ELLIDA, 85min., Switzerland, Drama/Relationships
Directed by Leon Mitchell
Producer/Star: Katrina Syran
Writer: Birgit Syran Myaard
Based upon Henrik Ibsen’s famous play, The Lady From The Sea. It’s set in a timeless period shot south of Norway where Munch painted his masterpiece The Sun. We follow the journey of Ellida’s world of loss, love and passion, heightened with the compositions of Grammy winner Mark Thomas and cinematography of Bafta-nominated Ian James Gray.

From Katrina Syran:

Being Norwegian I’ve grown up with Ibsen and I have played many of his roles, Gerd from Brand, Hilde from The Master Builder, Nora from The Dolls House & I have even translated for U.K. big theatre director Mike Alfreds the play, Ghosts.

After writing 3 of his plays into monologues, Hedda Gabler,The Dolls House & The Lady From The Sea and producing & directing them I realised The Lady From The Sea is a very visual play and could work beautifully as a movie.

Interview conducted by Matthew Toffolo

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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December 3, 2022 - Producer/Actor Katrina Syran (ELLIDA)

Matthew David Toffolo

ONE & ONLY is an experimental comedy special written and performed by Sophia Cleary for an audience of one person. Using this 1:1 ratio of performer to audience, ONE & ONLY explores connection, intimacy and the shifting power dynamics in live comedy.  

https://www.sophiacleary.com/

https://www.instagram.com/_sophia_cleary/

https://twitter.com/_sophia_cleary

Sophia Cleary is a queer, genreless, childless & anti-disciplinary comedian, writer, and artist working with jokes, video, dance, music, and more. She has presented her work in NYC at the Center for Performance Research, Danspace Project, the Chocolate Factory, Dixon Place, The Kitchen, and e-flux and in Los Angeles at the Hammer Museum and Human Resources Gallery. Sophia co-created "Miracle," an anti-fan fiction play about Anne Geddes and GG Allin with performance artist Neal Medlyn. She is the founder and coordinator of the works-in-progress series REHEARSAL and former co-editor for Ugly Duckling Presse's performance annual Emergency INDEX. She is one-half of feminist punk band Penis, a collaboration with Samara Davis.

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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October 6, 2022 - Writer/Actor Sophia Cleary (ONE & ONLY)

Matthew Toffolo

“A heartwarming comedy about appreciating what you have whether you are single, in a relationship or it's complicated. It's Valentine's day and none of the couples coming in have a reservation, one of them suffers from OTD. The chef is giving the server shit for not being able to pronounce Shahi Paneer. A single guy comes in with a book and he has a reservation. What is he writing? why is he by himself on Valentine's day? What is OTD? How do you actually say Shahi Paneer?”

Project Links

• Website

• Instagram

Director Statement

Humour is one of the most underrated emotions especially when it comes to films. Making people laugh lowers their inhibition and more receptive to what you are trying to say, which is why I love comedies. Gratitude was made by a small team of wonderful humans with huge hearts, we laughed every day on set, during rehearsal and while shooting. Even if I don't get into your festival, if I made you smile and start appreciating what you got, I have achieved my goal, enjoy!

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 26, 2022 - Filmmaker/Actor Sidartha Murjani (GRATITUDE)

Matthew Toffolo

BABA is a multiple award winning short film from a talented filmmaking team based in Toronto. Interview with co-director Anya Chirkova, co-director Meran Ismailsoy, writer/star Mariyar Khatam.

https://www.instagram.com/funnybonepictures/

“A middle-aged Iranian man makes a desperate bid to keep his apartment, as his relationship with his son unravels.”

Director Statement

Baba is a fever dream dark comedy that focuses on a father accelerating down a path of narcissism and toxic masculinity. It’s a character study of a middle-aged man whose lifestyle crumbled after an agonizing divorce, leading him into a downward spiral of avoiding consequences. At its core, the story deals with an immigrant who hasn't fully integrated, is constantly dealing with language barriers and is being parented by his own son.

The film aims to examine the aftermath of an individual who escaped from an oppressive society and unwittingly over-indulged in the freedom of his newly found culture.

The shortsightedness of the father’s nature informed us to have the film take place in real-time, fueling horrifyingly awkward moments.

The film's intimate and heartbreaking story comes from the screenplay by Maziyar Khatam, whose real-life father was the core inspiration. Maziyar also portrays the son in the film. This project is a collaboration of three individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds, navigating the psychology of a desperate immigrant father.

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 24, 2022 - BABA short film team (Anya Chirkova, Meran Ismailsoy, Maziyar Khatam)

Matthew Toffolo

HYSTERICAL was the winner of BEST FEATURE FILM at the June 2022 Toronto COMEDY Film Festival.

`https://www.emmaspeer.me/hysterical

https://www.instagram.com/hystericalpotatoes

“Hysterical is a film-adaptation of a one-woman theatre performance. The stem-level plot is this: a girl-woman lost her uterus and sorts through her mind-farm-memories to find it. On a deeper level, the show explores intergenerational womanhood and inherited trauma. It weaves together themes of independence, institutionalized mental health, the female body and its policing, fertility, immigration, and growth to present to you, the audience, an unintentional coming-of-age tale for and of us all, just trying to do the best we can with what we have.”

Conversation with the creator and star Emma Spear on the making of the film. From what was supposed to be a one-woman show, turns into a feature film during the Covid era.

WATCH this film next month. Go to 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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June 26, 2022 - Writer/Actor Emma Spear (HYSTERICAL)

Matthew Toffolo

OUT AND BACK was the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY at the April 2022 SPORTS & RECREATION Film Festival.

”A runner sets out for an anxiety liberation run at dusk. She's not the only one. A remarkable encounter reveals the power of pain and unspoken camaraderie.”

https://www.wsfpofficial.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wsfpofficial/

https://twitter.com/wsfpofficial

https://facebook.com/wsfpofficial

Conversation with writer/actor Heather Irvine on the personal story making this 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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April 29, 2022 - Writer/Actor Heather Irvine (OUT AND BACK)

Matthew Toffolo

GARY played to rave reviews at the February 2022 COMEDY Film Festival. Conversation with veteran comedian actor Andrew Hawtrey on the making of his first directed film.

“A breif example of the lack of control over ones inner voice.”

Watch more of Andrew on his website: http://andrewhawtrey.com/

Twitter page: https://twitter.com/andrewhawtrey

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 9, 2022 - Filmmaker/Actor Andrew Hawtrey (GARY)

Matthew Toffolo

ANACHRONISM was voted BEST DIRECTION at the January 2022 DANCE Film Festival.

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.

Conversation with filmmaker Evi Tzortzi on starring in and directing ANACHRONISM.

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February 13, 2022 - Filmmaker Evi Tzortzi (ANACHRONISM)

Matthew Toffolo

THE OUT-FIT was the winner of Best Direction at the January 2022 Film Festival.

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

“When coming out of the thrift store isn't all you do. A new coming-of-age queer film follows Emily, a costume-wearing 25-year-old, on her journey through change, love, and discovering one's self.”

Conversation with creator Jessica Rookeward on the making of the film.

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February 10, 2022 - Actor/Producer/Writer Jessica Rookeward (THE OUT-FIT)

Matthew Toffolo

COMPEL was the winner of BEST FILM at the January 2022 WILDsound Film Festival. Also playing at the WILDsound TV app next month. 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.

“Jessica is recently separated and looking for some sexual intrigue. She brings home Dan, a stranger who may have gotten more than he bargained for when her soon-to-be-ex husband Jeff pays her a surprise visit. The couple airs their grievances as Dan remains on, a captive witness to a scene of pending domestic violence.”

Conversation with filmmaker Patrick Coleman Duncan on the making of the film.

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February 5, 2022 - Actor/Filmmaker Patrick Coleman Duncan (COMPEL)

Matthew Toffolo

December 10, 2021 - Writer/Producer/Actor Stefani Zabner (ON THE ROCKS)

Matthew Toffolo

ON THE ROCKS was the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY at the December 2021.

Conversation with the writer / producer / co-star Stefani Zabner on the making of the film from concept to distribution. And it all started in an acting class.

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FUCKBOY was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the December 2021 FEMALE Filmmakers Film Festival.

December 7, 2021 - Filmmaker/Actor Emma Weinswig (FUCKBOY)

Matthew Toffolo

“When a horny Jimmy John’s delivery lady and her two overachieving high school best friends get disinvited from a fuckboy’s party, they’re forced to face the truth of their decaying friendship and how to skate it back together.”

