Bond on Cinema

Oscar-Qualified Short SPIRIT OF PLACE: Sometimes What You're Looking For Finds You

Ladies and gentlemen, Jack Cooper Stimpson’s Oscar-qualifying short SPIRIT OF PLACE, Athel and Edward enjoy visiting the wetlands. It offers them a sense of escape and much needed respite from life in the city. Edward likes watching the birds, whilst Athel seems to enjoy what the environment gives her emotionally. This is a place they both rely on. But, when Athel discovers an ancient artifact in the water, she is forced to reexamine her entire relationship with this place she loves. A meditation on access to nature, identity and even Wellington boots.
The cinematography of this short film is beautiful. The colors are vibrant and airy. Giving you the feeling of the freshness of being outdoors and being one with nature. The use of the sun flares and the natural sounds of nature move us along the story of Edward, Athel and the man standing in the water. It’s beautiful film with a beautiful and poignant story of getting a fresh perspective of self-discovery.
Jack Cooper Stimpson, who is an award-winning writer, director and environmental campaigner from South London. He trained with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and has since written and directed numerous features, short films and pieces for TV.
In 2018, Jack wrote, directed and produced ‘Alex’s Dream’, starring Alex Lawther and Emma Corrin.
The following year, he wrote and directed the political satire ‘Extinction’, starring Academy Award winner Emma Thompson. Jack developed ‘Extinction’ into a six-part series for BBC Studios and directed his first feature-length project, ‘Way Down Bundy’, in Los Angeles for No Good Films.
#oscars #academyawards #shortfilms #filmmaking #filmmakers #filmdirector #cinema #cinematography #wetlands #friendship #discovery #selfdiscovery #screenwriter #london #england 

Short Film: DIARY OF A GHOST Explores the Impact of Grief on the Human Psyche, Personal Experience of Silently Dealing with Pain, Scars, and the quiet struggle for Acceptance

Ladies and gentlemen, 1 in 4 people in the UK suffer from mental health problems, with a particular spike in young women. Only 1 in 3 affected are actively seeking treatment.
What exactly grief does to the human body and mind isn’t fully understood yet. It’s an experience everybody goes through at some point in their lives and even though we all do, we often do so alone. Prolonged grief disorder is a persistent and disabling form of grief and a fairly unexplored condition.
Diary of a Ghost delves into the poignant odyssey of Sage, a young woman grappling with the profound loss of her first love, Riley.
A year after his passing, Sage retreats into isolation within her grandmother's house, where eccentric behaviors and an immersive diary paint a portrait of her struggle. In this self-imposed seclusion, the diary becomes a portal to an imaginary realm where Riley's ghost persists, a manifestation of Sage's pain. But the diary's pages are linked to a deadline—once the final chapter is written, Riley will depart, forcing Sage to face an unaltered reality. As she battles her own constructed world, the arrival of her estranged friend Hailey adds a new dimension to Sage's emotional turmoil.
Diary of a Ghost explores the impact of grief on the human psyche, delving into the universal yet uniquely personal experience of silently dealing with pain, scars, and the quiet struggle for acceptance.
Director Carrie Hajny who has with a particular interest in portraying narratives that explore the themes of coming of age, human connection and mental health in film.
Her first short film LAST DANCE premiered at the 2019 Underwire Film Festival in London where it was nominated for best U25 production. Since then, her visually distinct style has led to collaborations with brands and artists such as Puma, Tinder, Dua Lipa, Red Bull Racing, Barbour and Amazon.
#shortfilms #redbullracing #amazon #puma #dualipa #tinder #grief #suicideawareness #griefcounseling #counseling #imagination #imaginary #diary #mentalhealth #mentalillness #cinema #cinematography #storytelling #filmdirector 

Oscar-Qualified Short MUSCAT: Interview & Film Breakdown with Writer/Director Philippe Grenier

Ladies and gentlemen, MUSCAT was inspired by a story told to Grenier by his grandmother, with the ending of the film mirroring the heartbreaking travel experience of her distant cousin.
The Philippe found it necessary to tell the story through the fictional character of Samir, a young homosexual boy coming to terms with his sexuality in a country where gay individuals are still harshly persecuted.
Philippe Grenier, as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, recognizes his privilege, living in a country where he is free to love whoever he wants and feels it is his goal to bring more divisive stories such as MUSCAT to the screen and to defend the rights of the LGTBQIA+ community.
The cinematography of MUSCAT is very cinematic and the colorization from scene to scene moves with grace and adds to the telling the story of Samir, who struggles with his sexuality in a community that frowns upon homosexuality. Many people around the world can truly relate to Samir’s struggles of identity and seeks the freedom to live beyond his current location.
Philippe Grenier, known as a director of Premier Trio’s TV series broadcasted on Radio-Canada - for which he won the Gémeaux Award for Best Directing and Best Youth Program in 2024.
#shortfilms #oscars #academyawards #muscat #LGBTQ #identity #morocco #canadian #cinema #filmmakers #filmmaking #screenwriter #cinematography #storytelling 

Actor Arkie Kandola Talks HOW TO DIE ALONE on HULU and more!

My guest today is actor Arkie Kandola, who stars in two TV series that have premiered this fall --- Natasha Rothwell’s How to Die Alone on Hulu and Chicken Sisters on Hallmark’s rebranded streaming platform.
The Canadian-born actor and producer, first appeared on screen in 2013 after being featured in a national Vitamin Water commercial alongside Steve Nash. He subsequently established a YouTube channel which has garnered over 22 million views.
Arkie has amassed credits in film & television including Fox's “Prison Break,” Freeform's “Siren,” CBS's “The Twilight Zone,” NBC's “Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist,” the award-winning comedy “Our Big Punjabi Family” and Universal's feature film, “Easter Sunday” with Jo Koy.
In addition to acting, Arkin Kandola is also a Partner at BMA Films, alongside Brandon Jay Mclaren & Max Topplin. The trio are in development with their first feature "The Book," which is a Canada-India co-production.
#punjabi #indian #india #canada #HULU #streaming #actor #filmproducer #filmmaking #filmmakers #cinema #acting #actorslife #thetwilightzone #NBC #fox #freeform #hallmark #lifetime 

Oscar-Qualified Short A GOOD DAY WILL COME with Writer/Director Amir Zargara: Interview/Film Breakdown Discussion

Ladies and gentlemen, director Amir Zargara’s Oscar-qualified short, A GOOD DAY WILL COME is the heartbreaking story of Arash, a professional wrestler with dreams of representing his country and winning gold medals. The country is in turmoil and its people are suffering. Arash must decide between using his platform to stand up to tyranny, or put his head down and remain silent.
 
This incredible film was inspired by real events and is dedicated to Navid Afkari, an Iranian wrestler who was sentenced to death and executed after a wrongful conviction during the 2018 Iranian protests. Afkari once said “Our only power lies in our united voice.”
A GOOD DAY WILL COME’s cinematography is one of excellence. The casting was perfect, the location gives you the sense that you are in Iran. The coloring is cold and lifeless which is what it should be to signify life under a tyrannical regime. The only way to bring life back into the lives living under such a regime would be to spill blood.
Even though Amir chose not to show the torture scenes, you do feel the brutality through the use of the audio and he gives us the glimpse of the aftermath of that torture. Freedom comes at a price and those who pay the price have chosen to spill their own blood so we can all be free.
A GOOD DAY WILL COME, the very words we must hold close and believe in our heart that in many places in the world, a good day will come.
Amir Zargara, an Iranian-Canadian writer and director, whose unique perspective is shaped by the cultural mosaic of Iran and Canada.
His journey, characterized by the resilience of an immigrant and the challenges of living with a stutter, deeply influences his approach to filmmaking. His films delve into the moral complexities faced by individuals, focusing on the gray areas of human character and advocating for empathy over judgment. His latest film A GOOD DAY WILL COME has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Academy Awards. 
#shortfilms #shortfilm #oscars #academyawards #interview #talkshow #filmbreakdown #filmreview #wrestling #sports #Iran #filmmaking #filmmakers #filmdirector #screenswriter #cinema #cinematography

Why Tamika Lamison's SUPERMAN Short Film Breakdown is a Game Changer

Ladies and gentlemen, SUPERMAN DOESN’T STEAL is an emotional coming-of-age story set during the 1970s Atlanta Child Murders. The film takes us through the eyes of 8-year-old Harriet, who is as fascinated with superheroes as is her older brother Jackson. However, when they experience a troubling series of events that impact their family, leaving emotional scars and causing them both to grow up fast, they must redefine their definitions of heroes, villains, themselves- and yes- even Superman.
This short film, SUPERMAN DOESN’T STEAL for me is finding the hidden jewel amongst the hundreds of Oscar-qualified films this season. If you haven’t seen it you have got to see it. I encourage all the Academy members to take a serious look at this film.
The storyline brings so much for us to explore. I call it perfection. The cinematography captures the 1979 time period to again, perfection. Not one detail was missed and being one who was born in Atlanta, the location and decor took me back to my own grandparents home. I’m from the Dunwoody area of Atlanta, so the moment I saw the homes, I was back in the 70s again.
I will say it again and again, SUPERMAN DOESN’T STEAL is the hidden jewel in the midst of the Oscar-qualified chaos. I loved every single minute of it.
About the Guest
Writer/director and filmmaker extraordinaire, Tamika Lamison graduated from the American University, Howard University and is an AFI alum of the prestigious Directing Workshop for Women. She was a research consultant at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, prior to being tapped as the Executive Director of the Commercial Directors Diversity Program - a DEI program she built for the DGA & AICP. 
She has won numerous honors, awards and fellowships including IFP’s Gordon Parks indie film award, ABC/Disney Screenwriting Fellowship, CBS Director’s initiative and others.
Tamika has produced 4 Award winning shorts and over 100 short docs via MAFF. She was also a writer and supervising producer for the television show “Monogamy”.
#superman #atlantachildmurders #shortfilms #shortfilm #oscars #academyawards #screenwriter #filmdirector #filmmakers #filmmaking #atlanta #childhood #parenting #comicbooks

Oscar-Qualified Short THE HEART OF TEXAS: Interview/Film Breakdown with Director Gregory Kasunich and Actress Lauren Noll

Ladies and gentlemen, the Oscar-qualified short, THE HEART OF TEXAS is about an aspiring country singer Janie May (Lauren Noll) who races to the studio after her overnight diner shift when she collides with an undocumented worker — changing the course of both their futures.
This is a film in the art of storytelling. Mirroring the lives of two people who are chasing the American dream, one an aspiring singer dreaming of stardom and an undocumented worker whose dream is to provide a better life for his family who is still living in Mexico. Their lives collide, leaving one dying to make it and the other dying to survive.
This film is compelling, tense and heartbreaking. 13 minutes and 56 seconds that will leave you on the edge of seat and your heart in your hands.
Writer/director Gregory Kasunich and producer/co-writer and actress Lauren Noll and their powerful and compelling Oscar-qualified short THE HEART OF TEXAS.
Director and co-writer Gregory JM Kasunich is an award winning filmmaker. His body of work includes projects for Taylor Swift, The Pentatonix, The Summer Set, DreamWorks, Disney, Lucas Film and many others. His editorial and portrait photography has been published in several publications. His films have been nominated and awarded in festivals all over the world.
Lead actress, co-writer and producer Lauren Noll is a filmmaker with a Master’s Degree in Acting from Harvard University. Her curiosity around other roles in filmmaking led her to write, direct, and star in her first award-winning short film, HONOR in 2020, a personal drama about the encounter of a queer student with Brigham Young University’s honor code office.
She followed that filmmaking debut with GEN V, CLEAN SLATE, which was awarded a grand jury prize at the Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge, and THE HEART OF TEXAS, which has won over 20 awards.
#shortfilms #shortfilm #oscars #academyawards #americandream #landofopportunity #filminterview #filmreview #filmbreakdown #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #actress #immigrant #musician 

Oscar-Qualified Short DECK 5B - Interview with Malin Ingrid Johansson: Interview/Film Breakdown

Ladies and gentlemen, Malin Ingrid Johansson’s Swedish short film drama DECK 5B tells a heart-rending tale about a mother torn between duty and desire. We meet recently divorced Mia, portrayed by award winning actress Alma Pöysti, along with her son, as she heads for her first holiday together with her new love, but complications soon arise when Mia’s yearning to relax and let her hair down comes into conflict with her parental responsibilities.
This gripping short premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival where it claimed the Best International Short Film award, thereby qualifying it for the 2025 Academy Awards.
The storyline and the cinematography causes you to focus solely on the relationship of the mother and the son. We are draw into both of their emotions, and the dilemma of the mother.
The cinematography and the coloring play a part in this film as it does seem a bit cool and drab, as the relationship being the mother and son is not exactly a happy one. The mother tries to bring joy, but the son reminds her of his disapproval in both words, action and emotion.
DECK 5B is a must see short film and it has all the elements that make it worthy of being Oscar-qualified. 
#oscars #academyawards #Sweden #Swedishfilm #ferryboat #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmdirector #screenwriter #divorcedmother #singlemom #relationship #vacation #parentalresponsibility

