Nòt Film Fest: Day Two
A day of great food, education, cappuccinos, and serious journalistic work from the local Gelateria. Yet another stellar day for Grace and Haylee of CFA Institute.
Festivals
Coverage and insights from the world’s leading film festivals, including HollyShorts, Nòt Film Fest, FilmQuest, and TIFF. Explore interviews, reviews, and behind-the-scenes stories that spotlight filmmakers and their work on the international stage.
Nòt Film Fest: Day One
Grace and Haylee journey to Santarcangelo di Romagna, Italy, traverse the cobblestone streets, enjoy life changing gelato, and attend the opening night screening of Nòt Film Fest.
Hollyshorts 2025: Power of Women Directing
At the HollyShorts Film Festival, top female filmmakers discuss mentorship, advocacy, and systemic barriers in Hollywood, sharing strategies to elevate women behind the camera.
Hollyshorts 2025: Finance and Distribution Opportunities in Africa
The HollyShorts Film Festival hosted a dynamic discussion panel exploring the future of film in Africa, bringing together seasoned industry professionals to shed light on the untapped potential of African audiences and how the global industry can better reach them.
Illuminating Shadows: Marta Erika Antonioli’s "Exposure - The Story of Marco Pesaresi"
"Exposure – The Story of Marco Pesaresi" illuminates the late Italian photographer’s raw vision through archival footage and intimate testimonies, honoring a life shaped by pain, passion, and artistry.
Hollyshorts 2025: A Conversation with Reece Feldman
In this in-depth discussion, Reece Feldman reflects on his rise from viral creator to filmmaker with Wait, Your Car?—a comedy-thriller about four friends and a killer car—while sharing insights on his debut and the new wave of self-made creatives reshaping the industry.
Juan Pablo Daranas Molina’s "Seeds for All!": A Satirical Seed of Identity and Absurdity
At Nòt Film Fest, Juan Pablo Daranas Molina’s "Seeds for All!" satirizes identity politics with sharp humor, following a Latina executive’s unraveling day, all crafted on 16mm by a resourceful five-person crew.
"By The Window": Aglaja Filipovic’s Tender Exploration of Loneliness
At Nòt Film Fest, Aglaja Filipovic’s "By The Window" captures the final night of two best friends with a tender mix of intimacy, magical realism, and indie spirit.
Navigating the Long Day: Markus Johansson’s "Test" Hits the Road
At Nòt Film, Markus Johansson’s "Test" turns the everyday tension of a driving exam into gripping one-take cinema, showcasing how simplicity and inventive craft can deliver powerful storytelling.
“Dagon”: Paolo Gaudio’s Stop-Motion Ode to Lovecraftian Horror
At Nòt Film Fest, Paolo Gaudio’s claymation short "Dagon" reimagines H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos with German expressionism, monster-movie nostalgia, and pure passion for genre cinema.
Hollyshorts 2025: imgn and the AI Frontier
Yaron Klainer, founder and CEO of imgn appears at the 2025 Hollyshorts Panels, guiding filmmakers through his AI-based collaboration platform, mapping out the evolution of technology in film history, while addressing AI concerns.
"Hardcore" Explores Exploitation and Survival in Italy’s Gritty Underbelly
Italian filmmaker Francesco Barozzi’s "Hardcore", selected for Nòt Film Fest, blends raw storytelling with biting social commentary on debt, exploitation, and survival, all realized through fiercely independent filmmaking.
"Bunker Baby" Confronts Parenthood and Ireland’s Housing Crisis
At Nòt Film Fest, Conor McCormick’s "Bunker Baby" transforms the anxieties of moving back home into a surreal, darkly comedic portrait of young parenthood under Ireland’s housing crisis.
"All Roads Lead to Here" Explores Love, Loss, and Human Connection
At Nòt Film Fest 2025, Alexandra Punch’s "All Roads Lead to Here" captures the fragile intimacy of one pivotal night between two people navigating heartbreak and connection.
Between Memory and Metaphor: Marco La Ferrara’s "La Blatta e la Formica"
At Nòt Film Fest, Marco La Ferrara’s "La Blatta e la Formica" (The Cockroach and the Ant) delivers a poetic, nonlinear meditation on Alzheimer’s and the fragile love between a mother and her son.
"Madonna Mia" Reframes Faith and Desire in a Queer Coming-of-Age Tale
At Nòt Film Fest, Valentina Garrett’s "Madonna Mia" transforms Catholic guilt into a playful, heartfelt queer coming-of-age story about love and acceptance.