matthew toffolo

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 Chris Aitken, Creative Director Short Com

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Short Com is a short comedy film programme that has toured throughout the UK, playing in cities such as Manchester, Bristol, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Short Com supports the best in new independent comedy filmmaking talent and the suicide prevention charities CALM and SAMH.

Our very homemade website can be found at http://www.shortcom.co.uk

Matthew Toffolo interviews creative director Chris Aitken:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Chris: Well there are a few. The long term aim is to become the primary and most well respected comedy film festival, I’m hoping to expand it so that it becomes an international feature and short film festival during the Edinburgh August Festivals. It’s a crazy time of year but I think most visitors and residents will welcome a film festival back at this time. And it might attract back visitors who stopped coming to the festival when the Edinburgh International Film Festival moved outside of August. I think comedy is a vastly under appreciated art form and many films fall victim to the snobbery of major film festivals. Ideally I’d like to think the festival I hope to run in the future will give films a badge of appreciation. The other goal is to try and improve the productivity of Scottish comedy filmmaking, via running networking and work shop activities.

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

Chris: My principals have largely been the same. We pick content over production value. We very much value the spirit of independence, or DIY. Independent is a slightly loose and undefined term, I’ve yet to narrow it down myself. I think it’s a bit unfair to have films in a selection put up against a film that’s been giving a big budget from a national arts funding body for example, so I sometimes tend to overlook them. We also support the mental health charities CALM and SAMH via giving our profits from the screenings or voluntary donations to them. But it’s changed quite a bit, apart from the website, which I know is pretty crap, I made it, but hoping to solve that at some point. We now charge for submissions, before it used to be voluntary but it wasn’t very sustainable and now people can submit to us on online platforms such as Filmfreeway and Festhome. That’s seen a big increase in international submissions, which I hope to expand upon. We also try our best to give feedback to those who were unsuccessful in being selected, so they at least get something for the money they paid for. We now have prizes for some of the awards, Blackmagicdesign have been really awesome in donating some technology to us as prizes.

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

Chris: It’s around 25, some films feature in other programmes.

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

Chris: This is the point I wish I had a trailer but unfortunately my regular volunteer who put together last year’s trailer has a pretty demanding job. You can see a trailer for our last year’s selection that will give you a bit of an idea of what we show. http://shortcom.co.uk/Shortcom/Home.html I think this year’s programme might surpass last year’s, which would be a bit of a feat. This is also the first time we are running an animation programme and international programme. We’ve got Greg Hemphill hosting this year’s best of screening. Greg is a bit of a comedy legend in Scotland, particularly to me as he co-created one of my favourite ever sitcoms, Still Game. So delighted to have him on board. The screening at the Glasgow Short Film Festival last year was our biggest ever turnout and I think this year it can be bigger.

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

Chris: No. I tend to find themes, although good for narrowing things down and focus, can make it difficult for filmmakers to submit their films. All I want from a film is it’s ability to make an audience laugh or smile.

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

Chris: I think I want to run a bi-annual festival, one in Edinburgh during the Fringe and one during the GSFF in March. But we’ll wait and see.

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

Chris: Well I now live in London as it’s a lot better for me as a screenwriter to get stuff made and have meetings etc. So the film scene is pretty good for me anyway. The Scottish film scene to be brutally honest is has not been at it’s best for sometime. There are a lot of reasons for this but it’s a whole essay I’d have to write plus it’s best I don’t upset people.

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

Chris: Probably Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I watched it countless times for my dissertation, but also because it’s an utter masterpiece and one of my favourite films of all time.

Interview with Cristina Harris, Co-Founder of the People For Peace Film Festival

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Jennifer King of Mythology Films and Cristina Harris of Cristina Harris Casting are the Co Founders and Co Directors of the People for Peace Film Festival. The inaugural festival screening evening is Saturday 21 February, 2015.

People For Peace Film Festival has been created in order to provide a counter to the negatively focused media we are bombarded with on such a huge scale in our daily life. Celebrate filmmakers who celebrate the goodness in life, ourselves and others.

