Connect with us

Entertainment

“Hitch Hiking Is Safe”: The Ultimate Oxymoron

Published

on

We’re thrilled to introduce Ylia Trotter, an amazing screenwriter from New Zealand who is making waves in the industry! His latest project, “Hitch Hiking is Safe,” has earned him a spot as a finalist for the Best Dark Comedy Film Award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. He has brought an intriguing mix of dark humor and suspense to life in this short film. The film, which draws from Trotter’s own experiences and a surprising conversation about the dangers of hitchhiking, explores the chilling yet comedic scenario where both the driver and the hitchhiker are serial killers.

The Genesis of “Hitch Hiking Is Safe”
The inspiration for Hitch Hiking Is Safe struck Ylia during a casual lunch with friends. Growing up in the remote area of Te Arai, New Zealand, Ylia frequently hitchhiked into town as a teenager. The conversation at lunch took a dark turn when his friends shared their fears of hitchhiking—one feared the driver might be a serial killer, while another worried about picking up a dangerous hitchhiker. This sparked the idea: what if both the driver and the hitchhiker were serial killers, completely unaware of each other’s true nature?

Ylia quickly realized the potential for a dark comedy. The concept evolved beyond a simple gag into a deeper exploration of the two killers’ psyches. As the story unfolds, these outcasts, who approach killing in different ways, find themselves recognizing a kindred spirit in one another. What begins as a humorous situation develops into a poignant moment of self-realization, as each character sees a reflection of themselves in the other.

Advertisement

Overcoming the Challenges
The production of Hitch Hiking Is Safe was not without its challenges. Filmed over three days, the shoot was plagued by unexpected rain, which, while initially a logistical nightmare, ultimately added to the film’s stormy horror atmosphere. In a fortunate twist, the script’s dialogue even mentioned the possibility of rain, making the weather an unintentional yet fitting backdrop for the film’s events.

In addition to battling the elements, Ylia and his team embarked on a unique journey of documenting the entire filmmaking process. They created weekly one-minute vlogs throughout pre-production, shooting, and post-production, culminating in a 20-minute documentary. This content not only engaged their audience but also helped them successfully crowdfund the film’s production budget. Although Ylia is proud of this achievement, he admits that the additional workload of creating so much content alongside the film was intense.

A New Filmmaker on the Rise
Hitch Hiking Is Safe marks Ylia Trotter’s debut short film, but his passion for filmmaking has been a lifelong pursuit. From creating Lego stop-motion movies as a child to vlogging and working in video production, Ylia has always been drawn to visual storytelling. After working at an agency and eventually starting his video business, Sharehouse Video, with his wife, he finally took the plunge into screenwriting during the 2020 lockdowns.

With his first short film now complete, Ylia is focused on honing his writing skills. Hitch Hiking Is Safe was a learning experience, designed to see how his words translated to the screen and to gain valuable lessons for future projects.

What’s Next?
For Ylia, the next step is more writing. He has a feature film script in the works, along with several other ideas he is currently outlining. With Hitch Hiking Is Safe just beginning its festival run, Ylia is eager to see how it performs and is hopeful for success on the circuit.

Advertisement

Connect with Ylia
If you’re interested in connecting with Ylia for future projects, you can find him on Instagram at @yliatrotter. Though he’s not currently a member of any film organizations, he’s always open to new opportunities and collaborations.

On the Horizon
As Hitch Hiking Is Safe begins its festival journey, Ylia Trotter is at an exciting crossroads in his filmmaking career. With a unique voice and a passion for darkly comedic storytelling, he’s a new filmmaker to watch. As he continues to write and develop new projects, Ylia is poised to make a significant impact in the world of independent film.

For more updates on his work and behind-the-scenes content, be sure to follow his journey on Instagram.

Advertisement

From the Film Festival Circuit Founder, Mikal Fair:

“Explore the ‘Film Festival Submitter’s Handbook 2024,’ your ultimate guide to conquering the film festival circuit. Whether you’re a filmmaker or screenwriter, this essential resource provides practical strategies to navigate the competitive landscape of film festivals successfully. From crafting compelling titles, taglines, and synopses to creating impactful director’s and writer’s statements, this handbook equips you with the tools to shine in the festival circuit. Learn to develop effective marketing materials, including posters and trailers, and discover the importance of communication and presenting a professional package. With insights tailored to the evolving role of social media and marketing in the film industry, this handbook is your key to festival triumph. Get your copy now and embark on your journey to festival success!”

For Film Investment Opportunities, please see below:

Advertisement

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

What We Can Learn Inside 50 Cent’s Explosive Diddy Documentary: 5 Reasons You Should Watch

Published

on

50 Cent’s new Netflix docuseries about Sean “Diddy” Combs is more than a headline-grabbing exposé; it is a meticulous breakdown of how power, celebrity, and silence can collide in the entertainment industry.

Across its episodes, the series traces Diddy’s rise, the allegations that followed him for years, and the shocking footage and testimonies now forcing a wider cultural reckoning.

For viewers, it offers not just drama, but lessons about media literacy, accountability, and how society treats survivors when a superstar is involved.

Rapper 50 Cent pictured in Tup Tup Palace night club with owners James Jukes and Matt LoveDough, Newcastle, UK, 7th November 2015

1. It Chronicles Diddy’s Rise and Fall – And How Power Warps Reality

The docuseries follows Combs from hitmaker and business icon to a figure facing serious criminal conviction and public disgrace, mapping out decades of influence, branding, and behind-the-scenes behavior. Watching that arc shows how money, fame, and industry relationships can shield someone from scrutiny and delay accountability, even as disturbing accusations accumulate.

