Split Tooth's 2023 In Review - Split Tooth Media

We look back on some of the highlights and most read stories of the past year

2023 was a big year for Split Tooth. We celebrated our fifth anniversary, hosted a series of online film premieres, and held a trio of in-person screenings at a local Portland miniplex. As 2024 approaches, we look back on some of our favorite pieces of film and music writing of the year, the most read posts, and other milestones from 2023.

Thank you for reading, listening, sharing, and supporting us in any way. We’ll be back with more soon. Happy New Year from all of us at Split Tooth!

The Five Most Read New Stories of 2023

Northern Light: A Sampler of Canadian Underground Film by Stephen Broomer

Stephen Broomer is the founder of Black Zero, an independent film label dedicated to restoring and preserving Canadian underground films. To accompany our interview about founding Black Zero, Broomer created a list of some of the finest experimental works to come from Canada. It was our most popular new story of the year and serves as a vital introduction to some of the great underground Canadian filmmakers.

Jonathan Davies and Topology of Sirens: The Split Tooth Interview by Bennett Glace

Bennett Glace spoke with Topology of Sirens director Jonathan Davies about his debut feature, which is one of the best films of the year. They discuss influences upon the film and how a hurdy-gurdy propels the narrative into mystical territory.

Making Things We Like (2022): An Interview with Adi Jahić by Brett Wright

Produced in Boston during the pandemic, Things We Like is the debut feature from Adi Jahić. The film follows a young woman (Emma Kuhlman) as she drives from Vermont to Boston to meet a man (Jahić) she knows exclusively through interactions on the internet. Things We Like is a recent favorite film of the Split Tooth staff and we were thrilled to host the online premiere later in 2023. Watch it today, then listen to Jahić discuss the film with Bennett Glace on a special episode of Split Picks.

Online Premiere: Frank Mosley’s Invaders From Venus! (2003) by Brett and Craig Wright

With silly-string autopsies, homemade aliens, and kung-fu fights, actor and filmmaker Frank Mosley created an alien invasion epic over five years as a teenager. Casting friends, family, and members of his small town in Grand Prairie, Texas, Mosley and co. finished the film with whatever resources they could muster, and the resulting film is a backyard classic just waiting to be discovered by cult film aficionados. Split Tooth had the honor of hosting the online premiere of the film, which, to this day, Mosley’s father still claims is the best film his son has ever been a part of. Read the interview with Mosley and watch the film here.

Online Premiere: Paper Planes (Alyssa Thordarson and Michael Glover Smith, 2023) by Breanna McCann

Alyssa Thordarson was writing a ’90s-style sexy thriller when writer’s block struck. She then began an exercise to write the exact opposite type film she was stuck on: a Christmas rom-com. The result is a heartfelt story about a relationship developing between a young woman with agoraphobia and a visiting neighbor through the passing of notes on paper planes. Co-directed with Michael Glover-Smith, Thordarson’s directorial debut is a modern holiday classic that shouldn’t be missed.

More highlights from 2023:

All in the Family: The Major Films of Noah Baumbach by Bennett Glace

Accepting The Challenge: Jane Schoenbrun’s ‘We’re All Going To The World’s Fair’ (2021) by Michael Roberson

Premiere: ‘Sentimental Value’ (Steve Collins, 2023) by Jim Hickcox

“I’m Waiting For The Man” By Lou Reed (1965): The Certain Songs Project Pt. 6

Watch our video interview with Michael Glover Smith on Mercury In Retrograde

Jake Mahaffy: The Split Tooth Interview by Brett Wright

He’s a Rebel: Remembering Kenneth Anger and Scorpio Rising (1963) by Bennett Glace

Fake Plastic Love: David Wain’s They Came Together (2014) by Oliver O’Sullivan

Revisit October Horror 2023

With more than 70,000 words published during the month, this year’s October Horror series was our biggest, boldest, and best yet. The fifth installment of the series highlighted horror from around the world and created on every budget imaginable. From backyard and homemade films to big-budget blockbusters, this year found that a good horror film can be executed with a clear vision and some crafty know-how.