ONE DAY / DAY ONE was the winner of BEST FILM at the May 2022 Toronto Female Film Festival.
Project Links
1. What motivated you to make this film?
As a creator with disability I am passionate about representation and improving the film landscape for people with disability in all areas of the screen industries. OneDay/DayOne was created along side a research paper I wrote examining the connection between state of disability representation in media, the need for apocalyptic story telling and experience of real-world disaster on the community, titled “Accessibility and the Apocalypse”. This film came out of that work and is a case study in accessible filmmaking that centres disability first and foremost in the creative process. The script was only ever written as a genderless disability neutral story to hold space for the best possible performer with disability to join the project, after which all other creative and logistical film making decisions could flow.
2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The script was written in May and the film was shot in July. Editing was completed in August but the remaining post processes took until the end of Dec.
3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Hope and Survival
4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Budget and time. There is never enough of either!
5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It’s been a while since I have been able to see my film objectively, so I appreciate the honest reactions and feedback the audience offered. I am glad the story reached them.
Watch the Audience Feedback Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9ocQT6wNP4
6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
In my late teens I understood that capturing, telling and sharing stories was what I wanted to do with my life.
7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Stealing Beauty by Bernardo Bertolucci
8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Virtual festivals or virtual components to festival have been so important for accessibility in general and in particular with reaching a larger audience of people with disability. I hope that festival don’t lose sight of those audience members as we move beyond covid.
9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
Good, I have a great producer (Sasha Fisher) who manages it well!
10. What is your favorite meal?
Chirashi at a nice Japanese spot!
11. What is next for you? A new film?
I working in doc/lifestyle TV as my regular job, but have another short I am hoping to produce this year. Fingers crossed!
Matthew Toffolo's Summary 