interview

Interview with Ashley Berens, from the North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival

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Matthew Toffolo Interviews Ashley Berens, Marketing & Promotion Specialist, Public Media Network
North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Out of the heart of the Midwest, the North By Midwest Micro-Budget Film Festival looked for films done on a shoe-string budget. Our categories included: Long Feature, Short Feature, Short Documentary/Profile, Animation, and an all-new challenge…MicroCam. Our budget restrictions were under 10K for Long Features and under 5K for other categories (not including equipment costs). With our whole new challenge of MicroCam, we wanted people to use their small devices (iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, GoPros – no DSLR’s allowed) and be able to edit them in their software of choice.

Website: nxmwfilm.org
Free Screening Event Day: May 16, 2015
Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Epic Center downtown

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Ashley: As a non-profit Community Media Center, Public Media Network has witnessed the talent and caliber of video production on a small budget. What we know is that you can do many things on your own, or with a small crew, and get a tremendous product – it’s in our DNA. We wanted to showcase media and films from everywhere (we’ve gone international!) that it doesn’t have to have a large Hollywood budget.

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

Ashley: The festival started out in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a Micro-Budget Film Festival. After losing their venue, we were asked if we could take the festival on. This year was a pilot project, and based on the enthusiastic response, we’ve been greenlighted for next year. Call for entries will be January 18 – February 19, 2016.

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

Ashley: We are looking at screening roughly 36 films, selected from across the 5 categories.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peek of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Ashley: Your guess is as good as ours! We’ve recognized small film making niches in our area, and our hope is that the community will come to our free screening event on May 16, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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

Ashley: Recognizing talent, making connections and inspiring filmmakers that something amazing can be done with such a small budget.

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

Ashley: In 5 years, we hope to still be celebrating Micro-Budget talent. Since this is our first year, we hope to expand further year by year. Will the budget still be 5K and 10K? We don’t know…we may have to adjust for cost of living… 🙂

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

Ashley: There are many local colleges and universities that have film or media production programs. There are also many local groups that appreciate film – like one of our sponsors, the Kalamazoo Film Society. Media is huge in Michigan, and seeing as Kalamazoo is a mid-sized community, we wanted to have great prizes. In each category, 1st place receives $1,000, 2nd places receives $500, and 3rd place receives $100. We will have an awards ceremony on the day of the screening.

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

Ashley: Personally, I enjoy many types of films – documentaries being my favorite. But I have to say that Mean Girls is the best!

Interview with Greg Coffey, Festival Director of Over the Fence Comedy Film Festival

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OTF is a Perth based internationally recognised festival, that aims to develop, encourage and promote filmmakers, and expand the world of comedy to the nation and the world; equally giving new and independent filmmakers of the world the opportunity to have their films seen in a festival dedicated to the wide & wild genre ‘comedy’.

Our definition of comedy is – A film driven by, or ultimately concluding with and excellent sense of humour.

http://www.overthefence.com.au/

Matthew Toffolo interview Greg Coffey:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Greg: Our mission is to offer a refreshing challenge to people’s ideas of ‘what comedy is’; to give our audience a whole new experience of the way in which funny stories can be told through a the wide variety of filmmaking styles, genres, and from all countries across the world!

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

Greg: Our 1st festival was held in 1 venue in Perth. Since then we have grown to be the big-gest touring comedy film festival in Australia- touring to over 40 centres and screens across Australia. And we have been invited to screen in Brazil & the UK.

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

Greg: Can range12 -16 short films. This year we have 12 short films selected

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Greg: This year we have an amazing selection of comedy shorts dealing with a view on love, angst & the peculiar deception life can – & filmmakers do – take us on.

We delve in to ‘dreams & peeing in bed!’; a ‘faecal existential crisis’; ‘many failed suicide attempts’; that first ‘meeting with your girlfriend’s parents’… and if u think that’s gotta be seriously & wickedly odd then wait ‘til you see the; bizarre world of the ‘new middle class; ‘desperately looking young’; and, ‘the trials of love, love … and love’s failure!!!

Get ready for the incredibly rich & strange worlds according to twelve amazing filmmakers from across the planet, and, all with an excellent sense of humour!

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

Greg: Each year we do have a theme, and it is created from the films selected. We do not look for it, nor, ask for it, it simply arises from the selection of films. It’s kind of mysterious that once selected its almost like it pops out! The theme that arose for this years fest is Love, Angst & Other Deceptions.

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

Greg: We will be screening in a cities and centres as we have done. I see us featuring special events, ie indie & new features and long shorts in a cross section of co-produced events in Major festivals.

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

Greg: Perth is an exciting city for indie and grassroots filmmaking.

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

Greg: Tricky question , way too many on my list, so going for the one that left me most impacted me, and challenged me at the same time. That’s got to be the ‘Life of Brian’. Why? – because of how they were able to usurp religion and the crazy belief systems humans want to live by, all-the-while presenting the bizarre concern/reluctance to be an individual… and that scene is the BEST! There are few comedy feature films which have come near to being so radical, challenging, and, had so much to say, all with an excellent sense of humour – since.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

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.

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes. Took over full reins of the WILDsound Festival in May 2013. From then to the end of 2014, he’s presented over 90 movies at the monthly FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto, plus has had over 60 screenplays and stories performed by professional actors at the bi-monthly Writing Festival.

Interview with Alexander Jeffery, Festival Director El Dorado Film Festival

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The El Dorado Film Festival was founded as a part of the 50th Anniversary of the South Arkansas Arts Center (SAAC). SAAC, in celebration of 50 years of artistic achievement, created many new events that will be the legacy of the next 50 years. The El Dorado Film Festival is one of these events. Laura Barrow and Austin Barrow agreed to take on this endeavor alongside festival committee Richard Wharton, Joanna Benson, Matt Benson, and Emily Cole. When Alexander Jeffery returned to El Dorado from Sweden in March, he helped with managerial duties on the first festival.

The inaugural El Dorado Film Festival featured special guest speaker Howard Klausner, Chuck Mere of the Emmy Winning “Zombie Go Boom,” and over 30 films from 12 different countries. The locals and the filmmakers ate it up, and we are keen to bring more amazing films to this year’s program.

The 2nd El Dorado Film Festival will take place Sept 17-19, 2015.

Matthew Toffolo interviews Festival Director Alexander Jeffery:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Jeffery: The goal of our festival is to cater to filmmakers and local audiences who are sick and tired of the Hollywood Blockbuster playing at the local theatre. We embrace our Southern roots, throw some killer parties, and give filmmakers a fun place to mingle and even showcase work-in-progress films if they are up for it!

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

Jeffery: Well, since we are only in our second year, the biggest change is that there is significantly less stress in approaching this year. We sort of went in blind our first year, and know what worked well and what didn’t work at all. We are giving ourselves more time to program and select films and approaching guests and judges much earlier. We will be announcing this year’s guests and judges very soon.

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

Jeffery: Last year we screened about 35 films in 3 days, this year we hope to show more.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Jeffery: We’ve received some incredible submissions so far. I know for a fact we are going to be showing some of the best short films that this year offers, some edgy, some wildly hilarious, and some quieter, honest films with beautiful performances. We won’t know what workshops will be offered up until closer to the festival, but we are working hard to expand the educational component of our festival and give the high school and college students a chance to learn from people working in their craft. I know we will have some wild parties, good networking opportunities, and we will be giving filmmakers a chance to show any work-in-progress films after the awards ceremony on Saturday night. Last year we were in the theatre until about 4am watching new films, drinking beer, and talking about the craft of filmmaking.

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

Jeffery: In terms of the films we are programming, no. We only seek to program the best films we get, be it drama, horror, experimental, comedy, farce, ANYTHING! We love giving filmmakers a place to showcase their time, effort, and artistic expression to a very eager audience. If anything, the theme for this year’s festival will be similar to last year’s theme: make movies and make them anywhere. We are located just 20 miles north of the state that took beat out California as the number 1 place to shoot films (Louisiana), and we believe that the South, the Midwest, New York, Texas, Tennessee, WHEREVER, is the best place to tell your story. Last year Howard Klausner did a presentation on the evolving film business and how to find your market in this rapidly changing industry.

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

Jeffery: The biggest compliment we get is that people want to come back to our festival – in five years I just hope we are a festival that filmmakers and audiences want to visit annually. We’ll never be Sundance or Toronto, we’ll never have premieres starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but that’s okay with us! We are trying to keep it fun, showcase great work on beautiful projectors and screens, and get filmmakers and audiences talking about the craft of filmmaking. In five years we will also have a new venue. El Dorado is currently under construction and we will soon have a brand new Arts and Entertainment district downtown, featuring a renovated old movie theatre called the Rialto. This endeavor is being taken on by El Dorado Festivals and Events, Inc under the leadership of Terry Stewart (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) and Austin Barrow. With this entertainment district, we will have more venues and top of the line equipment to show even more films and seat more audience members.

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

Jeffery: Right now film is more of an educational idea rather than production heavy. I shot a short film with some of the festival team here in El Dorado last year, and we have just been selected to screen at the 2015 Omaha Film Festival. So, that’s exciting. There is a desire to grow the film community here, to educate audiences and filmmakers, and to have El Dorado be a place where more films are produced.

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

Jeffery: It’s a toss up between Empire Strikes Back and The Social Network… I watch them both religiously.

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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.

Interview with Amparo Gea, Director of Native Film Festival

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The main objective of the Native Film Festival is the construction, development and promotion of opportunities for dialogue, based on a deep respect for sociocultural diversity, promotes and organizes this Festival.

Festival takes place in the 2nd week of June 2015.

The Website is http://nativefilmfestival.blogspot.com.es/ and lade our organization is http://www.elojocojo.org/test2

Matthew Toffolo interviews director Amparo Gea:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Amparo: Our goal is to show current movies and quality, or native peoples, native or indígenasque hardly reach the Spanish commercial circuits. One way to make available world cinema at the same time sensitizes viewers

Matthew: How has the festival changed since inception ITS Until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Amparo: The festival grows slowly and is gaining interest epectadores, talking about an issue that is not addressed in Spain.

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

Amparo: It depends on the hours of exhibition halls, but we bet exhibit about 30.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Amparo: The dignity and how interprets each village.

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

Amparo: Display in different parts of Spain

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

Amparo: We are committed to being in a traveling in cities of Spain, and Madrid.

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

Amparo: Currently in Mdrid we survived a few independent festivals, but a growing interest breathes for participating in activities as proposed by us

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

Amparo: Underground Emir Kusturica

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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.

Interview with Marc Lhormer, Co-Founder Napa Valley Film Festival

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Napa Valley Film Festival
napavalleyfilmfest.org
November 11 – 15, 2015 (fifth annual)

NVFF is a glorious annual celebration of the best new independent films of the year along with sneak previews of some of the hottest awards-season films. With over 400 film industry attendees (filmmakers, celebrities, industry executives) and some of the best food and wine on the planet, attendees enjoy five days and nights of cinematic-storytelling, epicurean adventures, and unforgettable memory-making in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

Matthew Toffolo interviews Co-Founder Marc Lhormer:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Marc: The goal of the Napa Valley Film Festival is to celebrate and support the art of cinematic story-telling, and to do so in a way that builds community and contributes to the advancement of human endeavors.

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

Marc: Our festival footprint was established in our first year, running Wednesday through Sunday and taking place simultaneously with screening, hospitality and special event venues clustered in the four walk-able villages of Napa, Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga. Attendance has gone up every year, with 2015 attendance (year five) looking to be about double year one attendance (48,000 versus 24,000). The most notable changes are bigger brands involved and more top-level filmmakers and celebrities and industry power players wanting to be here (e.g., Kevin Costner, Mike Myers, Shailene Woodley, Bill Paxton, Michelle Monaghan all made appearances in 2014, along with Harvey Weinstein, one of the biggest movie moguls around).

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

Marc: Each year we present around 120 films, including narrative and documentary features and shorts, primarily from the U.S. but not exclusively. Most of the films are eligible for audience awards and juried awards in various categories.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Marc: We are already getting calls from filmmakers and talent reps about placing their next films and/or hottest clients here given the great experiences they’ve had with us during our first four years. The Variety 10 Producers to Watch component (new in 2014) is likely to continue, and Billy Bush and Dave Karger are both likely to be back hosting our Tributes and on-stage in-depth discussions with our top filmmakers and celebrities. A massive Festival Gala is in the works plus a series of indulgent filmmaker/winemaker/chef dinners and lunches with an elite group of winery partners we call our Vintner Circle. And we do know we’ll be showing a few of the hottest already-being-buzzed-about Oscar contenders for next year; but if we told you which ones, we’d have to … well, you know!

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

Marc: We do not generally have a theme for our festival from year to year. We seek out films that are mostly positive in terms of what they have to say about the human condition, and filmmakers who are visionary and engaging and eager to interact with our audiences. We plan experiences that encourage the artists-meet-audience dynamic; all of the wonderful food and wine helps!

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

Marc: Bigger, better, more. We see more of the industry’s top players enjoying our festival as the perfect antidote after the American Film Market which ends just as we kick off. We see more top brands bringing their products and services into the festival in ways that enhance the experience for our audiences. We see embracing technology in ways that both showcase how the industry is changing and underscore how special it is to unplug for several days with thousands of old and new friends.

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

Marc: Being in wine country and not in an urban center, the environment around the Napa Valley Film Festival is not much of a Film Scene. This said, our Founders (Brenda and Marc Lhormer) are the producers of the iconic wine-themed feature film BOTTLE SHOCK; that uplifting story of the 1976 wine-tasting competition in Paris where Napa Valley Vintners triumphed over the French is replete with themes that demonstrate the fascinating parallels between filmmaking and winemaking. The aspirational nature of wine country living is offset by the reality that most who live in this area are economically disadvantaged. Our festival organization works year-round to offer filmmaking programs to students in local schools, both teaching filmmaking skills and bringing established filmmakers with their stories into schools to be woven into curriculum. We are actively working to create a culture of appreciation for the power of cinematic story-telling and – who knows – perhaps to inspire a future Francis Ford Coppola or Quentin Tarantino or Alexander Payne.

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

Marc: Casablanca… though Bottle Shock is a close second given all of the Sundance screenings we had to go to when it premiered there in 2008. And my favorite film of all-time is The Sting.

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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.

Julian Martin, Artistic Director Ascona Film Festival

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Ascona FIlm Festival was founded four years ago, as a passionate project of four movie buff friends. after years of attending the magnificent Festival del FIlm Locarno, which takes place in the neighbouring city of Locarno, on a beautiful Summer night open air projection on the Piazza Grande, one of pus asked the others: “Why don’t we make our own little festival?”. The other three looked at each other and simply claimed: “Why not?”

http://asconafilmfestival.org/

Matthew Toffolo interviews Julian Martin, Artistic Director:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Julian: Our goal has two sides:

1) offer our region a cultural event in a season where not much is happening.

2) offer a platform for artists to showcase their work and be able to meet other artists and eventually filmmakers to create further possibilities do develop more and more projects in an art that is quite complicated to live and survive with. As the festival grows, so does the interest from producers and distributors. The symbiotic potential for everybody attending will therefore further the possibilities for our filmmakers to connect, develop and eventually produce their all unique vision of life on our planet and in our universe. “If you build it, they will come!”

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

Julian: Our adventure began in the Summer of 2010, and through the hard and persevering work of our festival president, we grew quite quickly, as our festival was conceived exclusively through social media. In the first year we received 300 submissions, which were mostly intermediate school projects, computer graphics animations, music videos, etc., and we ended up selecting 80 shorts.m In the 4th year we received around 7000 submissions from over 100 countries, selecting 30 masterpieces of short fiction, one animation and one short documentary from 18 different countries including an Academy award nomination for the short film live action category this year and two last year.