In-Depth Film Discussion with Writer/Director Todd Komarnicki and his new film BONHOEFFER

Ladies and gentlemen, the untold story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. as the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler. With his faith and fate at stake, Bonhoeffer must choose between upholding his moral convictions or risking it all to save millions of Jews from genocide. Will his shift from preaching peace to plotting murder alter the course of history or cost him everything?
BONHOEFFER comes to a theater near you on November 22nd and this is a must see film. We need more films like this one that showcases men and women who will stand up and face adversity. We can all learn something of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and maybe one of those questions we should all ask ourselves, “Where is your finish line?”
About the Guest
Todd Komarnicki is a prolific writer, producer and director of film and television as well as an acclaimed novelist.
Todd's screenplays include Sully directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks, which opened at #1 in the box office to rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film went on to earn over $240 million worldwide, and was a 2016 AFI Top Ten Film. The Professor and the Madman, starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn. Komarnicki has also written Perfect Stranger starring Bruce Willis and Halle Berry.
Todd Komarnicki and Guy Walks partnered with Jon Berg to produced the Christmas blockbuster Elf, starring Will Ferrell and directed by Jon Favreau, which has become a yearly Christmas movie favorite.
Todd is here to talk about pastor-turned-spy Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This untold story about a man as the world teeters on the brink of annihilation, Bonhoeffer is swept into the epicenter of a deadly plot to assassinate Hitler. The film debuts during Thanksgiving this year.
#bonhoeffer #newfilm #filmbreakdown #featurefilm #anglestudios #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #filmproduction #belgium #ireland #WWII #drama #pastor #spy 

TJ O'Grady Peyton's Endearing Oscar-Qualified Short ROOM TAKEN: Interview/Film Breakdown

Ladies and gentlemen, TJ O’Grady-Peyton’s short ROOM TAKEN follows Isaac, who, in a desperate need for a place to stay, finds an unexpected answer to his temporary homelessness when he takes refuge in the home of Victoria, an elderly blind woman, without her knowledge. As these two strangers coexist, a touching and unexpected bond forms between the unlikely pair.
I can see why this film is a multi-award winning short film. The cinematography is excellent and gives you the true reality of both characters lives. Composer Jamal Green sees beyond the characters and brings forth a rhythmic music score that dances between two different worlds that collide out of an unknown need for each other.
ROOM TAKEN is one of the most endearing and beautiful stories I’ve seen this year and actually left a happy tear in my eyes. Keep your eye on this Oscar-qualified short film.
Director TJ O’Grady-Peyton, an Irish filmmaker who first gained recognition at the Young Director Awards at Cannes in 2013. He has received awards at prestigious festivals and films have been showcased at Tribeca, Clermont-Ferrand, BFI London, and on Disney+ and The New Yorker. His short film WAVE won an Irish Film and Television Award in 2018 and SILENCE earned a nomination in 2021.
TJ’s newest short film, the beautiful and endearing ROOM TAKEN tackles pressing themes including the challenges faced by asylum seekers and the rising homelessness population in Ireland. Not only that but it also shines a light on the growing epidemic of isolation and loneliness in the elderly communities, especially those that may find that their independence is being threatened, by old age or disability.
ROOM TAKEN has been selected for over 39 Film Festivals, and has won 10 awards, including “Best Irish Short Film” at the Dublin International Film Festival, and nominated for “Best International Short Film” and “Grand Prix Irish Short Film” at Flickerfest and the Cork International Film Festival.
This poignant short has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Academy Awards after winning “Best Short Film” at the 2024 Cleveland International Film Festival. 
#oscars #academyawards #shortfilms #shortfilm #roomtaken #ireland #immigration #elderly #interview #filmbreakdown #filmreview #filmmaking #filmmakers #filmdirector #cinema #cinematography #Cannes #BFILondon #Dublin #corkireland #flickerfest #filmfestivals