Podcasts about Slamdance

In this powerful episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we speak with Cameron S. Mitchell and David T. Mitchell, the filmmakers behind Disposable Humanity, which premiered at Slamdance.The film follows a family as they uncover the haunting legacy of the Nazi Aktion T4 program — a state-sanctioned campaign that murdered over 300,000 disabled people and laid the ideological groundwork for the Holocaust. We discuss the ethical responsibility of representing disability and trauma on screen, the family's journey through suppressed history, and how Disposable Humanity reclaims voices lost to erasure and genocide.

Ever thought to yourself or said  out loud  “ I wish I was creative.” I know I have.  I used to tell myself all the  time that I wasn't the creative type.     As it turns out we are all creative in our own way and  the definition of creativity goes beyond the tractional art forms. Tapping in to our flavour of creativity is actually key to our growth and transformation in this next chapter of life.     My guest in this episode is Paige Williams, author of The Creative Keys, a transformational framework for unlocking purpose through storytelling, creativity, and spiritual wisdom. We explore the transformative power of creativity and its role in  personal growth, self connection and reinventions. We chat about how creativity opens the doors to finding purpose, self trust, and surrender and that understanding ourselves as creative beings is key to how we lead in all areas of life from our careers to how we parent.   Paige and I both  share our own journeys of how embracing ourselves as creative beings has impacted our lives.   If you've never thought of yourself as creative or you're ready to explore how tapping into your creativity can change your life this is the episode for you.      Paige Williams — award-winning filmmaker, AI media tech entrepreneur, and author of The Creative Keys, a transformational framework for unlocking purpose through storytelling, creativity, and spiritual wisdom. She's the founder of AudPop, a global video platform connecting diverse creators to brands and audiences. Her work has been featured at Slamdance, Hot Docs, and VidCon, and she's led impact-driven storytelling that has raised millions, influenced national policy, and been featured in Forbes Next1000, Inc., and The New York Times. Through The Creative Keys, Paige helps people tap into their inner knowing and turn their truth into aligned action.   You can find out more about Paige and her work with the Creative Keys here:    https://www.paigewilliams.co/ https://www.instagram.com/paigewilliamscreates https://www.linkedin.com/in/paigewilliamscreates/

Today on the show we have Slamdance Grand Jury winning filmmaker Hasan Oswald. Hasan's story is pretty inspiring. He did exactly what I preach all the time, he picked up a camera and began to tell his story. He made his first short film that was later tweeted by Stephen Fry, and the National Geographic came calling to work on their film Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS. He has since covered the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, drug trafficking, and homelessness in Philadelphia. He quickly established a unique ability to capture the human experience through "cinema verité."  His unfettered access to and intimacy with his characters creates a seamless veneer between the filmmaker and subject.After getting much need experience in the field he decided it was time to tell larger stories. His first outing as a feature film director, Higher Love, won him the top award at the Slamdance Film Festival. To finance his film he pulled a page out of Robert Rodriguez's playbook and sold his blood plasma to finance his film.Hasan's filmmaking journey is inspiring to say the least. He is using cinema to tell stories that will hopefully change the way people think. Higher Love is available on all major VOD platforms. His current project focuses on the Yazidi Genocide in Iraq.Enjoy my conversation with Hasan Oswald.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bulletproof-screenwriting-podcast--2881148/support.

In this episode, we sit down with Yun Xie, writer and director of the gripping dystopian drama Under the Burning Sun, fresh off its screening at the 2025 Florida Film Festival. Set in a sun-scorched future where abortion is outlawed, the film follows Mowanza, a survivor of sexual violence, as she embarks on a desperate road journey in search of bodily autonomy. With echoes of Mad Max and rooted in Xie's own reflections on her upbringing in China, Under the Burning Sun explores the cost of choice, survival, and freedom. We talk to Yun about the personal inspirations behind the film, the urgency of telling stories about reproductive rights in today's world, and more.Under the Burning Sun won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at Slamdance 2025, and is screening April 18 at 4:45 PM @ Regal Winter Park Village (Theater B).Learn more at https://floridafilmfestival.com/films/

In this episode of Queer Cinema Catchup, Joe and Allison discuss their experience at Slamdance 2025 in Los Angeles and then specifically dive into the documentary, "The Hole Story," which details the events, mythology, and search for truth surrounding a mysterious hole that appeared on Mount Shasta in California. You can find the podcast's first ever interview with The Hole Story's director Elijah Sullivan, and listen as he shares insights on documentary-making, as well as the complexities of capturing Mount Shasta's unique cultural landscape.00:00 Introduction and Slamdance 2025 Experience00:53 The Big Johnson Documentary06:07 Confessions of Chin-Chin07:23 The Hole Story: Part One12:01 The Hole Story: Part Two20:53 The Hole Story: Part Three30:21 Conspiracy Theories and Skepticism31:27 Interview with Elijah Sullivan 31:52 Elijah's Filmmaking Journey01:03:59 Future Projects and Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I sat down with Rachel Handler. Rachel is a filmmaker and actor known for her stint as Peg Leg Doris on AMC's “Interview With the Vampire” and her award-winning Slamdance films “Committed” and “HOW MUCH AM I WORTH?” We discuss the magic of theater and storytelling, her creative processes as both an actor and a writer, the importance of something like the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge for disabled artists and creatives and much, much more.Join The Patreon: Click ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠Follow Rachel: Instagram: @bionic.brunette YouTube: @RachelHandler Website: http://www.rachelahandler.comWatch DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY: Click HereLearn More About The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Website: https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com YouTube: @TheDisabilityFilmChallenge Instagram: @disabilityfilmchallengeFollow Me: Instagram: ⁠⁠@jill_ilana⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠@alwayslookingup.podcast⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠@jillian_ilana⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠https://www.jillianilana.com⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠alwayslookingup227@gmail.com⁠⁠Read With Me:⁠⁠Goodreads⁠⁠⁠⁠The StoryGraph⁠⁠Relief For Disabled People Impacted By The Los Angeles Fires:Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund: ⁠⁠https://disabilitydisasteraccess.org/rd-relief-fund/⁠⁠United Spinal Disaster Relief Grant: ⁠⁠https://unitedspinal.org/disaster-relief-grant/⁠⁠Inevitable Foundation Emergency Relief Fund: ⁠⁠https://www.inevitable.foundation/erf⁠⁠This episode was edited and produced by Ben Curwin

