WILDsound's The Film Podcast

https://www.actwithpurpose.world/

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 14, 2026

EP. 1874: Filmmaker/Writer John Franklin Stevens (O'Bitch-Uary)

Matthew Toffolo interviews John Franklin Stevens about his short film "Obituary," a 14-minute dark comedy about a funeral service that descends into chaos, which he directed and wrote. John, who is also the founder of Act With Purpose International and works with the Act on Ability Foundation, collaborated with acting students from his school to create the film, which was well-received at the Comedy Festival. The film features an ensemble cast including child actors, was shot in a church during Orthodox Easter, and focuses on how different people have varying perspectives of the same person, highlighting the human ego and the importance of genuine con

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https://www.instagram.com/ActWithPurposeintl/

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https://www.instagram.com/filmbybrueilly/

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.h child actors, and the film's diverse cast. He also mentioned his upcoming projects including "A Matter of Principles" and "Now You See Mia," which stars members of the Mulroney family, and noted that audiences have suggested developing "Obituary" into either a series or feature film.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 14, 2026

EP. 1873: Ty Brueilly (7eventh 7irkle)

The conversation centered on Ty Brulee's experimental art film "Seventh Circle," which is part of the Shucks cinematic world and heavily influenced by Dante's Inferno. Ty discussed the film's themes, including addiction and the death of innocence, symbolized by the burning toy baby, and the challenges of presenting such themes in his conservative hometown of Asheboro, North Carolina. He explained his hands-on approach to filmmaking, handling everything from shooting and editing to scoring and costume design, often using his own footage. Ty shared his background, including living in China and how that experience influenced his silent filmmaking style. He also mentioned his work in starting a local film festival in Asheboro to support independent filmmaking. The discussion touched on the cultural shifts in North Carolina and the broader film industry, with Ty expressing a desire to eventually focus on the festival and transition away from music.

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https://www.instagram.com/candidgoddess

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 12, 2026

EP. 1872: Filmmaker Madison Wade (Candid Goodness)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Madison Wade about her short film "Candid Goodness," which explores women's relationships to their inner goddess. Madison discussed the film's concept, her background in dance and choreography, and the process of selecting participants through an online survey. She explained her interest in themes of sacredness, cycles, and shared female experiences, and how the film served as a personal and therapeutic project. WILDsound praised the film's visuals, diversity of participants, and the way it combined interviews, dance, and experimental elements. They also talked about Madison's upcoming documentary about love and birds, and WILDsound shared thoughts on human impact on birds' ecosystems. The conversation ended with mutual appreciation for the film and the opportunity to discuss it.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 12, 2026

EP. 1871: Screenwriter Rich Figel (I Gotta Be Me: The Musical)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Rich Figel about his screenplay "I Gotta Be Me," a political musical feature film. Rich described the story as a David versus Goliath tale, with a punk rocker protagonist battling a corporate giant reminiscent of Donald Trump. He discussed the script's origins, its themes of repackaging and corporate influence, and its connection to the punk rock movement of the 70s and 80s. Rich shared his background, growing up in New Jersey and living in New York before moving to Hawaii, and how his experiences informed the script. He recounted the screenplay's history, including its option by Michael Miner, co-writer of RoboCop, and the challenges in getting it produced. Rich also mentioned his other writing projects, such as a TV pilot about addiction treatment and a limited series about James Whistler, and the difficulties of breaking into the industry from Hawaii. The interview concluded with plans for a second part.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 9, 2026

EP. 1870: Poet Anne Catharine Blake (THE LAST VOYAGEUR)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Anne Catharine Blake about her poem “The Last Voyager” and its adaptation into a poetry film, with Anne sharing the personal story behind it about her father, Canadian actor Bud Browning, and his difficult end-of-life experience with cancer. Anne explained how her background as an illustrator, visual storytelling professor, and writer informed her approach to the poem and how caregiving for her father and other family members inspired her to write about these universal but often unspoken experiences. She and Matthew Toffolo discussed the emotional and practical challenges of caregiving, the impact on families, and cultural differences in how death and mourning are handled. Anne also talked about her extensive work in publishing, poetry, and celebrating other writers, as well as her family’s experiences with illness, advocacy, and turning personal hardship into ways to help others. The conversation highlighted the therapeutic value of writing and storytelling, especially around caregiving and loss.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 9, 2026

