Would you eat human for humanity? By 2050, the global population will be 10 billion. How can we produce food without wrecking the planet? The aim of the campaign was to highlight this question, and Sweden’s answer. In the film Eat a Swede, viewers follow Erik Karlsson, a Swedish scientist with a controversial business idea: to produce and sell lab-grown human meat to feed our planet. But you know what, why eat a Swede, when you can eat Swedish!

Project Links

• Website

Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. 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.

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September 11, 2022 - Filmmaker Daniel Hallberg (EAT A SWEDE)

Matthew Toffolo

Teo Belton is a French and Mexican film director and screenwriter based in Peru. His talent for photography and storytelling is immense, and it really shows in his recent short film CUIDANTSIQMI: Love and Care for the Land.

“The Wari Indigenous people of the Llupa community, located below the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes, are facing an environmental disaster that is directly affecting their physical and mental health.”

Director Statement

Dedicating myself to film directing has allowed me to be versatile in my interest and ability to reveal unique worlds and atmospheres in both fiction and documentary.

I am interested in staging singular worlds, since I can understand them from my own life, forged from encounters and dreamlike journeys, since my childhood since I was born in Zapopan, a town in Mexico, where I lived and grew up with native peoples. Native cultures have always accompanied me and today they persist as memories that direct my gaze towards different ways of existing.

The cinema is for me, the possibility of continuing with an oneiric journey that marked my existence.

Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. 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.

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September 6, 2022 - Filmmaker Teo Belton (CUIDANTSIQMI: Love and Care for the Land)

Matthew Toffolo

BLOSSOM IS SILENCE is an amazing extreme sports short documentary about the meaning of life.

“Laura ran away from home after junior high school, but she found her self in vertical caving and painting. This film is about extreme sports and meditations on how to live an authentic life.”

Director Statement

There are plenty of films about the coolness of extreme sports. However, I want to focus on the reasons behind it. This film is about caving but more about how to be a modern hermit. It's made for young people who are wondering about their place in this over-competitive society. I want to inspire them: it's okay to step out of what the society tells you.

Read blog interview with Zhihao Deng: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/blossom-in-silence

Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service today. 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.

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September 2, 2022 - Filmmaker Zhihao Deng (BLOSSOM IN SILENCE)

Matthew Toffolo

Shopping Cart People presents an unflinching exploration of people living in today’s world as homeless and those advocating for them. Stories are told, lives are shared, as a filmmaker delves into a community’s efforts to help those without a voice and protect their belongings. You’ll see interviews with community members and activists as they grapple with this controversial issue.

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/shopping-cart-people-trailer

https://matthewtoffolo.com/2022/07/28/interview-with-filmmaker-duffy-hecht-shopping-cart-people/

Director BIO:

As a producer, Duffy’s films include the independent feature “First, Last and Deposit.” Peter Marin of Atlantic Magazine called it “the best movie about the homeless since Midnight Cowboy.” After winning awards at the San Francisco and New York City Independent Film Festivals, “FLD” became a popular staple on TV's Independent Film Channel.

His next two films were with with writer-director Stuart Gordon (Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Re-Animator). Their first project was the film version of Charlie Higson’s novel “King Of The Ants,” followed by “Edmond,” written by Pulitzer-prize winner David Mamet. “Edmond” featuring William H. Macy (Best Actor winner at Mar del Plata and Newport Beach), Julia Stiles, Joe Mantegna and Mena Suvari.

His films and videos have screened at many of the world’s great film festivals including Venice, Telluride, Seattle, Sitges, Leeds, the Berlin Film Market (sponsored by IFP and Kodak), Vienna, Deauville, Santa Barbara (twice), Seattle, Rio De Janeiro, Puchon (Korea), Cinequest as well as IndieFests in the US and abroad.

A life-long political activist, Duffy served on the board of the Santa Barbara Legal Defense Center. This activist spirit is reflected in his directing debut, “The 8th Street Bridge,” as well as his next directing effort, “Occupy Santa Barbara.” Both were Official Selections of The Santa Barbara Film Festival.

In 2020, Duffy Produced and Directed the documentary “Our Two Years With Trump” which screened at film festivals in Los Angeles, Taos, Prague and Bengal, India, winning awards for Best Documentary and Raising Social Awareness.