My guest this week I spoke with the Wellness Sheriff-  Hokkaido Hank- who is Joshua Hsu - a licensed massage therapist - who when the mustache comes on he's Hank the Wellness Sheriff.We discussed how Josh is wanting to make massage accessible for others and being able to provide a proper adjustment in 10 min targeting vital triggers points along the neck, shoulder and spine. We spoke what led to the character creation of Hokkaido Hank and his decision to pops up at markets, bars and pop-ups offering chair massages.  The importance of treating yourself and trying to build his business.  We also discussed about his family story that was filmed- Starring Jerry as Himself, Where his father stars in the film and is based on true events, where he gets into a crazy situation which involved the whole family. Events transpired in Orlando, shot in Orlando, with all of them playing as themselves. The film swept the Slamdance 2023 awards. It has played around the whole world except for Orlando until now. Its an Orlando movie with several recognizable locations in the Mills area, will be aired on April 17 at Redlight RedlightLunch with Biggie is a podcast about small business and creatives sharing their stories and inspiring you to pursue your passion, with some sandwich talk on the side. Created, edited, and produced in Orlando, FL by Biggie- the owner of the sandwich-themed clothing brand- ⁠⁠Deli Fresh Threads⁠⁠. Hokkaido Hank Social:Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hokkaidohank/Webpage: https://hokkaidohank.squarespace.com/Biggie's Social: ⁠⁠Deli Fresh Thread's Instagram⁠⁠- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/delifreshthreads/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast's Instagram⁠⁠- ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lunchwithbiggie/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast's Facebook Group⁠⁠- ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/lunchwithbiggie⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Podcast's Twitter-⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/LunchwithBiggie⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Deli Fresh Threads⁠⁠- ⁠⁠ https://DeliFreshThreads.com

Watch This Episode On YouTubeMy guest, Chelsea Christer, is being modest but you can't be just dream adjacent while turning out brilliant, touching, and culturally relevant films like OUT FOR DELIVERY (2025).By premiering the film both at Sundance and SXSW Film Festival this year, it's clear Chelsea is at the top of her game...and closer to dream actualized than ever before.In this episode, we discuss:how she got involved in filmmaking and the rise of female filmmakers, particularly directors;how she chose her path of narrative, docs, corporate work -- "in order to live in San Francisco, you have to make a bit of money to pay the bills";how she found herself "dream adjacent" -- making films and getting opportunities in documentary filmmaking that were not her passion;what did she learn from having her films at premiere film festivals (Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance, and more)?;the story behind her brilliant film, OUT FOR DELIVERY;how she made such a fully encapsulated short film and whether that was the intention;has she moved from dream adjacent to dream actualized?;what is she working on now?Chelsea's Indie Film/Filmmaker Highlights: TOUCH ME (2025) dir. by Addison Heimann; DEATH OF A UNICORN (2025) dir. by Alex Scharfman; Sebastian SilvaLinks:Follow Chelsea On InstagramChelsea Christer's WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

On today's episode we are LIVE from WonderCon with creature actor, Trevor Newlin! Trevor is best known for his work as the Xenomorph in "Alien: Romulus", The Monstrosity in "Smile 2", a Wookie in The Mandalorian, and most recently the Chip (in demon form) in the 2025 Slamdance hit, "Portal to Hell"! I've become more and more familiar with Trevor's work and was thrilled to have him on the live WonderCon show.  I talked with Trevor about growing up in Texas and his early ambitions of being a paleontologist, what dinosaur he would want to play in Jurassic Park, his fascination with being a voice actor, how he got into creature acting, our mutual love for Doug Jones, getting cast as the Xenomorph, the crazy costume for The Monstrosity, playing demon Richard Kind in Portal to Hell, your Q&A, and more! A huge Thank You to Trevor Newlin for taking the time to make the drive to Anaheim to join me at WonderCon! Also, a huge thank you to everybody who came out to the show and asked questions. All of you had such great questions and it really made it a lot of fun! Make sure to follow Trevor on all of the links at www.onthemicpodcast.com so you can find out what creature he is playing next! Thank you for having us, WonderCon!  Thank you, Trevor!  Enjoy the episode!

There's not a person alive who won't be moved by STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025) -- it's a story of overcoming expectations and spreading kindness into the world. It's also an extraordinary achievement of documentary filmmaking. We get into that and more with director Tanner Christensen.In this episode, Tanner and I discuss:the uplifting qualities of STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025);what to expect when you watch the film (laughing, crying, feeling better about the state of humanity);the crazy scope of the film, with archival footage from over 25 years ago;the decision-making process of utilizing re-enactments and whether he'd use AI in future documentaries;how he developed the chronology of the film and why he made it the way he did;what did the process of making this film teach him about documentaries?;is it a particular Utahan story?;what's next for him?Tanner's Indie Film Highlight: DISPOSABLE HUMANITY (2025) dir. by Cameron S. Mitchell; COMPLICATED (2025) dir. by Andrew Abrahams; STOLEN KINGDOM (2025) dir. by Joshua BaileyLinks:Follow STANDOUT On InstagramSTANDOUT WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Ali Kolbert is on the pod today. Kerryn and Ali take a deep dive into the world of ethical cheating. This is a super fun episode. We hope you all enjoy it! Follow Ali: https://www.instagram.com/alikolbert/ https://www.alikolbert.com/ FOLLOW THE SHOW: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyfeehans/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OnlyFeehans Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfeehans/id1538154933 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ojWPy3lzm1P18ePxAjGFB?si=a9ca6d6a493e474f YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfeehans FOLLOW KERRYN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrynfeehan/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FeehanKerryn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfeehans Producer & Editor: Tim McLaughlin https://www.instagram.com/hot_comic69/ #KerrynFeehan *** Kerryn Feehan is a New York City based comic. She's been featured on Comedy Central, TruTv, TLC, Sirius Xm, Barstool Sports, Slamdance film festival and countless podcasts she did as favors. She performs nightly in NYC, you can probably see her at The Stand. She has a wildly popular podcast called OnlyFeehans and a cartoon on YouTube called Kerryn Sucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Hethcoat opens up about his decade-long journey creating the documentary "Coroner To The Stars," which focuses on Dr. Thomas Noguchi, a well-known coroner famous for his work on high-profile celebrity deaths, including those of Marilyn Monroe and Natalie Wood. Ben draws inspiration from documentary legend Errol Morris.He tackles the difficulties of addressing sensitive subjects like death, the personal ties that shaped his filmmaking, and the need to handle public perception and media hype carefully. He also discusses how celebrity death investigations have changed over time and the crucial role of archival research in crafting compelling narratives.The film just took home the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Slamdance, and Ben reflects on the emotional significance of unveiling such a deeply personal project to the audience.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature

I don't say this lightly: you've never seen a film like PROJECT DAD. It's a Slamdance original from an artist that is making waves throughout Europe and now looking forward to a North American run: Camilla Jämting.What a film. What a story. PROJECT DAD is a film you have to see to believe, and keep up with Camilla so you can see it just as soon as it screening near you.In this episode, Camilla and I talk about:the courage and bravery to create PROJECT DAD;what should people expect to see when they watch PROJECT DAD;the little moments in the film that touch upon gender stereotypes and social commentary;does she see it as a Swedish film?;does she identify herself as a feminist and how does it influence her filmmaking?why Slamdance?;when people can watch the film -- who knows, maybe partner with Tinder!;what's next for her? PROJECT DAD might be turned into a reality TV series!Camilla's Indie Film Highlight: MY OMAHA (2025) dir. by Nick Beaulieu; TONI ERDMANN (2016) dir. by Maren AdeLinks:Follow Camilla On InstagramPROJECT DAD WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch This Episode On YouTubeOne of one. One of one. One of one. It kept coming back to me that every significant avenue filmmaker Alex Dvorak went into, she was the only one with that path.And that kind of trailblazing requires bravery, vulnerability, and as you see in her film BAD SURVIVOR, a fair bit of snark.Special Slamdance coverage continues with Alex Dvorak.In this episode, we discuss:her completely unique entry into filmmaking...as a cancer survivor;are there more survivor stories out there? "Hard yes" - Alex Dvorak;the range and brilliance of her short film, BAD SURVIVOR;what's it like to have survivors approach her after the film?;how she is going into a different direction with this short by turning it into a YA graphic novel and a series;"writer, director, model" -- Alex is one of one of so many categories; how does she keep finding herself pursuing these unique goals?how does she view Gen Z filmmakers and what kind of films we are going to see from them? "the most interesting and unique stories" - Alex Dvorakwhat's next for her?Alex's Indie Film Highlight: NOGGIN (2024) dir. by Case JerniganLinks:Follow Alex On InstagramFollow Alex On Her WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Award-winning screenwriter Amir Ohebsion joins Best in Fest to share the real journey behind getting an indie film made—from winning Slamdance to self-producing his own features. Discover the highs, the hustle, and the hard truths of Hollywood's screenplay competitions, financing indie films, and why writing with passion is the key to success. Plus, get the inside scoop on All There Is, premiering at the Beverly Hills Film Festival!

Kerryn Feehan and Joe List have a healthy debate about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Follow Joe: https://www.instagram.com/joelistcomedy/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCZPJkYRPZjJ-QofSS-27Gew https://www.comedianjoelist.com/ FOLLOW THE SHOW: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyfeehans/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OnlyFeehans Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfeehans/id1538154933 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ojWPy3lzm1P18ePxAjGFB?si=a9ca6d6a493e474f YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfeehans FOLLOW KERRYN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrynfeehan/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FeehanKerryn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfeehans Producer & Editor: Nicole Lyons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleclyons Assistant Producer: Madison Lambert #KerrynFeehan *** Kerryn Feehan is a New York City based comic. She's been featured on Comedy Central, TruTv, TLC, Sirius Xm, Barstool Sports, Slamdance film festival and countless podcasts she did as favors. She performs nightly in NYC, you can probably see her at The Stand. She has a wildly popular podcast called OnlyFeehans and a cartoon on YouTube called Kerryn Sucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I never met or even heard of Bill Bartell before watching this documentary, but darn if filmmaker Dave Markey doesn't bring him to life in his brilliant film, THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL. The film is a kaleidoscope of events and people; you'll think it's a mockumentary before realizing that...it's all true.It is a testament to the craft of Dave that he creates such a stunning documentary about a unique subject, and we get into how he's sustained a career in music, punk rock, and documentary. The film had its world premiere at Slamdance 2025.In this episode, we discuss:the story behind THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL;how he got involved in filmmaking and got the skillset to make such a genre-breaking film;creating the intentional rush the viewer gets from watching the film -- "I wanted to make the experience I had with him in real life";how the film came together over 30 years and his use of a mockumentary structure;his thoughts on funding and distributing his own films over the years;the future of documentary filmmaking and the possibility of AI;why Slamdance and why the Breakout Features category;will LGBTQ films be harder to make in the future?Dave's Indie Film/Filmmaker Highlights: HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS (2024) dir. by Rex Miller; 40 WATTS FROM NOWHERE (2025) dir. by Sue Carpenter; DEBARGE (2025) dir. by Matthew Siretta; Sean BakerLinks:Follow THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL On InstagramWe Got Power FilmsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Send us a textWarning: this episode is delirious AF. Your bitches kicked March off with a trip to NOLA for Erin's bday/Mardis Gras, and then drove ten hours to Austin to cover the SXSW festival! Erin and Ange sit down at a bar in Austin, Texas, to catch you up on why New Orleans continues to be their favorite city in the world, and what exciting things they have in store for you coming out of SXSW in the coming weeks. Fasten your seatbelts and hold on to your buttholes, you're in for a treat!Support the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

