NIGHT FEEDING, 6min., USA
Directed by Sarah K. Reimers
Exhaustion and sleep-deprivation begin to take their toll on a new mother, who struggles through the strange, dark stillness of the 4am feeding.

http://www.bestbaddogfilms.com/
https://facebook.com/bestbaddogfilms
https://instagram.com/bestbaddogfilms

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

ANSWER – There were a of couple things. Firstly, my husband (Robert Rossello who co-Produced, handled the cinematography, color grade and visual fx) and I had been talking about making a really short, no-budget film and using just what we had on hand, or could borrow, with friends who would volunteer their time and talent. The inspiration for the story came from being a new mother myself and struggling with sleep deprivation. One early morning, in the dark hours, I was up feeding my infant daughter and this idea came to me and it seemed like a great candidate for a short, no-budget film. It also made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

ANSWER – shooting the film only took a about a week. About 4 days initially and then a couple days with pick-up shots later on. Because I make these films in my free-time outside of my job editing animated feature films and Robert is doing the same, it can take us a really long time to get these movies done. In this case it was about 5 years. We had the editing done within a year, but then getting the music, sound design, vfx and color grade were much slower to get done. Life gets in the way and we just chipped away at it as we could.

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

ANSWER – Mother’s Nightmare

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

ANSWER – The biggest obstacle was just trying to find the time and energy, while working full-time (sometimes working extra long hours and weekends), being a parent, moving to a different city and then living through the Covid lock-downs. A lot happened while we were making this short film.

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

ANSWER – It was so gratifying to hear audience members say back to me the ideas I was trying to communicate with this film. To know you reached someone and they GOT IT. All of the pieces that were important to us; the mood, tension, the scares – to hear that it all landed and was appreciated, what a gift.

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

ANSWER – I think I must have been in highschool. When my Father brought home a video camera, that was it for me.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

ANSWER – Either the original Ghostbusters, or Clue.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

ANSWER – something I’ve struggled with is connecting with film reviewers and connecting with talent management or representation.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

ANSWER – It’s awfully convenient.

10. What is your favorite meal?

ANSWER – Oh, so many things, but my favorite thing might be my husband’s home-made pizza. He makes the dough and the sauce from scratch and if we ever left the film business, it might be to go into the pizza business!

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

ANSWER – Well, I’m currently editing Angry Birds 3 as my day job and in my free time I am working on a new episode of my cooking web-series “Family Recipes with Allison and Sarah” and working on writing some new material. I’ve been working on a horror feature, an animated feature based on a fairy tale and a bunch of other little things that are all percolating in the back of my brain.

Midnight Coachmen, 18min., Canada
Directed by Enrico Ferri
A reimagining of the classic fairytale of Cinderella, told from the perspective of a dog and mouse who live as humans until the stroke of midnight disrupts their world.

http://enricoferr.ca/
https://instagram.com/stanleywoodfilms

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
It was a concept that I had come up with when I was in university.
I’ve always wanted to do a period piece and after getting enough experience producing and directing I felt it was finally a good time to challenge myself in this genre.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Two and a half years.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Beautiful. Surreal.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The global pandemic and the Canadian grant process both stalled the project multiple times.

Provincial restrictions and closures caused repeated delays, and the grant process left me in limbo—unsure whether to wait and reapply or move forward on my own. In the end, I decided to do it independently. Securing Canadian arts grants is tough—part luck, part timing—and with this project, I had neither.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s great to see strangers critique your work—sometimes they’re more honest than friends or family.
Hearing people talk about the film was especially rewarding because they picked up on many of the things I hoped the audience would notice and enjoy.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
After I failed as an actor.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Problem Child 2.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I think it would really help filmmakers—especially those just starting out—if festivals gave a short explanation when a film isn’t selected.
It would give them a clearer idea of what to improve, instead of leaving them guessing and feeling discouraged.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
For the most part, I enjoy using FilmFreeway. It’s organized and detailed. I like how they now have reviews for the festival.
It helps to choose which festivals are the right one for the filmmaker and the project.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Pinot Noir and a Snickers bar.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes. A new short film. Then I’m focusing on getting two feature films off the ground once that is complete.

