Bond on Cinema – Details, episodes & analysis

Ladies and gentlemen, the lives of incarcerated wildland firefighters are the subject of the exhilarating Oscar-qualifying short film FIRELINE. The story follows Otto as he grapples with the challenges of prison life and his desire to connect with his daughter against the backdrop of a forest fire. Th film highlights the pivotal role played by prison labor in California’s firefighting efforts and the limited opportunities for these individuals to pursue careers in firefighting upon reentering society.

After being denied parole, Otto desperately tries to call his daughter while his crew combats a fire. Amidst the chaos of the field, an accident forces him to confront the true extent of his obligations.

FIRELINE is an incredible short film, full of emotion, danger and a ray of hope that awaits Otto.

My prayer is this film will help those incarcerated who are on the frontlines fighting fires protecting our communities will have a wider choice of career when reentering society.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Robin Takao D’Oench and Bobby Soto.

Robin is a writer/director/producer who is motivated to tell compelling, cinematic, and culturally diverse stories.

His multi-award winning short TADAI-EMA, inspired by his family’s experiences during the Japanese American Internment, received a certificate of commendation from the city of San Francisco. The film screened at over a hundred festivals and events, was acquired by Comcast-Xfinity, Seed & Spark, Full Spectrum Pictures and is included in the Densho: Japanese American Legacy Resource Guide.

Actor Bobby Soto has starred in the Amazon feature film, A MILLION MILES AWAY starring opposite Michael Peña and Rosa Salazar. He can also be seen in the multi-award winning film FLAMIN' HOT, directed by Eva Longoria. And can also be seen on Netflix's NARCOS.

In 2020, Bobby was seen in Scott Teems' THE QUARRY, opposite Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham. Additionally, Bobby played the lead of David Ayer’s film THE TAX COLLECTOR opposite Shia LaBeouf.

Robin’s newest short, FIRELINE is a story that follows Otto played by Bobby Soto as he grapples with the challenges of prison life and his desire to connect with his daughter against the backdrop of a forest fire.

#oscars #academyawards #shortfilms #shortfilm #fireline #firefighters #prisonlabor #actor #bobbysoto #film #cinema #cinematography #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #california #forestfires

Ladies and gentlemen, LUKI AND THE LIGHTS is an animated short film with a message. A teaching tool to explain to children who’s parent or friend has ALS and what does it mean if someone has ALS.

LUKI & THE LIGHTS shares a charming and touching story of a robot named LUKi who is slowly starting to malfunction. But even with the struggles ahead, LUKi demonstrates unwavering resilience, painting a vivid portrait of what it means to truly live and the power to find light even in the darkest of times. This poignant animated short was made to raise awareness of ALS as well as to create a platform for children to understand what the disease is. It has qualified to be considered for the 2025 Oscars.

The story follows an active, charming, and upbeat robot named LUKi who enjoys hanging with friends. One day after work while playing soccer, Luki's arm begins to malfunction. After a trip to the doctor, LUKi is diagnosed with ALS.

Cinematically, the 3D animation is again off-the-charts fantastic and your eyes just want to absorb every detail in the animation. The movements are so fluid, the colors are incredible and more importantly it brings the explanation of ALS to both children and adults with ease.

Toby’s brilliance comes through by mimicking the exact movements or the lack thereof in those experiencing the beginning stages of ALS as well as the latter stages of the disease.

ALS is still a misunderstood disease and one in which we still don’t know what the cause it. It can strike people in the prime of their life as well affecting those in their senior years.

For more information, go to GlobalNeuroYCare.org for more information as well as ALS.org.

LUKI AND THE LIGHTS is Oscar-qualified and one film I am keeping my eye on when the shortlist is announced.

About Toby Cochran

He's an animator genius Toby Cochran and his Oscar-qualifying animated short film LUKI AND THE LIGHTS.

LUKI & THE LIGHTS shares a charming and touching story of a robot named LUKi who is slowly starting to malfunction. This poignant animated short was made to raise awareness of ALS as well as to create a platform for children to understand what the disease is.

LUKI & THE LIGHTS is inspired by the true story of Sascha Groen and her husband Anjo Snijders who was diagnosed with ALS. To date, the film has taken home twenty awards.

#animatedshortfilm #shortfilms #animation #animated #ALS #ALSawareness #health #wellness #cartoon #3Danimation #kidscartoon #oscars #academyawards 

We discuss his Oscar-qualified, Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winning short film THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT.

Ladies and gentlemen, Nebosha Slijepčević’s Oscar-qualified, Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winning short film THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT is based on a true story that happened in 1993 of a passenger train traveling from Belgrade to Bar when it is stopped by paramilitary forces in an ethnic cleansing operation. There we meet the man who quite literally could remain silent and stands for his rights as well as others on board, leaving witness to this horrific form of treatment in shock. Only one man out of 500 passengers dares to stand up to them. This is the true story of a man who could not remain silent. 

This film brings us an unassuming hero, Tomo Buzov who stood up for his fellow passengers and paid the ultimate price.

This film is a cinematic beauty and deserves being Oscar-qualified. This film is what winning a possible Oscar is all about. A compelling story, acting that grips the heart and stirs your emotions. The cinematography at this level is very rare in cinema and when you get the chance to see THE MAN WHO COULD NOT REMAIN SILENT you will be like me and not remain silent about how incredible this short film truly is. I believe we call it a masterpiece.

#palmedor #cannesfilmfestival #serbia #croatia #cinema #cinematic #shortfilm #shortfilms #film #filmmakers #filmmaking #filmdirector #screenwriter #truestory #tomobuzov 

Award-winning creator of some of the most popular animated TV series of our time, including Babar, Little Bear, The Adventures of Tintin, Berenstain Bears, Franklin, The Magic School Bus, Beetlejuice, Inspector Gadget, and Arthur to name a few.

Michael Hirsh has written a tell-all book Animation Nation: How We Built A Cartoon Empire, featuring untold stories of the making of some of the most cherished cartoons of all time.

All in all, Michael Hirsh produced and created over 6,000 episodes of children’s TV programming. These programs ran on every children’s network and cable channel around the world -- PBS, Cartoon Network, CBS, FOX, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, to name just a few. He understood the secret ingredient needed to captivate children with entertaining shows that parents would wholeheartedly endorse and enjoy.

 In his book, Animation Nation: How We Built A Cartoon Empire is not just a memoir; it's a celebration of the power of creativity and perseverance. Packed with humor and hard-won wisdom, Hirsh's narrative is a testament to how passion and entrepreneurial zeal can build a global empire from humble beginnings. This book also contains some nuggets that every entrepreneur should learn when it comes to hiring the right people.

#Babar #Little Bear #TheAdventuresofTintin #BerenstainBears #Franklin #The Magic School Bus #Beetlejuice #InspectorGadget #Arthur #donkeykong #animation #animator #cartoon #comics #Disney #FOX #ABC #CBS #NBC #BBC #ITV #newbook #starwars #georgelucas #stevenspielberg 

My guests today are Ally Condrath and Jake Mann. They are part of Dinner for One, a comedy collective and writing team along with Ian Wexler and Kyle Miller. 

The team writes and produces all projects in-house ranging from indie television to short films, digital content and live sketch comedy. They've performed at the TBS New York Comedy Festival, Upright Citizen's Brigade and headlined sketch festivals across the US.  Dinner for One has been praised as "the funniest, most inventive sketch troupe in the NY Comedy scene." 

Their newest short, 4th DEMENTIA, received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Screenplay at Flicker's Rhode Island Festival and continues its run, screening at Oscar-qualifying festivals, like HollyShorts, all over the country. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the short film 4TH DEMENTIA is In this multiverse comedy about Alzheimer’s. Nellie, the lead character travels through alternate dimensions in search of her husband.

This film breaks comedy out of the politically correct box we have placed it in. We need to learn to laugh and how to laugh at life’s most challenging situations. Laughter is the best medicine and we can’t keep that type of medicine locked away.

4TH DEMENTIA is a wonderful film. Very high quality cinematography, stellar acting that creates a mixture of emotions in the audience. From laughter to sadness to heartbreak.

We have to learn to laugh in the face of many challenges or we’ll go crazy. 4TH DEMENTIA is not only a film worth seeing, it’s worth remembering.

#dementia #alzheimers #comedy #shortfilm #shortfilms #screenwriter #actor #comedytroupe #cinema #cinematography #film #filmfestival #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector 

Founder and former Chairman/CEO of Abrams Artists Agency, Harry Abrams, who always knew that he wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry as a talent agent.

In 1958, he joined MCA Artists, which was then a talent agency. Started in the mailroom for forty dollars a week and quickly rose through the ranks.

He remained at MCA until 1962, it was at this time that Mr. Abrams and an MCA co-worker decided to start their own specialized talent agency named Abrams-Rubaloff & Associates in Los Angeles.

By 1977, Abrams-Rubaloff & Associates had risen to become the top talent agency of its kind throughout the country.

Mr. Abrams, being the driving force behind the agency, he and his partner went their separate ways and Mr. Abrams went onto form what we now know as Abrams Artists Agency.

He made unknown stars into superstars. Carl Weathers, Jaclyn Smith, Liam Neeson, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Lopez, William H. Macy, Sterling K. Brown, Michael B. Jordan, Chandra Wilson and so many others. We can literally name drop all day.

Mr. Abrams is here with his new book, LET’S DO LAUNCH: A HOLLYWOOD AGENT DISHES ON HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS AND CAREER TAKE OFF.

#hollywood #talentagent #jenniferlopez #carlweathers #jaclynsmith #michaelbjordan #chandrawilson #williamhmacy #sterlingkbrown #liamneesom #jasonalexander #seinfeld #hollywood #film #movies #commercials #TVshows #TVseries #charliesangels

Wwriter/director and actor Dan Abramovici began his career as an actor, most recently on projects such as Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, HBO’s  Jane, FX’s What We Do In The Shadows, and CBS’s Star Trek Discovery.

 Dan sold his first feature film, the comedy BEN’S AT HOME to Netflix and then jumped behind the camera, writing and directing a series of short films, including the Academy-Qualifying PLAY IT AGAIN, as well as LIMINAL, STUCK, and his newest short, SPACEMAN.

 SPACEMAN is sci-fi fantasy coming of age short film breaking barriers via a deeply human handcrafted story made by fusing old Hollywood techniques with state-of-the art cinematic mastery.

SPACEMAN uses mime, stop motion, classic animation, and theatrical elements, to explore one artist's loss of creative passion and his journey to get it back.

The film is an exploration of identity, artistic passion, and the fragile nature of human connection. It weaves themes of self-discovery, mental health, and the pursuit of dreams. 

Ladies and gentlemen, SPACEMAN is sci-fi fantasy coming of age film breaking barriers via a deeply human handcrafted story made by fusing old Hollywood techniques with state-of-the art cinematic mastery.

SPACEMAN uses mime, stop motion, classic animation, and theatrical elements, to explore one artist's loss of creative passion and his journey to get it back.

This is a great film for everyone who maybe going through some fear, self-doubt, loss of passion and wondering what in the world your purpose truly is. Strap on your space helmet and find out.

#spaceman #animation #liveactionshort #shortfilms #shortfilm #cinema #cinematography #writer #screenwriter #actor #priscilla #elvis #selfawareness #selfreflection #peptalk #JKSimmons 

Karen Bryson's newest short film, Monochromatic is her directorial debut. Monochromatic is a very powerful film in which we are taken on a journey to walk in the shoes of a little girl and her mother during the late 1970s. Watching innocence fade as racism takes its toll.

Actress/director Karen Bryson multi-award winning career spans over 25 years, across various multi-media platforms, both in front of the camera and more recently behind it. Karen was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her Services to Drama.

She is best known for playing Avril Powell, in the critically acclaimed drama Shameless. Her recent acting projects include series regular in award winning Nordic drama White Wall, Black Narcissus on BBC and FX US, independent feature film REAL, and also portrayed Elinor Stone in Zack Snyder's Justice League on HBO MAX. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Karen Bryson’s cinematic short film MONOCHROMATIC is about the inescapable moment a six year old girl realizes the world operates with bias when it comes to the color of her skin. We're all born equal....then life happens.

Karen Bryson is a visionary filmmaker. Bringing truth in her film MONOCHROMATIC that I pray opens your eyes and opens your heart to change.

#monochromatic #shortfilm #shortfilms #film #cinema #racism #london #whitesupremacy #laborparty #UK #cinematography #filmmaking #filmmaker #filmdirector #actress 

Ladies and gentlemen, KOUPEPIA is a short film where the main character Petros, a widowed Cypriot Man, attends his son’s engagement party although tolerant of his son’s homosexuality he is yet to be truly accepting of him.

Over a bite of Koupepia, a traditional Cypriot delicacy, he meets Eleni - a British Cypriot Transgender Woman. The two appear to have nothing in common but bond over the food of their heritage reframing Petros’ relationship to his son, queer people and the Cypriot identity.

The question this film leaves us with, is “Can people be more than is what we assume?”

Yorgo Glynatsis, founder of House of Glynatsis Productions, is a director, writer, producer, actor and creator of the Award Winning LGBTQI+ short films.

His passion for filmmaking started in 2020 when he wrote scenes for his own acting showreel. Lacking of authentic onscreen representation and a desire of using his voice to raise awareness about a past traumatic event, he created the short film Trigger which was nominated in British and International LGBTQI+ festivals and won the award of Best International Film at the Fuse International Film Festival in Kingston.

Now, Sophia Vi is a Transgender British-Greek Cypriot writer, director, actor and CEO of Koupepia Films. She trained at The London Studio Center and The International School of Screen Acting. 

 Sophia has recently written and produced 2 short films - Koupepia and Façade. She is currently in development on her first feature film.  

Focussing on her writing and producing, Sophia seeks use her production company, Koupepia Films, to create short form LGBT+ and Diasporic stories of joy that can be developed for long form features. 

#koupepia #shortfilm #greek #cypriot #cypress #LGBTG #family #relationship #filmmaker #filmmaking #screenwriter #actress #cinema #cinematography  #trans #transgender #diasporic

Ladies and gentlemen, Nazi occupied Norway is the setting of this heart-stopping short film ELSA, based on true events that happened to many Norwegian women during this time.

Set in Oslo in 1945, this gripping tale explores a tense love triangle between a Norwegian civilian woman, her adoring neighbor and a German soldier. This compelling short is currently being developed into a feature film, which I can’t wait to see.

As a filmmaker, director Rebecca King was selected as 'Ten Female Filmmakers to Watch’ by Aesthetica for Primetime Network following her debut short ‘Contenders’. She was commissioned by the International Sápmi Film Institute to direct an episode called ‘A Home Truth’ for a miniseries in lockdown.

For theater, Rebecca directed ‘The Green Zone’ which was staged at the Furore Festival, Stuttgart Germany. As a script supervisor, she worked on Seasons one and two of the Emmy-winning HBO series ‘House of the Dragon’ and on Iain Softley’s ‘The Shepherd’ starring John Travolta. 

Lead actress and producer Nina Yndis has won numerous awards for her work. She was recently seen in the psychological thriller ‘The Box’ as well as ‘Mrs Sidhu Investigates’. Other credits include ‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘Call the Midwife’ and the hugely popular video game ‘Final Fantasy XVI’. She can be seen in the futuristic series ‘The Fortress’ starring Russel Tovey, the Norwegian drama ‘In the Name of Love’ and lent her voice to the film Baghead. As a producer, Nina created six short films and three music videos.

Both are here today to talk about their new short film, ELSA. A heart-stopping short based on true events that happened to many Norwegian women in Oslo in 1945, when Nazis occupied Norway.

#ELSA #director #filmdirector #shortfilm #shortfilms #actress #rebeccaking #ninayndis #peakyblinders #oslo #norway #germany #ww2 #film #filmmaking #filmmakers #cinema #drama #cinematography