HER LAST DAY, 14min,. China, Drama Directed by Jiacheng Wang A woman “Meizi” with her child who has lived in domestic violence for years travels back to her past wedding with her abusive husband while facing the decision to change her marriage.
Director Statement Vulpes is one of the first short films I’ve ever written that has been made. I studied screenwriting in upstate New York before moving to Boston in 2021 to complete my studies at Emerson College. At Emerson, I found an amazing group of people who helped me execute my writing on the screen. I am always fascinated with the human condition and the story of Vulpes represents just that by exploring human’s purpose on earth.
Director Statement This film was based on a real experience our screenwriter (Al Julian) had while leading group therapy sessions several years ago. The project went through a few iterations, and my involvement changed at different steps along the way. Eventually, I realized I had become attached to the characters, the story, the atmosphere, and the central questions to such a degree that I needed to direct the piece. This wasn’t an easy decision, especially since I had signed on to act in it. I guess sometimes you just have to go all in. The story for me was always about a simple question: what does it take for people to really change? A lot of these characters are locked in – mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually. They have decided what life has to offer and aren’t interested in looking beyond their current views. I’m sure we all know people like that – or believe we do. Perhaps we feel that way ourselves. Hopefully this short will provide some answers we hadn’t considered. Or maybe it will just raise the right questions.
John is convinced he’s been on this planet for longer than his lifetime. This feeling of knowing more than what meets the eye troubles him deeply. To find some peace of mind, he decides to consult an hypnotherapist to dive into his subconscious and get some clarity. This leads him to find some truth in his beliefs: the one that he has been living through multiple bodies, for centuries.
Review by Parker Jesse Chase:
In the action-drama “Déjà Vu,” director Jean Frenette takes the audience on a mind-bending journey through time and consciousness, masterfully exploring the enigmatic phenomenon of déjà vu and past- lives. The film centers on John Monroe (Raphael Grosz-Harvey), a man tormented by a profound sense that he has lived multiple lifetimes. This unsettling feeling propels him to seek answers through hypnotherapy, leading to a revelation transcending his current existence.
The narrative begins with a contemplative John grappling with an inexplicable familiarity of the world surrounding him. His search for clarity brings him to a hypnotherapist’s office, setting the stage for a deep dive into his subconscious. Frenette skillfully utilizes a series of b-roll transition cuts, seamlessly integrating these with John’s voiceover, which draws the viewer into John’s introspective journey through his point-of-view lens.
The film’s depiction of hypnosis is both intriguing and immersive. As John undergoes the session, the story unveils his belief in past lives, supported by vivid, almost surreal, visual storytelling. The Japanese influences (from 1492) presented in the film add a layer of depth and authenticity, enhancing the narrative’s exploration of reincarnation and eternal souls.
One of the standout aspects of “Déjà Vu” is its sound design. The film refrains from excessive or gratuitous action, opting instead for a soundscape that heightens the sensory experience. Every auditory detail—from the subtle ambiance to the intense moments of action—elevates the film, making the viewer feel every moment alongside John.
The film’s visuals are equally compelling. The locations, whether the serene therapy office or the dense, mysterious forest of John’s past life, are meticulously chosen to create a cohesive and immersive world. The cinematography, particularly the extreme close-ups and slow-motion sequences, effectively builds tension and conveys John’s growing paranoia and confusion.
Grosz-Harvey delivers a poignant performance as John Monroe, embodying the character’s inner turmoil and determination with a quiet intensity. The film’s pacing, while brisk, allows for moments of introspection and revelation, culminating in an open-ended conclusion that leaves the audience pondering the nature of time and identity.
“Déjà Vu” is a captivating exploration of the soul’s journey through time, blending action, drama, and philosophical inquiry into a compelling short film. It’s a beautiful piece that not only tells a story but invites the viewer to question the very fabric of their existence. With strong performances, thoughtful direction, and a hauntingly beautiful score, “Déjà Vu” is a testament to the power of short films to leave a lasting impact.
All entries receive FULL Feedback from our team of industry professionals.
TV SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL takes place every single month. At least 4-15 winning screenplays. Winners get their script performed by professional actors and then made into a promotional best scene video (see examples on the submission page). Submit via the site or via FilmFreeway.
