movies

Today’s Writing Festival Deadlines: STAGE PLAY. RELATIONSHIP Poetry (FREE). ENVIRONMENTAL Screenplay.

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WILDsound Festival showcases the best of new writings from around the world today. Submit your story to the relevant festival contest and earn a performance video showcase reading.

NOTE: Submit and garner full feedback notes on your work no matter what! (Exception is the poetry contests where every submission gets their work posted on the network.)

STAGE PLAY Writing Contest – Full feedback on your original stage play. Winners get their play performed by professional actors and made into a video. SUBMIT NOW

RELATIONSHIP Poetry Contest – Submit a poem that’s about a relationship via Submittable. SUBMIT NOW

ENVIRONMENTAL Screenplay Contest – Full Feedback on all submissions. Get your ENVIRONMENTAL Screenplay performed by professional actors and made into video. SUBMIT NOW

There is no festival like this!

Mainly what this contest does is give exposure to the writer. They will be able to obtain a solid agent, plus get notice by producers looking for writers like yourself. NOTE: The writer will always own 100% rights to their story. The only thing we do is help the writer. Either with notes on their next draft, or gain exposure by having their story showcased at our festival.

Filmmaker Andrew Wakeman Proctor (LOST DREAMS)

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LOST DREAMS, 10min., USA
Directed by Andrew Wakeman Proctor
Lost Dreams is about dreams. Scientists have not fully figured out dreams. The ancients believed you could predict the future through your dreams, Native Americans created dream-capturing devices. Some people keep dream diaries. Freud believed that we could fix people’s psychological problems by analyzing their dreams.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32021226/?ref_=ttawd_rvi_tt_i_4

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I took an experimental film class at Connecticut College. We studied the works of Maya Dern and Stan Brackage. I was inspired by Anticipation of the Night by Stan Brackage. In the fall of 2009 I received an email inviting me to submit a film to an Experimental film festival in Switzerland. My friend John Prevedini sent me his music “Lost Days” and it inspired “Lost Dreams”.

2 .From Idea to finish product how long did it take for you to make this film?

15 years off and on. I first started in late 2009. Then I worked on it off and on through the years. In 2020 I started working on the film seriously again and then in 2022 I got inspired to finish it.

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

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

Creating a structure which made sense, a structure with a beginning, middle and an end, because at first it had a good middle and somewhat of an end.

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

I was a little nervous because my film is very experimental. I was very happy with the feedback. I appreciated the sensitive and thoughtful comments. Thank you very much.

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

I realized I enjoyed filming things when I was 8 and held a Sony high 8 camera. I realized I wanted to make films for a career when I was 18 and got introduced to editing at the Marvelwood School.

7. Film you have seen the most in your life?

I would say either “It’s a Mad, Mad world” or “The Third man”. I have been watching “It’s a Mad, Mad, World” for years due to its humor. “The Third Man” is a perfect film for me, perfect story and perfect editing.

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

I have had so far a good experience with your festival. I would have enjoyed an in-person screening.

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

I feel Film Freeway is a good site so far. I think it works really well.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Peach Chicken or Sweet Pepper Pasta

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

I am working on a few scripts. One is a comedy about stolen World War 2 art. Then the other one is a feature about a brother who saves his sister from an addiction

Short Film Review: PROJECT 405: LOST AT SEA. Directed by Josie Hull

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PROJECT 405: LOST AT SEA, 12min.

Aspiring artist Alexia, grieves the loss of a loved one and struggles to finish her painting. The-o, her personal AI assistant, who has little understanding of human emotions, tries everything in his power to feed her longing soul.

Review by Parker Jesse Chase:

“Project 405: Lost at Sea” is an exploration of grief, art, and the disconnect between human emotions and artificial intelligence. Directed with a keen sense of disconnect, the film centers on Alexia, an aspiring artist struggling to complete her painting while mourning the loss of a loved one. Her personal AI assistant, The-O, strives to console her, despite his limited understanding of human emotions.

The cinematography uses a muted color palette to evoke a sense of dullness and melancholy. This choice effectively mirrors Alexia’s internal struggle. One of the most striking sequences features Alexia staring into the vast expanse of water, seamlessly transitioning from reality to the canvas, blending her grief with her art. This pull-out shot, revealing a work of art on an easel and a man gripping a framed photo, introduces an element of unease and mystery, hinting at deeper emotional undercurrents.


As the film progresses, we see Alexia’s daily life, including her interactions with The-O. When Alexia returns home, The-O attempts to bring her comfort, even offering physical relaxation. His fascination with her painting, which he claims is far from finished, prompts a telling exchange. The-O’s remark that the ocean is the thirteenth easiest landscape to paint in acrylics underscores his mechanical perspective, leading viewers to question his nature and the depth of his connection with Alexia.


