1st on Film

On this episode of 1st on Film, we hit the red carpet at Shenanigans Toronto, to speak with writer/director Laurel Brady about her short film Eddie. Laurel discusses the inspiration behind the film, and the creative process behind the project, Laurel Brady is a filmmaker and writer/director whose work focuses on character-driven storytelling and emotionally grounded narratives. Through her films,...

On this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with writer-director Joel Veach and actress Liana Wright-Mark to discuss their gritty new indie thriller American Muscle. Veach opens up about crafting the film’s tense neo-noir atmosphere, balancing emotional family drama with crime-thriller intensity, and making his feature directorial debut. Wright-Mark shares insight into building her complex charact...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Jody Wilson and actor Anwen O’Driscoll to talk about The Bearded Girl, a coming-of-age drama that blends family history, identity, and life in the traveling carnival world. Jody discusses bringing the film’s emotional story to the screen, while Anwen shares what drew her to the role and how she approached portraying a character searching fo...

Welcome back to 1st on Film. Today, we’re joined by an exciting Canadian filmmaker whose work continues to shine a light on identity, family, and the immigrant experience with honesty and heart. Serville Poblete is a Toronto-based screenwriter and director whose latest documentary short, In the Morning Sun, has already made waves on the festival circuit, earning the Jury Award at SXSW before premi...

This week, we sit down with Canadian producer Christopher Giroux for an in-depth conversation about his journey in the film industry, the lessons he’s learned throughout his career, and the launch of his brand-new production company with wife and actress Ann Pirvu Christopher also discusses his latest project, BEE MY LOVE, the first feature released under the new banner, arriving later this month....

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Nora Kirkpatrick to talk about her sharp and insightful new film Couples Weekend. Known for her keen eye for character and emotionally grounded storytelling, Kirkpatrick dives into the complexities of modern relationships through a deceptively simple premise: a getaway that quickly unravels. Couples Weekend follows a group of longtime frien...

This week on 1st on Film, we sit down with writer/director Jared Isaac and cinematographer Brandon Somerhalder to discuss their coming-of-age romance An Autumn Summer. The duo breaks down the film’s nostalgic visual style, crafting an authentic story about friendship and young love, and the collaborative process behind bringing the magical lakeside world of the film to life. Film Description – An...

On this episode of 1st on Film, we chat with Emily Coutts and editor Kat Webber to discuss their short film Rosebud, which screened at Shenanigans Toronto. We talk about the film’s creative process, collaboration, editing, and bringing an intimate short story to life on screen. Coutts Bio Emily Coutts is a Canadian filmmaker and actor known for her work in film and television. With a growing voice...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Nora Kirkpatrick to talk about her sharp and insightful new film Couples Weekend. Known for her keen eye for character and emotionally grounded storytelling, Kirkpatrick dives into the complexities of modern relationships through a deceptively simple premise: a getaway that quickly unravels. Couples Weekend follows a group of longtime frien...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we’re joined by director, writer, and actor Hugo de Sousa to discuss his latest short film, Best Friends with the Devil. We dive into the film’s dark themes, the creative process behind building its unsettling atmosphere, and what it takes to balance multiple roles both in front of and behind the camera. Hugo shares insight into the inspirations that shaped the stor...

On the red carpet at the Toronto Shenanigans showcase at The Royal, we caught up with Lowen Morrow and Gwenlyn Cumyn for a quick conversation about their short film Mothballs. In this brief interview, they touch on the inspiration behind the film, its unique tone, and the creative process of bringing such an unconventional story to life—all within the fast-paced energy of the festival atmosphere....

In this episode, we sit down with director Benny Chen to discuss his striking short film Hand. Chen dives into the inspiration behind the film, the creative choices that shaped its unique visual language, and the challenges of telling an intimate story through minimalism. We explore the themes of connection, identity, and physical expression, as well as what it takes to bring a short film from con...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we dive into the world of anime and voice acting with two incredible talents: Ryan Reynolds and Allegra Clark. The duo joins us to talk about their work on That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Tears of the Azure Sea, sharing behind-the-scenes insights into bringing their characters to life, the unique challenges of voice acting, and what makes this latest chapte...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Javier Cano Larumbe to discuss his haunting and introspective short film Vacio. Javier takes us behind the lens to explore the creative process, themes of isolation and identity, and the visual language that brings the film’s emotional core to life. We dive into the challenges of crafting a story with minimalism and meaning, as well as the...

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Katelyn McCulloch, the director and writer behind the Canadian Screen Award–nominated series Everybody’s Meg. Recorded in person, this conversation dives into Katelyn’s creative journey, the origins and themes of her acclaimed series, and the process of bringing Meg’s world to life. We also explore Shenanigans, her recent Toronto-based showcase that feat...

In this episode, we sit down with editor Kyle Traynor to dive into the craft behind the hit series Industry. Traynor shares insight into shaping the show’s fast-paced, high-stakes storytelling and how editing plays a crucial role in building tension, character, and rhythm. We also explore the evolving journeys of key characters, including Myha’la’s Harper, Marisa Abela’s Yasmin, Kit Harington’s He...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Kirk Jones to discuss his latest film I Swear. Known for his sharp storytelling and ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion, Jones dives into the inspiration behind the film, the challenges of bringing it to life, and the themes that make it resonate with audiences today. We explore the creative process behind I Swear, from script to...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with rising actor Aidan Langford to talk about his role in the new Netflix film Roommates. Aidan shares what drew him to the project, how he approached his character, and what it was like working on a story that blends tension, humor, and unexpected twists. We also get into behind-the-scenes moments, his creative process, and what this role means for his...

In this episode, we sit down with Brady Oliveira and Alex Blumberg to talk about their new series Must Love Dogs. From the spark of the original idea to the realities of bringing it to life, they share the creative journey behind a show that blends humor, heart, and a deep appreciation for our four-legged companions. We dig into what makes the series stand out, the challenges of storytelling in th...

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Alyssa Loh to talk about her thought-provoking short film Copy, Save. Loh unpacks the creative spark behind the project, diving into its themes of identity, memory, and the digital footprints we leave behind. We explore her writing and directing process, the challenges of bringing such an introspective story to life, and how she balances emotional nuance...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with writer-director Radha Mehta to discuss her deeply personal and emotionally resonant short film Sūnna— which means “listen.” Inspired by Mehta’s own lived experience, Sūnna explores the fragile relationship between identity, sound, and silence. We dive into the film’s origins, its sensory storytelling approach, and how music, culture, and memory beco...

In this episode, we sit down with actor Hugo Armstrong to discuss his compelling performance in Watching Mr. Pearson. Armstrong dives into the nuances of his character, the emotional layers behind the story, and what drew him to this thought-provoking project. We also explore the film’s themes, behind-the-scenes moments, and how the role challenged him as a performer. It’s an insightful conversati...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Harald Swinkels to discuss his short film Odessa. Swinkels shares the inspiration behind the project, the creative and technical challenges of bringing the film to life, and the themes that drive its narrative. We explore his approach to storytelling, visual style, and what Odessa represents within his broader work as a filmmaker. Whether...

In this episode, we sit down with director James Cutler to talk about his short film Can I Put You on Hold. We dive into the inspiration behind the project, the creative process of bringing it to life, and the themes that drive its story. James shares insights on directing, storytelling, and the challenges of crafting a compelling short film in today’s landscape. It’s an honest and engaging conver...

In this episode, we sit down with filmmakers Travis Wood and Alex Mallis to talk about their latest project, The Travel Companion—a film that explores connection, distance, and the emotional landscapes we carry with us. We dive into the origins of the film, the collaborative process behind bringing it to life, and the unique challenges of telling an intimate story on the move. Travis and Alex shar...