His latest documentary as Producer/Director is “Shopping Cart People” a look at an underreported segment of the homeless community. This project reunites Duffy with composer Bobby Johnston (This American Life, Wristcutters) for their third project together.

Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. 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.

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August 17, 2022 - Filmmaker Duffy Hecht (SHOPPING CART PEOPLE)

Matthew Toffolo

From October 15, 1979 to January 16, 1992, El Salvador endured a civil war. More than 8000 people were forcibly disappeared, over 80,000 died, 1 million were displaced, and 500,000 were internally displaced. The Woman in White is a short documentary, produced by Jaberi Dance Theatre, that explores the true story of a nurse and mother, Juana Irma Cisneros Ticas, who was captured and forcibly disappeared in El Salvador during the Salvadoran Civil War.

"What an incredibly poignant film – it’s an amazing piece of work."
—Samer Muscati, Human Rights Watch

Project Links

• Website

• Instagram

Director Biography - Roshanak Jaberi

Roshanak is an Iranian-born Canadian artist, producer, director, and a Dora nominated choreographer and performer with a career that spans over 20 years. She is also the founding artistic director of Jaberi Dance Theatre, based in Toronto. Described as a “force to reckon with,” she has created and co-created over 30 works in dance, visual arts, film and music, has performed in numerous dance works, and has presented her work in Canada and internationally.

Roshanak is the recipient of the ISPA-International Society of Performing Arts Global Fellowship (2020, 2021) and the Chalmers Arts Fellowship (2019), and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours from York University. She has been a guest speaker and lecturer in various forums, and her work has been referenced in adult education courses and in critical pedagogy at the University of Toronto.

Director Statement

We often hear stories about victims of forced disappearance, but rarely do we experience them from the perspective of their families who are still searching. This photo exhibit and film offers an intimate look into a daughter’s journey through love and loss, and her quest for justice. The items featured in these photos–an ID card and graduation cape–hold special memories and are among the few remaining pieces belonging to Juana Irma.

Film playing on the Film Festival Streaming service later this month. 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.

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August 12, 2022 - Filmmaker Roshanak Jaberi (THE WOMAN IN WHITE)

Matthew Toffolo

12 SHADES OF GREY was awarded BEST FILM at the June 2022 SCIENCE & NATURE Festival.

Watch the Short Film Trailer: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/12-shades-of-grey-short-film-trailer

“To have followed mainstream media for best on four decades, together with countless films and television programs relating to the Great White Shark, its no surprise that the overwhelming public and social sentiment is one of fear and loathing.

In a similar light to foreign and domestic governments inoctrinating the populations to despise a supposed enemy, the Great White has become the common foe of people throughout the globe. There appears to be a gap between public sentiment and the views of scientist and shark enthusiasts across the board. The question remains, how to we bridge this gap?”

Conversation with Anthony Gordon on the making of 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.

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July 23, 2022 - Filmmaker Anthony Gordon (12 SHADES OF GREY)

Matthew Toffolo

“In the Realm of Death & Dreaming” was the winner of BEST FEATURE FILM at the WILDsound Film Festival.

In the documentary they ask the big question: What happens when we die? Does consciousness continue or is it lights out? The director, Johanna Lunn, guides viewers on her quest to find out.

Project Links

• Website

• Facebook

• Twitter

• Instagram

Conversation with Johanna J. Lunn on the process making this film and the other films in the works.

Playing at the Virtual Festival on July 14/15 on the APP. 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.

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July 9, 2022 - Filmmaker Johanna J. Lunn (In the Realm of Death & Dreaming)

Matthew Toffolo

“Raising The Steaks: An Organic Farmer's Journey” played to rave reviews at the Toronto Documentary Film Festival.

https://www.instagram.com/raisingthesteaksdoc/

Conversation with filmmaker Madelyn Kleinsasser on the making of this Humber College student film about they world she grew up in.

