horror film festival

Movie Review: DO NOT DISTURB (2016)

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MOVIE POSTERDO NOT DISTURB, 13min, UK, Thriller
Directed by Jon James Smith

George takes a detour on his way home from the office, which sets off a dark tale of lies and confusion.

Seen at the August 2016 HORROR/THRILLER FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto.

Movie Review by Kierston Drier

Do Not Disturb directed by Jon James Smith, is a compelling piece, composed of endless twists, turns and red herrings. Expertly shot, with keen focus and attention to detail, the piece follows a man’s untimely death and the intrigue that follows his mysterious end.

Smiths’ work is undoubtedly engaging- catching the viewer from the very first moments of screen time. The piece also employs interesting characters, compelling details, passion, and yes, even the occasional chuckle.

Where Do Not Disturb becomes troubled, perhaps, is that the plot is so rich, so detailed and so contingent on certain characters moving the story forward, there are moments where the plot gets confusing. Too meaty a story in too short a time, the film has the air or far too much matter condensed into too small a space. Smith’s work Do Not Disturb is definitely worth a watch, but it may take you two, or three to catch every nuance.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video of the short film:

Interview with Festival Director JoAnn Thomas (FANtastic Horror Film Festival)

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The FANtastic Horror Film Festival in San Diego, CA is dedicated to bringing the latest and cutting edge Indie Horror films to the local community, It is a 3 day festival over Halloween and shows 30 + Indie Horror Short and Feature films. Following the Fest we have an Award Ceremony to celebrate our award nominees and winners. We are an official event on IMDb.

For more information please go to their website: http://www.fhffsd.org

Interview with JoAnn Thomas

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

JoAnn Thomas: Our approach to the festival is that the filmmakers are also fans of Indie Horror films as well as being filmmakers. Being close to LA, we provide many networking opportunities as well. We are also an approved film festival on IMDb where we recognise our nominees and award winners.

We give out approximately 30 awards.ten for feature film, ten for short films, and 10 miscellaneous specialty awards. Of special interest is our LON CHANEY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN INDEPENDENT HORROR FILMS, which is given to an individual in any capacity (i.e. actor, director, DP, etc) who in the past 5 to 10 years has exhibited multiple achievements in the horror genre.

We feel that providing a place to show films that might otherwise be overlooked by the public is important and we provide continuous support for our filmmakers. film, and the actors who are in those films we select. We are a family.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

JT: Two and a half days of fun, followed by an award ceremony recognising their work.

As a filmmaker ~ obviously a lot of networking opportunities and the opportunity to acknowledge the works of other filmmakers by participating in our Award Ceremony. Participating filmmakers, producers, and actors present the awards which also shows the family aspects of our festival.

As a Fan ~ a lot of great films to see and a lot of up and coming actors to meet.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

JT: Our Official Selections are obviously horror films and sub genres. We prefer to show films that are finished within the most recent 3 years, although exceptions have been made.

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

JT: My personal feeling is that many festivals forget the filmmakers and their films once the fest is over,and given the fact that most of our films are made on a shoestring budget, it behoves us to continue to promote them even after the fest is over.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

JT: Our initial motivation came from going to other fest that were disorganised and where films rarely started on time, and we were left to sit and wait. So, we decided to treat everyone like a movie going fan. To date most of our filmmakers find this a refreshing change.

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

JT: Our fest only continues to grow each year. Many of our filmmakers keep returning and giving us praise. Our filmmakers not only come back, they recommend us to their colleagues.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

JT: We reached one of our goals our first year when we received our first international film submission. So, now it is on to a much bigger goal which is to become the festival that every Indie Horror filmmaker wants to attend.

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

JT: I know this is going to sound strange, but I come from a musical theatre background and I am an avid reader, so it begs the question. I am a big Stephen King fan and create my own movies in my head for the most part. I am also a big Criminal Minds fan as well. Putting these things together makes me a representative for the closet horror fan.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

JT: A great story which is not predictable with good character development.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

JT: San Diego is a great place for a film festival. Unfortunately we haven’t been around for long enough to get a big local following as our fest is not regional. We are better known at a national and international level but that is about to change.

You may find any festival information and pictures on our website at http://www.fhffsd.org/ as far as my bio is concerned I would have to get back to you on that if it is necessary.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Fesival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go tohttp://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Patrick Vella (Malta Horror Film Festival)

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The Malta Horror Film Festival is somehow different from many other festivals, because it is always moving from one spooky venue to another every year! The festival attracts about 3000 horror adrenaline enthusiasts who also come to experience our yearly 30 minute Horror House Experience! The films are constantly running from 7pm till 2am for 3 days! The feeling is spectacular and the atmosphere is somehow atmospheric! This year 2016 we are including the Feature film sections and including new genres, such as Horror Comedy and Horror Cartoons!

Website: http://www.maltahorrorfest.com/ 

Interview with Patrick Vella:

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

Patrick Vella: Well, besides more exposures in other countries, we do offer the best filmmakers an opportunity to film with us in Malta. Malta has been quite a target to many film Makers and Producers including Spielberg, Pitt, and lately Bay. Malta has lots to offer and is a great location for many various genres of films!

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

PV: As in the Past, our festival is a moving festival from one site to the other, We have to admit that our ScareThrough is much more famous than the film festival however thanks to the Horror House, the Festival is gaining every year more success!!! The festival is pretty vivid, and live, as you can experience (before or after) the Scarethrough! This is our 6th extended Edition!

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

PV: Shorts, Feature, Animation, and Comedy Horror.
Shorts not longer than 20 minutes, Feature we leave it open . Any language is considered as long as it is english subtitled.

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

PV: It is a tricky question! We always receive tons of films! Hundreds of Films! Some are great, some are mediocre, some are “WTF”…. however we have always issues with judges who have always different opinions!!! 🙂 The problem lies in different opinions, rarely you find unison in understanding!

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

PV: The love and passion in arts combined with media and filming making. We are artists, we wanted to create something for Malta. This is not our only project, but surely it is one that we keep it on top!

MT: How has the festival changed since its inception?

PV: To be honest, not much, as we love the formula! What we are working on, is better promotion for the film festival per se… as we believe it could do better! We are not ashamed to say that the festival needs more visitors as much as it gets the live scare through and the parties! However we are working on it by really choosing carefully our selections.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

PV: A fixed Place perhaps, however as I said previously we do love the change of sites, as it helps the audience to come the year after, as they love the idea of having a themed festival, in various places, being a dungeon, an abandoned Mansion or a Haunted Cinema!!!! Yet, there will have to come a day where the festival has a fixed Place ( of course it will be used for various projects)

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

PV: I must admit, without sounding Cliche … I keep watching The Exorcist ( original movie) and though the effects are not relevant for todays technology, few films, beat that story! Story is essential, plot and the sense of point of no return are essential in such genres!

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

PV: STORY – PLOT – SCRIPT – GOOD ACTORS – GOOD FILMING – GOOD PRODUCTION – GOOD POST ( as in order)

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

PV: Film scene in Malta, internationally speaking is superb. Indigenous Film making still needs a lot of advancement…

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Interview with Denise Gossett, Festival Founder/Director for the Shriekfest Film Festival

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Heading into their 16th year, the Shriekfest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition is one of the top Horror Festivals in the world today. Founder Denise Gossett was voted number 5 out of 13 Most Influential Women In Horror History!

Go to the website and find out about the 2016 season.
http://www.shriekfest.com

I recently sat down with Denise Gossett to talk about her festival.

deniseMatthew Toffolo: Bottomline, what are you attempting to accomplish (and obviously succeeding at) with the Shriekfest Festival?

Denise Gossett: Well, my goal has always been to help get exposure for all of these talented filmmakers and writers that people may not know about. We are all about the indie filmmaker.

Matthew: Why do you think there is such large fan base for Horror Films? Why do so many people like being frightened and scared when watching something?

Denise: I think it’s the same reason people look at a car accident, we are curious, however, we like to experience it when it’s not a life or death situation..that’s where horror films come in. Being frightened is fun and exciting, it’s a visceral experience. Same reason people love roller coasters. The thrill of it all.

Matthew: What motivated you to start this festival?

Denise: I had starred in a horror film & realized that there weren’t any horror festivals in the U.S to help promote it, horror seems to be the ignored step child of the industry and I wanted to change that.

Matthew: What have you learned the most running a successful festival for over 16 years?

Denise: You have to be kind, you have to help people and you have to enjoy it and be passionate….these creatives are trusting me with their babies, whether it’s a script or a film, and I should treat that baby with the utmost care and love.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception?

Denise: The main passion and caring has remained the same, of course, but, now we get submissions from every country out there, Shriekfest wins all kinds of awards, and we have regular fans that attend every year. Also, if you have a win at Shriekfest, it does seem to open doors for people.

Matthew: How many films do you anticipate showcasing at your 2016 Film Festival?

Denise: We will screen approximately 45 films!

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to expect for the 2016 Festival?

Denise: Hmmm, we are discussing that right now….ways to make our “Sweet 16th” birthday extra special. New trophies, bigger, better parties, some new categories.

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Denise: Oh goodness….well, I may not be running it by then. I am an actor as well and my career is really taking off and it’s making it very difficult for me to do both. We’ll see. 🙂 As long as Shriekfest is around, I will be involved in some way. It’s my baby and like I said earlier, I want it treated well. So, in 5 years, it will be extremely hard to get tickets to any of the screenings. How’s that? LOL

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Denise: Grease 🙂 I was obsessed with it when I was younger.

Matthew: Is there a country that consistently makes great horror films that you show at your festival year after year?

Denise: Spain really produces some amazing films.

Matthew: Has there ever been a case where a film that you watch that gets submitted to your festival is just too violent or just too gory?

Denise: Well, there are some, but I have an audience that loves that stuff, so, it doesn’t affect decisions.

Matthew: In one sentence, what makes a great horror film?

Denise: A great horror film has a great story with some new or unique ideas, great acting, great filming, great sound, great editing, basically, a complete package.

Thank you so much for the interview. I’m honored.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the festival director for the WILDsound Film & Writing Festival.

Interview with Victor Boulankin, President of Russian International Horror Film Awards and Festival

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Live Entertainment, LLC, Russia in co-operation with EVENT FILM, Canada proudly present an annual Russian event – Russian Annual Horror Film Awards KAPLYA (Российская международная кинопремия ужасов «КАПЛЯ»).

http://www.horrorpremia.com

Interview with Victor Boulankin, President:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Victor: To develop horror genre in Russian film industry

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Victor: We now receive much more films from competitors, have more guests, more stars, more audience

Matthew: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival?

Victor: More than 50

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2015 festival?

Victor: Yes, the theme is TV series

Matthew: Where do you see your festival in 5 years?

Victor: Among top 5

Matthew: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in your city?

Victor: Cinematography is being developed rapidly

Matthew: What film have you seen the most in your life?

Victor: I love films by Stuart Gordon, particularly The Dantist

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes, Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival. He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Go to http://www.wildsound.ca and submit your film, script, or story to the festival.

Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com and watch recent and past winning writing festival readings.