Today we’re going back to the first film festival event of 2014. The first of 10 film festival events for the year.
The THEME of the event was WAITING. Every film showcased at the event was about waiting for something to happen.
Talk about a great selection of films. Take a look at the full details of movies showcased, plus all of their audience feedback videos: http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/march_2014_film_festival.html
The audience selected the Brazilian film THE PACKAGE as the best film of the night. Watch the feedback video from the Toronto audience:
The Package is a delicate and sweet love history between two young gay men. One of them is HIV positive. It has a powerful and contemporary message of acceptance and tolerance.
The audience then selected the Norwegian Sci-Fi/Comedy short SPACEWRECKED as the best performances. Watch feedback video:
Spacewrecked could be the most unique and clever film we’ve ever showcased. It’s Curb You Enthusiasm in space!
It was a great start to our year as we’ve showcased some amazing films from all over the world.
Three more events to go in 2014. If you’re in the Toronto area, make sure you attend our upcoming events. Next one is Thursday October 30th at the Carlton Cinemas:
http://www.wildsound.ca/torontofilmfestivals.html
We’ve come a long way with this festival. The idea for a feedback film festival was simple in its nature, but it took a bit to really nail the TONE of the moderation session. At the beginning the talk was very black and white – either someone hated the film or they loved it. A Siskel & Ebert thumps up/thumps down approach. It took me about 2 years to really understand how to direct the conversation. I’ve never been interested in simple judgments as I always thought that everything is somewhere in the middle, especially films. So what we try to do is have a conversation with the audience that is about feeling.
Whenever I’ve made a film my mission was to tell a story with true emotion within the context of the genre, plot, and setting. Whatever the situation is, it needs to have a real feel to it like this is happening. It’s the search of finding out what this all means and why we’re here. And I’m not trying to be wanky or elitist saying someone like that. Sometimes a raunchy comedy has more truth in it than a dark drama.
That’s what I’m trying to do in these audience feedback videos. To try to figure out the truth in the particular film we’re talking about. And because we are showing so many great films at our festival these days, it’s becoming easier to figure that out.
– Matthew Toffolo
WILDsound Festival 