Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Matthew Toffolo chats with Natasha Mynhier, the director of a 20-minute sci-fi short film that premiered at the Sci-Fi Fantasy Film Festival. Natasha discussed her film, which explores themes of aptitude testing and AI in the future, inspired by real-world developments where companies like Microsoft use video game-based hiring exams to assess candidates. The film, shot in Los Angeles using a government building as a set, was made possible through Natasha's participation in AFI's Directing Workshop for Women Plus program, where she worked with cinematographer Hanna Plotzer to create a tension-filled thriller centered on a South Asian protagonist taking an exam that determines her future. The film serves as a proof of concept for a potential series, with Natasha emphasizing the importance of maintaining subjective storytelling while quickly establishing exposition in sci-fi narratives.
wildsound.ca/videos/aptitude-audience-feedback
instagram.com/natashamynhier
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Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.
• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.
• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.
Go to wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.
Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at wildsound.ca/browse
Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.
Matthew Toffolo chats with Natasha Mynhier, the director of a 20-minute sci-fi short film that premiered at the Sci-Fi Fantasy Film Festival. Natasha discussed her film, which explores themes of aptitude testing and AI in the future, inspired by real-world developments where companies like Microsoft use video game-based hiring exams to assess candidates. The film, shot in Los Angeles using a government building as a set, was made possible through Natasha's participation in AFI's Directing Workshop for Women Plus program, where she worked with cinematographer Hanna Plotzer to create a tension-filled thriller centered on a South Asian protagonist taking an exam that determines her future. The film serves as a proof of concept for a potential series, with Natasha emphasizing the importance of maintaining subjective storytelling while quickly establishing exposition in sci-fi narratives.
wildsound.ca/videos/aptitude-audience-feedback
instagram.com/natashamynhier
—-
Subscribe to the podcast:
twitter.com/wildsoundpod
instagram.com/wildsoundpod
facebook.com/wildsoundpod
——
Love for you to try the Indy Film Festival AP.
• Daily new film festival of the best new films from around the world. New archived festival to watch anytime.
• Library of over 500+ award-winning films to watch anytime.
Go to wildsound.ca and sign up for the free 3-day trial.
Check out the daily film festival (and previous ones from last month) at wildsound.ca/browse
Always an amazing lineup of films. Inspiring for storytellers.
