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HomePosts tagged 'Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival'

Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival

Interview with the Film Team of BLACK STAINS. Winning Short Film

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival BLACK STAINS. Winning Short Film, Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival

BLACK STAINS won BEST FILM at the July 2020 Experimental Film Festival.

What motivated you to make this film?

Trent D. Williams, Jr (TDW: From personal experience not seeing a lot of films surrounding the African-American male experience through dance. This film looks at different the African-American male experience in a multigenerational sense by capturing their lived experiences.

Tiffany Rhynard (TR): I saw a story that I believed needed to be told. I make work that addresses injustice and inequity in modern society, and I want to humanize stories that are otherwise suppressed, marginalized or narrowly represented. When I saw Trent’s choreography, I saw the potential for strong storytelling through film. Addressing racial justice is a matter of life and death, and showing the lived experience of African-American men is beautiful and normal and necessary.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

TDW: I believe it was a year and half. Tiffany and I had different preliminary showings to get feedback and hearing different stories surrounding this film.

TR: We started pre-production in spring 2015 and we locked picture fall 2018. It was a sporadic production process because of our dense schedules.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

TDW: Timeless Teaching would be the two words to describe this film.

TR: Poetic honesty

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

TDW: Time and resources – I believe these were our biggest obstacle we faced in completing this film.

TR: Yes, agreed…time and resources. Trent and I both have full time jobs and our collaborators are also busy artists in the world. Filmmaking is expensive and involves a lot of people. We were a very small crew, but it still demands funding resources to get it across the finish line.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Farai Malianga (FM): The feedback was kind and gracious and I appreciate everyone that took part. I thought there was going to be more direct questions but since the feedback was more conceptual the main thing that stood out was the use of the word culture. I think it is super important that everyone remembers that our socio-political reality as Black People in America is not our Culture. Our culture is in our African-American social structures art, music and scientific accomplishments. Racism is a part of American economic culture and Police brutality is an extension of that. Since I don’t feel it was the intention of the speakers I just want to make that distinction for clarity.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

TDW: Personal lived experiences as an African-American male in today’s society.

TR: Seeing one of Trent’s solo performances and conversations with him about a new work he was choreographing with students at University of Florida where I was teaching with him at the time. There were numerous locations around my home that I identified as strong settings for this story.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

TDW: The Color Purple is a film I have seen the most in my life.

TR: Cinema Paradiso, an Italian film I saw in my youth that instilled the power of storytelling in film for me.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

TR: I use Film Freeway all the time to submit to film festivals. I personally like the platform and find it convenient and easy to use.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

TDW: A Song for You by Donny Hathaway

TR: when I was younger I listened to albums on repeat, which I don’t do much as anymore, but my answer would have to be Purple Rain by Prince.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

TDW: Hopefully, another film that is entrench in the African-American male experience. There is a need for more films surrounding this African-American male experience.

TR: I am currently working on several film projects: Not My Enemy, a docu-dance short film focusing on mental health issues impacting African-American veterans fighting two wars while serving in the Vietnam War. I am co-directing and co-producing with the choreographer, Kehinde Ishangi and Farai Malianga is also composing music for the film. I’m also close to completion on a feature length choreo-poem with filmmaker Millicent Johnnie titled Ma Negresse. The narrative tells the story of a Black author who knowingly conjures mystical spirits and fights to overcome past harrowing traumas through the celebration of her matriarchs. AND I can’t wait to start a new project with Trent, we have been starting to brain storm next steps. Let’s keep telling stories that need to be sung and seen!

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Interview with Filmmaker Isabel Restrepo (SMOKE FOR THE CLOUDS)

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, sound in film, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Isabel Restrepo (SMOKE FOR THE CLOUDS)

SMOKE FOR THE CLOUDS was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the August 2020 Dance & Music Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Isabel Restrepo: My wish was to give a visual portrait of our music through film. I wanted to do it myself to be sure I could transmit to the public the Fabulae Dramatis’ concept. Which involves music, visuals, poetry, theatre and the natural elements. The short film was made also in the context of my studies of film and video art at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp.

Alex Rjabovs from FD films, a filmmaker graduated from Northumbria University contacted me when I was brainstorming about the script. He wanted to collaborate in the production process with me so that motivated me even more to make the production with him and with the film crew of the Royal Academy.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

Only the post-production process took me around one year to finish. So I think the whole production process took us around 1 year and half. We had so much footage that only the shot selection was pretty intense and difficult to choose. I also needed some time out to cool down my eyes and mind between scenes to think about how to put all of them together. The assistant director from FD films helped me also in the first stages of edition to try to find a structure. I finished the special effects and the final timeline. The pre-production also included the process of making the props and scenography plan. I elaborated a kind of tree as a woman-figure. That was for the shots with the puppet that represented the shaman. I asked advice to the students of scenography at the academy about how to create an atmosphere that could evoque water. They suggested to use veil curtains and make them kind of float with the help of wind. I added a video projection on the curtains with footage of blue ink in water and the jelly pearls we shot first with a macro lens. That to give the effect of water waves en water bubbels.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Mystically intense.

Those words were also used by the audience of the FEEDBACK festival. It surprises me that not only them but several spectators have mentioned at least one of those words when it comes to our music or imagery. I found it a good description, so it means we succeed in the idea we want to spread.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The post-production: specifically the shot selection and the final stage of color grading! Color correction or color grading is something that you normally delegate to an expert. I made the film also as a student project during my second year of film studies, so I wanted and needed to be involved in the whole process. I got some help also from FD films in the early stage and from my teachers at the academy at the last fase. Color grading is the final touch in edition and maybe the most important one in order to give the film the atmosphere and message you wanted to give to the spectator.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Of joy that such a nice people at the other side of the globe talked about our film in an objective way and that they could appreciate the piece.

I was pleased with the fact that even though the music wasn’t really the type of music to listen to, at least for some of them, they could genuine enjoy the video whether it was through visuals or music. They gave specific feedback about the elements used in the film and their impressions about the editing style, the colors, the costume, voices and the location.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

I had some ideas based on the lyrics to film indoor and Rjabovs from FD films had the idea of filming at the “Sahara desert” in Lommel, Belgium. An outstanding location for the outdoor shots. A nature reserve. A sand bank by a lake. It was suppose to give the idea of being at the Mexico’s desert and create the atmosphere of the “Ahuirán’s shaman” that we talk about on the lyrics. So I adapted the script in order to integrate also Rjabovs’ ideas. Surprisingly enough the night before the shooting snowed so we found a beautiful blue and white landscape by the time we arrived in the morning. That gave a total new picturesque point of view to the film. It was definitely welcome anyway!

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I barely watch a movie twice. I do have a sort of interest for the cult film. If you ask me which films captivated me the most then I can name some from different genres such as in the silent films: “A Trip to the Moon” by Georges Méliès because of the fantasy world he created in a theatrical way during a time when film production and special effects were so limited. It amazes me! Although it took me some time to get interested in black & white films. “City lights’” by Charlie Chaplin because of the emotional, innocent romance and altruistic script. It really made me cry of joy! And that, as I said, for a black & white and silent film, it manages to awake emotions in the spectator. It is a film to not to forget! So, yes I do watch it over and over but in my head.

Further about other more contemporary films I love sci-fi films and psychological thrillers. I’m fan of almost all the films of Christopher Nolan’s films/screenplays because of his originality and metaphysical topics. His films definitely need to be watched more than once. So his films are for me the exception of the rule. Can you hear me think? I’m expectant about the release of his last film “Tenet”.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I loved it! I found out about FilmFreeway last year. It was an eye-opener to me, since I’m really new in the world of filmmaking. That word sounded big to me but I discovered step by step the easy way of submitting films through this platform. I like the communication, the approach and design of it because it works like a social media site. It is effective and intuitive. A great tool to network and to discover new opportunities. It is also reliable to find trustable film festivals because you can also read the reviews and the rules of each festival directly. The submit button is just a click away!

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

That is really a difficult question to answer… If I’m objective enough… according to numbers and for practical circumstances that would be maybe one of the music pieces of my band Fabulae Dramatis, because I obviously listen to it multiple times when we compose, rehearse, perform and edit a live or studio videoclip for it. On the other hand if we are talking about repeditely listening to a song in the way that “ I can’t have enough…” That would be a song that does not have anything to do with metal: “Teardrop” by Massive Attack, sung by Elizabeth Fraser. That is one of the songs I can’t never be tired of listen to. At least that has been the case for the last 17 years of my life.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

On the 3rd of July this year we released other music videoclip for my band Fabulae Dramatis. Also in the context of my film studies. I wrote the script and took other roles such as assistant director, scenography, costume, makeup and post-production. This time the direction was in charge of Philippe Van Beeumen, a classmate from the art academy.

The next step would be for now to continue the music composition process and demo recording along with my bandmates. I’ll brainstorm also about new ideas for the next short films. I take advantage of the the actual situation of the pandemic to meditate and let ideas flow, even if sometimes it’s hard to keep the positive vibes when so many people are suffering around the globe. Let’s hope we can get out stronger and more creative than before after this.

Thanks a lot for this interview, for the feedback and for the award!

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Interview with Filmmaker Nikodem (DOJO)

August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Nikodem (DOJO)

DOJO played to rave reviews at the August 2020 Dance & Music Festival.

What motivated you to make this film?

Nikodem: When I was watching my kids sports events, I noticed the hysterical behavior of some parents in the stands. I then imagined the point of view of a child whose only wish is to be away from this competition, who sees this competition as a nightmare. I told myself that it was a good start to talk about the society in which we live, and the education that we impose on our children.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

The preparation for the shoot was fairly quick. 3 months. But the sound post
production took a long time (8 months) because there were complications. I
started working with one composer, then started over with another. Then the
finalization took a while. I would still like to retouch some things.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Children’s revenge

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

At first, I didn’t have enough extras, as some canceled at the last moment. I
had to call people at the last moment. Then, I had to adapt to work with child
actors. You have to know that you have to be efficient on the first takes, to
have the spontaneous side. Fortunately, during the preparation, the family was
very available, and the children were amazing.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was pleasantly surprised because some of the feedback was really relevant, and
like my previous film “De Glace” in 2017, I found the feedback to be kind and
constructive.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Fight Club

7. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

It’s a great opportunity to present and promote our work. Knowing that our films
travel, and are enjoyed, is a great pride. Our films only exist if someone is
watching them.

8. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

I heard it through the grapevine » Marvin Gaye
« Last Dayz » Onyx
« Lose Your Self » Eminem

9. What is next for you? A new film?

After “De Glace” and “Dojo”, this fall I will be shooting the third short film
of this trilogy devoted to sport and society. The action takes place this time
in a weight room. I am also working on writing my first feature film.

dojo_movie_poster

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Interview with Filmmaker Marta Renzi (IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME)

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Marta Renzi (IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME)

IN SEARCH OF LOST TIME played to rave reviews at the August 2020 DANCE & MUSIC Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Marta Renzi: My work is always low-budget. I had been making a lot of work outdoors where I was at the mercy of the elements:

– natural light, threat of rain, etc. This was first initiated as a way to take control of that by creating a “soundstage”
– in a friend’s cabin in Vermont. Pretty ironic that I then chose to make a score that featured rain and wind!

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

April to November

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

absence / memory

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

As I said, this project was designed to avoid obstacles – and I pretty much did!
After my first preview screening, I cut out about 2 minutes – so perhaps that reflects an obstacle:
in an abstract film with no compelling narrative, it’s easy to fall in love with the mood and the shots and not edit it sufficiently


5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

We have all become comfortable watching and talking about film.
Talking about non-narrative dance is hard.
Music is an expectation when dance is on camera (as I said above).
When people are asked to stress the positive, they find plenty to say.
It’s impossible to view an interracial couple in abstraction.
All black and white films are not film noir.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

I wanted to work with these two dancers who had both been in many projects of mine but not at the same time.
Hmmmm, that’s almost the synopsis: “a man and a woman inhabit the same space, but not apparently at the same time.”
I knew Aislinn & David would work well together, since both are comfortable improvising, but that there’d also be a certain remove
because they weren’t pals. I was leaning toward shooting it in black & white – partly quite literally because of the skin color of the
two dancers. I knew that Charles Caster-Dudzick, a cinematographer I’d worked with often, is drawn to 16mm film, black & white etc.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Maybe THE BICYCLE THIEF by Vittorio de Sica

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

Just fine.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Probably Nada Tudu by the Brazilian pop singer Marisa Monte – I don’t have many songs on my iphone, and this one is always good on long car rides.
Here’s a short film I made to Monte’s music:

Besties

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I made this one remotely over the course of a few weeks in the early months of Covid:

Dancing is an Old Friend – Trailer:

I’m now working on a live – but socially distanced – project with the 2 artistic directors and 13 dancers of Island Moving Company
in Rhode Island. We start shooting tomorrow!

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Interview with Filmmaker Jessie James (HALF A MAN)

August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Jessie James (HALF A MAN)

HALF A MAN was the winner of BEST DANCE FILM at the August 2020 Music & Dance Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Jessie James: I had just moved to London a few months previous to our production days and I was really feeling quite stuck in a creative rut. Being in a new city, work was slow. I had to reinvent myself in the London Creative Industry and that was taking more time than I wanted it to. So I decided that I needed to create work for the sole purpose of creation vs recognition and that’s when Half a Man came to be! I heard the song and immediately saw the visual come to life in my head.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

Thankfully I had a wonderful cast/crew who was very professional. From day one of the idea to finished product was about 4-5 months. I spent a few weeks developing a creative treatment for the film and sent it to Josh (who filmed the piece) and he was on board! From there we worked together for about 8 hours of rehearsal to create the movement and then shoot day consisted of about 5 hours of shooting. We were limited on the space we could use to film so it was essential to get the lighting and camera choreography sorted ASAP. Like I said the dancers were incredible on shoot day. Josh Kinsella of Ninetyone Films also edited the piece and he did a fantastic job!

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Male Vulnerability

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The entire film was self produced and self funded so I would say that finances were a challenge.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Honored. I felt so honored to touch all of these people in different ways. I’m so happy the message of the video was communicated clearly.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

The moment I heard this song I knew that it needed to be told in a visual sense. The song is just so beautifully haunting and I wanted to match that story with dancers.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Finding Neverland

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I find using FilmFreeway a very user friendly site. I appreciate having one place to find festivals and events.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

This one is hard…..I am a big music lover. My dad and I used to clean the house to Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl and Piano Man. Although more recently I am a major fan of Dermot Kennedy’s.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I am currently in the process of writing a new short film. It’s in the beginning stages but I am really excited about it!

half_a_man_movie_poster

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Interview with Filmmaker Kate Mitchell (GOLDEN)

August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Kate Mitchell (GOLDEN)

GOLDEN played to rave reviews at the August 2020 Experimental, Dance, Music Film Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Kate Mitchell: After making a book (Fashioning Women), about how what women wear defines who we are- the outside; then TERRAIN, a dance and photography project about the disparagement of women’s aging skin yet its harmonious relationship to the natural world- the surface of our bodies; I then completed the last part of the trilogy, GOLDEN, a film about a woman who rediscovers her intellectual, emotional, and sexual vitality- her internal world.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

About three years.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Passionate yearnings

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Scheduling was incredibly difficult! This was a passion project for every artist involved. As professionals, they were also juggling other projects with sometimes unpredictable schedules. But after the inevitable delays and setbacks, everyone went all in and the production days were thrilling.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

First, I was nervous about what viewers might say. Then, it was thrilling to hear all the positive comments from such diverse people. To know that my goals for the film had been recognized made me feel so validated. Finally, in the absence of a live festival, it was very gratifying to know that there truly was an audience for the film.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

My goal was to portray a mature woman’s internal experiences, to see as she sees, to touch as she touches, to feel as she feels. This project had to be a film, to reveal the solo dancer in as intimate way as possible.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

The English Patient

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

I think the platform is great. It helps me keep my project file up-to-date, enables to me to use a common application to make the process so much easier and clear, and is platform is very straightforward.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

Hmm. In the age of Covid-19, it’s impossible to know how we visual and performing artists will find ways to present and perform creative works. It’s all about reimagining and reframing what stimulates us. I’m working on it!

golden_movie_poster

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Interview with Filmmaker Sibel Guvenc (ONE STEP APART)

August 24, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Sibel Guvenc (ONE STEP APART)

ONE STEP APART played to rave reviews at the June 2020 Experimental, Dance, Music Film Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Sibel Guvenc: ONE STEP APART is a hybrid fiction dance/drama short film about a couple struggling with a past secret that puts their relationship on the verge of separation. Their emotions are revealed through dance where they are trying to get out of this infinite loop of anger and sadness.