Each year we also screen out of competion Feature films. In the first year we had one big Swiss production. The second a low budget Indian Film. Last year we screened three features, and this year we are showcasing two critically acclaimed feature length documentaries.

We are followed by over 90’000 people around the globe through various social media platforms.

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

Julian: We have 30 short films selected for our international competition and 2 feature length documentaries out of competition. We also have a new special category of NGO shorts competing for a special prize on Friday evening, and we will also screen two surprise shorts on our final day.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Julian: Good films, an interested open-minded audience, good food and great wine in a magical venue on the mystic Monte Verità. If you come, you will thank us later.

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

Julian: There is no common denominator between the films we are showcasing, although we are planning something very special and unique beginning from next year, our 5th anniversary.

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

Julian: Our hope and goal is to be part of the international short film circuit, a festival all filmmakers want to send their masterpieces to. We are trying to position ourselves in a unique niche to offer filmmakers more possibilities on the market. We are also working towards having a feature length category in the near future, and offering roundtables and workshops with industry professionals from around the globe. I would really like to have a special retrospective program, but don’t want to reveal too much ahead of its inception.

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

Julian: To consider Ascona a city would be like considering a Trabant to be a race car. But our region has an amazing historical background and has been a cultural cradle for local and international artists until not all to long ago. We also have many valuable and highly successful cultural events in Ascona and Locarno, like the FIlm Festival Locarno, the Jazz Ascona, the Street artist Festival in Ascona and many more. The region has just approved and is constructing the Palazzo del Cinema, a cinema fortress in the centre of Locarno, solidifying their event by also creating a venue for a Master in Film Program which will massively enhance the status and the value of film in our entire region.

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

Julian: There had to be a trick question. Well, to be honest I am a film buff/freak, and have devoured film ever since I can remember. My favourite film… if there is such, would have to be both Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown” and Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”. As I am borderline obsessive/compulsive, it is hard to answer which film I’ve seen the most, but remembering my youth, where all this passion began, the answer would have to be Disney’s “The Jungle Book”.

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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.

Interview with Storm Richardson, Co-Organizer “Festival Sayulita”

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Festival Sayulita is a unique festival that not only embodies film, but also music, mexican spirits, and surf.
The 2015 festival featured over 60 films, Dirty Heads and KONGOS headlined musical events, featured tequila, mezcal and wines from all over Mexico, and hosted the Mexi Logfest; the largest longboard competition in Latin American with a $10,000 purse.

Website is http://www.festivalsayulita.com Dates for 2016 are tentatively January 13-17th, 2016.

Matthew Toffolo inteviews Co-Organizer Storm Richardson:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Storm: The goal of our event is to bring in out side culture to our incredibly diverse little town of 5,000 people. At the same time, Festival Sayulita is a non-profit with the goal of building a new world class cultural center for our community.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception until your upcoming 2016 festival?

Storm: We’ve been through 2 festivals so far and have seen major growth. We actually doubled the number of submissions received as well as films screened from our first year to our second. Our music selection for our second year was off the charts and we put on an amazing concert. The surf section of Festival Sayulita evolved from a community event to a major world class surf competition thatnks to our friend and neighbor Israel Preciado who brought in pro’s from all over the world.

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

Storm: We have limited screen time in Sayulita, as we don’t have an indoor space to showcase films, so everything has to be screened outdoors at night. In 2016 we’re hoping to show about 60 films, and if we can create another venue to screen films then we will hopefully screen more.

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

Storm: 2016 is going to be the crucible year for our festival. The event is still in the early planning stages, but we can certainly expect the same format as 2015, with hopefully more music this year.

Matthew: Is there going to be an overall theme for the 2016 festival?

Storm: Our overall theme for the festival in the past has been to blend cultures, which is sort of a representation of our town.

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

Storm: In 4 years we hope to have our own venue to have several events a year. We hope that the Mexico government will get behind our festival and support our event in the way they support Guadalajara, Morelia, etc. We’ve already been so successful in our first two years, it’s hard to imagine what will be in store for Sayulita in 5 years.