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.)
1st Tier: FULL FEEDBACK on your screenplay (all submissions)
2nd Tier: Accepted scripts (25% on average of submitted entries) get a best scene of their screenplay performed by professional actors and made into a promotional video.
3rd Tier: We will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your film.
4th Tier: Then we will set up a podcast interview on our popular ITunes show where will we will promote the winning writer and script.
(BONUS: 5th Tier. A winning screenwriter’s WhatsApp group has just been formed. Over 50 writers to date. Great way to share ideas and contacts with people in the industry.)
What this festival does is give the writer exposure. With our best scene video reading, plus the 2 interviews, this festival simply makes the screenwriter’s name and script searchable and out there to the world. Plus, submissions receive full feedback on their script no matter what.
Sign up for the free 7 day trial at http://www.wildsound.ca to watch this festival and a new film festival every single day. Generally there are two festivals a day.
FAMILY Festival – Drama Shorts Showcase – March 24/25 event
METAVERSE, 10min., Spain Directed by Rodrigo Canet Criado Year 2033. Adam is boxing through his virtual reality headset until he leaves the coverage area in an over-digitized and controlled world. Then, his senses connects him to a different and perhaps lasting reality.
L´IRA TUA, 17min., Germany Directed by Claudio D´Attis During the 2nd World War in South Italy, the farmer Celestino escapes with the americans, leaving alone his lover Grazia against an invisible enemy…
SECOND NOZZE IN DRESDEN, 18min., Italy Directed by Claudio D´Attis Dresden XVIII century. Masks were a social decoration in the ancient times, masks actually are a social distance obligation. After her big love Emilio Guarini (an important duke from Apulia, South of Italy), Miss Maria Paladini wants to stay at home… Her two sisters with the help of father Luis will find for her a new husband: the good looking prince of Spain…
SPIRIT OF SWEETNESS, 18min., Poland Directed by Malgorzata Szyszka, Ma?gorzata Arszennik My dear children, this is the sweetest, most colorful and at the same time the truest of all fairy tales ever created and which you will hear in a moment. Do not believe adults when they say that fairy tales lie also do not believe that grandfather and grandmother get bored on autumn-winter evenings and come up with uncreated stories that they later tell their children.
THE FOREST OF THE HONEY BEES, 20min., France Directed by Erwan Le Gal Isabelle is a violinist-beekeeper in the Ouessant island. She protect her bees and she inspire her daughter with stories and legend about honey bees….
Directed by Imelda O’Reilly, this twenty-minute American film follows the story of a single Irish father and his two children on Christmas. Having smuggled his younger son, Marco away from his mother on Christmas Eve to spare him from that abusive home, he goes out drinking and leaves his elder son, teenage Ned, in charge of babysitting. Treeless and foodless on Christmas, Ned tries to watch his little brother and calm his own personal love life at the same time.
When Ned leaves to get groceries to cook dinner for Marco, he finds his dad drinking in a bar and confronts him and things get ugly. When the father finally returns home drunk and kicks Ned out, Ned decides to make sure Marco’s Christmas won’t be ruined.
This is a difficult and complex story of family. It paints complex characters with flaws and compassion. Marco and Ned’s father is abusive and alcoholic, but also attempted to save them both from more abusive home-lives than the one he provides. Marco and Ned, it seems, are simply swapped from one bad situation to another. Yet in the middle of this dark and dangerous world the two brothers manage to create a happy holiday together. EGGS AND SOLDIERS is a story that reminds us that happiness is not a privilege reserved only for the wealthy and affluent. Joy, love and goodwill towards your fellow human are things that transcend race, bloodline, economy. “Family” is something found in every home where love lives.
PLAYED at the January 2018 Comedy/Drama Festival.
Review by Kierston Drier
WATCH the Audience FEEDBACK Video:
EGGS AND SOLDIERS, 20min., USA, Drama/Family
Directed by Imelda O’ReillyA single Irish Dad forgets the tree on christmas eve. Ned the older son’s humanity is challenged when he risks everything to give his younger brother Marco a real Irish Christmas.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
THE BENEFACTION is a strong dramatic tale of an Indian Taxi driver, doing everything he can to eek out a living for himself, his wife and their young and ill daughter. While he treats his daughter to presents and promises of her bright future in dance, his relationship with his wife suffers- for his doting on their daughter is an expensive habit they can ill-afford while they fall behind on payments for his taxi cab. He thinks he may have found a turn of fortune when a patron leaves thousands of rupees in his cab- but his initial idea to gamble the money to try to raise more funds for his daughter’s’ health care needs backfires when his cab is repossessed before he can use the money. Soon after, his daughter collapses and is rushed to the hospital with a prognosis they can not afford. But our hero’s fate turns one more time.
Life is all about choices. THE BENEFACTION is a powerful and moving film that demonstrates this concept with excellence. Excellent performances and strong and engaging story elements keep this film gripping and meaningful. A multilayered story that ties in duty, fate, faith and karma, THE BENEFACTION leaves a powerful message that we all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.
Review by Kierston Drier
THE BENEFACTION, 27min, USA, Drama
Directed by Nikhat Powell
Protagonist Rishi, a young Indian taxi driver struggles to make his payments on his sole means of livelihood, his taxi. While under the threat of repossession, he finds his daughter falling prey to an unknown illness that could take her life. When his taxi is repossessed and his wife is ready to leave him, he must make choices that will affect his future, and the life of his daughter.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
BRIDGING COLOUR comes to us by director Chang Hyun Park, and hails from South Korea. An emotionally driven piece delivered with passion, flawless execution, and dramatic balance, it tells the tale of a highly accomplished and ego-centric Art teacher whose arrogant self-righteousness gets the better of him when he slowly begins to go color blind.
A perfect story of poetic justice and the compelling nature of art subjectivity, BRIDGING COLOR is ultimately a metaphor for ableism and inclusion. The rules we rigidly adhere to are able to shut us out as much as they pull us in.
There is a seamless flow to BRIDGING COLOUR, one that takes our hero down a perfect hubris-fueled poetic fall. One of the best parts of this film is the exceptional acting of the hero, who is able to have the entire audience feel compassion and sympathy for him- although he never totally breaks his clearly flawed character. Completely with an emotional and touching ending BRIDGING color is a well made and perfectly put together piece of cinema.
Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the Short Film:
BRIDGING COLOR, 23min, South Korea, Drama
Directed by Chang Hyun ParkAn arrogant, world famous painter becomes colorblind and realize that what he see is not always what it seems.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
A fifteen minute Mockumentary-Drama coming out of Canada, directed by Jana Stackhouse, follows a young filmmaker Sam as she explores the curious condition of her neighbor. Her neighbour, as it turns out, doesn’t sleep- or can’t sleep. Taken with the fascinating story of this medical miracle, Sam devotes her time to following her neighbor Craig and his story. What would you do with your newly found time, if you no longer had to sleep?
What she finds is an amazing introvert who is a jack of all trades, from Cosplay to self-taught chef, to botanist, to one-man-band, Craig can do it all- although he can’t do any of it perfectly. And slowly, the shy recluse opens up to his new friend. But when Craig suddenly begins to feel exhaustion, Sam learns that when he finally does sleep, he may sleep most of the rest of his life to make up for what sleep has been lost. Determined to finish her film and give Craig a chance to tell his story, they carry on the documentary. Craig however, must come to the realization that a person can live in a dream world, even if they never fall asleep.
This is an exceptionally well balanced film. The Man Who Doesn’t Sleep has emotional and genuine performances, charming tone and a beautiful mixture of subtle comedy and heart. It’s slightly unbelievable premise is easy to accept because of how authentically it is portrayed. A meaningful message is left with anyone who takes the time to enjoy The Man Who Doesn’t Sleep– life may be short, but it is worth being awake for.
THE MAN WHO DOESN’T SLEEP, 15min, Canada, Drama
Directed by Jana StackhouseA young filmmaker finds herself in a new apartment where her neighbour is literally up all night. Her anger turns to curiosity as she sets out to make a documentary about ‘The Man Who Doesn’t Sleep.’
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
Festival Reviews 