Bond on Cinema

DAVID TELLES - FREYR Short Film My guest today is David Telles, a Chicano filmmaker from Oakland, California, began his career in documentary film and music videos, mediums that continue to inform his narrative work. He believes stories can serve as medicine, offering audiences new ways of seeing the world. With Freyr, David delivers a daring and emotionally charged debut that underscores the transformative power of storytelling. As an Oscar-qualified film, Freyr stands as both a celebration of artistic vision and a testament to the opportunities fostered by Indeed Rising Voices, now in its fifth season of amplifying bold, underrepresented voices in cinema. Ladies and gentlemen, the Oscar-qualifying short film Freyr, directed by David Telles and based on an original story by Pulitzer Prize finalist Tommy Orange, has premiered at the Academy-recognized HollyShorts Film Festival.  Produced as part of Indeed Rising Voices Season 5, the acclaimed initiative from Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions and Ventureland in partnership with Indeed, Freyr announces Telles as a bold new voice in contemporary cinema. A haunting and poetic story, Freyr follows Frank, born with a third hand growing out of his chest, and Tom, the only person who ever truly saw him. At Frank’s funeral, Tom recounts the unlikely bond they shared, revealing a meditation on otherness, belonging, and the human need for connection. Starring Benairen Kane (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation of North Dakota; descendant of the Hochunk Nation of Wisconsin and Prairie Band Potawatomi), the film resonates as both tender and provocative, exploring how difference can fracture and bind us in equal measure. #film #cinema #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #disabilit #chicano #bondoncinema 

My guest today is Daniel Persitz, the writer/director of the inspiring Oscar-qualified short film Key of Genius, based on the extraordinary true story of a blind, autistic musical savant and the Queen of England's nephew, Derek Paravicini.  The film was also co-written by the Academy Award-winning screenwriter David Seidler (The King’s Speech), the short film explores themes of resilience, brilliance, and human connection. By dramatizing the unlikely but life-changing relationship between Derek and his teacher, the film sheds light on the power of inclusion and the boundless possibilities of neurodiverse individuals. The film’s growing acclaim positions it not only as a powerful cinematic work, but also as an important cultural story about the transformative impact of mentorship and the extraordinary brilliance that can emerge in unexpected ways. Ladies and gentlemen, the inspiring short film Key of Genius, based on the extraordinary true story of a blind, autistic musical savant and the Queen of England's nephew, Derek Paravicini, has officially entered the Oscar-qualifying circuit.  Key of Genius is adapted from In the Key of Genius, the acclaimed biography written by professor and piano teacher Adam Ockelford, which chronicles his life as Derek’s mentor. The film captures the remarkable journey of a young man who, though born blind and autistic, discovered an extraordinary gift for music. It also celebrates the transformative role of mentorship, as Ockelford recognized Derek’s genius and devoted his life to nurturing his talent. This short film is extraordinarily beautiful in so many ways. These are the types of films I live for. Human stories that help us to become better human beings.  KEY OF GENIUS encourages us to become mentors, to look past a disability or even social status and see the gifts, talents and abilities that live in of us and those around us.  The message of this film is simple. We may well hold the key to help someone unlock their genius. Let’s be that someone.  I am going to keep my eye on this film as it makes its run to the Oscars and I want to see this one Shortlisted.  #genius #savant #neurodivergenct #autism #blind #piano #film #cinema #filmmaking #filmmaker #queenofengland #filmdirector #musicteacher #musicschool #cinematography #bondoncinema 

My guest today is acclaimed filmmaker Simon Panay as he unveils The Boy with White Skin, an evocative and haunting short film that weaves a powerful narrative exploring the collision between ancient tradition and modernity deep within the gold mines of West Africa.  This OSCAR-qualified live action short offers a rare and intimate glimpse into a little-known world where myth, sacrifice, and hope are deeply intertwined. With breathtaking cinematography and haunting performances, The Boy with White Skin invites audiences on a mesmerizing journey thro Ladies and gentlemen, The Boy with White Skin follows the story of a young albino boy entrusted by his father to a group of miners. The boy’s voice becomes a sacred tool in a mystical ritual believed to protect those who risk everything beneath the earth’s surface in pursuit of gold. In these gold mines, where myth bleeds into reality, albino children are regarded as possessing otherworldly powers. Their haunting songs, echoing through the darkness, are thought to invoke protection, fortune, and ward off unseen dangers. Through unflinching realism and lyrical storytelling, the film sheds light on a culture often misunderstood, revealing the resilience and spirit of communities shaped by the relentless quest for wealth. The Boy with White Skin is the result of over a decade of research, observation, and artistic evolution. While inspired by a real ritual that Panay was not allowed to film, the story remains firmly rooted in firsthand experience and a deeply personal vision. #albino #senegal #westafrica #goldmining #goldmines #myth #tradition #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproduction #cinema #film #cinematography #bondoncinema  

