ABOUT
Hi! I'm Mandi. I'm a queer Canadian WGC-eligible screenwriter, story editor, script consultant, director, and educator that specializes in making a fool of myself.
My short mockumentary The Fardy Brothers, which was created for the 48 Hour Film Project Toronto, won Audience Favorite (Group A) and screened at the Best of 48 Hour Short Films. It went on to screen at film festivals all around the world such as The Ontario International Film Festival, Canadian International Comedy Film Festival, SPLICE Film Fest, FilmJam, and the European Film Festival in which I won Best Director alongside my co-writer/co-director Kevin P. Gabel. While the pandemic put my shorts on hold, I took part in the Stuck At Home 48 Hour Film Project and created my first stop motion film Annie & Pepper that was very well received!
MISSION
My mission as a screenwriter/director is to tell authentic, inclusive, progressive stories in hopes on making the world a more accepting, loving place.
GENRES
Drama, comedy, dramedy, romance, fantasy (contemporary, magical girl, high fantasy, non-traditional), adventure, animation, and musicals. Additional interest in mystery and psychological thrillers.
THEMES
Most of the screenplays I write and/or direct contain themes such as:
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Love
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Queerness
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Bisexuality/pansexuality
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Coming out
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Polyamory/ethical non-monogamy
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Individual vs. self
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Individual vs. society
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Resisting oppression
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Living authentically
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Light vs. dark
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Abandonment
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Trauma & mental health
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Family/chosen family
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Friendship
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Grief
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Self discovery
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Personal growth
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Finding self love
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Hustle culture
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Power
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Greed
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The beauty in simplicity
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The power of hope
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Following your heart
MESSAGES
Most of the screenplays I write and/or direct contain messages such as:
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Love is love
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Choose love
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Vulnerability is strength
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Live your truth
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There is light in the darkness
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There can't be light without dark
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There is always hope
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
Pochinko clowning, acting (film, theatre, musical theatre, dinner theatre, jukebox musicals, Fringe theatre, improv, commercials, background, standing in, photo doubling), directing, film, bisexuality/pansexuality, polyamory/ethical non-monogamy, mental health, atheism, escape rooms, badminton, serving/hospitality industry, thrifting, embroidery, Dance Dance Revolution, Tommy Wiseau's The Room, growing up in the 90’s.
MANDI MAXWELL
Screenwriter/Director
Canadian
DIRECTING
The Fardy Brothers
Written & Directed by Mandi Maxwell & Kevin P. Gabel
Short Film
Mockumentary
Two detective brothers face their most difficult case yet: catching the lawless reprobates leaving aluminium foil calling cards at the scenes of their crimes.
Shot for the 48 Hour Film Project, Toronto
MADE TOP 15 OUT OF 115 FILMS SHOT FOR THE 48 HOUR FILM PROJECT, TORONTO
SCREENED AT THE BEST OF SHORT FILMS 2019
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REQUIRED ELEMENTS
Character: Ali Parc, tour guide
Prop: Aluminum foil
Line of Dialog: "So, are we going to do this?" or "So, are we gonna do this?"
Genre: Mockumentary
Annie & Pepper
Written by Mandi Maxwell
Stop-Motion Animation Short
Family Friendly Comedy
When Pepper the cat wakes up from his nap, he's startled to find his owner's kid Annie looming over him. She declares it's play time, however Pepper doesn't want to play! Can Pepper escape before having to join Annie’s tea party?
A short stop motion animation film created in COVID-19 quarantine for the 48 Hour Stuck At Home Film Project 2020
REQUIRED ELEMENTS
Lines of Dialog:
"There's no place like home."
"That's what I'm talking about!"
(Did not have to be spoken by the characters)