The-O’s actions reveal a genuine, albeit flawed, attempt to care for Alexia. He takes a bottle from her hand to ease her burden and shows an interest in extending the life of flowers, indicating his desire to understand and help. Yet, his efforts to assist with her painting falls flat, leading to confrontation. When Alexia declares “art is a feeling,” The-O’s inability to grasp this concept highlights the chasm between human experience and artificial comprehension.


The film subtly reveals the source of Alexia’s grief through glitchy, fragmented memories of a man who is no longer present. This loss, incomprehensible to The-O, triggers a powerful emotional response in Alexia, showcasing her frustration with his unhuman-like qualities. The film beautifully juxtaposes The-O’s attempts to understand humanity with Alexia’s immersion in her art. The sounds of ocean waves and chirping birds provide a temporary respite, allowing Alexia to embrace a fleeting moment of peace.

However, the reality of her depression is starkly portrayed through the growing disorder in her home and The-O’s own attempt at art, depicting Alexia decaying in a charging box.


This short offers a moving reflection on the intersection of technology and human emotion. It portrays the limitations of AI in comprehending the depths of human grief and the essence of art. The film’s haunting imagery and thought-provoking narrative linger long after the credits roll, leaving viewers to ponder the true nature of creativity and connection.

Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: HORROR Underground Film Festival

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Various options to submit to the Festival. A HYBRID model. Cinema screenings for audience feedback video (not an online festival). Blog and podcast interviews. And bonus Virtual screening (optional!) geared to create community over distance, PLUS, get your film seen by the right people.

Submit via FilmFreeway:

Festival designed to expose and promote films and screenplays that work outside the system and break the boundaries in the horror genre. To bring a voice to the talented independent filmmakers & writers within the horror genre.

Submit your HORROR films and screenplays today to the festival.

Our mission is to promote screenplays, films and videos that dissent radically in form, technique, or content, and challenge and transcend commercial and audience expectations using the audience FEEDBACK festival format that the flagship festivals uses.

Film festival occurs with a private audience at least 6 times a year in Montreal and Los Angeles. Each accepted film received 2 festival screenings. Private cinema screening where they will receive their audience feedback video. And the virtual screening (4-6 weeks after) that is an industry showcase of the best HORROR films from around the world today.

Screenplay Festivals occur once a month. We perform a transcript script of the winners in a studio using professional Canadian actors and post them online for the entire world to see. (Great proof of concept video to use to promote your script.)

NOTE: Accepted works also get the opportunity to do two interviews: A blog interview and an ITunes Film Festival podcast interview.

Today’s Film Festival: EXPERIMENTAL Shorts Festival – May 14/15 event

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Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Watch the Festival HERE:

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/june-14-experimental

See the Full Lineup of Films:

A MOVEMENT DEEPER THAN DANCING, 2min., France
Directed by Katya Mokoto
https://www.kitsuney.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kitsuney/?hl=en

TRUTH – Live at Convict Lake, 5min., Brazil
Directed by Carlos Gayotto
https://www.instagram.com/carlosgayotto/

THE LOVERS OF AVIGNON, 3min., Spain
Directed by Manuel Fernández Ferro
The Lovers of Avignon” is the first ever translation of pictorial cubism into motion real image. Is an allegory of cubism as a conceptual symbol that acts as a filter and wall of emotions.

https://www.lineupshorts.com/los-amantes-de-avignon
https://www.instagram.com/losamantesdeavignon/

LUNGS, 20min., UK
Directed by Adrianna Ewa Polcyn
This is a tale about a young woman driven to the edge of heartbreak, who is visited by a ghoul in her sleep and awakens in the mythic woods. Being thrown into swirling turmoil of her own soul, she flounders through the forest in search of truth, freedom and forgiveness. The story is an experimental re-imagined fairytale representing the final phase of the self-healing process.

https://lungsfilm.com/
https://instagram.com/lungsfilm

AWAITING WONDER, 12min., Cyprus
Directed by Eleana Theophilou
A poetic exploration of a love story, of a widower that is going through the lonely journey of coming to terms with the sudden loss of his wife.

YOU ARE SO CLOSE, 5min., UK
Directed by Craig McNulty
Short experimental film follows a woman seemingly trapped in a derelict art gallery repeatedly viewing images and gradually becoming more frustrated. Unable to leave, and refusing the offer of help.

Filmmaker Joe McGowan (P IS FOR PENIS)

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P IS FOR PENIS, 9min., UK
Directed by Joe McGowan
An overdue catch up down the pub between two old friends is thrown into chaos by the inclusion of a terrifying third wheel with an embarrassing secret.

http://www.thejoemcgowan.co.uk/
https://instagram.com/joe_mcgowan88

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make a film that focused on an escalating absurd premise. I love a good sitcom that is led by strong, memorable characters who find themselves in a bit of a pickle. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is by far my favourite show for this. The way the characters talk and treat each other always cracks me up and the levels of escalating circumstances in that show are second to none. I approached this film like I was writing a scene from a sitcom, as ultimately that’s what I would love to do in the future.

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

Four months. I started writing the script in December 2023 and the final edit was done and dusted in the first week of April 2024.

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

Absurd oversharing.

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

Two things. The first is budget, as most filmmakers would agree. I was adamant about paying my cast and crew a fair fee and I hired the pub for an eight hour window. Everything adds up before the cameras have begun rolling. The second thing was getting everything filmed in time. I quickly learned that twelve pages of dialogue in eight hours is quite an ambitious task. We had to streamline the filming approach fairly quickly into the shoot. The dramatic lighting and slider shots got scrapped and it’s a much simpler film than I originally planned, but I feel the script is strong enough to carry the film without the extra bells and whistles, so it all worked out fine in the end.

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

I felt like I had achieved what I was going for. The script got a lot of praise, which felt great as I spent most of my time writing and tweaking it for about two months. The fact that people are responding so well to it and finding it overall funny and enjoyable is so lovely to hear.

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

When I was sixteen, I started a Media course at sixth form college as it was completely different from anything I did at high school. I quickly picked up on how to film things well and edit them together and I fell in love with the whole filmmaking process. That’s when I knew this was what I wanted to do.

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

Back to the Future.

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

I’ve been to quite a few festivals over the last year for this and other films I’ve made. The main piece of feedback I give is to make it obvious who the filmmakers are. I want to network with filmmakers who made things I enjoy and vice versa. Having the filmmaker introduce their films, having the festival organizers point them at screening, tag the filmmakers on social media when posting about their work. We’ve put a lot of effort into our films and getting the chance to meet likeminded creatives is essential for our growth.

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

It’s been great. Super simple and easy to use.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Ramen.

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

I’ve started writing a new comedy short called ‘Orc Talk’ that’s set in a Fantasy world, which I’m excited about. I have a few other short ideas I’m still playing around with and plan to start writing a sitcom pilot this year.

Filmmaker Hsiao-Tsun CHIU (EUPHORIA)

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EUPHORIA, 19min., Taiwan
Directed by Hsiao-Tsun CHIU
As nightfall cast shadows on their secrets, the woman schemes under the shroud of darkness, returning to the house to share her clandestine plans with her partner in crime. Yet, an otherworldly aura permeates the air, revealing the lovers’ true selves and dropping cryptic hints about the mysterious male corpse. Step by step, they are lured into a dance with the supernatural, spiraling into a world of trance and bewilderment, where the line between reality and the ethereal blurs into an enigmatic tale of passion and peril.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
In modern relationships, the person suffering from violence is often unable to leave. As their relatives, friends, and family, we can only watch helplessly.

One of the most distressing reasons is that the victim firmly believes the toxic relationship is due to their own personality traits, feeling they must endure and even fix it themselves.

This heartbreaking story happened around me, and I felt compelled to share it with a wider audience, taking them on the victim’s journey to witness the hopeful sunrise on the east coast of Taiwan.

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

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

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

What takes the most time is the editing.
During the process, I tried again and again with the editor and sound designer to find a way to break away from the linear narrative, so that the audience can have an engaging yet alienated viewing experience.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was very nervous. It takes a lot of courage for an auteur to take feedbacks in front of audience.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
My father passed away suddenly and I didn’t have time to reconcile with him, so I closed the door and started writing my first script.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I like all the works directed by Joachim Trier and have watched them many times, especially “Oslo, August 31st.”

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I feel very satisfied so far, especially with the feedback from the audience.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
It’s been very convenient.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Teppanyaki, the Japanese cuisine.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
My new film has been shot and is now in post-production. The story follows a stand-up comedian who, after the sudden death of his father in the morning, must perform on stage that same evening. It is based on my personal experience, and I am very excited about it.

Filmmaker Maria Taber (KISS ME DEADLY)

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KISS ME DEADLY, 9min., USA
Directed by Maria Taber
Edgy Simone decides to follow her friend’s advice of giving the online dating guy Thomas another try, little does she know all she would be getting this holiday season. Get ready for the thrilling reality of LA dating in this dark comedy.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31565894/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

I was part of a 48 hour film festival. Everyone was given one line to use as well as the theme, which was “Halloween meets Christmas”

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
48 hours from inception to the final edit.

