Telling stories through film and conversation.
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WILDsound's The Film Podcast

In each episode, the C.E.O. of WILDsound, Matthew Toffolo, chats about all things storytelling and film. Conversations with talented individual from all around the world.

Posts in Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1179 - Filmmaker Ignatius Rake (‘SHE’S SO SPECTOR-ESQUE’)

ANDY KEYS CLARK – ‘SHE’S SO SPECTOR-ESQUE’, 4min., UK
Directed by Ignatius Rake
An animated tribute to legendary singer and 60s icon Ronnie Spector (1943-2022), this epic music video for UK soul and ska stalwart Andy Keys Clark (AKC) blasts Space-Race rocketry out to the furthest corners of the cosmos to help a lovestruck astronaut reconnect with his enigmatic lover.

https://www.ninjinart.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:

I had worked with Andy Keys Clark before on a couple of video projects, including a short musical film about the COVID-19 lockdowns, or ‘bang-ups’, in our hometown in Cornwall, UK. He was looking for a video for his song ‘She’s So Spector-Esque’ and I jumped at the chance when he asked me.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1178 - Filmmaker Fernando Alberto Broce (OJUE)

OJUE, 13min,. USA
Directed by Fernando Alberto Broce
A panamanian fashion designer living in the US, who is embarrassed about her culture, is forced to bring her dad with dementia (who is convinced that he is still in Panama) to her most important exhibition.

Get to know the filmmaker:

Since I moved to Los Angeles two years ago, I have felt a great nostalgia for my country, Panama. I wanted to tell a story whose characters would reflect this. I wanted to tell a story that would serve as a collage of the things I miss most about my country.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP 1177 - Filmmaker Donald Rayne Mitchell (MARION GRUBER: PREPAREDNESS IS PREVENTION)

MARION GRUBER: PREPAREDNESS IS PREVENTION, 30min. USA
Directed by Donald Rayne Mitchell
Dr. Marion Gruber is a world-renowned expert in vaccine development, regulation, and licensure. She worked at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for many years, serving as the director of the Office of Vaccines Research & Review (OVRR) from 2012-2021. In this short film, Dr. Gruber and several of her colleagues describe their efforts to ensure that life-saving vaccines were available during some of the most recent and well-known public health emergencies and why preparing for the next infectious disease threat is critical.

https://hillemanfilm.com/marion-gruber

Get to know the filmmaker:

In collaboration with the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, I helped to create the educational initiative we call the Vaccine Makers Project (VMP). The VMP is made up of K-12 curricula which are supported by a variety of films and animations, the feature documentary, HILLEMAN among them. From the beginning, one of our goals with the project has been to put a human face to the science of vaccines. There’s a lot of noise out there around vaccine science but at the heart of the conversation are people that, in many cases, have dedicated their lives to protecting their fellow human beings through the prevention of disease. Marion Gruber is one of those people and her inspiring career is what motivated us to make this film.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1175 - Filmmaker Daniel Rodrigues Correia (YUGO MANCHESTER)

YUGO MANCHESTER, 13min., Netherlands
Directed by Daniel Rodrigues Correia
“MARIBOR, YUGO MANCHESTER” is a captivating dance short-film that takes the audience on an immersive journey through the evolution of the city’s industry, rise, and fall in Maribor (Slovenia) during the 20th century. Through mesmerizing choreography and powerful storytelling, the film unravels the transformation of Maribor from an industrial powerhouse to a cultural gem. Each dance sequence illuminates key historical events that shaped the city’s identity, celebrating its triumphs, resilience, and exploring the impact of the changing industrial landscape. Seamlessly blending history and artistry, “MARIBOR, YUGO MANCHESTER” invites audiences to experience the beauty and power of dance as it brings Maribor’s captivating story to life.

https://www.instagram.com/maribor_yugo_manchester/

Get to know the filmmaker:
The goal of this short dance film was to show the journey through the legacy of development, rise and fall of industry in Maribor in the 20th century. We wanted to show, through choreography, the transformation of the city, which was once considered the Yugoslav “Manchester City”.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1173 - Filmmaker Christie Pawluch (IN BETWEEN)

IN BETWEEN, 14min., Canada
Directed by Christie Pawluch
In Between tells the story of Blake, who lives a happy heteronormative life with her long time partner, Eric. After some vivid unexpected dreams, she gets a visit from a love from her past life, Adeline, who shows up to her home from across the world. If your past showed up on your doorstep… what would you do?

http://chriativeproductions.com/
https://www.instagram.com/chriativeproductions/

Get to know the filmmaker:

Heartbreak. After an intense and passionate love with a person from France, it was left unfinished. Making this film was therapy for me. A creative outlet to let go. There was so much love there so I turned it into a film that means alot to me even personally.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1172 - Filmmaker Christian Wehrle (WORLD WAR II: THE SHIPWRECKS OF TRUK LAGOON)

WORLD WAR II: THE SHIPWRECKS OF TRUK LAGOON, 45min., Germany
Directed by Christian Wehrle
“World War II: The Shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon” is a 45-minute documentary that dives into the haunting underwater world of Chuuk Lagoon, a site of immense historical and ecological significance. Once a formidable fortress for the Japanese Imperial Navy during World War II, this tranquil Pacific lagoon now cradles a ghostly fleet of sunken warships and aircraft, remnants of the devastating Operation Hailstone. Through a blend of captivating underwater footage, historical insights, and expert interviews, the documentary unveils the stories of these submerged relics. It explores the ecological transformation of these wrecks into vibrant marine habitats, while also pondering the ethical considerations of diving in this underwater graveyard. The film invites viewers on a reflective journey, intertwining the lagoon’s war-torn past with its present status as a unique sanctuary for marine life, leaving a lasting impression of the intricate ties between history, humanity, and the natural world.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555290403495

Get to know the filmmaker:

The motivation for creating “World War II: The Shipwrecks of Truk Lagoon” stemmed from my profound passion for scuba diving. Truk Lagoon had been at the pinnacle of my diving destinations list for over a decade. When I finally had the chance to dive there and witness its underwater marvels, I felt compelled to share this unique story with the world.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1168 - Filmmakers Jonathan Gallo, Jeoffrey TC Howe (AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER – SUKI & SOKKA)

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER – SUKI & SOKKA, 4min., USA
Directed by Jeoffrey TC Howe
The lighthearted rivalry between Sokka and Suki unfolds as they engage in a friendly competition, showcasing their respective strengths and weaknesses.

https://www.facebook.com/liveactionavatar
https://instagram.com/officialjaynjay

Get to know producer Jonathan Gallo:

We are big fans of the Avatar the Last Airbender Series, and an actress reached out to our Youtube channel about collaborating on a short about Suki and Sokka. So we wrote the script and got things going. The main goal was to just pay homage to the cartoon.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1166 - Filmmaker Trevor Motes (THE FABULOUS MISADVENTURES OF PIZZA BOY)

THE FABULOUS MISADVENTURES OF PIZZA BOY, 18min,. USA
Directed by Trevor Motes
Pizza Boy is the town’s most popular and fun-loving Pizza Delivery Boy. After an encounter with a rude customer, a motivational speaker ad on TV motivates him to face his bullies.

https://www.instagram.com/pizzaboymovie/

Get to know the filmmaker:

In 2022, I began my final year at college/film school. I looked back at the previous 3 years of film school and felt unsatisfied with my experience. I wasn’t known for doing anything cool or creative at my school, nobody asked me to be on their sets, and when they did, they only wanted me as an actor, a grip, or to use my truck to tow equipment. I felt unseen and like I wasn’t valued amongst my classmates. I decided for my senior thesis, I wanted to prove everyone wrong, and I ended up writing, producing, directing, acting, producing music for, marketing, editing, and publicly premiering this on my own, and the effect was way bigger than I thought it would be. The hype leading up to this being released became well known at my school. I was underestimated and underused for a long time, but in the end I finally proved my value and worth.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1165 - Actor/Writer Michael Hooper & Director Chase Korzep (THORNWHIP EXPLORATIONS)

THORNWHIP EXPLORATIONS, 7min., USA
Directed by Chase Korzep
In this short comedy film, Australian wilderness expert, Max Thornwhip, takes on the perilous Australian bush with his trusty partner, John Simmons. With danger lurking behind every corner, will Max make it out alive?

https://www.instagram.com/sadurnproductions

Get to know Writer/Producer Michael Hooper:

The idea for this film came when I was watching an Australian wilderness show, and someone got bit by a snake. I remembered that the way people can “stop” snake venom from killing someone is to suck it out before it reaches the bloodstream. I then thought that it would be funny if the person on the show got bit in a more private or intimate area. Then, I thought of how people pee on jellyfish stings to help stop the pain. It suddenly occurred to me that all the ways people can “save your life” in the wild, are somewhat perverted. So I decided to write a short skit about it, but obviously took it up a notch and made it more absurd/unrealistic as the skit went on.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.


EP. 1163 - Filmmaker Matt Szymanowski (EARLY ADOPTER - Fantasy/Sci-Fi Festival)

EARLY ADOPTER, 15min., USA
Directed by Matt Szymanowski
After a tech junkie’s addictive research into a new technology that probes the deepest realms of consciousness nearly kills her, her partner decides to do something drastic to prove just how fragile their relationship and life really is.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12937582/
https://www.instagram.com/mattszy

Get to know the filmmaker:

I was inspired by the question about whether the great answers of the universe are either outside of us or within us. Most often people look outside, and their pursuits are even noble and true. And looking outside leads to great discoveries. But paradoxically these discoveries could be external manifestations of the knowledge and wisdom that is also in us. And I wanted to convey this idea in two people who stand on opposite sides of the matter, and these two people are also lovers and partners, and they accept each other regardless of there differences, however difficult it is.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1162 - Filmmaker Kiersten White (A DIFFERENTLY – CURATED WORLD - LGBTQ+ Festival)

A DIFFERENTLY – CURATED WORLD, 2min., USA
Directed by Kiersten White
In this age of Black nostalgia, as we see the remake of classic Black sitcoms and the reimagining of Black excellence using the tools, fashion, entertainment, and mediums of yesteryear– we find that one particular community of Blacks is missing from the mainstream conversation, the LGBTQ+ community. Reimagine, with us, a Black and Queer utopia– through the eyes of Black America’s most famous coming-of-age sitcom.

Get to know the filmmaker:

It is truly a passion project with the intent of highlighting the images and subjects who have helped shape our Black queer experience and honor those who we look to for guidance in their literature, work, and art. We hope to shed light on our queer predecessors who lived and loved openly in a time of less understanding. We aspire to give them their due diligence while pushing for a reemergence of interest in Black queer culture, outside of tokenization and fetishism.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1161 - Filmmaker Judie Alice Zhang & Actor Aille Li (CONTENTMENT Student Film)

CONTENTMENT, 6min., New Zealand
Directed by Judie Alice Zhang
A young girl and passionate artist tries her very best to impress with her work. Her quirky and heartwarming journey centres around the theme of self-love.

https://www.instagram.com/judiezhangx

Get to know the filmmaker:

Definitely the message behind it. It’s something that I believe a lot of us struggle with sometimes, including myself. The idea initially stemmed from an abstract poem I wrote for school, also revolving around the metaphor of art but with a different message. It was honestly just through long trains of thought at midnight and random showers that the idea developed into what it has now become, which definitely motivated me a lot to make it happen!

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1160 - Screenwriter Anthony Hyatt (Game of Thrones “The Rains of Castamere”)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/the-rains-of-castamere

The iconic GAME OF THRONES ‘Red Wedding’ episode in the style of PARKS AND RECREATION:
While a recently divorced wedding planner attempts to engineer the perfect day, a self-conscious groom tries desperately to discover who he is marrying, all while the realm’s most famous conflict mediator strives to secure a peaceful outcome between the Starks and Freys.

Get to know the writer:

This script is an (un)traditional spec that reimagines the notorious Game of Thrones ‘Red Wedding’ episode in the style of Parks and Recreation. While a recently divorced wedding planner attempts to engineer the perfect day, a self-conscious groom tries desperately to discover who he is marrying, all while the realm’s most famous conflict mediator strives to secure a peaceful outcome between the Starks and Freys. As we all (hopefully) know by now, the wedding does not go as planned.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1159 - Filmmaker Alan Yammin (JOI fashion film)

JOI, 3min., USA
Directed by Caleb Viti, Alan Yammin
JOI is a showcase of unique collections portrayed by three diverse fashion designers. It combines film and fashion industry together and reveals artistic expressions of each designer. Emphasizing various mediums such as politics, escape from reality and animal extinction. It is organized around musical composition, visual and editorial storytelling, setting the pace and atmosphere of each collection. It is a fashion film that reminds us of the importance of awareness in today’s world.

https://instagram.com/calebcorleone

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1158 - Filmmakers Kallie Hu & Madonna Gonzalez (OCD)

OCD, 1min,. Canada
Directed by Madonna Gonzalez
“Amanda, a girl with a debilitating “tick” fights to survive the war raging within her terrifying psyche – all while stuck sitting in a Psych 101 lecture.

https://www.imdb.me/micahkelpin
https://www.instagram.com/iammicahkelpin/

Get to know Kallie Hu Writer & Story Creator:

The film is based on a true story that is very close to me and my family. It’s meant to be a raw look at the reality of its namesake, attempting to demystify the disorder and sharing what success could mean for those living with it.

It was originally written as a submission to Vancouver’s Mighty Asian Movie Making Marathon (MAMM), hosted by the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, which required me to infuse my own heritage into the story while streamlining it into a 1-minute film. I wanted to build empathy by showing how every minute living with OCD can be an intense and terrifying struggle. This struggle is only compounded by the habits of ignoring, misunderstanding, and dismissing mental health issues which are so prevalent amongst Eastern cultural groups. OCD rips back the curtain for those seeking to understand anxiety disorders within the larger context of cultural stigma, while lending a life preserver to those who already know.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1156 - Filmmaker Luke Rex (BONDING)

BONDING, 13min., USA
Directed by Luke Rex
A solitary figure at an empty bar, CIA clinical and forensic psychologist, Dr. John Flemington, is planning to visit his girlfriend in Mexico when he is pressured by mysterious underground operatives to join them on a secret mission. He really doesn’t have a choice.

http://www.9livesentertainment.net/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086267809895
https://www.twitter.com/9LivesEntertain
https://www.instagram.com/9_lives_entertainment/

Get to know the filmmaker:

I took 3 months off after graduating with my doctorate in clinical psychology in the summer of 2022. I was wanting to be creative again and challenged myself to direct a short film and do this as thoroughly and professionally as possible (i.e.., form a production company, pay everyone involved, produce, direct, have great sound, compose the music). Having appeared in many shorts as an actor prior to becoming a psychologist I felt both confident and intimated by the process. As a writer, I thought I had a good idea and knew that the difference between backing myself and making the short versus keeping the idea in my head was simply courage – couraage to exercise the confidence to put my idea out there into the world. I also love the spy genre and James Bond, in addition to the spin off creative series we have been seeing with the Mandalorian, Boba Fett. Inspired by Jon Favreau’s passion for alternate universes, I thought it would be fun to explore an alternate Bond Universe, combined with an X-Files style genre. Bonding was born.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1155 - Filmmaker Steven Speliotis & Artist Naomi Hadar (DON’T STARE, SEE ME)

“DON’T STARE, SEE ME”, 5min., USA
Directed by Steven Speliotis
Naomi was born with a facial difference,
and growing up she fell victim to the bullying of
her peers because she looked different.

Get to know the filmmaker:

I asked a client who works with individuals with craniofacial issues If she knew anyone that would have a strong story to tell… She introduced me to Naomi and Aaliyah who were both born with Craniofacial issues.. and Naomi was a make up artist / photographer; And doing photo sessions for others in her community..

Letting them experience feeling beautiful in from of her lens.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1154 - Tim Searfoss & Michael Ortoll (One Second at a Time: Battling the Monster of Addiction)

A powerful documentary about a father and the resilience of his daughter Christine Ortoll as she confronts mental illness, addiction, and the transformative power of support. Through her personal journals and the unwavering dedication of her loved ones, witness a journey of hope and the creation of a meaningful legacy by her father.


Interview with Christine’s father and producer Michael Ortoll, & director Tim Searfoss

https://www.onesecondatatime.com/

Director Statement

This is a film about family, about love, about wanting to escape your personal pain and finding yourself addicted to a substance that takes over your life. It’s a story about Christine Ortoll and the family and friends who love her.

This powerful film helps us understand why we fall for addiction, and hopes to humanize and de-stigmatize this powerful disease.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1153 - Filmmaker Xuepei Hou (THE ADULTS ARE TALKING)

THE ADULTS ARE TALKING, 9min., USA
Directed by Xuepei Hou
Alex is a young graduate who is struggling to balance her life. She pretends to have it all together and breaks down all of a sudden when her mom tells her the secret she has been hiding for a year.

Get to know the filmmaker:

This is a semi-autobiographical story that happened between me and my mom years ago. It is the first time facing the fear of losing someone that close and the fact that she held that secret from me set off a scary awareness in me that my mother, is also a human who gets sick, makes mistakes, gets scared, and eventually faces the inevitable death. It is silly to acknowledge or make a sane judgment call when it comes to your nearest and dearest. To explore this unsolvable dilemma is what drove me to make this film.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.

EP. 1152 - Filmmaker Naomi Silver-Vézina & Vincent Blain (SPACEBOY (A FILM IN SEVEN SONGS))

SPACEBOY (A FILM IN SEVEN SONGS), 27min., Canada
Directed by Naomi Silver-Vézina
Naomi Silver-Vézina weaves the Montreal artist’s L’INDICE seventh album through a short film. At the top of a church tower, a man wakes up weakened and disoriented. He must find the strength to cross this strange place in order to find an exit. SPACEBOY explores loss of autonomy, loneliness and isolation through a quest towards self-acceptance and grief.

https://lindice.ca/

Get to know the filmmaker:

I’ve known Vincent, the film’s composer and star, for a few years since filming a podcast in his studio. When the podcast ended, I approached him about recording music in his studio, and he mentioned he wanted to make a film featuring his latest music project (which became the film’s soundtrack). He told me a little about the music’s inspiration, but left me a lot of space to come back to him with my own impressions and ideas for a concept. I was excited to have the creative space to explore a storyline that wasn’t too closely based on the lyrics, and to integrate different visual concepts throughout the film. We wanted the whole to feel cohesive, but for each song to feel like a tableau, each with its own mood and aesthetic.

You can sign up for the 7 day free trial at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS). There is a DAILY film festival to watch, plus a selection of award winning films on the platform. Then it’s only $3.99 per month.