immersed in that environment made me fall in love with the language of cinema—not just as entertainment, but as a form of emotional and philosophical expression.
That daily exposure eventually sparked my desire to tell stories of my own.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Interstellar.
Its emotional depth, scientific imagination, and powerful visual storytelling left a lasting impression on me. It reminds me that great science fiction can be both intellectually profound and deeply human.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
What you’ve done—offering audience feedback and promoting filmmakers beyond just screenings—is fantastic. More festivals could follow this example by offering mentorship, distribution advice, or networking spaces with industry professionals.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working on the festival platform site?
It’s been smooth and efficient. FilmFreeway is a great way to discover supportive and passionate festivals like yours.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Sushi—elegant, precise, and quietly powerful. Much like the kind of film I strive to create.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes. I’m developing a new sci-fi short that continues to question how humans interact with the technologies we create.
This time, I want to explore the idea of legacy and what we choose to leave behind.

Actor Diana Gheorghe & Director Valentin Raileanu (CRISIS POINT)

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Crisis Point, 3min., Romania
Directed by Valentin Raileanu
As a result of resource depletion, a virus outbreak stripping the afflicted of what makes them human and finally, war, humanity’s sovereignty has fallen. In dwindling numbers, the survivors have been driven out of their homes in the search for safety, while a former soldier travels through the toxic environment in search of a cure.

https://www.instagram.com/vali_stunt

Get to know actor Diana Gheorghe & director Valentin Raileanu:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Diana: Valentin Raileanu, a talented and successful stuntman, fight choreographer, camera operator, and my mentor in this wonderful field, has always had a passion for filmmaking and a wealth of insane ideas to bring to life. This passion led him to explore the subtleties of being a film director. When he proposed the idea of a post-apocalyptic short to me, I immediately knew we had to do it. I fell in love with the concept of showcasing a violent and harsh reality as a consequence of human recklessness. It was also a great opportunity for me to put my newly learned stunt skills to the test. Since I was young, I’ve loved acting and dreamed of participating in film festivals with my own projects. Even though this isn’t our first project together, it is the first one we’re submitting to festivals.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Approximately 10 weeks in total, give or take a few days. Pre-production lasted 5 weeks (for choreography, camera rehearsal, and preview), followed by 1 week of shooting, and another 4 weeks for post-production (editing and FX).

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Valentin: End Days
Diana: Survival Struggle
Well, other than Crisis Point, of course.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
One of the biggest challenges we faced was our limited crew size, which required us to juggle multiple roles simultaneously. Constantly switching between being in front of the camera and working behind it, while maintaining continuity and staying in character, was a demanding task that required immense adaptability and focus.
Another major challenge was the unpredictable weather, as the cold temperatures made it difficult to perform at our best.
Despite these obstacles, we pushed through and gave it our all. Looking back now, I see it as an amazing opportunity to work under pressure and further strengthen our teamwork. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and delighted to have had the opportunity to share our story with audiences.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
We were truly amazed by the audience’s reaction. We hadn’t anticipated that our story would resonate with them so deeply, and seeing how our film connected with them on such a meaningful level was profoundly moving. Their exceptional understanding of the concept left us astonished and heartened.
We were equally thrilled to receive recognition for the challenges we faced as a two-person team. This acknowledgment made all our hard work and dedication truly worthwhile.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Valentin: It’s hard to answer this… I think it all started when I was a teenager and got my very first digital camera. This passion has followed me ever since.
Diana: I have been involved in acting since I was young, but my interest in filmmaking developed in high school when I became obsessed with short films and film festivals. This passion grew even more when I started stunt training.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Valentin: The Lord of the Rings
Diana: Mission: Impossible

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
We were really impressed by the festival’s unique approach. The audience feedback, reviews, podcast interviews, and screenings through the Film Festival TV app create a rich and dynamic experience that is incredibly rewarding.
To make it even better, we think it would be great to have more opportunities for filmmakers to connect, learn from each other, and share their skills. In that regard, we’d love to see more workshops and networking events. Also, using more digital platforms and social media could help spread the word about the festival.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
As first-time filmmakers, we found FilmFreeway to be an essential resource for navigating the festival circuit. The submission process was straightforward and easy to follow, and the support team provided prompt and helpful responses to our questions. Plus, it was simple to keep track of the festival’s progress and deadlines.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Valentin: My protein shake! (laughs)
Diana: Freshly baked bread, but really bread in general! And roasted coffee beans!