Rapper 50 Cent pictured in Tup Tup Palace night club with owners James Jukes and Matt LoveDough, Newcastle, UK, 7th November 2015

2. Never-Before-Seen Footage Shows How Narratives Are Managed

Exclusive footage of Diddy in private settings and in the tense days around his legal troubles reveals how carefully celebrity narratives are shaped, even in crisis.

Viewers can learn to question polished statements and recognize that what looks spontaneous in public is often the result of strategy, damage control, and legal calculation.

HCFF
HCFF

3. Survivors’ Stories Highlight Patterns of Abuse and Silence

Interviews with alleged victims, former staff, and industry insiders describe patterns of control, fear, and emotional or physical harm that were long whispered about but rarely aired in this detail. Their stories underline how difficult it is to speak out against a powerful figure, teaching viewers why many survivors delay disclosure and why consistent patterns across multiple accounts matter.

4. 50 Cent’s Approach Shows Storytelling as a Tool for Accountability

As executive producer, 50 Cent uses his reputation and platform to push a project that leans into uncomfortable truths rather than protecting industry relationships. The series demonstrates how documentary storytelling can challenge established power structures, elevate marginalized voices, and pressure institutions to respond when traditional systems have failed.

5. The Cultural Backlash Reveals How Society Handles Celebrity Accountability

Reactions to the doc—ranging from people calling it necessary and brave to others dismissing it as a vendetta or smear campaign—expose how emotionally invested audiences can be in defending or condemning a famous figure. Watching that debate unfold helps viewers see how fandom, nostalgia, and bias influence who is believed, and why conversations about “cancel culture” often mask deeper questions about justice and who is considered too powerful to fall.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

South Park’s Christmas Episode Delivers the Antichrist

Published

on

A new Christmas-themed episode of South Park is scheduled to air with a central plot in which Satan is depicted as preparing for the birth of an Antichrist figure. The premise extends a season-long narrative arc that has involved Satan, Donald Trump, and apocalyptic rhetoric, positioning this holiday episode as a culmination of those storylines rather than a stand‑alone concept.

Episode premise and season context

According to published synopses and entertainment coverage, the episode frames the Antichrist as part of a fictional storyline that blends religious symbolism with commentary on politics, media, and cultural fear. This follows earlier Season 28 episodes that introduced ideas about Trump fathering an Antichrist child and tech billionaire Peter Thiel obsessing over prophecy and end‑times narratives. The Christmas setting is presented as a contrast to the darker themes, reflecting the series’ pattern of pairing holiday imagery with controversial subject matter.

HCFF
HCFF

Public and political reactions

Coverage notes that some figures connected to Donald Trump’s political orbit have criticized the season’s portrayal of Trump and his allies, describing the show as relying on shock tactics rather than substantive critique. Commentators highlight that these objections are directed more at the depiction of real political figures and the show’s tone than at the specific theology of the Antichrist storyline.

At the time of reporting, there have not been widely reported, detailed statements from major religious leaders focused solely on this Christmas episode, though religion-focused criticism of South Park in general has a long history.

Media and cultural commentary

Entertainment outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, Forbes, Slate, and USA Today describe the Antichrist arc as part of South Park’s ongoing use of Trump-era and tech-world politics as material for satire.

These reports emphasize that the show’s treatment of the Antichrist, Satan, and prophecy is designed as exaggerated commentary rather than doctrinal argument, while also acknowledging that many viewers may see the storyline as offensive or excessive.

Viewer guidance and content advisory

South Park is rated TV‑MA and is intended for adult audiences due to strong language, explicit themes, and frequent use of religious and political satire. Viewers who are sensitive to depictions of Satan, the Antichrist, or parodies involving real political figures may find this episode particularly objectionable, while others may view it as consistent with the show’s long‑running approach to controversial topics. As with previous episodes, individual responses are likely to vary widely, and the episode is best understood as part of an ongoing satirical series rather than a factual or theological statement.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney Finally Confronts the Plastic Surgery Rumors

Published

on

Sydney Sweeney has decided she is finished watching strangers on the internet treat her face like a forensic project. After years of side‑by‑side screenshots, “then vs now” TikToks, and long comment threads wondering what work she has supposedly had done, the actor is now addressing the plastic surgery rumors directly—and using them to say something larger about how women are looked at in Hollywood and online.

Sweeney at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival red carpet premiere of Christy

Growing Up on Camera vs. “Before and After” Culture

Sweeney points out that people are often mistaking normal changes for procedures: she grew up on camera, her roles now come with big‑budget glam teams, and her body has shifted as she has trained, aged, and worked nonstop. Yet every new red‑carpet photo gets folded into a narrative that assumes surgeons, not time, are responsible. Rather than walking through a checklist of what is “real,” she emphasizes how bizarre it is that internet detectives comb through pores, noses, and jawlines as if they are owed an explanation for every contour of a woman’s face.

HCFF
HCFF

The Real Problem Isn’t Her Face

By speaking up, Sweeney is redirecting the conversation away from her features and toward the culture that obsesses over them.

She argues that the real issue isn’t whether an actress has had work done, but why audiences feel so entitled to dissect her body as public property in the first place.

For her, the constant speculation is less about curiosity and more about control—another way to tell women what they should look like and punish them when they do not fit. In calling out that dynamic, Sweeney isn’t just defending herself; she is forcing fans and followers to ask why tearing apart someone else’s appearance has become such a popular form of entertainment.


Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending