WILDsound: The Film Podcast

Don Scioli chats with Matthew Toffolo about this latest feature documentary. Who Wants to Live Forever, the Wisdom of Aging is a one-hour documentary film about the myths, facts and contradictions in the never-ending battle for both longevity and healthy aging, produced by Zan Media. The filmmakers behind this movie offer no conclusions but suggest each viewer examine the information and decide for themselves whether living longer is a good thing or a bad thing. Is real progress being made in the field of healthy aging? Are folks being taken advantage of in the quest to remain young – and how? Who are the charlatans? Is aging actually a disease or a natural, degenerative process? How much longer would you actually live if the diseases associated with aging are cured? What is the real role of diet and exercise in aging? What is the difference between lifespan and healthspan? —— Don Scioli is a graduate of the world renown University of Southern California's Annenberg School of Communication, where he obtained his Master's Degree in Cinema. He was part of the team that won an Academy Award® for Best Short film while at the university. He received his BA in English from St. Joseph University in Philadelphia, where he founded the Communications Department and served as Professor of Communications for five years.—— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Maryjane Is One Word, 13min., USA Directed by John Liang A young adopted woman meets her biological mother for the first time. https://www.instagram.com/lonelydevilfilms ---- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The Pomegranate Theory is a 10-minute short film in the genre of fantasy realism. The film takes place in a society where people wear animal masks to represent their inner selves. Muyal, a young woman who bears the mask of a rabbit, is beginning to lose herself by allowing her love for Holter, a young man with the mask of a fox, to engulf her. https://www.instagram.com/thepomegranatetheory/ Conversation with the Humber College producer and DP of the award winning film. ---- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

A Silent Scream, 7min., USA Directed by Isabelle Kalkwarf A short film following the perspective of a young girl, going through an anxiety attack. https://www.instagram.com/Isabellesfilms ---- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

FAT BOI, 3 minute Music Video/Comedy This is biig red couch's first professional music video! As a Washington Filmworks project, FAT BOI was filmed at Harbor Island Studios in Seattle Washington. biig red couch is thrilled to make his music video debut with Equinox Productions, especially beside his buddy and hype-man Antonio the capybara. Antonio surfs through biig red couch's journey from delusion to drab to FABULOUS! Antonio the capybara makes a cameo with interview with the star and director of the award-winning film. https://www.instagram.com/biigredcouch https://instagram.com/equinoxproductions ---- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Child's Drawing, 8min., Taiwan Directed by David Liang Ever since the younger sister's missing, the girl has been drowning in grief every night. However, she finds her younger sister's drawing book tonight. When she opens it, she discovers that something terror in childish drawings. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNsuB0mQm9X/?igsh=ajExcHdmZnh4NHUw —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The Dust of This Place, 20min., USA Directed by Vanessa Van Wormer Set in the high desert of California off of Historic Route 66, The Dust of this Place follows a couple lost in the limbo of a repeating moment in time, exploring absence, presence, and how a single difference in choice can affect their future. https://www.instagram.com/vvwdance https://www.instagram.com/thedustofthisplace.film/ —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://youtu.be/EWGQUH6nsuk "Friend" follows the heading-for-divorce parents of a precocious nine-year-old who befriends an older, intellectually disabled man. Friend is in a great place—well written and with a strong premise. —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

ANADROMOUS, 5min., USA Directed by Ari Grubb When they find themselves evolving out of their aquarium home, two fish set off on a musical journey of self-acceptance and queer joy, and find community in a freaky fish gay bar in the deepest depths of the ocean. https://www.instagram.com/anadromous_film —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

HALF PAST, 20min., USA Directed by Jonas Fryer A group of con artists learn the importance of trust during a heist where everything goes wrong. https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-half-past https://jonasfryer.com/ —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Two roommates, desperate to feel successful in the milieu of New York City, turn to macabre money-making schemes by performing underground surgeries and serving human meat to unsuspecting customers. https://www.keshav-srinivasan.com/the-flesh-people https://www.instagram.com/thefleshpeoplefilm —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

