Meet tomorrow's filmmakers today. Hosted by film festival programmer Jeff Howard, Discover Indie Film features interviews with filmmakers from the festival circuit who rise above the crowd. Find out what films inspire them, how they get their films made, and what they plan to do next.
Happy Friday, Friends! Aaron Bennett brought his film “Jokers Wild” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in December, 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Director of a Horror Short as well as the Grand Jury Award for Best Sound Design, Short Film for his sound designer Matt Broadfoot. I'm happy to say that this is Aaron's second appearance on the Discover Indie Film podcast, though this time he flew solo. Back in 2023 Aaron was part of the podcast for “Good Counsel,” a short film that he wrote for producer & actor Chandra Bond that was directed by David J. Levine and starred Chandra along with Janelle Jones and Matthew Keefe. Amusingly I had no idea that Aaron had been on before! I'm going to guess that my poor memory is not just due to my advancing age but also that it was a five person Zoom. If Aaron had been on the mic in person back in 2023 as he did for this podcast, I swear that I would have remembered. Follow Aaron on Instagram at @aaronwritesstuff Follow Jokers Wild on Instagram at @jokerswildmovie Follow Jokers Wild on TikTok at @jokerswildmovie _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. John Schlag brought his film “Panes Taking” to Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film - Dance. If you listened to our chat on Monday you learned John has had a long, distinguished career in visual effects that began with Terminator 2: Judgment Day and continued through films like Forrest Gump, The Matrix Reloaded and Watchmen AND has a deep love and study of dance under his belt. I had even more respect and admiration for the unique perspective John has cultivated after our conversation and couldn't wait to hear what types of film he was going to mention in the 4 Questions. Infinovation Film Instagram @infinovationFilm Infinovation Film Website John Schlag on IMDB John Schlag on Instagram @johnschlag Panes Taking on IMDB Panes Taking Trailer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
A Marvelous Monday to all you Listeners! John Schlag brought his film “Panes Taking” to Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film - Dance. Little did I know that this beautifully artistic piece brings together the diverse interests of a throughly creative and technically proficient person. John has a long, distinguished career in visual effect that began with Terminator 2: Judgment Day and continued through films like Forrest Gump, The Matrix Reloaded and Watchmen. John also learned a love for dance while studying at Carnegie Mellon University that continues to this day, and that love inspires him to sit on the board of the Smuin Contemporary Ballet in San Francisco (https://www.smuinballet.org/) and to combine his artistic pursuits by making dance films. I do not have words for how much I respect a person such as John, who has accomplished much in his careers and yet never stops seeking to create new and original works. Even the name of his production company, Infinovation Film, clearly states his personal desire to be infinitely innovative. Many do not know this, but I adore dance and dance films and even sit on the jury of a EDIFF, the Exeter Dance International Film Festival in the UK. Between us, I am always envious of the beautiful dance films that EDIFF receives and John Schlag's “Panes Taking” is the rare Official Selection at SOFF or FI-LA that eases my jealousy of EDIFF. There are many ways to follow John and his work and I highly recommend that you do so! Infinovation Film Instagram @infinovationFilm Infinovation Film Website John Schlag on IMDB John Schlag on Instagram @johnschlag Panes Taking on IMDB Panes Taking Trailer _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. UK based filmmaker Derry Shillitto wrote and directed the indie feature “The Correction Unit,” a sci-fi thriller that you can watch right now on most streaming services! (Visit https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the- correction-unit to see where.) This is almost never the case, but Derry's film did not play at either Sherman Oaks Film Festival or Film Invasion Los Angeles which means there was never a Q & A which means I was extra excited to fast track my discovery of his cinematic taste with the 4 Questions! Follow Derry on Instagram - @DerryShillitto Follow his production company Instagram - @FoyleRiverFilms _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Welcome back, Listeners! I'm finally accepting the holidays are over and slowly crawling back to "the real world." Luckily, my real world is largely talking about movies. UK based filmmaker Derry Shillitto wrote and directed the indie feature “The Correction Unit,” a sci-fi thriller that you can watch right now on most streaming services! (Visit https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the- correction-unit to see where.) Derry is the rare filmmaker on this podcast whose film did not play at either Sherman Oaks Film Festival or Film Invasion Los Angeles. The film looks great and we had a tiny gap in the schedule, and rules were meant to be broken, no? Derry rewarded us with a fantastic interview. He's a super nice person and it was a great conversation! Follow Derry on Instagram - @DerryShillitto Follow his production company Instagram - @FoyleRiverFilms _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker Kevin O'Brien brought his outstandingly creative short film “Hey HeLP-O! Let's Go!” to both Sherman Oaks Film Festival and FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, SciFi at each festival! Follow the film on Instagram and make sure to catch a screening if you can! @heyhelpoletsgo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy New Year, Listeners! Filmmaker Kevin O'Brien brought his outstandingly creative short film “Hey HeLP-O! Let's Go!” to Sherman Oaks Film Festival in December 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, SciFi. But there's more... in June the film was an Official Selection at FIlm Invasion Los Angeles. We were unable to screen it due to scheduling conflicts, but it took home the same award! “Hey HeLP-O! Let's Go!” is a two-time winner of the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, SciFi! Follow the film on Instagram and make sure to catch a screening if you can! @heyhelpoletsgo _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Ryan McCoy wrote and produced the feature film The Party that releases next year which happens to be in just a few days (January 2, 2026.) Sorry, had to go for the NYE joke. Ryan and I had a terrific chat (which I hope you already listened to) and that always gets me excited for the follow up 4 Questions. Ryan is a super productive filmmaker and you can follow him at his production company's website https://rynoryder.com/ or on Instagram at @rynoryder or on his YouTube where Ryan been posting videos about his journey as an indie filmmaker in LA for the past 6-7 years. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Wow, our last Filmmaker Interview of 2025! Ryan McCoy wrote and produced the feature film The Party that releases later this week on January 2, 2026. Ryan reached out to us about appearing on the podcast and I did a wee bit of research, discovering that The Party had been submitted to Film Invasion Los Angeles (FI-LA) and, as a juror, I had given it a good rating. Honestly, I see films all the time that I like but that do not become official selections as FI-LA and Sherman Oaks Film Festival. Ryan gave me the chance to finally have one of them represented on the podcast. Ryan is a super productive filmmaker and you can follow him at his production company's website https://rynoryder.com/ or on Instagram at @rynoryder or on his YouTube where Ryan been posting videos about his journey as an indie filmmaker in LA for the past 6-7 years. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker Power Couple Elizabeth Schneider and Michael Covello brought the animated short film “Becoming an Oyster” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and won the Programmer's Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. It's an incredible accomplish when a couple can work together but can they survive THE FOUR QUESTIONS? Check out their website at https://candleflyfilms.com/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Merry Xmas Eve to all who celebrate! Speaking of things to celebrate, the animated short film “Becoming an Oyster” was an official selection at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and from the first time I saw this remarkable work of art I was hooked. Made by the team of Elizabeth Schneider and Michael Covello, every detail of this film blows my mind. Coincidentally, it deserves the same description that I gave to the film that came before this in the podcast, Kai Brown's “The Anatomy of Jane Doesn't Exist,” as both strike me as “moving paintings.” Not all animation is a moving painting, but those two films fit the description. No wonder “Becoming an Oyster” won the Programmer's Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. Liz and Mike happen to be delightful people, married and raising children together while teaching and making films. Talk about a cool couple! Check out their website at https://candleflyfilms.com/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Kai Brown wrote and directed the wonderful animated short, “The Anatomy of Jane Doesn't Exist,” that screened at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation. I was not at all surprised to find how thoughtful and smart Kai was in our interview (posted Friday) due to the intelligence of her film. I couldn't wait to see what other films she was going to bring to the table in the follow up 4 Questions. Learn more about Kai at kaimedia24.com and you should also probably follow the Instagram @kaimedia24 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Friday, Everyone! Kai Brown wrote and directed the wonderful animated short, “The Anatomy of Jane Doesn't Exist,” a film that screened at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation. Every aspect of the film is made with intelligence, both emotional and intellectual intelligence, and it was nearly overwhelming to see this painting in motion on the big screen. It is a powerful, beautiful film. In fact, you should follow Kai's website and social media for opportunities to see it! Learn more about Kai at kaimedia24.com and you should also probably follow the Instagram @kaimedia24 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Xander Copp brought his short film “Carter” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Horror. If you listened to Monday's episode, you can hear I'm obviously impressed with Xander as an artist and person and I couldn't wait to get to his 4 Questions to see what types of films inspired him. You can learn more about Xander and his film by following @carter_shortfilm on Instagram. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Monday, Listeners! Xander Copp brought his short film “Carter” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Horror. It was only through this podcast that I learned all that I wanted to know about this faithfully creative Lovecraft adaptation. The more I learned the more impressed I am with the work that Xander put into it. You can learn more about Xander and his film by following @carter_shortfilm on Instagram. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Brett Willis wrote and directed the film “When The Clocks Stop” that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in June 2025 and took home The Poppy for Best In Fest - Featurette! Brett and I had a truly fantastic talk. In fact, we talked so long that Brett had to rush off for work and then return a week later to record his four questions answers! Follow Brett on Instagram at @sirbrettt and make sure that you see his incredible film someday! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Welcome Back, Everybody! Today's podcast guest is Brett Willis, who wrote and directed the film “When The Clocks Stop” that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in June 2025 and took home The Poppy for Best In Fest - Featurette! The Poppy is the custom trophy that we created for the 10th Anniversary of FI-LA and Brett was actually the first filmmaker whom I had the privilege to hand a Poppy to. In other words, Brett reaction to this little trophy our team lured their hearts into is locked in my heart for life. I should tell you one more thing. You know how we all watch films and think to ourselves, “If I met the person behind this film I bet they're awesome.” I had that thought the first time I saw “When The Clocks Stop,” and the second time as well, and when I finally met him Brett was awesome. There you go. Try to meet the people who make great films, because they seem to be great people. Brett hopped onto the DIF mics and we had a fantastic talk. As I always say, if you enjoy listening half us much as we enjoyed talking, then you're about to love this marathon podcast. We talked so long that Brett had to rush off for work and then return a week later to record his four questions answers! Follow Brett on Instagram at @sirbrettt and make sure that you see his incredible film someday! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Bob Lindenmayer made the feature documentary, “Making Megaforce,” which had a SOLD OUT screening at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 and earned the trophy that we introduced for the Best In Fest award. The first documentary to win the Best In Fest - Feature award! You will have to wait a while to see it because “Making Megaforce” is still on the festival circuit. But when it does get its release, make sure to catch it. In the meantime, you can listen to sone of the films that inspired Bob to get to this point with the 4Qs! Follow the film on Instagram at @makingmegaforce Making Megaforce on IMDB Making Megaforce on Letterboxd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Friday, Film Lovers! It's an extra special day today because it's the first night of programming for our 10TH YEAR of the SHERMAN OAKS FILM FESTIVAL! Hopefully you're all listening to this podcast on the way to Look Cinemas to catch some of our incredible films. Something else amazing happened in 2025 and it is because Bob Lindenmayer made the feature documentary, “Making Megaforce,” and submitted it to Film Invasion Los Angeles. What was so amazing? My life partner and best friend, an introvert who refuses to come to any of the film festivals that I run, came to the sold out world premiere of “Making Megaforce” to see it a second time and meet Bob. We had to sit in camping chairs at the front corner of the theater for that sold out show. Even better, she got to see me grab the one moment during the Q&A that Barry Bostwick took a break from enchanting the entire room to present Bob with The Poppy, the trophy that we introduced for the Best In Fest award at Film Invasion L.A.'s Tenth Anniversary. It should also be noted that “Making Megaforce” is the first documentary to win the Best In Fest - Feature award! You will have to wait a while to see it because “Making Megaforce” is still on the festival circuit. But when it does get its release, make sure to catch it. Then you'll know why watching this film is not just entertaining; it is the most genuine love letter to the movies that I've ever seen. And you get to see Barry Bostwick and Bob bond in a way that you will never forget! Follow the film on Instagram at @makingmegaforce Making Megaforce on IMDB Making Megaforce on Letterboxd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Dancer/Choreographer/Performer/director/writer Anna Long had two official selections at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025; the short film “Death in The Desert” that took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing - Drama and the feature length screenplay “The Experience.” I could wait to interview this incredibly nice and talented person (I hope you already listened to that chat!) and pick her brain with the always revealing 4 Questions. You should follow Anna's work at the website https://www.thisisannalong.com/ And on Instagram at @thisisannalong _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Anyone else not know how we're already in December?! Dancer/Choreographer/Performer/director/writer Anna Long was developed by scientists in a lab to create a person who would literally engage my every artistic interest at once. That is almost not hyberbole! Anna had two official selections at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025; the short film “Death in The Desert” that took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing - Drama and the feature length screenplay “The Experience.” This incredibly talented person also happens to be one of the nicest people to interact with. In fact, while putting together the FI-LA lineup I tend to email with folks, and I could already tell that Anna is an awesome person. You should follow Anna's work at the website https://www.thisisannalong.com/ And on Instagram at @thisisannalong _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Michael D. Cohen held his WORLD PREMIERE of his short comedy film “Roughing It” at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing, Comedy. When I'm forced to wrap up a great conversation, I'm always grateful for the follow up 4 Questions for an excuse to chat a little longer! Here are the best ways to check in on Michael and his work: Roughing It - official website - https://roughingitfilm.com/ Michael D. Cohen Studio - official website - https://michaeldcohenstudio.com/ IG- @michaeldcohen _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
It's the week of Gratitude and one thing I'm certainly thankful for is all of you curious listeners and our amazing guests. Speaking of amazing guests: Michael D. Cohen has enjoyed a wonderful career as a TV actor, but I got to meet him at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, 2025 when we held the World Premiere of a short comedy film that Michael wrote and directed called “Roughing It.” As a fan of the film, I was particularly pleased to see our jury give Michael the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing, Comedy. The screening was standing room only and I am proud to say that you have another chance to see it at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival on Sunday, December 7 at 6:15 PM! That's one week after this podcast releases... and we didn't plan that out. Kismet! Here are the best ways to check in on Michael and his work: Roughing It - official website - https://roughingitfilm.com/ Michael D. Cohen Studio - official website - https://michaeldcohenstudio.com/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Caleb Garrett brought his film “Lonesome Town” to FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film, Experimental/Arthouse. Caleb and I got swept away in our chat (posted Friday) but you know I had to squeeze in our 4 Questions follow up before I could let him run off to a production meeting! Follow Caleb on Instagram at @cmgcine _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Thank Goodness It's (DIF) Friday! Caleb Garrett brought his film “Lonesome Town” to FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film, Experimental/Arthouse. I have yet to meet someone, audience or jury member, who did not love this film. Caleb also took home awards from our Filmmakers Board, a jury of alumni filmmakers, including Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Cinematography. Quite literally... WooHoo! I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we did recording. In fact, we went long and Caleb literally had to run out the door to a production meeting! Follow Caleb on Instagram at @cmgcine _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Maxwell Hamilton produced and starred in “The Mannequin,” a feature length horror film that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Horror, Best Screenplay - Feature Film for John Berardo, Best Cinematography - Feature Film for Jonathan Pope, and Best Production Design - Feature Film for Emily Peters! I hope you already enjoyed our conversation from Monday and here because you are as excited as I was to hear Maxwell's answers to the 4 Questions. I also urge you to watch, review and support The Mannequin! How? Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-mannequin-2025/ JustWatch - https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-mannequin-2025 Watch it. Review it. Support it! Social Media Handles Instagram @maxwellhamilton Facebook @MaxwellHamilton X @maxxhamm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Monday, Film Folks! Maxwell Hamilton produced and starred in “The Mannequin,” a feature length horror film that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home a little award that we like to call the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Horror. But you can add a few more to the list, including Best Screenplay - Feature Film for John Berardo, Best Cinematography - Feature Film for Jonathan Pope, and Best Production Design - Feature Film for Emily Peters. I was excited to get to have an extended chat with Maxwell and that was BEFORE he helped me put it together that his onscreen role is one of my favorites in the film. In fact, I feel safe saying that Maxwell delivers an absolutely crucial performance during the film's climax. I hope you enjoy our conversation and I urge you to watch, review and support The Mannequin! How? Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-mannequin-2025/ JustWatch - https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-mannequin-2025 Watch it. Review it. Support it! Social Media Handles Instagram @maxwellhamilton Facebook @MaxwellHamilton X @maxxhamm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker Chloe Schieldhause's “Pool House,” a surreal, original, imaginatively dark comedy kicked off Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, Comedy. I was pretty eager to learn more about Chloe, and she did not disappoint. Great conversations always get me excited about the 4 Questions follow up! Follow Chloe on Instagram at @chloish Or at the website https://www.schildhause.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
A Wonderful Wednesday to You All! Chloe Schieldhause won me over pretty quickly. The first time I saw the short film “Pool House” as a member of the Film Invasion Los Angeles jury, I thought, “This HAS to be the film that launches the festival.” And it worked out! The first film in the first block of 2025 was Chloe Schieldhause's “Pool House,” a surreal, original, imaginatively dark comedy that took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, Comedy. As you might imagine, I was pretty eager to learn more about Chloe. It's not every day that you meet someone who writes, produces and stars in a completely unique comedy that blows your mind. Here's the blogline, “A horror novelist, with the help of a ghost hunter, brings back the spirit of a ghost who is hell bent on staying on Earth for socialization.” That description doesn't even scratch the surface, to be honest. It was a ton of fun to record this podcast. I hope you enjoy it, too! Follow Chloe on Instagram at @chloish Or at the website https://www.schildhause.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Tommy O'Rourke and Josh Sathree had their theatrical premiere of the episode “Hairy Herb” of their comedy series, “Barney & Herb,” at Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2023. Their screening and Q&A at the festival were extremely fun and it was well worth the two year wait to get them on the podcast for a longer interview and the follow up 4 Questions. Watch “Barney & Herb” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GrandpaBunny Review on Letterboxd at https://boxd.it/PFQe Follow these two at: @grandpabunnyproductions @thetommyorourke tiktok: @grandpabunnyproductions _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Welcome back for another exciting Filmmakers chat! I met Tommy O'Rourke and Josh Sathree when we held the theatrical premiere of the episode “Hairy Herb” of their series, “Barney & Herb,” at Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2023. Thanks to some pre-fest emails, I wasn't too surprised when their presents, screening and Q&A at the festival were extremely fun. The comedy series they created is filled with humor, but also heart, intelligence and thoughtfulness. I sh*t you not... we emailed back and forth about recording this podcast more times than I can recall. But damn if Josh isn't a film producer extraordinaire; he did not let this ball drop. It may have taken us two years, but we did it! One special favor. First, watch “Barney & Herb” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GrandpaBunny And you know what? Even if you don't watch it, give it a great review on Letterboxd at https://boxd.it/PFQe Do the right thing, folks. Finally, follow these two at: @grandpabunnyproductions @thetommyorourke tiktok: @grandpabunnyproductions _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker JB Singh Ghuman, Jr. provided the main attraction at our Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 Opening Night Gala's VR Pavillion by presenting, "paSSive poWer." It was described as, “a sonic visual 8K 4D 360 VR collaborative experience” and I was very eager to interview him about the piece and what inspired him to make the type of work he does. Always grateful the Four Questions to help with that! Follow JB at @JBGhumanJR _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Welcome back, Listeners! Meeting filmmaker JB Singh Ghuman, Jr. was definitely one of the highlights of Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. JB provided the main attraction at our Opening Night Gala's VR Pavillion by presenting, "paSSive poWer," described as, “a sonic visual 8K 4D 360 VR collaborative experience.” As you can imagine I am super busy at the gala and never get a chance to actually watch the VR presentations. Well... JB wasn't going to let me leave without seeing this 4D extravaganza. And I was extremely grateful, because I loved it! For the record, the 8K image was a three dimensional space and that fourth dimension was the utilization of a fan to simulate wind at just the right moment. I'm not exaggerating when I say that I wish there had been a way for all 150+ in attendance that evening to have experienced “paSSive poWer.“ I was delighted to see JB's name on my podcast recording calendar. I hope that you all enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. Follow JB at @JBGhumanJR _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Joel Benjamin created the Immersive Film “Max Q,” one of the highlights of the VR Pavilion at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025, and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Immersive Short! Seeing the array of great film posters behind Joel during our chat got me very eager to get to our follow up 4 Questions! You can learn more about Joel at his website https://electricbeard.com/ and you can follow the Max Q on Instagram at @maxqmovie And a Happy Halloween to all that celebrate! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
A Wonderful Wednesday to You All! Joel Benjamin created the Immersive Film “Max Q,” one of the highlights of the VR Pavilion at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. In fact, Joel took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Immersive Short! I am always too busy at our festival's Opening Night Gala to get a chance to watch the Immersive Films up in the VR Pavilion, but thankfully Joel created a “play through” video that gives a non-interactive representation of the work and... holy moly I'm impressed. It's a fun, captivating thrill-ride in a cutting edge cinematic format. You can learn more about Joel at his website https://electricbeard.com/ and you can follow the Max Q on Instagram at @maxqmovie _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Johnny Galvan III has had several scripts in previous festivals and returned to Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, but this time with the animated short film “Franks In Hell.” Thanks to its creativity and originality, “Franks In Hell” won Johnny the Programmer's Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. Johnny and I have deep connection which I talk about more in Friday's post with his full interview, but I was excited to dig even digger with the 4 Questions. To learn more about Johnny and his work, visit https://thewriting-company.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Friday, Film Friends! I've got a history with Johnny Galvan III. It started when Johnny's screenplay “My Brother The Lion” was an Official Selection at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, 2024. (More on that below.) In December, 2024, Johnny was an Official Selection at Sherman Oaks Film Festival with the screenplay, “For Misty.” When 2025 rolled around, Johnny was once again at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, but this time with the animated short film “Franks In Hell.” Thanks to its creativity and originality, “Franks In Hell” won Johnny the Programmer's Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. To learn more about Johnny and his work, visit https://thewriting-company.com Before I complete this introduction, I have to honor Johnny's wife Misty and mention something from the first time that we met. I was moderating the FI-LA 2024 Screenplay Awards Ceremony, which is a very cool event where each nominated screenwriter gets to stand in front of the audience and pitch their script. As Johnny was talking about his screenplay, a story about his brother who he lost, he began to cry. I was sitting in the front row and, well, I lost a best friend of 40 years in 2020 to Covid and know what it's like to lose someone that you expected to be with you until your golden years. I stood up and offered Johnny a hug, and he accepted it, and we hugged. It was a moment that I will never forget. As North American men, we failed to bring up our weeping hug during the podcast, but after recording Johnny mentioned that Misty had mentioned it. So... the story will live forever in these show notes! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Drew Lewis Guerra wrote and directed the film “The Last Light” and we had the honor of hosting its World Premiere at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. Drew's smart, touching and extremely powerful film took home two awards at FI-LA, the Filmmakers Awards For Outstanding Cast Performance, Drama and for Outstanding Cinematography, Drama. I was delighted to chat with Drew about his life and work and, as always, learn more about his inspirations with the follow up 4 Questions. Visit the website for Drew's production company Black Canvas and watch the trailer at https://www.blackcanvas.com/the-last-light. Drew's IG: @directordlg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Drew Lewis Guerra wrote and directed the film “The Last Light” and we had the honor of hosting its World Premiere at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. I have watched this film several times and I swear to you... it's a masterpiece. I find myself crying throughout the credits. Drew's smart, touching and extremely powerful film took home two awards at FI-LA, the Filmmakers Awards For Outstanding Cast Performance, Drama and for Outstanding Cinematography, Drama. I highly recommend you watch this film! So... do this. Visit the website for Drew's production company Black Canvas and watch the trailer at https://www.blackcanvas.com/the-last-light. And keep your eyes out for festival screenings and its eventual online release! Drew's IG: @directordlg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Amy Whittenberger brought her film “As A Rake” to Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Horror! One of my favorite parts of interviewing such a smart, compelling, and entertaining person is asking them the follow up 4 Questions! Follow Amy on Instagram at @philia6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Welcome Back, Listeners! Amy Whittenberger brought her film “As A Rake” to Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. This smart, creepy and rather timely film took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Horror! Unsurprisingly, the person who wrote and directed the smart, compelling, and entertaining “As A Rake” is a smart, compelling, and entertaining person. I was fortunate to get a chance to meet and chat with Amy a little bit at Film Invasion L.A., but getting to have a long conversation without distractions was a lot better. Plus, I didn't get to moderate the “As A Rake” festival Q&A, meaning that when you listen to this you get to hear me pay a whole lot of compliments to Amy that I did not get the chance to share at the screening. Follow Amy on Instagram at @philia6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker Jannik Ehret is part of a unique trio that brought the wonderful documentary “Paisano Overhang” to FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in June 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Documentary as well as for Outstanding Cinematography, Documentary that was presented to Catalina Guerra Hoffman. It was no surprise to me to learn how smart and interesting Jannik was during our chat, and it made me extra eager to get to the 4 Questions to see what films inspired him along his way. You can learn more by going to @inindieknot_films _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Indie Film Friday! Filmmaker Jannik Ehret is part of a unique trio that brought the wonderful documentary “Paisano Overhang” to FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in June 2025. Among their collaboration “Indieknot Films,” the trio credited their film as, “Produced, Filmed & Edited by Dakota Kappen, Jannik Ehret, and Hayden Garratt.” This is one of the more honorably egalitarian things I have seen on the festival circuit. The trio took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Documentary as well as for Outstanding Cinematography, Documentary that was presented to Catalina Guerra Hoffman. As you might imagine, Jannik and others were also operating cameras as “Paisano Overhang” essentially covered a live rock climbing event. Jannik volunteered to represent the Indieknot trio on this podcast and the others are certainly welcome to come on themselves someday. You can learn more by going to @indieknot_films _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Braeden and Nathan Lambert premiered their film “The Big Picture” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Music Video. These brothers not only make amazing work, they have incredible taste in other's work. Listen to see what I mean! INTERLINKED and you check out their work at https://www.interlinkedhq.com/ as well as follow them on Instagram at @interlinked.hq _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready to start the week with a great film chat! Braeden and Nathan Lambert brought their film “The Big Picture” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Music Video. The story behind the film, and what led them to create it, is very engaging and I won't give it away here. You'll just have to listen to the podcast find out! Nathan is a musician and composer who goes by the moniker New Monk. Braeden, the filmmaker of the team, pitched the idea for this film that would be set to Nathan's music and have more in common with a performance art film than a traditional music video. It's clear that Nathan loved the concept, and the two put together their team and made this extremely creative project happen. And I have to brag that I learned during this interview that FI-LA 2025 was The Big Picture's world premiere... how cool is that?!?! Nathan and Braeden have insightfully named the company for their collaborations INTERLINKED and you check out their work at https://www.interlinkedhq.com/ as well as follow them on Instagram at @interlinked.hq _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Chris Fiore was one of my very first guests on the podcast and he returns to chat about his new documentary, “Broadway & Swan,” which was part of the 10th Anniversary edition of FI-LA and earned him the Grand Jury Award for Best Director, Featurette. I just love talking to Chris and was very eager to see what was brewing in his 4 Questions all these years later. You can check out Chris's work at chrisfiore.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Chris Fiore is back! This podcast holds a special place in my heart. The journey that I have been on for a decade, running two film festivals per year and inviting those filmmakers onto this podcast, began with Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2016 when Chris Fiore submitted his documentary “Goodwoman” to this first-year festival and took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary! Imagine my delight when Chris submitted a new documentary, “Broadway & Swan,” to the 10th Anniversary edition of FI-LA! Not only that, but Chris took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Director, Featurette this time. I had no idea until this podcast that this particular award for Directing meant the world to Chris, a professional editor. Call me crazy, but I could not have asked for a better Tenth Anniversary FI-LA story! You can check out Chris's work at chrisfiore.com and I hope you enjoy our conversation! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Actor, writer and producer Eddie Alfano brought his short “Mondays At The Office” to Film Invasion Los Angeles and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Comedy. We had a terrific chat posted on Friday but you know I can't truly know someone until I've followed up with the 4 Questions. You can follow Eddie at @eddiealfano And here's where all his films live:What A Nightmare Productions - YouTube _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Happy Friday, Friends! Actor, writer and producer Eddie Alfano brought his short “Mondays At The Office” to Film Invasion Los Angeles and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Comedy. This personal, well-crafted comedy manages to not just bring the laughs but to make a genuine emotional connection between the characters and the audience. I also want to brag that FI-LA 2025 was the film's Los Angeles Premiere! I had a quick chance to discuss the film with Eddie at the festival, amusingly praising him for something that didn't even come up during the podcast; that among its other accomplishments “Mondays At The Office” also manages to be one of the best representations of running a small business that I've seen on film in ages. You can follow Eddie at @eddiealfano, where I hope you enjoy his #BadNeighbor videos! And here's where all his films live: What A Nightmare Productions - YouTube _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Mother and daughter, Melissa Jean Martinez- Areffi and Bella Zoe Martinez brought their unbelievable OSCAR- QUALIFYING short, "Once More, Like Rain Man” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025, and took home the Filmmakers Awards for Outstanding Direction, Comedy for director Sue Ann Pien as well as the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Cast Performance, Comedy. I truly hope you listened to this very special conversation posted on Monday and that's why you have returned for their 4Qs! Websites to share! www.omlrmovie.com www.navautism.com Instagram/FB Handles! @omlrmovie @bellazoemartinez @bella_daze! @navautism Bella's songs on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5XKVdsr14mppTFfASbMfOp?si=j-0w3-QIQs2KWhOGi0b7qA For trailers, interviews, etc. check out the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@OnceMoreLikeRainMan All trailers by Tal Anderson, who is not only a professional editor and successful actor, but was also our guest on episode 557 of this podcast! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles
Let's get right to business, Listeners. Do this now! Click https://www.omlrmovie.com/screenings and see when and where you can catch “Once More, Like Rain Man”! I first met Bella Zoe Martinez and Melissa Jean Martinez- Areffi at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2022, when their short film “Glory & Injustice” was an Official Selection. Personally, I LOVED that wonderful short where a thirteen year old has to yell at her supervillain father to get his off his butt and go commit some crimes! Imagine my delight when this same team, and when I say “team” I should really say “family,” sent a new film three years later and it is an Oscar-quality short that is amazing in every dimension? No surprise that “Once More, Like Rain Man” came to the 2025 edition of Film Invasion Los Angeles and took home four awards! By the way, I referred to this team as a family and now I should clarify. Melissa and Bella are mother and daughter, and father Andy Areffi is equally involved in every film. Bella and Melissa came over to record the podcast, while Andy deserves this personal shout out for holding down the fort while the others came over to have fun. Fingers crossed that someday we get Andy on the podcast! For the record, “Once More, Like Rain Man” won the Grand Jury Awards for Best Short Film, Comedy and Best Performance by a Cast, Short Film. On top of that, it took home the Filmmakers Awards for Outstanding Direction, Comedy for director Sue Ann Pien as well as the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Cast Performance, Comedy. This conversation was so much fun and we clearly could have talked all night! Enjoy! Websites! www.omlrmovie.com www.navautism.com Instagram/FB Handles! @omlrmovie @bellazoemartinez @bella_daze! @navautism Bella's songs on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5XKVdsr14mppTFfASbMfOp?si=j-0w3-QIQs2KWhOGi0b7qA For trailers, interviews, etc. check out the YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@OnceMoreLikeRainMan All trailers by Tal Anderson, who is not only a professional editor and successful actor, but was also our guest on episode 557 of this podcast! And, finally... a funny bonus shoutout. If you look at the pic of Melissa & Bella on the DIF website or social media, you might notice someone in the kitchen behind them. That would be our soon-to-be-college-student who, without my asking, baked cookies that evening. That's right. DIF Podcast guests sometimes get made-from-scratch-fresh- baked-chocolate-chip-cookies! If that became common knowledge... _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles
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