Month: August 2020

Interview with Filmmaker Imelda O’Reilly (TUMBLING TOWARDS HOME)

TUMBLING TOWARDS HOME was the winner of BEST DOC CHARACTERS at the July 2020 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Imelda O’Reilly: I have a dear friend Malcolm Adams who is an Irish actor and we wanted to create a project together. I wasn’t sure what film we… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Imelda O’Reilly (TUMBLING TOWARDS HOME)

Interview with Filmmaker Cate Celso (KING OF THE ROAD)

KING OF THE ROAD played to rave reviews at the July 2020 DOCUMENTARY Short Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Cate Celso: After seeing Rick perform I was impressed by his energy and how he lit up his audiences. Getting to know him and all his layers I found his… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Cate Celso (KING OF THE ROAD)

Interview with Filmmaker Derek Osinski JR. (PERFECT MATTRESS: A LOVE STORY)

PERFECT MATTRESS: A LOVE STORY played to rave reviews at the February 2020 ROMANCE Feedback Film Festival. Q: What motivated you to make this film? A: This particular film draws many parallels to my formidable years of romance – including the actual act of “mattress store hopping”. On a similar note, this was me closing… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Derek Osinski JR. (PERFECT MATTRESS: A LOVE STORY)

Interview with Poet Franco D’Alessandro (LEOPARD CLUB LOVE)

1) What is the theme of your poem? That transformative power of -what the Greeks called- Storge/Philia love, especially when found in an unlikely place and between unlikely people. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? My relationship with a student who has become a son to me. A rather tricky thing as I… Continue reading Interview with Poet Franco D’Alessandro (LEOPARD CLUB LOVE)

Interview with Poet Janelle Barker (9/11 ATTACKS)

1) What is the theme of your poem? the theme of my poem is finding your strength to stay strong 2) What motivated you to write this poem? this event changed the world and affected all of us deep into our heart, whether we were there or not. 3) How long have you been writing… Continue reading Interview with Poet Janelle Barker (9/11 ATTACKS)

Interview with Poet James Morgan-Jones (Demoiselle)

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? James Morgan-Jones: The beauty of the natural world, of difference and of the individual. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? A visitation by the demoiselle as I sat in the garden on a beautiful spring day. 3) How long have you been writing poetry?… Continue reading Interview with Poet James Morgan-Jones (Demoiselle)

Interview with Poet Paul O’Donnell (PASSING)

Matthew Toffolo: What is the theme of your poem? Paul O’Donnell: Despair, frustration, poor decisions and their consequences, hope 2) What motivated you to write this poem? All my poetry is prompted by what I feel or see. It’s my way of thinking about social change and doing something about it with the power of… Continue reading Interview with Poet Paul O’Donnell (PASSING)

Interview with Poet Kirsten Warner (GRITTY, DANGEROUS DOLL)

 1) What is the theme of your poem? The theme of this poem is how to turn disappointment into something useful for myself, how to transform that deadly blow into art. 2) What motivated you to write this poem? I was not long-listed for the New Zealand book awards which I expected, although I later… Continue reading Interview with Poet Kirsten Warner (GRITTY, DANGEROUS DOLL)

Interview with Screenwriter J. L. Paxxiel (BTW I’m An Alien)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? J. L. Paxxiel: It’s the parallel life of Trevor Noah within our multiverse and creatively weave things Trevor Noah has said in his podcast, TV show, book, and comedy tours. It touches on diversity and shows the power of a family working together. They are a quirky and… Continue reading Interview with Screenwriter J. L. Paxxiel (BTW I’m An Alien)