Director BIO: Jamie Shannon (THE LEGEND OF RASPUTIN)

Director Biography – Jamie Shannon

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Jamie Shannon is a well known Pupeteer and Showrunner who has created over 500 hours of Broadcast Childrens television.

Inspired by the legendary Jim Henson, Jamie created his own troupe of puppets whilst attending film school, the quirky characters known as ‘the Grogs’ soon found a home on Canadian cable channel YTV. Performing daily as live on-air hosts for the network for 3 years, culminating with a 24 hour channel takeover.

THE GROG’S, success led Jamie to create the long running preschool series NANALAN, based on his Nana’s backyard. Nanalan aired on Nick Jr, PBS, CBC and was sold into 30 countries around the world. The series garnering three nominations and winning 2 Gemini awards (Best Writing and Best Performance in a Preschool Series).

After Nanalan Jamie created the equally successful cult teen puppet series MR MEATY for Nickelodeon. Once again he puppeteered and voiced multiple characters as well as writing and directing for the series. In addition to MR MEATY, Jamie worked for numerous networks; creating the characters of Ooh & Aah for the Disney series OOH, AAH & ME. Directing the pilot and overseeing the first series of BIG AND SMALL for the BBC. Directing and creating characters for the entire second season of GIVER, a documentary style show for TVO, and creating and also providing the voices for several characters YTV’s animated series WEIRD YEARS.

An experienced director and master puppeteer Jamie has brought to life unique characters for countless projects. Including music videos for the likes of SIA and KID ROCK. Short films such the 2013 Sundance short film, WAKENING; the Spike Jonze produced HIGGLETY PIGGLETY POP; and for Heather Henson’s Ibex Films THE LEGEND OF RASPUTIN. Live action series such as R.L. Stines GOOSEBUMPS, The Comedy Channel’s HOT BOX and the Sinking Ship’s ODD SQUAD on PBS and CBBC. As well as hundreds of commercials and print campaigns.

Short Film: THE LEGEND OF RAPUTIN, 13min., USA, Family/Animation

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Mystic, prophet, healer, love-god – Grigori Rasputin’s unique talents bring him to St. Petersburg’s luxurious Winter Palace to heal the dying Prince Alexei, heir to the throne, in the waning days of Tsarist rule. When Rasputin succeeds, he becomes spiritual aid to the royal family, and infamous national celebrity to a public that is becoming increasingly critical of its rulers. Rasputin’s hedonistic desires, and the negative attention he draws to the ruling order, is upsetting to a certain faction of the nobility, who plot to kill him in an effort to restore the clean image of the Russian royalty, and to maintain their power in a time of revolutionary crisis. Rasputin’s prophesy that his murder by Royalty proves true, leading to the destruction of the Tsar and his dynasty. This is a dark historical comedy about the first tabloid star Grigori Rasputin … told with puppets.

Project Links
  • Film Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Historical
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 20, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Highdef
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color

JUNE 2018 FAMILY Stories, Screenplays, and Short Films

A FilmFreeway preferred festival:

 

 

festival posterBURIED, 14min., UK, Thriller/War

festival posterAINHOA, 19min, Spain, Drama/Thriller

festival posterVINDICTE, 26min., Germany, Drama/Family

ACTORBROKEN FRAME – Best Scene Screenplay
June 2018 Reading
by Stephen Boncella

 

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Producer/Director: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Festival Moderators: Kierston Drier, Shepsut Wilson
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel

Festival Directors: Mary Cox, Rachel Elder, Natasha Levy

Camera Operators: John Johnson, Isabal Cupryn, Aser Santos Jr., Zack Arch

MAY 2018 FAMILY Stories, Screenplays, and Short Films

Submit your Family Film or Screenplay to the Festival: http://festivalforfamily.com

 

 

ACTORFOR A GOOD LIFE – Feature Screenplay
May 2018 Reading
by Natalia Maslin

festival posterSAM THE HAM, 1min., USA, Animation/Comedy

festival posterWHEN COMES THE RAIN, 2min., USA, Animation/Comedy

festival posterROSIE, OH, 8min, USA, Experimental/Family

ACTORTHE PAPER PRINCESS – ANIMATION 1st Scene Screenplay
May 2018 Reading
by Stephanie Barnes

ACTORA KIND OF MARRIAGE – SHORT STORY Reading
May 2018 Reading
by Stevie Turner

ACTORWHO’S AT THE DOOR – SHORT STORY Reading
May 2018 Reading
by Mary Barr

ACTORAVALEIGH’S AMAZING ADVENTURES – SHORT STORY Reading
May 2018 Reading
by Rita Cragwall

 

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Producer/Director: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com

Festival Moderators: Kierston Drier, Shepsut Wilson
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: Kimberly Villarruel

Festival Directors: Mary Cox, Rachel Elder, Natasha Levy

Camera Operators: John Johnson, Isabal Cupryn, Aser Santos Jr., Zack Arch

FAMILY Film Festival – Thursday July 12, 2018 (Toronto)


FAMILY Film Festival – Thursday July 12, 2018 (Toronto)

The FEEDBACK Monthly Film Festival is back for 2018.. Our home is The Carlton Cinemas, located in the heart of downtown Toronto at 20 Carlton Street. The event runs from 7pm to 9:10pm.

Continuing to showcase the best of short films from around the world, while maintaining our audience feedback format moderated by Kierston Drier. Showcasing a festival twice a month in Toronto in 2018!

Tickets for 2018 are PAY WHAT YOU LIKE.

If you like to obtain seats in advance and pick them up on the day of the event (come for FREE, or make a donation), please email us at tickets@wildsound.ca and we’ll reserve seats for you.

You can pick up the tickets on the day of the event at the cinema. Tickets are first come, first serve. This festival has sold out 76 out of its last 78 events!

You will be able to buy alcohol (beer, wine, liquor), popcorn, candy, and refreshments before the show.

Here is the full program of films. Festival starts at 7pm sharp!

FIRST ACT PROGRAM


HIGH CALORIE, 17min., Turkey, Family/Drama 
Directed by Mehmet Tigli

High Calorie is a tale about a very fat boy ‘Meftun’ who lives with his grandmom in Istanbul. Due to his obesity, some people have prejudices towards him. However, he is happy and at peace with himself.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

24


SWEETER, 13min., USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Emily Eaglin

A precocious six-year-old switches places with her young mother for a day to discover the true meaning of working twice as hard for half as much.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

24


PRIEST TO PRIEST, 9min., USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Diana Losen

A nine-year-old priest seeks a mentor to help him defeat the antichrist, a devious middle-school bully.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

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SECOND ACT PROGRAM


THE LEGEND OF RAPUTIN, 13min., Canada, Family/Animation
Directed by Jamie Shannon

Mystic, prophet, healer, love-god – Grigori Rasputin’s unique talents bring him to St. Petersburg’s luxurious Winter Palace to heal the dying Prince Alexei, heir to the throne, in the waning days of Tsarist rule. When Rasputin succeeds, he becomes spiritual aid to the royal family, and infamous national celebrity to a public that is becoming increasingly critical of its rulers.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

24


JOYA MIA, 5min., USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Ella Warner

The prompt for this film was “ever since that day, things will never be the same”. The story of a girl, Julia, and her grandfather. Julia grows up with a fierce bond with her grandfather, and as she gets older, so does he – and his memory is disappearing. One day he sees Julia as a complete stranger, and that devastates her, and must learn how to cope the best way she can.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

24


SWEET YOYO, 18min., Canada, Family/Drama
Directed by Mark Cira

Nine-year-old Yoyo must confront the reality of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes with her single mother Hannah.

CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!

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The event runs from 7pm to 9:10pm on Thursday July 12, 2018

Short Film: SWEET YOYO, 18min., Canada, Family/Drama

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Nine-year-old Yoyo must confront the reality of being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes with her single mother Hannah.

News & Reviews

Short Film: HIGH CALORIE, 17min., Turkey, Family/Drama

High calorie posterHigh Calorie is a tale about a very fat boy ‘Meftun’ who lives with his grandmom in Istanbul. Due to his obesity, some people have prejudices towards him. However, he is happy and at peace with himself. One day he meets a girl named Sahika on the internet. Although Meftun show his face and body, Sahika hides her face on the webcam. She stipulates that she will show her face fully, in case Meftun loses a great deal of weight. Therefore, Meftun starts a diet and does a lot of physical exercises in order to get the deal through. During this slimming process, Meftun experiences some funny and touching occasions. He often visualizes Sahika’s face while he’s running. Due to some bad incidents, he takes guard against Sahika and forces her to reveal her face from then on.

  • Film Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 25, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Turkey
  • Country of Filming:
    Turkey
  • Film Language:
    Turkish
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Film Color:
    Color

Short Film: SWEETER, 13min., USA, Family/Drama

Sweeter poster

A precocious six-year-old switches places with her young mother for a day to discover the true meaning of working twice as hard for half as much.

  • Film Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Family
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    November 25, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Film Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    ProRes 422 HQ
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color

Director BIO: Diana Losen (PRIEST TO PRIEST)

Director Biography – Diana Losen

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Diana Losen graduated with her MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage from Northwestern University in June 2016. Immediately after graduating, Diana acted in A Red Orchid’s production of Sick by Seven and was named a 2016 Academy Awards Nicholls Fellowship semifinalist for her screenplay The Brief & Brilliant Reign of Billy Tread. She went on to produce the world premiere of the play Taught by Mercedes Lake at the American Theater of Actors in New York City. Priest to Priest is her first short film.

Director Statement

I write and direct coming-of-age screenplays and teleplays navigated by protagonists who wield humor like a weapon as they fight to survive, find purpose, and grow up. I craft worlds that mirror our own but also veer off into the fantastical, using supernatural situations to provide escape and metaphor. My stories emphasize the value of the unconventional families we create for ourselves and explore the darker side of young love with romances of the forbidden or doomed variety. I’m interested in examining The Big Things such as meaning and our human obsession with it, the kaleidoscope of identity, and what sets us free. I write stories that capture the strangeness of adolescence, the melancholy of childhood, and the irony of adulthood.

Short Film: PRIEST TO PRIEST, 9min., USA, Family/Drama

LOGLINE: A nine-year-old priest seeks a mentor to help him defeat the antichrist, a devious middle-school bully.

SYNOPSIS:
Billy Tread (9) delivers a passionate prayer and is overheard by the unconventional, wise Father Williams. Billy introduces himself to Father Williams as a fellow priest but before he can ask for his counsel in defeating the antichrist (Axel Greene, grade 7) he must listen to Father William’s strange confession.

  • Film Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 25 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 8, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Film Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color