Bond on Cinema

Oscar® Winning Slick Films Launch £10k Fund for Filmmakers

Chris is an Academy Award winning director, producer and the CEO of Slick Films, which won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film for its debut, The Silent Child.
Chris’ Slick Films is setting the new standard in film. Extremely high quality cinematography and powerful storytelling has been pushing Slick Films into the forefront of not only in British film, but on a global scale.
Mustapha Wehbi, is a Lebanese producer and entrepreneur based in London, mostly known for his financing ventures in the world of shorts. With 25+ film credits to his name, Mustapha’s passion for storytelling shines through in each project he takes on.
In 2019, Mustapha co-founded Dolphragon, an initiative that has successfully financed and supported 20+ short films to date. He took on the role of Head of Short Form at the Academy Award-winning Slick Films in 2023, and lead the short film and commercial departments along with his team. Mustapha is producing short film “Kit” with Slick Films and developing feature film “Dr Xeno” based on the award-winning short “Return of the Beast from Outer Space,” further showcasing his ability to identify compelling and entertaining narratives.
Ladies and gentlemen, head over to SlickFilms.co.uk and click on the Slick Films Fund and start submitting your films. You could be the lucky filmmaker and win, and get the education of a lifetime from Academy Award winning filmmakers, Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton and so many more professionals.
When the filmmaker is chosen, what is included in the Slick Films Fund? The fund includes a special category exclusively for first-time filmmakers for a prize of 3,000 ensuring a broad support spectrum for creative voices.
The main prize winner will also receive mentorship from Slick Films Academy Award winners Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton, consultations with London Flair PR, Adrian Barber of Bolton Film Festival and Network Ireland Television for distribution, an in-depth festival strategy crafted by Festival Formula, a full technical DCP package from Cinebox, and a feature in Directors Notes.
#filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #cinematography #screenwriting #film #cinema #filmfunding #funding #boltonfilmfestival #london #publicrelations #filmfestival #cinebox #oscars #cannes #tribeca

Tasmanian Film Director Sam Curtain Talks about his Ultra Violent film 'Beaten to Death'

Sam Curtain, a Tasmanian filmmaker with a specialty in high-concept genre films.
In 2017, he introduced his debut feature, BLOOD HUNT, to audiences worldwide. The film received international acclaim as it graced the screens of numerous festivals, captivating viewers with its blend of high-octane action and spine-chilling thrills.
Sam's follow-up film, THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE KILLER, premiered in 2020 and also went on to secure international distribution.
Drawing inspiration from his upbringing in a small town, Sam recognizes both the difficulties and opportunities that shaped his creative journey. His work strives to capture the essence of individuals rarely represented on the screen, delving into their stories with a desire to shock viewers while leaving a lasting impact.
Most recently, Sam unveiled his highly anticipated film, BEATEN TO DEATH, in 2023. The film's theatrical release in the United States marks a significant milestone for the filmmaker. With BEATEN TO DEATH, Sam pushed his boundaries of creativity, exploring new themes and employing innovative storytelling techniques. The result is a thought-provoking and impactful film that showcases his growth as a filmmaker and his unwavering dedication to his craft.
Sam Curtain's film Beaten to Death unfolds after a desperate choice leads a man named Jack down a path that leaves him beaten and bruised as he struggles against man, nature, and his own sanity.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere after barely surviving a horrific assault, Jack encounters one local after another and quickly learns that a sick game of cat and mouse is about to begin.
Battling the deranged country psychos and the harsh landscape, Jack must go to extreme lengths to survive. 
BondonCinema.com

Paraplegic Actress, Author and Disability Activist Lolita Milena Talks about her Film Career & more

Lolita Milena, a paraplegic actress and author. Born in Siberia, she immigrated to the United States in 2002 as a toddler with her then foster family.
The fall of the same year through child abuse, Lolita was left permanently paralyzed. It was shortly after she was adopted by her current family.
Her introduction to the arts began in musical theatre at the early age of 6 years old. Having performed in 20 theatrical productions, she had turned to social media platforms to create content ranging from short skits to special effect makeup.
During her junior year of high school in 2017, Lolita Milena had taken on the challenge in writing a 50,000 word novel in only 30 days. Not only did she surpass the word count goal by 14,000, but did so in 20 days.
Then in 2017, she discovered TikTok, opening a new world of possibilities and opportunities. She had gained popularity on the platform by uploading short acting and comedic skit clips. She now has over 700,000 followers.
In 2019, she was discovered by her management through TikTok, who had assisted her into the industry; eventually booking the character, Jenna in Lionsgate and Buzzfeed's film, ”1UP".
And as Lolita lives by her motto, "Just because you have a disability, doesn't mean you can't follow your dreams.”
BondonCinema.com
#paraplegic #actress #disability #activist #model #author #cinema #film #influencer #tiktok #siberia #filmmaker #filmmaking #moviestar 

Music Composer Michael Stringer Talks about Being One of the Youngest Professional Composers of Film

Michael Stringer is a young composer with a growing and diverse portfolio of orchestral and electronic works. This includes music written for film, theatre, and television.
Michael’s professional debut was scoring the music for the short film “Vanity”, written and directed by Betta Bulikova, which has already received multiple honorable mentions at major film festivals this year.
Michael is always prepared to expand his horizons to new styles, particularly when working to a brief. He draws from his musical theatre training and his music education. As of right now, he is a self-taught composer, however has received membership from some of the music industry’s leading composers (Stephen Schwartz and Iain Bell).
Michael Stringer is writing music for his first feature film “Secrets of the Warrior” written and directed by Rebecca Heidt and produced by Netflix producer March Robinson, who is best known for Legacy of Lies.
BondonCinema.com
#composer #musiccomposer #musiccomposing #filmcomposer #moviescore #scoring #cinema #cinematography #movies #films #music #theater #theatre #london #UK 

Film Music Composer John Koutselinis Talks about Scoring Movies

Award-winning film music composer John Koutselinis has composed high-quality film scores with notable collaborations such as Gary Kurtz (Star Wars IV & V), Brian Presley (The Great Alaskan Race), Harry & George Kirby (Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday),  Steve Stone (Entity), Danny Wilson (Nephilim), David Levy (Concept Designer - Avatar 2 & 3, The Rise of Skywalker), Richard Bazley (Disney, Warner Bros) and Mel Smith (Director of High Hills and Low Lifes, Radioland Murders - Story by George Lucas).
He has recently composed the score for the film 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday' (Sony Entertainment - Scott Adkins, Ray Stevenson) by directors Harry & George Kirby and 'Hostile Territory' by writer/director Brian Presley (Brian Presley, Matt McCoy & Brad Leyland).
In addition, John has composed music for ‘The Great Alaskan Race’ by writer/director Brian Presley, also starring Henry Thomas (E.T., Legends of the Fall) and Treat Williams, among others (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album has been released by SONY MUSIC/MILAN).
He also composed the music for the films 'DEUS' with David O'Hara (The Departed, Harry Potter)  & Claudia Black (Farscape), 'Katherine of Alexandria' (Peter O’Toole, Steven Berkoff & Edward Fox), ‘Nephilim’ (John Savage - award-winning score, music performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra) and 'Centurion Resurrection' (Gary Kurtz -Producer, Richard Bazley - Director).
John has composed music for over 40 short films, including music for films by K&K Productions, which among others include Dragonball Z and The League of Legends, which have collectively generated over 15 Million views. 
 
He is the recipient of 6 awards and several nominations, including nominations by the prestigious 'Jerry Goldsmith Awards'.In 2023,  John became part of the demonstration team at the world-class Virtual Instruments company 8DIO. He also won ‘Best Score’ for his work on the short films 'Beyond the Lake' (Simon Constantine - Director), and ‘Summerville’.In the same year, he completed the score for the feature film 'Sunlight' (Mark David -Director), and also composed the music for the short films ‘Summerville’ and ‘Moon Kontrol’ (Writer/Director David Levy - Concept Designer - Avatar 2 & 3, The Rise of Skywalker). 
 
In addition, the Original Sound Track from the film 'Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday' was released by MovieScore Media. This year John has been attached to score the music for the film ‘Circle of 3s’  featuring Costas Mandylor (Saw IV, V & VI), and written by Mark Bruner, and Logan Riley Bruner (Stranger Things) and has also been attached to score the music for the motion picture ‘FATE’ by director Jonathan Baker. 
#musiccomposer #musiccomposing #musiccomposition #music #songwriting #film #cinema #theater #theatre #orchestra #filmlovers #cinemalovers #musiclover #soundtrack #soundtracks 

Film Breakdown of "Pie In The Sky" with Director Maria Gobetti and Producer Eric Ronn

My guests today are director Maria Gobetti, the director of the incredible film, Pie In The Sky. She has directed over 80 plays, including My Old Friends by Norman Sachs and Mel Mandel. Maria is the Director of the Gobetti-Ormeny Acting Studio, coaches at various major studios, and teaches at the New York Film Academy.
She worked as both director and coach at Hanna-Barbera. A member of the Directors’ Guild of America, she has directed for Disney, where she also coached The New Mickey Mouse Club Show.  Maria is a member of Women In Film and Women In Theatre. 
And Eric Ronn, the producer of acclaimed feature film Pie In The Sky has success in writing and producing multiple award-winning shorts and a play showcased at the Victory Theatre and collaborating with Jay Leno's Garage on the Hot Wheels Legends Tour.
Today, they are here to discuss their brilliant film Pie In The Sky, starring K Callan and Laurie O’Brien.
Ladies and gentlemen, At the heart of this film PIE IN THE SKY is Dory, a 65-year-old woman, and her vivacious 85-year-old mother, Margaret. The film unfolds on a significant day—Dory's birthday—as Margaret decides to bake an apple pie using a treasured family recipe. Through the simple act of baking, Margaret shares not only the secret to a perfect pie but also imparts the essence of a life well-lived. It’s a narrative rich in love, self-discovery, and the transformative power of family traditions.
Pie in the Sky is more than just a film; it's a celebration of togetherness, reflection, and the unspoken lessons learned in the warmth of a kitchen. It's a story that resonates with its audience, reminding us of all the priceless life lessons and unbreakable bonds that are often formed in the most ordinary of settings. #film #cinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproducer #cinematography #theatre #theater #actor #liveperformance #oneactplay #theatreplay

Actresses K Callan & LaurieO'Brien Talk about the New Film "Pie In The Sky"

My guests today are K Callan and Laurie O’Brien, both of their careers include film, television and theater.
K Callan, first gained national attention as Peter Boyle's mousy wife in the legendary Joe. And Playing Christopher Plummer’s mother in the successful Knives Out.
Other memorable films include American Gigolo and A Touch of Class.
K has been a regular guest star in countless television movies and TV series as well. including playing Superman's mom on ABC’s  Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and to a demented Norma Desmond type in Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns to the puzzled Grandma Lois on How I Met Your Mother.
Now, Laurie O’Brien’s career has given her the opportunity to play roles ranging from lunatics to white trash to a prima ballerina and the most beautiful woman in the world.
Her stage performances include the award winning Mary Barnes and Savage in Limbo, and Times Like These, which won an Ovation Award.
She has had numerous roles as a voice over actor including 10 years as Baby Piggy on Muppet Babies, Ivana in Cro, and in popular animated series such as Spiderman, Ghostbusters, Transformers, and Dungeons and Dragons.
Both of these lovely ladies are here today to talk about one of the most endearing, humorous and heart felt films that I’ve seen in a long time, Pie In The Sky.
#theatre #theater #newfilm #actors #actress #broadway #drama #family #cinema #movie #film #cinematography #relationship #motherdaughter #lifelessons

Film Director Phil Allocco Gives Us the Breakdown of his Lionsgate's "5lbs of Pressure" film starring Luke Evans

My guest today is filmmaker Phil Allocco, a feature film and commercial writer/director. His work has garnered over 60 awards and nominations.
He was one of the short-listed directors picked by Steven Spielberg from a world-wide search of over 12,000 directors for his US TV series ‘On the Lot’ for FOX TV.
His feature film ‘The Truth About Lies,’ won 14 awards at festivals including "The Best Of Fest" at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
His new feature film, 5lbs of Pressure is a gripping action-thriller, Adam played by Luke Evans, is an ex-con back in his old neighborhood after serving a 16-year stretch for murder, walks a rocky path of forgiveness toward the son who grew up without him, while the bitter, volatile brother of the youth he killed looms in the background.
Meanwhile, Mike played by Rory Culkin, sick of doing the bidding of his drug-dealing uncle played by Alex Pettyfer, is desperate to leave his sordid life behind. When Adam and Mike’s paths converge, inescapable destiny will give way to violence…and a final, fleeting shot at redemption.  #filmmaker #filmmaking #cinematography #cinema #filmdirector #screenwriting #film #actinglessons #actorslife #movieplot #moviebreakdown #lionsgate #featurefilm #lukeevans #roryculkin #moviedrama #suspensethrillers #storytelling

Emmy Winner & Broadway Star Mauricio Martinez Talks Broadway, TV, Film and His New Album "LIVE IN NYC"

MAURICIO MARTÍNEZ, an Emmy-winning actor and Broadway star, and recording artist whose work spans film, television, albums, concerts, plays, and musicals.
He made his Broadway debut playing Cuban hit maker and producer 'Emilio Estefan' in On Your Feet! The Story Of Emilio & Gloria Estefan on Broadway and its first National Tour.
 
Mauricio, a household name in Mexico & Latin America, can also be seen in two seasons of NBC Universo's original Emmy Winning TV series El Vato on Netflix.
Mauricio released his newest album, Live in NYC, a collection of iconic show tunes.
Live From NYC is his first Live album, produced by Robbie Rozelle from Mauricio’s live performance at 54 Below.
#Broadway #theatre #theater #musical #musicals #singer #newalbum #television #Emmywinner #Emmy #EmilioEstefan #GloriaEstefan #NYC #Mexico #LatinAmerica #Netflix #NBC 

Co-Founder Felipe Torries Urso of Coconut Grove Film Festival and Increasing the Impact of the Latin American Film Community

The first annual Coconut Grove Film Festival made its inaugural debut this past January of this year in the picturesque, historical neighborhood of Coconut Grove, Florida.
The festival was launched by the Voices Beyond Borders Art Foundation and conceptualized by our guests today, Latin filmmakers and Coconut Grove natives Felipe Torres Urso whose credits include (Frost/Nixon, Genius, Angels and Demons, Inferno) and Xavier Manrique whose credits include Who Invited Charlie? starring Jordana Brewster, Reid Scott and Adam Pally, has set a new standard in celebrating diverse storytelling and empowering filmmakers. 
A poignant moment at the festival was the retrospective screening and Q&A of Pele: Birth of a Legend, presented by producer Ivan Orlic. This event paid homage to Pele's legacy, especially meaningful a year after his passing, and highlighted the festival's dedication to honoring cinematic legends.
#filmfestival #film #cinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #filmproduction #coconutgrove #latinamerica #latinamerican #hispanic #filmindustry