Watch This Episode On YouTubeCase Jernigan wins at so many things -- animation, gamemaking, filmmaking, and having without a doubt the best setting for recording a podcast episode. Normally, I edit out all background noise but with the birds chirping, I just could. not. do. it. His sound is such a mood.And I created special podcast animation art to celebrate such a fantastic artist.Case is a true Renaissance man who, not surprisingly, has found himself in Italy, and our discussion demonstrates the sheer breadth of talents that he brings to his art.His film, NOGGIN, now available to watch as a Vimeo Staff Pick, offers the same extraordinarily uplifting experience as this conversation with Case.In this conversation, we discuss:how the Slamdance screenings went;does he see himself as a filmmaker, in light of so many other artistic talents? "to me, they are all linked";on his website, Case talks about making art about "masculinity and illness." We talk about the rise of performative masculinity and how he views it relative to the art he creates.what we should know before watching NOGGIN and the thought process behind making the film;was it a way for him to work through his MS diagnosis, through his art? and how did he get from his diagnosis to where he is now?why Slamdance?; it must take a special film festival to get on a plane from Florence, Italy;what's next for him?Case's Indie Film Highlights: STOLEN KINGDOM (2025) dir. by Joshua Bailey; FISHMONGER (2023) dir. by Neil FerronLinks:Watch NOGGIN As A Vimeo Staff PickFollow Case On InstagramVisit Case Jernigan's WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Director- Nick Beaulieu After graduating from journalism school, Nick Beaulieu returns to his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska to document its surging racial justice movement while seeking to reconnect with his staunchly pro-Trump father Randy – a task made more urgent when Randy is unexpectedly diagnosed with stage-4 cancerMovie Reviews and More is broadcast live Tuesdays at 5PM PT on K4HD Radio - Hollywood Talk Radio (www.k4hd.com) part of Talk 4 Radio (www.talk4radio.com) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com). Movie Reviews and More TV Show is viewed on Talk 4 TV (www.talk4tv.com).Movie Reviews and More Podcast is also available on Talk 4 Media (www.talk4media.com), Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com), iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and over 100 other podcast outlets.

Director Daniel Straub and cinematographer (and brother) Austin Straub discuss their film “Out of Plain Sight”, which just won the Audience Award at Santa Barbara, ahead of their LA premiere with Slamdance. Past influences include Alex Garland's “Annihilation”.The conversation explores the themes of environmental awareness and the legacy of chemical pollution, the power of documentary filmmaking and the authenticity that comes from capturing real stories, emphasizing the impact a documentary can have on public perception.Also explored is the evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking, where fiction and non-fiction increasingly blend, and the ongoing need for accessible storytelling that resonates with viewers.What Movies Are You Watching?Like, subscribe and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeature

Watch This Episode On YouTubeJump into the mosh pit with filmmaker Portlynn Tagavi. We talk about her stunning filmmaking career, animation, Film Independent's Project Involve, and her brilliant short film, MOSH, which screened at Slamdance this year. In this episode, we talk about:how she got started in filmmaking through animation;the difference in directing animation vs. life action ("the whole concept of talking to actors still freaks me out");what the AFI Conservatory MFA Directing program is like;the importance of going into a room and acknowledging that you are still learning a particular craft;how MOSH got made through Film Independent's Project Involve;leadership advice in directing;what's the creative executive track like;the story of MOSH and what people should expect to see ("what does masculine emotional release look like?";why Slamdance? what is she expecting going into the screenings;the role of short films especially in a premiere film festival like Slamdance;the benefits of a larger social media following;the challenges of finding distribution for films at even the premiere film festivals;how Oscars don't exactly help careers -- "even with Oscars, you probably still have to prove yourself";what's next for her.Portlynn's Indie Film Highlight: STOLEN KINGDOM (2025) dir. by Joshua BaileyLinks:Follow Portlynn On InstagramPortlynn Tagavi's WebsiteSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Send us a textWe're concluding our coverage of Slamdance 2025 with two very timely documentaries that reiterate the need for empathy and activism.Silent Trees follows 16 year-old Runa after the death of her mother on the Polish-Belarusian border as she has to become a mother for her 4 younger brothers. Director Agnieszka Zweifka shares how starting as an activist in the refugee camp led her to direct this film, her immediate connection with Runa and her family, and how Runa's art became a major part of the film.Disposable Humanity follows a family as they investigate the history and memory of the Nazi Aktion T4 program, which targeted over 300,000 disabled people, and was the start of the Holocaust. We were joined by director Cameron S. Mitchell and his father/subject of the film David T. Mitchell, as they explain how the bureaucracy in hospitals and institutions enabled the Nazis, why we must fight against the frightening language of eugenics being repeated by the Trump administration, and the importance of protecting Section 504.Follow Silent Trees on IGFollow Disposable Humanity on IGFollow director Cameron S. Mitchell on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

Send us a textThis episode of Slamdance 2025 celebrates films that bring thrills and horror!Portal to Hell follows a debt collector as his routine is turned upside down after finding a portal to hell in a laundromat. Director/writer Woody Bess and star Trey Holland discuss making a horror film on a budget, working with acting greats like Keith David and Richard Kind, and the best burgers in LA. In the Mouth is the story of what happens when Merl, who lives a life of recluse, is running low on money and takes on a roommate looking for a place to hide. Actors Colin Burgess and Paul Michael join us to share their delight in the awkwardness of the story, how filming in black and white adds to the tone, and sleeping on an apple orchard in a room full of dolls.Follow Portal to Hell on IGFollow In the Mouth on IGFollow actor Colin Burgess on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

