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What are your expectations for 2026?

Thank you for the opportunity to interview again with WILD FILMMAKER. As with my first interview in September, I’m going to be completely transparent with you. The year 2026 is my 70^th year on this planet. Reflecting on what I’ve learned in the previous 69 years, and at the risk of appearing flippant, I have no expectations. Expectations, I’ve learned, are a killer of joy. I like what a wise Roman Catholic grandfather once told me, “Trust in God. God is kind. God has a sense of humor. You want to make God laugh? Tell him your plans!” In January 2022, nearly four years ago. I decided to go for the gusto and be a screenwriter. I looked back at my life up until then – a retired mechanical engineer standing tall after two romances failed miserably. I declared victory for making it to my 66^th year, surrendered the future to The Holy Trinity, and in a sense took my entire “wager” off life’s blackjack table. That means I’m “playing with house money.” Everything that happened from that day forward was either a win or a lesson leading to the next win.

What projects are you currently working on?

I’m excited. Today Monday November 10^th I begin the 6^th and penultimate rewrite of Padre Guns, the screen adaptation of Wise Fools, my first novel. The film script is the story of corruption and faith battling in a game of American college football that becomes a morality play. After working with my long-time script advisor Tammy Gross (TammyGross.com), I’ll begin offering Padre Guns to producers on New Year’s Day 2026. The year will be filled with two film scripts I’ve decided to write concurrently. Peace Of Mind is a prequel to Soaring Dove. Peace Of Mind delves into the 1990 true-life story of my personal experience of betrayal by my wife (I divorced her in 2019) and my boss (he died in autumn 2021) that led to my happy exit from a Wall Street career as a stockbroker. Dual betrayal sounds like I caught them in bed together; that would have been much easier to handle. I’ll discuss it in more detail in my answer to your fourth question. Soaring Dove is based on the events that surrounded me in the year 1992. Those events were driven by the most fascinating woman I have ever known. If the elections of political leaders in the United States were conducted through counting paper ballots instead of rigging ballot machines, Charlotte Pritt would have been a great two-term governor in my home state of West Virginia and the world would have been a better place. I was honored to be the caregiver for the 76 year old Charlotte from mid-2024 through mid-2025, hanging on her every word as she shared with me the stories of her life of benevolent service. No one knew I was Charlotte’s secret admirer for 32 years; she resonates with me in such a beautiful way. I text Charlotte from my home a hundred miles south of her home twice a day with prayers for her healing and peace. We will never be together again. We had our time. That, my friends, is a recipe for a good movie. 2026 is going to be a year to remember.  

What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

Please keep doing what you’re doing! Event organizers have presented me with a forum to get my message across while I pursue production opportunities for my film scripts. I’m thrilled. Thank you very much!

What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

My artistic choices are fired by personal experience. I am a facet, to some degree, of each of my four screenplays. American Money began in January 1983 when I was laid off by the multinational petrochemical company that hired me as a mechanical engineer 19 months earlier. The economy was bad for the basic manufacturing industries, but good for Wall Street. I landed a job as a stockbroker. The stock market was hot for four years, then crashed in October 1987. A few brave renegade souls saw the crash coming; one of them was my friend and colleague. So, the film script addresses Reaganomics’ effect on the workers left behind, which included me, and asked the question of the brave souls: What if renegade investors bet against the stock market on Black Monday, not for greed, but for justice? The third act was well-received by film festival judges. Padre Guns employs American football to discuss racial corruption in the mid-1970s. I played high school football at that time in history well enough to receive some offers to play college ball, most notably the United States Naval Academy. With 260 days until my 70^th birthday, the sport of bone-jarring collisions is still in my blood. Peace Of Mind tells the true tale of my stockbroker boss in April 1990 illegally & unethically going behind my back to sell my clients out of significant holdings in the stock of Kay Jewelers because he thought it was too risky while my wife responded by falsely accusing me of embezzling $50,000. My measured response in a lawyers’ meeting contrasted with my boss absolutely losing his mind screaming; the attorneys’ common sense prevailed. I was exonerated as my wife sought an annulment of our marriage. It was a crazy time in my life. I happily landed a job as a mechanical engineer in sales, then was vindicated just two months later when Kay Jewelers was bought out as I had predicted. My clients would have made 70% in two months had my stockbroker boss not lost his nerve. I stayed married for another 28 years so I could be the father of my daughters. That brings me to Soaring Dove, which I’ve discussed. May the peace your higher power gives you be as wonderful as the peace The Holy Trinity provides me. Thank you for the interview.

What are your expectations for 2026?

2026 is about ignition — the moment where years of creative groundwork turn into motion. I’ve spent the last few years building a slate of stories that blend emotion, tension, and truth. This year, the focus is on forward movement: packaging, production, and partnership. My goal is simple — to see Chasing Truths, Handprint, or More Going Down take that final step from page to screen. It’s time for the work to meet the world.

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What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently developing several screenplays that speak to different corners of the human experience.
– More Going Down — a Miami-set noir about power, loyalty, and the dangerous cost of ambition.
– Chasing Truths — an award-winning, memory-driven drama about identity, faith, and acceptance.
– Handprint — a modern noir thriller now under contract with Price Productions.
And Honesty — a short that began as a personal meditation and became a message: “This is your life. Share it.” Each story carries its own pulse, but all beat toward the same heart — connection.

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What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

Give independent artists real access — not just to audiences, but to allies. The best festivals and organizations champion creative risk and emotional authenticity, not just market metrics. I’d ask organizers to spotlight writers before production begins, to make mentorships more visible, and to create real bridges between creatives and producers who value original, character-driven work. The next great story won’t come from an algorithm — it’ll come from someone brave enough to tell the truth.

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What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

Connection and honesty. Every story I write is an attempt to hold a mirror to what it means to be alive — flawed, searching, and still hopeful. My guiding phrase is simple: This is your life. Share it. That’s what drives my choices, my collaborations, and my voice. Whether I’m writing about love, betrayal, or redemption, the goal remains the same — to make the audience feel seen, even for a moment.

– What are your expectations for 2026?

I never ever have any expectations…This way i never get let down..In life i have learnt never rely on anyone, but my self…

– What projects are you currently working on?

VENTRICULAR is a gripping journey through the human heart—literally and metaphorically. As the story unfolds, we meet Dr. Elena Martinez, a compassionate cardiologist haunted by her past, who discovers a rare condition that threatens her own life. Alongside her, a diverse cast of characters faces life-threatening emergencies, revealing the fragility and resilience of the human spirit. Through intense scenes and emotional depth, the film teaches viewers how to stay calm, think clearly, and respond effectively in emergencies. It’s a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope and courage beat strongest in the heart.

– What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

I would not ask or expect them to do anything..I am you’se to doing everything myself.

If i rely on noone and dont have any expections ..I never get let down..This is the cold hard truth..I do on the other hand appreciate those who support my journey..I am no one special..I am just the same as any other movie maker…

But i fund my own movies and dont ask for funding of others..

Thats the only way i see my self as being different..

I earn not just get given on a silver plate..If i wanted a new house..I’d earn it… not expect others to buy or build it for me..

This is just an example..

But when u do things on ur own one has more values and appreciation..And def no expectations..

– What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

My current guiding vision is to inspire creativity and evoke emotion through captivating visuals. I aim to blend imagination with aesthetic appeal, encouraging viewers to see the world from new perspectives and explore the depths of their own creativity.

– What are your expectations for 2026?

I think 2026 will be a year of unexpected surprises — and in a good way. The film world feels like it’s shifting toward more authenticity and heart, and I’m excited to be part of that movement. I’ve learned to stay open to what unfolds, because some of the best moments come from things you don’t plan. So for me, it’s about staying creative, saying yes to meaningful collaborations, and continuing to tell stories that matter — especially those rooted in truth and community.

– What projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on smaller projects that focus on family memories and special life events. There’s something really meaningful about capturing those moments that define who we are — preserving stories that might otherwise be forgotten. It’s a nice balance after the intensity of larger documentary work, and it keeps me connected to the heart of why I started filmmaking in the first place.

– What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

I think event organizers play such an important role in nurturing creative voices. Independent filmmakers often work with limited resources but endless passion, and giving us a platform to share our work means so much. I’d love to see continued support through mentorship opportunities, community screenings, and open dialogue between artists and audiences.

– What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

My artistic choices are guided by truth and connection. I’m drawn to stories that carry real emotion — stories that belong to the land, the people, and the moments that shape us. I want my work to honour resilience, to listen where others overlook, and to help preserve memories that might otherwise fade. Every project I take on is about respect — for those who share their stories and for the responsibility that comes with telling them honestly.

– What are your expectations for 2026?

In 2026, my focus is to build on a remarkable beginning. With Lambada The Dance of Fate earning over 100 awards & selections across five continents and ranks as the most awarded biographical screenplay by a first-time screenwriter in history — I am honored by how deeply this story has resonated around the globe.

But beyond the accolades, my purpose is clear. Cinema has always been more than entertainment — it is a passport to empathy, a universal language capable of crossing borders, cultures, and generations. As storytellers, we have the privilege and responsibility to remind the world of its shared humanity.

My expectation for 2026 is to use this momentum to inspire and empower emerging screenwriters — especially those who come from places where dreams often feel out of reach. I want to champion new voices, new visions, and new cultural perspectives — because the future of film will belong to those willing to tell the stories we have not yet heard.

There are two defining days in every life: the day we are born, and the day we discover why. I have found my “why.” In 2026, my mission is not only to continue telling meaningful stories — but to help light the path for the storytellers who are still searching for theirs.

– What projects are you currently working on?

I have just returned from three transformative months in Los Angeles, where I had the opportunity to present my biopic film project Lambada The Dance of Fate to several Hollywood production companies. The film tells the true story of an extraordinary journey — a life shaped by adversity, destiny, and the rhythm of a dance that ultimately changed everything.

In this industry, you don’t simply knock on the door of Paramount and ask if an executive has a moment — access is earned through relationships, trust, and doors opened one introduction at a time. And of course, the numerous awards & selections my screenplay has received around the world played a crucial role — they made people in Hollywood stop, take notice, and truly listen.

Every year, tens of thousands of new screenplays enter the Hollywood pipeline, and only a tiny fraction ever make it into a real decision-maker’s hands. To have moved from being just one script among many to a true decision-stage is something I don’t take for granted. At this stage, there are only two outcomes: yes or no.

My mission — one might call it my life’s purpose at this moment — is to bring Lambada The Dance of Fate to the big screen. I believe in this story with every fiber of my being. And now, I trust the process, stay focused, and let time speak. This film is on its path, and I am confident the right partnership is now within reach.

– What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

In a world where emerging voices are often lost beneath the noise, independent artists are the heartbeat of innovation in cinema. If I could ask event organizers for one thing, it would be this: create spaces where talent is not merely seen, but truly recognized — where originality is valued as much as marketability.

Give highly talented independent storytellers the same spotlight, the same access, and the same conversations that established names receive. Not as charity — but as an investment in the future of film. Curate platforms where art leads, where risk is encouraged, and where unconventional stories are not politely applauded, but actively championed.

Provide mentorship labs, curated networking sessions, and genuine bridges to industry decision-makers — not just red carpets and photo ops. The next great cinematic movement will not be born from repetition, but from courage. Help us stand where our stories can breathe, be heard, and be given a real chance to find their home on screen.

Independent artists don’t ask for guarantees. We ask for opportunity — and when you offer it, we will rise.

– What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

What guides my artistic choices today is a singular vision: to tell stories that refuse to disappear after the credits roll. I am drawn to narratives that carry emotional truth, that challenge silence, and that remind us of our shared humanity — even when life feels divided and loud.

My desire is to illuminate the extraordinary within the ordinary, to show that destiny often hides in the most unexpected corners of life, and that resilience can be a form of poetry. I choose projects that carry a heartbeat, that dare to confront vulnerability, and that celebrate the courage it takes to rise — again and again.

I do not chase trends; I chase truth. I pursue stories that will matter ten years from now, not ten minutes after a premiere. My compass is authenticity, my fuel is purpose, and my ambition is to create films that breathe — films that stay with you, not because they shouted the loudest, but because they whispered something your soul couldn’t ignore.

– What are your expectations for 2026?

To film, film, and film. We have a structured production plan already in motion, focused on maintaining continuous output. A new feature documentary about water is currently in post-production, exploring the relationship between natural resources and human development. Porto das Monções is being remastered and expanded, updating both its narrative and technical quality. In addition, we have several fiction projects submitted to Brazil’s incentive laws, awaiting results. These will allow us to expand our shooting schedule and strengthen the production line of Palha & Cia Casa de Criação.

– What projects are you currently working on?

We are currently focused on securing resources to produce Doctor Hypotheses 2 – The Breakdown, the sequel to the internationally awarded feature film. The script is complete, and we are seeking sponsorship and distribution partnerships to begin production early next year. The project continues the visual and thematic approach of the first film, now delving deeper into the boundaries between sanity, power, and manipulation.
In addition, we have several scripts ready for production:
– Coffee and Milk, which explores racial and cultural blending in Brazil through the love story between an Italian immigrant and a Black woman in 1927–1928, set against the backdrop of the Sacco & Vanzetti execution in the United States.
– Commit Me or Not, a comedy about the misadventures of polyamory and the emotional dilemmas of contemporary relationships.
– Berimbau, a children’s feature full of Brazilian rhythm and culture.
– The Three Mosquitteers, a children’s adventure set in dark times, where humor and imagination become acts of resistance.
– Duzinda, a period drama that follows the journey of a woman amid Brazil’s political and social transformations from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Our focus is to expand partnerships with the private sector and international co-producers, maintaining a clear commitment to a cinema that combines strong content with Brazilian identity.

– What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

I would ask them to expand the spaces for dialogue and real opportunities for independent cinema. Talent needs structure, and creativity only thrives when it finds concrete paths for production and circulation.
Festivals and film events play a vital role in promoting works, but they should also establish permanent channels that connect filmmakers, investors, distributors, and exhibition platforms.
Independent cinema fuels the entire audiovisual chain with new languages and narrative formats. To strengthen this ecosystem, it’s essential to create real access to markets, resources, and visibility, with fewer bureaucratic barriers and more predictable processes.
Supporting independent cinema means investing in diversity, innovation, and the sustainable future of the industry.

– What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

I have been developing a language that combines magical realism, humor, and social commentary—elements deeply rooted in Latin American tradition. This aesthetic emerges from historical contexts marked by contradiction—dictatorships, inequality, and resistance—yet finds in imagination a form of liberation.
I approach the screenplay as the foundation of a strong audiovisual work, where every image serves a narrative purpose. I strive to compose frames with contrast, depth, and rhythm, drawing inspiration from Caravaggio’s use of light and shadow, applying it to the creation of atmosphere, character, and visual storytelling. The goal is to produce films with a distinct visual identity, solid structure, and genuine potential to connect with diverse markets.

– What are your expectations for 2026?

My expectations for 2026 are that my feature –length fiction screenplay published by Edilivre Editions in France (276 Awards Winner) about templar’s Grail, the Priory of Sion and the treasure of Abbe Sauniere will finally be realized, either as a three –hour blockbuster film or on a platform like Netflix in several episodes .

– What projects are you currently working on?

I have just published “ the Book of Wonders” with Book Envol Editions. This is my seventh historical book about Rennes the Castle with the first chapter dedicated to the third secret of Fatima , interspersed with my mystical and mediumistic poetry. I am currently composing a metaphysical and mediumistic tale related to the idea that creativity can transcend time into eternity.

– What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

I would ask event organizers in the film industry to take a little more account of the talent of independent creators and to take the time to listen to their original way of working.

– What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

Currently my artistic aspirations are guided by the search for my feature length fiction screenplays, such as the one about Camille Claudel’s new triumph, published by Edilivre, while also playing the role of Camille Claudel or Florence one of the heroines, medium and treasure hunter in my screenplay about Rennes the Castle .
And then the ideas are like lands that renew themselves forever, a royal tomb are these words that rise into ideals . For from the sky fall keys of knowledge from a primordial time, an innate time adorned with precious stones. Gold, silver, bronze, crystal, a seven-branched candlestick, representing the pluralistic knowledge within oneself.
We don’t change, except that the little girl I was fishes for stars in the pond of Knowledge.
Ultimately, it’s about achieving self –knowledge through thousands of contemplative desires that pass through the mirror of time. Hence the birth within oneself of a creativity that aligns with beauty.
Ultimately, the visible power of a well- formed composition is revealed.
Also, the water of knowledge that flows from the walls of time . Geysers of diamonds.

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The feet of Christ‘s throne which are living watchmen.
And Sleeping Beauty inspired by the idea, has awakened.

As Cannes 2026 approaches, filmmaker Gary Mazeffa stands on the verge of unveiling Asherah: A Love Odyssey — a work described as mythic, feminine, and fearlessly independent. It is both a film and a movement, a visual odyssey that fuses sacred symbolism with the language of modern cinema. We spoke with Mazeffa about his vision for 2026, his creative process, and the evolving role of independent filmmakers in a rapidly changing industry.

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What are your expectations for 2026?

Gary Mazeffa:
2026 is the year of completion — both for the film and for me personally. After years of development, production, and refinement, Asherah: A Love Odyssey will finally meet its audience. I’m not just hoping for recognition; I’m hoping for resonance. My wish is that viewers walk away with the sense that cinema still has the power to reveal something sacred — that independent art can be both intimate and cosmic in scope.

I expect 2026 to be a turning point for Q2 Films as well — establishing a presence on the world stage at Cannes and beginning a global conversation about myth, femininity, and creative renewal.

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What projects are you currently working on?

Gary Mazeffa:
We’re finishing post-production on Asherah right now — refining the sound, finalizing music cues with our composer, and locking the visual effects that carry the film’s closing image. Alongside that, I’m developing The Asherah Dialogues, a multimedia extension of the film — part spoken word, part visual essay — where we continue the philosophical and emotional threads the film opens.

I’m also expanding our online ecosystem — the Asherah Movement — which connects audiences through essays, video reflections, and imagery that explore completion, creativity, and the divine feminine. These projects together form one living universe.

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What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do to support highly talented independent artists like yourself?

Gary Mazeffa:
I’d ask them to remember that creativity doesn’t always come from capital. It often comes from necessity, from vision, from the refusal to wait for permission. So give that vision a seat at the main table — not just in “emerging voices” sidebars.

Festivals and markets should create pathways for independent films that take risks — artist residencies, mentorships, even micro-grant showcases — and foster spaces for dialogue rather than competition. Imagine a Cannes where an independent filmmaker can talk about mythology, sound, and philosophy alongside their screening — that’s the kind of ecosystem that keeps cinema alive.

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What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

Gary Mazeffa:
Completion. That’s the word that guides everything. Asherah is about the completion of the feminine principle — the return of what was left out of creation. My artistic vision is rooted in reconciliation: between the human and divine, science and spirit, man and woman, creator and creation.

Every frame I make tries to restore a sense of wholeness — to remind us that we’re part of something vast, beautiful, and unfinished. My goal isn’t to escape reality but to complete it.

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Asherah: A Love Odyssey is slated for completion in late 2025, with its worldwide premiere planned for the Cannes Marché du Film 2026. Through this project and beyond, Gary Mazeffa continues to prove that myth and meaning still belong at the heart of cinema.

– What are your expectations for 2026?

I have a couple of projects I’d like to tackle, but they’re very difficult to make; both were written a while ago. One requires, as usual, my sole dedication, because I’ve completed both the screenplay and the storyboard, subject to any changes during production, of course. The other is also ready at the script level, but I wouldn’t be involved as the full author of the work, as it would require the involvement of other people, in particular for an upcoming crowdfunding initiative, and it needs time to organize, it should be on Indiegogo.

– What projects are you currently working on?

I’m starting to supervise the first one and think about it. A lot of preparation is needed for this kind of thing; it’s important to think about how to make all the scenes, see what might work, everything is still in a phase I like to call “theater of the mind.” My last two animated works took a long time to make, and even “D.W. Griffith: The Silent Era,” my third documentary, required months and months of research.

– What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

I don’t think I’m particularly talented, otherwise I’d do even more, but I do believe I have a strong drive to improve my situation. I would have preferred to win cash prizes for my work; I’ve even chosen a few festivals that offer them as prizes, but so far, everything has been done at my own expense, with very little money. For various reasons, I can’t currently travel outside of Italy because I still have so many responsibilities here, and I don’t have the capital to cover such expenses. To the question, “What could I ask of the film industry to support me?” I answer that if companies like Netflix acquired the rights of my documentaries, for example, paying me even though they’re available on other platforms, where there’s no advertising and therefore fewer views, perhaps the situation could improve. But I also believe there’s a lack of interest in the topics I address, which may be very interesting to expert juries but not to the general public. So, a reasonable offer would be needed to acquire the rights to at least my three documentaries, perhaps from American television channels or something along those lines. As for my two animated shorts, I tried to showcase my style of direction as well as the themes that are dear to me. But specifically in animation, developing this on a large scale alone is impossible. These two animated shorts could also be of interest to some American television channels.

– What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

These have been difficult years for me personally. I believe cinema saved me, and I have reciprocated by responding through the same medium to continue to love.

-What are your expectations for 2026?

What are my expectations for 2026? Definitely to continue studying to become a better artist, to experiment, to be a better and fairer person, even towards others, despite everything around me. To have the strength to face future challenges, both in art and in life itself. But for me it’s the same thing because art IS MY LIFE! I hope in 2026 to be able to create something new, something the public doesn’t know but that resonates with them, something that can touch people’s souls, to leave a positive mark in a world full of negativity. I hope in 2026 to have a real turning point in my career, that can raise my limits and that I can reach them. I hope to meet serious people, unique people, with true artistic goals, honest people who don’t make fun of anyone, honest and humble people despite their talent. And I expect to further broaden my horizons and my journey!

-What projects are you currently working on?

I have two projects I’m working on. One project will be a tribute to a great Italian actor, who has inspired me for many years. Only great artists could understand him. A true revolutionary who, despite everything, always showed his power. On stage, he never acted, but was himself. For me, a great role model and a true and unique artist: the great Carmelo Bene. I will recite some Shakespearean acts, adapted by him, and a reading of some verses from Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, all in his style. And another project, based on a poem by the great Mikhail Lermontov, entitled THE NOVICE, tells the story of a man who confesses his sins and prepares for religious life, but first seeks the freedom of his soul and his inner light. A project very dear to me, which I’ve had in mind for a year. Now I’ve reached the right maturity and culture to do it. Both were filmed on stage. I’ve been attached to the theater since I was a child. Theater is my life, I’d die for it. It’s always been my dream to combine theater and film, and now I think I’ve achieved it, but there’s always room for improvement. I hope these two projects turn out as well as my previous ones. Both will be wrapped up in one film…one project.

-What would you ask event organizers in the film industry to do in order to support the creativity of highly talented independent artists like yourself?

They should listen to us, give us our artistic freedom, give us at least one real chance to play well. They should have a broader, not narrower, vision; they should be hungry for knowledge and emotion. They should help young people gain more self-esteem. Above all, they should not be vulgar and believe in us more. Even if we’re original, that doesn’t mean we’re wrong.

-What vision or desire currently guides your artistic choices?

I don’t want to be one of the greats, I don’t seek great fame, I don’t want to be a superstar, there are too many of those. I don’t want to be the heir of this or that.

I’m working and studying to be a stage animal in the future, an emotional beast, a fiery torch that warms the souls of the audience.

I don’t feel like an actor; actors pretend in one way or another. I want to tell the truth, the light, the dream that comes true. This is true art.

I don’t know where it will take me; life, unfortunately, is very unpredictable. But one thing is certain: I WILL NEVER GIVE UP. When I die, they’ll be able to say…” There was also a certain Vincenzo Amoruso.”