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.
A DANCE AWAY, 14min., USA
Directed by Maxwell Gilbert
A Dance Away tells the story of Ava, a college dancer who breaks her ankle during a performance a few months prior. Still traumatized and scared to go back on stage, her best friend, Riley, gives her a strange necklace, which mysteriously transports her into a realm. From there, she meets three dancers who give her a dance away.
https://www.instagram.com/adanceawayshortfilm/
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Watch best scene reading: https://youtu.be/IhdiRMQznCY
Get to know the writer:
What is your screenplay about?
When Lizzie Franks, a gorgeous African-American paraplegic, is fired from her job at a company she helped start and her fiance dumps her, she joins The Iron Maiden, a women-only gym to find a reason to go on. But Brandon Wickie, the brilliant, ultra-wealthy owner of the gym kidnaps her. He uses a unique nannite technology he’s invented to assemble his ideal mate from the body parts of women bodybuilders he kidnaps from his gym and he attaches Lizzie’s head to his creation. Meanwhile, Mathew Tran, a Chicago detective, is hot on Brandon’s trail as he tries to discover who has been kidnapping women bodybuilders and who killed George Johnson, the husband of one of the women and also a Chicago Detective. The movie culminates in a fight to the death between Lizzie and Brandon, both of whom have super-human strength and healing powers due to the nannites in their veins. Lizzie, in her unfamiliar body, must find a new inner strength and push herself beyond her limits to save herself and Detective Tran.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Horror/thriller
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
The simplest answer is because it will be a money-maker if it’s done right. It can be made as a low-budget horror film, which are extremely popular worldwide. It can also be produced as a high budget superhero origin story with A-list actors such as Zandaya as Lizzy Franks and Michael Cera as Brandon Wickie. It could also be the first in a series of movies following Lizzie’s adventures, it could be turned into one or a series of graphic novels, and it would make a great animated film or series.
In addition, it has a multi-racial cast of quirky characters, its heroine is uniquely different from any other superhero or female movie lead, the world of female bodybuilding is an unusual environment, and it combines humor with mystery, intense action and a bit of grisly horror, so it will keep an audience emotionally engaged and guessing about what comes next.
Finally, it explores important topics such as the danger of tech-bros with too much money (looking at you, Bezos and Musk), the dangers and benefits of AI-based technology, and female empowerment, so it’s more engaging than if it were just a whiz-bang popcorn movie.
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I WISH I WAS A DOG, 12min., Canada
Directed by Katherine Costal
When a young woman's desire to become a true member of her favourite art club turns her into a dog, she finds the newfound relationship between her and the members poses a different kind of challenge.
https://www.instagram.com/kat_costal/
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Final Transmission, 10min., UK
Directed by Sean Coleman
Alone aboard a crippled transport drifting through deep space, Commander Elias Walker records what will become humanity’s final message. Earth is gone, and the ship, once a vessel of hope, now carries only failure and silence. As oxygen fades, Elias begins a calm mission log, clinging to duty and procedure. But as systems die around him, the truth surfaces. He isn’t just facing his own death, he’s witnessing the extinction of mankind.
https://www.instagram.com/sean_coleman7/
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CROWDED RIVER, 9min., Australia
Directed by Andrew M Sully
When Jane, a mid-career novelist racing a looming deadline, accepts a last-minute dog-sitting stay in a secluded riverside home — the perfect hideout to finish her book, or so she thinks — ordinary moments begin to feel charged with unease. The quiet quickly curdles. A stranger arrives, claiming to be ‘maintenance.’ No phone signal. A river sealed in ice. Footprints in the snow. What starts as a working retreat becomes a tightening psychological trap.
https://www.instagram.com/crowdedriver
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Watch the Best Scene of THE MEMORY TAX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLcReloL8k
A 14-year-old girl with an experimental neural implant can access the entirety of human knowledge with her mind, but every ‘download’ costs her a piece of her past. While hiding in plain sight from the shadowy corporation that created her, she must decide how much of herself she is willing to forget to save the people she loves.
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
I would clarify that The Memory Tax is actually written as a one-hour television pilot, although I believe the concept is cinematic enough to work in a visual medium.
It should be produced because it has a strong, immediately understandable science-fiction hook with deep emotional consequences. The central idea involves a teenage girl who can access unlimited knowledge but loses her memories every time she does is both high-concept and character-driven.