Watch This Episode On YouTubeNtare Guma Mbaho Mwine is an accomplished actor, director, and documentary filmmaker, and so it's no surprise that his film, MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED (2024), is a love letter to the arts. It's also a love letter about Uganda, and offers a deeply personal look at his experience in the country and that of photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo.In this episode, we discuss:how he got started in filmmaking and if he has a preference between acting and directing;how his knowledge of directing affected his acting "for years";what he learned in his decades of documentary filmmaking;the role of LGBTQ films going forward;the challenge of making films in an occasional hostile social and political environment;why Slamdance?;when can people see MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED;what's next for him?does he ever feel typecast as an actor or as a director -- because of his name, he was getting "certain African roles"; he told his reps, it would be great to get something where he isn't speaking an African accent;being told he "wasn't African enough."Ntare's Indie Film Highlight: WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS (2024) dir. by Misha Kapany Schwarz, Maarya Zafa.Links:Follow Ntare On InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Send us a textWe're highlighting Slamdance 2025 with two films that explore the different ways in which people process life. The narrative feature Confessions Chin Chin spends the evening at a bar with a cast of misfits as they navigate love, art, secrets, and self-discovery. Director Carolina Perelman shares her thoughts on bar conversations with strangers, sex, and a memorable scene involving an egg yolk.Bloqué is a short film about a drummer with creative block as he follows his memories to the root of his emotional blockage. Director Miguel Ortiz and producer Elizabeth Alvarez join us to share their joy in casting the perfect drummer, Malick Koly, using colors and saturation to match the intensity of the sound, and how they're giving back to indie artists through their production company, TheTelly. Follow director Carolina Perelman on IGFollow director/writer Miguel Ortiz on IGFollow producer Elizabeth Alvarez on IGFollow production company TheTelly on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

FOLLOW THE SHOW: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyfeehans/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OnlyFeehans Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onlyfeehans/id1538154933 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ojWPy3lzm1P18ePxAjGFB?si=a9ca6d6a493e474f YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfeehans FOLLOW KERRYN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrynfeehan/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FeehanKerryn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyfeehans #KerrynFeehan *** Kerryn Feehan is a New York City based comic. She's been featured on Comedy Central, TruTv, TLC, Sirius Xm, Barstool Sports, Slamdance film festival and countless podcasts she did as favors. She performs nightly in NYC, you can probably see her at The Stand. She has a wildly popular podcast called OnlyFeehans and a cartoon on YouTube called Kerryn Sucks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watch This Episode On YouTubeI couldn't have loved CONTOURS (2025) more, Aisha Amin's film which screened at Slamdance, and that bled through into the conversation. The story is brilliantly written, wonderfully acted, and gorgeously shot, so it's no surprise Aisha is such a fascinating guest for the podcast.She comes to filmmaking from the perspective of a Pakistani-American filmmaker and it is clear she will continue to push boundaries of what's possible in independent filmmaking.In this episode, we talk about:how you decide to put a twist into a short film;how she got involved in filmmaking (and she made me feel better about asking a similar question every time) -- hat tip to the Straight 8 competition;her thoughts on film v. digital and why more people aren't funding short films;how CONTOURS, a deeply rich film about a couple fighting, came to be;what the process is like directing something you haven't written -- "you have to be really collaborative";how she feels about diversity initiatives, especially in this political climate;why Slamdance for her film;how she responds to questions about her first feature;the challenge of being pigeonholed as a young director;what's next for her -- she drops info about her first feature!the problems with screeners only viewable on laptops and publicists utilizing Zoom for their press days with filmmakers.Aisha's Indie Film Highlight: FOUL EVIL DEEDS (2024) dir. by Richard Hunter; NO OTHER LAND (2024) dir. by Rachel Szor; Yuval Abraham; Basel Adra; Hamdan Ballal; Pastel ProductionsLinks:Follow Contours On InstagramFollow Aisha Amin On InstagramFollow Aisha Amin On VimeoSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Send us a textWe're at Slamdance 2025 celebrating two films that center around family issues.BANR is a narrative feature about a couple who has been together for forty years struggling with how to cope with the onset of Alzheimer's as the disease takes its toll. We were joined by director Erica Xia-Hou (夏侯云姗), who explains why she wrote the film during the pandemic as her grandmother was struggling with Alzheimer's, how a last minute dog adoption turned into a star of the film, and the everlasting power of love. Project Dad is a documentary short shot by a feminist daughter trying to connect with her pickup artist dad who helps men succeed at dating on Tinder. Director/subject Camilla jämting joins us to share how she was able to separate being a director and being a daughter, why her cameraman had to stop filming during a certain intense scene, and being ok with relationships that are complicated.Follow director Erica Xia-Hou (夏侯云姗) on IGFollow director Camilla Jämting on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

Watch This Episode On YouTubeThe needle-threading to make a great political documentary, a brilliant social commentary about a Midwestern city, and a deeply personal story is truly breathtaking. But Nick Beaulieu delivers with MY OMAHA (2025), a film about a father, a son, and a city in Nebraska that will be viewed as a bellwether of our times for years to follow.In this episode, we discuss:how he got started as a filmmaker -- he went out to LA to "do anything" but came back to Omaha as a documentarian;what people should expect to see when they turn on MY OMAHA;how he took the topic of political disagreements and gave it a tremendous amount of depth -- the film isn't what you might expect;how he shot such a personal story -- shout out to James Zanders and what advice he has for people embarking on such a project;the importance of building trust in making a documentary and how he sees the state of the industry;how specifically he made a political documentary without bringing the disagreements to a forefront;why Slamdance?what's next for him?Nick's Indie Film Highlight: PROJECT DAD (2024) dir. by Camilla JämtingLinks:Follow MY OMAHA On InstagramFollow Nick Beaulieu On InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Send us a textWelcome to Slamdance 2025, where today we're bringing you two powerful documentaries.Larry (They/Them) follows non binary trans photographer Laurence Philomène during their transitional journey, as they piece together a photographic autobiography and art exhibit entitled "Puberty". Director Catherine Legault explains how she became friends with Laurence, bringing a new perspective to their art, and why it's important to show that everyone's journey is different.Complicated shares the painful story of kids suffering from Ehler's-Danlos Syndrome, a disease that is too complicated for mainstream medicine, causing them to be passed around, abandoned, and in some cases accused of faking their illness. Director Andrew Abrahams shares the problem with cookie cutter medicine, how the issues extend to CPS and the law, and how even though the medical system doesn't know a lot about this disease, one in 500 people suffer from it.Follow director Catherine Legault on IGFollow artist Laurence Philomène on IGFollow Complicated on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

