Category: directing a film

Interview with director Eric Romero (Native Immigration)

NATIVE IMMIGRATION, directed by Eric Romero played to rave reviews at the July 2016 Comedy Film Festival. It was an honor to sit down with him and chat about his career and short film. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Eric Romero: I’m an immigrant living in UK myself and it’s an universal… Continue reading Interview with director Eric Romero (Native Immigration)

Interview with Filmmaker James Ersted (MONTH TO MONTH)

Month to Month was the opening film at the June 2016 FEEDBACK Film Festival. The audience really responded to this short film. It’s a little bit musical, with a splash of dramatic character study, and a twist of fantasy. It was an honor to chat with the director James Ersted: Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker James Ersted (MONTH TO MONTH)

Interview with Israeli Filmmaker Shachar Gal (BLACK BALLOON)

BLACK BALLOON was the winner of Best Cinematography at the June 2016 WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival.  It was an honor speaking with the director Shachar Gal about the film. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Shachar Gal: There are few things that attracted us about making the film. Actually the first thoughts we… Continue reading Interview with Israeli Filmmaker Shachar Gal (BLACK BALLOON)

Interview with Director/Writer Tyler Lionel Parr (IRONIED)

I felt relieved. To know that the message, or at least what I wanted to project, was actually landing on a conscious level, And that it scored an emotional response. I couldn’t be a happier filmmaker.

Interview with Director Jarek Zabczynski (JACK IS PRETTY)

I really loved how vocal and astute the audience was. People were picking up on little details and pointing them out and I couldn’t help but smile as I sat in the back of the theater. I kinda liked that no one knew that I was there until after the feedback session, really assured me the comments were real and genuine, not at all influenced by my presence at the festival.

Interview with Filmmaker Sami Khan (KHOYA)

I was fortunate enough to sit down with filmmaker Sami Khan to chat about his feature film KHOYA. It’s currently playing at the Carlton Cinemas in downtown Toronto, a place that I’m very familiar with as that’s where we do the FEEDBACK Film Festival every month.

Interview with Filmmaker Chris Hale (EVERYBODY FALLS DOWN)

I was pleasantly surprised watching the feedback video, I was glad someone noticed the use of music for instance and even the mildly negative comments were useful as a filmmaker as they were about things I’d purposely chosen to do or not include and it made me realise I was comfortable with my decisions. Also the fact that someone said they’d be more likely to help because of watching this film was fantastic as thats all I ever wanted.

Interview with Filmmaker Clark Ferguson (SHADOW OF A GIANT)

I wasn’t able to attend the screening but to see an audience watch a work and give feedback (that was good!) was really touching. It actually felt really great to watch the reactions of those who expressed themselves. I also though Lesley Johnson did a great job responding to questions about what it’s like to live near the site and talk about the process of making the project. But ultimately, I was very touched to hear the first speaker react to projection. And the many that followed. It felt good in my heart.

Interview with Filmmaker Daniele Bonarini (LIKE A STAR)

Daniele Bonarini’s short film, LIKE A STAR, played to rave reviews at the May 2016 Documentary Short Film Festival.  Interview with Daniele Bonarini: Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Daniele Bonarini: For many years, i work primarily with people with physical and intellectual disabilities. I grew a lot as a director and film-maker… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Daniele Bonarini (LIKE A STAR)

Interview with Filmmaker Christopher H.K. Lee (The Last Tear)

I’ve heard about the topic “comfort women” many times in the news, media, books, newspapers, etc. but I never had my interest in the subject until we began our research with the students about a possibility of putting together a documentary. We traveled thousands of miles to visit the actual historical locations and had the opportunities to meet with the ladies still alive and be witnesses of the scars left on their bodies and souls. Some were supported by the political platform and some were a part of an organizational base trying to make their voice heard which is unknown to the rest of the world. They are becoming weaker day by day and we believe that such traces of painful memories and tragic stories cannot be restored but by remembering them and embracing them, we will provide them the sense of closure.