The story also speaks to modern anxieties about technology, identity, artificial intelligence, medical ethics, corporate ownership, and the cost of constant access to information. But instead of telling that story through machines or institutions alone, it filters everything through a vulnerable teenage girl who simply wants to live a normal life.
That gives the project both genre appeal and emotional accessibility.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Costly knowledge.
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
E.T. is one of the films I’ve returned to the most. I’ve always admired how it takes a science-fiction premise and grounds it in childhood, loneliness, friendship, and family. That is something I tried to bring into The Memory Tax. The genre concept matters, but the emotional experience of the child at the center matters even more.
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REDLINING, 18min., USA
Directed by Jason Stuart
REDLINING is about a black & white family who live on the same property during the 1970s in the Georgia REDLINING era. The film explores the themes of generational wealth, prejudice, homosexuality, women’s rights and the legacy of discrimination in the American South. Who gets to live where? What happens when the parents pass? Who gets the house? And why?
https://www.instagram.com/thejasonstuart/
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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3d7ULGYSPk
What is your screenplay about?
In 1947 a 19-year-old female genius is rejected for every job she applies to.
She gets recruited into a covert military program working alongside peaceful alien refugees.
When a test flight goes wrong, she’s the only one who can save the two men, including the one who spent months harassing her.
She learns the hard way that in order to get respect, she first has to give it.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Soft Sci-Fi and Drama.
The alien and technology are just the hooks.
It’s really about the characters.
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AN AFTERNOON IN KNIFE SELLING WITH PSYCHO SAMMY, 10min., Canada
Directed by George Yonemon
18-year-old Jesse shadows a professional at his new kitchen knife-selling summer job.
https://www.instagram.com/ge_orangeyonemori/
https://www.georgeyonemori.com/writing
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JC Bratton's Dollhouse, 19min., USA
Directed by Ken Zheng, Livi Zheng
In the wake of a mysterious family death, a couple’s night of mourning is interrupted by a strange delivery containing an antique dollhouse and a terrifying tale about its lone occupant.
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The Offering, 3min., Canada
Directed by Banpreet singh
https://www.instagram.com/banpreet_gill
Setting: Canadian streets at night.
The Protagonist: a man living on the razor's edge of poverty, working gruelling hours for wages that barely cover his rent in an increasingly expensive urban landscape.
The Conflict: After a particularly lean month, protagonist finally treats himself to a modest meal from a local grocery store—a rare moment of indulgence intended to quiet the persistent ache in his stomach. As he starts to eat food outside the store, he notices a figure sitting nearby road.
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Learning to Cuss, 4min., USA
Directed by Corey Foxx
Two young boys decide it is time to learn the ways of speaking like an adult.
https://instagram.com/austinfoxx11/
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THE HARPIES, 4min., Canada
Directed by Rogan Lovse
The Harpies was written, filmed, and edited in 48 hours as part of the 2024 Run N Gun: Vancouver's 48 hour Film Competition. Winner of the Run N Gun's Best Cinematography and Best Art awards, as well as, being nominated for Best Picture, Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Direction.
https://www.instagram.com/the_harpies_horror_short_film/
——
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Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNOF8lNvsOc
After the death of her father and the loss of her racing partner, a veteran off-road driver enters an all-women desert rally with an unlikely teammate.
Get to know the writer:
1. What is your screenplay about?
DESERT BELLES is about a mature woman pushing herself to win an off-road desert auto race to save the family business and in doing so rediscovering her passion for the sport.
2. What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Action adventure.
3. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
DESERT BELLES is based on a real women-only off road competition, The Rebelle Rally. The world is exciting, dangerous, physically and mentally challenging and shows that women are strong and resourceful competitors. We’ve had 100 plus years of men in movies having grand adventures. Now it’s time for women, and women of an age, to be the lead.
4. How would you describe this script in two words?
Exhilirating competition.
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The Enigmatic Crew, 40min., USA
Directed by Mark Buerck
Five best friends: Tony, Leo, Jimmy, Jason, and Kevin reunite during spring break of March 2024 after being drifted apart due to their commitments of their College Education. They all spend the whole day together, hanging out, catching up on life, and discuss their past and their plans for the future. Especially their future plans to go on vacation together. As the day goes by, they see plans won't go their way, they fight, but eventually get through it as best friends should.
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WHEN FIGHTING MONSTERS, 18min., USA
Directed by Sherill Quinn
A bereaved detective struggles to make sense of his daughter’s untimely death.
https://www.instagram.com/when_fighting_monsters_movie
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I’ve always believed that to make art is to make sense of the world you live in. The things you’ve experienced and the lessons you’ve learned. When Fighting Monsters was meant as a portrait of grief, and a reminder to be there for your loved ones amidst the growing mental health crisis in America.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
Two years. The original idea I’d had was a solo scene. I wrote that scene while on an airplane, then basically forgot about it for a year. Then in 2024, I picked it up again and thought, why don’t I just finish this? Once I started writing, I couldn’t stop. I finished the first draft in a few days and reached out to a producer friend to see if he would be interested in working on it. Fortunately he said yes, and pre-production quickly followed. We finished principal photography three months later, and the film was finalized almost exactly a year after I’d finished writing it.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Dark, Gritty
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
I think the biggest obstacle was learning to trust myself. I spent all of pre-production terrified that I was going to screw it up, or that something would go terribly wrong in the middle of filming. Then once we had finished filming, I had to trust myself to edit the film. This was equally daunting, knowing that everyone’s time and hard work was all wrapped up in a tiny hard drive on my desk. I think that’s a natural part of every creator’s journey. You don’t know what to expect until you jump in.
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SHE WAS, 20min., Germany
Directed by Abril Andrea Arnauda Appel
When a migrant songwriter dies of an apparent suicide, her voice echoes the truth.
https://www.instagram.com/shewas_shortfilm
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THE SEA, 10min., Canada
Diercted by Son Roberts
This experimental short film is a "Jazz Monologue" presented by an elusive oracle. Through rage and reflection, incendiary prose and inspirational poetry, he reminds us of the legacy of lies that define our human journey. And he insists that we embrace the redemptive power of truth, from generation to generation.
https://www.instagram.com/thesonroberts/
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I came on board because our co-producer and the writer of the monologue, Frank Francis, is a long time friend and collaborator. My admiration for Frank, and our collective efforts to tell relevant stories about human rights and social justice lit the fire for this project.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this film? About 18 months.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Haunting and necessary.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Financing it.
5. There are 5 stages of the filmmaking process: Development. Pre-Production. Production. Post-Production. Distribution. What is your favorite stage of the filmmaking process?
Shooting and post-production are tied for my favourites.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I started making motion pictures in high school, pursued the art form in commercial work for decades. Now, it is my primary focus..
7. What film have you seen the most times in your life?
The Third Man
8. In a perfect world: Who would you like to work with/collaborate with on a film?
Charlize Theron, Ethan Hawke, Sean Penn, Hailee Steinfeld, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mahershala Ali, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Masanobu Takayanagi, Jomo Fray.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Excellent. FF offers a Seamless, professional and wide reaching portal.
10. What is your favourite meal?
Pretty much anything my girlfriend cooks.
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Two music videos and a music documentary are in post-production. A short film and feature film are in Development.
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The Rules of Life., 13min., United Arab Emirates
Directed by Larry Neale
Max still lives under his parents’ roof, drifting through life with no direction. He spends his days immersed in the digital world, avoiding the real one entirely. The dreams he once chased have faded, and now he’s stuck; unmotivated, uninspired, and unsure how he got here.
https://www.instagram.com/papillonfilms20
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Roxy & The Man, 17min., USA
Directed by Joey Medina
A terminally ill Vietnam veteran finds solace and purpose in rescuing an abused dog no one else wanted, rediscovering the meaning of life and the profound power of companionship.
Get to know the filmmaker:
1. What motivated you to make this film?
I wanted to make a film about two broken souls that together become whole.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
From thinking about the project, to the finished product probably took two years.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Beautifully sad.
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Finding the right dog to play the lead. I never intended to use my own.
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I know they got it. They understood the message.
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
In fifth grade after watching a super 8 film my teacher made with his class the period year.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Rocky. Best film ever made.
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Exposore and feedback are key.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
The platform is the easiest way to submit and keep track of submissions.
10. What is your favorite meal?
Seafood of any kind
11. What is next for you? A new film?
Yes , working on my first dramatic animation called, #SAY-HER-NAME.
