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Nation Name: Albarine

Movie Name: Smokescreen

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Synopsis of Movie: The film traces the use of public relations tactics that were originally developed by the tobacco industry to protect their business from research indicating health risks from smoking. The most prominent of these tactics is the cultivation of scientists and others who successfully cast doubt on the scientific results. Using a professional magician, the film explores the analogy between these tactics and the methods used by magicians to distract their audiences from observing how illusions are performed. For the tobacco industry, the tactics successfully delayed government regulation until long after the establishment of scientific consensus about the health risks from smoking. As its second example, the film describes how manufacturers of flame retardants worked to protect their sales after toxic effects of the retardants were reported in the scientific literature. The central concern of the film is the ongoing use of these tactics to forestall governmental action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in response to the risk of global climate change.

The filmmakers interviewed more than a dozen individuals who have been involved in a series of conflicts ranging from the regulation of tobacco products due to the health risks to global climate change. In the sequence in which they appear in the film, they are:

-Esteban Glantz is a professor of medicine and activist for regulation of tobacco smoking. In 1994 he received a carton of documents copied from the records of the Elsbury tobacco company that revealed their awareness of health risks as early as the 1950s.

-Sam Roeson and Amanda Callahan are reporters at the Saint Raneau Times newspaper who in 2012 exposed "manufacturers that imperil public health by continuing to use toxic fire retardants in household furniture and crib mattresses, triggering reform efforts at the state and national level." They were finalists for an Investigative Reporting award.

-James Hensburg is a former AIA scientist whose 1988 testimony on climate change to congressional committees helped raise broad awareness of global warming, and has become a prominent advocate for regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

-John Pasmelbane is the former executive director of Greensun, an organization of environmental activists.

-Marty O'Keefe is the chief executive officer of the Drett Institute, an organization that opposes government regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

-Fred Hael is a physicist and environmental scientist who founded the Science Policy Project for Environments (SPPE) in 1990 to work against regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, among other issues.

-Aaron Shermer is a writer and publisher of the magazine Contro. He was initially a "contrarian" regarding regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, but his views changed as the science of climate change advanced.

-Isaiah Crawford is a writer. He is a former director of the Drett Institute who resigned over the influence of the Institute's sponsors in determining the Institute's activities and positions.

-Marcus Borano is a political activist who has published the climate denial website ClimateSpot since 2009. To encourage complaints to scientists whose work is viewed as supporting action on greenhouse gas emission, the website publishes their addresses.

-Edward Santer and Katharine Febista are climate scientists who have received personal threats because of their global climate change work.

-Jonathan Phillips is the president of Albarineans for Prosperity, which works against government regulation on climate change and other issues.

-Mark Angalis is a former MP from New Altai; he lost his district seat in the parliament following his announcement that he had changed his view and recognized global climate change as a problem that government should address.

The film embeds commentary and performances by magician Tito Ian. The premise of these interludes is that there is an analogy between the techniques of professional magicians and the tactics of public relation organizations. Magicians learn how to distract their audiences from noticing the deceptions that underlie their tricks and illusions. The organizations distract the public from the risks associated with products. These tactics were systematically developed by the tobacco industry in the 1950s in response to scientific research showing that smoking was a significant health risk; the research was a significant threat to tobacco sales. The principal distraction tactic has been the use of convincing personalities who claim that the uncertainties in the risks militate against taking action.

An unsigned review in The New Altai Globe explains, "To make his point clear, Slenn follows up Ian's magic act and fancy patter with a snappy montage of various experts over the years denying that cigarettes cause cancer, or extolling the virtues of pesticide, or proclaiming that asbestos is “designed to last a lifetime — a trouble free lifetime.” And then the inevitable parade of climate change deniers bloviating in parliament or on cable news, all backed by songs of irony. Ian's presence, and the animated playing cards that sometimes fly across the screen, feel like a glib and somewhat condescending gimmick, an attempt to wring some fun out of a grim and appalling story."

Director: Mathias Slenn

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Nation Name: New Elkland

Movie Name: Aerelu

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Best Picture [X]
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Synopsis of Movie: 1982 Courbagne: Bobo and Klara are 13-year-old girls ostracized by their peers for their love of punk rock. Androgynous, with short hair and baggy clothes, they endure the wrath of condescending teen boys who play in a rock band called Iron Fist at their youth center. The girls start their own band to irritate the boys, though neither can play an instrument. Bobo feels neglected by her single mother and uses punk as a means of escape. Klara is angry and political and writes the sardonic lyrics she sings.

The duo ask a shy and friendless Christian girl, Hedvig, to join their band after seeing her classical-guitar performance at their school talent show. Hedvig teaches them to play chords and sing harmonies. She's a respectful and patient teacher even though Klara tries to convince her not to believe in God. Bobo and Klara talk Hedvig into letting them cut her hair into a short, punk style. Hedvig's mother threatens to report this to the police unless they go to church with her for a few weeks. Bobo and Klara refuse, Klara's father having told them that what they did was not a crime.

At school, Hedvig avoids Bobo and Klara; they think this is because she is angry at them. In fact, they learn, Hedvig is just embarrassed by her mother's behavior and assuming that Bobo and Klara are angry at her. They remain friends. Klara then suggests that Hedvig needs an electric guitar. Lacking the necessary funds, they panhandle at the mall, but spend the money they receive on sweets instead.

After seeing a magazine interview with a local punk band consisting of three similarly aged boys from Fertlane, they call up one of its members, Elis. He agrees to meet them at the train station, but reveals that they are now just a duo after kicking out their third member. The three girls, Elis, and his bandmate Mackan go to his band's rehearsal space. Klara and Elis pair off, and Mackan gravitates toward Hedvig. Bobo is frustrated at being left out. Later she calls Elis and meets up with him. After she confesses this to Klara, they fight, but Hedvig makes them reconcile.

One of the youth counselors attempts to teach Hedvig to play electric guitar but she proves to be a better player than he. Bobo is frustrated playing drums and angry that Klara won't let her try the bass. The youth counselors book Iron Fist and the girls' band at a small gig in Aerelu. After the audience heckles them, Klara changes the lyrics of their song "Hate the Sport!" to "Hate Aerelu!," causing a minor riot. This earns them Iron Fist's respect. On the bus back to Courbagne, Bobo, Klara and Hedvig declare, "We are the best!" The youth counselors respond that they are the worst, but the girls laugh and carry on. The film ends with Klara's father playing clarinet on the toilet.

Main Characters & Actors:
Mira Barkhammar as Bobo
Mira Grosin as Klara
Liv LeMoyne as Hedvig
Mattias Wiberg as Roger
Jonathan Salomonsson as Elis
David Dencik as Klara's father
Charlie Falk as Linus
Alvin Strollo as Mackan
Ann-Sofie Rase as Hedvig's mother
Lily Moodysson as Hedvig's sister
Edvin Ottoson as Iron Fist Frontman

Director: Lukas Cordenson

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Film Entry Application
Nation Name: St Lothario and the Libertines

Movie Name: The Egg

Is this movie nominated for:
Best Picture [ ]
Documentary [ ]
Documentary (Short Subject) [X]
Animated Feature [ ]
Short Film [ ]

Synopsis of Movie:

The film follows the Hermit of St. Erascable, Cor Smoot, an elderly man who lives alone atop the turf-capped skerry, as he rigs his ropes and anchor points to climb down the sheer cliffs to fetch his breakfast. All around him wheel hundreds of Galton kittiwakes, screeching and screaming at him as he descends. Though the birds appear numerous, they are in fact endangered and dwindling in numbers. Nonetheless, as a subsistence gatherer, Mr. Smoot harvests their eggs for his own survival. Although he had been encouraged numerous times to move to the city of Schipperhaven, he prefers to live alone in his family cottage, the last of his bloodline.

The viewer will see the old man attach and release several anchors, and swing like an acrobat across the face of the cliffs. The heights are dizzying, and the white foam of waves crash with resounding booms at the base of the sea pillar.