Conversation with Emma Weinswig on the making of her first film, which she also wrote and starred in.

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FULL BODIED was the winner of BEST DIRECTION at the October 2021 THRILLER/SUSPENSE Film Festival. You can watch this film and the festival for FREE on Saturday all day HERE.

October 29, 2021 - Director Matt Bayer & Actor David S. James (FULL BODIED)

Matthew Toffolo

“The story of a struggling wine maker who is desperate to keep his business from going under.”

Conversation with director/writer Matt Bayer & actor/writer David S. James on the making of the film.

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October 22, 2021 - Filmmaker/Actor Patricia McCormack (MYRTLE)

Matthew Toffolo

MYRTLE was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the October 2021 WILDsound Film Festival. “Myrtle, a trailer park Mom from Indiana, cooks dinner for her son. But something’s not quite right. This kitchen is anonymous, industrial, and Myrtle’s working to a deadline. As her composure unravels, we realize that 21 grams is all that separates life from death.:

Playing at the best of EUROPEAN Shorts Festival right NOW

Conversation with the extremely talented Patricia McCormack on the process making her film first and starring in it as well.

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October 6, 2021 - Actor/Filmmaker Barbara Sirotti (ARIA)

Matthew Toffolo

ARIA is a special from from the September 2021 FEMALE Film Festival directed and starring Barbara Sirotti.

How are relationships changing during lockdown? Is time, still and truly, the only thing missing to understand each other?

Conversation with the Italian artist on the making of the film and what motivated her to do it.

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September 3, 2021 - Filmmaker/Actor Heléna Antonio (2020)

Matthew Toffolo

“2020” is a poetic short film that played at the September 2021 FEMALE Directors Film Festival. You can watch the festival and film at the Female Film Festival for FREE at home for 24 hours starting at midnight EST on Sept. 3rd right HERE.

Conversation with Heléna Antonio on the making of this film that is a love story about her daughter.

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DIARY ROOM was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the August 2021 LGBTQ+ Film Festival. “While abroad, Sam encounters a handful of strangers who inadvertently guide him in confronting the deep, dark truths he revealed on the reality show Big Brother”.

Playing at the LGBTQ+ Film Festival that you can watch for FREE right now HERE.

Conversation with the screenwriter and star of DIARY ROOM, Brett Epstein, on the process making this film.

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August 15, 2021 - Actor/Writer Brett Epstein (DIARY ROOM)

Matthew Toffolo

THE ALPINES is a Thriller/Suspense Feature Film that is playing at the July 2021 LA FEEDBACK Film Festival. Playing at the festival all day for FREE this upcoming Sunday.

“The Alpines” follows seven friends coming together for a weekend getaway after several years of little contact. They’ve grown apart. They’ve moved on with their lives. But the secrets of their past have come back to haunt them. This time with a very real threat ready to expose every last one.

Conversation with director Dante Azibahn and the writer and lead actor of the film Mally Corrigan on the process making this Indy feature.

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Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

July 13, 2021 - Director Dante Azibahn & Actor/Writer Mally Corrigan (THE ALPINES)

Matthew Toffolo

ANOTHER DAY was the winner of BEST SHORT FILM at the June 2021 ROMANCE Film Festival. You can watch the festival for FREE today HERE

“Sam and Sinéad play out their past but something is different this time round.”

Conversation with the writer and star of the film, Alan Hall, on the process making this winning film.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

June 21, 2021 - Actor/Writer Alan Hall (ANOTHER DAY)

Matthew Toffolo

ENDANGERED is a film that can be placed in any genre festival we do. It’s a bit of everything and a fantastic short film with an underlying social comment. Playing at the Film Festival TODAY. Stream for FREE all day and RSVP HERE

Conversation with the talented filmmaker Alex Wroten on the process making this terrific short film from the idea to distribution.

Follow WILDsound Podcasts on all social media channels: @wildsoundpod

Submit to the festival anytime via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival

Subscribe via Twitter: https://twitter.com/wildsoundfest

April 18, 2021 - Filmmaker Alex Wroten (ENDANGERED)

Matthew Toffolo