Watch the Screenplay Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKapX4h4I98

A film student makes a call, the answer changes his life.

Get to know the writer:

This one page script The Answer is about the moment I received the phone call that my father had died while I was at film school in New York. I wasn’t told at the moment he had committed suicide, but that was the moment I knew that the only real parent I had passed away.

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

DARKNESS UPON MY FANCY, 11min., USA
Directed by Molly Loftus
A monster born of the ashes of a witch’s sister embarks on a sinister quest when she is rejected by her creator.

https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/projects/darknessuponmyfancy
https://www.instagram.com/darknessuponmyfancy_film/

Get to know the filmmaker:

Apart from turning thirty, I felt particularly inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. She was this precocious woman who wrote about real tragedies with grace in a way that hit home for me. I couldn’t help but imagine a world like this that dealt with what women during her time might be experiencing. This coincided with the industry-wide strikes and I felt it more important than ever to provide indie opportunities to female identifying and non-binary artists.

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod=

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/=

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

THREE AM, 22min., Canada
Directed by Jeff Wolverton
Sometimes when you pray, it isn’t God who answers.

http://threeamfilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556319635264
https://instagram.com/threeamfilm

Get to know the filmmaker:

I’m always fascinated with the motivations of the bad guys, as their actions usually set things in motion. Nobody really “wants to be evil” or “wants to take over the world” and in real life? All of history’s REALLY bad bad guys thought they were the hero of the story.

So I wanted to find a way to investigate the motivations of the ultimate bad guy. In reading the various mythologies of the devil, was struck by how they all agreed on some basics: that the Devil was God’s son, he was born in Heaven as one of the first archangels God created and was for a while the best of all the archangels. Originally named “Samael” he became so good at bringing God’s light out into the universe that he was renamed the “light bringer”, or ‘Lucifer’ in ancient latin. He then gets cast out for the sin of Pride, for thinking he should be more than just God’s right hand man, but should be God’s equal, maybe even take over when the old man retires (the mythologies differ here a bit; in some he leads a war in Heaven against God, in other he’s just cast out.)

So I had this idea that if archangels bask in the love of God, for an archangel to suddenly lose that and not be able to feel God’s lover anymore must have driven Lucifer nuts. Then you’ve got this character that just wants the love of his Father and to go back home where he grew up, something we can all identify with. (Then we can literally have “Sympathy for the Devil”, which I kind of reference in the short; The Man in the Hat says “how about some sympathy, like the song? You know nobody’s rooting for ME to win.” Wanted to use the song over the credits but I can’t afford to pay the Rolling Stones.)

And for Lucifer to later God create humankind hear things like “For God so loved mankind that He gave his one and only Son”? I figure that must have REALLY driven him nuts (“…They break His commandments on a daily basis yet still get His love? And “one and only” son? WTF? My & my fellow archangels don’t even count?”)

But then I figure Lucifer hatches a plan: if he can show God that his beloved humanity is actually WORSE than Lucifer? That they will – by their own choices – make the truly unholy choice? In Lucifer’s twisted logic that means if God still loves humanity (once proved worse than Lucifer) then God have to admit He was wrong and love Lucifer again, invite him back home. Every time that doesn’t happen Lucifer gets angry but figures if he keeps upping the game, next time it’ll work.

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

BEFORE DAWN, 15min., USA
Directed by Ruben Rodas
“A top hit-man gets caught in the middle of a betrayal scheme within his contractors”

http://www.rodasruben.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ruben.rodas.144
https://www.instagram.com/rubenrodas/

Get to know the filmmaker:

I simply love the Thriller/crime/suspense genre and it’s been a while since I made a film like that, so it thought it was time to do a new one LOL

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod<BR>

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

THE ART OF COMPETITION, 2min., France
Directed by Lea Esmaili
Two souls driven by one same goal, can someone win ?

https://www.leaesmaili.com/
https://www.instagram.com/heyimleaaa/

Get to know the filmmaker:I always like to ask myself questions and then an idea will come up. This time I asked myself if competition is real in Art, because Art is so subjective. And what is making us always see projecting on other competitions ? The dance field is particular where our physiques also have a major role in our career.