At the finale of this fifteen minute short, Mr. Smoot reaches out for a solitary egg in a nest on top of one of the many basalt columns. He examines it, cups it in his hand, then gently and carefully tucks it in his down parka. Stepping into a harness stirrup, he begins the arduous climb back up the sheer face. He reaches another nest, this time with several eggs, and feels each egg. At this point, he reaches into the parka, retrieves the egg he had gathered, and places it in the nest. He continues his ascent, detaches from the ropes once on top, and walks into his stone hut. He returns at the door, sans parka, then grabs a handful of grass and nibbles on the stalks. The kittiwakes continue to screech and scream.

The film is supplied without any commentary or conversation, either captioned or voiceover.

Main Characters & Actors:
Mr. Cor Smoot as himself.

Director:
Jan Vanderpool

Other crew:
Jurjen Vanderpool, drone camera operator and film editor
Captain Lars Mooers

Production or background information (optional):
The film was shot entirely with drone footage, with the drones operated from the MY Framboos.It has not been released for distribution, pending conclusion of the 96th Tofino Film Festival.

Movie Poster:
Due to a limited budget, a poster has not yet been produced for this film, pending juried outcomes at the the conclusion of the 96th Tofino Film Festival.

Film Entry Application
Nation Name: St Lothario and the Libertines

Movie Name: Het Huis aan Eemstraat

This movie is nominated for:
Best Picture [X]
Documentary [ ]
Documentary (Short Subject) [ ]
Animated Feature [ ]
Short Film [ ]

Synopsis of Movie:

Mr. Jan Smit was known as the dour old man living alone in his house on Eemstraat, an elderly pensioner with no known family or friends. Over the decades, as neighbors left or passed away, and new arrivals took their place, he remained aloof. Those who did try to chat with him found his answers perfunctory and brief, and would soon thereafter give up talking to the hermit. He just wasn’t known to interact with anyone, except transactionally, and then only to conclude whatever business was at hand.

The one thing everyone did recall was that he never, ever had any visitors. Not one of his neighbors remembered anyone passing the threshold of his front door, not even service technicians to inspect the furnace, nor workmen to make some minor repairs, nor a home visit nurse to look after him in his later years. No one thought it strange at the time — it was just how the old man was.

He would likely have died alone in his neat little house, unnoticed and unremarked, if it weren’t for the supermarket. But Schifferhaven had grown, and an enterprising group of young men, instructed in the art of business together at university in Beatavic, took it upon themselves to establish one. They chose their location well, and secretly and quietly began buying houses and properties in a city block central to most of the town’s residents. Most were acquired easily for the sums they offered. But one property remained out of their grasp — a house on Eemstraat.

Eventually they made their plans public, and received approval by the the national council to build their supermarket. The townsfolk were ecstatic, except for a few butchers and pastry store owners nearby, and they received favorable press. The planning commission approved plans to reorient the entire enterprise, so that the sole holdout’s home would instead be in the parking lot. They began and completed demolition of every house on the block but one.

And still, even with an offer of another modern house elsewhere and a cash offer five times its value, Mr. Smit would not budge from his home.

And so the national Council moved to condemn his property for the public good of the community. Smit hired an attorney, and together they fought the condemnation. There was nothing inherently wrong with the house. From the outside it appeared well maintained. It was just in a location desired by the community for another purpose, a private enterprise.

A strict reading of the law would have favored Mr. Smit, as a condemnation must be for the public good. But judges in St. Lothario and the Libertines are subject to elections just like their legislative brethren and sisters on the national Council. Sensing the temperament of the now impatient electorate, the presiding jurist stretched the definition of the public good slightly. Mr. Smit would be reasonably compensated for his property and accommodated in a pension house for the immediate future.

And so on a warm April day, Mr. Smit stood across Eemstraat outside his house as his eviction was carried out, a police officer at his side. The court-appointed movers packed his belongings into their van. By evening, the demolition subcontractors had moved in with their sledgehammers and crowbars, to salvage any reusable fixtures within. The officer had by then already departed, and Mr. Smit only walked back to his new flat to sort out his belongings when the workers had quit for the day. He would not return.

By the following midday, the bulldozer moved in. First to go was the wooden slat fence, followed in short order by the neatly tended rose garden and the now empty chicken coop on its slightly sunken concrete pad. Next, attention was turned to the neat wooden blue trim three-story house. It wasn’t long into its destruction when a worker barked out, and the dozer backed off and idled. The demolition supervisor was called over, and after a quick glance, he walked over to the bulldozer, which then went silent.

The police were called.

When Inspector Pieter de Jonger arrived, he found the patrol officers had already cordoned off the demolition site. And it was plain to see why — there, sticking out of the side of a destroyed plaster-and-lathe wall under the staircase rising from the first floor landing, protruded a thin skeletal arm. Eventually the forensics team arrived, and what was left of the crime scene was processed. When the remains were finally lowered and carried to the coroner’s van parked on Eemstraat, she declared what everyone had already surmised. It was the skeleton of a woman, and she had been dead for a very long time.

Mr. Smit spent the night in the national jail, detained pending further investigation and interrogation. Whatever privacy he had held so dearly would be soon swept away.

In the morning, the crime scene already processed, demolition continued much more slowly, by hand, under the watchful eye of a detective, should further evidence be discovered.

Other investigators soon fanned out, and through canvassing and public records discovered that Jan Smit, now-retired insurance adjuster, had for the most part lived a quiet, solitary life and was an effective though not particularly memorable employee. It was the public record that revealed he had once been married in 1979 to Marjolein Wyngarden of Gran Telea, Beatavic . According to tax records she had worked briefly as a florist in 1980 and 1981. Her driver’s license expired in 1983 and was never renewed. There was no record of a divorce, or any other record for that matter after that, except for listing on the mortgage (which was paid off in 2005) and joint tenancy of the Smit household.

It was as if she had disappeared off the face of the earth, and investigators had strong suspicions as to why.

Inspectors delving into Mr. Smit’s marital life soon found motives. The willowy Mrs. Smit was a tall attractive brunette, always flirting with customers, and according to her now-retired employer, prone to having affairs. The two old neighbors still alive who remembered her described her as lively with a keen interest in other men. When they had asked Jan Smit about her whereabouts in May of 1982, and thereafter, he had explained that she had run away with another man, and gone back to Beatavic. This they all accepted as plausible. He seemed morose and resigned to the fact at the time. She had been verbally abusive in the few arguments they had witnessed, and they understood his reluctance to pursue a woman who no longer wished to be kept.

Inquiries conducted in Beatavic, specifically in Gran Telea, revealed that she had been just as argumentative with her father too. Some attributed this to the early death of her mother from cancer in 1976. With young men she had been particularly popular, though she made a few enemies with their then-current or ex- girlfriends. As an only child, she had no siblings she was close to. Her few childhood friends related that she had eloped with a young man from Sint Lothario, more to spite her father than anything else, and disappeared from their lives. To hear that she was the victim of foul play came as a rude shock.

The most helpful witness was Mr. Cornelius Osterhout, executor of her father’s estate. He explained that he had reached out to Mr. Smit in 1991 to locate his wife Marjolein, as she had a modest inheritance coming her way. Smit had explained that his wife had run away several years prior. To Mr. Osterhout, knowing what he knew of his former client’s daughter and the family dynamics, this seemed very plausible. He had thanked Mr. Smit, and had fruitlessly continued the search for Marjolein on and off over the intervening years. If she was indeed deceased with no heirs of her own, he could finally close the file and turn the residual of the estate over to the court for disposition to the national coffers. Mr. Smit had been specifically excluded as a benefactor by the terms of his former client’s last will and testament.

And so, ten days later, armed with information, Inspector de Jonger had Jan Smit transferred from jail to an interrogation room at national police headquarters. There he calmly laid out fact after fact as he knew them. Yes, she had only eloped with him to strike out at her father. Yes, she continued to flirt with other men even after she had married. Yes, she had affairs. And yes, when confronted by her husband, she was verbally abusive and mean. There were witnesses to all that. And no one had seen or heard from her since May of 1982. The old man before him appeared remorseful and resigned, on the verge of tears, and de Jonger felt his quarry was ready to collapse and confess all.

“So bring yourself some closure. Just tell me how you killed her and hid her body behind that staircase all these years,” the detective suggested.

And with that, Jan Smit’s head bolted upright. He stared at the detective squarely in the eyes, his jaw firmly clenched. De Jonger realized then and there that this elderly man was not going to cry or confess. The inspector sighed — the case would have to go to trial with the evidence on hand.

And two days later, he learned even that would not come to pass. The coroner’s report came in, and it was damning. The victim was only 150 to 155 cm tall, about 40 years old, a mother, and of Ausianan descent, likely Yuanese. From fragments of silk recovered with the body, and particularly the stitching method on a small section of hem, she was likely a wealthy matriarch who had died in the early 1930s, almost a century ago. No cause of death could be determined.

De Jonger assembled his team, read the report aloud, then asked the obvious question, “Who the hell is she?!!”

Once again detectives fanned out, but the case was now much colder, and record keeping of the Ausianan community of that era was nearly non-existent. It was with the help of a librarian at the national archives that they managed to glean what they could.

A photo in an old newspaper clipping showed a tall white man standing next to a traditional Ausianan doctor, his wife, and two boys on the cusp of becoming teenagers. The relatively wealthy herbalist and acupuncturist was now renting a residence, and conducting his business, on Eemstraat, a short walk uphill from Yuantown where his kind customarily lived. His landlord, the tall white man in the photograph, was drawing ire and approbation from his former neighbors over the new tenant.

Though rendered in grayscale, the house appeared eerily similar to the Smit home. And the woman appeared to be in her mid-thirties, and likely a meter-and-a-half tall. A later letter to the editor revealed the doctor’s name to be Po Chen. But despite their best efforts, no further information could be found, and who the wife was, what became of her, or even if the remains were hers, could not be discerned.

It was Inspector de Jonger himself who arrived at the jail, and released Jan Smit from custody. The detective apologized profusely, and offered his hand. Smit just shook it perfunctorily, and wordlessly walked out of the prison a free man.

But he didn’t go home to his pensioners flat. Instead, he walked over to Eemstraat, and stood across the street as a parking lot pavement contractor prepared to finish the job. The site of an old homestead remained, and the dump trucks, spreader, and roller were at the ready.

The supervisor walked the site one more time, and noticed an old semi-sunken concrete pad in one corner, away from the street. He grabbed a shovel from the side of a dump truck, and smacked it down hard a few times on the pad. Each time the shovel bounced firmly back in his hand with a resounding clang. He grunted in approval, returned the shovel, whistled and gestured at his crew.

The old man watched carefully as they spread the asphalt, then rolled it flat several times to bring it to grade with the rest of the parking lot. Only when they appeared to be done did he walk home to his new flat, a slight spring in his step.

And for the first time in over thirty years, Jan Smit genuinely smiled.

Principal Actors & Characters:
Wolter Van Oss as Jan Smit
Yvette Asselin as Marjolein (Wyngarden) Smit
Justice Jody Maarstropper as herself
Ronald Hoen as Attorney Philip Beekman
Klaus Vandergriff as Chief Inspector Pieter de Jonger
Henriëtte Loewen as Inspector Liesbeth Steenhoek
Klaus de Wilde as Inspector Coenraad Van Dyke
Jochem Ecker as Inspector Lars Stammen
Dolf Ludwigsen as Attorney Cornelius Osterhuet
Heinke Hoogenboom as Calvin Wyngarden

Director:
Willemijn Luetjen, DGSLL

Other principal crew:
Sophie Broekemeier, CSSLL (Casting)
Grietje Busker, SPPSL (Publicity)
Jolijn Fonda, SLAG (Set Design)
Saskia Groeneweld, MPCGSL (Score)
Annika Klaassen, SLAC (Cinematography)
Gerbrand Kletter, SLAG (Wardrobe)
Rutger Vanderwaal, SUSL (Screenwriting)
Tineke Voorhees , FFESLL (Editing)

Production or background information:

This motion picture was filmed, produced, and edited entirely in St. Lothario and the Libertines. Its original language is Beatavican and it was formatted for the wide screen with Dolby Surround Sound.

The producers would like to thank all the following for their assistance and forbearance in making this film possible:

Film Entry Application
Nation Name: Kyti

Movie Name: Seed

Is this movie nominated for:
Best Picture [ ]
Documentary [ ]
Documentary (Short Subject) [ ]
Animated Feature [ ]
Short Film [X]

Synopsis of Movie: The film follows three radical environmentalists who plot to blow up a dam. Radical environmentalists Josh and Dena buy a boat and tow it long-distance to meet Harmon, an ex-soldier. The three buy fertilizer, assemble a bomb and load it onto the boat, planning to bomb a dam they believe is harming the environment. At night, they take the boat to the dam, arm the bomb, and escape. After the explosion, Harmon says goodbye and drives away. Josh and Dena are stopped by the police, but evade suspicion. The three agree not to contact each other again.

Josh returns to the farm where he lives and works. The other people living on the farm discuss the explosion; the media reports that a man who was camping near the dam is missing. Harmon calls Josh and tells him that Dena is worried. Concerned that she will go to the police, Josh agrees to talk to her. Dena admits her feelings of guilt and, when pressed by Josh, does not rule out talking to the police. Harmon tells Josh that Dena needs to be silenced.

The other people living on the farm suspect Josh of involvement with the bombing and ask him to leave. He learns that the missing man drowned in the flood caused by the explosion. Fearing that Dena will talk to the police, he surprises her at the spa where she works; he tries to warn her not to talk, but she attacks him and runs. He finds her hiding in one of the saunas, where he strangles her to death.

Josh calls Harmon in tears to tell him that Dena is dead. Harmon tells Josh to disappear and never contact him again. Josh destroys his phone and applies for a job at a camp supply store.

Main Characters & Actors:
Miet Eisenberg as Josh
Fanning Sinnateas Dena
Peter Saateget as Harmon

Director: Anish Kopp

Film Entry Application
Nation Name: VITOSIUM

Movie Name: Word to the Wise

Is this movie nominated for:
Best Picture [X]

Movie Poster:

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THE CAST

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Alessandro Sashia as '''Frank Campos'''
Arturo Morrison as '''Toby Thomas'''
Brendon Mariano as '''Michael Fonseca"
Cody Gama as '''14-year-old David Wise'''
Damon Gero as '''Mike Couto-Byers'''
Ethan Monti as '''Billie Duran'''
Eric Gabilisco as '''Connor Moura'''
Fae Fonnend as '''Celia Wise, David's Mother'''
Felix Furtado as '''Johnny Moniz'''
Gianpietro Ventimiglia as '''Dr. Leonard Wise, David's Father'''
Heitor Tavares as '''Gene Alvares'''
Jamie Freitas-Maksym as '''Loretta Wise, David's Younger Sister'''
Jonas Gama as '''David Wise''
Keith Madrid as '''Lance Rocha'''
Leiona do Rela as '''Sonia Amorim'''
Lisandro Coutinho as '''Aldo Moura'''
Luca Gabilisco as '''Javier Singleton'''
Martino Almeida as '''Wendell Wise, David's Younger Brother''
Paulino F. Wallace as '''4-year-old David Wise''

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Cameos

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*Billie Duran
*David Wise
*DJ Wise
*Javier Singleton
*Johnny Moniz
*Loretta Wise
*Mike Couto-Byers
*Wendell Wise

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SYNOPSIS

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The year is 1945 in Diarora, Cunzava, Vitosium. Celia Bastos (Fae Fonnend) is singing in a bar when Leonard Wise (Gianpietro Ventimiglia) walks in and sits down next to his childhood friend, Lloyd Melo (Andrew Pascoal). Leonard thanks him for letting him know about Celia singing here. Lloyd jokes that Leonard wouldn't shut up about wanting to see her perform so he had to. Leonard says that he and Celia used to be neighbours growing up so he always had this crush on her but she always seemed out of his league. The show ends and Leonard approaches Celia, who comments that it's been nine years since they've last seen each-other. Leonard says that he doesn't want to live with regrets and doesn't want to pass this opportunity up. He asks if, perhaps, they could catch up. Celia smiles and accepts, saying that, "unlike the rest of these creeps", Leonard always had a good head on his shoulders.


