Rewriting Hollywood

Jared Milrad sits down with Muslim-German writer and journalist, Hilal Sezgin, to discuss her feature film, THE ALL IS ONE, winner of our 2023 A Show For Social Change Film Festival's Social Impact Award. THE ALL IS ONE is a narrative feature film that encompasses the question of why humans still consume meat. The film follows the aftermath of an incident at the home of Slaughterhouse owner, Werner Haas, in which a ton of slaughter waste is dumped on his front lawn in the middle of the night. Fuming mad, he files charges against unknown persons and foolishly sets something in motion that can't be stopped. THE ALL IS ONE comes after the fifty-year anniversary of the German Animal Welfare Act of 1972, which states that vertebrates may only be killed for “justifiable reasons,” thus sparking debate about what, if anything, justifies animal slaughter.  Hilal Sezgin is one of very few Muslim authors reporting for national German newspapers. Her pieces focus primarily on feminism, Islam, Islamophobia, animal ethics, and human rights. She is especially known for her advocacy for same-sex civil partnerships in Germany, the right for Muslim women to wear headscarves at work and in public, and animal rights. Sezgin opens up to Jared Milrad about how both her Islamic upbringing and secular studies influenced her animal and human rights advocacy, the undeniable link between factory farming and climate change, and creating discourse about the general mistreatment of animals. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews directors and Ogden Honors students at Louisiana State University, Ria Salway and Claire Sullivan, about their documentary feature film, FENCELINE, winner of our 2023 A Show For Social Change Film Festival's Best Non-Fiction Award. FENCELINE sheds light on Louisiana's Cancer Alley, an 84-mile petrochemical corridor stretching along the Mississippi River, from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. The strip is characterized by high rates of cancer, which residents have connected to the excessive pollution in the area, and have tirelessly expressed their concern over. These local concerns and calls for aid have long been ignored by local and state officials, with industry leaders dismissing “Cancer Alley” as a myth. The film brings forth the expertise of several activists, scientists, and residents who live and work in the area to explain the history and reality of Louisiana's Cancer Alley.Ria Salway and Claire Sullivan open up to Jared Milrad about the importance of shedding light on Cancer Alley, how politics impact the environment, and overcoming the climate crisis.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with filmmaker and visual development artist Erica Travia to talk about her animated short film, ARCADE, winner of our 2023 A Show For Social Change Film Festival's Creativity Award. ARCADE explores the topic of mental health through its protagonist, Milo (Gabe Richardson), a college student experiencing anxiety and panic, who is relentlessly pursued by a manifestation of his anxiety, Annie (Mackenzie Shaye Murray). When Annie overtakes the arcade, Milo's only reprieve from her torment, it soon becomes a psychedelic nightmare. The film asks: will Milo ever be able to break free of Annie and the madness she instigates?Erica specializes in environmental design and concept art. She has obtained her bachelor's degree at Savannah College of Art and Design, pursuing animation with a concentration in storytelling and concept development. Erica opens up about her journey as a visual development artist and filmmaker, how the pandemic impacted ARCADE and its making, and the importance of creating dialogue surrounding mental health.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad speaks with film, television, and theater producer, Bruce Cohen, and film producer and co-head of Higher Ground Productions, Tonia Davis, about their new film, RUSTIN. Directed by George C. Wolfe, RUSTIN follows the life of Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo), a dedicated civil rights activist and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen). The film pays particular attention to his work with Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference and his termination from the organization due to his sexuality, as well as the prominent role he played in organizing the historic March on Washington in 1963. Cohen and Davis dive into working with the Obamas, the importance of shedding light on untold stories like Bayard's, and amplifying queer voices.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with Tony Award-winning writer/director Matthew Lopez about his directorial debut, RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE, which tells the story of a transatlantic romance that develops between the son of an American President and Britain's prince. Matthew opens up about his  filmmaking process  for RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (which is based on the novel of the same name by Casey McQuiston); the importance of LGBTQIA+ storytelling and diverse representation onscreen, and the global impact of the film. Matthew also talks about his upbringing as a self-described "gay Puerto Rican from the Florida panhandle with New York roots," finding his voice as a writer, and his Tony Award-winning play, THE INHERITANCE. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews writer, director, and producer Clement Virgo about his new film, BROTHER, a poetic adaptation of David Chariandy's novel of the same name. Elegiac in its unfolding, the film reveals the intimacies of Francis (Aaron Pierre) and Michael (Lamar Johnson), sons of Caribbean immigrants facing questions of masculinity, identity, and family amidst Toronto's budding and buzzing hip-hop scene. Clement opens up about his return to feature filmmaking after a period of episodic directing (including episodes of BILLIONS, EMPIRE, and GREENLEAF), his journey as a young filmmaker, and exploring themes of vulnerability, othered-ness, and the pressure for young men to mask themselves under societal notions of masculinity.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews director D. Smith about her directorial debut, KOKOMO CITY, a documentary feature that focuses on the lives and stories of four Black trans sex workers in Atlanta and New York City. The film, edited and shot by Smith in bold black and white, is a refreshingly unfiltered portrayal of Black trans life. Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge, and hard-earned wisdom. Executive produced by Lena Waithe, KOKOMO CITY won the Sundance Film Festival's NEXT Innovator Award and NEXT Audience Award, as well as the Berlinale's Audience Award in the Panorama Documentary section. D. discusses her career as a two-time Grammy-nominated producer, how her experiences in the music industry led her to filmmaking, and the importance of depicting authentic representations of trans life on-screen. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews director Julie Cohen about her latest documentary feature, EVERY BODY, a revelatory exploration of the lives of intersex people. The film focuses on three intersex activists who have come out and embraced their authentic selves despite childhoods tainted by shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgeries. Exclusive footage from the NBC News archives featured in the film detail an inconceivable case of medical abuse, providing context for the continued exploitation of intersex people by doctors and medical professionals. Julie opens up about her switch from journalism to documentary filmmaking, her previous filmmaking experiences, including the award-winning documentary, RBG, which she co-directed and received an Academy Award nomination for alongside Betsy West, and how EVERY BODY can disrupt biased policies constructed to target trans and intersex people. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with filmmaker Juan Felipe Zuleta about his award-winning feature film directorial debut, UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS, which tells the stories of Peter, a jaded gay man with dwarfism, and his neighbor, Winona, a bubbly and imaginative sex worker, who form an  unexpected friendship as they embark on a spontaneous, out of this world, road-trip to reunite with the missing parts of themselves. Juan opens up about his journey from Medellín, Colombia to Los Angeles and NYC, the importance of representation in Hollywood, and his passion for telling stories about outsiders. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews Bill Doan about his award-winning animated film, STICKS AND STONES, which tells the story of a man who sorts through the debris of his childhood, seeks help to untangle the differences between his own anxiety and depression, and confronts the impact of toxic masculinity. Bill opens up about his own journey with depression, anxiety, and toxic masculinity - and how drawing and creating art helps him process his trauma and mental health challenges.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews Hunter Brockmann about his award-winning film, A MONTH. A DAY. A YEAR., which tells the story of Serge, a young man living with autism and dealing with ongoing depression. Serge lives on a schedule to try and keep his negative thoughts in check, but everything comes crashing down when he has to face his fears in a confession for therapy.Hunter opens up about his own experience with autism, depression, and the power of filmmaking to explore and process these personal topics.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad chats with award-winning filmmakers Pei Lin Tan and Ee Ming Toh about their powerful documentary, LADY!, which tells the story of a devoted wife who wrestles with reclaiming her sense of self as early onset dementia eats away at her husband's identity. The filmmakers open up about caregiving, dementia, and the stigmas attached to both, as well as why they decided to make this important project.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews best-selling author Professor Evelyn Alsultany about her powerful new book, Broken: The Failed Promise of Muslim Inclusion , in which Prof. Alsultany argues that Muslims are only included through “crisis diversity,” an institutional pattern of crisis (such as high-profile Islamophobic incidents), response, and then inertia until the next crisis.Alsultany notably co-authored The Obeidi-Alsultany Test to help Hollywood improve representations of Muslims—what some label the Bechdel test for Muslims—and serves as a consultant for Hollywood studios, making her a leading expert on the history of representations of Arabs and Muslims in the US media, and anchoring her argument that diversity initiatives often end up marginalizing Arab Americans and US Muslims, while lasting, systemic change remains elusive.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