EP. 1869: Filmmaker/Actor Barnabus Walsh (LOVE/BUG)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Barney Walsh about his short film "Love Bug," which he directed and starred in alongside Laurel, who also wrote the film. Barney explained that the film was created collaboratively with Laurel, inspired by their own relationship dynamics, and was written quickly while he was at LAX. They discussed the film's focus on the nuanced conflicts and evolution of a relationship, with a realistic and emotionally mature portrayal of the characters. Barney shared details about the minimalist production, with just the two of them handling all aspects on set, and how practical constraints led to the film's one-take scenes. They also talked about the film's open-ended conclusion and its reception. The conversation touched on Barney's filmmaking background, his preference for collaborative projects, and his future plans to make a feature-length horror film. They also discussed influences like the TV show "Inside No. 9" and horror films, with Barney naming "Suspiria," "Cult of Chucky," and "The Thing" as favorites.

https://www.instagram.com/BarnabusWalsh

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 6, 2026

EP. 1868: Filmmaking team of "Jumping at Shadows" series from Australia

Matthew Toffolo interviewed the “Jumping at Shadows” team discussing their latest animated film, Forsaken Father Part 2 Part 1, which is part of a larger series and trilogy. The creative forces Locky and Loki explained the film's hand-drawn animation style, the process of creating and editing the imagery, and the challenges of maintaining audience engagement over 40 minutes. They detailed the collaborative efforts in writing, illustrating, and voice acting, with contributions from Mansour, Isabelle, Tom, and Jett. The team shared insights into character development, thematic elements, and the balance between creative ambitions and practical constraints like budget and time. They also talked about their personal backgrounds, interests outside of filmmaking, and the dynamics of working together as a team. The conversation highlighted the group's dedication to storytelling and their pride in overcoming challenges to bring their creative vision to life.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 6, 2026

EP. 1867: Filmmaker/Musician Martin Ryan (TRUTH IS DEAD)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Martin Ryan, an Australian filmmaker and musician, about his 4-minute music video short film "Truth is Dead" under the umbrella of his music project Nemesis Legion. Martin explained that he created original trap and heavy metal music with political themes warning about authoritarianism and the need for critical thinking, then used AI to generate visual content when his network of traditional filmmakers disappeared during COVID. He spent approximately 400 Australian dollars (about £200) on AI video generation through Magic (formerly FreePick) using Stable Diffusion 2.0, which allowed him to control timing to tenths of a second and create solidified characters, though he faced pushback from some viewers who criticized it as "AI slop." Martin discussed the challenges and costs of AI video production, noting that while it's not free, it provides opportunities for independent creators to compete with major studios, though he plans to use more traditional filming techniques for his next project.

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https://www.instagram.com/thebigbreakfilm

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 4, 2026

EP. 1866: Filmmaker Avi Setton (THE BIG BREAK)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Avi Setton on the experience making his first feature film, "The Big Break." Avi discussed the challenges and rewards of writing, directing, and producing the film, which was shot in just six days with a small crew and cast, including several non-actors. He shared insights into the film's conception, inspired by his background in tech and film, and the decision to create a contained story with limited resources. Avi explained the post-production process, the importance of finding the right editor, and the use of experimental music by composer Joseph Bertolazzi. The conversation also covered the film's dark comedy tone, its themes, and the intentional casting choices. Avi described his efforts in self-distribution, including a planned simultaneous watch party screening in multiple cities, and reflected on the difficulties and satisfactions of independent filmmaking.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 4, 2026

EP. 1865: Elvis Maleko (The Aloha Within)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Elvis Maleko about his first short film "The Aloha Within," which he wrote, directed, and acted in. Elvis explained how he was born on August 20th, 1977 - the same day Elvis Presley died - and was named after the iconic singer by his Hawaiian parents, who were big fans. He discussed his background in entertainment, including performing fire knife dancing for 25 years and being part of a traveling luau show family that performed across the mainland. The film explores the behind-the-scenes struggles of a Polynesian performer named Mark dealing with personal tragedy while preparing for a luau show, with all the dancing scenes representing Mark's internal thoughts and emotions. Elvis revealed his connection to professional wrestling through his uncle Afa Anoa'i (one of the Wild Samoans) and discussed his decision to retire from performing to focus on filmmaking. He expressed interest in making more films, including potentially expanding "The Aloha Within" into a series with help from his family connections in Hawaii and among writers from shows like Breaking Bad.

https://www.instagram.com/elvis_maleko/

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https://www.instagram.com/midnightboardwalkproductions/

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 2, 2026

EP. 1864: Filmmakers Jeff Poindexter & Ben Snedecor (BURNOUTS)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Jeff and Ben, the creative team behind the short film "Burnouts." They discussed the autobiographical nature of the film, which is about two friends in their twenties experiencing an existential crisis. Jeff shared details about the production process, including the challenges of balancing day jobs, shooting in extreme heat, and the importance of their core team. They explained their inspiration from early 2000s comedies and aimed to create a "smart stupid" comedy with a specific target audience. The post-production process was lengthy, with Jeff re-editing the film from scratch after an initial screening. They also revealed that they are working on a feature-length version of "Burnouts," which will be a road trip comedy involving a VHS tape and the last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloOctober 2, 2026

EP. 1863: Filmmaker Daryl Granger (THE SHOWMEN)

Matthew Toffolo chats with Daryl Granger about his feature documentary “The Showmen”, which explores the world of traveling carnivals through the lens of World’s Finest Shows. Daryl explained his filmmaking approach, emphasizing authenticity, minimal pre-planning, and learning from subjects, and described how he immersed himself in the carnival for a year to capture real experiences. He discussed the history and terminology of carnivals, the distinction between “carnies” and “showmen,” and the challenges and realities of the lifestyle, including long hours, weather impacts, and the importance of trust and community. The conversation covered the logistics, costs, safety regulations, and economic factors affecting carnivals, as well as the demographic makeup of the workforce and the role of offshore workers. Daryl highlighted the positive reception of the film from both the carnival community and audiences and shared insights into the personal stories and daily routines of those who work in the industry. The discussion also touched on the film’s potential for shorter vignettes and Daryl’s upcoming projects.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 30, 2026

EP. 1862: Filmmaker Sucheta Sunku Gupta (TIGER)

Matthew Toffolo chats with Sucheta Sunku Gupta about her experimental short film "Tiger," which was played at the Experimental Dance Music Festival. Sucheta described the film as exploring the experience of growing up with "tiger parents," a strict and high-achievement parenting style common in immigrant communities. She discussed the film's themes of balancing discipline with love and the personal connection many viewers from the Indian community felt with the story. Sucheta explained the film's creation as her Capstone Thesis Project at Virginia Commonwealth University, detailing the process of writing the poetic script, using her sister as the actor, and filming in familiar childhood locations. The discussion also touched on the pressures faced by children of immigrant parents, the challenges of competitive sports, and Sucheta's future plans in filmmaking and art direction.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 30, 2026

EP. 1861: Singer/Songewriter Joya (GOOD STUFF Music Video)

Matthew Toffolo chatted with the very talented artist JOYA, an independent singer-songwriter and actress from Hong Kong. Joya discussed her music video "Good Stuff," which was shown at the LGBTQ+ Film Festival and serves as her most explicit coming-out project, depicting the normalcy of a queer relationship. She explained the collaborative process with director Edwin Lai and the intention behind the video to showcase queer joy and intimacy. Joya also shared her upcoming EP release, her work on a short film titled "As It Should Be," and her preference for live performances and analog formats like vinyl. The discussion touched on the themes of her work, such as hopeful optimism and the concept of "What If It All Works Out?" Joya reflected on her personal life, including her marriage and young daughter, and how these experiences have influenced her creative urgency and direction.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 28, 2026