My guests today are writer/director Erik Jasaň and first AD, Patrik Krivanek and their Oscar-Qualified Short Film THE PROFESSONAL PARENT.  Erik is a Slovak director, screenwriter, and producer whose work addresses sensitive social issues. His debut The Professional Parent received an Honorable Mention at the 44th Thomas Edison Film Festival and was selected by multiple festivals. As a non-film-school student, he directed several short films and supported fellow filmmakers, creating student films under his direction that were included in official selections qualifying for the OSCARS.  Patrik Krivanek is a London- and Prague-based film and TV director, producer, and screenwriter. He explores diverse genres and creates visually and character-driven stories that are entertaining, socially relevant, and thought-provoking. Patrik is a member of BAFTA, BFI, ISA, and RTS. He has worked in assistant and executive roles on projects ranging from shorts to major features and high-end TV, collaborating with Academy Award, BAFTA, and Emmy winners including Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman. Ladies and gentlemen, THE PROFESSIONAL PARENT is not only about professional care but also about moral choices within a system that offers few alternatives.  It is a story that reveals how society actually works, showing that people who think they are not racist often expose their prejudices in everyday life. The film also reflects on how inflation and poverty push families into situations where morality becomes a luxury. It is a sad and cruel reality, not only in Slovakia. The main character, Ingrid, at first appears to be a loving mother willing to cross moral boundaries—working in a grocery store during the day and prostituting herself at night to give her biological child a better life. Her intentions seem sincere, but gradually, as the story unfolds, her hidden racism comes to light, and Ingrid transforms into an anti-heroine. This is film is powerful and emotional. It shows us that in life, we have choices to make, both for ourselves and for others.  Those choices can test us and can reveal our true selves. THE PROFESSIONAL PARENT is lesson to all of us. We can all be better people, by simply treating those around us equally.  #slovakia #professionalparent #fostercare #fosterparents #film #cinema #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmproduction #filmdirector #cinematographer #cinematography #filmcomposer #parenting #bondoncinema  

My guest today is BAFTA-winning actor and producer Letitia Wright, making a powerful directing debut with her short film, Highway to the Moon. This emotional drama confronts the devastating impact of knives crime, aiming to raise crucial awareness about real-life issues. The conversation explores her inspiration, the film's message, and its significance in addressing societal challenges. #filmmaker #shortfilm #interview #movie #bondoncinema #film #filmmaking #cinematography #oscars #academyawards #youthv #youthvoices #treanding

My guest today is Jessica Rowlands, a two-time UCLA Screenwriting Award winner, spent much of her childhood between London and Zimbabwe, a place that remains a source of deep connection and inspiration.  Her newest short film RISE, is the culmination of her three-year collaboration with Zimbabwean artists and communities, a film with Zimbabwe in its very DNA - from the landscapes of Victoria Falls to the creative team who brought it to life. It is both a celebration of overlooked voices and a call to protect the youngest and most vulnerable among us, reminding us that a little belief in a little person can go a long way. With its celebration of found family, its insistence that no child be left unseen, and its message that belief and community can transform lives, RISE is more than a film -it is a call to courage, protection, and connection carried onto the world’s most prestigious stage. Ladies and gentlemen, RISE was written and directed by Jessica Rowlands and filmed entirely in Zimbabwe with an all-African cast and crew, RISE is inspired by the extraordinary true story of Tobias Mupfuti, a boxing coach who transformed his own difficult childhood into a lifelong mission: to see and uplift children often overlooked.  Through his academy and orphanage in Victoria Falls, Mupfuti has built a community where no child is unseen, creating a found family bound together by belief, support, and joy in the face of adversity. His close involvement in the filmmaking process brings authenticity and emotional truth to every frame. At the heart of the story is breakout child actor Sikhanyiso Ngwenya, discovered through street casting at just eight years old, whose performance radiates vulnerability, strength, and hope. His work earned him Zimbabwe’s National Arts Merit Award (NAMA) for Outstanding Actor, making him the youngest winner in the award’s history.  The moment this film was revealed to the world, the whispers of the Oscars had already began. A story of inspiration and encouragement to millions, if not billions of people from around the world. RISE shows us that one person can make a difference.  Everything about this film is fantastic, the story, the cinematography, the music score and sound mixing and yes, the award winning performances of both Sikhanyiso Ngwenya and Tongayi Chirisa bring this true story of boxing coach Tobias Mupfuti to life.  #zimbabwe #actors #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #boxing #inspiration #encouragement #facingfear #motivation #discipline #film #cinema #bondoncinema #oscars #academyawards   

My guest today is Scottish-Norwegian filmmaker Iain Forbes and his Oscar-qualified short film AFTER DARK.  The film was Oscar-qualified after winning Best International Short Film at the Foyle Film Festival in 2024, cementing Forbes’ reputation as one of Scandinavia’s most exciting emerging directors. Iain graduated from the Norwegian Film School, his short Revisited won a Student Academy Award in 2023. His latest film After Dark continues his run of acclaimed shorts, following Snowman and Semper Fi.  Iain also brings extensive experience as a first assistant director on Norwegian feature films including Disco, Knerten og Sjøormen, and Dancing Queen in Hollywood. The award-winning short film After Dark, confronts the unsettling questions that arise when empathy collides with fear, prejudice, and survival instinct. Ladies and gentlemen, the award-winning short film After Dark, confronts the unsettling questions that arise when empathy collides with fear, prejudice, and survival instinct. On his way home one night, Kristian encounters a young woman in desperate need of help. He agrees to accompany her to the train station, but as the night unfolds, he begins questioning both her story and himself. Through this tense and intimate encounter, After Dark explores the contradictions of human behavior, where compassion clashes with fear, and kindness is tested by preconceptions.  This film will get you thinking and actually shows us signs that we could be overlooking when someone reaches out to us for help. It all comes down to discernment and using wisdom. Even a good hearted person can be taken advantage of in these circumstances.  #stranger #film #cinema #shortfilm #filmmaker #filmmaking #trending #humanbehavior #filmdirector #oscars #academyawards #scotland #norway #preconceptions #prejudice #fear

Hannah Kathryn Kelso, a BAFTA and BIFA nominated writer from the small, rural community of Alloa in the east of Scotland. They graduated from NFTS in 2021, and their pilot script ‘The Velvet Teddies’ which was nominated for the All3Media New Drama Script Award. Kelso co-wrote the standout short film ‘Night of the Living Dread’ which received the nomination for BAFTA Best British Short Animation in 2022, and British Independent Film Awards Best Short in 2022, and there is interest in it as a feature. They were also shortlisted for BAFTAs prestigious Rocliffe TV comedy writing competition for their comedy pilot ‘Mooncats’ , and Kelso is a Warner Bros Creative Scholar and a Donald Dewar Arts Awardee. Kelso’s newest short, FIRST TIMER, is about a caregiver named Meghan and her first week on the job as a home carer. She's left alone to visit the elderly Bonnie who has a refreshing, yet challenging approach to her personal care. Ladies and gentlemen, Kelso’s newest short, FIRST TIMER, is about a caregiver named Meghan and her first week on the job as a home carer. She's left alone to visit the elderly Bonnie who has a refreshing, yet challenging approach to her personal care. This film is endearing on so many levels. It was such a joy to watch even though it ends on a bit of a sad note, we aren’t left with a feeling of sadness. We’re left with the feeling that we should all pay more attention to the older generation. Learn to interact with them, learn from them and even gain some wisdom from them.  Bonnie, even left Meghan with a few words of that wisdom, by saying, “You just keep going.” And many of you need to hear that, regardless of what happens in life, just keep going.  Kelso went bold by filming in 16mm, something I’m lucky enough to see once or twice a year. Real film adds a different feel to the story and in this case, it’s used to compliment the time period in which Bonnie has also lived. And she filmed life in full Technicolor.  The cinematography is bright, joyful and refreshing and complements the life of Bonnie, as well as again the words of wisdom she gave to Meghan. #caregiver #homecare #friendship #generational #film #cinema #scotland #bondoncinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproduction #16mmfilm #16mm #kodak #cinephile 

Liz Rao - THE TRUCK Short Film My guest today is filmmaker Liz Rao and her debut Oscar-qualified live action short film “The Truck”. Academy Award®-winner Spike Lee and acclaimed actor-director Joan Chen have boarded the coming-of-age thriller as executive producers, lending high-profile support as the film entered post-production. Set against the simmering anxieties of post-Roe America, “The Truck” follows a Chinese American teenager and her boyfriend as they attempt to buy the morning-after pill in a small town where reproductive rights are contested and quietly policed. Liz Rao is a Brooklyn-based Screenwriter and Director. “The Truck” World-Premiered at Telluride, screened at MoMA, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Oscar-qualifying Florida Film Festival, won Best Screenplay at Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, screening in more than 50 festivals and counting, worldwide.  With Lee and Chen now championing her debut, “The Truck” is positioned as one of the year’s most anticipated indie breakouts, poised to ignite conversations around autonomy, identity, and the quiet horrors of coming of age in a country where choice is no longer a given. Ladies and gentlemen, Liz Rao’s THE TRUCK is tense, emotional and can be somewhat polarizing in a landscape that is constantly changing in America. Regardless, of what side of the aisle you are on in America, we are still dishing out judgement, even racism across our country.  The simple act of looking for the morning after pill can make some people feel they are wearing a scarlet letter and this topic isn’t going away anytime soon.  #morningafterpill #teenlove #americana #shortfilm #film #cinema #spikelee #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproducer #oscars #academyawards 

Em & Selma Go Griffin Hunting is a Depression Era coming-of-age fable, set in an alternate 1930s where there exists a long-standing cultural paradigm that mothers take their adolescent daughters on a sacred rite-of-passage hunt to slay a mythical beast under maternal supervision.  From start of pre-production to the film’s premiere at Sundance 2025 (as one of just 21 US Narrative Shorts Films) was a painstaking four-plus year journey that enlisted a hand-picked team of international VFX artists whose collective filmographies span Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, LOTR and Avatar universes.  These talented artists worked on weekends and after-hours to slowly bring a big vision to the screen on a very small indie-film budget, where the biggest currency was time and patience.   Ladies and gentlemen, Alex Thompson’s Oscar-qualifying short film EM & SELMA GO GRIFFIN HUNTING is a Depression Era coming-of-age fable, set in an alternate 1930s where there exists a long-standing cultural paradigm that mothers take their adolescent daughters on a sacred rite-of-passage hunt to slay a mythical beast under maternal supervision. On this hunt, daughter Em (Hereditary breakout & Tony-winner Milly Shapiro) doesn’t see eye-to-eye with mother Selma’s (Pollyanna McIntosh, AMC's Walking Dead) dogmatic adherence to darker aspects of this ritual, and tensions soon boil over. The team behind Em & Selma set out to craft a dark, poetic fairy tale with an underlying transgressive streak and arthouse filmmaking sensibilities to balance out its broader fantastic elements.  When I first saw this film, it blew me away because it was black and white, more of a noir-look which adds so much depth to the characters, the landscape, but also the story. The story is dark too.  The visual effects and cinematography are stunning and they should be when you have visual effects artist who have worked on Superman, The Marvels and even Avatar.  The story itself as I said is dark. The interactions between Em and Selma tell a much deeper story and one I was not expecting. It’s like watching three short films in one. You have the Griffin creature and the tiny flying ones, you a mother taking her daughter on a hunt as a right of passage, but Selma’s backstory starts to come into view in a very dark metaphorical way. Everything about this film was brilliant. Add actresses Pollyanna McIntosh from The Walking Dead and new actress Milly Shapiro, and you have a stunning film.  I could go on and on about this film and only one of two absolute original short films this year that dared to go all out with the storytelling and cinematography.  Took four years to make this film and it was worth the wait.  #fairytale #blackandwhitefilm #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproducer #cinema #cinematography #vfx #thewalkingdead #animation #drama #oscars #academyawards 

Ladies and gentlemen, Marnie Blok’s Oscar-qualified short BEYOND SILENCE is emotionally powerful and that’s not a strong enough description of her film.  Beyond Silence stars Henrianne Jansen, a deaf actress making her breathtaking screen debut. The film tells the story of two women — one who has remained voiceless for over three decades, and another just beginning to reclaim her voice — offering a visceral exploration of generational trauma, resilience, and the act of speaking truth after years of silence. With its authentic portrayal of deaf experience and its resonance with movements like #MeToo, Beyond Silence has become a touchstone for conversations about empowerment, representation, and healing.  Very powerful performances by Sigrid ten Napel and Tamar van den Dop, added depth and nuance to the film’s intimate narrative.  BEYOND SILENCE proves you can film in one room, with only 2-3 actors and tell a story that will move audiences.  The cinematography is spot on perfect, the colorization of the film with blues, greens and whites with a bit of a muted tone adds to the powerful narrative.  To all the Academy members, BEYOND SILENCE should be Shortlisted without question and I will leave it at that.  #oscars #academyawards #deafactress #film #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproducer #cinema #cinematography #deaf #silence #metoo #sexualassault #bondoncinema 