A young, ambitious journalist will have her first high-profile live interview with the President. The country is on the verge of a significant war, externally and internally. After a series of questions, the interview takes a dangerous course. —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Filmed at Hawai‘i's Hapuna Beach, one of the most beautiful and dangerous shorelines in the islands, Pick It Up, America: Life Is a Beach is a heartfelt call for stewardship, ocean safety, and respect. Through interviews with lifeguards, keiki, locals, and dive experts, this short documentary reminds us that caring for our oceans means more than picking up your trash it means picking up awareness, responsibility, and love for the ʻāina. A vital message for families, tourists, and communities everywhere. https://kimberaleigh.com https://www.instagram.com/kimberaleigh/ https://www.facebook.com/kimberaleigh/ —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Two Argentinian designers and lifelong friends, Sandra and Martina, are chosen at the last minute to travel to Milan during Fashion Week to present their collection in a competition for emerging Latin brands. Elated, they leave behind a Buenos Aires collapsed by floods, blackouts, and a deep economic crisis and set off for a city of dreams and catwalks.At first, Italy seems to be everything they imagined: attractive men, a rich culture, gelato... but the fantasy quickly crumbles when they lose their dresses and tension grows between them. Surrounded by haute couture, inflated egos, and unexpected obstacles, they must face not only fierce competition but also wounds from the past that have never quite healed.As the glamour fades, they realize that the real challenge is not to win, but to rediscover that which brought them together from the beginning: the passion to create and tell a story with every stitch. They will have to decide if they are ready to sew a new beginning. https://www.instagram.com/deleonmartin/ —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

TEA TIME, 9min., USA Directed by B.T. Goldman A detective interrogates a strange elderly Englishman about a missing person in his neighborhood. https://www.instagram.com/cybereggproductions/ https://www.instagram.com/b.t.goldman/ ——- Hannah Ehman chats with actor David Goldman on the making of the award-winning film. Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/ Watch Hannah's commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman —- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

OUT OF YOUR STORY, 1min., Germany Directed by Juliane Meyer Gregori A woman faces her partner in a basement, caught in one last escalating fight. Between a bottle smashing and emotional gaslighting, she decides to step out of his picture. She leaves his frame and enters a new one, her own. https://www.instagram.com/julianemeyergregori/?hl=en —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The Dying Knight, 22min., UK Directed by Andrew Gladman A knight, found on the brink of death, embarks on a quest to determine his fate. https://instagram.com/finalframecinema —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the Novel Transcript. Reading: https://youtu.be/v-DA3OuQ9XA Mindy and Tracey have to find a way to pay tribute to both their father's in a way that feels appropriate to them. Performed by Val Cole Submit your work via Submittable: https://wildsoundwritingfestival.submittable.com/submit —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

SHAMDEMONIUM, 6min., USA Directed by Grace Ann Rathbun SHAMDEMONIUM is a music video style narrative short film that follows young aspiring actor Barb as she leads up to her final moments alive and her time in the After Life. https://instagram.com/graceannimation —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

EDGE, 14min., Spain Directed by Abel Moreno Pradas Locked in, separated by a huge glass and deprived of speech, two people meet without knowing how they got there. Where are the limits that prevent us from acting in unjust situations? Are they physical or are they within us? https://www.instagram.com/abel_moreno_pradas —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

AN ANATOMY OF GRIEF, 15min., Canada Directed by Anthony Joseph Spatafora A mother grieving the death of her son while being haunted by his corpse. https://www.instagram.com/ananatomyofgrief_shortfilm/ ——- Hannah Ehman chats with actor Patricia Moser on the making of the award-winning film. Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pajomo326/ Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/ Watch Hannah's commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Conversation with directors Hai-Lam Phan, Olivia Mowry, and writer/producer Margaret Cooney from the award-winning documentary film "Asheville is Calling: A Climate Change Emergency" Extreme weather disasters are becoming more common, more powerful, and more deadly. Today, more than ever, U.S. federal agencies like FEMA that help Americans prepare, respond, and recover from natural disasters need to be fully funded, staffed, and ready to act. Hurricane Helene survivor, Colleen Daly, talks about her harrowing experience both during and after this catastrophic event, and how changes enacted by the current U.S. administration are leaving communities to fend for themselves against extreme weather disasters. Communities deserve better than a government that abandons them when disaster strikes, and refuses acknowledge that climate change is harming people here and now. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

LIPSTICK & LIGHTBULBS, 8min., USA Directed by Tamara Luisa Hernandez An evening's plans are ruined when a roommate comes home a day early. & THE LITTLE GIRL, 10min., USA Directed by Tamara Luisa Hernandez The Little Girl” is a poignant true story of a woman who embraces her identity as a plus-sized woman while navigating the complexities of love. Through her late-night interactions with strangers, she confronts the harsh realities of societal beauty standards, ultimately challenging conventional perceptions of attractiveness. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

A single mother and her teenage daughter living on the south shore of Long Island. Fighting each other to be seen. Living in the conflict of oppression and dominance. Both fighting to win, both will end up losing. https://www.instagram.com/longislandsouthshore/ —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Friday Night Flop, 16min., UK Directed by Simon Friedberg, Elliott Gerner A mother tries desperately to reconnect with her estranged daughter. https://www.instagram.com/fridaynightflop —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

TRIGGER, 33min., Greece Directed by Haris Gioulatos If you were told there was an organization that could change your life forever, would you go through with the switch. And if so, would you pull the Trigger? https://www.instagram.com/gioulatos/?hl=en —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

DEMON, 18min., USA Directed by Patrick Torres https://instagram.com/illuminatingswordsman What motivated you to make this film? I've always been interested in the fantasy/ heroic journey genre of film and I feel like we don't get enough of them today. The muse also seemed to dump a bunch of stories into my head without me requesting them and feel compelled to start creating all of the stories I have written so far. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Demon took about 18 months to create mostly due to a big injury on my end and crew setbacks. Nothing ever goes according to plan haha. I also had to learn and play with Unreal Engine for the temple shots which took a great amount of time as I had no prior experience with these types of programs. How would you describe your film in two words!? Selfish Hero What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Like I mentioned earlier, it was definitely the injury (I fell off a horse but it happened after shooting) and learning Unreal. If not for those 2 things I think we could have done it within 9 months. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/horror-festival-1st-scene-reading-grad-nite-by-sion-raize-interview While enjoying an overnight celebration at a regional theme park, a group of graduating high school students are targeted by a vicious killer wearing a dragon mask. What is your screenplay about? Grad Nite centers around a group of high school seniors on an overnight field trip to a theme park where mutilated bodies begin to pile up. What genres does your screenplay fall under? This is a slasher, a horror slasher, with a dash of coming-of-age for depth. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Slashers as a horror subgenre are unique in that nostalgia and familiar beats are expected and celebrated just as much as originality. It's the originality in Grad Nite that is unlike any other slasher you've ever read or seen. These are characters that are sidelined in other stories, taking center stage here, with a unique tone and energy that is patented me (Sion-Raize). —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

KNIFE, a 3-minute Micro-Horror Short Film. A slasher told from the point-of-view of the murder weapon. Michael Kuciak is the writer-director-editor of DEATH METAL, and the writer-producer of FROM THE SHADOWS (starring Keith David, Bruce Davison, and Selena Anduze). He has directed music videos and short films, including the award-winning horror shorts KNIFE and STAIRS, and served as a producer and executive producer on several independent feature films. Before focusing on filmmaking, Mike was the Senior Vice President of Development for a literary management-production company. He is the founder and CEO of Blast Furnace Media, and a partner of Alt-House Productions. Mike is a reformed musician; he used to play bass in punk and metal bands in his hometown of Chicago. He now lives in Los Angeles. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8FWeuRhTA A young man navigates the weeds of dating apps while tending to his makeshift compost pile. Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? My goal was to parellel new age dating with, kind of, urban farming or composting. With dating apps, intentions are often vague and can result in so many failed attempts. Often times you can find what you're looking for without even lookingm in a more natural way. I tried to equate that to something that actually happened to me, when tomatoes started growing out of my own compost pile. Seemed like a fun little juxtaposition. What genres does your screenplay fall under? I guess romance and a little bit of comedy? I'd like to expand on this at some point and include more drama. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? I think a lot of people would be able to relate given the oversaturation of dating apps and the dissociation that can accompany that, when the next person is just a swipe away. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