“With the recent spike in veganism popularity people are realizing the harm we are doing to this planet and think the solution to it is to quit meat entirely. This creates hostility towards conventional farmers and ones trying to help the environment as well the animals they care for. Megan Thomas, owner and operator of Perry’s Corners Farm and young mother of twin girls shares her story of becoming an organic farmer in Southern Ontario. She discusses the hardships and joys of organic farming while promoting the practice in the face of climate change. Showing the quality of life her animals lead, free of cages and hormones, in order to bring attention to the miserable lives’ animals have with conventional farming methods. She is joined by Johann Kleinsasser, a biodynamic farmer who shares his words of wisdom from years of experience in the field.”

Film also showing on the WILDsound TV app. 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.

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May 18, 2022 - Filmmaker Madelyn Kleinsasser (Raising The Steaks: An Organic Farmer's Journey)

Matthew Toffolo

“Holky: The Steven Holcomb Story” was the winner of BEST FILM at the Documentary Film Festival.

Steven Holcomb, known to his team and friends as “Holky”, is a bobsled driver from Park City, Utah, who emerges as an unlikely best hope to end Team USA’s 62-year Olympic gold medal drought. But Steven has a dangerous secret: He is going blind.

In the last interview conducted before he passed away at the age of 37, Steven tells his own story of rising through the ranks as a bobsled driver, hiding his blindness from his team as he becomes one of the best sled drivers in the world, his struggle with depression, and how, with the help of an experimental surgery, he overcomes his obstacles and captures gold before his untimely death.

At a time when society is finally beginning to discuss the mental health of athletes, the film makes an invaluable contribution to this important conversation.

Conversation with director Anna Auster and Producer/Editor Jared Dubrino on the making of the film.

Film also showing on the WILDsound TV app. 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.

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May 3, 2022 - Filmmaker/Editors Anna Auster & Jared Dubrino (Holky: The Steven Holcomb Story)

Matthew Toffolo

COUNTY was the winner of BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT at the March 2022 POLITICAL Feedback Film Festival.

”The biggest secret in politics is the smallest office you could possibly run for. "County" is a documentary about County Committee—the fundamental building blocks of our democracy that our Parties don’t want you to know about—and the activists in NYC fighting to unveil and reform a corrupt system.”

https://www.facebook.com/countyfilm

Conversation with Fahim about the making of this short film and his personal experience of not only doing political organizing but also running for County Committee himself.

Film also showing on the WILDsound TV app. 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.

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April 28, 2022 - Filmmaker Fahim Hamid (COUNTY)

Matthew Toffolo

WHEN THE STAGE LIGHTS GO OUT played at the March 2022 Toronto Documentary Film Festival.

“Documentary about six actors from Broadway to Toronto dealing with the issues of COVID all while trying to navigate financial instability, and the complete loss of their industry. This is their story.”

Conversation with filmmaker Gordon Yarley on the making of the film at Humber College.

https://instagram.com/StageLightsDoc

Film also playing at the WILDsound TV app next month. 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.

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April 5th 2022 - Filmmaker Gordon Yarley (WHEN THE STAGE LIGHTS GO OUT)

Matthew Toffolo

“Roe v. Wade: A Legal History” was the winner of Best Documentary Short at the 2022 Female Film Festival.

“As one of the most consequential decisions in the history of the Supreme Court, Roe v. Wade articulated the right to abortion as a fundamental right. But where did this landmark case originate? In this documentary short, six law professors discuss how and why Roe v. Wade made it to the Supreme Court.”

Conversation with producer Samantha Schroeder on the process making the film and her way of getting the best out of her interview subjects.

Film also playing at the WILDsound TV app next month. 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.

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March 31st - Producer Samantha Schroeder (Roe v. Wade: A Legal History)

Matthew Toffolo

LOVE DOESN’T EQUAL SEX played to rave reviews at the March 2022 LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

“Documentary about five people on the asexual spectrum sharing the stories of how they knew they were asexual, who they told, and how it affected their lives afterwards.”.

Conversation with Producer Col Dymock on the making of the film at Humber College and their reasons for making it.

Film also playing at the WILDsound TV app all day on April 3rd. 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.

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March 27, 2022 - Filmmaker Col Dymock (LOVE DOESN'T EQUAL SEX)

Matthew Toffolo

SPOKESPEOPLE was the winner of Best Film at the January 2022 Documentary Short Film Festival.

Film playing at the WILDsound TV app this week. You can watch for free and sign up 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.

“For Los Angeles natives living in the early 1900’s, bicycles and streetcars shared the road as our primary modes of transportation. But the arrival of the freeway effectively wiped them out. Today, a collective of cycling communities fight for protected bike lanes and road safety; determined to bring a new era of mobility justice to the city.”

Conversation with filmmaker Ryan Mekenian on the making of the film.

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February 9, 2022 - Filmmaker Ryan Mekenian (SPOKESPEOPLE)

Matthew Toffolo

HEIMAT – REQUIEUM FOR THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT was the winner of “Best Experimental Documentary” at the December 2021 Documentary Film Festival. Also pllaying at the WILDsound TV app TODAY, a part of the best of MODERN TIMES documentary festival. You can watch for free and sign up 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.

“Four theatermakers from Belgium travel to the melting glaciers on Greenland. Their goal: to play a new composed requiem and say goodbye to the world as we know it.”

Conversation with filmmaker Freek Vielen on the making of the film.

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February 5, 2022 - Filmmaker Freek Vielen (HEIMAT – REQUIEUM FOR THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT)

Matthew Toffolo

THE DARK HOBBY was the winner of BEST FEATURE FILM at the December 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL Film Festival. There is a 2nd screening on the WILDsound APP in February. You can watch for free and sign up at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS).

In Hawaii, a group of Native Hawaiians and conservationists struggles politically to protect the exotic fish being looted from the reefs. Turtles, whales, and dolphins are all protected, but not the fish. Now many verges on extinction. 28 million fish are in the aquarium trade pipeline at any given time. They undergo bladder piercing, fin cutting and starvation for shipment and reach the mainland dead or dying. They would have lived up to forty years on a reef. Fish species are in crisis worldwide and many are caught with cyanide and dynamite.

Conversation with documentary director Paula Fouce on the making of the film.

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January 25, 2022 - Filmmaker Paula Fouce (THE DARK HOBBY)

Matthew Toffolo

ELEVATE was the winner of BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY at the December 2021 Documentary Film Festival. There is a 2nd screening on the WILDsound APP in February. You can watch for free and sign up at www.wildsound.ca (available on your streaming services and APPS).

”Elevate tells the story of Matteo Manfron’s attempt on the Genoa – Mont Blanc record, a gruelling ~300km challenge that brings you from Genoa to Courmayeur by bicycle, and by foot for the rest of the climb to the top of Mont Blanc.”

Conversation with documentary filmmaker Robert Bean on the making of the film.

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January 19, 2022 - Filmmaker Robert Bean (ELEVATE)

Matthew Toffolo

THE MIRROR is an animation/documentary short film made by “Still I Rise Films” www.stillirisefilms.org/ , an organization that produces a series of short films, directed and produced by women, shatters stereotypes and honors those striving for dignity and justice.

Conversation with filmmaker Mimi Chakarova on the creative process making this very important short film.

"The Mirror" is a short animated film that weaves the personal stories, experiences and reflections of nine Black women talking about their interactions with white people.

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January 1, 2022 - Filmmaker Mimi Chakarova (THE MIRROR)

Matthew Toffolo

November 28, 2021 - Filmmakers Yann Ollivier & Judith Rueff (THE ROAD TO LIFE)

Matthew Toffolo

THE ROAD TO LIFE was the winner of BEST SHORT FILM at the November 2021 BLACK Feedback Film Festival.

“Northern Nigeria. Maryam is 11 years old. Her family fled from Bama to Maiduguri and eventually came back when the army liberated the town from Boko Haram.”

Conversation with producer Yann Ollivier and director Judith Rueff on the unique making of this important film.

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TIMELESS DRIFT was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the November 2021 Documentary Short Film Festival. You can watch the film and festival for FREE today HERE.

November 18, 2021 - Filmmaker Mathieu Dumond (TIMELESS DRIFT)

Matthew Toffolo

“Short poetic documentary showcasing the Coppermine River in the Canadian Arctic through the long journey of a driftwood log witnessing some of the life and history tied to the river all the way to the Arctic Ocean.”

Conversation with filmmaker Mathieu Dumond on the making of the film.

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