My guest today is part of the acclaimed directing duo, Zhang & Knight, Linden Feng and the Oscar-qualified short film A BEAR REMEMBERS. Their film won the Canal+ Prize and Best European Film at Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, and the Jury Prize for Drama at Aspen Shortsfest. The film has since appeared at major international festivals including Telluride, Hollyshorts, and Bolton International Film Festival. Blending lyrical visual storytelling with deep cultural resonance, A Bear Remembers is a haunting meditation on generational memory, myth, and the quiet, invisible forces that linger in the spaces between. A Bear Remembers marks the narrative debut of Zhang & Knight, a London-based directing duo whose soulful work explores themes of cultural identity through folklore. Known for their award-winning music videos and commercials, their distinctively dreamlike style has earned international acclaim. This film represents their transition into longform storytelling, and they are currently developing their debut feature project. Ladies and gentlemen, A Bear Remembers is a haunting meditation on generational memory, myth, and the quiet, invisible forces that linger in the spaces between. Set in a remote village nestled among hills steeped in myth, the film follows Peter, played by Lewis Cornay, a curious local boy who becomes fixated on a strange sound echoing through the valley. His search leads him to Ebba, played by Anna Calder-Marshall, an elderly woman whose long-buried childhood memory of a legendary bear spirit is suddenly reawakened. As Peter shares found footage with her, the boundary between past and present begins to blur, calling forth something ancient and powerful. I love this short film. You feel the curiosity of the young boy and you feel the emotion and memory of Ebba as she thinks back to a time of meeting the mystical bear. T he wonderment is expanded when Peter gets to relive Ebba’s memory and encounter with the bear from her childhood. A perfect story where we see one generational memory handed over to the new generation. #film #cinema #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproducer #cinematographer #mystical #mystery #bear #Wales #UK #bondoncinema #cinephile #oscars #academyawards 

My guest today is filmmaker and actor Tom Koch. Raised between the South of France and London, Tom Koch turned childhood struggles with asthma into a creative drive that ultimately led him to New York, where he founded Mes Films en Couleur, a production company dedicated to telling true stories with a twist. His Oscar-qualified short film OLIVE, starring Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress Lesley Ann Warren, is making waves on the festival circuit that examines the fragility of memory and the enduring power of love through the disorienting lens of Alzheimer’s. OLIVE has already garnered international recognition, winning the Silver Screen at the Young Director Awards in Cannes and Best Short Film at Sidewalk 2025, while earning a nomination for Best Live Action Short at Flickers Rhode Island International 2025. The film has appeared at prestigious festivals including Hollyshorts, Walla Walla Movie Crush, Cordillera International, New York Shorts International, as well as the Global Drama Project. Ladies and gentlemen, Tom Koch’s short OLIVE examines the fragility of memory and the enduring power of love through the disorienting lens of Alzheimer’s. There are so many adjectives I could place on this film. It’s beautiful, surreal, heartbreaking, brilliant, stunning, what can you say? OLIVE is an award winning film that truly represents the millions of caregivers around the world taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s. It’s never-ending around the clock care and Tom’s film OLIVE expresses every important element of that caregiving and he shows it with great love. We all need to keep our eye on this film this Oscar season. #filmmaker #shortfilm #interview #cinema #film #bondoncinema #filmmaking #cinematography #dementia #alzheimer #lovestory

