A film that straddles the line between narrative and documentary, landing squarely on comedy. Steve Hammerstone is a small town radio host and big time buffoon, who’s sent to explore Woofstock: North America’s largest festival for dogs.
Official Selection of the IndieX International Film Festival (Los Angeles)
Official Selection of Manhattanhenge Film Festival (Los Angeles)
Award of Excellence Canada Shorts Film Festival
Official Selection Georgia Comedy Film Festival
Official Selection LA Comedy Film Fest
Honorable Mention Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival
Official Selection 4th France International Film Festival Festival
Official Selection 9th Portugal International Film Festival
Finalist Lit Laughs International Comedy Festival
Official Selection 24 Risas por Segundo, Festival de Cine y Comedia
Official Selection Feedback Film Festival
Austin Lift-Off Network Round Winner
Director Statement: Through high school, I had one constant goal: to write act and direct for television and film. I checked off the performer box early, but only decades later can I now say I completed the mission. I’m really excited to debut my first film. I’m a lifelong fan of buffoon characters in TV and film, and it felt natural to start there. I’m hoping this is just the beginning of Steve Hammerstone’s journey.
Biography
I’m not normal. Not that you asked, but if there was a spectrum when I was young, I’m sure I was on it. It’s been an asset in my life. Mostly. I’ve been in love with film and comedy since childhood. I started reading at 2, not War and Peace, but I was reading. At 7 I was putting on plays in the basement, not Mamet, but plays. By 20 I became Canada’s first comedy reporter – doing regular radio reports on Toronto’s growing comedy scene as well as Montreal’s Just for Laughs Festival.
I took a break from The Six and hit Route 66 all the way to the 213, Los Angeles. There, I became the first ever Canadian hired for Universal Studios’ exclusive studio guide program, competing for attention with a mechanical shark and a 30-foot-tall animatronic gorilla.
When I returned to Toronto radio, I broadened my portfolio to include not only comedy, but television and film, including many years covering the Toronto International Film Festival - interviewing a wide range of directors one on one. I got myself a “hotshot” agent and began acting in television, film, voiceover and commercials. Mostly commercials. I haven’t stopped, and I won’t, despite repeated requests.
I think success in any art form is the ability to elicit an emotional response. Anger, laughter, tears. Mostly laughter.