SCALES - THE TIPPING POINT, min., South Africa Directed by Bruce Young Bruce Young is a deeply curious filmmaker from South Africa who is fascinated by pangolins, an animal on the edge of extinction. Scales is his third film about the animal. This time he is on a personal quest to find out why these quiet, shy, harmless, and yet charismatic little creatures are the most trafficked mammals on the planet. And if there is any hope that they will survive. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the Best Scene Reading: https://youtu.be/5sBVY0wv-Rw Awaken the Medium is a feature-length script that follows the story of Maggie Samson, whose latest near-death experience thrusts her into discovering her gifts and powers. Maggie is a librarian in her forties. Married to Chris, a professor, with whom she has a son, Justus Samson, now eleven years old. Maggie arrives at a crossroads, unaware of the challenges and mysteries that await her. http://leebicematheson.ca/ What is your screenplay about? Grief, family, love, fear, supernatural events, spiritual awakening.Stanley Kubrick once said - while filming Stephen King's The Shining - 'anything that says there's something after death is an optimistic story.' Awaken the Medium is a feature-length script that follows the tale of Maggie Samson, whose latest near-death experience thrusts her into discovering her gifts and powers. Maggie is a librarian in her forties married to Chris, a professor, who is rooted in science-based belief, with whom they have a son, Justus Samson, eleven years old. Maggie arrives at a crossroads, unaware of the challenges and mysteries that await her. In the aftermath of her parents' tragic death, Maggie decides to move her family into a beautiful house. However, soon after they move in, things begin to happen, strange things. Noises, shadows, unexplainable visions, mirages - every minutiae like this becomes so overwhelming that Maggie realizes she must stop the evil forces nested in the house before it's too late and she or her son and husband are harmed. Maggie meets a medium, Roberta, who helps her acknowledge her gifts. She discovers that she is a medium, a psychic, and a believer, hence the mirages, the telepathic conversations with her son, and the ability to converse with her deceased parents. With this newly found knowledge, Maggie, joined by her skeptical husband, and loyal son, embark on a quest to close the portal to evil she opened, and shut the evil down, once and for all. This script is loosely based on my near-death experience, and our family's transformation after my parents died. Awaken the Medium has been described as 'an elevated supernatural thriller which includes multicultural and spiritual intersectionality: Indigenous wisdom, Catholic doctrine, and parapsychology converging to shape the thematic framework. The use of the "liminal veil" as a metaphysical threshold is a compelling symbolic anchor, deepening the narrative beyond a haunted house cliche. The inclusion of generational trauma, grief, and psychic-medium inheritance gives the story emotional weight and thematic resonance.' J.R. Elliott, Script Adviser. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

CARDBOARD, 23min., USA Directed by Diana Densmore A neglected young girl builds a cardboard time machine and runs away to the future only to find her adult self in the throes of depression, as the two connect they remind each other of the joy of loving oneself. https://www.instagram.com/flusshausfilms Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? Alice Prime, the lead actress, had been bugging me to make something with her and my daughter in it for years. So I was trying to write something that would allow them to play opposite each other. The subject matter comes from my own struggles with mental health. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? four or five years… I guess Alice Prime (the lead actress) and I started talking about it, and then a year later, I wrote the first draft. Probably, a year after that, we had a shooting script, and we went into pre-production and production in earnest. By the time we were through the whole post-process, it was another year. How would you describe your film in two words!? The process of making it? Chathartic chaos. The final project? sweet sci-fi. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The rest of life is happening at the same time. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talkingabout your film in the feedback video? It's nice to hear that people connected with the themes and appreciated the film. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

A dancer and a violinist, isolated yet connected by sound, break and rise through the silence between them. https://www.instagram.com/_the.duet_ Chat with the amazing creative team of THE DUET. (Director Gica Pucca. Producer Karyante Franklin. Writer/Dancer Kristina Perez) ——- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Emily, Abby, Dan and Jake, arrive at the remote cabin for a relaxing weekend. After settling in, Jake receives a call and leaves abruptly, expressing concern over a family emergency. Later that evening a hysterical woman, Amber, shows up in a panic pleading for safety. Unfortunately, Amber has led an dark, ominous cult right to their front door. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2243233/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk ——- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Low Roar - Field of Dreams, 4min., Ireland Directed by Kim Saarinen "Today I'll be remembered Tomorrow just a dream It's not what it seems" https://www.instagram.com/lowroar/ https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-low-roar