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

SPACE FOR ART, 15min., USA

Directed by Maclovia G Martel

Space for Art is an extraordinary documentary film on the power of hope, courage, and healing. Featuring astronatut, and artist, Nicole Stott the film follows her on perhaps her most important mission of uniting a planetary community of children through the awe and wonder of space exploration and the healing power of art. Meet some of the young children who are wise beyond their years.

https://www.spaceforartfoundation.org/space-for-art-film

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

WOMEN AT THE TOP, 56min., USA
Directed by Kathryn Roszak
This is a documentary featuring the new movement of women’s leadership in dance, the challenges and achievements, and the inspiring stories of the women. Stories are told via interviews with rehearsal/performance footage, and brief creative narratives drawing the audience further into the lives of the women. Kathryn Roszak can be viewed as the Terry Gross of dance interviews. She presents engaging, thought-provoking, cutting-edge content that draws the audience in. People ask “Is there a history of female choreography?” and this is exactly why this production needs to be done now.

https://www.dlkdance.com/

Get to know the filmmaker:
This is the moment where women are coming into leadership in the arts so I sought to capture this. As a woman in dance, I see that women are overlooked for leadership roles especially at the highest levels. This needs to change. The women’s stories are powerful and need to be heard.

Subscribe to the podcast:

https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod

https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/

https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

TOTEM, 3min., France
Directed by Emeline Castaneda
The day had started badly for Alice. But that was without taking into account the old saying “in the jungle you must wait, 13 helps yourself liberate”

Get to know the filmmaker:
It was originally for a contest. We had tell a story around the theme “number 13”. I have always expressed my self best with choreography and I already had this idea of a choreography about animal transformation. It was the perfect opportunity.

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

CIRCLES, 6min., USA
Directed by Alijah Johnson
“Circles” is a visually stunning short film that takes the audience on a symbolic journey of personal transformation. The protagonist undergoes a profound metamorphosis, depicted through allegorical scenes representing different stages of self-discovery and growth. “Circles” explores the intricate dance between self-discovery, vulnerability, determination, sacrifice, and artistic power. Through its rich symbolism and powerful visuals, the film invites viewers to reflect on their own journeys of transformation and the circles they navigate in becoming their true selves.

https://www.instagram.com/alijah.aj/?hl=en

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/circles-review

Get to know the filmmaker:

Well, the inspiration behind “Circles ” stemmed from a deeply personal experience I went through a breakup with my ex-girlfriend. Instead of letting that experience crush me, I decided to channel that energy into something transformative. It was like becoming an alchemist, transmuting pain into creative fuel. As I delved deeper into exploring energies and self-discovery, I realized the power we have over our own filters. I believe we create filters we have a process of interpreting information that we’re not fully aware of and become aware of we choose to let in and how we process it. Which takes a lot of self exploration to become aware of. This journey of self-awareness and transformation became the driving force behind the film. I wanted to emerge from that dark phase as a completely new person, (dark night of the soul double entendre for the mountain scene) and this film captures that journey of metamorphosis. This film was like medication for me, especially during a period of depression and profound personal transformation. Going through a metamorphosis is very uncomfortable, much like many processes in nature where growth is necessary. For instance, plants breaking through soil or butterfly coming out a cocoon. It’s not pretty or comforting, but it’s necessary for growth. A lot was Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, the theme of circles reflects the idea that we can get stuck in one perspective or state of consciousness, trapped by our irreplaceable filters. This film served as a reminder that exploring new perspectives is essential for personal growth, even if it means destroying old aspects of ourselves. The process of making the film was just as therapeutic as the final product. It taught me that I have the power to bring my visions to life and that the journey as an artist brining things from the unseen world that you only have access to, to reality is challenging but rewarding. Ultimately, “Circles” became a message to myself, guiding me through my own transformation and helping me learn valuable lessons not only when I was making it but also for myself in the future.