EP. 1860: Writer Sabine Meyer (DREAM SEEDS & KING HAROLD AND THE HAIRLESS

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Sabine Meyer, a psychiatrist and writer, about her wrtings and WILDsound converting her short stories into films. Sabine explained how her interest in using dreams for writing inspiration began after listening to a lecture by Robert Butler about accessing the subconscious through dreams, which led her to start recording and developing her vivid dreams into stories. She discussed her collection "Dream Seeds," which consists of vignettes exploring mother-daughter relationships and symbolic bird imagery, as well as her political commentary story "King Harold and the Hairless" which was inspired by current political situations and draws parallels to "A Christmas Carol." Sabine shared that her writing career began during COVID-19 when she gained extra time from reduced commuting. She has three daughters who serve as her harshest critics while offering writing advice like "write as if nobody's ever going to read your stuff."

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 28, 2026

EP. 1859: Filmmaker Maël Caradec (boysick)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Maël Caradec about his short film "boysick," a 26-minute French film exploring virtual stalking on Grindr following a breakup. Maël explained the film was inspired by his own personal experience with problematic stalking behavior after being ghosted by an ex-boyfriend, and he worked with two different composers for the music—using Marvet's existing songs for the character's singing and a separate composer for the original soundtrack. The film was shot handheld with a Zucanescope DV2009 camera to create a grainy, authentic look and featured challenging scenes with many extras in a club setting. This was Maël's second short film, and he discussed his upcoming third film "Sad Pride Generation" and plans for a future feature film about a queer love story between two men on vacation, emphasizing his commitment to telling LGBTQ+ stories despite industry pressure to make them more mainstream.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 26, 2026

EP. 1858: Filmmaker Hamish Sturgeon (GOSSAMER)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Hamish Sturgeon about his short film "Gossamer," which premiered at the LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Hamish described the film as a drama exploring identity, with thriller and experimental elements, and explained its origins from his own reflections on private identity and the act of making costumes. He discussed the decision to direct and act in the film, the collaborative process with his team, and the importance of the single Hollywood location. Hamish shared insights into working with cinematographer Jesse Aragon to achieve a cinematic look, the challenges of directing himself, and the post-production process. He also spoke about his background as an acting teacher and director at the Margie Haber Studio and his plans to continue creating films and theater productions. The conversation highlighted the collaborative nature of filmmaking and the lessons learned from his first directing experience.

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 26, 2026

EP. 1857: Producer Deborah Coltin (Munkács Miracle)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed Deborah Colton, executive producer of the film "Munkács Miracle," about the extraordinary reunion of Holocaust survivors Magda Bader and Ruth Cohen. Deborah explained how she discovered their shared history and arranged their emotional meeting in Boston at age 95, capturing it on film for educational purposes. She discussed the film's focus on their personal stories, the declining knowledge of the Holocaust among younger generations, and the universal message of resilience and the dangers of hate. The conversation also touched on the importance of kindness, the impact of the survivors' testimonies on students, and the broader need for Holocaust education. WILDsound praised the film's powerful impact and expressed interest in the survivors' ongoing work.

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Subscribe to the podcast:

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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.

• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.

• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.

Go to https://www.wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.

Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at https://www.wildsound.ca/browse

Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.

Matthew ToffoloSeptember 24, 2026

EP. 1856: Filmmaker Joe James Clark (Gotham's Royale)

Matthew Toffolo interviewed filmmaker Joe James Clarke about his fan fiction film "Gotham's Royal," which was accepted into the WILDsound Festival. Joe discussed his directorial debut, explaining that he wanted to create something stylized and different from his usual acting work. He described how the film takes Batman back to his 1940s noir roots with a black and white aesthetic, featuring a poker game between Bruce Wayne and various DC villains, including Lex Luthor, the Penguin, and Harvey Dent. Joe detailed the casting process, noting that he held auditions for the main roles rather than casting friends, and highlighted the work of his crew, including cinematographer Drew Suppa, production designer John Cabinale, and VFX supervisor Jonathan McClintick. He also explained the film's surprise ending reveal of the Joker and Harley Quinn and discussed his plans to potentially move into horror filmmaking next.

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