Welcome everyone to The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective.

As I said at last year’s “First Cinelation Retrospective”: This is going to be fun.

And it was.

And now we’re going watch these films again and get more out of them: Thrills, thoughts, shocks, chills, wickedness and elation. The more you love cinema, the more elated you’ll get tonight.

Speaking of which, along the previously screened “Bridge No. 29” (2014), “Socket” (2016) and “Siren” (2020), these three were filmed in clinical, inhuman digital code that peer and fall into the dark abyss of the human condition – full of rage, tension, obsession, mayhem, cruelty, despair, primal lust and madness (Again, these movies are fun!), I have constructed a brand new one with more raw, austere, tactile and vintage material than I’ve ever worked with as a filmmaker to create a work of art that lives up to its substance.

It’s a rare feat that the very location – right where you’re sitting, Luigi – is where I shot my very first 8mm film and where we’ll watch it first thing.

And I want thank Luigi Alvarez, Inanna Cusi, Dan Small, Colin Williscroft at Cineworks and especially, my gaffer and workshop partner Joe Gin Clark who unfortunately couldn’t be here with us tonight, for their support and teaching me to work with analog film.

Outside of Cineworks, nobody here knows anything about this new short, which makes things more intense for all of you and me. It’s like an experiment! Just imagine being in outside in complete darkness, unaware that you’re standing above a high precipice and here I am pushing you off.

I also had the good fortune to work with many talented friends, artists, actors and technicians crafting these films that I conceived and executed for the past 10 years. My gratitude knows no bounds.

Brace yourselves, these four films are coming at you now as a single monstrosity – a savage work of art.

Enjoy the show.

Here is a photo that was taken during the Q&A by cinematographer Danny Nowak (CSC). On the left is Luis “Luigi” Alvarez, the magnificent interviewer who asked really inspired questions about my work. On the right, I am in the zone explaining what compels me to make these films.

And my films looked brilliant projected in their DCP format. CONTINUE READING ►

It’s happening again.

I am proud to return to the Cineworks studio theatre for an encore presentation of “The First CINELATION Retrospective” with this year’s edition of “The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective”.

We will be screening my three favourite short films that I wrote and directed: “Bridge No. 29” (2014), “Socket” (2016) and the award-winning “Siren“ (2020). As a bonus, those who attend will be the first to witness the premiere of a secret short film I shot in 8mm this summer. All I will say is it features an actress who has appeared in one of the three standout films featured and it clocks in at three minutes. Nobody outside of Cineworks knows anything about it much less the title! I am very excited to showcase its unveiling.

The Black Box Studio is located at 300 – 1131 Howe Street behind the Cinematheque. Since the entrance is down a back alley, I encourage you to bring a friend.

The 2024 CINELATION Retrospective takes place on November 20th at 6:30pm. CONTINUE READING ►

With the support of the Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society, I will be screening three of my favourite short films together for the first time on the big screen next Tuesday, December 12th. These macabre works include Bridge No. 29, Socket and the award-winning Siren.

The First CINELATION Retrospective will celebrate the last ten years I have worked diligently as an independent filmmaker with a great assortment of talented and dedicated artists. I hope you will brave the cold to enjoy a rare opportunity to experience these three films.

The Black Box Studio is located at 300 – 1131 Howe Street behind the Cinematheque. Since the entrance is down a back alley, I encourage you to bring a friend.

The First CINELATION Retrospective takes place on December 12th at 6:30pm.

CONTINUE READING ►

“SIREN” Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

Award-Winning Horror/Thriller Film (16 Minutes)

Driving on a highway late at night, distracted driver April (Dalit Holzman) and her combative lover Brooke (Erin Morgan) are pulled over for speeding by two sinister police officers (Eryka Alanna and Madison Isolina). During a strange and increasingly frightening interrogation, the two women find themselves under the power of a supernatural force that changes everything they ever knew about themselves… and each other.
CONTINUE READING ►

“SIREN” Electronic Press Kit (EPK)

My latest short movie SIREN (2020) is having a successful film festival run this year.

It has been featured in 86 film festivals around the world and garnered 18 award wins and 25 nominations:

FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS/NOMINATIONS

PEEPHOLE filmfest
Winner for Best Horror Short Film

Vancouver Independent Film Festival
Winner for Best Thriller Short Award for the Spring 2022

Strasbourg International Film Festival
Winner for Best Director (Christopher Beaubien)
Nominated for Best Horror Short Film

Snow Leopard International Film Festival
Winner for Best Horror Short Award
Nominated for Best Color Editing and Best Sound Design

The South African Independent Film Festival
Winner for the Best Experimental Film

The Strange Days Horror Fest
Winner for Best International Short Film Award for September 2023

The Rio Grind Film Festival
Winner for Best Cinematography

Montreal Requiem Fear Fest
Winner for Best Actress (Dalit Holzman)
Nominated for Best Canadian Short Film

HORROR-RAMA 2022 International Short Film Festival
Winner for Best Actress – Scream Queen (Erin Morgan)

CONTINUE READING ►

During the pandemic one of my side projects was to produce a new restoration of “Socket.” The movie now includes a more detailed and refined color correction, new visual and sound effects as well as a few more subtle improvements to the edit. The picture has also been reformatted into a 1.66:1 aspect ratio, otherwise known as the European widescreen standard.

I hope you enjoy it.