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

Storm: Our film scene is non-existent. Occasionally we’ll screen old films on the beach, but it’s rare. We have no theater to screen films. There are major upsides to where we live, our community is an amazing unique group of people, but one of the downsides is our only access to films is Netflix.

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

Storm: If I had to guess it would probably be Blade Runner, the directors cut.

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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.

Interview with Larry Laboe, Executive Director, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA)

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Founded in 2007, the non-profit 501(c)3 organization NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) has established itself as a strong gathering place for cinema with over 60,000 subscribers in the Los Angeles community, screening 950+ films from over 57 countries. In addition to fostering the advancement of emerging filmmakers and our members in Los Angeles, NFMLA’s objective is to promote the cultural advancement of filmmaking.

http://www.newfilmmakersla.com/

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Larry Laboe, Executive Director

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Larry: To help filmmakers connect with audiences and industry professionals.

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

Larry: The festival has grown to offer more opportunities for our selected filmmakers. Some of these opportunities include first-look distribution from ShortsHD / Shorts International, TV4 Entertainment, Seed & Spark, NUVOtv and a chance to be nominated for the FOX Global Directors / FOX Global Writers programs.

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

Larry: We showcase approximately 200 films annually.

Matthew: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Festival?

Larry: Some of the best indie films from around the world!

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

Larry: All of our programs are very diversified, so we generally do not theme our programs, though this year we will offer some thematic programs focusing on minority filmmakers.

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

Larry: Continually growing and perhaps expanding into other cities.

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

Larry: LA is the mecca of indie filmmaking. We’re very excited to be part of a city that includes talented filmmakers, writers, producers, actors and more. LA offers some of the very best, while still highlighting international cinema and filmmakers.

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

Larry: I like to focus on indie films. I have many favorites….too many to choose just one!

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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.

Interview with Anthony Dowling, Director of the North Carolina Film Awards

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The North Carolina Film Awards is not a festival but the honor of recognition of quality filmmaking for the winners.

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Artistic Director Anthony Dowling:

Matthew: What is the goal of the Film Awards?

Anthony: The Mission of the North Carolina Film Awards is to strengthen the independent film, television and video industry. The NCFA shall identify and recognize an array of talented filmmakers and their movies from across the state, region and nation. Features and shorts, are welcome at the North Carolina Film Awards, bringing in the widest array of artists from different disciplines.

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

Anthony: The North Carolina Film Festival started in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the mid 1970s. By 1979, a departure of the founding members created an opportunity for the Festival to run under the auspicious of the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh until the mid 1980s. In 1995 through 1997, the North Carolina Film and Video Festival was its successor. The North Carolina Film and Video Festival carried on the work of the original North Carolina Film Festival in one hugely important sense that gave it a very clear identity nationally and internationally: It was the nation’s ONLY festival (and juried competition) devoted to the filmmakers of a single state. In 2010, The North Carolina Film Awards revives the efforts of the original North Carolina Film Festival, staged in the late 1970s and early ’80s, and its successor, the North Carolina Film and Video Festival, 1995-97 with an up to date technological advantage. The North Carolina Film Awards focuses on the honor of recognizing quality work by industry winners in filmmaking instead of a festival – venue event.

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

Anthony: Our last season saw 27 entries and 25 winners. We had submissions from the United States, Sweden, Taiwan, Italy, Canada and Greece.

Matthew Toffolo: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to except for the 2015 Awards?

Anthony: The Staff and Judges of NCFA look forward to a very sustainable event. We expect NCFA to grow by 20% each year until it gets to a level where both the Staff and Judges deem it just the right size of submissions. The structure of the program is such that as Judges and Staff see opportunities for improvement, we will implement them. We would look at our state of affairs in 2020 and make serious decisions at that time. Ultimately, we would like to see an actual film festival conducted in Raleigh, NC in the next 10 years.

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

Anthony: No. We will market the event a bit more, but no overall theme.

Matthew Toffolo: Where do you see your film awards in 5 years?

Anthony: Fairly large with a good reputation in the festival circuit. We value our reputation now, and want to keep it and grow it into a serious player in the independent movie industry.

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

Anthony: Raleigh has had several small film festivals. Nearby Durham, NC has the Full Frame International Documentary Film Festival which is awesome!! Additionally there is Cucalorus Film Festival in Wilmington, NC and RiverRun International Film Festival; both of which are excellent venues and have excellent participation.

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

Anthony: ET and Close Encounters of the Third Kind are in a dead heat.

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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.

Interview with Festival Director of the Hamilton Film Festival

festreviews Festival Interview , , ,

Interview with Nathan Fleet, Festival Director:

Filmmaker / Composer Nathan Fleet has been running the Hamilton Film Festival for 8 years out of the historic Staircase Theatre in Hamilton On, Canada.

With an emphasis on local, the Hamilton Film Festival has grown into an internationally recognized festival receiving entries from over 40 countries.

10th Annual Hamilton Film Festival
Nov 2 – 8th 2015
http://www.HamiltonFilmFestival.com
@HamiltonFilm

Matthew Toffolo interviews Nathan Fleet:

Matthew Toffolo: Why is the city of Hamilton the perfect fit for what you’re showcasing at the festival?

Nathan: The art scene in Hamilton is booming in many ways and people are looking for alternates from the traditional or popular multiplex screenings. The Hamilton Film Festival offers people a chance to see some amazing films that were made by local filmmakers as well as seeing some international gems that they would otherwise never hear about.

MT: What is the goal of your film festival?

Nathan: Our goal is, and has always been, very simple. Show great films.

MT: How has the festival changed since is began until now?

Nathan: Originally, we only screened local submissions but as word spread, we started getting national and international entries. Once we started accepting online, our submissions quadrupled. We also started in a single theatre and last year we expanded to four.

MT: How many films are you showcasing at your Film Festival this year in how many days?

Nathan: In 2014 we screened 149 films over 7 days in 4 theatres. Many of those films were shorts and we screened about 14 feature length.

MT: Can you give us a sneak peak of what to expect for the 2015 Festival?

Nathan: In 2015, our 10th anniversary, we want to honour our alumni and host a few “best of” screenings leading up to the festival. As for the festival itself, if it isn’t broke… We want to make changes slowly and as needed. We are confident that our programming and atmosphere will always be the main draw of the festival.

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

Nathan: The overall theme will be a celebration of our 10th year with a spotlight on the great filmmakers that helped us get there. Remembering our roots.

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

Nathan: I do see us expanding into a multi theatre, cross city festival. While we have primarily existed in the downtown area, we want to earn the “Hamilton” in our title and bring films to all communities in this growing city

MT: What’s the current status of the Film Scene in Hamilton?

Nathan: The film scene is vibrant and growing but isn’t without it’s struggles and barriers. While we have some incredible talent, there aren’t a lot of jobs for them within the city. Hamilton has been a working town in the past and that holds true today. The work doesn’t just come to you, you have to work to get it.

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

Nathan: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977 version) Easily in the 200 times mark. Once VHS came into my life, it was on constant repeat.

MT: What else are you passionate about besides running this festival?

Nathan: My main passion and career is in music (teaching, composing for film & tv) and the festival was just a side project. Now I am balancing the two. I also make a movie once every few years. I do love cinema. After administering 560 films, selecting 149 of them, projecting about 130 of them, I went to the library and borrowed some movies. I’m a Cinemaniac.

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Matthew Toffolo, Interviewer BIO

Matthew Toffolo is the current CEO of the WILDsound Film and Writing Festival (www.wildsound.ca). He had worked for the organization since its inception in 2007 serving as the Short Film Festival’s moderator during the Audience Feedback sessions.

Filmmaker of over 20 short films and TV episodes. Took over full reins of the WILDsound Festival in May 2013. From then to the end of 2014, he’s presented over 90 movies at the monthly FEEDBACK Film Festival in Toronto, plus has had over 60 screenplays and stories performed by professional actors at the bi-monthly Writing Festival.