WILDsound: The Film Podcast

A young woman waits for her lover for a secret trip. However, he does not show up and does not respond to her messages. That's when strange and inexplicable events begin to happen in her house. She asks for help from her lover, who ignores her. Realizing that she is hopelessly alone, she gives up waiting for salvation and surrenders to her own shadow. https://www.instagram.com/cardosohelo/?hl=en Director Statement "Submerged" is my graduation film from Academia Internacional de Cinema. This short film is an extension of the research I've been developing in theatre and literature, proposing a reflection on the tendency to wait, something encouraged in girls from a very young age. The wait for a great love, a hope for something external that will give life meaning. The horror surrounding this waiting evokes the idea of a monstrous femininity: when left alone, the protagonist of "Submerged" unconsciously materializes her shadow, which ultimately consumes her and breaks the cycle of passivity. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

TROPOS, 2min., USA, Environmental Feature Director/Co-Writer: Peter Andrew Coutavas In the wake of sudden and alarming climate change, a team of brilliant citizens are assembled by the United States Government to counter the threat. Will they succeed in time? Or will private agendas get in the way? https://www.instagram.com/ardentroadproductions/ Director Statement "TROPOS" comes from the Greek prefix "tropo" meaning "reaction", or "change", which is in reference to the moral of this story: People must change before the world can change. Both I and my sister, Christina whom co-produced this film, had developed this project partly out of concern for the state of our planet's future with regard to climate change. I believe it to be a symptom of a much larger problem; the lack of shared responsibility for our collective welfare. My intention with this film to appeal to a younger generation in the hope of inspiring change. The making of this film was also a personal challenge. Having never produced anything even approaching the scope of a full length feature, the production taught me a great deal about the complexity of the craft, and will forever remain an important footnote in my work history. I hope others may have the chance to appreciate it for what it was intended to be: a collaborative passion project that speaks candidly and earnestly about the price of indifference and the virtues of courage. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpodl

SPLIT FOCUS, 6min., Dance/Experimental Directed by Cherie Carson. DP/Editor: Micha Dunston "Split Focus" is a captivating dance film that delves into the intricate relationship between self-perception and external projection. Through mesmerizing shadow play, the film explores images of spirit and internal feelings versus outward appearances, prompting viewers to question which aspect demands more attention— the dancer herself or her shadow. Visually poetic, it offers a compelling examination of how we project ourselves into the world and the duality of inner and outer identities. http://www.upswingaerialdance.org/ https://www.instagram.com/upswingaeria Director Statement I explore the layers of human identity and emotion through movement and visual storytelling. My choreography and filmmaking are driven by a desire to illuminate the unseen forces that shape our understanding of ourselves and others. "Split Focus" is a dialogue between the physical body and its shadow, using dance and shadow play as a metaphor for the internal and external worlds we inhabit. I look to challenge perceptions, create imagery that encourages viewers to reflect on the projections, masks, and truths that define us. With a background rooted in both choreography and award-winning filmmaking, I strive to craft immersive, visually compelling narratives that resonate on a visceral level—highlighting the beauty, complexity, and often unseen depths of the human spirit. 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/biuPP3yLUY4 Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? A gunslinger is hired to rescue and return a young person to their family despite all outlaws, odds, and attire. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Western, Action, Drama Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? I believe, especially now, that understanding, listening, and accepting are something we need to get back to doing. Whatever form/medium necessary to push that, might be helpful. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

THE BODY, 6min.. Horror/Comedy Short Film Alex thinks she is at home alone, finishing up her "work," when her brother Ansel interrupts. Now, she must clean up all the evidence before he can see it. www.instagram.com/official.kennedy.productions Director Statement This film has been a seed in my mind for many years now. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this. It is my thesis to complete my undergraduate degree. I think it perfectly captures my weird sense of humor and love for all things horror. Making this film meant everything to me as my friends and family rallied around to support me. It is my baby, and bringing it to life has been one of my greatest honors. I hope it makes you laugh. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

WATERLOGGED, 4min., USA, Action/Crime A cop gets under water with her CI's and needs to find a way out. Conversation with director Kent Lloyd on the making of the film. http://uvselfdefense.com/stunts https://www.instagram.com/spearheadstunts Director Statement Waterlogged is meant to be an auditory experience. I was inspired by all of my live dance music players from college and season 2 of Daredevil to help the audience experience what our hero goes through. This piece was a giant collaboration from my stunts class. Monica, Rayla and Tennyson did most of the heavy lifting in terms of choreography and costume design. But they asked me to help stunt coordinate and direct and help write the script since the action was developed without any specific dialogue at all. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