They are not here to re-hash the tired old concept of peace being the absence of war, selected films demonstrate a positive transformation or message and sometimes that is merely a glimpse of a light at the end of a long dark personal tunnel. The festival is not connected to any religion as we believe peace is for all regardless of race, gender, geographical location or belief system. They are open to film entires of all lengths and genres including animation, documentary, fiction and digital art.

Tickets on sale now through our website: http://peopleforpeacefilmfestival.com/

Matthew Toffolo Interviewss Co-Founder Christina Harris:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Cristina: Our goal @ People for Peace Film Festival is to offer an alternative platform for film makers to create films that promote peace in a new way.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since your original idea to start the festival until your upcoming 2015 festival?

Cristina: Our festival will be showcasing brilliant films from around the world for the first time on February the 21st 2015 at a stunning venue in Paddington Sydney. Within 3 years we plan to be showcasing films in all states and within 5 years our aim is to go international.

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

Cristina: We will be celebrating 7 films at the upcoming awards.

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

Cristina: There will be 4 award categories and 3 special mentions.

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

Cristina: The overall theme of People for Peace Film Festival is Peace, pure and simple. How do we do it? We ask each and every film maker who submits a film, documentary, animation or student entry to make their theme and or outcome about Peace.

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

Cristina: We see our festival going from strength to strength. Why? Firstly no other film festival in Australia is doing what we are doing. We encourage the Peace process and we encourage film makers to think about Peace and weave it into their art through theme and or outcome. In 5 years we will be showing simultaneously around the globe.

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

Cristina: We are based in Syney and as the largest city in Australia the status of the film scene is very healthy and continues to grow.

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

Cristina: Grease, The Sound of Music and a more grown up film The Commitments by Alan Parker.

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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 Jamal Blair, Global Revolution Film Festival Coordinator

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2015 will mark inauguration of the 1st annual Global Revolution Film festival. The idea for the festival came about after founder and coordinator Jamal Blair had spent much of 2014 Promoting and screening his sci-fi feature “Forgotten Kingdom” at various festivals. During this time came in contact with other “fantasy” filmmakers, and through their discussions; he realized how very often Sci-fi and Fantasy films we’re not accepted into mainstream festivals.

Jamal decided to create a festival that would help give Sci-Fi and Fantasy filmmakers the recognition they deserved. The festival is slated to run Aug. 27-30:

https://filmfreeway.com/festival/RevolutionFilmFestival
http://tutmis.wix.com/revolutionfest

Matthew Toffolo interviews Jamal Blair:

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Jamal: Originally I wanted to make a festival that promoted the sci-fi and fantasy films of women and Afro and Latino filmmakers.

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

Jamal: Right of the bat the festival took on it’s own life, The majority of the films we have received are not sci-fi based at all. A lot of the films are about struggle and injustice in one form or another; I guess the festivals title attracted a different audience then I originally had expected to cater to haha! But I am enjoying the change it’s organic so I’m not fighting it, I’m just letting the festival go in the direction that it naturally seems to be heading. the films that we have received are very powerful and emotional, some lash out against various wrongs in society; while others explore relationships between two people. Also we have received projects literally from all over the world. films from Australia, Taiwan, Iran, India, France, Canada, England, it has truly become a global festival oh yeah and new York has submitted a couple of films too.

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

Jamal: It’s going to be a juggling act, this being our first year we’re not looking to overdue things. but our aim is to show about 6 features and around 20 shorts.

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

Jamal: Oh just expect the unexpected! We want this thing to feel like mardi gras, it’s going to be a party it’s a celebration, all these artist have worked hard on their films this is our time to give them all a pat on the back and say great job! Nothing at this festival is going to be run of the mill, and I mean that down to the awards just wait till you see our gift for winner of “Best of the fest” all I can say is that the person is going to look like a true champ. And the closing night party is something you are not going to want to miss; you think they party at Sundance? well get ready!

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

Jamal: Unity, and that theme really picked itself. When you have films coming in from various corners of the globe and so many of them are speaking about the same issues troubling people everywhere. Unity is the answer.

