In this episode of 1st on Film,

We chat with filmmaker Michael Makaroff at the red carpet to discuss his compelling short film Animals, screening this week at the Canadian Film Festival.

Animals is a tense and intimate short film that explores the fragile boundaries between human instinct and social restraint. Through a tightly focused narrative, the film examines how ordinary situations can unravel, revealing deeper emotional truths and the raw impulses that lie beneath the surface.

Set against a grounded, realistic backdrop, Animals builds atmosphere through subtle performances and carefully crafted tension, inviting audiences to reflect on identity, control, and what it means to confront the parts of ourselves we try to hide. Screening as part of the Canadian Film Festival, the film marks a striking entry from filmmaker Michael Makaroff.

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.

Niava discusses the inspiration behind the project, his approach to crafting atmosphere through sound and imagery, and the challenges of bringing such an intense vision to life on a short-form canvas. We also talk about the role of music as narrative, the psychology behind the film’s themes, and what’s next for him as a director.

Whether you’re a film lover, a jazz enthusiast, or an aspiring filmmaker, this conversation offers a compelling look at how style and substance collide on screen.

Will Niava is an emerging filmmaker known for his bold visual style and emphasis on mood-driven storytelling. With a strong interest in the intersection of music and cinema, his work often explores psychological depth through rhythm, tone, and striking imagery.

Niava’s approach prioritizes atmosphere and emotional resonance, crafting films that linger with audiences beyond their runtime. Jazz Infernal represents a defining step in his creative journey, showcasing his ability to merge experimental elements with narrative clarity.

As he continues to develop new projects, Niava is establishing himself as a distinctive voice in independent film—one drawn to stories that challenge, unsettle, and captivate.

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

Chris Markland (@iamsupafly) is a pop culture content creator and social media influencer making waves in the fandom space. Known for his energetic presence and love of comics, cosplay, and geek culture, he’s built a strong following by connecting with fans and bringing convention experiences to life online. Whether he’s on the floor at major events or collaborating with brands, Supafly is all about celebrating the community and culture that make fandom so special.

Step into the vibrant world of fandom at Toronto Comic Con, one of Canada’s biggest celebrations of pop culture, where thousands of fans gather to celebrate comics, movies, anime, gaming, and more. Held annually at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event brings together celebrity guests, exclusive panels, artists, vendors, and an electric show floor packed with creativity and energy.

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.

Film Synopsis

The Things You Kill is a haunting and psychologically charged drama that delves into the complexities of guilt, violence, and the human psyche. The film follows a character navigating the aftermath of a deeply unsettling act, where reality and inner turmoil begin to blur. Through striking visuals and a slow-burning narrative, the story unfolds as both a personal reckoning and a broader meditation on consequence and morality. Atmospheric and thought-provoking, The Things You Kill challenges viewers to confront the darker corners of human nature and the lingering impact of the choices we make.

Director Bio – Alireza Khatami

Alireza Khatami is an internationally recognized filmmaker known for his distinctive voice and meditative approach to storytelling. Born in Iran and later working across multiple countries, Khatami has built a reputation for crafting films that blend realism with allegorical depth. His work often explores themes of identity, memory, repression, and the unseen psychological forces that shape human behavior. With a background that bridges cultures and cinematic traditions, Khatami’s films have screened at major international festivals, earning critical acclaim for their visual precision and philosophical weight.

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.

From exploring their approaches to complex characters to sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the recording booth, Emi and Dawn offer a candid look at what it takes to bring this dark fantasy world to life. We also discuss the emotional weight of the series, its themes of redemption and sacrifice, and what fans can expect as the story unfolds.

Whether you’re already hooked on the series or just discovering it, this conversation offers insight, humor, and a deeper appreciation for the craft of voice acting.

About Emi Lo (She/They): Emi Lo is an Asian-American voice actor most well-known for voicing Maomao

in The Apothecary Diaries, Columbina/Damselette in Genshin Impact, Ruan Mei in Honkai: Star Rail, Lucy

in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Sawatari in Chainsaw Man, Rena in Higurashi When They Cry, Rinku in D4DJ,

Suma in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Miri in Buddy Daddies, Hei in The Legend of Hei, Teoritta in Sentenced to be a Hero, Shinonome in Kaiju No. 8, and Young Hawks in My Hero Academia, and can be heard in countless other anime and video games. When Emi is not acting, they can be found playing piano, playing video games, cosplaying, napping, working out, eating, or exploring natural and man-made ruins. They also have an absolutely precious but

spoiled Siberian cat named Noctis that has never done anything wrong and is incredibly cute and fluffy.

Dawn M. Bennett (She/Her): Dawn M. Bennett is an American voice actor with roles in anime and

video games. Known for her distinctly wide range, she received critical acclaim and a Golden Joystick

Award nomination for her role as Aigis in Persona 3 Reload. Other notable roles include Orphie Magnusson

and Magus in Zenless Zone Zero, Kale from the Dragon Ball franchise, Setsuna Tokage in My Hero

Academia, Frosch in Fairy Tail, Smoothie Charlotte in One Piece, Marnie in Pokémon: Twilight Wings,

Lusamine in Pokémon Evolutions, Bellibolt in Pokémon Horizons, Nabbit in Mario Kart World and Super

Mario Bros. Wonder, Yukong in Honkai: Star Rail, Shez from the Fire Emblem franchise, Frederica Baumann

in Re:Zero, Ilsa in Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and Iroha Sakayori in Cosmic Princess Kaguya!

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.

Created alongside longtime collaborator Maciek Szczerbowski, the film tells a dark fairytale set in early-20th-century Montreal about a poor boy who discovers a mysterious girl whose tears transform into priceless pearls. As greed, love, and morality collide, the story becomes a powerful fable about the cost of ambition and the value of empathy.

We talk with Lavis about the painstaking craft of stop-motion animation, the years-long journey to bring the film to life, and the inspiration behind its gothic visual style. He also reflects on the film’s festival run — including winning Best Canadian Short Film at the Toronto International Film Festival — and what it means to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film.

Chris Lavis is a Canadian filmmaker and animator known for his distinctive stop-motion storytelling and richly atmospheric visual style. Based in Montreal, Lavis frequently collaborates with animator and director Maciek Szczerbowski, forming one of Canada’s most celebrated animation duos.

Their breakthrough film, Madame Tutli-Putli, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film and helped establish their reputation for blending surreal imagery with emotionally resonant storytelling.

Lavis later co-directed the stop-motion short The Girl Who Cried Pearls, produced by the National Film Board of Canada. The 17-minute film premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, won multiple festival awards, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film.

Across his work, Lavis is known for meticulous handcrafted animation, haunting visual worlds, and stories that explore human emotion, morality, and myth through the language of animation.

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.

Lee shares the inspiration behind the film, the personal experiences that shaped the story, and the challenges of telling an intimate narrative about grief, identity, and family connection. We also dive into the craft behind the film — from its emotional performances and use of sound to its exploration of deaf and queer identity within family dynamics.

Join us as we talk about the creative journey of bringing Them That’s Not to life and what it means to tell deeply human stories through short-form cinema.

Short Film Description

Them That’s Not is an intimate short drama following Drea, a struggling deaf poet who returns home after the death of her grandmother. Surrounded by a family that struggles to understand her world, she feels isolated during a gathering meant to bring everyone together.

When her estranged father—temporarily released from prison to attend the funeral—arrives unexpectedly, the two are forced to confront years of distance, grief, and unresolved emotions. Through quiet moments and raw performances, the film explores themes of family, identity, reconciliation, and the search for connection.

Director Bio

Mekhai Lee is a filmmaker, writer, and director from Charlotte, North Carolina. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ drama program, he began his career as an actor, performing in professional productions including the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. 

Lee is the writer and director of the award-winning short film Them That’s Not, which premiered at NewFest Pride and went on to screen at festivals including the Chicago International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Hugo Award for Best Live Action Short. 

He is also a member of The Half Initiative Director Program and served as a Director Fellow on HBO’s series Succession. Lee’s work focuses on character-driven storytelling that explores identity, grief, and human connection. 

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.

Joining us are Mallorie Rodak (Frieren), Jill Harris (Fern), and Jordan Dash Cruz (Stark). The trio discusses bringing the beloved characters to life in the English dub, the emotional depth of the series, and why Frieren’s story has resonated with audiences around the world.

We dive into the themes of time, memory, and friendship that make the series unique, along with behind-the-scenes insights into the voice acting process, recording sessions, and what it’s like joining one of the most celebrated modern fantasy anime.

Whether you’re a longtime anime fan or discovering Frieren for the first time, this conversation offers a closer look at the voices behind the journey.

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a fantasy anime based on the manga by Kanehito Yamada and illustrated by Tsukasa Abe.

The story begins after the legendary hero party defeats the Demon King and restores peace to the world. While the humans move on with their lives, the elven mage Frieren—who lives far longer than her companions—begins to confront the fleeting nature of human life. After the death of one of her closest friends, Frieren embarks on a new journey, taking on an apprentice and traveling across the land in search of understanding, meaning, and connection.

Blending fantasy adventure with reflective storytelling, the series explores themes of memory, friendship, and what it means to truly value the time we have with others.

Mallorie Rodak – Voice of Frieren

Mallorie Rodak is an American voice actor known for her work in anime, video games, commercials, and film. She voices the titular elven mage Frieren in the English dub of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Rodak has appeared in numerous animated series and games, and her performance as Frieren earned recognition from anime audiences worldwide. She holds a master’s degree from the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University and has worked extensively across voiceover, television, and advertising.

Jill Harris – Voice of Fern

Jill Harris is an American voice actress who has been active in anime dubbing since 2015. She voices Fern, Frieren’s disciplined and talented apprentice. Harris is widely known for roles such as Noelle Silva in Black Clover, Nino Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets, and Suletta Mercury in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury. Her performances have made her one of the most recognizable voices in modern English-language anime dubbing. 

Jordan Dash Cruz – Voice of Stark

Jordan Dash Cruz is a voice actor known for his work in English-language anime dubs. In Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, he plays Stark, a warrior who joins Frieren and Fern on their journey. Stark brings both humor and heart to the series as he grows into a brave fighter while navigating the emotional weight of the story’s world and characters.