Walking Wolf Productions (WWP), a small band of seasoned storytellers, moviemakers and actors came together to bring audiences around the world a new experience. Rene Fornari, Frank Battiston and Kevin Walton created this up-and-coming film company and have incorporated a moral code for all of their films. “Our movies have to entertain and they have to educate, but most importantly they have to elevate people,” said Fornari, who is an experienced actor, producer and filmmaker.
What does “elevate” mean? For example, when attending a new horror flick you may be apprehensive about what might jump out at you. But, are you truly thinking about how the film impacted you on a higher level. How am I going to save the town from a ravenous serial killer? No, you are caught up in the hype, like why did the girl run back in the house if she heard footsteps?
What the creative minds at WWP intend to do is to plant a seed inside of your head, to get you to think on a larger more cognitive scale. “Our next feature film is about a father and a daughter,” said Fornari, “It is a perfect example of a movie that can get people thinking when was the last time I talked to my father.” It’s the smaller, deeper and meaningful messages that make WWP such a unique film company. “We want to make relationships between people better and as a result we want to make the world a better place,” said Fornari. “I want people going into our movies and coming out better people.”
In a cutthroat and money driven industry, Walking Wolf Productions prides itself on high quality films on lower than normal budgets that make the biggest and most impressionable impact on its viewers. Based in Florida, the team at WWP has seen, heard and experienced the burden of a state government that doesn’t hold the arts in a high regard. “Here in Miami things have slowed down a lot in the arts world, the state government has been cutting funds to the art programs and companies that truly need help,” said Fornari. Frustrated with the lack of help to start-up their business, the team decided that they had to do it on their own. Two successful movies later the production company is thriving and creating change within the industry.
WWP on location for "Fractured Minds" shoot
The Tainted Touch, a drama about a man losing the love of his life has stirred up the film festival scene. So far the film has won awards in multiple categories including Official Selection at the 2009 Queens International Film Festival, Best Cinematography and Best Short Film at the 2010 Treasure Coast International Film Festival, Bronze People’s Choice at the 2010 Telly Awards, and Award of Merit at The Indie Fest. The film was also nominated for Best Editing at the Treasure Coast International Film Festival as well.
WWP latest film entitled, Fractured Minds, is a horror that has a couple working together to get away from a serial killer. What is interesting about the film is the deeper meaning that WWP prides itself on. “The killer in the film represents marital issues,” said Fornari. Released in 2011, the film has already racked up an outstanding collection of awards and nomination, which include Best Director at the 2011 Treasure Coast International Film Festival, Award of Merit at the 2011 Accolade Competition, Official Selection at the 2011 Action on Film International Film Festival, and an honorable mention at the 2011 Ventura Film Festival.
WWP films "The Tainted Touch" and "Fractured Minds"
What the Walking Wolf team wants moviegoers to remember is quality over quantity. “We don’t focus on the quantity of films made, but thrive on the quality of films made,” concludes Fornari.
As smaller production company, the team understands that worldwide recognition is a slow process. Through hard work, determination and imagination WWP will help change the world one-film strip at a time.