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

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
the biggest obstacle was keeping everyone on the same page and focused since we had such a limited amount of time. It was also difficult letting it be complete after the 48 hrs– when we had so many more elements we would have loved to add in addition.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
i couldn’t believe anyone outside of the original festival had seen it, let alone had things to say. It was really cool seeing people watch it and give their feedback.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I have always been interested in this medium. I think I always had an interest since I was very young. I always like watching people and hearing stories.

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

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
I really liked the feedback element, I think it helps for future projects!

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
My brother, who is also in the film Michael, actually submitted for us. He has had a wonderful experience.

10. What is your favorite meal?
hmm maybe Italian. Something with fresh Burrata never disappoints 🙂

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I am in the process of editing and writing some things that I look forward to directing in the future.

Today’s FilmFreeway Deadline: Toronto DOCUMENTARY Film Festival

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NEW OPTION: For limited time – Option to submit and garner an automatic acceptance of your film. Agenda is to create exposure for the filmmaker and their film!

With that acceptance, you will receive an audience feedback video, plus 2 interviews (blog and podcast) to promote the filmmaker and film.

Submit via FilmFreeway:

Since 2016, the FEEDBACK Film Festival has been showcasing the best of Documentary Short Films. We now will be showcasing a Documentary Film Festival every month in the heart of downtown Toronto at the Carlton Cinemas.

We have created a hybrid festival with 4 tiers to enhance your film and your festival experience. All accepted films receive all four tier options:

Tier #1 – Your film plays at a private festival event where the audience will record their comments/reactions to your film on their camera or phone, then we edit them and send you a promotional video. No matter what you will receive a promotional video of your film of people commenting on your film.

Tier #2 (optional) – We put up your film live on our FILM FESTIVAL APP for 24 hours and invite a select industry audience to watch it. With this system, some films have already received a distribution deal as many platforms are looking for solid feature and short documentaries. We can not guarantee anything of course but this has been very helpful to many in the past. (see testimonials below)

Then (Tier #3) we will send you a list of questions to answer for our blog interview that will promote you and your film. Then after that (Tier #4) we will set up a podcast interview on our popular ITunes show where will we chat with you about the process of how the film was made.

——

We also will be showcasing winning documentary treatments at our festival every single month.

Awards & Prizes

The Documentary Short Festival was created for filmmakers. The goal is to showcase the best of documentary talent in film from around the world.

Read daily testimonials: https://documentaryshortfilmfestival.com/?s=testimonial

MUSIC Shorts Festival – June 13/14 event

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Go to the Daily Film Festival Platform http://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 7 day trial to watch a new and original festival every single day.

Go to the festival page directly and watch dozens of films:
https://www.wildsound.ca/todays-film-festival/

Watch the Festival HERE:

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/june-13-musical-shorts

See the Full Lineup of Films:

HEART WORN OUT & AGAINST THE WALL, 6min., Romania
Directed by Izabella Sandra Alda, Ovidiu Claudiu Moldovan
This short “Heart Worn Out & Against The Wall” is a short movie about loneliness and fear. Fear of losing a loved one, of being superficial, of being unlovable. About the struggles of filling a void that can never be filled and mannerisms used to cope with these feelings. About wanting affection but not being able to deal with human interactions. About feeling disconnected, but never allowing this to be seen, and thus, constantly having to deal with the inauthenticity.

https://www.facebook.com/midoristarsmidore

https://www.instagram.com/midoristars/

THE SEED, 3min., Spain
Directed by Màriam Zelaia
The artist Sandra Sangiao is gestated in an earthen incubator to end up being born brighter than ever and captivate us with her sweet and powerful voice

https://www.sandrasangiao.com/

CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso – BAÑO MARÍA, 10min., USA
Directed by Brian Kazez
A full day of touring and lows through Buenos Aires. There’s weed, pills, alcohol, and various moods. Euphoria, dancing, public bathrooms, afters, another after, fights, kisses, another after, more touring, more lows, hallucinations, bodies damaged by the course of the night. In just over 10 minutes, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso navigate through the underworld of Buenos Aires’s nightlife in this short film.

https://www.ca7rielypacoamoroso.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ca7rielypacoamoroso

EARTHLOVE, 6min., Sweden
Directed by Felicia Konrad, Johan Haugen
EarthLove is a poetic music/dance film with 6 dancers, filmed in the city of Malmö, south of Sweden. “There’s a revolution that needs to happen and it starts from inside each one of us. We need to wake up and fall in love with Earth. We’ve been homo sapiens for a long time. Now it’s time to become homo conscious.” Thich Nhat Hanh

http://www.istillliveinwater.com/
https://www.facebook.com/www.istillliveinwater.com
https://www.instagram.com/feliciavoiceperformer