ONE STEP APART is a short film about different levels of communication. Through movement, I’m analyzing how two stagings of the same emotional conflict can inform, interact and complicate each other. The dialogue is kept opaque and the complexity of the scene is expressed through movement. Their emotions are revealed through dance where I focused on two emotions: anger and sadness. These emotions are shared interchangeably in between them while they’re trying to get out of this infinite loop. As the film progresses, two worlds merge with a blend of dance and dialogue. One Step Apart captures a moment from the lives of a couple that shapes their future.
https://www.kybelefilms.com/one-step-apart

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

From writing the screenplay to finishing the post, it took about eight months to complete “One Step Apart”. Because, it was a no budget short film, I had to wait for the availability of my key team.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Dance, Emotions

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I can’t recall any difficulty making this film which is a rare experience in filmmaking. I had a great collaboration with the composer Michael Occhipinti and the choreographer Lisa Brkich on this film, and it was so enjoyable from the rehearsals to the editing room. I realize I’m so passionate about shooting dance on film, and I really look forward to collaborating with dancers, and choreographers more often.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I was very pleased that it meant something to the audience about the hardship in relationships. The audience reacted so well to hybridity, and how the movement in the film reflects the character’s inner journey, thoughts and emotions. I really enjoyed hearing people talk about an abstract piece.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

I’ve been always drawn into movement, and using space in my art work, and I always wanted to work with dance elements in my filmmaking. I was writing “End of the Rope”, my latest short film about a disabled dancer and her empowerment journey in AI at that time. https://www.kybelefilms.com/end-of-the-rope. I was planning to work with the same choreographer, and I wanted to make a film using dance and music before I shot “End of the Rope”. I wanted to make a very simple short film about capturing a moment that two people are almost stuck at one place, not being able to move forward or backward. I wanted to portray a repetitive cycle in a relationship that is not healthy.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Barry Lyndon by Stanley Kubrick, The Fountain by Darren Aronofsky, The Illusionist by Neil Burger (mostly because of the soundtrack by Philip Glass)

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

Film freeway is the leading platform for festival submissions. They’re very responsive, and always helpful.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

I don’t know if they’re the ones I listened to the most, but these are the first that came to my mind.

Heitor Villa-Lobos – Bachianas Brasileiras No.5
Gabriel Fauré-Les berceaux op. 23 no. 1
Cirque du soleil – Alegria album

10. What is next for you? A new film?

https://www.kybelefilms.com/loya

I’m working on LOYA, a family drama with environmental themes. In a Turkish village threatened by a multinational gold mining company operated by her birth-father, Loya, a young storyteller facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, holds her family accountable for their choices. LOYA creates a dialogue about deforestation, climate emergency, eco-activism, and connections to the land. LOYA is selected to Whistler Film Festival Producers Lab for development and packaging.

Please follow on instagram and twitter for current film screenings and future work.

Tweets by sibelguvencfilm

https://www.instagram.com/guvencsibel/

one_step_apart_movie_poster

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Interview with Filmmaker/Choreographer Ben Needham-Wood (AVOIDANCE)

August 8, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival dance, Dance Choreographer Ben Needham-Wood (AVOIDANCE), Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival

AVOIDANCE played to rave reviews at the August 2020 Dance & Music Film Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Ben Needham-Wood: Director Matt McKee and I (Ben Needham-Wood, choreographer) had recently worked together on a film called ‘BaseBallet: Into the Game’ and really enjoyed the collaborative, creative process we shared. As soon as it was finished we started talking about what we could make next. We wanted to see what would happen if we assembled the most talented creatives we knew and empowered everyone equally to help us develop and produce a new film, and that led to ‘Avoidance.’

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

It took a little more than a year from our first conversation to deliver our final cut.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Powerfully personal.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

The biggest obstacle we faced was balancing a limited budget with a massive vision. We had one day to build our set and test our tech, then one day to film, and with those constraints had to adapt our vision when an idea wasn’t delivering fully. It’s honestly the most exciting part of the creative process – adapting to the unforeseen – but I wonder what would have been possible with one more day of filming?

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

I cried. Haha. My career started as a performer in a contemporary ballet company, and one of the most rewarding pieces of that career is the post-performance exchange with audiences. It’s what I miss the most now that I’m no longer performing. Receiving this video and watching audiences describe the impact our film had on them inspired that same gratification that made me so proud to perform. I really didn’t expect to have such a heartfelt reaction to their reviews, but it truly helped me feel the importance of our art during this difficult time.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

In one of our early creative conversations we identified that while everyone’s personal story is different we have all experienced loss and conflict. We may not have experienced the same loss or conflict, but in our own relative lives those experiences have been equally impactful. ‘Avoidance’ allowed each of us to bring our personal stories together to create a single narrative.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Good Will Hunting – I’ve watched the entire film multiple times, but also watch excerpts on YouTube every time they pop up on my feed.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

This submission process was super easy and manageable. I really appreciate this platform because it streamlines the process and encourages me to submit films to more festivals than I otherwise would.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Eminem “Lose Yourself” – I honestly haven’t listened to this track in a long time, but years ago I listened to it almost daily.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I am currently in the process of launching a new film project called Movement for Movement. This film project uses dance to elevate stories of those adversely impacted by recent events in order to raise awareness and support for mental health care. This initiative is far larger in scope than anything I’ve attempted, and I’m super grateful to once again be collaborating with Avoidance director Matthew McKee. You can find out more about this project through our website – http://www.movement4movement.com . If you check it out and feel inspired, we hope you’ll reach out and get involved!

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Interview with Filmmaker Nuno Serrão (WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME BUS)

July 8, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Nuno Serrão (WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME BUS)

WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME BUS was the winner of BEST SOUND & MUSIC at the June 2020 Experimental Film Festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Nuno Serrão: Ever since I read a book on creativity by the choreographer Twilla Tharp, I have always wanted to do something with contemporary dance. I find it has so much in common with the creative process that happens in filmmaking.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this short?

Well, I had the idea a while ago, but it all come together very fast after I talked with my friend Nuno Barcelos (that helped to produce this film).

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Stay Different.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

I have to say the most significant obstacle was that I only had the bus for 3 hours. When we started, the light wasn’t right, it was still too early, and the owners were very helpful. Still, they couldn’t hold the bust until nightfall, so my solution was to find a tunnel with roundabouts on each end, so we ended doing the same tunnel over and over while we filmed the whole thing. Luis Daio, the dancer was incredible, doing take after take without any rest, and my crew of one, Andreia, was amazing also.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Happy that people understood what the film was about. This was shot a year ago, and it’s strange that it even more relevant today.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

The plot came during a lunch with Nuno Barcelos, but the story and theme behind it have been always in my mind.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

This one is easy, 2001 Space Odyssey.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are your feelings of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

Its the best platform around, no doubt about it.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Hard one. Maybe, Goodbye Blue Sky from Pink Floyd, American Beauty from Thomas Newman, Nils Frahm – Hammers, I don’t know, anything by Philip Glass, there are so many.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

I have a couple of projects in mind. Hopefully, I will be able to do a short film and a documentary.

Online link to the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rSR5RyKX8k

we_are_all_on_the_same_bus_movie_poster

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Interview with Filmmaker Siu Lung LEE (HELLO BABY)

July 8, 2020July 8, 2020 matthewtoffolo directing a film, feedback film festival, film director, filmmaking notes, short film, short film festival, toronto film festival, Uncategorized, wildsound film festival Experimental FEEDBACK Film Festival, feedback film festival, Siu Lung LEE (HELLO BABY)

HELLO BABY was the winner of BEST STUDENT FILM at the June 2020 Experimental Film Festival.

Mathew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Ans. : Fear. I’m living in a city facing new threats every day.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you
to make this short?

Ans. : Screenwriting was the most difficult part. I’ve taken it for around 3 months. Shooting for 3 days. And around 1.5 months for post-production. So, it took me around 5 months in total.

3. How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Ans. : Three words – Could be better :p

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Ans. : Story and funding, always. Luckily, I had a great crew and amazing actors.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking
about your film in the feedback video?

Ans. : Unbelievable! On another side of the world, people watched my short film and made sincere feedbacks for it. I was deeply touched by their detailed descriptions. Also, it was very encouraging when I heard several times they said the short film looks like a part of a feature film.

Indeed, the short film is not perfect. Those feedbacks motivated me to keep improving in the next films.

Watch the Audience FEEDBACK Video:

6. How did you come up with the idea for this short film?

Ans. : What is the deepest fear for a human? I kept asking this question when I raised the idea to write a horror story.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

Ans. : Trois couleurs: Bleu – by Krzysztof Kieslowski. My all time favor.

8. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway, what are you feelings
of the submission platform from a filmmaker’s perspective?

Ans. : It’s a great platform that independent filmmakers need. Convenient and helping a lot to promote films.

9. What song have you listened to the most times in your life?

Ans. : A good question. So many great songs I’ve heard in my life. I don’t have a specific one but grew up with the songs of Suede, Depeche Mode, Blur and Michael Jackson.

10. What is next for you? A new film?

Ans. : I’ve finished 2 feature scripts in the UCLA Professional Programs Screenwriting course. One is a sci-fi action and another one is a fantasy comedy. Hope 1 of them could be visualized on the screen. Planning to move to LA after the coronavirus pandemic.

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