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

Jamal: 5 years wow that’s tricky, I hope we keep growing. right now we are focusing on bringing attention to new artist, But in the near future I want to help them even more. By next years festival I want us to be able to offer some form of film distribution to festival winners, and the following year possible grants to filmmakers. so by year 5 that’s anyone’s guess.

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

Jamal: Whoa this answer may have a few people forming angry mobs after me haha! But to be honest this is new York, we’re looked at as a huge entertainment area, we’re home to some brilliant artists. But to be honest film wise things feel very stale, very dull and it’s time someone shook things up a little. you know we need that “Pulp fiction” or “400 blows” or “Do the right thing” for today, but I guess that’s not just a problem for New York cinema is it?

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

Jamal: You know I’m really not sure, there are so many films that I love and just keep watching and never get tired of, I cant tell you how many times I’ve seen “The Crow” or “To sir with love” two vastly different films but they’re both two of my all time favorites! Back when I was about 13 I’d probably seen the original “Ghostbusters” about 13 times so I really don’t know the answer to that question!

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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 Kelly Michael Stewart, Festival Director for Blood in the Snow Canadian Film Festival

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A weekend long festival celebrating the best in contemporary Canadian horror filmmaking.

http://bloodinthesnow.ca/

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Artistic Director Kelly Michael Stewart:

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

Kelly: In many ways I don’t think Blood in the Snow (BITS) could have happened in any other city. We have a thriving festival culture in Toronto with over 70 festivals in the city including of course TIFF.

The film scene here is very collaborative and filmmakers really do like to help each other here. I’ve been told from filmmakers from other regions that that don’t get along the way that Toronto filmmakers tend to do. It can be competitive but its rarely done in a backstabbing way here. Part of BITS success comes from the other filmmakers plugging and supporting the films playing at the festival, so in a way I wouldn’t want to do the festival in any other city.

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Kelly: To highlight the best in Canadian contemporary horror genre films for the fans. For the filmmakers, our goal is to give them an ideal place to launch their films. I’ve always said that premiering your film is like your wedding day or giving birth to your child and you only have one chance to get it right. So our job as festival organizers is to throw them one hell of party for them.

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

Kelly: We originally had it at rep cinema in the east end but for the past couple of years we have had it at Carlton, which is ideal for us because it is very central in the city and has large lobby for us to have a vendor village and availability to add additional screenings if we need them. Also our team has grown significantly since its inception in 2012. In our first year I basically put the whole thing together and had a few volunteers helping out. Now we have a staff of 10 along with another 15 volunteers. So it has grown into a fairly large operation.

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

Kelly: As I write this, we haven’t announced our 2015 dates yet but we usually have it over three days in late November and showcase about 8 features and 15 shorts.

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

Kelly: We experimented in 2014 in added an educational component with having a seminar for filmmakers. I’d like to expand that more in 2015. Our festival is very filmmaker focused and want to continue that emphasis.

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

Kelly: We don’t really have a theme for our festival each year. It really is just about getting the best Canadian films to show on screen and put on an amazing event for film fans in Toronto.

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

Kelly: I’d like the festival to be creditable cinematic institution in Canada. Somewhere where filmmakers can count on to launch their films and for audiences know that they are getting the best in brand new genre films. I think we are on our way to achieving that already but I hope that it continues on the path that it is on now.

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

Kelly: In a word; thriving.

Toronto gets the nickname “Hollywood North” for a reason with so many film productions being shot here. You certainly don’t make much money making films here but everyone seems to be working all the time and the films tend to find an audience which is good too.

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

Kelly: Most likely The Godfather.

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

Kelly: I’m also a film producer and writer. I have two film in circulation at the moment, a short called ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD that has played about 20 festivals so far and a new full length film called LATE NIGHT DOUBLE FEATURE that will be playing around the world in 2015. You can find out more info on them both at http://www.threeevilcats.com

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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 Wendy Markson, Founding Artistic Director for Breakthroughs Film Festival

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The Breakthroughs Film Festival is the only festival in Canada devoted exclusively to short films by New Generation (18-30) female artists. We showcase films from any and every genre made by talented young women from all over the world. The title ‘Breakthroughs’ refers to the struggles emerging women artists face in an industry where they make up only 6 percent of directors, and must, in many cases, work even harder than their male counterparts to make their voices heard.