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yeah, for sure! This is just the beginning. We have so many more ideas to bring to life, so stay tuned for next year!

Filmmakers Moritz Mayerle, Annette Scheurich (Parents in the Wild – Mating Games and Birth Days)

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Parents in the Wild – Mating Games and Birth Days, 52min., Germany
Directed by Moritz Mayerle, Annette Scheurich
In this film, directors Annette Scheurich and Moritz Mayerle offer a captivating glimpse into the love lives of Parents in the Wild worldwide. Highlighting the universal goal of providing offspring a strong start, the film explores the diverse mating and nesting rituals of mammals, insects, and birds, celebrating the intricate dance of love in the heart of the wilderness. Spectacular images showcase also the birth of squirrels, a grey seal pup and a flying fox fighting gravity in its upside-down world. “Parents in the Wild” is an entertaining visual feast that invites audiences to connect with the profound moments of wild parents in their quest for species conservation.

Get to know filmmakers Moritz Mayerle, Annette Scheurich:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Annette Scheurich:
In my career as a filmmaker of documentaries about wildlife and nature I often marveled at the many strategies animals developed to make sure the species survive. Some invest in an enormous amount of progeny in the hope that some survive. Like toads, snails, spiders, etc. Others, like elephants, seals, deer, squirrels, flying foxes, weaver birds or penguins only have very few young and put all their effort in preparing for a safe place before birth and/or in protecting them for a longer time after birth, until they are ready to fend for themselves. My intention was to show all this from the perspective of the parents, pointing out to which lengths parents go to make sure their offspring get a good start. Any similarities to human behaviour are unintentional or purely coincidental 😉
Moritz Mayerle:
As a biologist, I have always been fascinated by the diverse reproductive strategies found in nature. Whether mammals, birds, or insects – each species follows its own unique approach to bringing offspring into the world. Yet, they all share one thing: the incredible effort they put into it. This combination of unconditional dedication from animal parents, paired with astonishing behaviors, is what makes this film so compelling to me.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Annette Scheurich:
From the acceptance by the broadcaster to the finished product took about 3 years. Once we started deeper research, ever more astonishing information came up and brought new aspects to the theme.
Moritz Mayerle:
It was an incredibly long, instructive and fascinating time. All in all, it took almost three years to complete the two-parter.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Annette Scheurich: Passion and Perseverance
Moritz Mayerle: Passion and dedication

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Annette Scheurich:
The biggest obstacle was to create a storyline out of the many different stories round about parents’ care for their young. There is so much fascinating behaviour we wanted to have in the film, but only had time for so much episodes. Choosing which parents get a window and balancing the variety of the different strategies was a real struggle. And then is also was a matter of capturing this behaviour. The camera teams out die themselves in delivering the footage that made our storytelling possible.
Moritz Mayerle:
For me personally, the biggest challenge was to accept that although we were able to capture incredible and diverse animal behavior with the camera, we would never be able to capture the full range of reproductive strategies in the animal kingdom. Nature is simply far too diverse to be able to show everything in 2×52 minutes. As a biologist, however, it was important to me to show as wide a range of different strategies as possible and to tell exciting animal stories at the same time. All in all, I think we succeeded in doing that.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
Annette Scheurich:
I’m so happy about the feedback as it showed that our fascination with this theme and our hard work putting it together was well received, the audience liked it and was intrigued by it as well.
Moritz Mayerle:
It was fascinating to see how the movie was received by the audience. I was very pleased that much of what we wanted to achieve with the film – to arouse fascination for reproduction in all its facets – was also well received by the audience. And I was also very pleased that the camera work was praised by many viewers – a big thank you to our great camera women and men.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
Annette Scheurich:
I always wanted to work in the nature and science genre and many years ago, my husband and I were passionate about filming in the wild and started to make nature documentaries. Some 200 films later (as writer, director, producer – sometimes all three together), I’m finally rather sure, it was the right choice of career and I’m very happy to still be able to create nature documentaries.
Moritz Mayerle:
Becoming an wildlife filmmaker was a childhood dream of mine. Now I’m not behind the camera, but as a writer and director I’m living this dream.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Annette Scheurich:
No idea. Sorry.
Moritz Mayerle:
To be honest, it’s not an nature documentary at all. “Gladiator” with Russel Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix should be right up there.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Annette Scheurich: Hmmm, I really don’t know. For me this is a new concept so I’m very happy about the experience and will watch the festival further.
Moritz Mayerle:
I can’t really answer that. So far I’ve only ever attended German wildlife film festivals in person, but I would be very happy to attend the New York FEEDBACK Film & Screenplay Festival some day.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Annette Scheurich:
Here also I don’t have much experience and I haven’t had much time to go through the platform site. It seems to me a fascinating concept where your audience is directly involved and not only remote and anonymous.
Moritz Mayerle:
There are really many festivals represented on FilmFreeway, including wildlife and nature film festivals. The platform is clearly organized and the submission process is simple. FilmFreewaya really saves you a lot of time.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Annette Scheurich: German rye bread rolls and butter
Moritz Mayerle: Käsespätzle – German Pasta with cheese.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Annette Scheurich: I’m producing a science documentary about wastewater recycling
Moritz Mayerle:
I am currently working on a four-part nature documentary about our beautiful neighboring country, Switzerland.