It is two weeks later. Leonard and Celia are at an ice cream parlour. Leonard comments on graduating med school like his dad, which is why he moved to Diarora. Celia talks about pursuing singing after moving away from her parents. The two discuss how bad Celia's parents are with Celia commenting that she refuses to talk to them again. What's worse, according to her, is them trying to take advantage of her now that she is a well known singer in Diarora. Leonard promises to make sure they don't come anywhere near her or her success. Celia thanks him for the gesture.


It is now ten years later in 1955. Celia watches as four year old David (Paulino F. Wallace) and his two year old twin siblings, Loretta (Isis Barbosa) and Wendell (Beckett Stone) run around playing tag with a couple other neighbourhood kids (Abilio Moura and Corbin Pinto). There is a knock on the door. As Celia opens the door, Lloyd Melo and Avery Alcantara (Francisco Wallace Jr.) enter and congratulate them on moving to a new house. David, Loretta and Wendell come in and beg their mom for food which Celia begins to make. Leonard, Lloyd and Avery head to the living room where Leonard begins to play his guitar. Everybody sans Celia gathers around and listens to his song, which he wrote about his wife, Celia.


It is now 1965. David (Cody Gama), who is now 14, is listening to ''The Alvims'', one of his favourite bands, while studying. Celia and Leonard enter his room and start a conversation with him about what he wants to do in the future. Leonard suggests being a surgeon like him while Celia agrees. David says that he isn't sure right now and comments that he wants to do music like ''The Alvims'' and ''The Montenegro Brothers''. Leonard isn't sure if David could be successful but says that he can support a hobby and goes to fetch his guitar. He tells David that he'll teach him how to play as long as he considers going to med school. David agrees and Leonard teaches him his first note. Celia goes to get the two some snacks and some drinks. That night, Celia tells Leonard that, if David wants to pursue music, maybe he should do that. After all, she was a successful singer. Leonard isn't sure and says that David may have some really bad luck and doesn't want him to end up homeless. Celia understands and tells him that, if he wants to pursue music instead of med school, they should support him. The next day, Leonard sits down with David and tells him that, while they have an agreement that he'll teach him guitar in exchange for considering med school, he'll only support David pursuing music if he has a plan. If not, it's off to med school he goes. David agrees and thanks him for changing his mind a bit.


It is now 1969. 18-year-old David (Jonas Gama) sits down in class when Javier Singleton (Luca Gabilisco) sits down next to him. Javier notices David's backpack which has ''The Alvims'' on it and comments on it, sparking a conversation between the two. After class, the two eat lunch together as Javier talks about his parents being musicians but nothing famous. David is interested and Javier mentions that they were both accountants and then decided four years ago to start a duet. David says that his mom is Celia Bastos, which Javier recognizes and fanboys over. That night, Javier joins David at his house, trying not to fanboy over seeing ''the'' Celia Bastos. In David's room, the two discuss their favourite bands with Javier saying that he wants to be a musician. David gets excited and exclaims the same thing.


There is a small montage of David and Javier practicing the guitar and keyboard, respectively. Javier is then shown practicing singing. After the montage, David and Javier are shown graduating high school. Leonard Wise approaches them afterwards and tells David that the plan he presented to him was a rock band but, if he wants to accomplish that, he needs more members. He'll give him a few months and, if he isn't in any sort of band by then, he needs to start applying to universities. David understands. At Javier's house, the Singletons make an extravagant meal and are excited about David and Javier's venture into the world of music. The two of them tell Javier's parents (Gabriela Salgado and Osvaldo Teixeira) that they need more members in their band. Javier's parents, Leonardo and Suzana, offer to join their band but they have to make it more slow and their lyrics needs to be more about the world. They can't be in a band that plays too hard and doesn't have a good message for the next generation. When David and Javier say that they will think about it, Leonardo gets a little irritated and asks them if they don't think they (Leo and Suzana) are good enough for their band. Suzana tells Javier that they need to be more grateful towards their offer and excuses them from the table, saying that they had eaten enough.


The next day, the two of them are at David's house. David says that, maybe, they can hold auditions in his garage with Javier liking the idea. In the garage, Leonard approaches them and asks what they are doing. When told about the audition idea, Leonard is unsure. Celia comes out and encourages Leonard to let them have the garage as their band space for now with Leonard changing his mind. He tells David and Javier that he can clean up the old shed out back and do a couple renovations on it as long as they have more members to join them. Until then, they can use the garage. David and Javier are both super excited and start to print out flyers asking for people to audition for the band. There is a small montage of auditions but everybody is very mediocre and one tries and fails to smoke marijuana in the garage before being kicked out. David and Javier are now laying down on David's bed. They both discuss it being a month since graduation with David really feeling the pressure. David's sixteen year old twin siblings, Loretta (Jamie Freitas-Maksym) and Wendell (Martino Almeida), enter. The two of them suggest going along with Dad's plans until they can get into a band. Plus, if they get diplomas and the band doesn't work, it is something to fall back on.


It is sixteen months later: February 1971. David is attending Aviron University for Business Administration while Javier is attending the same school but for medicine. David and Javier are hanging out with their new university friends, Aldo Moura (Lisandro Coutinho), Gene Alvares (Heitor Tavares) and Toby Thomas (Arturo Morrison). They are discussing the ''Beggars and Thieves'' album from Animal Faces that came out late last year. The discussion turns towards the movie, ''Psychopath'', which is set to release soon. Gene teases Toby about being easily scared. Toby's girlfriend, Sonia Amorim (Leiona do Rela), comes by and sits down, telling them that she overheard them discussing the movie and says that she is excited to see it too. Toby scoffs at her and says that a movie like that isn't for her. Later that day, Javier is seen handing out CDs to students. David, Aldo, Gene and Toby go up to him and ask about the CDs, although David notices "The Singletons" on the front and asks if his parents just released a second CD, to which Javier said they had and they are forcing him to hand out "this hippie trash". The next month, David visits his parents in Diarora, Cunzava. Celia and Leonard are very happy to see him with David saying that he is only able to stay the weekend, although he would love to stay longer if he could. Alone in the kitchen, Celia tells David that it is great that he is taking Business Administration in one of the country's top school. She says that it was not easy to help him get in but she is glad that his hard work paid off. She says that, as long as he works hard, he can accomplish whatever he wants in life. They hug. Loretta and Wendell come downstairs and greet David. Wendell discusses wanting to go to school for medicine like Dad. Loretta says that she is planning to be an elementary teacher due to her love of children and wanting to help the next generation grow. David heads out to the garage to see Leonard Wise. Leonard tells David that he has accomplished so much so far and this is only the beginning. He tells him that, if he wants to pursue music afterwards, he wants him to apply his diploma so their money doesn't go to waste. If he does that, he can do whatever job he wants as long as he does a d**n good job at it. David says that will.


Aldo, David, Gene, Javier and Toby are at a bowling alley when Michael Fonseca (Brendon Mariano) approaches them. Gene introduces his childhood friend to everybody. Michael explains that he is taking Biological Sciences at Kingsland Provincial University. He and Gene grew up together in Gatovita. The six of them bowl together for a few hours, joking around, although Toby gets irritated at the playful insults everybody is throwing around, mainly the ones to him. The next day, they are all hanging out at the back of one of the university's buildings. Sonia approaches them, kissing Toby. She says that, maybe, they can hit up the arcade later. Toby looks at her weird, wondering why a girl would want to go to an arcade. Gene tells Toby to not be an a** but Toby says that women like her don't know what they want. Sonia storms off. Toby gets really angry and walks the other direction. David says that the next time he talks to Sonia like that, he may get his fist to his face. Aldo says that Toby needs to learn to respect her more. Gene says that the guy has issues and he is unsure about being friends with him after university.


As the three of them head to the arcade, they here screaming coming from a nearby alley and check out what is going on. They see Toby beating Sonia, accusing her of purposely embarrassing him and making him look bad in front of his friends. David immediately runs up and punches him in the back of the head. Aldo, Gene and Javier approach them and they all tell Toby to back off. Toby, in tears, runs off. They all help Sonia get to a hospital and explain the situation to the doctor. The next day, Toby tries to ambush David from behind in the hall and tells him to apologize and grovel for betraying him. A teacher (Germano Leite) sees this and tells Toby that the principal wants to speak to him. In Gene's dorm room, Aldo, Gene, Javier, David and Sonia all hang out and discuss the upcoming ''Psychopath'' movie. Aldo talks about being a huge fanboy over the director, Cezario Fontes, while Sonia is a huge fan of actress, Madeline Jeannette. They all go to see the movie (June 1971). The scene shows them screaming in horror at some scenes, with Sonia even gripping David's arm at one point. After the movie, David notices Toby sneaking out of the theater, looking at them, then running away. Sonia says that her family reported to the principal what happened and Toby has been expelled as Aviron does not accept violence of any kind. David says that it's good riddance.


The next week, Javier excitedly goes up to David and shows him a flyer showing a band, Molten Crew, wanting auditions. David says that one of them looks like Connor, Aldo's brother. Javier says that Aldo was the one putting the posters up. David and Javier show up to the auditions. Mike Couto-Byers (Damon Gero) and Frank Campos (Alessandro Sashia) introduce themselves as the ones starting the band, hoping to find a guitarist and a singer. The scene goes back and forth between David's and Javier's auditions, as David plays the guitar and Javier sings. The next day, David and Javier, excitedly, talk about the auditions to Aldo, Gene and Sonia. Aldo says that music has always been his older brother's passion so he was really excited when he was accepted to be the band's bassist. A week later, David gets a letter from Mike Couto-Byers telling him to meet him at a certain address in a week. He goes and sees Mike, Frank, Connor Moura (Eric Gabilisco) and Billie Duran (Ethan Monti). Mike says that this is it. When David asks about Javier, Mike says that Javier was great but he couldn't turn down Billie after hearing his voice. That night, David talks to Javier about the both of them not being accepted. Javier tells David to go for it. He'll find another band and, down the road, maybe they can get rich and famous enough to make their band with immediate success. David is hesitant but Javier tells David that this is his opportunity and he needs to go for it. David nods his head and says that he will.


One week later, the band is at Mike's place as he hands out the song notes to everybody. David is openly excited to practice with Mike appreciating his enthusiasm as he wants Molten Crew to be the best band in the world. Frank says that they will be, no doubt. There is a small montage of David balancing school work as well as working on the band while the song, "Griffiti" by Molten Crew plays.


David and Sonia are at a nice restaurant. They are laughing and enjoying each other’s company. They discuss the restaurant, how things are going and enjoy a romantic meal. David looks at Sonia; she looks back, touches his cheek and they kiss. At the end of the meal, David notices that Sonia’s mood has changed. He smiles and walks towards her seat. She discusses how stressed she is with her studies. David says that he will try to help her in any way that he can but Sonia doesn't want to burden him with that, especially as he has his own studies and the band to worry about.


The band is now practicing "Curse of the King". Leonard Wise pulls into the driveaway and calls David over, giving him some alcohol for him and his bandmates. He thanks him but, before he can head back to the others, Leonard tells David that he is both shocked and proud of him that he can juggle his studies and create music. He didn't expect this and hopes for the best. They hug. While the others tease him for hugging his Dad, David says that his Dad wishes them all the best and brought them alcohol. They continue to practice while drinking, although David decides to only stop at one can.


The next week, Aldo, Gene, Javier, David and Sonia are playing tennis at the arcade. Aldo is notably really good at tennis with David wanting to go against him one-on-one. David serves an easy back-hand return. He has his racket aimed at the same spot for a second and then puts his racket on the first ball return. The first return lands in the net. Afterwards, David and Aldo shake hands, both are very satisfied. Later, they’re sitting at the outdoor cafe, drinking tea. David mentions that they have written four songs for far and they are hoping for their first album to have at least six. Aldo drops his tea cup on the ground, fainting. They run to him and lift him up. He is extremely pale, causing the café staff to call an ambulance and take him to the hospital.


The next day, David visits Aldo in the hospital. David asks him how he is doing, and he replies with a smile. Aldo says that only him and Javier have visited him so far, which is fine as the others are busy. He says that the doctors think it was stress from school. Aldo then thinks that it could be his parents as well as they expect the best from him and always have. David says that him and Javier have a lot in common. Aldo says that his parents view him as a trophy; Javier's view him as a bank. Three days later, Aldo is released from the hospital. Billie, Connor, David, Frank, Gene, Javier, Mike and Sonia wait for him outside.


It is four months later. Molten Crew is now playing a few songs at a supermarket. They are all really excited about promoting their first album, "Granite". At the end of June 1973, David graduates from Aviron University. That night, he and Sonia are celebrating his graduation at his parents' place. Everybody is super happy for him and think that Sonia is an amazing girlfriend. Wendell discusses doing well in his studies and talks about a couple facts on medicine. Later, Loretta goes up to David and says that attending Aviron and being a part of a band doesn't seem like an easy task. David admits that it was a massive struggle but now he is done school. He then asks if Wendell always talks about medicine. Loretta says that he really grew an interest over the past few years and now he is pursuing medicine because he wants to, not just because Dad wanted him to. Celia comes into the room and hugs David, saying that everybody is so proud of him. They all go to the living room where Sonia has set up a board game for everybody to play. She says that this is a board game that she would play with her high school friends and is happy to introduce everybody to it.


At Mike's place, the band hangout, Billie [Duran] talks to David about how the idea of being a famous band is slowly becoming a reality and he really loves that. To him, he wants to be known as something--to make an impact on the world somehow ... but he didn't have the abilities to become a scientist that could help change the world. So, the next best thing to him is to make something that people could enjoy and listen to. This way, he could help change how people feel, especially when they are down. David comments on how deep that is. Billie says that his family owns a farm but he didn't want to live on it his entire life; he wanted to do something more. David says that all he wanted to do was create music and not just be some everyday doctor. He doesn't have some really deep reason like him, although he does really respect Billie and his reason and tells him that if his goal is to change the world somehow through music, then they will. They will write songs that could have that impact. Billie and David are then shown writing the song, "High Speed Drifter", one of the band's top hits. Mike [Couto-Byers] really loves the song and says that their next album has to open with this.


The next week, Aldo, Billie, David, Gene, Javier, and Michael [Fonseca] are all bowling together. In general, they laugh and have a great time. The next day, Sonia joins them at the arcade where they play "Ballbreaker". Mike [Couto-Byers] shows up late and joins them at said arcade. At the end of the day, Javier announces that he is now a part of a band called Candy Sanity. Their music will be a mixture of rock, jazz, blues, and psychedelic rock. Everybody is excited. That night, David talks to Javier about how happy he is that he is now in a band and he will buy every vinyl that comes out. Javier thanks him for the support and says that Molten Crew's first album was really good and he is looking forward to the second one.


It is April 1974. Mike, Frank, Billie, Connor and David listen to "High Speed Drifter" on the radio with the announcer discussing Molten Crew's second album, "Numb Fire", coming out in two months. Everybody celebrates with a lot of beer. They all stay the night there as a result. The next day, Frank talks to David saying that, yeah, he and Billie wrote that song, but they shouldn't be too proud of it. It's the weakest song in their album. David, confused, asks Frank if he is jealous that people like High Speed Drifter but Frank says that he's just saying that they don't need to drink whenever they hear the song on the radio. David points out that Frank celebrated with them just fine the other night. Frank says that he drank because he had beer in front of him. Later, David talks to Mike and Billie about Frank. Mike says that Frank is just being Frank; maybe he's still drunk or something. Billie says that the band needs to work as a unit so if Frank continues to be this way, we all need to sit him down. Mike tells them not to worry about it. It is a couple months later. The band celebrates the release of their second album, "Numb Fire". Mike says that they should take a couple months off and then work on the next album. He's going to try and find them some gigs as well. Billie suggests finding a manager. There is a small montage as they do audition for and hire their manager, Roland Martins (Ademir Mata).


David and Sonia finish watching a movie when he gives her some sheets and lyrics of a song he is writing for the band's third album. The song is called "Everything Remains the Same". Sonia absolutely loves it and hopes that the others love it too. The next scene shows Molten Crew playing in a bar. They perform "Griffiti", "Cutting Corners" and "High Speed Drifter". Everybody loves them! Afterwards, Frank asks them if they can stop playing High Speed Drifter. Mike says that, for the last time, that song is one of their most popular songs so, no, they will not. Mike tells Frank that any one of them can write a song for the band so, if he wants to write something, maybe it'll be as popular or even more. A couple days later, David gives Mike the sheets and lyrics for "Everything Remains the Same" and everybody sans Frank loves it. Frank jots down some lyrics and gives it to Mike but Mike asks him if he is just feeling angsty right now. Frank demands that they play it but Mike says that they is only one verse and nothing else to go off it and the lyrics sound rushed. He tells Frank to put more effort into it. That night, Billie, Connor, David and Mike are at his place. Billie and David bring up replacing Frank. Mike says that he and Frank knew each-other since they were 5 so he can't. Connor comments on how rude it is of Billie and David to even suggest that when they were the last two to even join the band. One week later, Frank comes up to Mike and gives him the lyrics for "Fight or Flight". Mike enjoys the lyrics and suggests that they think of a tune for the song. The next scene shows Molten Crew playing in another bar. At the end, David gets the microphone and proposes to Sonia, who is in the audience and says yes after coming on stage.


It is July 1975. The band has just released their third album, "The Unknown". Molten Crew are performing in a bar to a full audience, which includes Aldo, Gene, Javier, Michael [Fonseca] and Sonia, as well as Leonard and Celia. Afterwards, they all go out drinking. Leonard and Celia have one drink and then leave, telling David that they are so proud of the band and, that, they'll leave them be for the night. The next month shows David and Sonia's wedding, which is a very happy and heartwarming scene.


It is March 1976. As David heads home from another session with the band, Frank stalks him until they reach and alleyway. He then corners David and tells him that he doesn't want him writing any more songs for the band. The next day, David talks to Mike about the other night and says that Frank is making him very uncomfortable. Mike says that he'll have a talk with him. For all they know, maybe he was drunk. David says that, if he is drunk all the time, maybe Frank needs rehab! Connor and Frank are taping posters to some electrical pillars defaming David Wise. David sees this and asks them what they are doing. Connor says that he told Frank that he cornered Mike and tried to force him to fire Frank. David says that nobody was cornered. Connor says that he remembers things differently. The next night, David and Sonia are at a bar when they overhear Connor telling the bartender that David Wise is unstable. David and Sonia leave the bar. The next week, Frank is on the news discussing David having a horrible drug addiction and he has tried to be there for him. After watching that, David is seen talking to Mike about how Connor and Frank are going way too far. He wants something done now or he walks. Mike says that he can't control what Frank does. He has spoken to him and he won't listen. David says that Frank is out of control and he and Connor need to be reprimanded. Mike says that he can't let either of them go so they all just need to find a way to get along. A few days later, David is on the news talking about Frank's revelation. David says that, no, he isn't addicted to any drugs. If anybody is addicted to anything, that would be Frank, who needs rehab for his drinking. Anybody who is close to him, especially his wife, can tell them that he has no addictions to speak of; he doesn't even smoke. A couple days later, Javier Singleton, the singer of Candy Sanity, tells the news that David Wise has not touched any drug of any sort. He is as sober as a newborn baby.


Celia and Leonard visit David and Sonia's house the next day. David explains to them that Frank Campos is trying to destroy his reputation due to the two songs he wrote for the band being very popular. Leonard says that they need to sue Frank. Later, David is talking to Mike saying that, as he isn't doing anything about Frank, he is walking from the band. Mike says that they both went after each-other. David says that Frank went onto the news and told everybody he had this drug addiction and he has been trying to defend himself ever since. Connor walks in and apologizes to David, saying that he didn't know that Frank was going to do any of this and he will go onto the news next and defend him. David thanks him and asks about his change of heart. Connor admits that, like Frank, he got jealous and it got out of hand. David says that Connor helped put up posters and lied to people in bars around town. Connor says that he will do whatever it takes to make things right. He tried to tell Frank that going onto the news was a bad idea. He leaves while David turns back towards Mike. Mike says that he'll think about it. David says that he wanted Mike to support him but, clearly, that isn't going to happen. He says that he officially quits the band and leaves. The next scene shows the court case where David Wise is suing Frank Campos for defamation. Wise wins but doesn't get the full amount he wanted ($800 000), only $70 000, which he accepts.


The next week, Michael [Fonseca] knocks on David's door. Michael tells David that, for the past three months, he has been trying to start a new band and one without anybody like Frank. He says that he would like David to think it over. The band's name is Banquet of the New Sound. That night, Sonia wonders if it is too soon for David to hop to another band. David says that he feels like Michael and him have known each-other for years, longer than him and Mike. Plus, Michael and Gene are childhood friends. Maybe--just maybe--Fonseca could have a better band in store for them. Sonia says that he should wait a couple days and think it over. David thanks her for the support and says that he will.


One week later, David talks to Michael at his house and says that he is ready for whatever he has in store. Michael says that he is glad to hear it and says that Banquet of the New Sound will be far better than Molten Crew for sure. David is introduced to other band members, Johnny Moniz (Felix Furtado) and Lance Rocha (Keith Madrid). Johnny and Lance are incredibly friendly towards David and offer their sympathies for what he had to go through. The scene shows the members of the band collaborating on the lyrics for "Evening Road". Afterwards, they all go out to drink. Johnny mentions that he's been singing since he was seven and would end up moving to Michael and Lance's neighbourhood when he was ten. Lance says that his biggest inspiration for music is "The Alvims", which David gets excited about. Michael says that his parents listened to so many different genres of music that he learned to really appreciate each one and that was when he decided that he would pursue music after graduating university. He says that, if the band fails, he still has his law degree to fall back on.


It is May 1977. Banquet of the New Sound has released their first album, "Sacrifices". Michael throws a party with Aldo, David, Gene, Javier, Billie, Johnny and Lance, alongside others. David can't believe that this is the fourth album he has been a part of. Gene talks about David's insane guitar solos in each album he helped with. Later, Javier is sitting outside and David joins him. David congratulates him on Candy Sanity's success. Javier thanks him and is very happy that the two of them are doing what they want in life. He then tells David that his parents (Leonardo and Suzana Singleton) have been bugging him for money ever since their own duet failed after three albums. Javier says that it isn't so much failure, so much as it is them refusing to get a manager or spend money wisely and, now, they want his money now that Candy Sanity is doing really well with three albums under their belt. David says that he doesn't owe them a dime. Javier agrees and says that he would change his last name to disassociate himself with them but he is really close to his Uncle Lloyd on his Dad's side so he will continue the Singleton name because of him.


It is now October 1977. David and Sonia's first child, David "DJ" Wise Jr., is born. Celia and Leonard Wise, as well as Sonia's parents, Ray and Theresa Amorim (Manuel Hunter and Martha Rebelo) excitedly meet their first grandchild.


The next scene is May 1989 with some narration. Banquet of the New Sound has now released six albums and is now a global phenomenon in the hard rock/metal world. Their sixth album, R.S.Z.T., reached number one on the Top 200 not too long ago. Four years ago, Billie Duran left Molten Crew due to Frank Campos and started his own band, which was slowly becoming a success. Frank Campos had been to rehab three times and not much was changing. Javier Singleton got married back in 1979 to a Miss Vitosium model. He hasn't spoken to his parents since March of that year and would never speak to them again until 1991. Together, the two have two healthy sons. Later that year, David and Sonia would have twins, "Angela and Thiago".


David reads in the newspaper that Frank Campos has been fired from the band, Molten Crew. He, excitedly, tells his wife and his twelve year old son, DJ (Shane Correia). Soon afterwards, Mike [Couto-Byers] knocks on his door and asks if he could talk to him. David says that he finally did the right thing a decade later. They are shown sitting in the living room. Mike says that Molten Crew was doing well but Frank needed to go. He was able to excuse a few things because of them knowing eachother for so long but it got to the point where he had to reflect. He felt like he was enabling Frank and he couldn't do that anymore. So, that is when he decided that he should leave. On top of that, that is when he decided that he couldn't be friends with Frank anymore. Hopefully, without the band's success, he can actually get some help and it'll last. If not, he did all that he could. Mike profusely apologizes to David and says that he should have done this back in '76 but late is better than never. David agrees and says that this could be the start of them building a new friendship. Mike agrees.


The next week shows David, Johnny, Lance and Michael working on their next album, 1990's "KO Evolution".


After the screen fades to black ...

... there is a small montage of real life ''Banquet of the New Sound'' concert footages from over the years.


There are some text detailing what happened afterwards.

Gene Alvares would become a professor of Forensic Sciences at Aviron University. He would retire in 2014.

In 1996, Aldo Moura, a successful real estate developer, passed away due to a car accident. He was 44 years old and married with four kids. His oldest child, Emilio Moura, is the current CEO of Aldo's company, Moura Estates. Emilio would also start the Aldo Moura Foundation in 2009.

Michael Fonseca would pass away in 2015 due to cancer. The band would reunite and get back together in 2021 and release the album, "Tribute", about their experiences with Michael.

Billie Duran's success led his band to become Vitosium's 16th most financially successful band. Banquet of the New Sound would be #7, even as of this movie's creation.

David Wise became a legend of sorts in the music world due to his intense guitar playing. He is noted as one of the best guitarists in music history.

His son, DJ Wise, would become the guitarist in a band called Echoes of Jupiter.


There is a room with some chairs in it. The real Billie Duran, David Wise, DJ Wise, Javier Singleton, Johnny Moniz, Loretta Wise, Mike Couto-Byers and Wendell Wise sit down and discuss things. Then the credits roll.

Nation Name: Vitosium

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Name: Ambrose Montas IV

Is this individual nominated for:
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Film attributed to individual: Word to the Wise

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Name: Jonas Gama (as David Wise)

Is this individual nominated for:
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Best Supporting Actress []
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Film attributed to individual: Word to the Wise

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Name: Leiona do Rela (as Sonia Amorim)

Is this individual nominated for:
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Best Actress [X]
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Film attributed to individual: Word to the Wise

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Name: Luca Gabilisco (as Javier Singleton)

Is this individual nominated for:
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Film attributed to individual: Word to the Wise

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Name: Fae Fonnend (as Celia Wise)

Is this individual nominated for:
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Best Supporting Actress [X]
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Film attributed to individual: Word to the Wise

ENTRIES HAVE CLOSED

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Every nation that submitted an entry to any category of the 96th Tofino Film Festival is allowed to submit one vote for each category. Self-voting is prohibited (we want to encourage and uplift others, no self-gloating!). Votes may not be changed once they have been cast. The entry which gains the greatest number of votes within each category will be announced as the winner of that category. You can only vote if you submitted an entry to the film festival. Voting will conclude on Wednesday, June 29th.

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Reminder: do NOT vote for yourself!

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LIST OF NOMINEES
BEST PICTURE

• The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew (Zamastan)
• The Peon (Zamastan)
• Thirst: The Poet of Jandus (Haduastan)
• First King (Saint Offeat)
• Counterfeit (Caspiaa)
• No Anguish (Siniapore)
• Trial of Elkford (Zamastan)
• Canvas (Skarmia)
• Preacher (Paraboca)
• Road to Maastir (Emmiria)
• The Reapers Parade (All Russian Peoples)
• Closet Teras (Shoassau)
• A Story From West Besmenia (Besmenien)
• Sotta Boys (Tasiastan)
• Le Passé (Emmiria)
• Vagrant (Albarine)
• Aerelu (New Elkland)
• Het Huis aan Eemstraat (St Lothario and the Libertines)
• Word to the Wise (Vitosium)

BEST DOCUMENTARY

• Martin Beiter: For a Modern Besmenia (Besmenien)
• Merhaba Komsu (Hello Neighbour) (Caspiaa)
• Pursuit of Ice (Mist Carthara Islands)
• Smokescreen (Albarine)

BEST SHORT FILM

• Mister Neuhaus (Murzi)
• Half-Radiated (Angeman)
• Seed (Kyti)

BEST DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)

• recOILed (Janapa)
• For the Sake of the World (Constantio)
• The Sun Doesn't Always Shine in Albertine (Jumboestanexeniouth)
• Lost Boys of Lundia (Apatonia)
• The Egg (St Lothario and the Libertines)

BEST ACTOR

• Bhima Jadhav as Vivek Singh in Thirst: The Poet of Jandus
• Egil Stordalen as Askel Brown in Counterfeit
• Adrien Dupuy as Ben Garrett in Trial of Elkford
• Alexei Smirnov as Igor Razumovsky in Canvas
• Oscar Hoyo as Juan in Preacher
• Majdi al-Saad as Daamir in Road to Maastir
• Jonas Gama as David Wise in Word to the Wise

BEST ACTRESS

• Madison Robertson as Nataly Carey in The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew
• Salani Navathe as Lakshmi in Thirst: The Poet of Jandus
• Marijne Swan as Marie Brisson in Le Passé
• Leiona do Rela as Sonia Amorim in Word to the Wise

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

• Lee Proverbs as Jackson Madson in Trial of Elkford
• Faadil Minhas as Mohamed in Road to Maastir
• Tatoch Bekçin as Kekçe-Wa in Canvas
• Richard Herzog as Herbert Maukel in A Story From West Besmenia
• Awad Nouri as Samir in Le Passé
• Luca Gabilisco as Javier Singleton in Word to the Wise

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

• Shakti Randhawa as Delaney in Thirst: The Poet of Jandus
• Holli Wharton as Jamie Elenbacher in Trial of Elkford
• Helen Emmitt as Lydia Morris in The Peon
• Naseeba Naim as Saamya in Road to Maastir
• Elizabeth Hargreaves as Sam Evans in Vagrant
• Fae Fonnend as Celia Wise in Word to the Wise

BEST DIRECTOR

• Jwala Adhya for Thirst: The Poet of Jandus
• Tertk Dakelin for Canvas
• Mujahid el-Mahmood for Road to Maastir
• Asden Dunn for Closet Teras
• Quentin Cooper for Trial of Elkford
• Jonathan Saulnier for Vagrant
• Ambrose Montas IV for Word to the Wise

VOTING

Best Picture [Road to Maastir]
Best Documentary [Smokescreen]
Best Short Film [Half-Radiated]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [The Egg]
Best Actor [Adrien Dupuy]
Best Actress [Madison Robertson]
Best Supporting Actor [Luca Gabilisco]
Best Supporting Actress [Naseeba Naim]
Best Director [Tertk Dakelin]

VOTING

Best Picture [The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew]
Best Documentary [Merhaba Komsu (Hello Neighbour)]
Best Short Film [Half-Radiated]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [recOILed]
Best Actor [Alexei Smirnov]
Best Actress [Madison Robertson]
Best Supporting Actor [Tatoch Bekçin]
Best Supporting Actress [Fae Fonnend]
Best Director [Mujahid el-Mahmood]

VOTING

Best Picture [Le Passé]
Best Documentary [Merhaba Komsu (Hello Neighbour) ]
Best Short Film [Mister Neuhaus]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [The Egg ]
Best Actor [ Jonas Gama]
Best Actress [ Madison Robertson]
Best Supporting Actor [ Richard Herzog]
Best Supporting Actress [ Naseeba Naim]
Best Director [ Quentin Cooper]

VOTING

Best Picture [The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew]
Best Documentary [Martin Beiter: For a Modern Besmenia]
Best Short Film [Half-Radiated]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [Lost Boys of Lundia]
Best Actor [Majdi al-Saad]
Best Actress [ Madison Robertson]
Best Supporting Actor [Luca Gabilisco]
Best Supporting Actress [Fae Fonnend]
Best Director [Tertk Dakelin]

VOTING

Best Picture [ Word to the Wise]
Best Documentary [Merhaba Komsu (Hello Neighbour)]
Best Short Film [ Half-Radiated]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [recOILed]
Best Actor [Adrien Dupuy]
Best Actress [ Salani Navathe]
Best Supporting Actor [Richard Herzog]
Best Supporting Actress [Fae Fonnend]
Best Director [Tertk Dakelin]

VOTING

Best Picture [ Road to Maastir ]
Best Documentary [ Martin Beiter: For a Modern Besmenia ]
Best Short Film [ Seed ]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [ For the Sake of the World ]
Best Actor [ Egil Stordalen ]
Best Actress [ Madison Robertson ]
Best Supporting Actor [ Richard Herzog ]
Best Supporting Actress [ Fae Fonnend ]
Best Director [ Mujahid el-Mahmood ]

VOTING

Best Picture [ Canvas ]
Best Documentary [ Pursuit of Ice ]
Best Short Film [ Mister Neuhaus ]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [ recOILed ]
Best Actor [ Jonas Gama ]
Best Actress [ Marijne Swan ]
Best Supporting Actor [ Faadil Minhas ]
Best Supporting Actress [ Shakti Randhawa ]
Best Director [ Tertk Dakelin ]

An Open Letter to the Board of the Tofino Film Festival

To:
The Board of the Tofino Film Festival
Tofino, Zian, Zamastan

From:
The Directors' Guild of St. Lothario and the Libertines
9, Lapjeskatstraat
Schipperhaven, Sint Lothario en de Libertijnen

Re: Formal Protests, Inquiries

Dear Madams and Sirs:

We the undersigned of the Directors' Guild of St. Lothario and the Libertines do hereby file this formal Protest with respect to the following two (2) films entered in the 96th Tofino Film Festival, and by association, any entries for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress in connection with either of these films:

• The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew
  
• The Peon

The grounds for our protest are that the Board’s own rules state that, “Films must have been completed in the preceding 12 months and make their premiere at the festival to be eligible for screening.” We contend that both films have already been publicly presented, and therefore cannot possibly première at the 96th Tofino Film Festival, and should be deemed ineligible.

In the case of The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew the film “grossed Z$45 million in the domestic box office against an Z$9.8 million budget.” For The Peon it should be noted that the accompanying poster displays a release date of January 7, 2022, which predates the 96th Tofino Film Festival by several months.

In addition, we hereby request a formal Inquiry into the eligibility of the following two (2) films:

• Trial of Elkford
  
• Smokescreen

Our basis for questioning the eligibility of Trial of Eckford is two-fold. First, the film is “a 2021 Zamastanian historical legal drama film directed by Quentin Cooper and written by Aaron Cristol.” We ask the Board to determine if this film was substantially complete by July 6, 2021, and therefore ineligible on the basis that the work is more than twelve (12) months old. We further note that the Best Actor submission for actor Adrien Dupuy states that he “is most known for his roles in dramas and thrillers, notably Inferno (2010), Raspberry (2021), Trial of Elkford (2021), and The Peon (2022).” We have already established that The Peon has premièred prior to the 96th Tofino Film Festival. We question how Mr. Dupuy could be known for his role in Trial of Eckford if the film has yet to be shown. We ask the Board to determine if Trial of Eckford has previously been shown to the public, and therefore is ineligible on the basis of being unable to première at the 96th Tofino Film Festival.

We also ask the Board to clarify the eligibility of the documentary Smokescreen. We note that “an unsigned review in The New Altai Globe explains” several aspects of this film. We ask the Board to determine if said review came about from a private screening restricted to industry journalists for the film’s publicity prior to a première, or whether the review was written after a public showing of the film. If the latter, we ask the Board to rule this otherwise noteworthy film ineligible for entry in the 96th Tofino Film Festival.

In all cases, for those films determined to be ineligible, we ask that the associated entries for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress likewise be deemed ineligible for the 96th Tofino Film Festival.

We are amenable, should the Board so choose at its sole discretion, to a recasting of votes in any category where the delegations from those voting nations have cast a vote for a film or associated entry deemed to be ineligible, so that those delegations may cast votes in good faith for the remaining eligible films and/or entries.

Duly signed by the following of the Directors' Guild of St. Lothario and the Libertines:

~Beatrix Gilden, President
~Willemijn Luetjen, Vice President
~Linus Buell, Secretary/Treasurer
~Ruud Byker, Member
~Miriam Janssen, Member
~Grietje Ploog, Member
~Jan Vanderpool, Member

St Lothario and the Libertines wrote:An Open Letter to the Board of the Tofino Film Festival

OOC: This festival works just like the Toronto Festival and the Oscars. Movies are allowed IC to be released prior to the festival. We’ve done it like this for the past two years. Discarding the “ineligibility” claim as silly and uninformed.

VOTING

Best Picture [Le Passé ]
Best Documentary [ Merhaba Komsu]
Best Short Film [ Half-Radiated]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [ Lost Boys of Lundia]
Best Actor [ Bhima Jadhav]
Best Actress [ Madison Robertson]
Best Supporting Actor [ Awaf Nouri]
Best Supporting Actress [Fae Fonnend ]
Best Director [ Jonathan Saulnier]

VOTING

Best Picture [ Word to the Wise]
Best Documentary [ Smokescreen]
Best Short Film [ Mister Neuhaus]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [ The Sun Doesn't Always Shine in Albertine]
Best Actor [ Adrien Dupuy]
Best Actress [ Leiona do Rela]
Best Supporting Actor [ Tatoch Bekcin]
Best Supporting Actress [ Elizabeth Hargreaves]
Best Director [ Mujahid el-Mahmood]

St Lothario and the Libertines wrote:We the undersigned of the Directors' Guild of St. Lothario and the Libertines do hereby file this formal Protest with respect to the following two (2) films entered in the 96th Tofino Film Festival, and by association, any entries for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress in connection with either of these films:

• The Love She Gave, The Joy She Knew
  
• The Peon

In addition, we hereby request a formal Inquiry into the eligibility of the following two (2) films:

• Trial of Elkford
  
• Smokescreen

Lame

VOTING

Best Picture [No Anguish]
Best Documentary [ Martin Beiter: For a Modern Besmenia ]
Best Short Film [Half-Radiated ]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [ recOILed]
Best Actor [ Jonas Gama]
Best Actress [Madison Robertson ]
Best Supporting Actor [Faadil Minhas ]
Best Supporting Actress [ Shakti Randhawa]
Best Director [ Ambrose Montas IV]

VOTING

Best Picture [The Reapers Parade]
Best Documentary [ Merhaba Komsu]
Best Short Film [Half-Radiated]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [The Sun Doesn't Always Shine in Albertine]
Best Actor [Adrien Dupuy]
Best Actress [Marijne Swan]
Best Supporting Actor [Luca Gabilisco]
Best Supporting Actress [Shakti Randhawa]
Best Director [Asden Dunn]

VOTING

Best Picture [Road to Maastir]
Best Documentary [Merhaba Komsu (Hello Neighbour)]
Best Short Film [Seed]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [recOILed]
Best Actor [Majdi al-Saad]
Best Actress [Marijne Swan]
Best Supporting Actor [Awaf Nouri]
Best Supporting Actress [Elizabeth Hargreaves]
Best Director [Jonathan Saulnier]

VOTING

Best Picture [ The Love She Gave, the Joy She Knew]
Best Documentary [Merhaba Komsu]
Best Short Film [ Seed]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [ The Egg]
Best Actor [Jonas Gama]
Best Actress [ Marijne Swan]
Best Supporting Actor [Faadil Minhas]
Best Supporting Actress [Holli Wharton]
Best Director [ Tertk Dakelin]

VOTING

Best Picture [ Thirst: The Poet of Jandus]
Best Documentary [Smokescreen]
Best Short Film [Half-Radiated ]
Best Documentary (Short Subject) [The Sun Doesn't Always Shine in Albertine]
Best Actor [Alexei Smirnov]
Best Actress [Madison Robertson ]
Best Supporting Actor [ Awad Nouri]
Best Supporting Actress [Shakti Randhawa]
Best Director [Ambrose Montas IV]