1st reviews by 1st Reviews

In this episode, we sit down with filmmakers Travis Wood and Alex Mallis to talk about their latest project, The Travel Companion—a film that explores connection, distance, and the emotional landscapes we carry with us.

In this episode, we sit down with writer Eliza Power and director Philip Clyde-Smith to talk about their short film A Hand to Hold. Together, they unpack the story’s emotional core, exploring the themes of connection, vulnerability, and what it means to truly show up for someone in moments of need.

In this exclusive episode, we sit down with the creative minds behind the short film THE NOVEL — director Kellen Gibbs and actors Kaprise Colvin and Jordan Knapp.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Andrew Bachelor—better known as King Bach—to talk about his latest project, Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story on Paramount+.

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears, the visionary filmmakers behind the Oscar-nominated animated short film Forevergreen. Together, they break down the creative journey behind one of this year’s most visually and emotionally striking animated projects.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Luke Angus, the director behind the short film Solstice.

Fresh off the red carpet at the Canadian Film Fest, we sit down with actor-turned-director Scott Anthony Cavalheiro to talk about his bold feature directorial debut, Plan C.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Nicole Alyse Nelson to talk about her latest short film, a fresh take on a Jane Austen-inspired period drama. Nicole shares what drew her to the project, how she approached bringing a classic tone to life, and the creative challenges of working within the short film format.

In this episode of 1st on Film,

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Will Niava to explore his striking short film Jazz Infernal. Blending rhythm, tension, and visual storytelling, the film dives into the darker harmonies of creativity and obsession.

In this special episode, we hit the convention floor to chat with some of the event’s most dedicated attendees.

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed director Alireza Khatami to discuss his latest film The Things You Kill. Known for his haunting, poetic storytelling and deeply introspective themes, Khatami dives into the creative process behind the film, exploring its emotional core, visual language, and the personal influences that shaped it. We talk about the challenges of bringing such an intense story to life, the meaning behind its striking imagery, and what he hopes audiences take away from it. Whether you’re a fan of international cinema or bold, thought-provoking filmmaking, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with voice actors Emi Lo and Dawn M. Bennett to dive into the intense and thought-provoking anime Sentenced to Be a Hero.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Chris Lavis to discuss his haunting stop-motion short The Girl Who Cried Pearls.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Mekhai Lee to discuss his powerful short film Them That’s Not, which screened at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with the English voice cast behind the critically acclaimed anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Renée Marie Petropoulos and actor Emily Grant to discuss their haunting new short film Souvenir, which premieres at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival.

In this special SXSW episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Brian Tetsuro Ivie and actor Takehiro Hira to discuss their new science-fiction road film Anima, which made its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival.

In this episode, we sit down with voice actors Adam McArthur and Kayleigh McKee from the hit anime Jujutsu Kaisen.

On this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with rising actor Jeremy Ray Taylor to talk about his role in the coming-of-age film This Too Shall Pass. Jeremy discusses what drew him to the project, the themes of friendship and self-discovery at the heart of the story, and what it was like bringing his character to life alongside a talented ensemble cast.

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Eduardo Braun Costa to discuss his short film The Liars, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

On this episode, we chat with Maddy Myer about her brand new podcast titled Maddy Mania. We discuss fandom, wrestling, superheroes and so much more.

On this episode, we sit down with Oscar-nominated directors Alexandre and Natalie to discuss their provocative and intimate short film Two People Exchanging Saliva.

In this episode, we sit down with Victoria Trow to talk about her powerful upcoming short film Eructation, premiering at SXSW.

In this episode, we sit down with Meyer Levinson-Blount, the visionary filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated short film Butcher’s Stain.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Praise Odigie Paige, the visionary director behind the Sundance short film Birdie, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Meagan Coyle to discuss her striking short film Prime, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

In this episode, we sit down with Megan and Marcus Bagala for an inspiring conversation about building careers in music and entertainment. From their creative beginnings to navigating the industry, they share honest insights about passion, persistence, and what it really takes to turn talent into a career. Marcus and Megan deep dive into some of their projects including kids podcast programming, DC High vol Batman and discuss some new upcoming projects

In this special episode, we sit down with cinematographer Ruairí O’Brien to explore the visual storytelling behind Eternity — A24’s imaginative 2025 fantasy romantic comedy that asks what it really means to choose where and with whom you’d spend forever.

In this episode, we sit down with Isaiah and Emmett from the reality series Canada Shore for a conversation that’s just as wild as the show itself. Between a couple of drinking games and plenty of laughs, the duo spills on life inside the Canada Shore house, behind-the-scenes moments viewers never see, and what really happens when reality TV meets real friendships. It’s a chaotic, unfiltered, and genuinely fun chat about fame, filming, and surviving the madness—one drink at a time.

On this episode, we sit down with director Angel Manuel Soto to talk about his upcoming Amazon action-comedy The Wrecking Crew. Soto shares what his favorite scenes from the film were to bring to life, how the project challenged him and helped him grow as a director, and what he ultimately hopes audiences take away from the experience.

Things get lively on this episode as Emmy, Ryleigh, and Keyaira from the reality TV series Canada Shore join us for laughs, stories, and a few drinking games along the way. Between sips, the trio opens up about life in the Canada Shore house, unexpected moments from filming, and what really happened when the cameras were on—and off. It’s high-energy, unfiltered, and perfect for reality TV fans.

Canada Shore is a reality television series that brings a group of personalities together for an unfiltered look at relationships, conflict, and chaos, all set against a Canadian backdrop. With big moments, strong personalities, and plenty of drama, the show quickly carves out its own lane within the reality TV space.

Canada Shore is a reality television series that brings a group of personalities together for an unfiltered look at relationships, conflict, and chaos, all set against a Canadian backdrop. With big moments, strong personalities, and plenty of drama, the show quickly carves out its own lane within the reality TV space.

In this episode, we sit down with director John-Michael Powell to talk about his latest film, Violent Ends. Powell breaks down the ideas that sparked the project, the challenges of bringing its intense themes to the screen, and how he approached crafting a story driven by consequence, morality, and choice. We also dive into his creative process, influences, and what he hopes audiences take away from the film. It’s an in-depth conversation about filmmaking, storytelling, and navigating dark subject matter with purpose.

Ahead of its season three premiere, we sat down with lead actress, Supinder Wraich to talk about the season, her CSA best actress win and much more.

In this special in-person interview, 1st Reviews host, Sarah Hanlon sits down with Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen of Small Achievable Goals to talk all things Season Two. From stepping back into their characters to navigating the emotional growth, challenges, and surprises ahead, they share behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Season two of Saint Pierre is raising the stakes, and this week’s podcast goes straight to the source. I’m joined by Josephine Jobert and Allan Hawco for an inside look at the new season—diving into their characters’ evolving dynamics, the emotional and thematic shifts ahead, and what makes Saint Pierre such a distinctive series.

A new year means a new wave of movies to get excited about! In this episode of 1st Reviews, the team breaks down our most anticipated movies of 2026—from massive blockbusters and long-awaited sequels to intriguing originals that could surprise everyone.

Youssef Guezoum is a Moroccan-American composer, orchestrator, and sound designer based in Los Angeles. Born in Marrakech, Morocco, he blends cinematic orchestral music with modern electronic elements and influences from his North African heritage. He began as a guitarist, later studying classical piano and composition in Brussels and sound design at the Vancouver Film School.

A Christmas Party (2025) is a holiday ensemble comedy-drama about a college freshman, Adam, who returns home for Christmas and finds himself navigating a chaotic house full of relatives, strangers, and rising tensions. As he tries to reconnect with his childhood friend Ally—who now arrives with a new British boyfriend—the night spirals into awkward encounters, political clashes, and heartfelt moments. The film blends humor, nostalgia, and emotional family dynamics to capture the messy, funny, and warm reality of real holiday gatherings.

In this episode, we sit down with Meadowlarks director Tasha Hubbard and actor Michael Greyeyes for a thoughtful conversation about their powerful new film, Meadowlarks. They share the creative spark behind the project, the themes that guided their storytelling, and the collaborative process that shaped the film’s emotional core.

In this episode, we sit down with Elijah Guess, the cinematographer behind Violent Ends, the 2025 Southern crime-thriller that blends gritty realism with haunting Ozark atmosphere. Elijah shares how he crafted the film’s moody visual language — from capturing the tension of backwoods family feuds to shaping the film’s dark, Gothic tone. We dive into his creative process, the challenges of shooting in the rugged Ozark landscape, and how visual storytelling helps amplify themes of violence, legacy, and redemption. A must-listen for film lovers and anyone curious about the craft behind compelling cinematography.

Mohamed Jabarah Al-Daradji is an Iraqi-Dutch filmmaker. He completed two master’s degrees in cinematography and directing at the Northern Film School in Leeds.

Lesbian Space Princess is a 2025 Australian adult animated science fiction comedy film written and directed by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese in their directorial debut. It features the voices of Shabana Azeez, Bernie Van Tiel, Gemma Chua-Tran, Richard Roxburgh, Kween Kong, and comedy troupe Aunty Donna.

Shelby Oaks is a 2024 American supernatural horror mystery film produced, written, and directed by Chris Stuckmann in his feature directorial debut, with Mike Flanagan as an executive producer.

Andrea Werhun and Nicole Bazuin challenge toxic misconceptions about sex work and sex workers with great audacity and high style.

In this mesmerizing film by Kunsang Kyirong, the deepening bond between two young women threatens to have repercussions throughout a community of Tibetan immigrants living in an apartment complex in west Toronto.

Ten years after moving to Vancouver, struggling visual artist Kana Yamamoto (Mayumi Yoshida) returns to Tokyo to attend the funeral of her beloved grandmother. Arriving in Japan, she rekindles a tentative flame with her bashful ex-boyfriend, Hiro (Ryo Tajima), an aspiring thespian who vanished from her life a decade prior. As Kana digs deeper into her grandmother’s past, she uncovers a family secret that prompts her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about love, duty, and belonging.

Francesco Sossai’s latest is an effortlessly charming and utterly delightful romp through the Italian countryside from the POV of a passenger in a car with two old-timers reliving their long-gone glory days.

40 Acres is a 2024 Canadian post-apocalyptic thriller film written and directed by R. T. Thorne (in his feature directorial debut). The film stars Danielle Deadwyler as a matriarch of descendants of African American farmers who settled in 1875 in rural Canada after the first Civil War. Two hundred years later, they are trying to survive in a decimated future.

Ali's life in Canada as a young immigrant turns upside down when his naïve cousin Omid arrives from overseas under mysterious circumstances to live with him in a newcomers settlement house. On the cusp of achieving his goal to settle in Toronto, a tide of misadventures derails Ali's plans, costing him his job opportunity and romance, which ultimately drives him to his wits’ end.

Egghead & Twinkie is a colorful teen road movie directed by Sarah Kambe Holland and starring Sabrina Jie-A-Fa and Louis Tomeo. Known as the first feature to successfully crowdfund on TikTok, this indie production has taken the film festival circuit by storm.

On the night they move from the city into a sprawling suburban home, parents Josh (Ben Foster, Finestkind, TIFF ’23) and Rachel (Cobie Smulders, High School, TIFF ’22) are jolted by a car crashing into the tree on their front lawn, killing the driver and injuring his passengers. And once Josh discovers the accidents are a regular occurrence due to the design of the road, he becomes obsessed with being ready to save the next victims... to the exclusion of everything else.

My Dead Friend Zoe is a 2024 American comedy-drama film written by Kyle Hausmann-Stokes and A. J. Bermudez, directed by Hausmann-Stokes and starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Gloria Reuben, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Morgan Freeman, and Ed Harris.

In a Kaiju-filled Japan, Kafka Hibino works in monster disposal. After reuniting with his childhood friend Mina Ashiro, a rising star in the anti-Kaiju Defense Force, he

Film synopsis:

Film Synopsis:

LUCY: THE STOLEN LIVES OF ELEPHANTS is the first documentary film which reveals the plight of elephants in captivity and investigates the lies that zoos tell an unknowing public under the guise of wildlife conservation and education. At the heart of the film is Lucy, Edmonton Valley Zoo’s lone and ailing 48-year-old elephant and the people fighting to send her to a sanctuary in California where she can live for the first time in decades with the company of other elephants.

Synopsis

Presented by ‪@filmtoppings‬ & ‪@1streviews‬

Season 2 premieres Wednesday, January 15 (9 p.m.) on CBC and CBC Gem. ALLEGIANCE is a high-octane police procedural drama uniquely set in Surrey, BC. The CBC Original series from Lark Productions in association with Universal International Studios stars Supinder Wraich (Sort Of) as Sabrina Sohal and Enrico Colantoni (English Teacher) as Vince Brambilla. The series focuses on identity and belonging, policing and politics, and finding truth within the heart of a flawed justice system.

North of North Premieres today Tuesday, January 7 on CBC and CBC Gem.

Stefano, Ben and Gal from the 1st team discuss the newest addition to Robert Eggers every growing catalogue.

The 1st Reviews team had the pleasure of chatting with Allan Hawco and Josephine Jobert about starring in the new procedural drama, Saint-Pierre.

Solo Leveling Follows the adventures Sung Jinwoo in a world that is constantly threatened by monsters and the evil forces. In his battles Sung transforms himself from weakest hunter of all mankind to one of the strongest hunters in existence.

Facing a long winter of lockdown and combating a bad case of writer’s block, a desperate filmmaker agrees to rescue a traumatized dog with his girlfriend. Part rescue dog rom-com, part auto-fiction psychodrama, and part family scrapbook, this debut feature displays a disquieting amount of emotional authenticity, capturing what it means to be human.

Movie synopsis:

Ash (Cara Gee) and Joe (Peter Mooney) meet at the bookstore that he owns. They begin seeing each other and find themselves falling in love.

In this interview, Stefano from the 1st team talks with director, Karl Janisse about his newest mini series, Passage. Part of the Unknown 9 video game series, Passage is a 7 part web series available now for streaming.

Triumph is a 2024 Bulgarian-Greek black comedy film directed by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov. It will star Maria Bakalova, Julian Kostov, Julian Vergov and Margita Gosheva.

The second season of the American fantasy television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, primarily material from the appendices of the novel The Lord of the Rings. Set thousands of years before the novel in the Second Age of Middle-earth, the season depicts the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the creation of more Rings of Power.

The second season of the American fantasy television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, primarily material from the appendices of the novel The Lord of the Rings. Set thousands of years before the novel in the Second Age of Middle-earth, the season depicts the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron and the creation of more Rings of Power.

television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is based on J. R. R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, primarily material from the appendices of the novel The Lord of the Rings.

This beautifully textured period drama from director Frida Kempff tells the story of Sally Bauer, a Swedish mother who pursues her dream of swimming the English Channel before the Second World War envelops Europe.

You Gotta Believe:

A competitive fencer agrees to test an experimental device that lets her train within lucid dreams in which she meets a mysterious stranger who will upend her marriage, her psyche, and her path to Olympic gold.