Telling stories through film and conversation.
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WILDsound's The Film Podcast

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.

Posts tagged Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1473: Screenwriter Felice Cohen (SHESAFELLA)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiEeUQ6nzx4

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

Shesafella, a modern twist on Cinderella, is about a kind-hearted teen forced into servitude by a ruthless stepmother and closeted stepbrothers, who defies the odds with help from her butch fairy godmother. At a Ball, she wins Princess’s heart but vanishes, leaving behind a single Doc Martens shoe. Princess’s Instagram posts spark a citywide search, and Shesafella must outsmart her family, reclaim her true self, and fight for her happily ever after.

What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Fantasy, romance, fairy tale, LGBTQ

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
Cinderella movies (Ever After, Ella Enchanted, A Cinderella Story) are beloved for their timeless themes: rags to riches, kindness over cruelty, and finding one’s voice. But they’ve all followed the same blueprint—a girl meeting a boy. Shesafella flips the script. It’s a girl meeting a girl, in a joyful, queer reimagining that feels both long overdue and perfectly timed. This is the inclusive fairy tale audiences have been waiting for.

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EP. 1473: Screenwriter Felice Cohen (SHESAFELLA)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1470: Screenwriter Maria Pearce (KAM60 The Butterfly Prince)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xYkI__GTug

The butterfly prince is a story of a fictional character K.A.M.60 that attempt to honour the great French astronomer Charles Messier who developed the Messier catalogue and discovered many Messier objects in the sky in particular in the Virgo constellation. In the book K.A.M.60 real name is = Karlex Antoine Messier 60 and he is part of the Messier family. In real life The Messier 60 object is the twin/butterfly galaxies.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The butterfly prince is a story of a fictional character K.A.M.60 that attempt to honour the great French astronomer Charles Messier who developed the Messier catalogue and discovered many Messier objects in the sky in particular in the Virgo constellation. K.A.M.60 real name is = Karlex Aristoteles Messier 60 and he is part of the Messier family. In real life The Messier 60 object is the twin/butterfly galaxies.

The plot is about jealousy, family feuds adventures and love. The constellations of Libra and Leo that are a couple have declared the war to the Virgo constellation just because of jealousy, they wiped out the Virgo constellation population. The only people left are the Messier family. They decided to send KAM60 (1) of their sons to the planet earth in a quest to find 10 virgins/maidens to married the 10 Messier brothers and repopulated the Virgo constellation again.

K.A.M.60 Embarks in a quest and very interested journey where he not only achieved his goals of find the correct Maidens whom married the Messier brothers, along the way he meets very interesting characters such as Centaurs, witches, Mythological creatures, Gods, zodiac constellations etc. He also lived the most amazing adventures rescuing, helping, curing, advising and even fighting for or with people once he lands in the planet Earth. Also, all the way the constellations of Libra and Leo (the bad guys on this plot) will do something to stop K.A.M.60 to achieve his goals but like a great hero he always defeats them.


Additional, despite that this is a fantasy book most of the heroes KAM60, the maidens etc are based in real people. People that inspired me and that I believe will inspire others. Example of these people are; Charles Messier, Juana Cruz the 1st female Spanish bullfighter, Magdalena Zeger the 1st female astronomer, Marie Jose Perec, the best French female sprinter, ancient civilizations such as the Mayans, the Olmecs, the Dahomey’s, the Vikings, The Amazon female warriors etc.

There are also some interesting twists in the story such as the inclusion of fake/false Maidens, the Emerald ring that determines which are the real maidens/virgins, the butterflies tattoos and character names (most maidens have a butterfly name and of course all of them must have a butterfly tattoo, like KHAM 60 also had one) there is plenty of adventures, magic, mysteries, suspense, drama, mystic, action, Love, friendship, team work etc Plus the stunning locations around the world where all these adventures occurs.

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EP. 1470: Screenwriter Maria Pearce (KAM60 The Butterfly Prince)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1467: Screenwriter Michael Kezele (AFTERLIFE ANONYMOUS)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDAMmKGiJc

A gay ghost haunting a West Hollywood house, along with his dysfunctional Grim Reaper friend, help a straight cop solve crimes.


Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

It’s about a gay ghost haunting a West Hollywood home, inhabited by a psychic cop, in which the gay ghost and his dysfunctional grim reaper friend, helps solve crimes.

What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?

I wanted to enter the Toronto film festival because it’s one of the best out there. I was really surprised at my feedback. It was good. Even though I knew the script was good, you don’t expect it.

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EP. 1467: Screenwriter Michael Kezele (AFTERLIFE ANONYMOUS)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1466: Filmmaker Parker Fenady (I DIDN’T LIKE YOU)

I DIDN’T LIKE YOU, 12min., USA
Directed by Parker Fenady
As Emilia and Maxine spy on their best friend’s first date, they come to realize the chemistry might not be between the couple they anticipated.

https://www.instagram.com/parkerfenady/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

For me, this story was always the one. It’s my opener—my “Hey, this is me. This is what I’m about” piece. Coming of age can feel electric, like you’re catching lightning in a bottle as you live it. This is a first love story—a rush in every sense of the word. More than that, it’s about all the little moments that once made you feel out of place, suddenly dissolving in an instant. It’s about the euphoria of finally feeling at home in your own skin, independent of anyone else’s opinions. That was this story for me.

At the same time, I was drawn to how naturally this story fit into the short film medium. That feeling of transience—of being thrown right into something before you’ve had time to make sense of it—mirrors the experience of coming of age itself. It rarely has a clear start or finish, and it’s almost never a clean break. The short form captures that immediacy, that fleeting intensity. And beyond that, it’s a fun movie. Bringing a little slice of fun into the world felt like a nobe idea.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

To be honest—it was completely surreal. We’re just starting to show the film to audiences beyond those directly involved, so seeing how it’s landing is incredible.

Watching people engage with the film in such an intimate way was so special. I never fully imagined this part of the process, so I’m just trying to stay present and take it as it comes.

When watching the audience feedback, I kept thinking: yes, girl, she gets it. She’s eating in her textual analysis. Seeing the audience pick up on the subtlety and layers beneath the surface was incredibly rewarding. It made me realize the impact of every small choice, bringing me right back to the edit. It’s a testament to all the unseen, often tedious collaborative work that went into it—work that wouldn’t have been possible without Luke, Cooper, and Alexis, who were with me every step of the way.

Working with Alexis, Katelyn, Yasmeen, and Nate was truly a masterclass for me as a director. They’re all so brilliant, talented, and dedicated. They are the heart of this project, each in their own way, and I’m just so excited to be able to honor and showcase their work. This is a performance-driven piece, and seeing them get their flowers makes me feel incredibly proud.


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EP. 1466: Filmmaker Parker Fenady (I DIDN’T LIKE YOU)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1463: Filmmaker/Actor Elisabet Johannesdottir (BIRTHDAY BLUES)

Birthday Blues, 9min,. Luxembourg

Directed by Elisabet Johannesdottir

A couple on the rocks struggles with honesty, leading the woman to make a fateful decision.

https://www.instagram.com/eliisms/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I became pregnant with my son a month after Roe Vs Wade was overturned, and it gave me a lot of room for thought about women's rights and the immensity of the choice of motherhood. To me it is a private decision that I wanted to examine in the microcosm of an expiring relationship.


In 2021, I had written a full-length play about a decade-long relationship which starts at their last meeting and works its way back to their first date. I always felt this two-hander of mine could have cinematic potential, so I adapted the first scene of the second act to the screen, where she is pregnant and struggles to break the news to her partner.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was so excited to hear their thoughts. Such gratitude to resonate with and move people with my storytelling. I felt deeply seen and appreciated.

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EP. 1463: Filmmaker/Actor Elisabet Johannesdottir (BIRTHDAY BLUES)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1460: Screenwriter Krista Amigone (THE SUSURRUS)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-R0i-9WD7A

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

The Susurrus is about a dollmaker who starts to date a year after her husband abandoned her. The jump back into the dating scene, and the world at large, proves dangerous, and ultimately, she must decide to keep-on despite the world’s evils, or retreat back to the familiar evils of her solitary life.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

The Susurrus explores the many forms that abusive relationships take, and how they can be near-impossible to escape from. The subject is unfortunately timeless and universal, across gender, religion, and culture. So, why not now?

How would you describe this script in two words?

Creepy and sexy.

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EP. 1460: Screenwriter Krista Amigone (THE SUSURRUS)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1459: Screenwriter Thad Alexander (THE SHADOW KILLER)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISexQ4GgQCo

In the heart of Bangkok, Detective Aran Chen, a defiant inspector haunted by his past, pursues the elusive “Shadow Killer,” a ruthless serial murderer. Armed with his sharp instincts and lethal martial arts skills, Aran battles through the city’s underworld, uncovering a chilling link between the killer’s motives and his own scars. As the lines between justice and revenge blur, Aran faces a deadly confrontation that will test his resolve and redefine his destiny.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?
Shadow Killer is a grounded crime thriller set in Bangkok, following a police investigator haunted by his past as he hunts down a mysterious serial killer. As the body count rises, he relentlessly pursues the murderer, relying on sharp detective work and his martial arts skills. His past looms over him, threatening to cloud his judgment, but he pushes forward, determined to stop the killer. The chase builds to a brutal final confrontation, where his skills and resilience are put to the ultimate test.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

Shadow Killer is a bold, high-impact reinvention of the action genre, fusing a gripping crime investigation with bone-crunching martial arts combat. In a world where thrillers often fall into predictable formulas, this film keeps audiences on edge with relentless action, shocking twists, and a hero who fights both a deadly killer and his own past.

With one or two game-changing twists leading to a high-stakes, brutal finale, Shadow Killer delivers exactly what modern audiences crave—an electrifying, no-nonsense action experience that’s as smart as it is thrilling. It’s a ride that never lets up, never holds back, and most importantly, never forgets to entertain.

This isn’t just another action movie, it’s the one that will leave audiences breathless.

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EP. 1459: Screenwriter Thad Alexander (THE SHADOW KILLER)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1457: Screenwriter Nancy Lydia Kimmel ( JOSH’S EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OF BROOKLYN)

Watch the screenplay reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFc5CPBmoUg

In the dilapidated streets of Brooklyn, Josh runs a failing employment agency that’s haunted by three ghosts. Josh is reluctantly recruited by them to help solve a series of murders. Of Course, Death’s AKA-Al curiosity is piqued and decides he’s in too.

Get to know the writer:

What’s the screenplay about?

It”s about a guy by the name of Josh, who runs or attempts to run an employment agency in the rough side of Booklyn. Josh’s demeanor on the outside is mild mannered, however, there is another side to him that is better left buried. He is able to see ghosts, for whatever reason, and there are 3 living upstairs who are his friends. Mary, his secretary, likes Josh and although Josh doesn’t show it, he likes her too. The three ghosts, Jazmine, George and Detective O’Shaughnessy, frustrated with their ghost boredom ask Josh’s if they can help somehow solve the crime of the young girls who have gone missing or have been murdered. Reluctantly Josh agrees . As it turns out, Mary can also see ghosts as well to her surprise when she stumble unpon Josh and the ghosts upstairs. To make a long story short, they all embark on plan to save the missing girls, and death, AKA, Al, catches wind and decides to help them as a change of pace. Their adventures begin, Mary winds up getting kidnapped and almost dying, death takes a liking to Jazmine, the Columbian rebels, living under immigrations radar in the area come to help them as well as the Brooklyn Police department. Does everyone live happily ever after? Maybe not, as it turns out Mary works for hell, let me rephrase that, she is the queen of hell, and it’s her job not to let the dogooders do too much good and upset the balance of good and evil. But no one knows Mary’s ulterior motives expect maybe death, AKA, Al.

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EP. 1457: Screenwriter Nancy Lydia Kimmel ( JOSH’S EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OF BROOKLYN)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1456: Filmmaker Luke Creely (THE FARMHOUSE)

THE FARMHOUSE, 15min,. Australia
Directed by Luke Creely
A young woman, living alone in an isolated rural farmhouse, is haunted one night by a mysterious entity which forces her to confront her inner demons and traumatic past.

https://instagram.com/_lcfilms

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I have always been drawn to slow-burn horror cinema in the mould of Michael Haneke from Austria. His early films are fascinating explorations of the human psyche. This has inspired me from the beginning of my career. I am also very interested in pain and trauma as key themes in my films. So, my aim was to make a Haneke-style horror film that immerses the viewer and makes them uncomfortable as they observe a character who is alone and grappling with PTSD from a past traumatic event.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

The audience feedback video was excellent because the members who spoke understood the film and my intentions as director. They “got it”. And this means that I did what I needed to do as director. Their interpretations were interesting to listen to as well.

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EP. 1456: Filmmaker Luke Creely (THE FARMHOUSE)
Matthew ToffoloEP. 1456: Filmmaker Luke Creely (THE FARMHOUSE)
EP. 1456: Screenwriter Tim Morell (HONG KONG)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orBQo7TcJY0

Caught between a suffocating marriage and a passionate affair, Anne Delbridge fights to find her own freedom, independence, and voiceamidst the turmoil surrounding the pro-democracy student uprising in Tiananmen Square, China.


What movie have you seen the most times in your life?

Hard to say. I’ve seen Casablanca quite a few times, and The Apartment. I tend to binge watch films that attract my attention for one reason or another.

How long have you been working on this screenplay?

When I first wrote it, it took me about a week to write the first 60 pages, and then about 4 months to write the next 30 because the script was taking me to a place I didn’t really want it to go. When I finally
stopped fighting it, I was able to finish the last act in about a week.

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EP. 1456: Screenwriter Tim Morell (HONG KONG)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1455: Filmmaker Marlene Emilia Rios (LUCIA & NICOLE)

Lucia & Nicole, 10min., USA
Directed by Marlene Emilia Rios
On the cusp of adulthood Lucia finds her childhood friend Nicole living on the street. Houseless after coming out, Lucia’s mother Ximena invites her into their home. However, Nicole’s re-appearance into their lives raises questions about their own daughter’s identity and how to respond to Lucia and Nicole’s re-connection.

https://instagram.com/huelgamedia

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I wanted to make this film because growing up I had this idea of romance that came from my grandparents’ stories of how they met, their serenading—and I’d sit in my living room and watch ‘A Walk in the Clouds,’ and I’d dream of romance. As I grew older, I realized there were no depictions of this for queer love. There wasn’t a vision of the future to latch on to. It seemed to only exist to me in vague, whispered possibilities. Very rarely do we actually get to see romantic films about queer relationships. I wanted to make something that was an ode to those moments and those films I loved as a child, ‘A Walk in the Clouds,’ ‘Pride & Prejudice’ but that existed in a world that was grounded to me. And I knew I wanted to showcase the beautiful community of Albuquerque that had welcomed me as a student and seems to be in constant celebration of identity. I wanted to make the kind of story you could imagine your grandmothers or your cool old aunts telling you someday about how they met long ago, and how their romance blossomed over the years.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was pleasantly surprised to see how people connected with the story, this film is a departure from my previous work, and I think of this film as coming from the more romantic and idealistic part’s of myself and I’m glad to see that recognized. I’d love to live in a world full of empathy and community care and I very consciously chose to reject certain narratives and stereotypes when writing and directing this project because I wanted to show that, and it’s really gratifying to see people appreciate that. It’s always meaningful to see when your intent comes through and when people are able to connect to a story that feels so personal to you. As storytellers we always strive to connect with people and stir an emotion within them, but with shorts, it’s often hard to gauge impact. Sometimes they live only in private screenings or online. Being able to hear from an audience is especially valuable in this sense.

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EP. 1455: Filmmaker Marlene Emilia Rios (LUCIA & NICOLE)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1454: Filmmakers Ben Berry & Brooke Bechtold (BEEHOLD)

Beehold, 18min., USA
Directed by Ben Berry
From his work with local nuns looking for answers about their barren apple trees to his consulting with golf courses in natural habitat management to classrooms, and his own design workshop – he is a true beeliever in the good story – the gospel of abundance as taught by bees and he’s helping protect Wisconsin’s beloved pollinators. It’s called Behold and our story starts here. Humm Productions, in collaboration with Mtn Craft Productions, has pioneered a new media format called DocuPod™. It combines the power of short, immersive documentaries with engaging podcast audio to create a captivating 360-degree experience for audiences.

https://www.hummproductions.org/episodes/
https://www.instagram.com/impactually_show/?hl=en

Get to know Director Ben Berry & Producer Brooke Bechtold:

What motivated you to make this film?

Brooke: Our team wanted our proof-of-concept DocuPodTM to be of a very special person serving his community at large with dignity and focus. We had just finished our Beehold podcast, and we knew that if listeners had the opportunity to see Charlie and feel connected to him that a short video documentary would be the perfect complement. We hoped audiences would adore and respect Charlie’s work protecting pollinators as much as we do. 

Ben: As Brooke mentioned, we wanted to shoot a proof of concept for our DocuPodTM. Once Brooke found Charlie, it was off to the races. Our goal is to approach every DocuPodTM we do thoughtfully—with a certain slowness. We want to allow the audience to be with the character and walk a mile in their shoes. Once Charlie agreed, our motivation became about showing Charlie’s passion and how that passion is lived out day to day. 

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EP. 1454: Filmmakers Ben Berry & Brooke Bechtold (BEEHOLD)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1452: Filmmaker Moriah Doepken (COOP)

COOP, 19min., USA
Directed by Moriah Doepken
After sustaining a bad injury, a stubborn retired sheriff must learn to talk with his estranged son as they build a fence together, or risk losing the relationship.

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I love Western films and one day had the idea of “What happens to the sheriff of the town after he’s retired and the town no longer needs him?” And working with the brilliant writer Jeffrey Hein, we expanded this idea into what you see now. We both loved the idea of a man stuck in the past and whose toxic masculinity could be the basis of a lot of problems for him in a more modern world.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I loved seeing people take all sorts of interpretations away with them after watching it, because what x, y, and z may represent to me comes across totally differently for each viewer, which is so cool. And I want there to be discourse on if the characters made the right choice or what the coop itself represents!

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EP. 1452: Filmmaker Moriah Doepken (COOP)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1451: Filmmaker Joy Shannon (ROCK ISLAND PRISON 1864)

Rock Island Prison 1864, 7min,. USA

Directed by Joy Shannon

Guarding Confederate POWS in a Civil War prison, a runaway slave now Union soldier, desperately fights for power, or faces returning to slavery.

https://www.rockislandprison.com/

https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-rock-island-prison

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EP. 1451: Filmmaker Joy Shannon (ROCK ISLAND PRISON 1864)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1450: Screenwriter Aleks Lyons (LIFESOURCE)

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrJ8KUPyDZ8

A young oceanographer discovers her gradfather’s plane – part of the Lost Patrol – and is thrust into an emotional journey with a rebellious reporter as the government tries to cover up what really happened that night in 1945. The duo uncovers an extraordinary truth of how water, our most precious resource, has a will and consciousness of its own and is an active, seemingly invisible, participant in its own survival from human destruction.

Get to know the writer:

What is your screenplay about?

In LIFESOURCE, well known historic events (the disappearance of 5 war planes we’ve come to call the lost patrol in 1945), a government cover-up, mysterious deaths and a romance, all come together when humanity’s killing of its life source (all of Earth’s water sources) reaches a tipping point and humanity and water are out of harmony.

Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?

It speaks to what humans are doing to the water sources on our planet and the value systems we’ve chosen to embrace and at the same time it stands on its own as a fun ride while creating awareness.

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EP. 1450: Screenwriter Aleks Lyons (LIFESOURCE)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1448: Filmmaker Colin D’Amelio (THE LAST HOUSEBOAT)

The Last Houseboat, 31min., USA
Directed by Colin D’Amelio
The Last Houseboat is a heartfelt short documentary that delves into the history of a unique wooden vessel, lovingly crafted by a family patriarch in 1970. Anchored on the Rhode Island coast for over 50 years, the houseboat became more than a structure—it was a landmark, a cherished family tradition, and a symbol of connection across three generations. When unforeseen circumstances force the family to dismantle the beloved vessel, they confront a profound sense of loss while celebrating its enduring legacy. A poignant tale of resilience, memory, and the ties that bind, The Last Houseboat invites viewers to reflect on the traditions and stories that shape their own families.

https://www.instagram.com/cdproducshins/

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

I’ve been in love with the Houseboat and everything it represents since I first set foot on it as a child. It felt like a true escape from the world—an experience unlike any other. From the start, I believed this vessel had a beautiful story that deserved to be told. Having always been close to the Sola family, who own this beloved houseboat, my initial goal was simply to create a short piece as a keepsake for them—a tribute to their tradition. But that idea quickly evolved, growing into The Last Houseboat, a deeply personal short documentary spanning over 30 minutes.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Hearing that feedback was incredibly rewarding. It brought a smile to our faces to know that people truly understood what we set out to achieve with this film—that at its core, it’s a story about family, even more than it is about the boat itself.

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EP. 1448: Filmmaker Colin D’Amelio (THE LAST HOUSEBOAT)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1444: Filmmaker James Jarosz (SPACE TRASH)

Space Trash, 9min,. USA

Directed by James Jarosz

Short film and first installment of web series. A galactic garbage collector picks up a seemingly innocuous piece of space junk but it turns out to be more than he bargained for. This sci-fi action comedy will have you laughing, entertained and wanting more.

https://www.instagram.com/jimbrokenreelpics

Get to know the filmmaker:

What motivated you to make this film?

Back in the mid 90s I read an article about space junk and how difficult it was going to be for shuttles and rockets to launch without hitting orbital debris. I was also very interested in the idea of taking an ordinary blue collar job and making it the most dangerous job in the future. The marriage of those two ideas along with my love for 70s and 80s sci fi films became the seed for Space Trash.   


What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was very pleased. It was great to hear what people outside of the project thought of the film and that they very clearly understood the world I was trying to create. I'm glad that the humer landed and that overall people found it entertaining.

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EP. 1444: Filmmaker James Jarosz (SPACE TRASH)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1443: Filmmaker Riley Young (SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE)

Sowing the Seeds of Love, 18min., USA

Directed by Riley Young

Sowing the Seeds of Love explores the obscure and peculiar sex lives of animals through the eyes of Hulk Hogan (1980’s WWE wrestler icon), Joyce DeWitt (Janet Wood from the popular 1970’s sitcom Three’s Company), and Robert Picardo (known for his character as the Holographic Doctor on the 1990’s Star Trek: Voyager series). Their role in this film is to satire their popularity to make the subject of animal sexuality more digestible to those without a scientific background.

https://www.rileyoung.com/new-page-1

Get to know the filmmaker:

What was your motivation to make this film? 

My true motivation for making this film was to find an engaging and accessible way to communicate science to a broad audience. With a background in Marine Science, I experienced firsthand during my capstone research project how challenging it can be to make scientific concepts exciting and understandable for those without a science background. That realization led me to pursue documentary filmmaking as a way to bridge that gap—bringing science to life in a way that is fun, accurate, and captivating for viewers of all backgrounds.

Two major inspirations shaped this film. The first was Jean Painlevé, a French filmmaker and pioneer of underwater cinema. His films explored the mysteries of marine life while blending science with humor, making complex topics engaging and accessible. The second was Isabella Rossellini's Green Porno series, where she playfully reenacts animal mating behaviors in surreal, theatrical settings. Her bold, unconventional approach to documentary filmmaking opened my eyes to new ways of presenting science—ways that are visually striking, thought-provoking, and deeply entertaining. Both of these influences challenged traditional documentary styles, incorporating themes of sexual identity, gender norms, and finding beauty in the unexpected—ideas that became a driving force behind my own film.

Drawing from these inspirations, I wanted to create something fresh, quirky, and exciting while still staying true to scientific accuracy. That's how Sowing the Seeds of Love was born. My film follows a trio of celebrity hosts who use humor, animation, and their star power to educate audiences about unconventional animal mating science—while drawing thought-provoking parallels to societal conversations around sexual identities. My goal is to reach people who might not typically watch documentaries—because let's face it, the word "documentary" alone can turn some people away. I want to change that by proving that science can be just as entertaining as it is enlightening.

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EP. 1443: Filmmaker Riley Young (SOWING THE SEEDS OF LOVE)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1442: Filmmaker Mitja Manjek (The Story of Marjan the Bunny)

The Story of Marjan the Bunny, 3min., Slovenia
Directed by Mitja Manjek
Marjan the bunny was the first pet of little Mitja, which was named after his dad. One day boy found an empty cage and he didn't know where the bunny had disappeared.

http://www.mancekmitja.si/en/Films/ProfessionalYears/TheStoryOfMarjanTheBunny/

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EP. 1442: Filmmaker Mitja Manjek (The Story of Marjan the Bunny)
Matthew Toffolo
EP. 1440: Filmmakers Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton & Sandra D. Hodge-Hampton (ROSALIND)

ROSALIND, 32min,. USA
Directed by Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton
Vivian and Rosalind love each other, but after Rosalind was diagnosed with lung cancer she became abusive to her only caregiver, Vivian, for nine life draining years. When Vivian leaves town to see her dying father, a nurse and their close friend, Phoebe, teaches both Rosalind and Vivian a lesson in love they will never forget.

http://www.gloryfilmworks.com/
https://facebook.com/gloryvisionworks
https://www.instagram.com/gloryvisionworks/

Get to know director Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton & writer/producer/songwriter Sandra Hodge-Hampton:

What motivated you to make this film?

Sandra (writer/producer/songwriter): I wanted to show that when a person has limited strength or even a terminal diagnosis their caregivers should let them keep as much independence as they can because in addition to the sadness associated with the illness the person is also dealing with feeling like a burden to their loved ones.

Veronica (director/producer): I wanted to make this film to show that caregivers need to ask for help while they are caring for their person whoever that is, and that it is okay to ask for help when you’re not the one that’s sick.

What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Sandra: Relieved and thankful! Because I prayed that everything I wanted to convey in the script would translate into a meaningful and thought provoking experience for the audience and their comments proved that we did our job.

Veronica: It made me happy that they understood what we were trying to say. They got the emotion, they understood the stress and strain on both characters and they saw Vivian overcome in the end and be at peace about how she took care of Rosalind.

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EP. 1440: Filmmakers Veronica A. Hodge-Hampton & Sandra D. Hodge-Hampton (ROSALIND)
Matthew Toffolo