For her latest article for the FF Insight Blog, Jess Sweetman has been talking about originality.  Toby Poser is a founder of Wonder Wheel Productions. Hear more from Toby and other  awesome filmmakers on the insight blog. https://www.festivalformula.com/insight/how-important-is-originality

Meet filmmaker Vanessa Bailey, director of the FF Slate Film WORMHOLES.  Vanessa describers herself as: "Actress, screenwriter and filmmaker. Happiest on set, in close proximity to actors." Enjoy her #ReelOpinion.

Meet FF Filmmaker Rosa Headley, director of the FF Slate Film BIRTHDAY BOY.  Director & Writer (& sometime musician) from the Welsh hills, Rosa is taking her film "Birthday Boy" to festivals in 2026, and working on her first feature. @therosabrooke

At an engagement party, Lara runs into Trisha, who ghosted her after after years of close friendship.  Welcome to the FF slate to the 10-min drama NICE TALK from director Caprice Ott.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/nice-talk

In 19th-century Yorkshire, a wealthy young woman escapes her violent brother and seeks sanctuary within a strict Moravian settlement.  Welcome to the FF slate to the 21-min period drama SISTER ANNA from director Emma Morley. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/sister-anna

An amateur theatre after-party leads to 26 charges being pressed. A man must confront his fragmented memories as he's pried and prodded for details of the night. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 12-min drama MARLOO from director Isaac Money.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/marloo

Maj lives in a tent with her 10 year old daughter Tova claiming to be a Viking. Their way of life is challenged when Tova threatens to become a Christian. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 22-min mocumentary HEATHENS from director Hedvig Andersson.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/heathens

A man is inducted into a surreal collective to prepare him for fatherhood.  Welcome to the FF slate to the 13-min sci-fi/drama SEED from director Martin Lohse.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/seed-lohse

A bureaucrat faces a surreal evaluation where his career—and very existence—hangs on the outcome of a single interview. Welcome to the FF slate to the 14-min sci-fi/comedy KAFKA’S APPRAISAL from director Martin Gooch and writer Kek W.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/kafkas-appraisal

“Jade Grenade,” a stripper, navigates a new-found supernatural power. The dancers must choose: the supernatural power… or losing everything? Welcome to the FF Slate to the 14-min docu/fantasy THE DEN & THE GLOW from dir Madeline Leary.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-den-and-the-glow

Congrats to Sunderland Shorts Film Festival for a fab 11th edition! Let’s face it, it’s a fantastic excuse to catch up with friends, clients, industry folk *and* make new friends, clients, industry folk ❤️💚💙🎬🇬🇧 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #shortfilm #sunderlandshortsfilmfestival

Today the team headed up to Sunderland Shorts Film Festival and here is photographic train proof of some of the team doing aforementioned journey ❤️💚💙🎬🚂 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #sunderlandshortsfilmfestival

Toni, a self-conscious young woman, is experiencing her first-ever bra fitting, which unexpectedly evolves into a unique bond with her bra-fitter. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 6-min comedy FITTING from director Kasra Firouzyar.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/fitting

Look who we found in London! Cara Ogburn of Milwaukee Film Festival was in town so we took the opportunity to finally meet in-person for a good ol’ natter about festivals and films over breakfast ❤️💚💙🎬☕️🥓🥘 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #friendlyfilmfolk

Will heads to a party to meet his brother, but something isn't right. Chaos ensues and Will's world collapses. An aggressive, symbolic tale of grief and loss. Welcome to the FF slate to the 13-min fantasy/horror BUNDLE from director Carlo Milillo.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/bundle

For 100 years, the Naumburg Foundation’s storied competition has launched extraordinary young musicians onto the global stage.  Welcome to the FF slate to the 27-min docu NAUMBURG AT 100: A LEGACY OF GREATNESS from dir Catherine Tambini.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/naumburg-at-100

Stuck in a loveless marriage with a watertight pre-nup, the wife of a divorce lawyer turns to a PI, who gives her details of 2 retired assassins. Welcome to the FF slate to the 11-min crime-comedy BACK IN BUSINESS from Paul Campion.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/back-in-business

Meet @madebymateja.bsky.social director behind the FF Slate Film HERE HIDES THE HEART, here with her #ReelOpinion on what she wants to see more of in the movies.

When his parents want to clean out the basement, the alcoholic son who lives down there has to find a way to hide his bottles. Welcome to the FF slate to the 9-min comedy-drama REDEMPTION CENTER from dirs Wyndham Maxwell and Roland Boyden.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/redemption-center

In a near future Seattle under civil war, an Asian-american man & his niece must escape when they are targeted by a white nationalist group. Welcome to the ff slate to the 23-min action drama THE TURNING POINT from director Rishi Raj.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-turning-point

Meet FF Filmmaker CJ Maxwell, director of the Slate iFlm DEAD ROOMMATE, sharing his #ReelOpinion on the joys of filmmaking being the family business.

In her latest article for the FF Insight Blog, Esther Smith reflects on the dangers of nostalgia bait and familiarity that lure audiences in, and how we must resist that shiny hook in favour of originality. Out now on our website: https://www.festivalformula.com/insight/wait-ive-seen-this-before

A young couple are enjoying their last beach day of the summer. After relaxation methods fail, a message in a bottle on the shore pushes one to the point of no return. Welcome to the FF slate to the 9-min horror BEACHED from director Emma Jorgensen.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/beached

A trans man caring for his father with alcohol induced Dementia finds unexpected re-connection when the disease grants him temporary anonymity. Welcome to the FF slate to the 11-min drama PETER from director Hannah Van Der Westhuysen.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/peter

In the latest edition of our Insight Blog - The Originality Edition, the FF team investigate current patterns in filmmaking and seek to track down those imaginative minds who might be able to bring us something - well - original.  Will we find it?  https://www.festivalformula.com/insight/

1989, northern England. On a busy Friday night, racist locals push a Chinese takeaway to breaking point.  Welcome to the FF slate to the 13-min Period drama CHINAMAN from director Rob Chiu.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/chinaman

Waiting for a transplant, a woman and her partner struggle to confront an uncertain future.  Welcome to the FF Slate to the 18-min drama MAYBE TODAY, MAYBE TOMORROW, MAYBE NEVER from director Jamie Jones.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/maybe-today-maybe-tomorrow

We have to give kudos and applause to Ash Blodgett for her dedication to fabulous handbags, but marketing for her film MAY I PUT YOU ON HOLD? with the slippers (which were also seen on the dance floor) ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸📞🥿 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #lovelyfilmmakers #juliendubuquefilmfestival

Another client we LOVE catching up with, Ash Blodgett from MAY I PUT YOU ON HOLD which is playing Julien Dubuque Intl Film Festival ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸📞 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #lovelyfilmmakers #juliendubuquefilmfestival

Brits abroad! Superb to meet in real life our clients Tom Hall and Howard Charles from PRAWN BHUNA. Fresh from Phoenix Film Festival where they picked up an award, now here at Julien Dubuque International Film Festival ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸🏆 #festivalformulaontour #lovelyfilmmakers #juliendubuquefilmfestival

After years of working as a belly dancer, Sonia swaps Colorado for Andalusia in Spain, where she tries to learn the Flamenco way of life. Welcome to the ff slate to the 20-min dance doc A LITTLE OF COMPÁS from director Anna Volosnik.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/a-little-of-compas

Always great to catch up with other festival folks! We got to catch up with Marc and Liz from Omaha Film Festival at Julien Dubuque Intl Film Festival. And they were sweet enough to give us a swag bag ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸🛍️ #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #juliendubquefilmfestival #omahafilmfestival

A teenage runaway and an aging hermit struggle to survive and heal living in the wilderness. Welcome to the FF Slate to the 13-min drama THE CURLEW from director Daniel Pattison. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-curlew

Our first fireside chat took place yesterday at Julien Dubuque Intl FF which was a no holds barred discussion covering prep, premieres, pseudo-festivals, “tiers” and more. Missed it? We ride again tomorrow at 2pm ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸🎤 #festivalformulaontour #juliendubuquefilmfestival Photo Credit: Digital Dubuque

After his arrest, an arrogant man cuts a deal to infiltrate a criminal gang.  Welcome to the FF Slate to the 14-min crime drama HOW TO GET CAUGHT from director Alexandre Bassard.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/how-to-get-caught

Christine enters The Acres estate with gardening tools and a plan, but then she encounters Ama, a lonely new mother.  Welcome to the FF slate to the 17-min crime drama THE ACRES from director Alice Johannessen.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/the-acres

Neurodivergent Kitty, lover of trinkets and Kate Bush, finds her favourite jumper ruined and must find a replacement.  Welcome to the FF Slate to the 15-min comedy KITTY from directors Lizzie Hart & James Newman.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/kitty-hart-newman

Next stop… Julien Dubuque International Film Festival! ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #juliendubuquefilmfestival

Ron has called upon tarot card reader Delia, to tell him whether his husband is cheating on him. But in the process, Delia (with Ron’s help) uncovers more truth about herself. https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/knight-of-swords

Welcome to the FF Slate to the 11-min fantasy/drama CELESTE IN THE SUMMER from director Hobby Holmes.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/celeste-in-the-summer

Our Mark Brennan moderated a great panel at Picturehouse Create today with guests: 🎬 Edinburgh International Film Festival 🎬 Cambridge Film Festival 🎬 British Film Institute (BFI) ❤️💚💙🎬🇬🇧🎤 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestivals #picturehousecreate

Meet filmmaker Ramiya Pushparajah, director of the FF Slate Film MIDNIGHT MURUNGAI with her #ReelOpinion.

Meet FF Filmmaker Hal Kirkland, the director behind the FF Slate Film PLEASE AND THANK YOU, sharing his #ReelOpinion on career development.

Diane, an awkward customer service representative, hires a beatbox coach named Pulse to help her audition for her company’s corporate acapella group.  Welcome to the FF Slate to the 11-min comedy SCRATCH from director Aliya Kamalova.  https://www.festivalformula.com/theslate/scratch-kamalova

Meet Gil Henry, director of the FF Slate Film PAS VRAIMENT ORDINAIRE, with his #ReelOpinion.  Gil Henry is a French-American director and screenwriter. His directorial debut, Pas Vraiment Ordinaire (Not Really Ordinary), is a 1970s period piece inspired by his childhood experiences.

Coming up - our esteemed leader Katie Bignell will be speaking at an online training session for Cinema Femme:⁠ ⁠ 📅 Wednesday, April 22⁠ ⏰ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (Central Time)⁠ 💰 $25 (non-members)⁠ ⁠ Get your spot: watch.eventive.org/cfmembership...

Meet filmmaker Anne Isaksson, director of the FF Slate Film KELLIE & JENNY.  Anne is a Swedish visual artist and filmmaker based in London, exploring dislocation and the body through feminist theory and autotheory where the personal is political.

The PEARLS team are here! Lovely to bump into Alastair Train and Aybuke Kavas here at Poppy Jasper International Film Festival ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸🦪 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #poppyjasperfilmfestival

Rain stopped and the sun shone just in time for the Mimosa Brunch this morning at Poppy Jasper Intl FF at Besson Family Vineyard. Every year it’s a highlight due to the team behind the venue and the filmmakers that gather&natter ❤️💚💙🎬🇺🇸🥂🥯🍾🍇 #festivalformulaontour #filmfestival #poppyjasperfilmfestival

Meet filmmaker Shadi Khaddam, director of the FF Slate Film TO SAVE A LIFE, with his #reelopinion.