The 2015 Breakthroughs Film Festival will be held June 5-6, 2015.

For more information, please contact us at wendy@breakthroughsfilmfestival.com, and check out our website: http://www.breakthroughsfilmfestival.com

Matthew Toffolo Interviews Founding Artistic Director Wendy Markson:

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

Wendy: Toronto is the 4th largest city in North America and one of the most multicultural cities in the world, allowing Breakthroughs to draw on a great diversity of emerging talent. As one of the main creative hubs in Canada and host of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the largest and most influential film festivals worldwide, Toronto is home to a great many established and aspiring filmmakers and always draws new talent. Toronto also houses three world-class universities and countless film college programs, which guarantees a never-ending stream of new young women emerging at various stages of their film careers. Providing filmmakers with access to a diverse and well-developed filmmaking community along with all the tools they need to develop their work, Toronto is the ideal location for a festival showcasing the work of female artists as they negotiate their positions in this traditionally male-dominated industry.

Matthew: What is the goal of your film festival?

Wendy: Breakthroughs works to provide New Generation women filmmakers with more clear opportunities by offering the only festival in Canada devoted solely to short films made by young women. By promoting submissions to our festival, we hope to encourage the work of young women who may feel challenged by the male domination of the industry, allowing them to see our festival as a stepping stone, or ‘breakthrough’, towards their future development and success as filmmakers. At the same time, we hope that attendance at the festival will raise awareness of the under-representation of women filmmakers, by showcasing to both the film and larger cultural communities the great value women bring to the table.

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

Wendy: Breakthroughs is only entering its 4th year, and has grown a little in size each year in the number of submissions received and attendance. In the last two years, we’ve also been fortunate to receive recognition and funding from the government of Ontario. While we previously accepted submissions from Canadian applicants only, for the first time in 2015 we are accepting submissions from the international community. As we are still in the early stages of growing our organization, the possibilities are endless! Currently, we are working towards partnering with other film festivals and cultural organizations to be able to more widely promote our unique offering to the local and international community.

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

Wendy: Between 15 and 20 films over 2 days.

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

Wendy: Each year, we select the most interesting films to screen, while aiming to showcase the great variety of talent women filmmakers bring to the industry. As in previous years, we will screen short films from a variety of genres — comedy, drama, documentary, animation, etc. This year, by opening the festival to applicants from around the world, we hope to add an international flair to the variety we’ve already been able to showcase.

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

Wendy: The overall theme of each year’s Breakthroughs Film Festival is simply, yet importantly, the inspiring talent New Generation women filmmakers are bringing to the industry.

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

Wendy: In 5 years, we would like to see Breakthroughs emerge as one of the go-to festivals in Toronto for New Generation female artists to develop and showcase their work, as well as for others in the film industry to discover new talent. We hope to achieve this by partnering with more widely-known festivals and cultural organizations, and by welcoming more high-profile Toronto film industry names onto our Board of Directors.

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

Wendy: Toronto is North America’s third largest screen-based production centre, thanks to world-class talent in every aspect of filmmaking. We are home to over 50 film festivals and counting! The Toronto film scene owes a lot to the huge success of TIFF, which in addition to its annual film festival, also acts year-round as a hub for film discovery and appreciation. Toronto is also huge in the documentary film scene with Hot Docs, the largest documentary festival in North America. Toronto’s vibrant film scene consistently draws a high volume and variety of talent from around the world, and it’s booming.

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

Wendy: My favorite childhood film was The Sound of Music, which I watched over and over again until I could not only sing all the songs, but even recite most of the dialogue from memory! Climb Every Mountain, sisters! Great message for young women. More recently, I’ve been watching and re-watching Samsara, a sort of global travelogue showcasing some of the most beautiful, and occasionally disturbing, real sites and scenes of our diverse world. It’s breathtaking.

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

Wendy: I’m passionate about mindful communication, authenticity, self-expression, and the diverse beauty of the human experience. And with all those ideals in mind, encouraging people to work together rather than against each other to build the kind of world we want to live in.

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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

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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.