Watch This Episode On YouTubeThis is as close as I've ever been to going Joe Rogan style, four hour interview.I've never talked with someone so willing to discuss the history of cinema (in this case, Taiwanese) than my guest today, Birdy Wei-Ting Hung. She directed the brilliant film, A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY FOR THE LADY AVENGERS (2024), which screened at Slamdance.In order to make the film, she drew on years of reading history and watching cinema. If you loved school, or even if you didn't, prepare for the best class ever with Birdy.In this episode, we discuss:how she became a subject matter expert on Taiwanese cinema and learned to love horror films;how Edward Young and other filmmakers influenced her film;if a critic can take their own biases out of their judgment on a particular film and whether students of film can see that in others' works;Sean Baker's influence on her type of filmmaking and the bravery to take on subjects like sexual awakening, which is a theme of her film;who she thinks are female directors taking similar steps and her thoughts on labels;what her first screening at Fantastic Fest and in Taiwan was like;why Slamdance? it's her first time at the festival;does she consider herself a California filmmmaker?her work on music videos and what her first feature looks like -- "I'm not one of those people that has to be working on a feature"Birdy's Indie Film Highlights: MAULED BY A DOG (2024) dir. by Sion Owens; THE STAG (2023) dir. by An ChuLinks:Follow Birdy Wei-Ting Hung On InstagramVideo Essay For A BRIGHTER SUMMER DAY FOR THE LADY AVENGERS (2024)Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

Watch Now On YouTubeMy guest, Woody Bess, makes it sound happenstance, but don't kid yourself: Keith David and Richard Kind aren't signing up for just any independent film. But if you've extremely talented and put your heart and soul into a film -- and the script is great -- well, they will, and you've got PORTAL TO HELL (2025), which debuted at Slamdance. Glad Woody didn't go in the portal, and he joined me to discuss this riveting horror comedy feature.In this episode, we discuss:how he took so many jobs on PORTAL TO HELL;a pitch-perfect film between campy and serious to make one of the best horror comedy films of the year;how he wrote the script and "held for talent", betting on himself and his team to land great talent like Keith David and Richard Kind, separating the film from a lot of other independent projects;his thoughts on the horror genre;why Slamdance and what his thoughts are on its role in marketing and distribution;when PORTAL will be available to see (especially in theaters);his approach to limited social media in an age where directors almost have to have a presence;what's next for him -- a scary horror -- and how he feels about comedy as a genre to write for;"actors want to act" -- how to land fantastic actors in your indie project, even without a casting director;Woody's Indie Film Highlights: LOCKJAW (2025) dir. by Sabrina Greco; FOUL EVIL DEEDS (2024) dir. by Richard Hunter; MadS (2024) dir. by David MoreauLinks:Follow PORTAL TO HELL On InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

As Slamdance relocates from its longtime home in Park City, Utah to Los Angeles, we talk with president and co-founder Peter Baxter about the festival's documentary lineup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textWelcome to Slamdance 2025! In honor of Slamdance's first time being held in LA, we're kicking things off with two documentaries that are LA as fuuuck.Coroner to the Stars chronicles the life and career of Dr. Thomas Noguchi, head medical examiner and coroner from the late 60s-early 80s in Los Angeles. Director Ben Hethcoat shares the ten year journey it took to get this film made, how growing up as the son of a coroner helped him prepare for this film, and why Dr. Noguchi's career created a perfect storm in Hollywood that would never take place in today's digital age.40 Watts From Nowhere shares the story of Sue Carpenter, a young woman who hated commercial radio and decided to create her own pirate radio station out of her apartment in Silverlake, Los Angeles, in the 90s. We were excited to be joined by Sue (who also directed the film), to discuss how she found archival footage she never knew existed, her love for motorcycles, and the magic and innocence in not knowing what the fuck you're doing.Follow Coroner to the Stars on IGFollow director Sue Carpenter on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have reached 11 years, recorded 800+ episodes, and won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without your help! -- Be well, stay safe, Black Lives Matter, AAPI Lives Matter, and abortion is normal. -- Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram & Facebook Listen every Tuesday at 9 - 10 am on BFF.FM

Hello, Slamdance! Be on the lookout for episodes coming out every day for the next few weeks. with 2025 Slamdance directors.It is one of the most diverse lineups with often debut filmmakers so of course the pod will be highlighting the creators.Thanks for helping filmmakers get their first time go.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

In this episode of No Film School, GG Hawkins sits down with Erin Brown Thomas, the director of Chasers, a 30-minute single-take short that played both Sundance and Slamdance 2025. Erin shares how she navigated festival promotion, the complexities of grassroots outreach, and why personalized marketing is critical for indie filmmakers. She also dives into the deeper themes of Chasers, which explores red flags in dating and the hustle culture of the entertainment industry. In this episode, No Film School's GG Hawkins and Erin Brown Thomas discuss: How Chasers came to life and why Erin chose the oner format Her experience at Sundance and prepping for Slamdance in Los Angeles Why festival outreach feels like producing another film How she balances multiple roles in the industry while keeping her projects moving The financial realities of indie filmmaking and how to fundraise creatively Why personalized outreach is critical for making industry connections Memorable Quotes: “I spent most of my time at Sundance doing grassroots promotion for Chasers, but certain opportunities were just also really, really fun. We did a lot of panels. The panels in particular were like my favorite thing. We did a flash mob on Main Street—that was so much fun.” (2:50) “You're really looking at like a full-time job as if you're making a whole other movie when you have an opportunity to play on this larger scale.” (3:16) “Every email you write, you want it to be bespoke. You want it to be personal. Everything needs to be done with grace and intention, walking that fine balance of being really confident that you're in the right place but also being, you know, grateful.” (4:08) “It's always so much easier to stand up for yourself when somebody else who loves you is in the room. And by putting a film like this out into the open, I'm having those discussions with people who care about me.” (21:16) Guest: Erin Brown Thomas – Director of Chasers, festival programmer, and multi-hyphenate filmmaker passionate about lifting up other creatives. Resources: Chasers Film – Official Linktree Extraction 2 Director Sam Hargrave on Oners, Stunts, and Filmmaking All No Film School Articles on Oners Erin Brown Thomas on IMDb Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web: No Film School Facebook: No Film School on Facebook Twitter: No Film School on Twitter YouTube: No Film School on YouTube Instagram: No Film School on Instagram

Pirate radio takes center stage as The Projection Booth tunes into 40 Watts from Nowhere (2025), the riveting true story of an underground FM station broadcasting from the shadows of 1990s Los Angeles. Host Mike White sits down with the film's director, Sue Franklin, to explore the rebellious spirit behind the airwaves, the challenges of bringing this real-life outlaw operation to the screen, and the cultural impact of independent radio in the pre-internet era.Catch it at the Slamdance 2025 film festival.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

Pirate radio takes center stage as The Projection Booth tunes into 40 Watts from Nowhere (2025), the riveting true story of an underground FM station broadcasting from the shadows of 1990s Los Angeles. Host Mike White sits down with the film's director, Sue Franklin, to explore the rebellious spirit behind the airwaves, the challenges of bringing this real-life outlaw operation to the screen, and the cultural impact of independent radio in the pre-internet era.Catch it at the Slamdance 2025 film festival.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-projection-booth-podcast--5513239/support.

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We finally got another chance to bring everyone together at Squatters and enjoy a NSFW Podcast recording with all the swears, stories and more!!

Mel Stephens! Writer! Director! Comedian! More! FROM HER WEBSITE: Melissa Stephens (@melmstephens on social media) is a comedian, writer, and director from the Peach State, and has dual citizenship in the UK. Melissa wrote on staff of Brett Goldstein & William Bridges' AMC anthology series SOULMATES, now streaming on Amazon Prime (Mel wrote ep 5). She is currently developing a dark comedy series with AMC Studios and UK based Two Brothers Productions, as well as penning a pilot for eOne and Mark Gordon based on her one-hour comedy special “Homebrew.” She is a founding member of IAMA Theatre Company, has been a member of Groundlings' Sunday Company, and regularly performs stand-up around Los Angeles. Her directorial debut, PEEN, was a Vimeo Staff Pick, and the short series she wrote and directed, FINDING THE ASSHOLE, was chosen to show at Slamdance and is currently in development on multiple TV and Film projects.  We had a great chat! You can have a great listen! And this is only the first HALF of our chat! For the second half, you can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or just click on over here to Patreon!

Episode 296 Guest: Chelsea Christer Film: Out for Delivery Festival: 2025 Sundance Film Festival --- Join us on Salt Lake Dirt as we kick off our 2025 Sundance Film Festival coverage with the talented filmmaker Chelsea Christer. Chelsea returns to the podcast to discuss her latest short film, Out for Delivery, which is set to premiere at Sundance this year. This dark comedy, inspired by true events, explores the mishaps and mayhem surrounding a woman's end-of-life journey through the Death with Dignity law. Chelsea shares the inspiration behind the film, revealing how a tragic real-life story transformed into a screenplay that balances humor with poignant societal commentary. We delve into the film's rapid development, from script to screen, and the collaboration with actors like Deanna Rooney and Martin Starr, whose chemistry brings the story to life. We also discuss Chelsea's emotional journey from her virtual Slamdance debut during the pandemic to an in-person Sundance premiere. As a long-time volunteer at the festival, Chelsea reflects on the significance of this milestone and the unique perspective she brings to her Sundance experience. Thanks for listening! Kyler --- Episode Links: Follow Chelsea on Instagram Follow Out for Delivery on Instagram ChelseaChrister.com Follow on Bluesky Sundance Screening Times

My guest for this episode is Daniel Callan, the cellar man behind Slamdance Koöperatieve. Daniel pointed out to me recently that I've been too focused on winegrowing. I had to agree, and Daniel's suggestion was that we talk about how the past of winemaking may actually be its future. Because, essentially, all wines made throughout history until sometime around the start of the 20th century, were natural wines, and were made without additives nor fossil fuel powered, high-tech wineries and wine factories. Daniel is a student of the history of winemaking in general, but in California specifically. He believes everything we're trying now has already been tried and we don't need to reinvent the wheel. We can learn from those who came before… we just have to read some books that we can find at the library. He even looks to the old vines as a kind of genetic library for what does well in his region, and makes wine from varieties that mostly don't exist elsewhere in any scalable quantity. This is a refreshingly technical winemaking episode that follows Daniel's process for making his wine in detail from harvest to bottling, as well as a look at how we can find answers to the challenges of climate change and a post-industrial world by looking to the past. @slamdancekooperatievewines You Can Support this podcast by subscribing via patreon. Or by donating or taking action at: Beyond Organic Wine

Jillian Corsie is a Filmmaker and Editor working primarily on commercials and feature-length documentaries in addition to directing her own films. On the side, she is a Film Festival Programmer for Slamdance and Salute Your Shorts.Connect with Jillian:➡️ Instagram: @jcorise➡️ TikTok: @salute_your_shortshttps://jilliancorsie.com/About The Lot1 Podcast ✨The Lot1 Podcast is designed for anyone who is interested in or working in filmmaking. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned veteran, we hope you gain the knowledge you need to improve your craft, achieve your filmmaking goals, or simply get an understanding and appreciation for the roles and duties of your peers and colleagues.

Kelli McNeil-Yellen is a graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Drama. Her first feature, The Baltimore School of Charm, won first place at the UCLA Extension Feature Film Screenwriting Contest and was a top 15% finisher in the Academy's Nicholl Awards. Most recently, she's been screening her authentically cast feature film, DARUMA, on the festival circuit. After two sold-out screenings at Slamdance in 2024, two-time Oscar winner Peter Farrelly joined the film as executive producer to raise the visibility of the film and called it "great". She is repped by Dannie Festa of World Builder Entertainment. CNN called DARUMA the first film to star two leads with a disability in a narrative not about overcoming a disability. The film recently completed a successful festival run with two sold-out screenings at Slamdance. DARUMA is a heartbreaking but uplifting dramedy and ultimately a story about friendship, fatherhood and found family.