A man keeps receiving strange phone calls from a supernatural presence whilst waiting at a bus stop. What motivated you to make this film? I took some time away from filmmaking, and when I decided to come back, I was very conscious about doing it in a sustainable, practical way. Instead of jumping into something ambitious, I wanted to make a contained, execution-focused short that I could bring from concept to completion. That's what motivated me to make Hello. It was also a chance to retrace my creative roots and reconnect with the kind of horror that first shaped my taste, particularly the influence of J-horror. In that sense, the film works both as a proof of concept and a creative reset. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? I wrote it around 2012–2013 under the title Boo. It sat with me for years, and in 2024 I found it was the right project to pull off the shelf and develop properly. From there, the actual production was very focused, efficient and smooth. We shot the film in three days, and post-production wrapped in September 2025. So while it took a while, the finished film came out better than I expected, so I'm proud of that. How would you describe your film in two words!? Oh fuck... What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Post-production was the biggest obstacle. I wasn't supposed to edit the film, but when our editor ran into hardware problems and funding fell through, I had to take over. Going from director to editor is challenging because you lose that outside perspective and start second-guessing the film in new ways. On top of that, the VFX compositing ran into some issues of its own which required bringing in compositors on Fiverr and finishing a good portion of the work myself. It was a very hands-on, problem-solving-heavy post workflow. —- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The Ancient Time Piece, 5min., UK Directed by Justin Walker, Islien Walker Lily, a teenage girl is stuck in a monotonous cycle, perhaps this is connected to an old eerie clock she found in her family's basement, a clock that was still ticking when she found it…. how long had this ancient Time Piece been ticking! https://www.instagram.com/illy_pheebs_productions2012 Get to know filmmaker Justin Walker: What motivated you to make this film? My daughter Islien (co-director and lead actress) wrote the short story The Ancient Time piece when she was 11 years old, now she is 13….the short story was published in the compilation book ‘The glitch twisted tales' which resides in the national library, London UK. Myself and my daughter had discussed making a short film based on her story for sometime… eventually we commenced production this summer. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Haha, well shooting only took 2 days, post production, editing, effects, score sound design took approximately 2 months. How would you describe your film in two words!? Time Reflective What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Well being amateur/smartphone filmmakers who produce short films on a zero budget you are always working with restrictions and limitations…..often you ‘think' big during concept/pre production but find in reality you have to work within your means….however you do tend to be more creative due to these restrictions. The major obstacle is finding the time between my full-time job and family life to shoot and complete post production is always a challenge. Obviously there is a challenge in having the final product look a quality piece/semi-professional on limited resources. —- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtEe_5Vpqzo Omar & a group of boys manage to escape the Sudan Civil War & make it to America after experiencing the most horrific fight for their lives. What is your screenplay about? It's about the Sudanese civil war. The lost boys of Sudan and highlights the terror the orphans went through. Based on true events. What genres does your screenplay fall under? action/adventure also war if those count as one. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? a story that is not often told from a country where stories are not often highlighted. Tells the story of how to overcome loss and the power of community in that process. Something people can relate to on a global scale via current events. How would you describe this script in two words? survivors guilt. Two brothers going on parallel journeys and struggling through a catastrophe. —- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2VAxv7qARQ Lee is hired to bring the seducer of a young woman to daddy for his particular vengeance. Daddy is an Arizona drug baron. The seducer works for daddy's Mexican partner. Then too many people with guns and the wrong ideas intrude. And the job just got complicated. Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? I will place the logline here for reference: A down-on-his-luck enforcer is hired to bring a young woman's seducer back to Daddy for a particular vengeance. Daddy is an Arizona drug baron. Seducer works for Daddy's Mexican partner. Then too many people with guns jump to half-baked conclusions. And the job just got complicated. And now, what is the story really about. And that is that people often draw the conclusions they want to, and will not be dissuaded by facts. They will rely on preconceptions and assumptions, and jump to the most comfortable, palatable conclusions. The cliche line would be “go with your gut”, the $20 version would say “cognitive bias”. A secondary idea is the danger of mixing personal beefs with business (especially when the action is based on those faulty assumptions). Our protagonist, Lee, the above-mentioned enforcer, tries to figure out what is really going on while others are going off half-cocked (with loaded guns). Those are the ideas that underpin the story. Or we can just enjoy the action, the guys, the gals, the guns, the big old cars, and maybe even spot the hommage à Peckinpah – think The Getaway meets Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (the vibe, not the plot points). What genres does your screenplay fall under? a) Action b) Crime, in the sense that all the characters are involved in crime or related to criminals, and law enforcement c) Contemporary western, in its setting, and the number of wannabe gunfighters Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Because, if done right, it would be a fun 110 mins, with enjoyable characters in a crazy action-packed situation. And those who choose can ponder the deeper meanings of the film. —- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The world of a blissfully detached woman turns upside down when she's forced to adjust to the ordinary life that exists beyond working at an off-the-wall lesbian bar, and its rivalry with the gay club across the street. https://instagram.com/theboxtrapmovie What motivated you to make this film? Inside jokes between me and my friend Gabby, unfortunate life experiences and the uncontrollable urge I felt to make a feature-length film. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The idea was developed in 2023 and I started writing it as a dramedy, which I don't know why I did because I hate dramedies, and I ended up rewriting it a bunch of times throughout that whole year until it became what it did. We shot it in 2024 and it took me around 10 months to edit the whole thing. So, roughly 2 and a half to three years. How would you describe your film in two words!? Chicken wings. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? I think I had many obstacles that felt like the end of the world at the time but seem so small when I look back at them now. The main obstacles are typically the same in every set: actors or crew calling out last minute, technical difficulties, unlucky weather and having to stay on schedule through all of it. We were doing an overnight shoot on one of the Box Trap set days, and it was like 5am. The goddamn birds would not shut up outside. It took us way longer to film a super short outside scene that I had dedicated two hours to on the schedule. Among that, almost everything that could've went wrong that day went wrong and we ended up having to plan a reshoot day, which was an extra $5,000 or so over budget. Looking back now, I am thankful that everything went the way it did because it gave us extra time to really focus on the smaller scenes. But at the time, I almost gave myself a stroke and did not sleep the rest of that filming week. —- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Vagabond in Red: Iquitos, 52min., USA Directed by Tom Lonero A recovering addict and filmmaker from Pittsburgh sets off across Peru on a personal healing journey in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Shot entirely solo with modest gear, Vagabond in Red: Iquitos blends raw handheld imagery and poetic narration to explore the human condition through history, culture, social issues, and resilience. Legendary Amazonian landscapes provide the backdrop, but it's the people Tom meets along the way who reveal quiet truths about survival, faith, and connection. This is not a luxury travel film—it's a lived-in journey into what remains when the world goes quiet and we start listening again. https://www.hardmonkeyproductions.com/ ——- Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Shanaya's Path, 54min., Netherlands Directed by Frank Röhrig Shanaya's Path follows the intimate journey of Shanaya, a young person from Darjeeling who identifies as a woman and dreams of transitioning despite immense social and familial resistance. Since gender norms are rigid and visibility for trans people is scarce in her home town, Shanaya leaves for New Delhi, but her desire to become her true self is met with hostility, shame, and fear.http://frankrohrig.com/ —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

He/She/Us Short Film, 19min., USA Directed by Susan Kelejian https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575877610548 https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-he-she-us Conversation with the creative team of the award-winning short film. ——— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

When the fourth wall breaks, a young filmmaker must find his inner creative confidence and take control of his story before it takes control of the world around him. Short film completed at Loyola Marymount University. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Guillotine, 22min., Romania Directed by Alexandru Hosu https://www.instagram.com/hosu_de_biciclete/ ——- Hannah Ehman chats with actor Irini Katz on the making of the award-winning film. Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irinikatz/ Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/ Watch Hannah's commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman —— Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Now it's better, 12min., Romania Directed by Alice Ioana Nicolae In a world where it is easier to tear down than to build, to blame rather than to take responsibility, there are still resources for a better life. Although very painful and seemingly unique to each couple, the stories of our protagonists are almost universally valid, or perhaps very relevant in our current social and political context.Will the protagonist couples save their relationships? We will see in the short film 'Now It's Better.' www.instagram.com/alicenicolaehl ——- Hannah Ehman chats with actor Adrian Teampau on the making of the award-winning film. Follow Interviewer Hannah Ehman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehmanhannah/ Watch Hannah's commercial spots: https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/bP8/hannah-ehman ——- Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Feet Don't Fail Me Now, 7min., USA Directed by Fuzhi Zhao The sun will erase your memory. If you don't want to become nobody, you have to keep running. —— Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

In the forgotten corners of the city, a young homeless addict named JD drifts through nights haunted by silence, addiction, and disconnection. Alongside Max, a hardened street survivor, and Luna, a mentally ill woman caught in a cycle of delusion and innocence, JD stumbles through a grim urban purgatory. When tragedy strikes under the glow of streetlights and stars, JD is forced to confront the cost of invisibility — and the fragile spark of hope that may still exist. "Under the Stars" is a haunting, poetic portrait of those society ignores, where even in the darkest moments, humanity flickers like a lighter in the night. Conversation with filmmaker Jason G. Mercado, with his assistant Nadine Emrich. — Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

On September 22, 2025, Chef Matthew Biancaniello embarked on one of the greatest challenges of his life: a 21 mile swim from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes, CA. While his journey is inspiring on its own, he didn't do it just for himself. The swim was a vehicle to raise money and awareness for Indivisible Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching consciousness and creativity to kids. https://instagram.com/frequency.creative   What motivated you to make this film? This is the 2nd film in a documentary series I'm directing called Rhythms, which is all about the unseen rituals of inspiring people. I learned about Matthew Biancaniello's marathon swim to raise money for Indivisible Arts through Robert Wemischner, who's both a friend and was the subject for the first Rhythms film.  I was immediately intrigued, but then I spoke to Matthew as well as Rafael McMaster, the founder of Indivisible Arts, and I was so inspired. I knew I had to tell this story in some way, and thankfully everyone was excited to have me involved in this capacity. Indivisible Arts is a remarkable organization, teaching creativity and consciousness to kids. The first time I went to their space in Hermosa Beach I was taken aback. These kids are able to explore their own sense of self in a way that's rare, as well as build vital mindfulness and emotional intelligence skills. Coupling that story with Matthew's intense swim, 2 years after major back surgery, was something I felt deeply moved by. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? I learned about the September 2025 swim in July. By early September we were confirmed to shoot, with production beginning on September 22. We completed the film and released it online on November 2, so it was about 4 months in total. — Subscribe to the podcast: Tweets by wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

GHEE, 21min., India Directed by Romi Banerjee A quiet lunch turns upside down when a secret recipe sets off a chain of surprises. https://www.instagram.com/ghee_theshortfilm Director Statement Ever since I could remember, I was obsessed with the idea of “control.” Do we really have control, or is it just a trick of the mind hacking away at us, desperate to be seen, heard, and felt? With Ghee, I wanted to make a film which touched upon the topics of control, power, and ambition. While writing this short film, I aspired to create a rather simple world. Don't get me wrong - It's a simple world, but it is a world where Gods feast on Gods.Structured chaos is the name of the game. I sought after creating a radically dark story without using violence, gore, and external mayhem. I tried to birth an antagonist that was arguably worse than the cruelest dictators of yesteryears - a smiling devil. The kind of devil that sweet-talks you into jumping straight inside boiling, hot lava - all that without lifting a finger. Would you want to live in a world where something like "Enthrallium" has federal approval? A world where conscious thoughts are obsolete? Where hope is a relic? My love for monochrome knows no bounds. I wanted this film to have zero distractions. Also the black and white format allowed me to capture the complex shades of grey that mirror the human psyche reflective of the characters inside the film. The world is grim, and impatient to innocence. This is more than just a story about control; it's a narrative about the madness required to thrive in a chaotic world. Because in this world, only the truly insane survive.