Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government… Read More ›
short film
Sex positive, hilarious, and kind, Mike Donahue’s short film “Troy” explores the social contract of neighbors. [Sundance Film Festival]
There’s a trope in storytelling about the nosey neighbor, the one who’s always at their window or peephole, lurking around, trying to know everything about everyone all the time. This person who folks don’t like because they are forcing themselves… Read More ›
Documentary short film “Ukrainians in Exile” puts the people in frame.
For as long as someone thought themselves superior to another, for as long as someone believed themselves owed what belongs to another, there has been colonization. The roots likely go deeper than we know for sure, but, starting in February… Read More ›
Illustrator-turned-director loundraw impresses with short film “Summer Ghost,” available from Shout! Factory and GKids Films.
One of the greater mysteries in life is whether or not there’s something after the living world. It’s a question that’s been explored through faith, philosophy, and art. Depending on the community or culture you come up within, the afterlife… Read More ›
Short film “Everything Will Be All Right” packs a feature-length emotional punch. [SXSW Film Festival]
In the current circumstances we live in, and have lived in for the last two years, we sometimes have to remind ourselves that everything will, in fact, be all right. We need that deep breath, that reconciliation with ourselves that… Read More ›
A Conversation with “On My Mind” director Martin Strange-Hansen and producer Kim Magnusson.
EoM contributor Thomas Manning recently interviewed writer and director Martin Strange-Hansen and producer Kim Magnusson to discuss their work on the short film On My Mind, which has been nominated for Best Live Action Short at the 2022 Academy Awards…. Read More ›
Music is the tether in short doc “Babylon: Ghetto, Renaissance, and Modern Oblivion,” linking two cultures across time and location.
Before Guttenberg changed how we share stories with the birth of the printing press in 1450, it was the oral tradition which kept the past in the memories of our present. Even well after the emergence of printed word, the… Read More ›
Guy Noland’s “Stage Managed” offers a pilot that raises the kinds of questions only a full season can answer. [Dances With Films Festival]
Making a movie or television show in the style of a mockumentary can be very challenging. It takes the right combination of a sharp script, talent behind the camera, an editor who knows exactly what they’re doing, and pinpoint precision… Read More ›
A Conversation with “Stuffed” co-creators Theo Rhys and Joss Holden-Rea. [SXSW Film Festival]
After watching the bittersweet and darkly humorous short musical Stuffed at SXSW Film Festival 2021, I just had to interview the creative team. It was truly the biggest surprise of the festival and won the special jury prize for Bold… Read More ›
Two features and five shorts to keep an eye out for. [SXSW Film Festival]
SXSW 2021 has come and gone, offering accredited press a dizzying array of opportunities in which to indulge. While the Elements of Madness coverage team wrote a hearty portion of reviews, there were far more films worth seeing than we… Read More ›
Director Ja’Tovia Gary’s “The Giverny Document (Single Channel)” challenges its audience to consider the emotional weight of ignorance. [Indie Memphis Film Festival]
Artist Ja’Tovia Gary is a provocateur, a demonstrator, and a rebel. She uses her art as a means of proclaiming her space, her ideas, and her life as something of incredible value. None of this should be necessary, which appears… Read More ›
Chloé Hung’s sci-fi short film “Signal” possesses eerie parallels to now. [Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival]
The symbiotic relationship between art and reality continues to prove itself as an essential component of our society and culture. The concept of post-apocalyptic storytelling has been delivered in various forms with creativity ebbing and flowing. With the turbulent events… Read More ›
A Conversation with director Daniel Smith. [Real To Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Daniel Smith, director of the short film, Sideways. Exploring friendships, gravitational anomalies, and the challenges to keeping relationships… Read More ›
Etheria Film Night comes back with a second season, streaming via Amazon.
Following the success of the first digital iterations of the Etheria Film Night, a genre festival focusing on horror, thriller, and sci-fi shorts directed by women, there has to be more sequels, right? Etheria Season II, a block of 10… Read More ›
A Conversation with writer/director/actor Donald Wilson. [Real To Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers responsible for some of the official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Donald Wilson, writer/director/actor for The Sound of Silence. The Sound of Silence explores the… Read More ›
A Conversation with director Rebecca Kirsh. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Rebecca Kirsh, the co-director of the short film, A Mind’s Eye. A very personal project for Kirsh, she seeks… Read More ›
A Conversation with writer/director Jim Picariello. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Jim Picariello, the writer/director for The Mushroom Huntress. Jim Picariello is a Real to Reel alumnus, and The… Read More ›
A Conversation with the crew of short film “The Journal.” [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers behind official Real to Reel Film Festival Selections. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with the crew behind the short film The Journal, Including director/actor Sydney Rowlette, DP and editor Connor Thomas, and… Read More ›
A Conversation with director Samantha McLeod. [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers featured in the 21st Annual International Real to Reel Film Festival. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with Samantha McLeod, writer, director, for The Thief. The Thief is a dark, suspenseful short with… Read More ›
A Conversation with the filmmakers of “Mike.” [Real to Reel Film Festival]
“Reel Conversations” highlights filmmakers featured in the 21st Annual International Real to Reel Film Festival. On this episode of “Reel Conversations,” Thomas Manning speaks with filmmakers connected to the short film Mike. Mike is the story on an intellectually challenged… Read More ›