DIALOGUES Creative Visions in Animated Feature Films
Release Date: 12/25/2025
DIALOGUES Short Cuts to First Features
She's All Over the Place
DIALOGUES: Short Cuts to First Features" is a Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) Industry program featuring conversations with emerging directors who transitioned from making acclaimed short films (Short Cuts alumni) to directing their debut features, sharing insights on script development, collaboration, and overcoming challenges to build their filmmaking careers. It's a key part of the TIFF Industry Conference, focusing on practical advice and inspiration for filmmakers aiming to make that crucial jump to feature-length projects. I had the grand pleasure to join alumni...
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DIALOGUES Creative Visions in Animated Feature Films
She's All Over the Place
I had the grand opportunity to cover the 50th Aniversary of the Toronto International Film Festival. With animation being one of my favourite topics in the world, I am grateful that I was able to join this epic conversation and now share it with you. :) DIALOGUES: Creative Visions in Animated Feature Films is a specific TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) event/panel where acclaimed directors like Domee Shi (Pixar's Elio), Mamoru Hosoda (, ), and Momoko Seto () discuss balancing artistic vision with studio realities, creative authorship, and the future of bold...
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SALLYWOOD: Behind the Scenes with Sally Kirkland and Filmmaker Xaque Gruber | True Hollywood Story
She's All Over the Place
Based on the true story of a 20-something writer from rural Maine. Inspired by actress SALLY KIRKLAND’s performance in the sleeper hit, ANNA (Oscar nominee, Independent Spirit Award and 1988 Golden Globe winner), Zack takes the leap to pursue his ambitions of a Hollywood Career. After driving cross country, in a chance encounter he meets his lifelong idol, the week he arrived. Sally hires him on the spot to be her assistant, where he quickly learns her career is a shambles. He dedicates himself to finding a way to land her back on the red carpet where she...
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Serious People: Sundance Premiere with Filmmakers Pasqual Gutierrez & Ben Mullinkosson
She's All Over the Place
Join me as I sit down with Pasqual Gutierrez and Ben Mullinkosson, the creative minds behind the Sundance 2025 feature film Serious People. From directing music videos for Bad Bunny, Rosalía, J Balvin, Madonna, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd, to exploring parenthood, clout, and indie filmmaking in Los Angeles, this conversation dives deep into the world of modern filmmaking. We dive into: Pasqual’s journey from directing award-winning music videos for Bad Bunny, Rosalía, J Balvin, Madonna, Travis Scott, and The Weeknd to his first feature film The inspiration and making of Serious...
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The WeedHacker Massacre - Horror Legend Allen Danziger
She's All Over the Place
I had the opportunity to sit down with the Horror Legend, Alan Danziger and with the writer, producer, Ray Spivey! We chat about their new film and the classic shot of all time, according to Quentin Tarantino and Oliver Stone. Juicy details inside, tune in now and watch the film! How many remakes of a bad horror movie can you make? The cast and crew of THE WEEDHACKER MASSACRE boldly film where gruesome murders occurred years ago, and the masked killer has returned. It’s going to be their worst movie ever. THE WEEDHACKER MASSACRE stars David Treviño (Rent...
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The 195: Martina Fuchs on Breaking a World Record, Empowering Women, and Healing the Planet Through The Frequency School
She's All Over the Place
Martina Fuchs international business journalist, DJ, and Guinness World Record holder, joins Grammy-nominated producer Maejor and The Frequency School to release ‘The 195’, the first song in history featuring women from all 195 countries, recorded in 528 Hz ‘Love Frequency’ to promote women’s empowerment, global unity, and holistic wellness. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down and have an in-depth chat, tune in now. :) Martina Fuchs is an international business journalist, music executive, Guinness World Records holder, expert on China and the Middle...
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Held Hostage in My House - Filmmaker Anna Elizabeth James
She's All Over the Place
When a woman wakes up captive in her own vacation rental, she must revisit memories of former guests to unmask her attacker – and find a way out alive. HELD HOSTAGE IN MY HOUSE (formerly called Blunt) was written and directed by Anna Elizabeth James (Deadly Illusions). It stars Amy Smart, Matt Davis, NE-YO, Billy Zane, and Greer Grammer. The film has a running time of 87 min and was rated TV-14 by the MPAA. Netflix released the film on October 15. I had the amazing opportunity to chat with female filmmaker Anna Elizabeth James. Anna is all about empowering and telling stories specifically...
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Monsters Within – Devin Montgomery on Family, Loss and the Monsters Inside
She's All Over the Place
Life brings Luke Wolf, a war veteran, back to his hometown, where his sister is, who has Down Syndrome. Things are different, or maybe it's just that now he's different. After years of running from his problems, Luke must face his monsters. MONSTERS WITHIN was written, directed, produced, and stars Devin Montgomery (Worm). The film was executive produced by Curtis Gardner and also stars Kendall Cavener (The Last Rodeo), Skeeta Jenkins (Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich, Jakob's Wife, Satanic Panic), Daniella Montgomery, Brandon Stewart (Sovereign) who was also the...
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LIVE FROM NEW YORK CITY
She's All Over the Place
Solo creative personal and professional art career diary... thanks for tuning in with me :)
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The Napa Boys World Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival
She's All Over the Place
Guests: NICK CORIROSSI & ARMEN WEITZMAN - Filmmakers and Stars Nick Corirossi and Armen Weitzman; two infamous recluses, have emerged with THE NAPA BOYS to return glory to the very industry that banished them, and to give their heart to the people. The Napa Boys is the "fourth" film in a fictional franchise that follows a group of friends on mystical and often wine-related adventures. In this installment, the leader of the Napa Boys, the lothario Jack Jr., rallies his reluctant beta co-captain, Miles Jr., and the rest of the gang for one last journey into the unknown, with...
info_outlineI had the grand opportunity to cover the 50th Aniversary of the Toronto International Film Festival. With animation being one of my favourite topics in the world, I am grateful that I was able to join this epic conversation and now share it with you. :)
DIALOGUES: Creative Visions in Animated Feature Films is a specific TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) event/panel where acclaimed directors like Domee Shi (Pixar's Elio), Mamoru Hosoda (Belle, Summer Wars), and Momoko Seto (Dandelion's Odyssey) discuss balancing artistic vision with studio realities, creative authorship, and the future of bold animation, showcasing diverse global perspectives. This dialogue offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of making visionary animated features, featuring both indie and major studio voices.
From intimate, auteur-driven projects to collaborations with major studios, discover how directors Domee Shi (Elio), Momoko Seto (Dandelion’s Odyssey), Mamoru Hosoda (Scarlet), and Kid Koala (Space Cadet) balance artistic integrity with industry realities, and what it takes to make animated films that captivate audiences and spark global imaginations. Join us for a candid conversation about creative authorship, industry pressures, and the evolving space for bold, visionary animation.
Domee Shi began as a story intern at Pixar Animation Studios in 2011 and was soon hired as a story artist on the Academy Award–winning Inside Out. She went on to work on The Good Dinosaur, Incredibles 2, and Toy Story 4. In 2015, she was greenlit to write and direct Bao, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. She made her feature directorial debut with 2022’s Oscar-nominated Turning Red and most recently co-directed Elio, released June 2025. Born in Chongqing, China, and raised in Toronto, Shi now lives in Oakland, California.
Momoko Seto was born in Tokyo and lives in Paris. She studied at Le Fresnoy - National Studio of Contemporary Arts. Her short film series Planet includes Planet Z (11) and Planet Sigma (15). The winner of the FIPRESCI Award at Cannes Critics’ Week, Dandelion’s Odyssey (25) is her feature film debut.
Mamoru Hosoda was born in Toyama, Japan. He has worked on numerous animated series and directed the features One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (05), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (06), Summer Wars (09), Wolf Children (12), The Boy and the Beast (15) which played at the Festival, Mirai (18), and Belle (21). Scarlet (25) is his latest film.
Kid Koala (Eric San) is a Montreal-based DJ, composer, and graphic novelist. He directed Space Cadet, his first animated feature based on his graphic novel, which premiered at the Berlinale and will have its North American Premiere at TIFF 50. Known for genre-defying albums and live shows, he has also scored acclaimed films, series, and video games.
Moderator
Theresa Scandiffio is the Associate Dean of Animation and Game Design at Sheridan College. Prior to joining Sheridan, Scandiffio led archival and curatorial projects at museums, festivals, and universities in Toronto, Chicago, and Orlando. From 2010–2020, Scandiffio was a member of the programming team that launched the Toronto International Film Festival’s year-round home, TIFF Lightbox, where she led the Learning, Heritage, and Community Outreach divisions. Scandiffio served as an Ontario delegate for the 2015 Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference and was a 2017 Civic Action DiverseCity Fellow. She received her PhD in Cinema and Media studies from the University of Chicago.
- Domee Shi: Elio (Pixar)
- Momoko Seto: Dandelion's Odyssey (Indie/Artistic)
- Mamoru Hosoda: Scarlet (Japan's Studio Chizu)
- Kid Koala: Space Cadet (Independent)
- Creative Authorship vs. Industry: How directors maintain their unique style within large production environments.
- Industry Pressures: Navigating financial and commercial demands in animation.
- Evolving Landscape: The growing space for unique, visionary animation.
- Global Perspectives: Highlighting both auteur-driven projects and major studio collaborations.
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