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

WATER ALWAYS GOES WHERE IT WANTS TO GO, 5min., Romania
New Media Artist by Yiou Wang
“Water Always Goes Where It Wants to Go” is an ecoperformance CG art video of the body in synergy with the storied landscape of water. How can we go back to something we already have? We are born out of water, and water constitutes our body, our territories, and our myths. Mapping water through the body, in between transitory space for waters, the short film investigates the relationship between the self, its embodied and somatic dialogues, and these physical and symbolic waters, questioning how we can return to our first water, the common body.

http://yiouwang.org/
https://twitter.com/YiouWang1
https://www.instagram.com/yiou_wang_/

Get to know the filmmaker:
This short film is the natural product of a very rich and interesting conversation Alina and I have. Many of our ideas clicked and crosspollinated. Alina is an actress and performance artist, who expresses through her body; I am a visual artist who expresses through image and form. We are both empaths who share an intuitive, embodied connection to a larger, more-than-human world. Alina has been introducing to the world the method of ecoperformance for many years, where she embodies a forest, a river, a crow, or an ancient mythic being and shapeshifts in synergy with the consciousness of the embodied. We began to focus on water, as water is our first body – the amniotic fluid is where we come from, and our common body. In many precolonial cultures and epistemologies, the land is often also corporeal. In Tuva, the mountain peak is the heart of mountain ranges, where rivers are the aortas, the soil’s blood vessels.

Alina and I wanted to create a branch of artworks embodying water combining her ecoperformance and my virtual filmmaking. She performs embodying water from our animistic perspective, and I do the motion capture, transferring her movement to the avatars of water. The scenography is designed with a root in theatre arts, where I put my 3D scanned natural environment pieces in the scene reminiscent of stage.

From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It is hard to pinpoint the start of this project, since Alina and I have been communicating for a year and our minds grew into this rich constellation. Since the beginning, we agreed to draft some proposals to apply for certain live performance art grants. After that, we thought why not make a film to further illustrate our proposal? And the actual production and editing of this film was about three weeks. But it’s hard to say it’s only three weeks, because a lot of the models I put into the environment were from my longtime habit of 3D scanning in my forest hikes.

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

ROOM OF MEMORIES, 2min., Australia
Directed by Suniva Maya Miller
The story of heartbreak told from the memory center of the brain.

https://instagram.com/caffeinated_dream_dream

Get to know the filmmaker:

It was my first ever animated film that I developed during my first year of university. For some reason I had this feeling that I had to make something so emotional and deep. At the time I had just been through a pretty rough breakup with someone who I had been friends with for much longer. So I wanted to write and make something that would reflect the complicated emotions I had surrounding this person and our relationship.

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

PROHAIRESIS, 13min., USA
Directed by Rebecca Arends
A 13 minute dance film featuring four female dancers filmed in four international locations and an all-female string quartet filmed in Chicago. The dance is based on Stoic philosopher Epictetus’s concepts surrounding the faculty of choice, moral character and volition.

http://prohairesisfilm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/rrhstrings/
https://www.instagram.com/noraruthwilliams/

Get to know the filmmakers:
Rebecca Arends: Director/ Choreographer/ Producer
Nora Williams: Executive Producer

Rebecca:

I was facing a crossroads in my career and personal life and have always sought my faith, my father’s wisdom, or philosophy to guide me. Prohairesis, the film, is a response to stoic philosopher, Epictetus’s concept of the same name, which is translated to will, volition, moral character and exercising one’s faculty of choice. I wanted the challenge of using this concept in a dance film.

Nora:

The pandemic doldrums motivated us to take artistic risks and try something different. Becca and I had wanted to do another project together and when two grants came in in close proximity in 2021, we knew we had a green light. For me personally, the death of my husband Shawn Quaid in July 2021 put in stark relief that the time is now to really live life to the fullest and pursue different opportunities that present themselves. It was an opportunity to communicate the sheer joy of the beauty of life through the lens of dance and string quartet.

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.

• Subscribe to the podcast via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook