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-Who is Kim Hopkins?

Kim Hopkins is an international award-winning actress and model for over 50 years. Kim has a production company with partner and friend Abigail Breslin. Kim is also the creator of The Working Actor Formula, Live In The Moment Acting, and Last Minute Audition which help actors understand show business and have the career of their dreams.

Starting with a modeling career at three years old, Kim went on to model in New York City to then become an international model and actress with a career spanning over five decades. Paving the way for new generations, she helps aspiring and working actors create content-driven platforms that will bring recognition and booking opportunities. Kim’s clients have won multiple awards, signed with the industry’s top agents, and enjoy successful careers. At the moment Kim Hopkins and her partner and close friend are co-producing their new show The Cannibals. They co-wrote, co-directed and co-star on the show that is already winning awards!

Kim has been on the cover of many magazines and has appeared in over 300 commercials globally. She’s been a series regular and starred in cult films, such as Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, The Hollywood Knights, and The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood. She has also appeared on The Tonight Show, New Mom Who Dis, I Want To Know Your Story and many podcasts. A passionate performer, she has also directed and starred in her own films garnering over 35 awards, including Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Director.

-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

After all those years in front of the camera I decided to learn more about what everyone behind the camera does so that I could understand better what I was asking of them and what to expect, which led me to film school. I wanted to make my own films. Naturally, at first I am making films and television shows that are fun and interesting to watch, what sells so that eventually I can do what makes my heart sing.

I wanted to do things my way, see my visions come to life, with my friends and family working by my side. And also help new and veteran actors live their dreams as well.

My goal is to give a voice to those who don’t have one, and to shine a light on the humanity or lack thereof in our world. Diversity and inclusion are top priorities as well as elder care. There is a serious need to see what is really happening to our elderly, not just in the United States but around the world. Japan is so wonderful at caring for their elderly, the rest of the world has a lot to learn and it is my belief that I can make a difference with my work.

-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in society?

One hundred percent, yes, cinema has always and will always bring change.

-What would you change in the world?

The world, changes, hmmmm, so much. First priority for me, as I mentioned before, is the care of the elderly. However education is also key to making change happen. It feels as though everyone is just going through each day, not really living, working and stressing and not enjoying every moment we are given. I would love to see people be more present with themselves and really live their lives instead of just getting to the end of it, and wondering where the time went. LIVE your life, be kind to others and make people feel seen and heard, that means you have to present yourself!

– Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

That is a loaded question! With all the talk of AI who knows! I honestly think it will remain pretty much the same. We will always want to escape into the world of let’s say Guillermo Del Toro films, fantasy and science fiction, don’t see that changing. Everyone loves to laugh, cry and just leave their own reality behind for a few hours. I know I love all of that. There is something about being in theater with others joining you on the journey, separate but together, that is not going anywhere!

– Who is Joss Refauvelet?

Joss Refauvelet is a producer, writer and director based in Henderson, NV. A native to Annecy, a beautiful small town in the French Alps, Joss has studied the arts all over the world, ranging from model making in Kent, England, to special effects make-up in Burbank, CA.
With close to two decades of experience working in all phases of filmmaking, including but not limited to editor, cinematographer, prop master, and SPX special effects makeup artist, Joss knows how to deliver a quality production on time and on budget as a true indie should. Joss’ debut feature film, “PRND” (Park Reverse Neutral Drive) was released on VOD in 2017 through Indie Rights. “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” will be coming soon through Indican Pictures, with “Aamal” projected to be released to its global audience in 2023.

-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

I wish there was an exciting event or catalyst to share here, but the truth of the matter is that I’ve just kept leaning into my creative side.  I live to create… from painting to sculpting to photography, but ultimately, creating stories is what I live for.
I love telling original stories.  If we’re lucky, we’ve all experienced that moment when we can’t simply go home after seeing a movie… we have to stay up and talk or debate about it. Those are always the sorts of films I sought out growing up.  Telling a story that creates a dialogue between friends and family after watching the movie is what I always set out to do.

–Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?

Absolutely. I intentionally try to work with a diverse cast and crew to do my best in the fight against stereotypes and racism.
“The Long Hollywood Night,” set in the 1960s, the height of the original Civil Rights era in the USA, has its main character portrayed by an African-American woman.

–What would you change in the world?

Oh wow…well, given that nearly every major world issue could be solved by ending selfish behavior.  I guess that’s what I’ll say.  Is it even possible?

–Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

What an interesting question.  I’ve been mulling this over for several hours and what I truly think is that the film industry will be gone.  The industry will be considered a relic, at the Louvre, next door to the Egyptian artifacts.
In 2122, I imagine “cinema” could be a totally immersive and personalized experience generated by our own thoughts or AI.  Of course, the romantic in me would hope to think there will still be a need for human storytellers 🙂

-Who is Giulia Efnael Viero?

I have a degree in Communication Sciences and I was born as a photographer in 2008, within the Flux Lab Association of Turin, Laboratory of Integrated Arts, where I come into contact with numerous artists of the Turin scene. Thanks to the fact that I won “CRITICA IN MOVIMENTO” award, Studio 28 Tv, I was introduced into videomaking and I stared to collaborate with the Italian Web Television platform “Studio 28Tv” and the European one of “Share Culture Tv”. Parallelly to my adventure as a videomaker, I began a profound journey of inner research, through Yoga and meditation, becoming a Yoga teacher and working within the research group on the nature of consciousness “Il Filo d’Oro” with Daniel Lumera, international researcher and trainer in the area of meditation and well-being. These two passions, one for art and one for the holistic disciplines, will end up coming together more and more: I started documenting themed conferences, creating video art projects, and I ended up making my own first documentary film: THE SILENT REVOLUTION.

-What ispired you to became a filmmaker?

I don’t define myself so much as a filmmaker, rather as a poet.

I started writing poems when I was young and when I met photography first, and video later, for me they have become “new pens” with which to write and share the poetic world that I have inside and with which I read the reality that surrounds me.

-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the world?

Yes, of course, otherwise no one would finance large productions, for example! I think, for example, that Hollywood cinema has greatly influenced our lifestyle.

What I regret, or rather what I wish, is for people to be more interested in “independent cinema”. You can find “free voices” here, and digital works of a high level of quality too. People who really believe in the message their film wants to convey otherwise it’s impossible to deal with all the work involved. I think that when there is a large amount of funding behind a film, perhaps there is also great interest in the message that the film should convey.

–What would you change in the world?

I’d like to answer this question by quoting my film. Particularly mentioning something really deep and strong in me, which one of the main characters Julia, says:

“One of my ideals, which I feel strongly, it’s about the concept of perfection…and this has brought me a lot of tension, a lot of suffering, in trying to get there, or being perfect myself.

But now I feel like…perfection is not something that we need to achieve, but something that exists already and the key is feel it.”

I don’t think the world needs to be changed, I think the world just needs to grow. You can’t get mad at a two year old because he can’t run!

You have to be patient, really patient, and help it grow, rather than fighting it, I believe.

–Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

I do not know really!

Maybe we could do things we can’t even imagine…5D like 5G!!

I don’t really Know, but given the speed of growth of technology and given the ever increasing possibility for everyone to create digital products also…I hope this can be followed by personal growth as human beings. A science of the Human Being.

And this is basically the message of my film and the reason why I’m very happy and honored by the last award won at Helsinki Education International Film Festival, in an avant-garde country not only from a technological point of you but also from that of the educational system.

-Who is Carla Di Bonito?

Carla is a Brazilian born filmmaker and former journalist who left Brazil at the age of 19 to follow her dreams. She studied journalism in Rome and after living in different countries in Europe she finally settled in London where she worked across different departments of the BBC. Her desire to make films grew stronger as her self doubts diminished and after having to put on hold her career as filmmaker for family reasons she came back a few years ago and has written, produced and directed the powerful short film Luzinete, a tribute to her sister who tragically died following an overdose.

-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

The need to share stories that can go deeply into one’s heart combined with the freedom exercised by imagination.

-Do you think cinema can bring a change to society? 

Always! Hence the huge responsibility in using this powerful tool for the good of others.

-What would you change in the world? 

 The way values are set and definitely the way humans look at each other and the entire nature.

-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years? 

Independent filmmaking will grow stronger. For as hard as it is at present, I still believe it will. 

–Who is Eduardo Cocciardo?

Eduardo Cocciardo is a writer, director, actor, and teacher born on the island of Ischia, in the province of Naples, in 1975. He has been passionate about writing and acting since he was a child. He approaches the cinema for fun, trying to make his first short films at home, mostly inspired by his adolescent tales of terror. It is the university experience in Siena, at the Faculty of Modern Literature, Music and Entertainment, that brings him professionally closer to the theater, which from that moment on will become a faithful travel companion. In 2005 his first publication arrives, an essay dedicated to the genius of Massimo Troisi, L’applauso interrotto – Poesia e Periferia nell’opera di Massimo Troisi (Non Solo Parole edizioni), partly inspired by his university thesis. Later on, Cocciardo published four novels: Alice Fuori dal Paese (Non Solo Parole Edizioni, 2007), Neve Bianca (Albatros – Il Filo, 2010), Gli Alfabeti della Morte (Edizioni Arpeggio Libero, 2016), La Rosa di Gerico, viaggio alla fine del Tempo (Edizioni Arpeggio Libero, 2022). Recently, in addition to teaching literature and acting, he has decided to devote himself almost entirely to cinema: after a successful horror comedy trilogy, made up of the short movies La Mezzanotte Bianca, La Mezzanotte Rossa and La Mezzanotte Blu – the latter selected for the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival 2018, he returned to feature film – after Assemblé, filmed in Arezzo in 2006 – with The Offline, a completely independent work that received a lot of awards at some of the most prestigious international festivals, and was included in important streaming platforms such as Chili and Indiecinema.

-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

Obviously, becoming a filmmaker was the dream I had as a child. Over the years, however, my dream became bigger: I wanted to extend the capabilities of writing beyond the limits of paper. I saw in the cinema an expansion of writing, not so much in a strictly productive sense, because it is undeniable that, with the costs of a film, it is much easier to free the imagination in a narrative elaboration, but rather in the possibility of sharing my imagery with others, first with the crew, and then with the audience. Today I can provocatively say that when I write a story, I work on the film that it will never become, and when I make a film, I work on the story that never was. The artistic goal is the perfect interconnection between these two levels, writing and cinematographic vision, where theatre has also to be included.

-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?

Unfortunately, today we are living in one of the lowest cultural phases in the history, especially in my country. Compared to the past, the possibilities that a piece, either cinematographic or theatrical, can influence the socio-political fabric, are truly reduced to a minimum. However, it is the duty of filmmakers from all over the world to continue to believe in it, otherwise the very meaning of making cinema would be irreparably lost. Independent works, by their very nature, have always fought for a change in reality, and have often pushed language beyond its limits, allowing cinema to experiment and renew itself. Therefore, independent productions have a duty to continue to analyze contemporary reality in the most authentic way, trying at all costs, with festivals, platforms, theaters, and even with private screenings, to reach the hearts of viewers.

–What would you change in the world?

What would I change in the world? A lot of things. Starting with the fact that the power of a few is considered now democracy.

-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

The risk that in the next hundred years the film industry will turn almost exclusively to virtual and extremely conventional products is real. The greatest danger, in my opinion, is a total flattening of the narrative, which could end up telling always the usual two or three stories remodeled on occasion, something that it’s already happening. I repeat that the only way to fight this risk is to give maximum prominence to the authenticity of independent cinema, and finding new market solutions at the same time.

-Who is J.P. Ferré?

I’m a french director/editor/VFX artist who’ve been working in the industry for 15 years. I mostly work as a movie trailer editor and have made trailers for films such as A Prophet (Jacques Audiard, 2009), all Gaspar Noé’s films since Enter The Void (2009) and more recently Boy From Heaven (Tarik Saleh, 2022) or the French trailering campaign for Dune (Denis Villeneuve, 2021).

I directed several short films. Entity (co-directed with Andrew Desmond, 2014) was the first french short to be mixed in Dolby Atmos. Another live action short called 3:36 (2016) is my most personnal project to date. Also, using in-game footage from Digital Combat Simulator by Eagle Dynamics (DCS World) and in addition to DCS: The Right Stuff, another short called the DCS: The Ghost (2020) is the most viewed DCS World film on YouTube (+5,6M views in January 2023).

Today, I’m associated with IIW STUDIO-LUX, a post-production company, and I’m in the writing process of my first feature film produced by The Project.

-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

I guess I owe my grand-father and father my passion for cinema, as they both showed me a lot of movies since my very early age. Western or noir films with one, sci-fi and drama with the other.

I always enjoyed telling stories to others using moving pictures, either they’re animated drawings, captured frames on film, digital or whatever. There’s something unreal about it when you think about the process. Like many filmmakers have already said before, it’s like entering a dream. He can be an escape for some people, and I like the idea that I can be the hand to take for starting a journey.

-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?

Yes, of course it can! Because, as filmmakers, we have this precious gift of being able to present an audience new perspectives. We can make them change their point of view on the world, on people, with picture and sound. We can make them understand the feelings of someone’s happiness, oppression or relief. That’s a powerful tool to inspire and help being more open-minded, something we all desperately need these days.

–What would you change in the world?

To me, any change starts on a personnal level. It’s being more aware of what’s happening around the world. Only then, we can start working together and make things better. So, I’d say I simply wish most people, world leaders above all, need to be more focused on communication and cooperation, more than selfishness, greed and power.

Maybe what I would change is to make us all stop looking down on our phones, pictures of ourselves, counting the followers, etc. and start looking up again, towards the person next to us, towards what’s above us, towards tolerance and progress.

-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

The world is moving so fast, I’m not sure anyone could predict how the film industry will

look like in a century from now… With all the new digital innovations that start to emerge on the horizon, I would guess that virtual and augmented reality will take a much more important place in our lives and in the way we make films and watch them, definitely.

But, to me, shall our civilization fall or be reborn, the only thing that will never change is our need to tell stories, not only with motion pictures, but through all forms of art.

Wild Filmmaker will be the media partner of the Special Event in Dubai organized by the 8& Halfilm Awards. A festival that in 2022 had a high record of submissions with more than 2200 projects from moviemakers and screenwriters from all over the world. Choosing Dubai for the venue is not a random choice. We can summarize Dubai in three words: “Future. Dream. Metropolis“.

If the first two are easy for everyone to understand, the third word needs an in-depth analysis because it is the title of a masterpiece movie directed by Fritz Lang in 1926. Working as a producer, I have wondered many times if cinema has the ability to predict the future. I can answer this question with Metropolis, where we see a city similar to Dubai.

Fritz Lang was inspired by New York, which he visited a few years before making the legendary movie, to create Metropolis architecture. But by rewatching Metropolis today and visiting Dubai, I feel like I’m walking in the city dreamed of by Fritz Lang. This perception made me think about how important it is for a filmmaker to have the courage to tell the world in an original form, never seen before: because cinema offers this expressive opportunity.

I wish good luck to all the Directors and Screenwriters who will participate in this extraordinary event and say to you: “Continue to shoot and write free and independent movies without ever putting limits to your imagination! We live in the post-cinema era, where a director can create his project and show it to the entire world. I love globalization because it is the closest thing to democracy.“

–Who is Yolanda Brown Melián?

Yolanda Brown Melián was born in Tenerife, Spain. She had studied English at university in ULL and a master in Classical Theatre in Madrid. She worked as a translator and interpreter in English, Spanish and Italian languages. She also has worked as a Tv presenter, and she had roles in different films and soap operas. She is finishing a PhD in Literature at the UAM university in Madrid. She also writes in her free time, and she has finished the script of a Tv pilot for Tv series. Los Aspirantes -The Applicants- is a fiction comedy. She decided to produce it despite Covid struggles. It was hard to finish it due to Covid restrictions, but in the end she could with the help of friends. To be a filmmaker and a film director at the same time it wasn’t an easy task, so she directed it together with Kevin Ramos who is a very good one.

-What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

Since I was little, I wanted to be an actress because you could be whoever you wanted to. If you wanted to be a lawyer, a detective, an astronaut…you could be all of them. Later, I started writing poems and short stories. I studied English Literature and now I’m finishing my PhD in Postmodernism. One year before the Covid lockdown I decided to write a comedy and film it. For me now, it is better being a filmmaker as you can decide how to film a story. Imagination is the key.

-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?

The cinema can bring many changes in society. Every single person can feel a connection with a character. So, depending on the story, all of us can be in the shoes of the protagonist and the way round. Connection with the roles and the story.

-What would you change in the world?

We need to change the approach of things. To be in the shoes of others will probably make things go better.

-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

That is a long journey, but as I see how things are going many things are running towards the experimental films. To innovate, to create, to shock the audience. To find new ways to draw the audience´s attention.

-Who is Jaymz Bee?

I am a writer/director/musician/producer/broadcaster/artist who has worn many hats over the years. Over 20 years on radio and as an international tour guide; an art gallery curator,  a television host, party planner, band leader (dozens of albums), singer-songwriter and author of three books. Now…I am adding filmmaker to my resume! 

–What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

I have directed TV commercials and music videos for years. I’ve always wanted to make films and wrote several scripts during Lockdown. I found investors who shared my vision and wanted to help me get started. I feel triple-blessed because at this early stage in my career I can write and direct my own stories; create music with my friends for the soundtrack and hire other friends as cast and crew. Living the dream!  Producing and directing is hard and involves so many different people – that’s why I love it so much! 

-Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?

Absolutely! In my case, living in Canada and being so lucky in life – I am compelled to tell positive stories that contain humour. I think not having an edge is truly edgy these days! We all need a little escapism in this life and there is so much negativity these days! I hope my stories inspire people to be kind and open-minded toward each other.  Viva la Difference! 

-What would you change in the world?

What would I change? That seems like a daunting question.  What I believe I CAN change is people’s prejudices …through art, music, comedy…all the things  I employ when telling a story in fim. Ageism, racism, sexism and so much more…humour can point a finger and make subtle changes in society! 

-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

The music business is broken. The film business is still surviving – if not thriving – and I think Independent Film will grow more and more, to offset the hundred million dollar CGI Hollywood films. There is enough room for everyone in this business and I think boutique theatres will become commonplace. 

-Who is Mary Laura Santonocito?

I was born in London from Italian parents and have been fond of Cinema for all my life. I worked as a   Sale   Manager   but   carried   along   my  lifetime   passion  which  is  for   writing,   books,   poems   but preferably Screenwriting for Cinema. I have achieved some interesting results either in Italy but also in the USA and this gives me the strive to continue to pursue my dreams.

– What inspired you to become a screenwriter?

I  have   always   loved   movies   but   the   turning   point   was   some   years   ago   when   I   attended   a Screenwriting course in Florence and the passion in which my mentor put on explaining the art of writing movies made me want to be part of that world.

– Do you think the cinema can bring a change in the society?

Yes indeed, cinema has a strong responsibility especially among young people which by going to the   cinema   are   influenced   by   what   they   see   and   hear.   Thus   more   and   more   producers  are becoming sensitive to what they choose to bring on the screen and this is very positive that is why we must attract ever more young people to the cinema.

– What would you change in the world?

Well there are many things to change in the world but concerning cinema I believe that being considered as an Art it should be studied more at school bringing the new generations to fall in love with it.

-Where do you see the film industry going in the next 100 years?

I believe that cinema as we know it will no longer exist in 100 years, I mean I don’t think there will be movie theaters where people will gather, instead they will have a visual screen device on their heads that will enable then to see all the films they want at home on their couches. For this reason the film industry will still be needed but of course the subjects covered will be different than nowdays.