Until Death Do Us Part, 20min,. USA
Directed by Leonardo Daccarett
In technology advanced dystopian future of New Angeles. Detective Lucius Caine is assigned to the murder of Marcus Rhyne, high level agent of the Japanese megacorporation Yanasawa. With evidence alluding to his wife, Uma Rhyne, being diagnosed with Kipnosis (Kinetic Integration and Psychosomatic Neural Overload Syndrome) makes her a prime suspect to his murder. His one night visit to her estate pits the enigmatic detective and a cold/calculated corporate in a battle to outwit the other.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23872148/?ref_=nm_flmg_knf_t_1

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The idea came to me in the form of a question. During the 2020 lockdown, I had been going through a Columbo marathon with my father and not long after I went to revisit Blade Runner. It was during my reviewing of Blade Runner where despite the many times I had seen it, I could never connect or really get interested in the Deckard character played Harrison Ford. I liked the performance, but was never interested in his story. So after hours of watching Peter Falk masterfully play Detective Columbo throughout his life, I asked myself “Would Blade Runner work if Columbo was the protagonist?” This sparked an interest I already had with the cyberpunk genre as I always loved media such as Ghost in the Shell and Akira, as well as even dabbling in the Cyberpunk 2020 table rpg in high school. So I got to writing and thought this could be fun challenge to see if I could pull it off.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

I started writing the film back in early 2022, with that idea of a Columbo type detective in this cyberpunk dystopian setting. I had taken the setting of New Angeles from a tabletop campaign I wrote when I was in high school and just added it. Originally the script was around 35 pages and included an opening, not to dissimilar from how a traditional Columbo episode would open, we’d see the antagonist (Uma Rhyne) commit the crime of killing her husband and then Detective Caine of the NAPD would show up. The final product follows most of what was originally written, minus the 15 minute intro. We shot the film in November of 2022, and began editing in January of 2023. It took a year in total of post-production as the challenges of attending the film school and having time to edit really delayed the process. It eventually completed, but was kept on the drive since I had committed to my next short film in 2024, which took up much of my time as well as a few more films I was producing. It wouldn’t be till 2025 that I eventually screened and released the film, making 3 years from when I had initially written it.

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

TECH NOIR…

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle had to have been the scope. For a relatively simple concept it took a while to understand how to even make it. Never done anything like it, so much of it had to be figured out as I was making it. I had knowledge of VFX and stunts, but not enough. The fight scene originally was much bigger. We would see Uma actually brutally murder the Yanasawa bodyguards in the hallway before reaching Detective Caine, and in the final scene where Caine fights Mia it was much bigger and more complex with guns and more martial arts. However, this proved to be impossible to feasibly accomplish with the time given, with only 4 days at our disposal, it just wasn’t gonna work. So we cut out the hallway scene and shortened the Caine/Mia confrontation. As previously stated there was a whole different intro which also never happened – this would have easily added another 2 days of shooting. However, that intro was later adapted into the Music Video Dark Fires, which is the ending original song of Until Death Do Us Part. Do in no small part this was a school project and it was my first time making a film of this scope, the time given to me was just not enough to accomplish the whole vision, but it definitely was a great learning experience that informed my decisions of my next film.

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

I went into it not really expecting a specific response, but just curious to see if it was an overall enjoyable experience. Much of what I heard did make me feel satisfied in knowing that my experiment did come across and it was very positive. You never know sometimes how people will react when you do a project like this, because while it’s a cliché story – there’s that added element of a buffoon type Detective who is somewhat funny and endearing. So it’s a little different from your typical noir where the protagonist is a more serious character and I wanted to see if it could resonate with people. Evidently it seemed to have work and I’m glad it did.

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

I was very young, could’ve have been older than 12 I think. I used to watch the behind the scenes of movies and just the creativity that went into fooling the camera with miniatures or matte paintings, or force perspectives – it all fascinated me. The process of making movies was so exhilarating and creating these worlds just sparked my imagination. As a kid I was always the type to run DnD campaigns and write short stories to later post in a blog on some website like creepypasta or even just pass around in my class. So it was just a natural evaluation that I’d eventually make my way into film.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Hard question to answer. I think the safe answer would be Pirates of the Caribbean, I can easily say I’ve seen it over a 100 times by now and still tend to revisit it every so often. However, I do revisit the Lord of the Rings trilogy once a year and films like RoboCop, Aliens, Terminator, Starship Troopers, etc… are all on my bucket list of just films I have to watch again and again. So it’s really just a hard question to answer.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

I’m no expert, but I feel that offering audience feedback is always key for me. Since it just helps to hear from real people what they truly feel about my films. Being in an echo chamber, while spares feelings temporary, it does me no favors when the real goal is to keep making bigger and better movies.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

Very positive. Typically before, it was a game of knowing the right people to get into festivals and while I still believe that’s still true, FilmFreeway is a good way to get your film out there, faster and to more people.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Ramen…

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

So, I’m currently finishing up my last film ‘Twilight of the Undead’ it’s a nice little throwback to ’80s zombie action. Took up almost a year and half of production. This film will release later this year in Fall of 2025. I also recently wrapped up a film I was hired to produce which went very well, and am looking to produce an additional 3 films by this summer. During this I’m looking to the future for something very big, I’ve written my next big project and I’m thrilled to start production later this year – it’s gonna be my biggest film yet and can’t wait for it.

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.

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!

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.

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