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. 1209 - Writer William Rush (SWEETENER)

Watch the full screenplay reaidng of SWEETENER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD429vBrBAo

https://www.instagram.com/OriginalCinematic
https://ogcinpro.com/

A woman home for college break must outwit a very dangerous intruder.

Cassie, a young woman returning home during a college break makes plans with her hometown boyfriend for him to come visit her at her parents’ house while they are away for a concert.

She is waiting with anticipation for her visitor to arrive when he makes his entrance. However, this is not the visitor she expected.

Now Cassie must fight for her life to escape this unwelcome intruder, isolated and on her own, with no means of escape.

Can she fend him off until help arrives, or will she be his latest victim.

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. 1208 - Film Festival Director Kendra Ann Sherrill (CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL SEATTLE)

Children’s Film Festival Seattle is a cine-magical extravaganza for tots, teens, and everyone in between! Since 2005, CFFS has grown to become the largest film festival on the West Coast dedicated to children and their families, with an annual lineup piled high with shorts, features, and hands-on activities for all ages.

https://nwfilmforum.org/cffs/

Get to know Film Festival Director Kendra Ann Sherrill

https://www.kendrannsherrill.com/
https://www.instagram.com/kendra.ann.sherrill/

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. 1206 - Screenwriter Christine Oliva (YOU ARE WHAT YOU LOVE)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NPET-r-NMA

Set against the backdrop of the OxyContin crisis, ‘Leah’s Choice’ unravels the true tale of Leah, a young woman entangled in a poignant queer love triangle. Caught between her soulmate and her best friend amidst her struggle with addiction, Leah’s journey is a harrowing blend of deep love and intense pain. Her story poses a thought-provoking dilemma: In the transformative journey of life, is it the profound depths of suffering or the overwhelming force of love that shapes us more? Or, ultimately, are they one and the same?

Get to know the writer:

“You Are What You Love” delves into the life of Leah, a young woman battling opioid addiction amidst a complex queer love triangle involving her soulmate Junie and best friend Maggie. Set against the backdrop of the opioid crisis, the story navigates through themes of love, betrayal, and the search for identity. It’s a poignant exploration of how deep emotional connections and personal struggles shape our journeys towards self-discovery and healing.

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. 1205 - Filmmaker Ethan Knecht (SWISS CHEESE HOLE and HOSPITAL ART)

SWISS CHEESE HOLES

Covertly filmed in Disney World, Swiss Cheese Holes is a multi-layered documentary that explores the timeless question: How do you make a film about your father’s mental breakdown in Disney World?


HOSPITAL ART

A short aesthetic review of Westchester Medical Center's art.


Director Ethan Knecht:

Ethan Knecht is an educator and a personal essay filmmaker. He lives in Pleasantville, NY with his wife and two daughters. His previous films have screened with Rooftop FIlms, The Hudson Valley Film Festival, Peekskill Film Festival, YoFi Festival, Northside Film Festival, Atlanta Underground Film Festival, etc.


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. 1204 - AnimatOR/Filmmaker David Calderón (I AM MORE)

I AM MORE, 3min., USA

Directed by David Calderon

I am more is an initiative by Animagic Studios to create a conversation around self-esteem and body confidence among young women, their families and social circles.

http://animagic.io/

https://www.instagram.com/iammoreproject/

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. 1203 - Filmmakers Kamil Keenan, Agnieszka Żaglewska (THE CAPSULE)

THE CAPSULE, 20min,. Poland
Directed by Kamil Keenan, Agnieszka Żaglewska
Two astronauts in a space capsule realize that they won’t have enough oxygen until help arrives. In this extreme situation, they suddenly have to face the ultimate questions. Accompanying the characters on their final journey, viewers begin to wonder what their answers would be.