This week we are joined by Katie Novotny! Katie Novotny is a standup comedian who has been an official artist at Limestone Comedy Festival, Vail Comedy Festival, Amsterdam's Boom Chicago Comedy Festival, HBO's Women in Comedy Festival, and many more. She's currently a co-host of Good Follow, a women's sports show on the DraftKings network where she gets to bring her love of sports and comedy to one place. She trained at Second City and iO in improv and sketch comedy, produced two award-winning web series (Guilty and Wellness Check), and her pilot scripts have landed her as a semi-finalist in Slamdance and Screencraft. She's performed at Hollywood Fringe Festival and is commercially repped by BBR. She dreams of using her arthritic knees to become an influencer for Bengay.In this conversation, Katie shares her journey through freelancing and comedy, physical injuries while performing comedy, her first paid feature, and the dynamics of adjusting her comedy set for different audiences. The conversation also touches on themes of anxiety regarding the future and reflections on relationships, both personal and professional, as well as growing up in Naperville, Chicago. In this engaging conversation, the speakers explore the nuances of creativity in comedy, the journey of finding acceptance within the comedy community, and the personal experience of dining alone. The discussion highlights the importance of self-acceptance and the joy of enjoying one's own company while navigating the complexities of life and comedy.Recommendations From This Episode: Waiting For GuffmanLittle GiantsFollow Katie: @kathnovotnyFollow Carly: @carlyjmontagFollow Emily: @thefunnywalshFollow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpodPlease rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Warren Etheredge is a Storyfinder™, a successful producer, published author, staged playwright, veteran festival programmer and much sought-after public speaker. He has conducted over 4000 interviews. He recently wrote and produced the feature doc, Downwind narrated by Martin Sheen which premiered at Slamdance 2023. Other producer credits include Personhood, Furever, All of Them, The Phantom 52, Last Requests , The Lost Mariner, Even the Walls. Every Beautiful Thing, and the webseries, The Enchanted Kitchen w/Sasha Graham. He teaches screenwriting/filmmaking at the University of Washington and Cornish College for the Arts. He is one of the founding faculty of The Red Badge Project, teaching combat veterans storytelling skills to cope with PTS. He has hosted multiple television series including the Emmy®-nominated The High Bar.  He served as the VP of Curation & Acquisitions for Tom Skerritt's start-up, Triple Squirrels Media. He is the Co-founder/Curator for the Walla Walla Movie Crush, shorts programmer for The Seattle Jewish Film Festival and lead programmer for the Summer Shorts Film Festival. 

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.raisingcinephiles.comIn this insightful episode of Raising Cinephiles, host Jessica Kantor sits down with award-winning actor John Lawson, who earned Best Actor at Slamdance for his role in the independent film Daruma. Together, they discuss John's journey into acting, his influential family movie experiences, and the path that led him to star in Daruma, a film about a man …

Filmmaking isn't just about making a great film—it's about getting that film seen. With traditional distribution models crumbling, independent filmmakers are finding new ways to connect directly with audiences. This episode explores how the indie film landscape is shifting, with filmmakers taking control of their own distribution, marketing, and audience-building strategies. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned pro, this episode will inspire you to think outside the box and embrace a more grassroots approach to getting your work into the world. Jon Reiss is a filmmaker, author of the book Think Outside the Box Office, and a media strategist who runs 8 Above, a company that creates custom distribution strategies for indie films. He has consulted with filmmakers and organizations worldwide including The Gotham, IDA, and Film Independent, and has led workshops on distribution and marketing through his 8 Above Distribution Lab. Reiss is currently producing a documentary on robotic performance artist Mark Pauline, and is producing the second season of a podcast, Plantscendence, about people's psychedelic experiences. He has recently launched a Substack focused on indie film distribution and marketing. Annamaria Sofillas, a development executive and producer, is the Director of Content at Kino Lorber's MHz SVOD. She is the lead producer of the documentary "I'm “George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story, which premiered at Slamdance '24 and received theatrical exhibition nationwide through Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, with digital distribution by Grasshopper Film. Annamaria was instrumental in building NBCUniversal's Seeso and Gimlet Media's scripted division, where she led over 25 long-form television series and 30 stand-up specials, including the GLAAD Award-nominated Take My Wife and BAFTA Award-nominated Flowers. Scott Monahan, the filmmaker behind Anchorage, has been candid about his experience with self-distribution, highlighting the challenges and successes of taking control of a film's release. Glen Reynolds, founder of Circus Road Films, is a producer rep and festival advocate who helps indie filmmakers navigate distribution and find the right partners to bring their projects to audiences. In this roundtable discussion, No Film School's GG Hawkins speaks with Jon Reiss, Annamaria Sofillas, Scott Monahan, and Glen Reynolds to discuss: Why hybrid distribution is essential for indie filmmakers today How film festivals and events can help grow your audience Why setting clear release goals is crucial for your film's success How building your audience starts long before your film's release Real-world examples of filmmakers using grassroots promotion and festival tours Why filmmakers are taking control of their own marketing and outreach strategies How indie filmmakers are embracing a punk rock mentality to bypass traditional distribution models Links: Learn more about Scott Monahan Learn more about Glen Reynolds Follow Annamaria Sofillas on Instagram Buy or rent I'm “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story on Amazon/Apple I'm "George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story Website Follow I'm “George Lucas” on Instagram Follow I'm “George Lucas” on Facebook Follow I'm “George Lucas” on X 8 Above with Jon Reiss Substack 8 Above website Find No Film School everywhere: On the Web https://nofilmschool.com/ Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/nofilmschool Twitter  https://twitter.com/nofilmschool YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/user/nofilmschool Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nofilmschool Send us an email with questions or feedback: podcast@nofilmschool.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices