Category: directing a film

Interview with Filmmaker Gretl Claggett (STORMCHASER)

 STORMCHASER swept the awards at the February 2020 FEMALE Feedback Film Festival in Toronto. Winner of BEST FILM. BEST PERFORMANCES. BEST CINEMATROGRAPHY  Matthew Toffolo: How did you come up with the idea for this short film? And… What motivated you to make the film? “He’s a door-to-door ‘door’ salesman,” my friend said. “A what…?” I… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Gretl Claggett (STORMCHASER)

Interview with Filmmaker Kieron O’Sullivan (Consequences of Living a Lie)

Matthew Toffolo: What is your screenplay about? Kieron O’Sullivan: The Consequences of Living a Lie is about a young man who can’t accept that he’s gay, so he’s a lived a constant lie and after the death of his girlfriend, he finally starts to face the consequences of all the lies he’s told. This is… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Kieron O’Sullivan (Consequences of Living a Lie)

Interview with Filmmakers Kasey Poracky & Robert Mack (SHIFT)

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Robert: I had always had a passion for making movies, but never had the time or opportunity to pursue those interests during my high school years while under an intense training schedule of ballet, academics and extra-curriculars. When I got to Indiana University, I realized that… Continue reading Interview with Filmmakers Kasey Poracky & Robert Mack (SHIFT)

Interview with Filmmaker Brenden Dannaher (A QUICK LOVE STORY)

A QUICK LOVE STORY was the winner of BEST PERFORMANCES at the February 2020 ROMANCE Festival in Toronto. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Brenden Dannaher: Another short film that I was lined up to direct fell through. So I decided to produce my own short film myself. I had four different… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Brenden Dannaher (A QUICK LOVE STORY)

Interview with Filmmaker Sarah Baptist (STARTING LINEUP)

STARTING LINEUP played to rave reviews at the February 2020 Documentary Film Festival in Toronto. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Sarah Baptist: I went to the overflow area of Jurassic Park for Game 1 of the Raptors playoff. I instantly became friends with the two men behind me in line. There… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Sarah Baptist (STARTING LINEUP)

Interview with Filmmaker Shantel Hansen (HER TURF)

HER TURF played to rave reviews at the February 2020 Documentary Festival in Toronto. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Shantel Hansen: This started back in 2014 when I conceived of the idea of filming women in male dominated sports. Here in the United States, this wasn’t a topic talked about or… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Shantel Hansen (HER TURF)

Interview with Filmmaker Ignacio Lasierra Pinto (FIRST COMMUNION)

FIRST COMMUNION was the winner of BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY and BEST PERFORMANCES at the January 2020 European Film Festival in Toronto. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Ignacio Lasierra Pinto: I wanted to make a film that opened certain moral issues and did not necessarily offer an answer. I guess like everything I’ve… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Ignacio Lasierra Pinto (FIRST COMMUNION)

Interview with Filmmakers Madeline Graham & Christopher Whiteside (VIOLET)

VIOLET was the winner of BEST MUSIC at the January 2020 LGBT Film Festival in Toronto. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Madeline Graham & Christopher Whiteside: Same sex marriage has only recently become legal in Northern Ireland and we felt that it was important to give voice to the people who… Continue reading Interview with Filmmakers Madeline Graham & Christopher Whiteside (VIOLET)