2. University of Toronto Film & Video Fesival, February 2006
3. Delray Beach Film Fesitval, Florida, March 2006
4. Tartan Road Film Festival, Opening Night gala film, Florida, April 2006
5. Raw Stock, April 2006
6. Hearts and Mind Film Festival, May 2006
7. Big Island Film Festival, Hawaii, May 2006
8. Atlanta Film Festival, June 2006
9. deadCENTER Film Festival, Oklahoma, June 2006
10. Winnipeg International Film Festival, June 2006
11. Twin Cities Underground Film Festival, Minnesota, September 2006
12. Bluegrass Independent Film Festival, Kentucky, September 2006
13. Temecula Valley International Film Festival, September 2006
14. Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, September 2006
15. Community Film Festival, Toronto, September 2006
16. Focus Niagara Film Festival, November 2006
17. Rendezvous with Madness, Toronto, November 2006
18. Etiuda & Anima, Poland, November 2006
AWARDS and NOMINATIONS
Winner, Director's Choice Student, Bluegrass Independent Film Festival, September 2006
Best Actress Nomination, Rebekah Boisvert - U of T Film & Video Festival, 2006
E.S. Rogers Film & Video Production Award - York University, Faculty of Fine Arts, December, 2005
PRESS QUOTES
"Mantis will make you question the costs of keeping a family together: at what point does a man have to give up not only to secure his manhood, but also to protect his young? The film pushed me in a corner where I had to examine myself in the situation. Brendon Foster-Algoo has created a short that establishes a new way of thinking.""
- Clay Dempsey, Cinephelia, February 2007
"Expertly written, eye-catching and difficult to forget, Mantis is a film which will grab viewers by their hearts and minds. A film which demands (and deserves) attention, providing a compelling emotional argument and a case against the current Canadian support system, intelligently highlighting the bitter struggle silently faced by many adult males."
- David Stephenson, Rogue Cinema, November 2006
"Mantis' shows that abuse of any kind, on any sex, in any form is horrible, and painful, and Foster-Algoo shows that with a brave film with engaging characters. Foster-Algoo wisely switches roles and explores the situations of normal spousal abuse. This can happen to men, this will happen to men, but "Mantis" shows a true reality; society is on the woman's side, whether she's the victim or the attacker."
- Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed (Indie flick of the Month), November 2006
"A role-reversal vis à vis marital abuse, Mantis reminds us that women aren't always the pitiful victims. A brilliant idea told remarkably well, with really good acting to boot. Made my stomach churn."
- Ali Akbar Kasim, The Medium Online, February 27, 2006
"The timing and unfolding of the film through flashbacks between the past and present and bringing the two time frames together is highly effective. Even at 28 minutes, each minute is worthy of its time on screen."
- Carole Park, Film & Music Reporter, The Strand, Vol. 48, No. 10
"Easily my favorite film of the five that I saw; The story seeks to invert the traditional domestic drama of a husband beating his wife."
- Bruce Harpham, News Editor, The Salterrae, Vol. XVIII.X
"Trapped in circumstances by shame and cultural disbelief many of the big dramatic scenes are memorable."
- John Greyson – Director
Mantis - Press
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
AWARDS and NOMINATIONS
PRESS QUOTES
"Mantis will make you question the costs of keeping a family together: at what point does a man have to give up not only to secure his manhood, but also to protect his young? The film pushed me in a corner where I had to examine myself in the situation. Brendon Foster-Algoo has created a short that establishes a new way of thinking.""
- Clay Dempsey, Cinephelia, February 2007
"Expertly written, eye-catching and difficult to forget, Mantis is a film which will grab viewers by their hearts and minds. A film which demands (and deserves) attention, providing a compelling emotional argument and a case against the current Canadian support system, intelligently highlighting the bitter struggle silently faced by many adult males."
- David Stephenson, Rogue Cinema, November 2006
"Mantis' shows that abuse of any kind, on any sex, in any form is horrible, and painful, and Foster-Algoo shows that with a brave film with engaging characters. Foster-Algoo wisely switches roles and explores the situations of normal spousal abuse. This can happen to men, this will happen to men, but "Mantis" shows a true reality; society is on the woman's side, whether she's the victim or the attacker."
- Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed (Indie flick of the Month), November 2006
"A role-reversal vis à vis marital abuse, Mantis reminds us that women aren't always the pitiful victims. A brilliant idea told remarkably well, with really good acting to boot. Made my stomach churn."
- Ali Akbar Kasim, The Medium Online, February 27, 2006
"The timing and unfolding of the film through flashbacks between the past and present and bringing the two time frames together is highly effective. Even at 28 minutes, each minute is worthy of its time on screen."
- Carole Park, Film & Music Reporter, The Strand, Vol. 48, No. 10
"Easily my favorite film of the five that I saw; The story seeks to invert the traditional domestic drama of a husband beating his wife."
- Bruce Harpham, News Editor, The Salterrae, Vol. XVIII.X
"Trapped in circumstances by shame and cultural disbelief many of the big dramatic scenes are memorable."
- John Greyson – Director