Filmmaker Elisabet Johannesdottir (BIRTHDAY BLUES)

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Birthday Blues, 9min,. Luxembourg
Directed by Elisabet Johannesdottir
A couple on the rocks struggles with honesty, leading the woman to make a fateful decision.

https://www.instagram.com/eliisms/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I became pregnant with my son a month after Roe Vs Wade was overturned, and it gave me a lot of room for thought about women’s rights and the immensity of the choice of motherhood. To me it is a private decision that I wanted to examine in the microcosm of an expiring relationship.

In 2021, I had written a full-length play about a decade-long relationship which starts at their last meeting and works its way back to their first date. I always felt this two-hander of mine could have cinematic potential, so I adapted the first scene of the second act to the screen, where she is pregnant and struggles to break the news to her partner.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From pitching the idea to writing, filming and getting it through post production the whole process took about six months.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Relationship breakdown

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
In all honesty, it was securing childcare for my ten-month-old son for the two days of principal photography. Because of the time crunch of filming twelve pages in two days on a shoestring budget and dealing with low ceilings, which were a challenge for the boom operator in the location with long sequence shots, I did block the scene much like a play beforehand to save some precious time.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was so excited to hear their thoughts. Such gratitude to resonate with and move people with my storytelling. I felt deeply seen and appreciated.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I have loved films since childhood, it was always a marvellous refuge. Later on, acting in others’ films for years made me realise I also had instincts to direct. Reading scripts, I always have a vivid imagination on how it all plays out. This is my first short film, so I knew that performing my own writing would be easy for me. All I needed was a good DP whom I could trust with the technical aspects on set. I hope to direct more films where I can stay behind the camera and enjoy working with the actors.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
It’s important to get audience feedback to find out how your story resonates. I enjoy the discussions it generates. I am still new to the festival circuit, but I enjoyed getting such generous and varied audience reactions. It encouraged me to keep exploring intimate relationships in my storytelling.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It was my first time submitting on Film Freeway and I found the platform easy to use. The communications with your team were very effective and offered me a lot of options.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Medium rare steak, mash and steamed veggies

11. What is next for you? A new film?

My husband and I will be collaborating on a short film this summer, a creative date which I am very much looking forward to.

WILDsound Festival Testimonials: Voted Top 100 Festival in world today.

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Submit to the WILDsound Festival Today:

This festival was amazing. Wildsound is full of surprises is the best place to go if you want your script reviewed. They will even get actors to do a script read! Who does that! You rock WILDsound!!!! until next time:)
Best!

Thank you for the very helpful feedback on my screenplays.

Fantastic–particularly loved the audience feedback. It tracked so well with our positive Premiere screening feedback, and an area that was a little confusing, so we are tweaking just a bit to address. Thank you for the award also!

Note from FilmFreeway:

Dear WILDsound FEEDBACK Film and Screenplay Festival,

Congratulations! Your festival has ranked as one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals on FilmFreeway for the month of March!

According to reviews from real FilmFreeway users, your festival ranks in the top 1% of more than 14,000 film festivals and creative contests around the world. No doubt, this ranking is a testament to the countless hours of hard work and care that you and your staff have devoted to creating such a wonderful event.

We’re especially proud to be partnered with amazing events like yours that help independent film continue to thrive.

Thank you for the very helpful feedback on my screenplays.

Fantastic–particularly loved the audience feedback. It tracked so well with our positive Premiere screening feedback, and an area that was a little confusing, so we are tweaking just a bit to address. Thank you for the award also!

I am very satisfied with WILDsound FEEDBACK Film and Screenplay Festival and I would like to thank the audience of this festival for awarding my film The Story of Marjan the Bunny as the Best Micro-Short.

Today’s Writing Deadlines: April 17, 2025

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Submit to these exciting festivals today. Festivals that offer feedback from the industry, plus performance videos.

PARANORMAL Screenplay Festival:

PARANORMAL Screenplay Festival – Deadline April 17th

This festival has a guaranteed 4-tier set up for each accepted script. (No matter what, all screenplays submitted receive FULL FEEDBACK on their work.)
1) Full Feedback on your script
2) Actors performance video reading of your script
3) Blog interview promotion.
4) Podcast interview on the Film Festival ITunes show.

MAGICAL REALISM Short Story Festival (everyone wins):

MAGICAL REALISM Short Story Festival (automatic acceptance) – Deadline April 17th

Submit your MAGICAL REALISM Short Story to the Festival and we will automatically have it performed by a professional actor and turned into a promotional video for yourself.

Accept only stories that fit into the MAGICAL REALISM genre. Magical realism stories feature fantastical elements that seem ordinary and blend into the story.The focus is on what the magical elements mean for the characters, rather than the elements themselves.

LITERARY Fiction Novel Festival:

LITERARY FICTION Novel Festival (3 options to submit) – Deadline April 17th

Literary fiction isa category of novels that prioritize style, character, and theme over plot.It’s often considered to be more serious than genre fiction, which is commercial fiction written for entertainment.

3 ways to submit: 1st chapter. full novel. performance reading.

1 Page Screenplay Contest (everyone wins):
https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/297775/1pg-short-story-contest-everyone-wins

RHYME Poetry Contest – FREE:
https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/300710/rhyme-poetry-contest

Also submit for a poetry video reading and/or poetry movie.

ACTION/FANTASY/SCI-FI/THRILLER Festival:

April 2025 THRILLER/SUSPENSE Festival Testimonials

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Submit to the Festival via FilmFreeway.

Loved this festival, we walked away as winner of best Thriller with our movie That’s The Plan, so that made us happy as well, loved the feedback video from the audience. I hope to be apart of this festival in the near future.

Awesome festival, but what really sold me was the audience feedback videos they made. Great marketing material for the project! Would definitely recommend for indie filmmakers.

What an amazing festival! The feedback I received was extremely helpful, thoughtful, and detailed. I was honored that my short script, “Not My Secret to Tell” won the Thriller/Suspense Festival. It was wonderful to have the Best Scene from the screenplay performed by professional voice actors and I felt respected and engaged during the podcast interview.
Really, this film festival is one you should enter! So much more than some others that are simply laurel factories.

Great festival with many interesting events. Feedback from real people. Great communication and very fast. Thank you for giving opportunity to show our work to the world! Strongly recommend!

Today’s Writing Deadlines: April 15, 2025

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Submit to these exciting festivals today. Festivals that offer feedback from the industry, plus performance videos.

HORROR Short Story Festival (everyone wins):

HORROR Short Story Festival (everyone wins) – Deadline April 15th.

Submit your Horror Short Story to the Festival, and we will automatically have it performed by a professional actor and turned into a promotional video for yourself.

DYSTOPIAN Novel Festival:

DYSTOPIAN Novel Festival. 3 options to submit. Deadline April 15th

Get FULL FEEDBACK on either the 1st chapter or entire novel book from our committee of Professional Writers, and Writing Consultants. Get your novel performed by a professional actor at the festival.

NEW OPTION: Or, just submit for an actor performance reading transcript of your novel (any 5 pages of your book). Great way to promote the sales of your book if you’re already published. (see examples on the video playlist below)

ROMANCE/RELATIONSHIP Screenplay Festival:

Deadline: Romance Screenplay Festival

This festival has a guaranteed 4-tier set up for each accepted script. (No matter what, all screenplays submitted receive FULL FEEDBACK on their work.)
1) Full Feedback on your script
2) Actors performance video reading of your script
3) Blog interview promotion.
4) Podcast interview on the Film Festival ITunes show.

TRAGIC Poetry Contest – FREE:
https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit/300708/tragic-poem-contest

THRILLER/SUSPENSE Film & Screenplay Festival: