THE FESTIVAL PREMISE
The MOS Film Fest was a first of its kind celebration of community, play, and filmmaking. The core idea behind the festival was to screen films WITHOUT SOUND, in unconventional settings, to bring an immersive experience to both the films and the spaces.
Unlike conventional film festivals, things like the premiere status, technical quality, filmmaker experience, or other industry considerations didn’t factor into the decision-making process. Instead, the programming team was in search of the best content for the space.
The MOS Film Fest took place at the indoor park in Vivo, located in North Central Calgary. The indoor park is a first of its kind space that cultivates free play and unstructured activities year round - for everyone to enjoy.
Within the park, films screened alongside a workout class, a preschool group, children riding their bikes, a group of adults walking around the boardwalk - or all of the above simultaneously. The flexible world the park gave way to a unique and unpredictable soundtrack for the films as they screened. No two people experienced them the same way, and as films were shown multiple times during the festival, no two screenings of the films were the same.
A truly co-created artistic experience where film meets free play.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING
9 films were selected for the festival from filmmakers across Canada:
Film Title: Tell Everybody
Total Runtime: 3 mins 17 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Susan Serrao & Meghan Westelmajer
Filmmaker Statement: In Tell Everybody we wanted to explore the tension between the clown’s joyful performance and their deep, unspoken need for love and support. Through silent film, we aim to convey the emotional complexity of a character who, despite bringing joy to the world, struggles with loneliness and the harsh reality that they need financial help to continue their art. Without dialogue, every gesture, expression, and movement of Ghee, the clown, becomes a powerful means of communication, allowing the audience to connect with their vulnerability. The film reflects the emotional labor of artists—how their gifts are both a source of joy and a constant battle for recognition and care. At its core, Tell Everybody is a story about the often unseen struggles of those who give so much to the world, reminding us that behind every smile, there’s a human heart in need of love and support.
Filmmaker Bio: Susan Serrao is the writer, co-director, producer and performer of Tell Everybody. She is a mixed-race, Guyanese-Canadian comedian and award winning actor (Fargo, Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenet Ramsey, Reminders of Him,), improviser, writer, director and host who produces her own work. She created, served as showrunner, produced and starred in got milf? Sketch Comedy Special (Roku). She created, hosts and produces video podcast Completely Off Topic, With Susan Serrao (S1)/Susan and Meg (S2&3)(Telus Optiks, Apple, Spotify, YouTube). Additionally, she was showrunner, produced and starred in hit YouTube sketch series Sketchy Beavers and Sandy and Susan Do Stupid Shit (6M+ views and 20K+ subscribers). Susan co-wrote feature film Back Road which won semi finalist in VIWFF 2023 and went on to receive development funding from CADA. Her directing credits include festival comedic shorts Love Stuck, Send Nudes, Tell Everybody, Burnt Toast, Yoga Flow, #nocovidjudgement, Step Brothers in 60 Seconds and After You. An alumni of Upright Citizens Brigade, Susan continues to perform improv, sketch comedy and stand up across Canada. Susan consistently creates and collaborates on productions that are entertaining with a focus on female-driven storytelling.
Meghan Westelmajer is a Jill of all trades - she is a Production Coordinator/Manager working on high budget projects and an independent filmmaker & podcaster. Meghan has Co-created, Directed, Edited and hosted Telus Storyhive Albertans In Space: Video Podcast (Premiering April 2025) and is the Co-Conspirator/Co-Director of the Firecracker Igniter Challenge comedy short film Tell Everybody with the talented Susan Serrao. Meghan’s career began in 2008 in Toronto at Entertainment One and in 2013 she moved to Calgary to work in film and television. Credits include Tegan & Sara High School, Fraggle Rock, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Togo, The Detour, Hell On Wheels, Wynonna Earp & FX Fargo Series.
Film Title: MUSHROOM
Total Runtime: 3 mins 14 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Kyla Ferrier & Eric Pauls
Filmmaker Statement: Inspired by the music of Steve Benjamins, this video follows a ragtag group of kids as they wander the countryside, finding joy in the search for their next meal and a place to sleep.
Filmmaker Bio: Co-created by Eric Pauls, Kyla Ferrier, and Michael Janke. While their roles shift from project to project, the group has collaborated on documentaries such as Rosebud, Alberta, music videos including Schemer’s by Steve Benjamins, and short films like Bridges Burning.
Film Title: HYGGE
Total Runtime: 5 mins 58 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Ash Manrudi
Filmmaker Statement: HYGGE is a visual meditation on the Danish concept of comfort, simplicity, and togetherness. Through a series of intimate shots from Denmark, the film invites viewers to experience the quiet beauty and warmth that define hygge.
Filmmaker Bio: Ash Manrudi is a self-proclaimed Renaissance Man with a Hollywood Buzz. He's an hyperactive, awkward, not attractive, honest, writer, actor, artist from Calgary, Alberta. In his spare time he enjoys being active, spending time with his muse, Chester (a stubborn, long-haired Dachshund) and working on local film sets like "My Life with the Walter Boys."
Film Title: EVERY RANGER DAY
Total Runtime: 4 mins 50 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Erin Dumenko
Filmmaker Statement: Ranger is a dog whose heart is bigger than his brain. Every day is his best day ever. Same dog park as every other day? The best. Same kibble as the last 5 years? Let me do a little dance because it’s the best. I think that’s pretty inspiring. So here are a few clips in his spirit.
Filmmaker Bio: Erin Dumenko is a recreational gardener, romantasy novel devotee, and mediocre but enthusiastic disc golf player. She has never made a film before. But she’s a big fan of her dog. Hopefully you are too.
Film Title: ATOMIC BEAUTY
Total Runtime: 7 mins 40 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Mohit Goyal
Filmmaker Statement: This film was made with the intent of showing the wonders of and gratitude to the universe for it is an ever changing place, and we are all learners, and observers to it. The miracle of the ecosystem that gives us life is both complex and beautiful.
Filmmaker Bio: Mohit Goyal is a digital artist, primarily focused on filmmaking (as a writer, director, producer, editor, vfx artist, an individual with many hats), both in the traditional and experimental sense. He looks to capture the simplistic and intricate moments of different stories through his lens, to show his own creative vision to the world. He continues to grow his skills and quality with every new work put out. He can be found through YouTube (@DynamesProductions).
Film Title: TROLDE (winner - audience choice award)
Total Runtime: 4 mins 19 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Ash Manrudi
Filmmaker Statement: TROLDE is a journey into the whimsical world of Thomas Dambo’s larger-than-life wooden trolls scattered across Denmark. Blending folklore with contemporary art, the film explores how these hidden giants invite wonder, playfulness, and a deeper connection to nature.
Filmmaker Bio: Ash Manrudi is a self-proclaimed Renaissance Man with a Hollywood Buzz. He's an hyperactive, awkward, not attractive, honest, writer, actor, artist from Calgary, Alberta. In his spare time he enjoys being active, spending time with his muse, Chester (a stubborn, long-haired Dachshund) and working on local film sets like "My Life with the Walter Boys."
Film Title: HEADSHOT REQUIRED (winner - best of the fest)
Total Runtime: 1 min 22 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Aneurin Evans
Filmmaker Statement: With this short film, I wanted to try my hand at visual comedy. As someone who considers myself a writer overall, creating something without any dialogue was a challenge, but I’m very happy with how it turned out.
Filmmaker Bio: Aneurin is currently majoring in film studies at the University of Calgary, and he hopes to pursue a career in filmmaking.
Film Title: MEDITATIONS ON A STONE WALL
Total Runtime: 5 mins 58 sec
Filmmaker Name(s): Lynn Boudreau
Filmmaker Statement: While strolling near the edge of our property on an early summer evening, I notice the solidity of the stone wall with its quiet strength, formed by hard-working people generations ago. It also holds and protects delicate wilds flowers that have somehow sprung up between the rocks. The setting sun glistens over the stone wall pulling my gaze forward. I meditate on the beauty of it all.
Filmmaker Bio: Retired teacher living in Nova Scotia. A lover of walks in nature. Lynn dabbles in song-writing, story-telling, painting, and now film-making. She enjoys playing and laughing with her grandchildren, travelling across three time zones to see them.
The MOS Film Fest is a “filmmaking-meets-grassroots placemaking” prototype that will not be continuing in its current iteration for 2026.
If you have an idea for the future of the MOS Film Fest, or another idea for how to bring the creativity of filmmaking to suburbia, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch!