Frightful Shorts is Film Freeway’s Featured Discount of the Week: Jan 13 through Jan 20.  Submission Deadline: January 31, 2025. Submit Link Below…. 

Frightful Shorts by the Shore, a brand new short film festival and talent search, will give filmmakers around the world the chance to secure financing for their feature film! Investors will meet with all recognized filmmakers, hear pitches for feature film ideas and discuss director roles for multiple financed projects coming up in 2025 and 2026. Bunker 15 Films manages a film slate of low-budget genre projects. Their sponsorship of Frightful Shorts speaks to their interest in finding new talent.

FSBTS is dedicated to showcasing emerging cinematic talent. Filmmakers from around the world are invited to submit their short films in the Thriller, Suspense and Horror genres for the opportunity to be screened at the festival, taking place on April 23, 2025 in La Jolla, CA.

Jon Fitzgerald, veteran festival organizer, is managing.

“San Diego is a fantastic site for a Film Festival. It has a growing talent pool and investors are interested in taking advantage of the stunning locations. We have projects lined up for 2025 but we haven’t attached all the directors. What better way to find talent and see what filmmakers can do on a big screen?”

• Festival Sponsor, Daniel Harlow of Bunker 15 Films

WINNERS:

• Grand Prize: $1000. Runner-up: $500. Best Beach Vibe: $500
• Laurels for Honorable Mentions and Best San Diego-Made

Key Dates:

• Submission Deadline: 1/31/2025
• Late Submission Deadline: 2/25/2025
• Venue: AMC La Jolla Village 12 in La Jolla, CA on April 23, 2025

Submission Guidelines:

• Films must be between 4 and 25 minutes long.
• Horror, Suspense and Thriller shorts are welcome.
• Submissions must be made through Film Freeway.
• Special consideration (and prizes) for creative use of a beach community.

SUBMIT HERE:

https://filmfreeway.com/FrightfulShortsbytheShore

Check out our website: https://www.bunker15.com/FrightfulShortsByTheShore.html

Share on Social Media: https://bit.ly/4hOOkw6

About Frightful Shorts by the Shore:

FSBS has a mission to showcase emerging genre filmmakers and talent! Our sponsors have secured funding for multiple projects in 2025 and are on the hunt for hot new talent that can deliver thrills and chills worthy of Big Screens around the world. We want to provide a platform for innovative storytelling in the horror and thriller short film space. The festival will feature a curated selection of films, alongside filmmaker Q&A sessions.

Timely medical drama/thriller Noble Vision continues its festival run on a high note, being named Best Drama Feature Award at the Second Sight International Film Festival in Pensacola, Florida, at a ceremony held on December 21st.

Based on the best-selling novel by Gen LaGreca, the film tells the story of beautiful dancer Nicole Hudson, played by Rayna Wilson, who is blinded in a tragic accident, and young neurosurgeon David Lang, played by Michael Rubenstone, who’s determined to help her. Nicole's only hope is the doctor’s revolutionary new procedure to repair damaged nerves. The treatment, however, does not have the required approval of the state's health system, CareFree, which is overwhelmed with cost overruns and the governor's politically motivated priorities. The doctor must take on the entire system to fight for his work, his ideals, and the woman who is capturing more than his medical interest. 

“It has been the Winged Victory Foundation’s mission to advance liberty through storytelling and the arts through its creative endeavors,” comments executive producer and scriptwriter Gen LaGreca. “Noble Vision deals with some very timely issues of concern about our healthcare system today, and I’m honored that the Second Sight International Film Festival has recognized the importance of our film.”

Distributed in North America by Toronto-based Syndicado, the festival favorite was recently released digitally for sale and rental in the United States and Canada on Amazon Prime, Vudu Fandango, and other top platforms.

:

Passion, medicine, and politics collide in this nail-biting thriller. The arduous process of getting a new medical procedure approved by a bureaucracy plays havoc in the lives of a young neurosurgeon with a revolutionary cure for nerve injury and a beautiful ballerina who needs the treatment as her only hope. As the doctor battles a system stacked against him, his career and the life of his beautiful patient hang in the balance. 

Noble Vision had its U.S. West Coast theatrical premiere in September 2024 at the Silicon Beach Film Festival at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood and received the festival’s prestigious Best Screenplay Award. The novel Noble Vision has been a #1 Amazon Kindle best-seller in the categories of fiction, medical fiction and political fiction, and has received Writer’s Digest magazine’s International Book Award and the Illinois Women’s Press Association Fiction Award, among others. 

The film has had great success on the festival circuit, presented with more than 25 awards at such top festivals as Indie Fest USA International Film Festival, Queen City Film Festival, Five Continents International Film Festival, International New York Film Festival, WRPN Women’s International Film Festival, LA Independent Women Film Awards, San Diego Movie Awards, California Indies, and Global Film Festival Awards, among others.  Award-winning actor/director/producer D. Paul Thomas (Of Things Past) also received Best Supporting Actor nods for his portrayal of Dr. Warren Lang at the Re

Timely medical drama/thriller Noble Vision continues its festival run on a high note, being named Best Drama Feature Award at the Second Sight International Film Festival in Pensacola, Florida, at a ceremony held on December 21st.

Based on the best-selling novel by Gen LaGreca, the film tells the story of beautiful dancer Nicole Hudson, played by Rayna Wilson, who is blinded in a tragic accident, and young neurosurgeon David Lang, played by Michael Rubenstone, who’s determined to help her. Nicole's only hope is the doctor’s revolutionary new procedure to repair damaged nerves. The treatment, however, does not have the required approval of the state's health system, CareFree, which is overwhelmed with cost overruns and the governor's politically motivated priorities. The doctor must take on the entire system to fight for his work, his ideals, and the woman who is capturing more than his medical interest. 

“It has been the Winged Victory Foundation’s mission to advance liberty through storytelling and the arts through its creative endeavors,” comments executive producer and scriptwriter Gen LaGreca. “Noble Vision deals with some very timely issues of concern about our healthcare system today, and I’m honored that the Second Sight International Film Festival has recognized the importance of our film.”

Distributed in North America by Toronto-based Syndicado, the festival favorite was recently released digitally for sale and rental in the United States and Canada on Amazon Prime, Vudu Fandango, and other top platforms.

:

Passion, medicine, and politics collide in this nail-biting thriller. The arduous process of getting a new medical procedure approved by a bureaucracy plays havoc in the lives of a young neurosurgeon with a revolutionary cure for nerve injury and a beautiful ballerina who needs the treatment as her only hope. As the doctor battles a system stacked against him, his career and the life of his beautiful patient hang in the balance. 

Noble Vision had its U.S. West Coast theatrical premiere in September 2024 at the Silicon Beach Film Festival at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood and received the festival’s prestigious Best Screenplay Award. The novel Noble Vision has been a #1 Amazon Kindle best-seller in the categories of fiction, medical fiction and political fiction, and has received Writer’s Digest magazine’s International Book Award and the Illinois Women’s Press Association Fiction Award, among others. 

The film has had great success on the festival circuit, presented with more than 25 awards at such top festivals as Indie Fest USA International Film Festival, Queen City Film Festival, Five Continents International Film Festival, International New York Film Festival, WRPN Women’s International Film Festival, LA Independent Women Film Awards, San Diego Movie Awards, California Indies, and Global Film Festival Awards, among others.  Award-winning actor/director/producer D. Paul Thomas (Of Things Past) also received Best Supporting Actor nods for his portrayal of Dr. Warren Lang at the Re

SAIFY screening at Red Sea International Film Festival

Interview by Emmanuel Itier with director: Wael Abumansour, actors/actresses: Aixa Kay, Nour Alkhadra and Husam Alharthi

Director Wael Abumansour just delivered a very intelligent and wicked movie that follows a man in his 40’s trying to achieve a quick wealth while selling banned religious sermons in his small cassette shop. The warmth and the depth of his acting team deliver an emotional ride full of surprises and humanity. Saify is a gem of a film, one you savor one sip at a time. Here is the highlights of my discussion with Wael and his actors.

Q: How did you get involved with this film and what was the attraction? Any challenges during the shooting?

Wael: It all started with the main character “Saify”. Since I’m a child I have seen that type of man who wants to get rich very fast. His means are very poor, and he has not talent. He only has ambition. I wanted to put that character in a movie. It’s also about a society going into transitions from the mid 90’s to the year 2000. Postproduction was down in France in Cahors for 2 months and this was exiting and challenging. I chose two great French composers for my movie: Fabien and Mike Kourtzer. They are super creative and very resourceful. These guys do the job for the passion of it and not for the money. They put their whole personality in  it.

Nour: When I found out Wael was directing this film I immediately wanted to be part of it. Wael is brilliant and he is so trustful with no ego, even so he knows what he wants. The character is very strong on the outside and soft inside. I enjoyed playing her. It’s a character that goes down a lot but who knows how to collect herself and be back on the ring. There was lots of prep for this film, and this was some kind of challenge. But everything went so smoothly.

Aixa: An old friend contacted me and told me about this film. And while talking with the director I realized I had a lot in common with the character I play who is highly spiritual and loving of nature. The only challenge I faced was the day I got bitten by a mosquito at the beach one day of filming. The next day my eye was really swollen, and it was a big problem for continuity. But the crew figured it out and in no time, I was back at being myself. Thanks, God, for Wael being so calm and so focused. He made my job so easy for sure.

Husam: This is a film taking place in Jeddah and I’m from here so it’s a blessing to play in such film. I didn’t really meet any challenges. It was pure joy working with Wael. I agree that he is so calm and with so much talent. He always finds a way to talk with his actors to get what he wants from them.

Q: What is the film truly about for you?

Aixa: It’s about a certain segment of society that is never seen. It’s about these people who always to try to rise but there is always something pushing them down. They are resilient and they have so many misfortunes. I hope this film creates a conversation about nostalgia, memory, neighborhoods and the authenticity about Saudia Arabia. 

Husam:  It’s made to move people and to entertain them. It’s a remembrance of Jeddah and a certain time. It shows the resilience and the resistance of people facing challenges and how they never give up.

Wael: How to deal with failure is the main theme. Also, what is the self-image you are exposing in society. Everyone

Baby Bright A mother (Robyn Malcolm) and daughter (DeeDee Comet) embark on an escape from their troubled past; towards a brighter future, and towards each other. Get Gulled A mischievous seagull’s hunger sparks chaos on the beach as it steals a little girl’s sandwich, leading to a hilariously chaotic chase that involves a crafty seal… Read More »December 2024 Programme

The post December 2024 Programme first appeared on Boundless Film Festival.

Since 1993, the Film Independent Spirit Awards have been held at Santa Monica State Beach, and the dreamy California coast couldn’t be a more appropriate vibe for the unique award season event that’s all about shining a spotlight on some of the most interesting voices in cinema. Mixing up the film world’s indie glitterati is […]

The post 20 Sundance-Supported Films and Series Land Nominations for the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards first appeared on sundance.org.

Reinas- (Queens) Switzerland's International Oscar Entry.
Posted By Robin Menken
Swiss-Peruvian director Klaudia Reynicke’s quiet family drama is set in 1992, during the economic collapse in Peru, a national curfew and the constant attacks of the far-left terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (The Shining Path).
   An opening archival television news report features Peru’s minister of the economy announcing that in the next 24 hours, the price of milk will jump from 120,000 Peruvian intis to 330,000, the cost of sugar, now 150,000 intis, will double and the price of a baguette, 9,000 Peruvian inti, increases to 25,000 Peruvian inti overnight)
   Easy going Carlos (Gonzalo Molina), known as "el loco" works as a taxi driver and night watchman, and barters black market sugar and whatever comes to hand to get by.
   Estranged from his upper-middle class wife Elena (Jimena Lindo) and his growing girls- frisky teenager Aurora (Luana Vega) and younger sister Lucía (Abril Gjurinovic), Carlos shows up after along break and tries to spend time with his Reinas ("Queens.") Hurt by his long disappearance the girls are suspicious and wary, especially Aurora.
   Elena (Jimena Lindo), has landed a job in Minnesota and has seized the chance to escape Peru's downward spiral. Before she can leave with her girls she needs Carlos official signature to authorize their daughters leaving the country.
   It's the last few weeks before their trip and Carlos keeps postponing signing. Needing his signature and wanting his daughters to have time with him before the move to the safer U.S. Elena encourages him to spend time with the girls, and the wily teller of tall tales slowly wins them over.
   Carlos will say anything to deflect responsibility for his actions: he wrestled crocodiles in the jungle, and has the scar to prove it; he's a secret police agent (and has the papers to prove it), he's a Quechua speaking archeologist. Lucía is easier to convince.
   In a wry opening scene driver Carlos chats to his passenger. Claiming he's an actor, he lists off his roles in Hollywood productions, dropping the names of
Boris Karloff and Roger Corman, names which mean nothing to his good natured client.
   Gonzalo Molina's laidback charm, especially in two lovely trips to the beach, creates a sort of mystery about Carlos, which Reynicke maintains. He moved to his own internal beat, satisfied with his dysfunctional Peter Pan life.
    Carlos drives his old Lada across the dunes in a wonderful father daughter joyride which solidifies their new bond.
    Carlo's sadness emerges as he begins to bond with his 'Reinas'. Even his use of the nickname takes on a new  gravitas as he reluctantly starts to grow up. He struggles to avoid his habitual lying. The script suggests many reasons for his estrangement, including is possible political stance, but wisely lets it simmer undisclosed.
    Conflicted Lucia wants to stay with her mother. Aurora has serious unfinished business in Lima and decides to try and stay with Carlos.
    Clever shots and production values suggest the period in a contained way. Muted colors stylize he memory aspects of the period piece. There's an elegance to the home of wealthy Tita (played by Spain's Susi Sánchez), Carlos world is his beat up car and his uncle's warehouse.
    Subtleties

International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024 runs its 55th edition. It is beeing held in Goa from 20th to 28th November. Film enthusiasts can log on to https://my.iffigoa.org/ 
 

IFFI 2024, 13: OOH La La Gala premieres and bouncers to protect the carpetbaggers

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IFFI 2024, 13: OOH La La Gala prèmieres and bouncers to protect the carpetbaggers Gala premieres have become the most glamourous part of IFFI after it moved to Go, in 2004. They do draw audiences and photographers, but the regular film critic and film journalist is kept away from them. Camera and microphone men and women, who never bark but only byte, are the persons for whom this ceremony is engineered. Bouncers and other security personnel accompany the film team, as they are first l...

 

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IFFI 2024, 12: Creative Minds of tomorrow, and their five outstanding films

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