Category: film director

Interview with Filmmaker Andrew Borene (EL VIAJE)

EL VIAJE played to rave reviews at the Student Action/Crime/Thriller Festival in May 2020. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Andrew Borene: A few years back, my mother was coming out of a Starbucks when she was almost struck by a couple of neo-Nazis driving a pickup truck. As they drove off,… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Andrew Borene (EL VIAJE)

Interview with Filmmaker Patrick Stagg (THE BIG PICTURE)

THE BIG PICTURE played to rave reviews at the May 2020 Comedy Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Patrick Stagg: We wanted to make something funny that was short and to the point while trying to convey something I’m sure a lot of filmmakers can relate to. 2. From the idea… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Patrick Stagg (THE BIG PICTURE)

Interview with Filmmaker Jonathan Levy (UNLEASHED)

UNLEASHED played to rave reviews at the WILDsound Comedy Festival in May 2020. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Jonathan Levy: This was my first, so part of it was just wanting to make a film. I’m surrounded by great actors many of whom are also friends and wanted to make something… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Jonathan Levy (UNLEASHED)

Interview with Filmmaker Kurtulus Ozgen (8 POEMS OF EMIGRATION)

8 POEMS OF EMIGRATION played to rave reviews at the May 2020 Documentary Short Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Kurtulus Ozgen: Both my grandparent’s families were refugees. They were forced to migrate from Crete Island (Greece) and Kardzhali (Bulgaria) to Anatolia during Balkan Wars (1912-13). As a descendant of… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Kurtulus Ozgen (8 POEMS OF EMIGRATION)

Interview with Filmmaker Qiyu Mary Zhou (THE KOI)

THE KOI played to rave reviews at the Action/Crime/Thriller Festival in May 2020. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? How did you come up with the idea for this short film? Qiyu Mary Zhou: “The Koi” is a romantic crime drama that is about a juvenile delinquent who falls deeply into a… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Qiyu Mary Zhou (THE KOI)

Interview with Filmmaker Marnie Baxter & Nicola Stuart-Hill (BAD MOTHER)

BAD MOTHER played to rave reviews at the May 2020 Female Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Nicola: Well Marnie told me a story of a woman she met on a beach a few years a back. This film is based on that true story. which we then dramatised. In… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Marnie Baxter & Nicola Stuart-Hill (BAD MOTHER)

Interview with Filmmaker Nora Jaenicke (PROOF)

PROOF played to rave reviews at the May 2020 Female Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Nora Jaenicke: The film is, in part, biographical. In order to receive my American Green Card I had to go through a series of very intrusive interviews. Because there were some bureaucratical issues with… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Nora Jaenicke (PROOF)

Interview with Filmmaker Marina Ziolkowski (19)

19 was the winner of BEST FILM at the May 2020 Female Film Festival. Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film? Marina Ziolkowski: I wanted to talk about how psychological violence can lead to physical violence 2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make… Continue reading Interview with Filmmaker Marina Ziolkowski (19)