MARA, 18min., USA, Horror/Thriller After years spent recovering from a botched exorcism, Jake prepares to reintegrate into society. However, the mounting pressures of everyday existence trigger a harrowing regression back into madness. Conversation with filmmaker Ben Harl https://www.instagram.com/scompassstudios/ Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Glistening Benevolence, 6min., UK, Music Video Directed by Matt Cargill https://instagram.com/familydrone Sly & The Family Drone Unleash ‘Glistening Benevolence': Take the trip into slime-drenched folk horror and the cosmic unknown. . . Neo-jazz wrecking-crew Sly & The Family Drone summon forth a new vision of terror and transcendence with the video premiere of ‘Glistening Benevolence'. Filmed at an undisclosed, shadowy music festival in the heart of Hampshire, the visual journey is a macabre ritual of psychedelic sludge, blending live performance footage with ominous vignettes of slime-coated landscapes, cosmic dread, and unholy rites under the moon. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Bruce Hornsby's track "Absolute Zero" highlights this look into cold and the recesses of the waking mind. www.instagram.com/morris.film Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Jpop Music Video shot in New York City's Times Square. Conversation with rising star Olivia Millin on the making of her music video with her team. http://oliviamillin.com/ https://instagram.com/oliviaamillinn Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Yellow Dress, 4min., UK Directed by Raph Isadora Seymour What is she doing? Trying to make a garden? Trying to make something…and who or what is trying to stop her? Crude stop-motion makes startling and poetic images and tells a story of resilience and the desire for happiness for both the hero and the villain of the piece. Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? I wrote a poem and decided to animate it. My friend and I had gone to Peckham Common to feed the crows. I liked their movements and cunning and was also interested in their sinister connotations and their innocence. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The idea came to me in 2022 and I was finished in early 2024. How would you describe your film in two words!? Puppet Poem. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle in making the project was balancing my time. Working a job and having other creative projects, working in stops and starts and still maintaining a creative flow however I feel this alongside the stopwork animation and patchwork effects may have benefited the style of the piece. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Right Beside You, 3min., USA Writer/Star: Lisa Maciel The night before her cousin's wedding—to her ex—Isabel hides away, desperate to escape. But Liam, her fiercely loyal best friend, follows her, and something shifts. Their laughter fades. A glance lingers. A touch lasts too long. Unspoken truths press between them—until reality slams back in. www.instagram.com/lisamaciel13 Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The First Night, 7min., Brazil Directed by Gabriel Milessis Braga After collapsing at the altar, Elise awakens inside an old church, and something inside her has changed. Guided by a mysterious man who seems to understand her condition, she begins to confront a new, terrifying hunger. The First Night is a gothic meditation on becoming, resistance, and the quiet seduction of darkness in our lifes. https://www.instagram.com/thegabrielwars/ Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

BELONG TO YOU, 6min., Iceland Directed by Ísak Magnússon, Óliver Sólberg Belong to you follows a swimming pool employee who thinks about his relationship with his coworker on a quiet night. Get to know the filmmakers: What motivated you to make this film? We had just graduated from high school, where me and Ísak had worked quite closely together, and we wanted to continue our partnership and continue creating. I had this idea that was originally a poem and from that we started production. The poem was originally just meant for me to vent out my feelings. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The idea first came about when I wrote the poem in early 2024. From that there was the early drafts of the script, but that came to a halt until me and Ísak picked it up in august 2024. We started production but that also came to a short stop, because we couldn't find the right actors. Then, by miracle, we found the two perfect ones. We shot the film in one day at a closed swimming pool on november 23rd and finished shooting after only eight hours of filming. Then came post production which took about two months and the film was finished in late february of 2025. So in total the film took about a year to complete, from idea to the big screen. www.instagram.com/isak2814 www.instagram.com/olivertumi 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 Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

The true story of a small-town girl, born with physical limitations, abandoned as a baby, bravely builds her life and creates a love story that crosses continents through the romance of letter writing. An empowering and cinematic story of love and resilience. https://www.greytowngirlthemovie.com/ Conversation with screenwriter and producer Rani Sitaram on the making of the film. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Folie Glacée, 11min., Canada Directed by Louis Rémillard Eli et Vincent se commandent une collation à la crèmerie locale sans s'attendre aux horreurs qui ruineront leurs rendez-vous en amoureux www.instagram.com/shotbypoui What motivated you to make this film? It all started with me and my friend, who's the director of photography on the film, hanging out in Montreal. We both got ourselves ice cream cones and as we were eating them, walking around, the idea of the story kind of came to us as a joke at first. I thought about it for a moment, and I ended up telling myself it would make a fun screenplay. I came up with the idea of the ice cream vendor being ill intended and serving contaminated ice cream and he suggested the idea of the couple being on a date. So I owe it a lot to my friend's encouragement and believing in my story once the screenplay was finally done. We were excited to make something that would be wacky, fun and horror since it is a genre we both liked very much. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?  As it is for most passion projects, everyone was either working their full time job or started working on other projects. The crew was mostly composed of my newly graduated classmates so it was a dance of work-fun balance.I think it took about six months of production but since it was all done in free and voluntary time, those six months were spreaded throughout a whole year.  How would you describe your film in two words!? Wacky and bloody! What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?It was definitely having to shoot the film almost entirely at night. Scheduling became complicated because I wanted everyone on deck, comfortable and up to work. Having to rest throughout the day and having to shoot everything before sunrise became particularly challenging for the biological clock. We did everything possible to make the experience as fun as it could be and playing with fake blood, making scary scenes definitely contributed to the good ambiance on set. Although it was challenging, we have good laughs to look back to. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Jamaica Story is a documentary made to inspire Jamaicans worldwide to invest their time as well as their money to help create a brighter and stronger Jamaica! https://instagram.com/jamaicastory/ Director Statement I was born in NY to Jamaican parents, but spent a pivotal time in Little London, Westmoreland, Jamaica. This time created a love and affinity for Jamaica I barley understand sometimes. In 2018 I had the crazy idea to film a feature length documentary about Jamaica talking to any and everyone who said yes. I reached out to anyone I could through many mediums. I spent my own money going back and forth between Jamaica and the US. People told me I was crazy, but here I am today still following my dream of creating a documentary to help change a country and a people. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

FLESH WISH, 4min., UK Directed by Timothy Benjamin Slessor An experimental horror inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, David Cronenberg and Clive Barker, this music video / short details in an abstract way the summoning of demons through a ritual performed behind the locked doors of a 1970s terraced house. What motivated you to make this film? Several factors! Firstly, I wanted to make something visual to accompany the release of my album. Secondly, I wanted to experiment with a lot of different ideas and techniques, but importantly have a finished piece of work to show for it, not just a bunch of tests. Thirdly I wanted to see how I could kind of corrupt and pervert generative ai platforms and work them into my editing and animation / vfx practise and finally I wanted to make something that would surprise and confound my friends and colleagues! From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? It was about three to four months of laborious work, mostly in after effects and premiere. I had to create all of the images and heavily distort and rework them and the editing was done frame-by-frame. About 6 months after it was finished I considered going back and tweaking some things but one look at the edit sequence was enough to convince me to leave well alone! How would you describe your film in two words!? Quite fleshy. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The hardest thing was just getting it finished! It was so hard to create enough interesting images and scenes, especially given the extremely fast cut-rate. I kept trimming the track down (ultimately from around 5 mins to about 3'45 I think) just so I could get it done (I had to keep pushing the release of the album back too as a result). Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

HOLIDAY SPECIAL, 91min., USA Directed by Harry Roseman Community, Celebration, Conversation, Chores; these are the key themes of this experimental documentary. Four days of shopping for Thanksgiving dinner as well as the meal itself are the ostensible subject of this film. Community is reflected in the interaction with people while shopping as well as the camaraderie of the dinner quests. The quotidian nature of these tasks is subverted by the abstract camerawork and narrative structure, offering the viewer a new perspective on both. The vertical orientation of the film reaffirms looking ahead as we follow the trajectory and shape of the shopping cart moving down the narrow aisles, as well as following the gaze of the filmmaker as he walks forward. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Sitka's Hidden Wonders, 43min., USA Directed by Ben Hamilton Sitka's Hidden Wonders is a 40-minute theatrical nature film that blends sweeping cinematography with a deeply personal story of return. Told by award–winning wildlife filmmaker Ben Hamilton, the film explores what it means to truly see a place—through the hidden layers of one of Alaska's wildest coastal ecosystems. https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-sitkas-hidden https://instagram.com/sitkawonders What motivated you to make this film? Every summer, over 600,000 people visit Sitka, but most just walk around town and never see the incredible natural wonders all around us. I wanted to create a film that connects them to this place—beyond the shops and the docks—into the wild heart of Sitka. After years of filming here for networks like BBC and National Geographic, this was my chance to make something for Sitka itself. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The film took two years of full-time work, plus a year of planning and permits before that. And some shots were collected over the last decade—moments I'd been saving for the right project. How would you describe your film in two words!? Local. Connected. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle was really time.  The focus and intensity it took to deliver a film like this while still being there for my small kids and wife. It meant weeks away in the field, long nights editing, and constantly trying to balance the work with family life. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Sauvetage, 5min., Australia Directed by Jackson Bentley, John Stokes When a special forces operative is held captive by a sadistic crime boss is interrogated, the only way to save him is through the element of surprise. https://instagram.com/sauvetage_short_film https://www.instagram.com/jacksonbentleyvisuals/ https://www.instagram.com/drastic_stokesy/ Get to know the filmmakers: What motivated you to make this film? John – We were motivated to make this film as we were given the opportunity to work with the legendary Richard Norton. It was originally supposed to just be a short scene to be used as a pitch but Jackson and I wanted to go all out and produce a short film in a very short amount of time. Jackson – Originally it was meant as a sizzler reel to show some producers, Richard Damien and I were pushing quite hard to have a feature film made starring Richard, however John is a very quick writer and everything just started aligning for us to turn this into a short. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? John – I believe it was a Thursday where the producer Damien told us that he had somehow convinced Richard Norton to join us for a shoot the following Sunday. I quickly wrote together the script which never went past version 1. We organised the location, crew and cast – all entirely for free as everyone wanted to work with Richard Norton. We filmed in 6 hours on the Sunday and I edited the film within a day after the shoot. How would you describe your film in two words!? John – Bitter Sweet. Bitter due to the lead actor Richard Norton recently passing away, but sweet since we now have an award to honor his memory. We are forever in debt to Richard for being involved in this film and he has been a great mentor and friend to us. Jackson – I think John nailed it, it still feels very surreal that Richard has passed, I think we are still in a little bit of shock and grief but I'm so grateful for receiving his knowledge and just being able to call someone I admired so much a friend plus being able to direct him was even cooler. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? John – The only obstacle was time, as we only had 6 hours to film. If we were being honest, there are some things we'd do differently if we had more time but we are proud of what we did with what we had! Other than that I remember Jackson became ill and went to hospital the day before! Luckily he was still able to make the shoot to co-direct with me. Jackson – Haha yes directing a script you read only 12 hours before and on the back end of strong pain killers was definitely interesting. Having only 6 hours booked to shoot the short was definitely stressful, but I am so proud and honestly cannot believe our whole crew pulled that off. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? John – I actually didn't realise that we would get audience reactions so it was a great surprise! It's such an honour to hear feedback like this from half way across the world! Jackson – I thought it was really cool! I'm just a guy from a very small town in Australia who 8 years ago was a drug addict with no direction in life, so this was very special to me. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the poetry movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbp1qFcH2o www.instagram.com/realsilentdream What is the theme of your poem? The theme of “The Beautiful Scar” is learning to find the beauty in the humanity we often rob ourselves of when we feel like the world is rejecting us. What motivated you to write this poem? During the first year of the MFA program at UNR-Lake Tahoe, I was away at our winter residency, and I was so encapsulated by my colleagues' vulnerability and the power they gave to their truth of the hardships they experienced in their own lives. One of them told me that my writing was already at that level but what held me back was withholding my own truth to protect those I was writing about. This poem was the turning point for me to be more honest and vulnerable, not just with my audience, but with myself. It was a difficult process to grasp and write through but for the first time in my 25 years [at the time] of life, I finally felt free. How long have you been writing poetry? I was a slow-learner as a kid, so I caught on to reading and writing at a later age than my siblings did, but I began creative writing through free-writing in 1st grade when I was six years old. I began learning how to write poetry at eight years old and began writing my own poems at twelve years old, so I've been writing for about twenty-two years with seventeen years to this day of writing poetry and it's a blessing I always remind myself to be grateful for. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch Today's Best Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNkD7_Fp8HI Get to know writer Darryl Mansel: What is your screenplay about? Once Upon a Time in Space is about perseverance and struggle. It asks the question ‘how far are you willing to go to obtain something that you need?' What genres does your screenplay fall under? Science fiction, action, adventure Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? It should be made into a movie because adventure is sorely lacking these days. Plenty of action, very little adventure. The audience wants to go on a ride with characters, this will give them the means to do so while having the choice of which character they ultimately want to succeed. How would you describe this script in two words? WILD BUSINESS. What movie have you seen the most times in your life? Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope How long have you been working on this screenplay? 2.5 years Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5QkTVemr88 Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? Necrotica is about breaking new ground in the sacred (but tired) Zombie Apocalypse genre. It's about uncompromising survival, family, and finding meaning in the face of devastating loss. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Horror/Zombie Apocalypse with a healthy spoonful of Lovecraftian terror. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Necrotica is a character-driven story that flips the zombie genre on its head. It's something new that still feels familiar. With only two characters who have a lot of speaking lines and easy set pieces, it would be a great showcase for two actors to demonstrate their character chops while being producible. How would you describe this script in two words? Festering doom. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyK8K0-Hi3k Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? Caligo Inn is about a power-hungry senator who goes to a secluded inn to work on his vice-presidential platform, only to be confronted by the ghosts of people destroyed by his ambition—soldiers, victims, even his own son. It's part political drama, part supernatural reckoning, where he's forced to face everything he's tried to bury. What genres does your screenplay fall under? It's a psychological thriller at its core, but it leans heavily into supernatural horror with a strong thread of political drama running through it. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? It puts a fresh spin on the haunted house story by tying the horror directly to real-world politics and personal guilt. It's creepy, timely, and has a central character who's both fascinating and deeply flawed—which makes for a compelling watch. How would you describe this script in two words? Haunting retribution. What movie have you seen the most times in your life? Probably The Shining. That mix of isolation, psychological tension, and surreal horror really stuck with me, and you can feel its influence in this script. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Stratagem The Movie, 111min. Directed by Rick E. Cutts Rellik and his girlfriend Nosaer witness a crime and are immediately on the run as they try and elude a killer who seems to always be one step ahead of them. Will they escape can they escape? Follow along as Rellik and Nosaer try and escape a killer and even more important who is behind all the carnage? http://www.icikill.com/ Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? I was motivated to make this film after it seemed like all the doors kept closing on me when I tried to get someone to make it for me. John Schramm that I spoke to from Kinolime and he is the one who told me that I should direct the movie and after he put the bug in my ear I went forward with learning how to direct and produce a movie myself. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? I started the idea almost 5 years ago. Then I wrote the book next the screenplay. We finished filming March of 2025 and all the editing was completed by May of 2025 How would you describe your film in two words!? Action / Thriller What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle I faced in completing the film was probably some of the people not showing up on time and having to navigate around missing actors and filling in with other parts. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? My initial reaction with the audience feed back was yes yes yes that's exactly what I wanted them to say. They spoke on the volume to low which is what I wanted because I wanted people to lean in to really listen on purpose. I wanted the movie to mimic real life. We can't make out all the words sometimes in real life but we know what's going on. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

DIMENSIONS: The Interrogation, 8min., USA Directed by Robert James Harden Jr. During an interrogation for the murder of his mother, a man pleads for his release in fear of his life. Two special detectives grill him in order to solve their case. In the shadows of these men's dimension, the answers to all their mysteries live. https://instagram.com/dimensions_revealed https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-dimensions Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Wukong Couriers, 15min., USA Directed by Peter Gabriel Gagnon An unwitting bicycle messenger is chosen as the mystical hero to save the city from an ancient horror. www.instagram.com/wukong_couriers Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Three S3conds, 16min., USA Directed by Diana Shield Arlo, a 17 year old boy struggles to open up and express himself to his counselor. He is haunted by his past actions due to his inability to control his rage and anger issues. https://www.instagram.com/galacticbutterflyfilms Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? My husband and I enjoy going on walks, driving long distances and we noticed people's lack of patience at a Stop sign or red light. We talked about three seconds waiting for an individual to cross the road. This is all it takes to cease all movement from a vehicle. So we noticed a growing trend of people not coming to a complete stop or taking a red light. And it happens across a lot of major cities. But one day two young men were crossing and the driver clipped one of them. They both began shouting at the driver of the vehicle who did not stop. Luckily the young man was not hurt, his backpack was struck with the vehicle. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? I would say about three months. However once we got our DP, everything moved quickly. How would you describe your film in two words!? Intense, provoking. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Nothing, we were lucky enough to have it completed. We had great support and were surrounded by talented individuals. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? They said wonderful things about the film and the message got across clearly. I appreciate the feedback with sound, pacing, cinematography and acting. These were all elements we concentrated on and worked extensively. It makes one feel heard and seen. Stories are important and impactful, I want people to leave thinking about the story, I want it to resonate. 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/ Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? I hadn't directed a project of my own in over a year, and I was at a wrap party for a short film that I was an extra in (SPRINKLES, directed by the Andrew Korzenik, written by Riley Stockard, and produced by Sky Mattioli, all great talents). I tend to be off in my own world a bit at parties, and the image of a wild, tuxedo-laden man forcing tea on a guest at a table in an empty room came into my head. It was kind of out of nowhere, and seemed like a really simple, filmable idea for an unsettling story. It was an eerie, but also amusing to me since I grew up with an English father (who naturally was cast as the Englishman in this film). From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? I initially had the idea around September 2023, we filmed in February 2024, and I had the final edit in December 2024, so it was a total of about 15 months from conception to completion. How would you describe your film in two words!? Uncomfortably funny. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? It was probably the audio editing. It really felt like everything came together fairly easily, everyone who worked on the film is a close friend or relative. Eric Alcaraz, our incredible cinematographer, is well educated in audio engineering and really saved me with that when I was editing. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the screenplay reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyAJad2rPlg Based on Concepts from the novel Considering SomeplacElse By Barry B.L. Lindstrom Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? The Galactic Council has seen enough and has voted 8 to 1 to eliminate all humanoid Earthlings. Padrin, the lone dissenter, an expert extra-terrestrial world saver, must now save humanity using only the positive actions and interactions of individual humans as evidence. In this, the pilot episode, Padrin's android, Facto, unexpectedly connects with the plight of suddenly, violently, orphaned 18 year old Charlene and her 12 year old sister, Jennifer who, apparently, are being forced into a polygamist cult run by their only next of kin. Padrin, sensing that Facto's discovery is something far beyond coincidence contemplates invoking Galactic Assertion 5: There MUST be something that moves a system from its current state to one that is better for the planet and its population, in defiance of all probabilities, patterns and past behaviors. We Earthlings call it Fate, Destiny, Faith, Luck and Random Chance, but the rest of the galaxy calls it: NaturalAwe. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Consider, if you will, “the twilight zone” as genre. Half hour serialized Character driven episodes centered around the idea that: The Galactic Council has been monitoring the behavior of planet populations for eons.Whenever a planet's ecosystem is threatened or a planet's population threatens other planets, the council, after following due process can directly intervene without warning, Unless, of course, there is significant evidence of NaturalAwe. Why should this screenplay be made into a TV show? Sometimes it seems like things have never been worse, That we are incapable of fixing that which is broken, That those who blame everything on those not-like-us are in control, That the doom and gloom dystopian vision of our entertainment depicts our destiny. As one who was raised on lessons gathered from Good-triumphs-over-Evil 50s and 60s Broadcast Television, (Occasionally impacted by exemplary public education), built a highly successful Information Systems career based on Richard Feynman's “Perspective is worth 80 IQ points”, and has extensive experiential evidence that there is no such thing as coincidence, I feel we need to deliver SOMETHING that might just move us to ways that are better for the planet and its population, in defiance of all probabilities, patterns and past behaviors. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best of SHORT FILMS from around the world today. A library of over 500 award-winning films: www.wildsound.ca (Plus, watch a new and original festival every single day.) Submit your film or screenplay to the WILDsound Festival today: https://filmfreeway.com/WILDsoundFilmandWritingFestival What is a Red Herring in storytelling? A red herring is a device that is used to mislead or distract the viewer from the real answer or conclusion. Simply said - it's a false clue. And it takes people's attention away from the central point being considered......

Hammerstone Meets Woofstock, 20min., Canada Directed by Josh Holliday A film that straddles the line between narrative and documentary, landing squarely on comedy. Steve Hammerstone is a small town radio host and big time buffoon, who's sent to explore Woofstock: North America's largest festival for dogs. Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? My friend and Lisa and I had done these small town radio host characters “Steve and Tawny” on CBC radio and through podcast for many years. Just before the pandemic, we were judges for Woofstock, and had so much fun doing it. Afterwards I had great regret that we had no record of that live event, so I set my sights on the next Woofstock. Unfortunately, COVID-19 came along and threw a wrench in the plan until 2024. I had stayed in touch with one of the founders and organizers over the years, and as soon as I knew a new version was coming, I made sure I was a part of it. I've always loved buffoon comedy. After many years working in radio and audio, I finally got around to fulfilling my high school mantra: “I want to write, act and direct for television and film.” From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? Well, outside of the ideation and desire to do this project, pre-pandemic, the time started ticking as soon as I knew there was going to be a new Woodstock event. So that was probably in February or March of 2024. That set a very specific deadline for the actual shoot day. Woofstock generally happens over 2 days of a weekend. The day I was selected to judge was the Sunday. After the shoot, I worked with an editor to chop it down to under 20. Once that was done did some titles, post audio, and some audio cleanup. Had a friends and family screening on August 28th, so about 7 months in total from pre-production to final cut. How would you describe your film in two words!? Buffoon comedy. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Ha! This is a tough one, there are a few. The old wig I'd been using for this character for years had gotten really unruly, so I ordered a new one from this company in BC and what they sent was nothing like what was pictured on their website. They did not answer any emails, or calls, and eventually I had to initiate a chargeback process with my credit card company. I had to make do with the old wig, and put a baseball hat on. I have really bad eyesight, and the glasses I'd used in the past for the character were a pair of my dad's from the 80s with no lenses. When I did the Woofstock years ago I remember spending most of the day in character in a literal blur. I hunted online for a pair of glasses that were similar that I could get real lenses put in. I did that – and because of my prescription it took awhile. Well, the joke was on me, because the optometrist screwed up, and the lenses were essentially reading glass lenses – super-blurry except reading. It also detracted from the character, because so much of comedy is in the eyes, and the lenses had a real distorting effect. It was too late to get them changed before the event. The new glasses also just didn't have the same look as my Dad's old pair. (I've since put real lenses in my Dad's vintage frames.)This was all before the shoot!Shoot day was a whole new challenge. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

sustain, 5min., Austria Directed by Peter Schakl sustAIn is the Idea to combine sustainibility and artificial intelligence. Openess is to show generally ideas of sustainibility. https://www.instagram.com/peter.shackl.horn www.instagram.com/clementineclmtn Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? First in 1994 I was awarded with this multifunctional furniture at a competition of 500 Architecture students named „Openess“ – called by the famous Architect and Designer Mark Mack from Los Angeles, USA!In 2024 I was awarded by the jury of the Vienna Design Week and the furniture was presented at the exhibition! There occured the idea to show the multifunctionality and the idea of „Openess“ also as open minded, cradle to cradle, upcycling, so sustainability in general… with a short movie! And then all together to show a senseful usage of AI! From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? It took from the first Design in 1994, the exhibition at the VIENNA DESIGN WEEK in 2024 finally to the realized Short Film, the finished product, in 2025. How would you describe your film in two words!? Sustainability & AI What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? There haven`t been any obstacles at all! What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? Completely overwhelming and really touching! Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Immersed – A Cinematic Immersive Album by Justin Gray, 60min,. Canada Directed by Justin Gray, Michael Fisher Justin Gray's Immersed is a groundbreaking cinematic album that transforms how audiences experience music. Composed, recorded, and produced as an immersive audio experience, the album features 38 artists from Toronto and around the globe, placing listeners at the center of a three-dimensional global orchestra. https://www.instagram.com/justingraysound/ Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDHl6jdZ3M4 Blue (formerly Logan) is a gifted transgender surgical nurse whose life spirals after a violent romance exposes her truth. Surviving a suicide attempt, she's sent to an off-grid trauma retreat, where healing begins amid a web of broken souls, betrayal, and revelation. Returning home to confront family and memory, Logan reclaims his identity—detransitioning not in retreat, but in power. Blue Idaho is a raw, redemptive journey of self-forgiveness, queer identity, and the quiet strength it takes to choose yourself. What is your screenplay about? This screenplay is a bold, soul-stirring exploration of identity, redemption, and the courage to love one's true self. At its heart is Blue (also known as Logan) — a precise, compassionate, and quietly suffering OR nurse who identifies as a trans woman. Behind her composed exterior lies a turbulent past: a childhood marred by neglect, abuse, and rejection. She inflicts harm on herself not for attention, but as a tragic ritual — a conversation with the inner child who was never allowed to speak. Based on real memories, true events, and lived characters, this story is an emotional autopsy of shame, survival, and transformation. When Blue opens her heart to Connor, a young doctor who genuinely sees her, it shatters the rule she swore to live by: never mix vulnerability with proximity. When Connor uncovers her truth, the rejection that follows is brutal — familiar — and almost final. Blue's near-death suicide attempt leads her to an unconventional retreat, where healing unfolds in messy, unexpected ways. There, she finds not only herself, but also her voice — as Logan. This story is not about being trans. It's about being human in the aftermath of trauma. It's about reclaiming dignity when the world has tried to erase it. It's about survival — and the raw, beautiful work of learning to live again. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Drama and Coming-of-Age, with powerful psychological and emotional undercurrents that resonate universally. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Because it tells a story that has rarely — if ever — been told with such honesty, depth, and compassion. Blue/Logan is a protagonist we haven't seen before: a trans woman, a detransitioner, a medical caregiver, a wounded survivor, a human being whose experiences speak across lines of gender, politics, or identity. This is not a culture-war film. It's a human story, and that is its power. The screenplay holds a mirror up to all of us who have felt unworthy of love, who carry an injured inner child, who have learned to survive by shrinking. It dares to say: you are still here — and that matters. It is intimate yet universal, deeply personal yet painfully relatable. This is not just an LGBTQIA+ story. It's a redemptive character journey that speaks the emotional language of anyone who's felt voiceless, invisible, or broken — and longs to heal. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

A Princess's Plea, 8min., USA Directed by Brooke Thornton, Madison Hubler Princess Circe awaits in her tower when Vince Davenport, crown prince of a rich kingdom, comes to claim her as his wife. But with the beast left unslain and the princess left unimpressed, Vince's quest takes a dark and unexpected turn. https://www.instagram.com/aprincesssplea Get to know filmmaker Madison Hubler: What motivated you to make this film? I have always loved dragons since I was a little girl. That is what originally drew me to the realm of fantasy, and when I discovered Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, my world shifted. It was the equivalent of a comic book kid seeing his favorite superhero come to life on screen. I had an epiphany: That is the kind of character I want to play. Being a ‘dragon queen' became a self-proclaimed part of my identity, and it shifted the way I moved through the world. It gave me confidence and strength- to put myself out there and claim my place. I felt this creative fire inside me, pushing me to write a story that would bring that dream to life. When the idea came to flip a well-known trope on its head, nothing could stop me. All this to say, the story came from deep within my soul. I created it for myself, and everything that comes after is just the cherry on top to one of the best things I've done in my life. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? The film took about one year to make. The writing and filming process went by pretty quickly. I had a very clear vision going in and knew exactly what story I wanted to tell. The bulk of the time was spent with the editor, watching over his shoulder, nit-picking each second, and then working up the courage to actually show it to people when it was finished. How would you describe your film in two words!? Fun and unexpected! Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundp

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GncsGI4_L3o Get to know the screenwriter: What is your screenplay about? Bitter is a belated coming of age story for anyone that feels like the paradigm of success has shifted. It takes the traditional geek vs bully high school sub-genre and basically turns it on its ass, focusing on WILLOW, a once-hopeful two-time valedictorian, slated for success. Now, 10 years later, she's a bitter waitress, struggling with resentment and unmet potential, all while PARKER, her high school bully, lives the good life as a prominent influencer. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Bitter is definitely a comedy. When developing this story, it felt necessary to look through a humorous lens. The plot tackles a lot of socially-relevant themes and issues we all deal with on a daily basis: comparison culture, scam-influencers, toxic personalities—things that can absolutely consume a person. So, I thought it was important to craft the story and its characters from a place of comedy. I wanted to avoid the perception of whining or lecturing, and write a story that has something to say, but also has audience wanting to listen because they're getting to laugh along the way. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Movies have changed drastically over the last decade—some changes good, some bad, but I think a gap has been created for some of the sillier, more light-hearted comedies that can still pack a punch—that have something to say, but do it in a way to invites, not divides. I think Bitter recaptures this approach, in line with early-2000's movies like Mean Girls, Bruce Almighty, Miss Congeniality. The themes are there. The lessons are there. But so is the fun. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundp

After being embedded with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, which ends in tragedy, a journalist heads to rural Maine to fully recover and finds herself on the frontlines of another battle, between a family of wolves and the ruthless land developer who wants them hunted down. After a comrade dies in a horrific incident on the frontlines in Afghanistan, a war correspondent, forced to take time off, travels to Maine, only to stumble upon a exotic-animal hunting resort that threatens the local wolf population. When two wolf pups come under her care, she risks everything to stop the corruption and return the wolves to their pack. Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? This script is about a war reporter experiences the death of a close friend, she thinks she never known a tougher battle until she inherits his dog and they witnesses the murder of a wolf, then a brutal land developer set his sights on them when she informs his his landbelongs to the Penobscot Tribe, now with the two wolf pups they've rescued as she wages the biggest battle of her life to save them and absolve herself of her friends death. What genres does your screenplay fall under? My screenplay is an action/ adventure/thriller with a kick-ass female lead. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? This screenplay is about a woman stepping outside of herself to do something for the greater good in a world she knows nothing about. We have become so detached from nature and what the true meaning of what balance is and how important it is, I know this- you won't find any true meaning to life buried in your phone. This movie will remind everyone who sees it what it feels like to be connected to something bigger than yourlittle world when you experience nature through the eyes and hearts of animals. How would you describe this script in two words? Redemption. Love. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the script reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8dO89qOZRk An adventure seeking young girl comes of age, joins the Peace Corps, gets posted in the Congo and takes a wild ride through culture clashes and love affairs. Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? My screenplay is about an adventure seeking young woman who joins the Peace Corps to advance her career, gets posted in the Congo, and ends up falling in love with two fellow volunteers. What genres does your screenplay fall under? The genre is Romantic Drama. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? This movie needs to be made because there has never been a Peace Corps movie made before, and the Congo is the 4th world that Americans need to see. How would you describe this script in two words? In two words: compelling and original. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundp

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnOurfvF21E Sci-Fi/Political/Action – A popular President's re-election campaign is beset by a relentless, brutal Assassin with whom he shares a dark, shocking history. Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? The fundamental story of Justice and the Machine is about one of the most popular presidents in US History, William B. Justice, becoming the target of a brutal assassin during his run for re-election. Calling himself “the Machine”, the assassin unpredictably succeeds in killing the President's innermost cabinet. His loyal wife gets kidnapped by the Machine, and he soon reveals that he has a secret history with her husband that goes beyond anything she understood to be reality. Much to her disbelief, she comes to accept the truth that her husband, the President of the United States, is an alien from another planet with murderous intentions to conquer the planet. The Machine is, in fact, his sworn enemy, and whenever they meet, they are obligated to duel to the death. So, on its surface, there's a lot of fun action and sci-fi sort of genre bending elements, but at its core is a story of deception and betrayal and the discovery that completely changes one woman's world view. What genres does your screenplay fall under? I used to enjoy calling it: My Sci-Fi/Political/Action/Thriller – so, depending on which page you turn, it's one or more of those. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Are you freaking kidding me!? This is a franchise starter baby, come on! I've got the sequel and a follow up if they wanna go for three – I know how to meet a deadline, let's write up that deal! How would you describe this script in two words? Crazy Politics Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Watch the best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLrcCUBi10A Facing death due to different illnesses, three patients find themselves playing a made up game called The Mortality Game to experience life one last time risking it all. www.instagram.com/thevelamonster Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? It's about 116 pages! Sorry, I just had to get one “Dad Joke” in, even though I'm NOT a Dad (that I know of). “The Mortality Game' is in essence a story of life as seen through the lens of impending death. It's about how we as humans face the “final act” of the stage play of our lives. In the case of my three headed lead: Schubert, Halada and Tugger face it in their own differing, yet quirky ways. Ultimately deciding to take a final road trip across the country while playing a game where they do dangerous things to challenge and defy death, since they have nothing to lose. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Character Driven Dramedy for the most part, as it has elements of Comedy and Drama, with a bit of Coming of Age mixed in for good measure. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? Because the characters are as diverse in age and attitude as they are strong in development and memorability. Because the story, about how we face death is an important one to tell, since that is a situation that none of us can avoid. Because it explores letting go as well as fighting back, finding the joy in the dreaded, and allowing yourself to feel what you feel facing the end, whether it's understandable or not, expected or not, appropriate or not. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundp

The Abiding, 11min., USA Directed by Ally May A lonely woman reminieces about the three great loves of her life while she decides if trying again is a risk worth taking. https://writerdirectorallymay.com/ https://www.instagram.com/allymay/?hl=en Get to know the filmmaker: 1. What motivated you to make this film? Honestly, my motivation was/is to take every opportunity to develop as a director. I was at a festival, I had a room, a crew and actors, so I put it together really fast and shot it. 2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? I wrote the script several years ago and had it sitting in my computer. Then I got the bright idea to shoot in about a month before we did. So, realistically, about a month. 3. How would you describe your film in two words!? Intimate, mature. 4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The biggest obstacle was blocking the scenes. We did not have access to the hotel room until the day we shot, so had no time to plan out blocking. 5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? The first woman was very sterile, it seemed like she hadn't watched it and was just reading text. The other two that gave feedback seemed very genuine and thoughtful. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundp

Watch best scene reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1057hMo7JU Get to know the writer: What is your screenplay about? High Ground is a dramatic, near-future story set in climate-ravaged Miami. Gloria Tejeda, a brilliant, physically disabled architect, becomes an unexpected hero. As rising seas and political polarization threaten lives and values, her fight against societal judgment, and radical extremists transforms her from a misunderstood figure into a national symbol of strength, vulnerability, and moral courage. What genres does your screenplay fall under? Drama, with elements of Science Fiction, Social Commentary, and Thriller. It delves into abstruse disability issues and touches on Romance and Political Satire. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie? High Ground is a blend of personal and planetary crisis, addressing timely issues of climate change, misinformation, overcoming disabilities, and extremism. Gloria is emotionally insecure and physically limited, yet her internal and external challenges bring out inner strength. Her journey is inspiring, cinematic, and relevant. The story delivers suspense, emotional weight, visual spectacle, and a message of hope in a divided world. It is a story that needs to be told. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundp

Bill W Conscious Contact, 58min, USA Directed by Kevin Hanlon Conscious Contact explores the personal spiritual quest of Bill W and his thirst for transcendence. www.instagram.com/billwconsciouscontent http://www.billwconsciouscontact.com/ Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Dancing With Waves, 29min., USA Directed by Emmitt Thrower Tammi Judge, the founder of a transformative dance program, leads young dancers on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, using the power of movement to heal, inspire, and change their lives forever. Watch Emmitt's other short film, DISABLED ARTIST SHOWCASE: https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/watch-disabled-artist-showcase https://www.instagram.com/truth_thrower Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Routine, 5min., Canada Directed by Abo Fall Meet Benedicte, a happy young woman living in a beautiful, heavenly garden where she doesn't have a single worry in the world. She loves to wander around, lay on the grass and simply live in the moment. What motivated you to make this film?   In an ironic way, I think I was trying to get out of a routine myself. It had been a minute since I made any short film or even attempted to finish old scripts. I started feeling trapped in the 9 to 5 life and saw that, unless I made the effort to pursue my passion despite the obvious obstacles, the current life I'm living would be it forever. It pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and make things happen. We filmed this short film with an iphone and a very restricted budget.   From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?   I'll say about 4 months. The main issue was that I work in Nunavik but wanted to shoot the short film in Montreal. So, there was a moment where I had everything ready from the script to finding the right team but had to wait for the occasion to fly back to Montreal and finally get to shooting. But once I was on site, things went fast. We shot the entire script in 3 weeks, mainly because we had to work around everyone's availability. And then I spent about 2 months with Vincent Loiselle-Latour, who worked on the sound engineering and Julien Ferland who worked on the score, to create an atmosphere for the film that we would all be satisfied with.   How would you describe your film in two words!?   ''Literally me''   What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?   Time! There was never enough time and, as I said, I work in Nunavik. I had to shoot everything before it was time for me to go back and I had exactly 3 weeks !   What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?   I was thrilled the entire time! I really loved one of the critic's comment, when he said the movie inspired him to want to go make movies himself, that's what's up ! That's what it's all about at the end of the day. Hopefully the story pushes more people to want to try something new and get out of their own ''Routine''!   Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

FIELD REPORT | FLACK FAMILY FARM, 15min., USA Directed by Travis Limoge Nestled in the hills of Enosburg Falls, Vermont Flack Family Farm has been contributing to the vibrance of their community through their symbiotic work in the soil for nearly a half a century. https://www.instagram.com/underblkflag/ https://www.wildsound.ca/videos/audience-feedback-field-report What motivated you to make this film? As a Chef I have spent the last decade of my career dedicated to researching and implementing community based solutions to the industrial food complex. I have made many impactful relationships with farmers who are working hard to revitalize their local food sheds and felt inspired to share their stories as the majority of the documentaries currently available on food and food production are either glossy or focused on a specific problem rather than demonstrating the collaboration between farmer, soil, and community, the struggles they face and the actions of resilience they take on a daily basis. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? We had a good idea of the message we were trying to relay in the film and when we set out on the farm to shoot the story unfolded chronologically as we were working hand in hand from harvest to production of the fermented products, when we got to post it was quick work as we were smitten with the story we had captured, all told the whole film from start to finish took a month. How would you describe your film in two words!? Thought Provoking What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? The organic nature of the production didn't really come with obstacles, just lessons, Flack Family Farm welcomed us in and took the reins, we just followed along. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It was wonderful to receive feedback from the audience, it was touching that they were able to really connect with the message and the feedback let us know that we had captured the story we were trying to tell. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

Sweet Dreams, 34min., USA Directed by Gary Alvarez Set in the near future when most people can no longer dream, "Sweet Dreams" follows the story of Esperanza, a young woman who's excited to be a mom for the first time. Weeks before the baby is due, her partner Kiké goes missing. As she searches for him and her savings dwindle, she comes across an opportunity to make some quick money: surrogate dreaming, a new technological advancement which allows her to sell the dreams of her unborn child through a dreamcatcher clinic. After a trial run, Esperanza begins to suspect that the clinic is somehow connected to Kiké's disappearance. https://www.instagram.com/sweetdreams_film/ What motivated you to make this film? A conversation I had with my wife when she was about 6 months pregnant with our son, Sol. We discovered that he was dreaming in the womb and that idea blew my mind! I thought it would make a good story and I started writing the script later that night. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? 3 years and 5 months. How would you describe your film in two words!? Must watch! What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Post-production: from false starts on VFX to losing an AE to scheduling sound design and raising funds to pay for all of it!  Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod

THE MERMAID, 105min., USA Directed by Soudabeh Moradian A mysterious girl is saved from drowning by a fragmented family living in a desolate beach house. Her strange relationship with them becomes intimate and complex until everything reaches to a point of no return. https://www.instagram.com/themermaidmovie/ Get to know the filmmaker: What motivated you to make this film? The Mermaid was born out of a personal urgency to explore the psychological aftermath of trauma—particularly when it's silenced or dismissed. I wanted to create a space for a character who's constantly gaslit, both by her inner world and the people around her, and to blur the line between dream and reality. It's a reflection on emotional abuse, xenophobia, and isolation, wrapped in the aesthetics of psychological horror. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film? It took more than three years from the initial concept to the final cut. Development and writing were fairly quick, but production and especially post-production were long and complicated—partly due to budget constraints and doing so much of the work myself. How would you describe your film in two words!? Hauntingly intimate. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film? Financing and post-production. I wore multiple hats—writer, director, producer, editor —and managing everything independently while teaching full-time at Syracuse University was incredibly draining. There were moments I truly thought it wouldn't get finished. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video? It was surreal and deeply moving. Hearing people connect to the emotional undercurrents, even if they interpreted things differently, made me feel like the risks I took paid off. Subscribe to the podcast: https://twitter.com/wildsoundpod https://www.instagram.com/wildsoundpod/ https://www.facebook.com/wildsoundpod