In this special episode live from the 76th Cannes Film Festival, Jared Milrad interviews Oscar winning actors Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Sean Penn about their upcoming films MAY DECEMBER and BLACK FLIES. Natalie and Julianne discuss the portrayal of women in media, while Sean addresses healthcare inequity in the United States. These excerpts were taken from press conferences at Cannes used to promote both projects.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews Puerto Rican-born Sevier Crespo, p.g.a., an award-winning film, television and commercial producer who learned the ropes from Jerry Bruckheimer, Michael Mann and Ridley Scott. Sevier opens up about his upbringing and journey from acting to producing, how he's managed to build a unique career in Hollywood, his recent Rolling Stone article on cultural change, and his upcoming film “Billy Knight,” starring the legendary Al Pacino, Charlie Heaton (“Stranger Things”) and Diana Silvers (“Booksmart”).We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

In this special interview from Movikarma's Rewriting Hollywood Summit, Jared Milrad sits down with industry leaders Bree Frank (former executive at Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine) and Kiana Madani (actor/producer who stars in an upcoming Apple TV+ series). Bree and Kiana open up about their personal journeys as underrepresented voices in Hollywood, their advice for folks looking to build a career in entertainment, and how to make Hollywood more inclusive, equitable, and representative. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews directors directors Anne Alvergue and Debra McClutchy and producers Beth Levison and Judith Mizrachy about their Oscar-nominated short documentary, THE MARTHA MITCHELL EFFECT, which tells the incredible true story of a Republican cabinet wife who was gaslighted by the Nixon Administration to keep her quiet during the 1970s Watergate scandal. This all-female filmmaking team open up about why they decided to tell this forgotten story, why Martha Mitchell deserves our attention as an unlikely whistleblower, and the status of women in politics and government.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews award-winning filmmaker Joshua Seftel about his Oscar-nominated short documentary, STRANGER AT THE GATE, which tells the incredible true story of a a Marine who - while planning a terrorist attack on a mosque in a small American town - comes face-to-face with the people he is trying to kill, forcing him to confront his own actions. Joshua opens up about his personal journey in filmmaking, what drew him to this inspiring story, and how we can bridge cultural divides across religion, race, and ethnicity to build a more peaceful world.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with award-winning filmmaker Simon Lereng Wilmont about his Oscar-nominated short documentary, A HOUSE MADE OF SPLINTERS, which tells the harrowing story of children and staff at a rundown halfway home in Eastern Ukraine - and the plight of vulnerable children who await court custody decisions about their future. Simon opens up about what drew him to this timely subject and his process for filming in such challenging conditions, how children adapt to living in war-torn regions, and the future of Ukraine. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad chats with writer/creator Pam Ribon about her Oscar-nominated animated short film, MY YEAR OF DICKS, a hilarious and provocative work of animation thirty years in the making about an imaginative fifteen year-old who is stubbornly determined to lose her virginity despite the pathetic pickings in the outskirts of Houston in the early 90's. Pam opens up about why she decided to turn her best-selling memoir, NOTES TO BOYS (AND OTHER THINGS I SHOULDN'T SHARE IN PUBLIC), into an autobiographical animated film; her thoughts on virginity and the pressures faced by teenage girls; and the evolving role of sex and sexuality in American society. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews award-winning filmmaker-animators Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis about their Oscar-nominated animated short film, THE FLYING SAILOR, which tells the incredible true-life story of a man blown two kilometers through the air by the 1917 Halifax Explosion—the largest accidental non-nuclear explosion in history. Wendy and Amanda open up their multi-decade filmmaking partnership, why they chose to make this powerful film, how Americans can learn from the National Film Board of Canada's approach to filmmaking, and the progress of women in film - particularly behind the camera.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with award-winning filmmakers Brandon and Lance Kramer about their powerful new documentary, THE FIRST STEP, which details the efforts of activist Van Jones as he attempts to bring people together to pass a landmark criminal justice bill on prison reform, The First Step Act, which was signed into law by Former President Trump in 2018. An intimate portrait of an activist's isolation as he attempts to make change in a divided nation, THE FIRST STEP features Jared Kushner, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, and numerous activists and political leaders. Brandon and Lance open up about their brotherly filmmaking partnership, what attracted them to tell this important story, and what their film can teach us about courage, leadership, and finding common ground.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad chats with award-winning actor Cassandra Freeman about her groundbreaking role as Aunt Viv in BEL-AIR, which tells the story of a street-smart teen whose life is forever transformed when he moves from the streets of West Philadelphia to live with his relatives in one of LA's wealthiest suburbs. Before Season 2 of BEL-AIR premieres on Peacock on February 23rd, Cassie opens up about her mentors and journey in Hollywood, from starring in major projects such as Marvel's LUKE CAGE, the acclaimed FX series ATLANTA, Spike Lee's INSIDE MAN opposite Denzel Washington, and Chris Rock's I THINK I LOVE MY WIFE. Cassie also shares her views on inclusion and representation in entertainment - and how Hollywood can tell more impactful stories that fully reflect our shared humanity.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews two-time Oscar-nominated director Jay Rosenblatt about his Oscar-nominated short film, HOW DO YOU MEASURE A YEAR?, which is nominated for Best Documentary Short at the 2023 Academy Awards. This moving and personal documentary is about the relationship of a father and his daughter. For nearly two decades, Jay filmed his daughter Ella every year on her birthday, asking the same questions. We watch as Ella matures from a 2 year old to an 18 year old - with all the beautiful and awkward stages in between - as the father-daughter relationship evolves in all its complexities. Jay opens up about why he decided to take on this personal project, what he's learned about parenting and fatherhood, and his views on growing up and the passage of time.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad chats with Oscar-nominated director Cyrus Neshvad about his Oscar-nominated short film, THE RED SUITCASE, which tells the heartbreaking story of a 16-year-old Iranian girl who must decide whether to accept being forced into marrying a middle-aged man she has never met in a foreign country - or try to escape and seek freedom. Cyrus opens up about his own Iranian heritage and why he wanted to tell this harrowing story, the plight of Iranian girls who are victims of forced marriage and human trafficking, and the ongoing human rights violations against girls, women, filmmakers, and activists in Iran. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with actor Tobi Bamtefa, who stars in Season 2 of the hit show MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN opposite Jeremy Renner, which premieres on Paramount Plus on January 15th. Tobi opens up about his unique global upbringing between London and Nigeria, his career change to acting after studying law, and his journey in Hollywood thus far. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews director Jillian Li about her award-winning documentary FINDING PALEMAHAN, which tells the story of Darmawan, a Balinese man who found a solution to plastic pollution by uniting his community behind an ancient philosophy: Tri Hita Karana. Jillian opens up about her unique background as a filmmaker, her connection to Bali and interest in environmental justice, and the power of storytelling to inspire social change. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with scientist Samantha Zwicker, a subject of the new Prime Video and Amazon Studios documentary WILDCAT, which tells the story of a young British soldier, Harry Turner, who is struggling with depression and PTSD and finds a second chance in the Amazon rainforest when he meets an American scientist - and together they foster an orphaned baby ocelot. Samantha opens up about her training as a conservationist, field ecologist, and wildlife rescuer; her cutting-edge work in the Amazon rainforest rehabilitating orphaned ocelots and protecting wildlife with her nonprofit organization Hoja Nueva; and her experiences with trauma and mental health. WILDCAT premieres in theaters on December 21st and on Amazon Prime Video on December 30th.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with filmmaker Jusep Moreno about his award-winning documentary, WHEN PIGS ESCAPE, which tells the story of Matilda, a pig who escaped from a farm and gave birth to her piglets shortly after in a nearby woodland. Following a pressure campaign, the pig family was eventually rescued by Brinsley Animal Rescue and The Surge Sanctuary in the UK. WHEN PIGS ESCAPE recounts the campaign to save the pig family and follows the new life of Matilda and her babies after being rescued, in a biographical piece that invites us to look at pigs like we have never seen them before. PLUS: Jared and Jusep discuss veganism and the road ahead for farmed animals.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews Aidan Dick and Izzi Rojas about their award-winning film WHEN MEN WERE MEN, which tells the story of a young actor struggling with gender identity who has to let go of his idea of masculinity before he loses sight of who he is and who he loves. Aidan and Izzi open up about why they decided to co-direct their project with Izzi starring as the lead, what their film says about gender identity and masculinity, and how storytelling can open minds and change hearts.  We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad chats with award-winning animator and director Lauren Aboulafia about her autobiographical short film, SUPER SCAR, which tells the story of a new mom's unexpected struggle to stay sane amidst the madness of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Lauren opens up about her traumatic childbirth experience and her approach to creating SUPER SCAR, why it's important for women to share their childbirth stories, and how we can create more transparent, authentic, and inclusive spaces for underrepresented storytellers. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews David Sarfati, producer of the award-winning documentary PROPHETS OF CHANGE, which follows several artists/activists from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - Muslims & Jews; Palestinians & Israelis; gay and straight - as they summon courage, love, and determination to break a cycle of fear, distrust, and resentment to come together through music. David opens up about the process of making this ambitious documentary over six years, how music and art can bridge divides and reduce conflict, and the impact that he hopes PROPHETS OF CHANGE will have in the Middle East and beyond. We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad sits down with award-winning director Faith Strongheart about her short film, HAVANA, which tells the story of a man in 1970s Cuba who is forced to reexamine his life choices when his secret lover makes a difficult request. Faith opens up about her career journey earning a MFA in directing from UCLA and working as a production manager/supervisor on feature films and short-form nonfiction for Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and more; her experience balancing her life and career as an underrepresented filmmaker; and how we can make Hollywood more inclusive, equitable, and representative.We depend on your generous support of Rewriting Hollywood to empower new creative voices and share urgently important stories with the world. Make a tax-deductible donation today: movikarma.org/donate

Jared Milrad interviews award-winning filmmaker Craig Boreham, writer/director of the new film LONESOME, which tells the story of country boy Casey, who hooks up with a street-smart city boy Tib and finds a connection that neither of them expect or know how to negotiate. Craig opens up about the state of queer cinema, why it's important to authentically explore LGBTQ+ sexuality onscreen, his unique casting process, and how we can create more opportunities for LGBTQ+ storytellers in Hollywood.

Jared Milrad chats with the cast of Hulu's FIRE ISLAND, which tells the story of a group of queer best friends who gather in Fire Island Pines for their annual week of love and laughter, when a sudden change of events might make this their last summer in gay paradise. Actor/writer/executive producer Joel Kim Booster and actors Matt Rogers and Torian Miller open up about why this groundbreaking film is so important, how underrepresented talent can tell their own stories, and what needs to change in Hollywood to make it truly inclusive, equitable, and representative. PLUS: Jared interviews Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California, who shares the nonprofit's life-changing work to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality - and why it decided to honor the cast of FIRE ISLAND at this year's Equality Awards in Los Angeles.

Jared Milrad interviews award-winning directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon about their upcoming live-action musical film, LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE, which tells the heartwarming story of Lyle, a singing crocodile that loves baths, caviar, and great music. Based on the beloved best-selling children's book, the adaptation stars Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem and Constance Wu, with music from the composers of The Greatest Showman and Grammy-nominated singer Shawn Mendes as Lyle. Will and Josh open up about their decades-long creative collaboration directing award-winning commercials and comedic films such as BLADES OF GLORY, making impactful PSAs about marriage equality and organ donation, and working on their first musical with Shawn Mendes and an all-star ensemble cast. Will and Josh also discuss LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE's timeless themes of acceptance, inclusion, courage, family, and love - and how they're working to make Hollywood more inclusive, equitable, and representative.

Jared Milrad chats with returning guest actor Esther Moon about her latest project, Netflix's PARTNER TRACK, which follows Ingrid Yun (Arden Cho), an idealistic young Korean-American attorney on the partner track at an elite and overwhelmingly non-diverse New York City law firm.  Esther opens up about her career since appearing in the Oscar-nominated film MINARI, why it was so meaningful to have Korean-American characters centered in PARTNER TRACK, and the status of inclusion and representation in Hollywood.

Jared Milrad sits down with actors GloZell Green and Reante Brown and director Pat Branch to discuss their new project, WORLDS APART, which follows a gender-fluid millennial as they attempt to overcome adversity in a challenging world. GloZell, Reante, and Pat open up about the inclusive themes of WORLDS APART, why LGBTQ+ equality is so important, and how we can make storytelling more inclusive and equitable than ever before. 

Jared Milrad interviews Hallee Adelman and Sean King O'Grady, directors and producers of the new documentary OUR AMERICAN FAMILY, which takes an honest, unfiltered look at a close-knit Philadelphia family dealing with generational substance abuse.  Hallee and Sean discuss the impact of addiction and substance abuse on families, how we can overcome addiction by confronting it openly, and hope for the future of substance abuse treatment and ways to fight back against chronic addiction.

Jared Milrad chats with model and actor Alise Willis, who stars in ECHOES, a new Netflix series that premieres on August 19th. Also starring Michelle Monaghan and Matt Bomer, ECHOES tells the story of identical twin sisters who face dire consequences after deciding to swap their lives. Alise opens up about her experience modeling and overcoming racism and body image pressures, her transition into acting and working on major projects such as Eddie Murphy's COMING 2 AMERICA, and her views on diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation in Hollywood.

Jared Milrad sits down with acclaimed actor, singer, and musician Robert Avellanet about his role in the new movie FREE DEAD OR ALIVE, which tells the story of a young girl who makes a perilous journey from South/Central America to the United States, unaware of the real dangers that lie ahead. Robert opens up about his time in the band MENUDO (which also launched Ricky Martin's career), his extensive work as a singer and musician, his transition to acting, and his views on inclusion and representation in Hollywood.

Jared Milrad interviews actors Edy Ganem and Alejandro de Hoyos, writer/director Erik Bernard, and executive producer Courtney LeMarco about their powerful new film, FREE DEAD OF ALIVE, which premieres on digital platforms on August 9, 2022. FREE DEAD OR ALIVE tells the harrowing story of a young girl who makes a perilous journey from South/Central America to the United States, unaware of the real dangers that lie ahead. Edy, Alejandro, Erik, and Courtney open up about the challenges of making this important film, what Americans need to know about the journey of migrants who seek a better life in the U.S., and why telling stories like these can make Hollywood more inclusive, equitable, and representative.

Jared Milrad chats with Melanie Rose, the host, designer, and consulting producer of the new reality show on Netflix, HOW TO BUILD A SEX ROOM, in which Melanie dreams up erotic renovations - from a secret rock 'n' roll dungeon to a next-level spa - for couples and sexual partners. Melanie opens up about becoming an actor and interior designer, her passion for diversity and inclusion, how we can reduce stigmas around sex and sexual experiences, and ways that everyone can improve their sex lives and connection with others.

Jared Milrad interviews actor Pej Vahdat about his latest roles, which include appearances on the fifth season of the CW reboot internationally renowned series DYNASTY, Showtime's CITY ON A HILL..., and F/X's hit show THE OLD MAN, which also stars Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges and is now streaming on Hulu. Pej opens up about his two decade career in Hollywood, overcoming stereotypes as an Iranian-American actor, and how the entertainment industry can become more inclusive, equitable, and representative for actors of color, particularly for those of Middle Eastern and South Asian descent.

Jared Milrad sits down with Felicia D. Henderson, an award-winning showrunner and executive producer of the Netflix series, FIRST KILL, which tells the story of two teens falling in love, even though one's a vampire and the other's a vampire hunter - and both are ready to make their first kill. Felicia opens up about her extraordinary career in Hollywood, including her work on legendary sitcoms such as Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Moesha, and Soul Food; her lifelong love for learning and academia; and her views on inclusive storytelling.

Jared Milrad interviews Academy Award-winning filmmaker David Henry Gerson about his latest documentary, THE STORY WON'T DIE, which is an inspiring, timely look at a young generation of Syrian artists who use their work to protest and process what is one of the world's largest and longest ongoing displacement of people since World War II.  David opens up about what inspired him to make this important film, how he selected the refugee artists for the project, and how we should think about ongoing refugee crises around the world and their impact on all of us.

Jared Milrad hosts Movikarma's first Trans Equity Summit, where national leaders discussed the state of transgender equity in Health, Culture, Policy, and Law - and how we can all help build a more equitable and just society for everyone. During the Summit, Jared interviewed Admiral Rachel L. Levine, M.D., who serves as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under President Joe Biden and is the highest ranking openly transgender official in American history; Dr. Jerrica Kirkley, who is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Plume, the first digital health company dedicated to the transgender community that provides gender-affirming hormone therapy at the convenience of a smartphone; and Kris Hayashi, who serves as the Executive Director of Transgender Law Center, one of the largest organizations in the country advancing the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people. Speakers addressed the legal status of transgender individuals, health issues affecting the trans community, and actions by the Biden Administration to protect transgender Americans.

Jared Milrad chats with award-winning filmmaker Ezra Edmond about his animated short film, BLEWISH. Based on Ezra's personal experience growing up Black and Jewish, BLEWISH is the story of a boy stuck in the middle -- torn between either concealing or embracing his full identity, he learns how he can help create a world where no other child feels the pressure of having to make that choice again. Ezra opens up about why he created this powerful film, the message he hopes to share, and what it's like growing up with multiple cultural and racial identities.

Jared Milrad interviews Hamish Steele and Zach Barack, the creator and lead actor of DEAD END: PARANORMAL PARK, a horror-comedy animated series on Netflix that follows the adventures of Barney (he/him) (a queer trans teen voiced by trans actor Zach Barack), his friend Norma, and a slew of wise-cracking demons. Hamish and Zach open up about why they're excited to be part of this groundbreaking series, why queer and trans representation matters, and how to make Hollywood more inclusive, equitable, and representative.

Jared Milrad sits down with Mick McIntyre and Kate Clere, the creators and directors of EATING PLANTS, a new upbeat digital series that travels the globe and explores the benefits, best food, products, restaurants, and experts in the plant-based movement. Mick and Kate share why they created this timely series, in which celebrity hosts meet with experts who are creating plant-based alternatives. Packed with ideas from doctors, athletes, influencers, and chefs leading the movement and effecting change in cooking, health, and the planet, each episode is filmed in top vegan culinary destinations including the U.S., Germany, Israel, the United Kingdom, China, and Australia.

Jared Milrad interviews award-winning writer Maggie Cohn, who was co-showrunner on HBO Max's limited series, THE STAIRCASE, starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette. Previously, Cohen was a Co-EP on NARCOS and won a Golden Globe for her work on AMERICAN CRIME STORY: VERSACE, on which she was a writer and producer. Maggie opens up about her process for developing THE STAIRCASE, which explores the murder investigation and conviction of Marine Corps. veteran Michael Petersen, who was a novelist, newspaper columnist, and mayoral candidate convicted of murdering his wife Kathleen in December 2001. Jared and Maggie also discuss the role of a showrunner, her career trajectory, and the importance of inclusion and representation in Hollywood.