We are moving stories

“This is not your typical, staid documentary. This film is 17 minutes straight of shocks, laughs, and absurd situations met with even more absurdity. Debbie is endlessly entertaining as she parries and deflects the questions she is asked by journalists.”

“The subject of the film is my father, Joseph Badlotto. Ever since I was kid he’d share this story of how he participated in a small art show put on by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. As a result of the art show, he ended up sustaining an injury....If you’re a fan of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, then you’ll appreciate this unique and intimate story. The film highlights some of the more bizarre artwork the two created together. It’s also just a fun and light hearted story (contrary to my father breaking his arm) that will be sure to garner laughs; even if you aren’t a Beatles fan.”

“Kate’s story hits close to home for me. I was a part of the EEOC’s investigation into the lack of gender parity in Hollywood and wanted to capture this moment of women speaking out. In music and in film, it is often the exception rather than the rule to make a living wage and be treated with respect and care. This fact is compounded by the rampant sexism women experience in both industries. This is a film about a woman made by women. Our crew, producers and editors are primarily female. This is our story as well as so many other women in the entertainment business.”

“Female friendship in particular forms the backbone theme of the narrative, with all of the band members speaking in-depth and really sincerely about the special bond they all share, and what it has meant to them to be able to not only work together creatively but to be able to grow together as people.”

“I made the film because I found a story that fascinated me and wanted to know more. As I looked into it more, it seemed like there were lots of films about metal and of course lots of films about women, but nothing specifically on the intersection of the two. So I made one.”

“Women hold up half the sky and yet women remain marginalized in front of the camera and behind the camera, and Finding Her Beat has become a springboard for excellence for all involved in the film. The dream at the center of the film is both a unique and universal opportunity for women to come together to excel and learn from one another could play out in many fields but the fact that women have traditionally not been allowed to perform on a traditional taiko made this a very exciting film to make as we all knew we were recording history.”

“Henry “Gip” Gipson is a treasure in Alabama and his little juke joint, Gip’s Place, in spite of its low-key, casual and almost hidden destination, is packed with people from around the globe every Saturday night. We had enjoyed the juke joint for years but as we learned more about Gip’s history and life, we felt that it was a story that needed to be told.”

“Things we are trying to bring up in this documentary is to demonstrate the problem that the artists are not profiting from their work as a commercial activity. Their income is limited based on the show and exhibitions. They do not enjoy their real rights and profit from their work as artists in other countries do.”

“Inspired by personal experiences, I wrote I AM TX as a means to showcase the frustration, anxiety and humor that go with being a “cultural mulatto.””

“You will be entertained. You will learn something. You will feel like you are on tour with the band. You will feel your mind and your heart open up a little and feel really good from the experience.”

“Some of my favourite musicians can be guilty of abhorrent behaviour and I found it important to include some of that in the film and ask myself if can separate the art from the artist.”

“When I started working on this film, I interviewed a number of women over 50 who had focused most of their lives on raising children and making dinner for their husbands. I heard, “I didn’t know who I was anymore when my last child went off to college.” and “I didn’t have a purpose.” and “I didn’t think anyone saw me as having any value anymore.” and “I stayed in bed for three months because I didn’t see the point of getting up.””

“I wanted to make a film with a strong female lead that tackles obsession and fantasy from a female perspective. ‘How far will you go to get the object of your desire?’ These are all questions that I ask within this short film. Fame is a dangerous thing and being attracted to someone because of their fame or status can sometimes lead you a very dark path. Cyanide love explores the psychological impact of fandom on mental health.”

“with Dark Roads I wanted to bring my love of music, classic southern rock and the time period of the 70s/80s to the screen in a story that was unique. When I first pitched the idea to producers all I had to say was that the movie is a big dose of Friday the 13th meets Almost Famous with a dash of something you’ve never seen before! The concept just worked and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome! ”

“n, ensemble comedy that explores some of the tensions we face as we process the experiences from our 20s and move into our 30s. It’s a film centered around a band and their artist friends, but I think those tensions are faced by most people as they grow up.”

““Smile: A Musical” approaches mental illness from the empathy of both the person suffering, but also the people around them, and the way it can affect them. Specifically, this man’s daughter, at nine or ten years old, deals with the limited information surrounding this man that she loves, and her subconscious deals with what she knows and creates a solution, which I have found often happens in young people when they are dealing with voiced or unvoiced concerns in their lives.

Also, our production company, Phileon Productions, is a female-led production company in Los Angeles that focuses on increasing the number of women in front of, and behind, the camera - our crews as per our internal guidelines are 50% women, but in actuality hit around 65% women, and we really strive to be inclusive in our casting and think outside of what usually is, and more toward what can be.”

“There is a great female lead that people really can get on board with, she has her flaws but she makes you laugh. The story is a fun “what if”, complete with catchy musical numbers. Ultimately you can decide how much you take from it, the deeper story about figuring out what you want in life and relationships, or you can just enjoy the more animated, comedic elements. I just hope we can offer a brief moment to escape from your day to day troubles, just like the RKO and MGM musicals of old.”

“When I was growing up, I never had LGBTQIA role models on the screen and I felt like an outsider because of this. We need more stories featuring diverse protagonists so that all young kids can see themselves represented, embrace who they are, and find their voice. This film helped me find my voice as a gay man and filmmaker.”

“This film as very much about letting go of some of my own past. I’m not really sure how I made it, or if I could ever do something like this again…but I started to realize that my dharma or directive in life is to make devotional art and creative projects with the aim to heal and hopefully enlighten. That is my goal.”

“I hope it touches people and they can enjoy a brief break from reality for a good laugh and cry.”

“Chemistry in our film, both romantically and scientifically, allows the audience member to experience something unique and different to their normal lives... you should watch our film because it’s entertaining, it’s memorable, and it’s an escape from everyday life. Who doesn’t want to sit down and enjoy a comedic love story about chemistry?”

“This film is my simple love letter to the cinema, specifically those Golden Age musicals that I hold near and dear to my heart. The little dancing girl is me! It still is me! Movies have always sparked wonder and passion inside me. Movies have introduced me to new things to try, new ways to think and new adventures to have!”

“At first I had the idea of the story but I only wanted to do a short documentary. Then I asked myself how do I watch movies and music videos? How do I listen to music etc… And I realized that I should try to tell this story on as many different platforms as possible. That’s how the project became trans media.”

“This project began by pure chance. I have spent a decade in humanitarian aid working 18 countries and everywhere without exception, hostility between groups underlies the direst social problems. The lack of human connection allows the “us versus them” mentality to perpetuate. If two people from opposing sides can relate, that makes all the difference between war and peace.”

“I love to connect with themes that personally reflect my journey through life and this was a perfect example of that.”

“I don’t think I would do what I do today in films if it wasn’t for my early Arts education in school. What Robert Blackson and everyone involved with Symphony for a Broken Orchestra did was so incredible and had an impact on me. I felt that it was a story that was owed a retelling in the medium where my Arts education brought me - which is Film.”

“Any audience that participates in this Gypsy journey will enjoy a new understanding of art, history and music, that transcends stereotypes and cultivates compassion.”