Christian Zyp interviews Christine Miller (Founder/Creative Director) about the Edmonton Underground Film Festival (EUFF). It takes place Saturday October 18th from 12 pm - 11:30 pm at the Freemasons Hall (10318-100 Ave NW).
EUFF.02 is a celebration of creative, low-budget filmmaking. EUFF encourages filmmakers to explore their unique process while challenging the conventions of typical film production. EUFF is committed to screening experimental, fringe, subversive short films that exude creative freedom, energy and experimentation.
TIX: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/edmonton-underground-film-festival-tickets-1331417859659?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
FILM FREEWAY: https://filmfreeway.com/EdmontonUndergroundFilmFestival
INSTAGRAM: @euff.02
Christian Zyp interviews Dale Kristensen about the docuseries he stars in, UNDERDOG INC. It airs Fridays on AMI-TV or you can stream episodes anytime, for free, on AMI+.
UNDERDOG INC. is an adrenaline-fueled 8 episode docuseries following Dale Kristensen—heavy-machinery operator, truck driver and mechanic—who stands just four-foot-two but takes on jobs built for giants. Navigating the brutal terrain and unforgiving weather of the Western Canadian mountains, Dale battles blizzards, breakdowns and backbreaking labour to prove that skill and determination matter more than size.
Born with dwarfism, Dale has never let his disability define him. This resilience and dogged determination are qualities he is passing onto his seven-year-old son, Cooper, who is also a Little Person. Living in a world that is not designed for them, Dale is forced to adapt in every aspect of life. From grocery shopping and cooking to farm work and driving enormous machines, he must be creative to get the job done.
Stream UNDERDOG INC. www.amiplus.ca/Underdog
Instagram @accisablemediainc
@dale_kristensen
@underdog.inc.tv
Christian Zyp interviews Becca Kozak (writer/director) about her film SUGAR ROT. It has screened as part of the Calgary Underground Film Festival (CUFF) and Shock Stock. SUGAR ROT will make it's Eastern Canadian Premiere on Fri Aug 1st, 2025 at Fantasia Festival in Montreal.
SUGAR ROT may be candy-coloured, but its embrace of pink avoids anything cute or twee. This isn’t a bubblegum pink film; it’s Pepto-Bismol pink, genital pink, earthworm pink. Set in an ice-cream shop, Becca Kozak’s film is a relentless sensory onslaught—depraved, delicious, and unafraid to plunge into the darkest, dankest corners of the imagination.
Website: beccakozakfilmmaker.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @sugar_rot_productions
Fantasia Info: fantasiafestival.com/en/film/sugar-rot
Christian Zyp interviews Bruce Pittman (director) in this episode of MOVING RADIO REWIND from 2017. Bruce discusses the legendary horror sequel that was filmed right here in Edmonton... HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT II. They discuss filming locations, local tallent hired for the film and schnitzel.
HELLO MARY LOU: PROM NIGHT (1987) is a Canadian supernatural slasher film directed by Bruce Pittman, written by Ron Oliver, and starring Michael Ironside, Wendy Lyon, Louis Ferreira, and Lisa Schrage. It follows Vicki Carpenter, a high school student who becomes possessed by Mary Lou Maloney, a student who died at her high school prom in 1957. It was a sequel to the slasher film PROM NIGHT (1980) originally intended to be a standalone film titled "The Haunting of Hamilton High", but was retitled in order to capitalize on the success of the original "Prom Night". The only story connection between the two films is that they are set at the same high school.
Christian Zyp interviewed Tanya Lapointe in 2020 about the documentary THE PAPER MAN (Lafortune en Papier). The film examines the creativity and career of Claude Lafortune, who needed nothing more than glue, paper and scissors to create his famous characters, from Van Gogh to Louis XIV. Claude was a visual artist who made a lasting impression on countless children as the host of the television shows "Parcelles de Soleil" and "L’Évangile en Papier". This touching documentary does justice to a man with a big heart who believed in inclusiveness and was very popular with Quebec audiences, but who struggled to earn his peers’ recognition.
Tanya Lapointe is a Canadian filmmaker and former journalist. Her debut as a documentary filmmaker, 50/50, was broadcast by Radio-Canada in 2018, and examined the gender gap between men and women in society. She began working with Denis Villeneuve on ARRIVAL and BLADE RUNNER 2049. That lead to becoming a an Oscar nominated producer on DUNE: PART ONE and DUNE: PART TWO. Her next project will be as a producer on the next installment of Amazon's James Bond franchine.
Christian Zyp interview Tim Folkmann about an event designed to look back at the creative history of one of Edmonton's most creative space. It's called AN AFFECTIONATE SALUTE TO THE ORTONA ARMOURY ARTS BUILDING. It begins at 5:30 pm on Thursday June 26th, 2025. Tickets are by donation at the door.
ORTONA DIASPORA celebrates a dispersed arts community. The Ortona Artists’ Reach Society (OARS) is proud to present artists of the Ortona Armoury—a unique arts community in flux—from past and present.
An Affectionate Salute to the Mighty Ortona Armoury Arts Bldg. starts the evening with the Ortona Diaspora Group exhibit reception in the theatre lobby followed by Reel Ortona, a retrospective of short films from local filmmakers sprung from the Ortona and a music performance by the Trincan Steel Orchestra. The evening wraps up with “Edmonton Tonight”; join host Tom Bernier for laughs, music and tips for living in a late night talk show format featuring a who’s who of Edmonton’s art & cultural scene with musical guest Danielle George of Trincan.
Filmmakers include: aAron Munson, Adolfo Ruiz, Alex Vizmeg, Conor McNally, Dave Morgan, Eva Colmers, Helen Folkmann, John Osborne, Ken Berry, Kyle Armstrong, Patrick Higgins, Lindsay McIntyre, Matthew Rankin, Mike McLaughlin, Tim Folkmann, Tom Bernier, and Trevor Anderson.
https://metrocinema.org/production/an-affectionate-salute-to-the-mighty-ortona-armoury-arts-bldg/
Christian Zyp interviews Simon Ennis (director) and Elizabeth Hargrave (Tabletop Game Creator) about the documentary THE HOBBY: TALES FROM THE TABLETOP. It screens Friday June 20th at 6:45 at Metro CInema. Simon and Elizabeth will be in attendance at the screening for a Q&A following the film.
From the World Series of Board Games on the Vegas Strip and dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, THE HOBBY: TALES FROM THE tABLETOP is an affectionate, character-driven portrait of the massive and diverse subculture of board games. With a fascinating cast of charming subjects, including the “Roger Ebert of board games,” a rock-climbing board game philosopher, and a birdwatcher who created an unlikely smash hit, players share personal stories of competition, compulsion, creativity, and connection throughout the film. More than just a movie about board games, THE HOBBY explores the value of leisure time and uncovers the deep meaning found in “meaningless” pursuits.
THE HOBBY: TALES FROM THE TABLETOP Website: https://www.sepiafilms.com/films/the-hobby
@sepia_films
ELIZABETH HARGRAVE Website: https://www.elizhargrave.com/
METRO CINEMA Tickets: https://ticketing.uswest.veezi.com/purchase/9334?siteToken=bfsmvs00k2v5xfayv313wkqpkw
Christian Zyp interviews Melanie Kinnaman and Tiffany Helm about the 40th Anniversary screening of FRIDAY THE 13th Pt V: A NEW BEGINNING. It's presented by CUFF (Calgary Underground FIlm Festival) on Fri June 13th at the Globe Cinema at 7pm. Special guests at the screening include: Melanie Kinnaman, Dick Wieand, Ron Sloan, Tom Morga & Tiffany Helm for a Q&A following the screening! This film is presented in partnership with the Calgary Horror-Con.
Tickets: www.calgaryundergroundfilm.org/year-roun…iversary/
Melanie Kinnaman Instagram @screensiren5
Christian Zyp interviews Lucas Frison (director) about his 6 docu-series WE WERE BRONCOS. It revolves around Ryan Straschnitzki's journey to try and make the National Team for Canada's wheelchair basketball game and a potential trip to Los Angels for the 2028 Paralympics. The former member of the Humboldt Broncos was paralyzed from the chest down in 2018, when a semi-trailer ran a stop sign and barrelled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus in rural Saskatchewan.
Sixteen people died and 13 were hurt.
Lucas Frison and his film crew with Regina-based Prairie Cat Productions followed Straschnitzki for eight months to create the series WE WERE BRONCOS. It airs on AMI, or Accessible Media Inc., beginning May 26, 2025.
AMI PLus Link: https://www.amiplus.ca/?app-config=ami-tv
INSTAGRAM: @accessiblemediainc
@rstraz_
@prarie.cat.productions
Lindsey Campbell interviews Julia Berman (producer) about the feature film GRIFFIN IN SUMMER. See it as part of Rainbow Visions Film Festival on Sat May 17th at 7:15 pm at the Metro Cinema.
In GRIFFIN IN SUMMER an aspiring young playwright Griffin Nafly, summer break means it's time to stage another dramatic new play, this time an ambitious cross between "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and "American Beauty." However, his producer and cast members are starting to get distracted by more trivial (aka: fun) teen pursuits, so Griffin's attention shifts toward the hunky handyman (Owen Teague) his mom has hired to do some light renos around the house. Finding himself utterly smitten, but also seeing Brad as a peer and kindred creative spirit, Griffin embarks on a potentially life-changing summer.
Lucas Anders interviews Sandi Dubowski (director/producer) about the documentary SABBATH QUEEN. See it as part of Rainbow Visions Film Festival Sunday May 18th at 3:00pm at the Metro Cinema.
Filmed over 21 years, SABBATH QUEEN follows Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie's epic journey as the dynastic heir of 38 generations of Orthodox rabbis, including the Chief Rabbis of Israel. Torn between rejecting and embracing his destiny, he becomes a drag-queen rebel, a queer bio-dad, and the founder of Lab/Shul—an everybody-friendly, God-optional, artist-driven, pop-up experimental congregation. SABBATH QUEEN joins Amichai on a lifelong quest to creatively and radically reinvent religion and ritual, challenge patriarchy and supremacy, champion interfaith love, and stand up for peace. This invigorating powerhouse of a film interrogates what Jewish survival means in a difficult, rapidly changing 21st century.
https://www.sabbathqueen.com/
INSTAGRAM: @sabbathqueendocumentary
Christian Zyp interviews Peter Hays (director) about the documentary FLASHBACK that focuses on the legendary club from the 80's nightlife scene in Edmonton. Catch a screening of FLASHBACK at the Metro Cinema on May 18th, 2025 at 5:30 pm.
FLASHBACK is the story of a defiant disco dance culture of sweat and sex and drugs and fashion in Edmonton. It became a sensation on the international club circuit despite police raids, threats of violence and the scourge of AIDS. Even though the club is no more, it comes alive again in the memories of the people who were there and the legends they left behind.
https://www.flashbackdocumentary.ca/
INSTAGRAM: @flashbackdocumentary
Christian Zyp interviews Deborah Craig (director) about her documentary SALLY! You can see it Sunday May 18th, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Metro Cinema as part of the Rainbow Visions Film Fest.
SALLY! focuses on Sally Gearhart: lesbian, feminist, professor, and fantasy author who helped transform the world for gay people —but too few folks know of this hidden figure. (Did you know how much of an influence she was on Harvey Milk?) It's borderline criminal how unknown this firebrand of a woman is, and this phenomenal new documentary celebrates Sally's dynamism and complexity, as well as the collective (if chaotic) nature of revolutionary movements and their icons.
https://www.sallygearhartfilm.com/
FACEBOOK: SALLY! Feature Documentary
Lucas Anders interviews Patrick Shannon (director) about the documentary SAINTS AND WARRIORS. See it as part of NorthWest Film Fest on Saturday May 10th at 4:45 pm at the Metro Cinema.
SAINTS AND WARRIORS, a documentary featuring the leaders of iconic Indigenous-Haida basketball team, the Skidegate Saints as they compete for two titles - defending their championship title at the 2024 All Native Basketball Tournament, and the political title battle for their lands and waters. Filmed throughout the Haida basketball season, SAINTS AND WARRIORS tells an intimate and sweeping story of how basketball has become the heartbeat of contemporary culture on the remote Indigenous nation of Haida Gwaii.
https://www.saintsandwarriors.com/
Lindsey Campbell interviews Vernon Davidson (director) and B.J. Maier (editor) about the documentary SEGAL about actor George Segal. See it as part of NorthWest FIlm Fest on May 10th at 12:00 pm the Metro Cinema.
SEGAL looks at the life and career of George Segal. From a shy kid from Long Island to a sought-after leading man during Hollywood's most prolific decades, legendary entertainer George Segal shares his life story. From television (The Goldbergs, Just Shoot Me) to films (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Terminal Man, California Split) his career spanned seven decades.
https://www.segal-doc.com/
Instagram: @segalmovie
Christian Zyp interviews Jessica Hall (director) about her short film SATURDAY. You can see it as part of NorthWest Film Fest Saturday May 9, 2025 at 9:15 pm at the Metro Cinema.
SATURDAY is a tribute to filmmaker Jessica Hall’s sister and mother, chronicling their journey as Katherine navigates life with an intellectual disability. Shot in Whitehorse, the short documentary weaves in family movies of Katherine’s childhood, family gatherings and their immigration to Canada, celebrating her independent and creative life.Katherine and her mother, Frances, spend every Saturday together. They go thrifting, peruse the hardware store and devote time to their shared hobby of building—and renovating—dollhouses.
https://www.nfb.ca/film/saturday/
Christian Zyp interviews Lowell Dean (director/writer) DARK MATCH, filmed in Edmonton and a finalist for the Edmonton FIlm Prize 2025. You can see DARK MATCH as part of NorthWest Film Festival (NWFF) Mon May 12th @ 9:30pm at Metro Cinema.
In DARK MATCH, Miss Behave and her fellow wrestlers reach a creepy destination for an unsanctioned car. They realize too late that the weekend won’t go as planned. Once the event begins, Miss and her friends are pitted against each other, one at a time, in a kill or be killed event that’s part gladiator match, part ritual sacrifice.
https://darkmatch.com/
Instagram: @darkmatchmovie
Facebook: Dark Match
Christian Zyp interviews Morgan Evans (director/writer) and Patrick Noth (actor/writer) abou their film MICRO BUDGET. See it as part of NorthWest Film Fest Saturday May 10th at 9:30 pm at the Metro Cinema.
MICRO BUDGET revolves around wannabe filmmaker Terry (Patrick Noth) on the cusp of discovering he's about to be a father. So, he does what any other sane person would do. He moves himself and his nine-month pregnant wife from Iowa to Los Angeles to shoot a low-budget indie movie and sell it to a streamer for a "f**k-ton of money." Documented by his cousin Devin's behind-the-scenes camera crew, Terry suddenly finds that his beliefs about diversity, the #MeToo movement, and what technically qualifies as an adequately financed film production put him at odds with anyone who meets him. This mockumentary features Bobby Moynihan, Chris Parnell, Maria Bamford, Carla Jimenez, Nichole Sakura and a very special cameo.
INSTAGRAM @microbudgetmovie
https://www.microbudgetmovie.com/
THREADS @microbudgetmovie
Christian Zyp interviews Fern Levitt (director) about her documentary LUCY: THE STOLEN LIVES OF ELEPHANTS. It screens as part of NorthWest Film Fest Tuesday May 13th, 2025 at 7:00 pm aat Metro Cinema.
LUCY: THE STOLEN LIVES OF ELEPHANTS does focus on the elephant currently living in captivity at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, but it also examines how this happens and how detrimental it is to the animals. Lucy has been a focal point of controversy for decades. Activists, including many well-known celebrities, have advocated for Lucy to be moved to a sanctuary in Tennessee. All the while, the Valley Zoo continues to stress that due to Lucy's fragile health, she could die during transport. This impassioned documentary exposes the overall impact of keeping elephants in zoos through several interrelated stories, Lucy's story acting as the film's emotional core.
NorthWest Film Fest: https://www.northwestfest.ca/films-2025-backend/lucy-the-stolen-life
Film Website: https://lucythestolenlivesofelephants.com/learn-more
Instagram: @lucythestolenlivesofelephants
Facebook: Lucy: The Stole Lives of Elephants
TikTok: @lucytheelephant
Christian Zyp interviews Su Chau & Sean Tse (Festival Co-Directors) about the FascinAsian Film Festival taking place May 9th - 11th, 2025 at the Landmark CIty Centre Cinemas.
This is the first time the FascinAsian Film Festival is being showcased in Edmonton. It is a culturally specific film festival based in the Prairie provinces. The festival celebrates Asian contributions to the film and media landscape and aims to showcase the talents of Asian-Canadian and Asian-American artists in film. FAFF has 4 feature films (LUCKY STAR, PAPER FLOWERS, 7 BEATS PER MINUTE and NEW WAVE) as well as 15 Short films.
Schedule & Tickets: https://fffyeg2025.eventive.org/schedule
Instagram: @fascinasianedmonton
Facebook: FascinAsian Film Festival - Edmonton