My guest today is Christopher Stenbocken, a talented film director whose Oscar-qualified short film, 'The Thief,' is making waves. His journey from East Greenland to Copenhagen, beautifully captured in a travel documentary, showcases his unique approach to filmmaking. This insightful discussion explores his creative process and the impact of his Greenlandic roots on his projects, highlighting the meticulous cinematography and dedication to film production. His short, THE THIEF was selected for the 75th Berlin International Film Festival in the Generation Kplus competition, where it electrified audiences with its fresh voice and raw emotional immediacy.  Winner of the Best Danish Fiction Award at Odense IFF 2025, an extraordinary feat for the first short ever produced in East Greenland. Ladies and gentlemen, Christoffer Stenbakken’s Oscar-qualified short film THE THIEF is the most authentic film in 2025. He went back to his hometown in East Greenland and filmed with non-actors, used improvised dialogue, including a young performer from special education whose quiet intensity grounds the story. It becomes a vivid portrait of adolescence at the edge of the world, told by a community rarely seen on-screen. This film is so beautiful on so many levels and I’m not talking about the vast landscape of Greenland. It’s beautiful because it is so authentic. The film has emotional depth that truly comes natural, not forced or acted from a script.  This is the truest art of filmmaking and Christoffer Stenbakken has dared to do what many won’t do. THE THIEF is the definition of authentic filmmaking. It’s not wonder it is in the running for the Oscar shortlist.  #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproduction #Greenland #dogsledding #bondoncinema #cinema #cinemtography #shortfilm #shortfilms #film 

My guest today is Hedda Mjøen, a writer and director from Oslo, Norway. She is known for confronting controversial and ethically charged subjects in her work, from racism and religion to sexual violence and mental illness. With her Oscar-qualified short MERCY, she does not offer easy answers but instead challenges audiences to step into Guro’s shoes, leaving them with lingering questions about instinct, conscience, and moral uncertainty. That is the piercing question at the heart of MERCY. The film premiered at the 48th Norwegian Short Film Festival, where it won the Oscar-qualifying Best Norwegian Short Award, propelling it into the conversation for the 98th Academy Awards. Ladies and gentlemen, Hedda Mjøen’s MERCY is about a chance encounter in a supermarket with Guro, a woman who sees her estranged best friend Petter, who stands accused of rape. Guro is thrust into a harrowing moral dilemma: should she stand by him, risking her own reputation and sense of self, or sever the tie, abandoning someone she once trusted most? The film’s stark, unflinching narrative examines the fragile line between loyalty and judgment, forcing audiences to wrestle with uncomfortable questions about friendship, stigma, and how quickly trust fractures under accusation. Hedda puts the audience in the middle of what would you sacrifice. Your reputation? Your Beliefs, Your closest bond? What would you do when you’re confronted with a friend accused of an unforgivable crime? Hedda wrote and directed a perfect story. This is the first time someone was bold enough to bring a story like this one to life on film. I have the same mindset to look at both sides, but we become rare individuals in today’s society when everyone is choosing sides without knowing all the facts. The camera work and cinematography of MERCY places us into each of the character’s mindset. We are watching our own thoughts come into view through each one in the film. We feel the confusion, the uneasy feeling, the anger, the grace, the feeling of trying to be subjective when everyone else is yelling to get their point of view across to the others. MERCY is pronounced as Nåde in Norwegian, but in any language this film is superb filmmaking. And no wonder it is Oscar-qualified. #film #cinema #bondoncinema #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproducer #mercy #accused #friendship #morality 

Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo is based in Texas and his work focuses on intimate, character-driven narratives. He is a Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Directing Fellow and recipient of the NewNarratives Filmmaker Grant through NewFilmmakers LA and Warner Bros,. Discovery.  His previous film, Manos de Oro, screened at Oscar-qualifying festivals including HollyShorts, LA Shorts International, and LALIFF, and won Best Short Film at Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today. His newest short, the award-winning short film The Mourning Of has officially qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards, marking a milestone in its remarkable journey through international film festivals. THE MOURNING OF, is a story about a young woman who has been mourning the tragic loss of her mother in the most peculiar way imaginable- by secretly attending the funerals of strangers. After weeks of lying and searching for solace through the grief of others, her inability to move on finally catches up with her. Written and directed by Mexican-American filmmaker Merced Elizondo, The Mourning Of tells the story of Maribel, a young woman mourning the tragic loss of her mother in an unusual way—by secretly attending the funerals of strangers.  As she searches for solace through the grief of others, her fragile coping mechanism unravels, forcing her to confront the weight of absence, memory, and reconciliation. The film is both a meditation on the unspoken rituals of grief and a study of how families carry pain across generations. With restrained yet deeply emotional storytelling, The Mourning Of illuminates the resilience and fragility of family bonds, and the enduring power of memory to sustain love. With a deeply personal voice and perspective, The Mourning Of also stands out as a rare Oscar-qualifying short that is both Latino-led and independently produced in the United States - made entirely in Texas, by and with members of the Latino community.  At a time when Latino representation remains disproportionately low in major awards campaigns, the film’s ascent into Oscar consideration represents a significant and inspiring milestone. It’s a story rooted in cultural specificity but resonant with anyone who has ever experienced loss, memory, or the unspoken complexities of family. Overall, this film moves you. The acting is true, authentic of someone dealing with grief and trying to find a way to move on.  The cinematography is as good as any top feature film and the camera work is an absolute joy to watch.  We will all learn and take something away from this film and that the greatest gift of all in film. THE MOURNING OF is an award winning film and I can see why, so make sure you see this film.  #shortfilm #oscars #academyawards #cinema #film #mourning #grief #grieving #loss #funerals #funeral #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproducer #cinephile #texasfilm #mexicanamerican #latino #latinofilm

My guests today are McKinley and Mackenzie Benson, and their Oscar-qualified animated short film TWO SHIPS. McKinley Benson is a filmmaker and alumnus of the Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television. He is a director, producer, and writer responsible for dozens of narrative shorts, television pilots, and documentaries, screening at Oscar-qualifying festivals around the world and garnering three Emmy awards.  In 2017, McKinley co-founded the independent production studio Room 330, dedicated to high-quality, storyteller-driven projects. Over the course of his career, he has had the pleasure of working with companies such as Netflix, Amazon Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, Paramount, and XYZ Films.  Two Ships marks McKinley’s first animated film, which he is grateful to be producing in partnership with the Oscar-nominated production cooperative COLA Animation. Mackenzie Benson is a photographer and alumnus of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography.  She is currently working as a freelance photographer, retoucher, and color specialist. Her portfolio combines soft, ethereal tones with bold contrasts, capturing the unique character of her subjects in both color and black and white.  This sensibility extends to the visual style of Two Ships, which marks Mackenzie’s first venture into filmmaking and animation. Ladies and gentlemen, TWO SHIPS is an intimate, slice-of-life tale following Mason and Sam - a couple madly in love but divided by space and time. Sam works a typical day job, while Mason works overnights. They live together but lead vastly separate lives, rarely crossing paths - like two ships passing in the night.  However, in their few spare moments at home, while the other partner is still sleeping, Sam and Mason manage to find ways to connect and show affection, even during their difficult circumstances. In doing so, their love seems to transcend space and time, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.  TWO SHIPS celebrates the beauty of the mundane and chronicles the challenges of navigating an ‘opposite shift’ relationship - one that is not often depicted in cinema.  This is the type of animated short that not only wins awards, but it could very well go all the way to Oscar night.  #animatedshort #animation #shortfilm #film #cinema #oscars #academyawards #filmmaker #filmmaking #graphicdesign #soundmixing #filmscore #bondoncinema

Yoshi Barrigas is an American actor and musician recognized for his work in television and film. He gained international attention for his portrayal of Philip the Apostle in the globally acclaimed series The Chosen. Yoshi made his Hollywood debut on The Big Bang Theory and has appeared in Criminal Minds, Six, and played the lead role in the feature film Forty-Seven Days with Jesus (2024).  He has worked alongside industry veterans including Brad Pitt and Walton Goggins. Going by the name YŌSH, Barrigas writes, produces and performs music, blending cinematic emotion with a distinct alternative sound. He stars in the new film documentary, Remi Milligan: Lost Director that explores the life of Remi Milligan, a filmmaker known for genre-defying, cult films. It delves into his unique style, the toll on his personal life, and the mystery of his 2006 disappearance. Ladies and gentlemen,  Remi Milligan: Lost Director is an in-depth documentary that explores the life and work of Remi Milligan, an underground filmmaker whose eccentric vision and low-budget productions left an indelible mark on the fringes of cinema.  Remi Milligan became a controversial figure in the world of independent filmmaking, known for his provocative themes and boundary-pushing storytelling. His films, which often delved into schlocky horror and sleazy genre territory, were produced on shoestring budgets yet managed to capture the imaginations of a growing cult following.  Movies like Killer Pencil and Satsuman might not have made it to the mainstream, but they became beloved among niche audiences for their raw, audacious creativity and unapologetic defiance of conventional cinematic standards. The documentary features exclusive interviews with Milligan's closest family members, friends, and collaborators, each offering unique insights into the man behind the camera.  Through their accounts, viewers gain a deeper understanding of Milligan's relentless passion for filmmaking and the toll it took on his personal life. His health and relationships suffered greatly as he became consumed by his projects, often working in isolation and rejecting more commercial avenues in favor of staying true to his controversial vision. In addition to exploring his filmography, Remi Milligan: Lost Director investigates the circumstances surrounding his mysterious disappearance in 2006.  #cultfilms #remimilligan #mockumentary #documentary #film #cinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproduction #animation #filmography #bondoncinema

My guest today is award-winning Quebec filmmaker Pier-Philippe Chevigny and his powerful Oscar-qualified short film Mercenaire.  His film Oscar-qualified short MERCENAIRE premiered at Toronto International Film Festival, went on to win the Special Jury Award at the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival and has already been selected for 74+ festivals and won 13 prestigious awards. MERCENAIRE is about ex-con hired by a pig slaughterhouse through a social re-integration program, and he desperately tries to find another job while repressing his inner violence. Ladies and gentlemen, Mercenaire follows David played by Marc-Andre’-Grondin, a young man newly released from prison for a murder committed in murky circumstances. Desperate for stability, he reluctantly accepts the only job available through a social reinsertion program, working on a pig slaughterhouse line.  As he endures the cruelty inflicted on animals and the escalating aggression of his co-workers, David must resist the violent impulses he fears will define him forever. In a workplace where killing is normalized, human and animal alike, the threat of losing his hard-won freedom grows dangerously close. Pier-Philippe Chevigny Oscar-qualified short MERCENAIRE is full of tension and drama, but this film goes much deeper than that.  MERCENAIRE is about humanity and about second chances. Just because one is released from prison only means they are physically free. One’s mindset and emotions are still caged, because society hasn’t changed their mindset as well.  MERCENAIRE is brilliantly written and directed. Each member of the cast bring top performances and they are so good you may forget they are actors and actually slaughterhouse workers.  MERCENAIRE rightly deserves to be Oscar-qualified and is aiming for the coveted Shortlist. It has all the elements of superb storytelling.  #prisonreform #shortfilm #quebec #canada #canadian #filmfestival #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #slaughterhouse #cinema #bondoncinema #cinematography #filmproduction #humanity

My guests today are Daood AL-Lab-dulaa and Louse Zenker and their Oscar-qualified short film WALUD.  Daood Alabdulaa, born in the Syrian desert in 1994, and after fleeing Syria in 2014, he sought asylum in Germany and now studies directing at HFF Munich, focusing on Middle Eastern social issues. Louise Zenker, also born in 1994, grew up in a village in southern Germany. After earning a Master's in Communication Sciences, she began working in German television in 2019.  In 2021, she started studying feature film directing at HFF Munich.. Zenker has collaborated with Alabdulaa on both documentary and fiction projects, including Fata Morgana. WALUD, a short film co-directed by Daood Alabdulaa and Louise Zenker, has officially qualified for the 2026 Academy Awards and continues its successful international festival run. Set in the rural Syrian desert during the height of ISIS control, the film is a stark, visually striking exploration of womanhood, power, and survival under extreme patriarchy. Ladies and gentlemen, the Oscar-Qualified short filmWALUD, co-directed by Daood Alabdulaa and Louise Zenker, is set in the rural Syrian desert during the height of ISIS control, the film is a stark, visually striking exploration of womanhood, power, and survival under extreme patriarchy. In 2014, Amuna lives in isolation with her husband, ISIS fighter Aziz. When he brings home a second wife, Alina, a young European convert, Amuna’s fragile world begins to unravel. WALUD explores infertility, female social dependence, and the emotional complexities of life under oppressive systems. Its title, an Arabic word meaning “able to give life,” underscores the film’s central theme of female fertility. WALUD is tense, it is heartbreaking, it will make you feel angry, empathy, sympathy and compassion all at the same time.  In your current world, women are being attacked and judged and there is no reason for it. WALUD shows us that there are parts of our world in which the treatment of women and their womanhood harken back to the medieval times and it’s 2025.  WALUD contains all the elements of an award winning film. The writing is excellent, the acting is stellar and you feel every thought and emotion of the characters. The cinematography is beautiful, even when the setting is the stark terrain of the Syrian desert.  Everyone needs to see this film and this film needs to be shown before the United Nations. Women of all races, cultures and religions should be celebrated, not regulated down or treated like a subspecies.  #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #womandhood #infertility #patriarchy #syria #shortfilm #oscars #academyawards #cinema #film #bondoncinema #cinematography