Two fifth-grade boys find themselves entrenched in the world of politics.
What genres does your screenplay fall under?
Family, comedy .
Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
It is a comedic look at many of the foibles of modern politics that would hopefully lead to discussions about politics while providing a few laughs.
How would you describe this script in two words?
Farcical civics
What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I wrote the first draft of this screenplay about seven years ago, then put it away. I found it earlier this year and started rewriting it.
How many stories have you written?
More than a handful, less than a ton.
What motivated you to write this screenplay?
For some reason, the ridiculous behavior of politicians has been on my mind lately…
What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
It was, at times, difficult to keep the story simple and straightforward while still maintaining some level of believability (though this is a satire and meant to be seen as such).
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Participating in interesting experiences that I can use in my writing.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Just keep writing and don’t let the man get you down.
GHOSTBOY, 9min., UK, Animation/Comedy
Directed by Jonathan Brooks
An exciting tale of mystery, mayhem and friendship, ‘Ghostboy’ teaches the very important lesson to not judge a book by it’s cover…
Director’s Statement:
DIRECTORS’ NOTES
Nearly 10 years had passed since I first sketched the character of Ghostboy. I felt it was something that would never materialise into anything and become a wasted idea like so many other ideas. After wrapping on a previous short film, I was looking for my next challenge. That’s when Ghostboy came about, though all I had was a few sketches and a short poem, I still had the basic structure of the story. It wasn’t until much later that the character of Alfie was introduced as well as his family, but the essence of Ghostboy was still there.
This would be my first animated film to direct and aimed at an entirely different audience that I hadn’t attempted to reach before. Being made for kids was in fact one of the main aspects which convinced me in to making Ghostboy. It opened up a new way of storytelling and filmmaking I hadn’t been able to try in my previous films. I knew this was going to be a fun project to direct but at the same time my most challenging.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Film Type:Animation
Runtime:9 minutes 10 seconds
Completion Date:December 17, 2015
Production Budget:6,000 GBP
Country of Origin:United Kingdom
Country of Filming:United Kingdom
Film Language:English
Shooting Format:Digital
Aspect Ratio:16:9
Film Color:Color
WATCH PAST FILM FESTIVAL EVENTS and the FEEDBACK VIDEOS of EACH SELECTED FILM
The FEEDBACK Monthly Film Festival is back for 2016.. 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 Matthew Toffolo. Showcasing a festival every single month in 2016!
Tickets for 2016 are PAY WHAT YOU LIKE. Purchase your tickets online via Paypal or Credit Card. Tickets are first come first serve.
All proceeds to this month’s festival will be donated to festival cinema costs (suggestion $8 and up), which helps the monthly event. 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 40 out of its last 42 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 – Family Festival
101 CUPCAKES, 13min, Australia, Family/Drama
Directed by Jane Eakin
Healing comes in many flavours. An uplifting story about love, death and the healing power of cooking.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
Myrto and Kimonas, an elderly childless couple have just lost their pet dog Lucy of natural causes. The events that will unfold the day they take their beloved pet to the vet will make them reconsider their relations and give them the opportunity to realise that nothing can substitute their love which, they now put to the test for whatever they have left…
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
GHOSTBOY, 9min., UK, Animation/Comedy
Directed by Jonathan Brooks
An exciting tale of mystery, mayhem and friendship, ‘Ghostboy’ teaches the very important lesson to not judge a book by it’s cover…
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
SECOND ACT PROGRAM – Under 5min. FAMILY Film Festival
AWESOME BEETLE’S COLORS, 3min, Latvia, Animation/Musical
Directed by Indra Sproge
The story goes : Awesome Beetles Color Dirty Elephant. Five Gorgeous Hippopotamuses Inspire the Jaguar. Kangaroos Like Marmelade. Naughty Octopusses Photograph the Queen. The Royal Spider Teaches an Unhappy Vampire. Wariors X-ray a Yellow Zebra. A nearly impossible story, supported by a catchy melody, guides us through the ABCs.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
INSIDE, 3min., Belguim, Animation/Comedy
Directed by Pepijn Claus
A story about a worm, a beetle and a very hungry bird…
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
5476 Miles, 4min, UK, Animation/Music Video
Directed by Terry Thomas
A handmade paper stop motion music video that tells the story of a lonely starling waiting for love.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
SPARROW DUET, 4min, USA, Animation/Experimental
Directed by Steve Socki
Animated abstract shapes and gestures dance together playfully with bird-like motion. The original music score was composed and performed by Gary Chang
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
A SMALL VOICE, 2min, UK, Animation/Drama
Directed by Michelle Brand
A shy young boy is confronted with the relentless demands of an overbearing adult forcing him to sing in front of a crowd. Vivid imagery conveys the child’s trauma as it helplessly stands facing the expectant onlookers, unable to sing through fear. Overwhelmed by the ordeal, the only alternative is to run away.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
A Belgian woman seeks citizenship in the United States, and finds that her experiences are bottomless.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
SEA OF INK, 3min, USA, Animation/Drama
Directed by Chenxin Yang
Sea of Ink is a two-minute animation about an artist struggling with his creative block and his journey under the sea.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
1916, 4min, UK, Animation/Drama
Directed by Oscar Lewis
An old man remembers the last time he saw his father, walking with him to the train station in rural England. This short film was made to mark the centenary of men with families being conscripted to the army in 1916 during WW1.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
TIME SMASH, 2min., USA, Animation/Sci-Fi
Directed by Benjamin Reicher
A time traveler goes back 2 weeks to stop himself from going to Cynthia’s new years party. Unfortunately, he brings his cat along and forgets to let him back into the machine when he returns to the present. The cat grabs onto the machine last second, becomes radioactive, and ends up in ancient Egypt. What the time traveler finds when he returns to the present is pretty messed up….
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
JAILBREAK, 1min., USA, Animation/Crime
Directed by Alise Munson
Shot in black and white, “Jailbreak” follows the daring escape of a prisoner fleeing his cell and his quest for sweet punishment. The animated short from HouseSpecial Director Aaron Sorenson is a German Expressionist-inspired design mash-up of stop-motion and illustration � with a decidedly adult twist.
CLICK HERE – and see full info and more pics of the film!
The event runs from 7pm to 9:10pm on Thursday August 25, 2016
Playing at the best of Family/Animation FEEDBACK Short Film Festival on Thursday Aug. 25th. 7pm. Carlton Cinemas in downtown Toronto. Get your FREE Tickets today
Myrto and Kimonas, an elderly childless couple have just lost their pet dog Lucy of natural causes. The events that will unfold the day they take their beloved pet to the vet will make them reconsider their relations and give them the opportunity to realise that nothing can substitute their love which, they now put to the test for whatever they have left…
Director’s Statement:
After decades of servicing cinematography and having an experience from various posts and productions both domestic and international, I decided to direct the short film “Lucy”, the writing debut of Alexis Giannoulis. Although family, the approach was a strictly professional one right from the beginning and whilst I worked with Alexis on polishing up the shooting script, I respected all the major initial points of the story and had a smooth, effortless cooperation.
Having had a fair amount of experience as a DoP, always close to the directors of the films I’ve worked in, the direction of Lucy, a sentimental film was both a small challenge and pleasure for me since most of the crew was made up by highly skilled professionals, many with international experience, and a veteran casting which, despite any objective difficulties or shortcomings, cooperated with me in a very professional way contributing the most to the making of the film.
Being a personal story touching on more than one major, universal and deeply humane issues (such as the relationship between an elderly couple, childlessness and the sacrifices that had to be made), the challenge was first for the starring actors to find their way together and look as they should on the screen and then to be able to achieve a result that wouldn’t be too mellow yet neither too cold for both the actors and the audience. Managing the actors and achieving the right dose of sentimentality were the main challenges I, as the DIR and all the rest of the creative crew had to come up against.
I hope both the festival committees and the wider audience to have a joyful viewing of Lucy and that we have at least achieved a respectable outcome and film.
Film Type:Short
Runtime:16 minutes 27 seconds
Completion Date:November 24, 2015
Production Budget:9,800 EUR
Country of Origin:Greece
Country of Filming:Greece
Film Language:Modern Greek (1453-)
Shooting Format:RED
Aspect Ratio:16:9
Film Color:Color
First-time Filmmaker:Yes
WATCH PAST FILM FESTIVAL EVENTS and the FEEDBACK VIDEOS of EACH SELECTED FILM
Rebecca, 12 years old, learns that her Uncle Wallace, a cattle baron from Texas, is coming to visit. Rebecca doesn’t like her uncle and her only hope is that he will bring her a birthstone ring like the one he bought for her cousin the year before. After dinner, Uncle Wallace gives Rebecca her gift: a blue dress once owned by his wife Vera who has remained in Texas. When Rebecca’s mother asks her to try on the dress, Rebecca, bitterly disappointed, runs to her room in tears.
Rebecca soon suspects that her father and Uncle Wallace have reached an agreement that she won’t like. When her suspicions become true, Rebecca finds a way to exact a fitting revenge in return for the adults’ betrayal.
2. Why should this screenplay be made into a movie?
With the classic theme of a child against adults, this film can be enjoyed by preteens to eighty year olds. The central character of the child is not the usual heroine. The childish perspective of Rebecca contrasts with the reality facing the adults. The number of characters is limited to five; most of the action takes place in a house, its porch, and front yard. A street sidewalk is the only other location. The short story takes place just after WWII in Montreal, but this time frame can be pushed up 10-20 years, if necessary; the location can be moved to the US. A new car from the period is the main object that much reflect the period.
3. How would you describe this script in two words?
Outwitting adults.
4. What movie have you seen the most times in your life?
It’s hard to say. It’s a toss-up between Psycho, Citizen Kane, Wizard of Oz, and North by Northwest. All the while I’m watching, I’m telling myself, “You’ve seen this hundred times. You know every scene and most of the dialogue. Go do something else.” But I can’t tear myself away.
5. How long have you been working on this screenplay?
I’ve been working on this screenplay off and on for six months.
6. How many stories have you written?
I’ve written about 20 stories and a novel, published last year, called Echo from Mount Royal
7. What motivated you to write this screenplay?
I wanted to try my hand at writing a screenplay. My short story called The Blue Dress seemed to offer a good combination of dialogue and conflict. I was also intrigued by the young girl who struggles against the adults. Her perspective offered the opportunity to combine humor with sympathy. Her relationship with her mother vs her father undergoes a reversal that provides a satisfying conclusion.
8. What obstacles did you face to finish this screenplay?
Adapting a short story taught me how to externalize the interior thoughts of the characters. For example, the friend, Jackie, was created to help us understand, more clearly, the motivations of Rebecca. Several scenes of backstory in the prose work was dropped for time reasons and to make the plot line more streamlined. The criticism I received from the judge at the festival pertained to the length of time before the uncle arrives at Rebecca’s home. His arrival propels the plot into Act Two and must come sooner. Act One of the screenplay was shortened by 25% in the next revision.
9. Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
My wife and I enjoy travelling throughout the world. I enjoy gardening and spending time with our grandchildren. Reading is the center of my life.
10. What influenced you to enter the festival? What were your feelings on the initial feedback you received?
I joined FilmFreeway and began searching for festivals that accepted short screenplays. I chose this festival because I got a down-to-earth vibe from the website. I expect that hearing the screenplay will help me hear what dialogue works and what doesn’t. Also the judge’s criticism was exactly what had to be changed.
11. Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
Join a critique group where you have the opportunity to workshop your script. Revise the script over and over to tighten the dialogue. Try to find place where a single word or sentence or action defines a character. Watch lots of films and study screenplays to see how professionals solve the problems we all face.
Two bored boys repeatedly harass an old man in a mobility scooter by cycling up to him on their bikes and yelling in his face. His response is anything but predictable.
FROG, 17min, USA, Family/Drama
Directed by Tyler Wallach
After school, Danny, an innocent 11 year old, retreats to his refuge, the frog pond. After catching a frog, he steps outside his comfort zone and ventures further upstream. It is here, in dark woods, that he comes face to face with the neighborhood bullies.
Here is the Film Festival line-up for the Family Short Film Festival on Thursday March 31 2016. Part of the best of family from 2016. Event will take place at the Carlton Cinemas, in downtown Toronto at 7pm.
A WILDsound FEEDBACK Film Festival showcase:
FROG, 17min, USA, Family/Drama
Director: Jonathan Bucari
After school, Danny, an innocent 11 year old, retreats to his refuge, the frog pond. After catching a frog, he steps outside his comfort zone and ventures further upstream. It is here, in dark woods, that he comes face to face with the neighborhood bullies. They proceed to teach him a cruel lesson on the penalties of trespassing and kill his frog. Frog is a story of innocence, cruelty and triumph that focuses on Danny’s quest to seek justice.
ACE, 6min, UK, Family/Kids
Director: AD Cooper
Two bored boys repeatedly harass an old man in a mobility scooter by cycling up to him on their bikes and yelling in his face. His response is anything but predictable.
FISH, 10min, USA, Family/Drama
Director: Andrew Ruiz
A young boy puts his father in a difficult position when he tries to smuggle his pet Betta fish past airport security.
Films will also play with the Best of Comedy Short Films:
MORE THAN GOD, 9min, Ireland, Comedy
Director: Kev Cahill
A pious Doctor is forced to deal with a family matter whilst hiding under the bed of a stranger.
HERE’S JANE, 12min, USA, Comedy
Director: JoLane Lentz
Jane, a free spirit in her mid 30’s, working as a sales girl in the mall at Forever 21, comes up with a scheming plan on how to avoid being evicted from her dumpy apartment she shares with her best friend Heather. Who’s also in her mid 30’s, waiting tables at Hooters while in her 9th year of community college.
BEHIND TIME, 1min, Sweden, Comedy/Animation
Director: Carina Henriksson
What are humans good at? Yes. At being late! This is an everyday struggle that we face and that are testing our patience. What happens, if we take it to Cartoon level?
Unhappy in love, Mary Lou decides to reconnect with her religious roots by marrying a practicing Jew. In order to get married, she has to pass the Shidduch test, which will determine whether her life will be a success or failure.
FESTIVAL for FAMILY 