Samantha Neyland co-directed and starred in the short film “When Strangers Touch Your Hair”, which was showcased at the Los Angeles FEEDBACK Film Festival in December 2016. The film received rave reviews from the audience. It was an honor to chat with her about the film and what’s next for the beautiful and talented artist:

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Samantha Neyland: I made this film as a way to work through the insecurities I had always lived with but until 2016 was too afraid to talk about.

MT: From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

SN: From start to finish, it only took six weeks. The initial idea was scary and I knew if I didn’t march forward at full speed it would never get done.

MT: How would you describe your short film…

Kurtis Theorin’s short film “ENCORE” played to rave reviews at the December 2016 Los Angeles FEEDBACK Film Festival. It was the winner of “Best Music” at the festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Kurtis Theorin: We wanted to stretch ourselves and create something that felt unique. We had done projects for a line of YouTube star toys. We had also watched the reality show about making movies called The Chair. It featured a YouTube star who talked about how he could be swarmed by rabid fans at a convention but not be recognized going down the street. It’s an interesting world that hasn’t been explored that much in films.

MT: From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

KT: A little over a year. The first draft came up in the summer. I started revising…

Rodrigo Espinosa’s short film “ATOMIC COUPLE!” played was the winner of “BEST FILM” at the December 2016 Los Angeles FEEDBACK Film Festival. It was awarded the winner of “Best Music” at the festival.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

The story of the little girl with the Lego, which you have on your site.

MT: From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

11 months.

MT: How would you describe your short film in two words!?

Funny pain.

MT: What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Scheduling. Meaning, making sure the right people were available to work on it.

MT: What were your initial reactions when watching the Los Angeles audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Made my fucking day. It’s tons of work making these things, it’s lovely…

Ashton Avila’s short film played at the April 2017 Los Angeles FEEDBACK Film Festival. Part of the best of Female Director’s showcased.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Ashton Avila: I wanted to tell a story about a girl that I understood but most people don’t. Faith was that girl.

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

In total the film was made in about 5 months. We spent about a month with the script, 3 months in pre-production, shot for 3 days and were in post production for about two months.

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

Bible Comedy

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

Probably trying to get everything we needed at such different locations in 3 days (especially finding a church that would let…

“THE LONG GOODBYE: AN ALZHEIMER’S STORY” played to rave reviews at the Los Angeles FEEDBACK Film Festival in April 2017. Part of the best of documentary shorts program.

Matthew Toffolo: What motivated you to make this film?

Christian J. Harris: I’ve always been drawn to journalistic pieces. I love human interest stories and this one was so close to me that I had to do it. The couple shown are my grandparents actually. After watching my grandmother whither away into a stranger, I was deeply effected. But it was actually harder watching my grandfather slowly lose the woman he loved. But he never complained and he never considered giving her up, it was true love right in front of my eyes. I just felt I had to tell that story.

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

About 3…

“I am Heath Ledger” is a terrific documentary about the life of the talented actor and artist who left us way too early. It’s told through interviews of his good friends,  interspersed with Heath’s own home videos.

It was an honor to chat with the co-director of the film on the phone. The film is already a giant success and a must see for any fan of artistry in general.

Matthew Toffolo: What brought you to this project?

Adrian Buitenhuis: The company I work for, Network Entertainment, has already done a series of “I am” projects. Chris Farley, Steve McQueen etc… Heath was one they were thinking of doing for awhile.

I was working on another project in Columbia (Pablo Escobar) and they called me asking if I was interested in the project. I immediately was intrigued because his memory isn’t necessarily about his work and creativity from the mainstream…

Genre: Family, Drama

A perfect plan to allow the two kids of a couple separating to stay in the house while the parents alternate commuting back and forth turns out not to be so perfect, especially as Christmas approaches.

CAST LIST:
Narrator: Jack Comerford
Abby: Andrea Meister
Mrs. York: Konstantina Mantelos
Ogre: Anthony Botelho
Sage: Elizabeth Rose Morriss

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

Director: Kierston Drier
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson

Camera Operator: Mary Cox