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

Get to know the filmmakers:
Kamil:
My uncle had an accident while working underground as a miner and he was stuck for around 8h with no way out nor possibilities to move.
This made me think that so many thoughts must go through your head when you are facing your death so I adapted this situation to a script with Aga’s talent for writing.
Aga: Kamil told me about his idea and as soon as I heard it I knew I wanted to write this script, it sounded very compelling. Dealing with the idea of my own mortality has always been on my mind, so I knew I could express a lot of my own struggles in the 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 1202 - Filmmaker Yazan Al-Hajari (ETERNAL LINES: William Shakespeare’s Verse in Music and Motion)

ETERNAL LINES: William Shakespeare’s Verse in Music and Motion., 5min., USA
Directed by Yazan Al-Hajari
Eternal Lines: William Shakespeare’s Verse in Motion and Music” is the second part of a series where I delve into Shakespeare’s vast Canon, handpicking songs and sonnets that resonate deeply with me. I’ve woven these pieces into a narrative that, while personal in selection, unveils a connected story, reflecting the universal themes and emotions Shakespeare so masterfully depicted. This project is a heartfelt tribute to the timeless beauty of Shakespeare’s poetry, crafted with deep admiration for his poetic genius. While delving into Shakespeare’s poetry, my goal was not only to breathe new life into these classic texts but also to capture and reflect my own emotional journey as I navigated through the myriad of themes and expressions found in his work. Through a fusion of original music, captivating AI and real footage and visuals, and immersive sound design, I’ve endeavored to present Shakespeare’s poetry in a contemporary light, offering a fresh perspective that honors the essence of his work while inviting modern audiences to experience its magic anew.

https://yazanalhajari.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063482441871
https://www.instagram.com/yazanhajari/

Get to know the filmmaker:

My drive to create this film sprung from the enchanting layers within Shakespeare’s poetry—their timeless beauty and the myriad interpretations they invite. Each sonnet, with its rhythmic musicality and vivid imagery, became a cornerstone for the film’s narrative and aesthetics. This project was more than an academic endeavor; it was a personal voyage into the heart of these verses, exploring their resonance within my own life and experiences.

The process was two-fold: a devoted study of Shakespeare’s sonnets to honor their original spirit, coupled with a deeply personal journey to discover their significance to me. This wasn’t just about bringing academic analysis to life; it was about letting these verses breathe and speak through my creative lens, intertwining Shakespeare’s insights with my own. In essence, this film was fueled by a blend of fidelity to Shakespeare’s work and my introspective engagement with his poetry, striving to create a visual experience that is as rich and multifaceted as the sonnets themselves.

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, 1201 - Filmmaker Jamezz Iaiahe Hampton (REBIRTH)

REBIRTH, 9min,. USA
Directed by Jamezz Iaiahe Hampton
In this contemporary twist on the biblical tale, Adam and Eve are thrust into an unfamiliar world after being expelled from Eden. Struggling to discern what is truly good and evil in this complex environment, they embark on a journey of self-discovery in order to set them free.

https://www.1209productions.com/hampton-experience
https://www.facebook.com/Jamezzhampton
https://www.twitter.com/JamezzHampton
https://www.instagram.com/Jamezzhampton

Get to know the filmmaker:

My good friend and I had endless talks about what this project could be leading up to his passing, and I just wanted to get a piece of completed work with his name on it in memory of him.

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. 1199 - Filmmaker Birgitta Liljedahl (POTATO)

POTATO, 14min., Sweden
Directed by Birgitta Liljedahl
When Mother 1 (46) struggles with a tired body, a failed bun-baking project and hopeless over-aged children, Lisa (22) and Dennis (64), conflicts soon escalate beyond what’s accepted by The State of Sweden. The doorbell rings. And The Inspector enters, providing the States quality solution: a shining, new Mother 2 (27). A Mother that fulfills all criteria, not only for the children and the state, but that might even interest a most critical, new Father. Mother 1 fights for her life against the Inspector, the State and Mother 2’s tetra-organic cabbage from Peru, but soon finds herself deported to Svalbard, by the police. When Mother 1 strikes back, the children will meet a force they’ve never witnessed before. POTATO is an absurd, socially critical comedy that takes place in a future more close than we would like..

Get to know the filmmaker:
We are building a society where perfection is demanded. Always. It’s insane. And boring. And just bad business. The human as a species, is magic, where development comes from imperfection, failures and mistakes.

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. 1198 - Filmmaker William Georges-Garcia (AN INTERMISSION)

AN INTERMISSION, 13min,. France
Directed by William Georges-Garcia
After receiving a letter and questioning everything he took for granted, Rufus prepares to leave everything behind when a chance meeting with Amelia, his childhood love, forces both of them to come to terms with the end of their young adult lives.

https://www.instagram.com/anintermissionfilm/

Get to know the filmmaker:

This is my first short film, so it was very important to me to be able to work on a project that allowed me to work with the actors as much as possible. I’ve always been a fan of dialogue-heavy, character-driven films, so when I started writing this script it seemed like the perfect opportunity to collaborate closely with my actors, working on the intention of each line the way one would with a play.

About the story itself, one of the things that interested me the most was this idea of “what you want” versus “what’s expected you”. The inevitable conflict of it. Sometimes you do everything you’re supposed to do in life and it still doesn’t turn out right, so you have to decide to prioritize pleasing other people or pleasing yourself, knowing that it’s often a lose-lose situation. We all play different roles in life and it’s difficult to find a more appearance-based society than 19th century England. I thought that if I could frame this dilemma with a love story– two people that found “an intermission” from their respective roles when they were with each other— that maybe that could be interesting.

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. 1197 - Filmmaker Leo Rojas & Actor/Writer Angelo Balaram (APHASIC DREAM)

APHASIC DREAM, 24min,. Bolivia
Directed by Leo Rojas
Fernando, a guy with a messy life, starts having strange dreams of a kid in an abandoned warehouse.

http://leorojas.me/
https://www.instagram.com/steverojas00/

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. 1196 - Filmmaker Nicholas T. Collier (RENEGADE EPISODE 1: REDEMPTION)

RENEGADE EPISODE 1: REDEMPTION, 20min., USA
Directed by Nicholas T Collier
After learning the mob controls the city, detective Daniel Graves decides to become the newest vigilante in Westwick City, Renegade.

https://www.instagram.com/34_nicholas_34/

Get to know the filmmaker:

Growing up, I have always loved comic book movies, and they’re the reason I decided to become a filmmaker. This was my love letter to the genre, my way of taking all these films and stories I grew up with, and telling my perspective of them.

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. 1195 - Filmmaker Bethany Teague (TEAM OCEAN)

TEAM OCEAN, 40min., USA
Directed by Bethany Teague
10 nonprofits along both U.S. coasts fight for a better future for our one ocean, and therefore our world. Team Ocean is a celebration of how each organization’s talents, expertise and passions weave together a beautiful tapestry of teamwork from every sector – fisheries, species protection, food security, arts, education, recreation and more.

https://clickandpledge.com/project-ocean/
https://www.facebook.com/clickandpledge
https://twitter.com/clickandpledge
https://www.instagram.com/clickandpledge/

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. 1193 - Filmmaker Giannakopoulos Efstathios (THE SILENT SYNTHETIC SYMPHONY)

THE SILENT SYNTHETIC SYMPHONY: A Human-AI Collaboration, 7min., Greece
Directed by Giannakopoulos Efstathios
In a silent environment, artificial intelligence meets the boundless human mind and together they unite their powers to create a music and dance piece of scientific fantasy. The lyrics, composed by a robotic mind simulating the writing style of the great author William Shakespeare, draw upon a poem about Silence and how people perceive it today. The music was composed by a team of music producers, while the words are voiced by the unique, yet artificial, voice of the late English actor, Alan Rickman. Our protagonist performs theatrical dance movements, which constitute his unique way of communication. At times, he manages to harmonize with the space-time and feel tranquility within the silence, while at other times, he faces challenges. Will he, however, emerge unscathed from this enthralling blend of the artificial and the human?

http://www.3shumanai.com/
https://www.facebook.com/3shumanai

Get to know the filmmaker:
I had the desire to express myself, to share ideas and emotions. The goal and inspiration for my work were to merge arts and creative editing techniques, and to visually and aurally capture the concept of “silence.” The silence experienced by people today through the social pressures they face. However, to achieve the desired result, artificial intelligence had to work for us, to make the impossible possible. By training the system, we obtained the material that “we lacked” and proved that targeted exploitation of technology can give us tangible results.

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. 1187 - Filmmaker Jan Jalenak (A SHATTERING)

A SHATTERING, 20min., USA
Directed by Jan Jalenak
A carefully constructed marriage implodes when an unexpected call unleashes a fragility and pain that have been simmering for years.

http://babydollfilms.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JanJalenak
https://www.instagram.com/janjalenak

Jan Jalenak is back on the podcast after chatting about her previous film "You Can Kiss Me": https://www.wildsoundpodcast.com/the-film-podcast-by-wildsound/2021/11/6/november-7-2021-filmmaker-jan-jalenak-you-can-kiss-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. 1186 - Screenwriter John Woodard (A HOLIDAY CAROL)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAPTlkoZJlg

Modern day adaptation of Dickens “A Christmas Carol.” Evan Scrooge lives his life as a rich, greedy, bitter, closeted gay man, who despises the holidays. Until one Christmas Eve night, when his dead, ex-lover and business partner, Jake Marley, along with the three spirits of Christmas Present, Past, and Yet to Come, show Scrooge the errors of his ways. Leading Scrooge to open his heart and love for the holidays, as well as his sexuality.

Get to know the writer:

It’s about two men seeking to find love, who spot each other, mutually attracted, but are unable to meet as one is whisked away in his cab.. Both now set on finding the other again, setting into motion a serious of comedic events.

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. 1185 - Filmmaker Elya Randrianaivo (BLUE DANCE)

BLUE DANCE, 9min., France
Directed by Elya Randrianaivo
A widow is torn between traumatic terrorist memories and her son’s needs of attention.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29306931/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
https://instagram.com/lechoduntircourtmetrage

Get to know the filmmaker:
Exploring a space to lament without being consumed with sadness

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. 1184 - Filmmaker Andy Carruthers (TARARUA S-K)

TARARUA S-K, 22min., New Zealand
Directed by Andy Carruthers
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to push your limits in the wild, facing the ultimate physical challenge? The Tararua SK Traverse is waiting for you.

https://tararuask.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TararuaSK
https://www.instagram.com/tararuask_film/

Get to know the filmmaker:

I want to inspire people to go on an adventure ⛰️

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. 1183 - Filmmakers Valentina Himmelbauer, Myriam Angela, Tess Hermann (QUESTIONING THE WINDOW)

QUESTIONING THE WINDOW, 19min., Austria
Directed by Vulpecula Collective
In an intensive conversation in her old apartment in Vienna, the world-experienced artist Beta tries to take away young Gamma’s fears, among other things in connection with her native Burgenland-Croatian language – just as her mentor Alpha had once managed to do with her. But unlike Alpha, Beta doesn’t enjoy playing with her partner’s fears.

Get to know filmmakers Valentina Himmelbauer, Myriam Angela, Tess Hermann –

The desire to realize a film project arose in us at the beginning of 2021. As good friends and actresses, we simply wanted to shoot together once again. The coronavirus pandemic, which was still in full swing and had largely brought cultural life to a standstill, also played a role. As a result, there were even fewer offers for us as actresses than usual. So, without further ado, we decided to realize our own project. The shooting location we were given, an old Viennese apartment with a huge window, finally provided the breakthrough and the crucial idea for the script. Our lives between different cultures were another inspiration: Valentina had spent her childhood as a Burgenland-Croatian in south-eastern Austria; Myriam had also grown up bilingual (German/French) and lived in different places and Tess had moved to London for her Master’s degree, which meant that she has been moving between German and English ever since.

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. 1182 - Screenwriter Matt Gallagher (GREEN RUSH)

Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ-DmtHBCeU

Out of work actors in LA plan a robbery of a marijuana dispensary in the middle of Covid lockdown.


Get to know the writer:
The plot is a heist of a dispensary during the peak of Covid lockdown. But the story is about who is winning and losing in the modern American economy. In it, a couple young American males have lost faith in the late capitalist system. History tells us that when young males feel lost en masse, bad things can happen. Here, this group takes a crazy risk with their lives over a compartively small prize. By the start of the film, they have lost faith in institutions, dropped out of higher education, and are pursuing moonshots to achieve what they perceive as success. You could read the story as a mini-revolution with real winners and losers.

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.