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Welcome back to the Following Films Podcast! I'm your host, Chris Maynard, and today we are taking a look at the sonic landscape of the summer's breakthrough film hit film.Joining me on the show is Rock Burwell. He is the brilliant mind behind the dread-inducing score for the hit psychological thriller Obsession, which originally blew audiences away during the Midnight Madness program at the Toronto International Film Festival.Working in close collaboration with director Curry Barker, Rock has crafted a soundtrack packed with smart synth work and atmospheric ambient cues. It masterfully explores the emotional undercurrents of the film, layering horror with warmth into pure, confrontational dread. It is easily one of the most exciting, disorienting, and genuinely great scores of the year.The Obsession Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available right now thanks to the team at Waxwork Records, in partnership with Back Lot Music. You can grab your copy today on vinyl, CD, and cassette, or stream it wherever you get your music.Before we jump into my conversation with Rock about taking creative risks, finding comfort in discomfort, and building this incredible sonic world, do me a quick favor: hit that subscribe button for the Following Films Podcast so you never miss an interview.Now, let's get into it. Here is my conversation with Rock Burwell...
This horror was written, edited and directed by Curry Barker, who is primarily known as a YouTube personality. The film stars Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomilson & Megan Lawless. In this this film, a young man “wishes” for the girl of his dreams to love him more than anything in the world but the wish takes a dark turn into much darker reality than he is comfortable with. The film debut at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5th, 2025 and was quickly purchased by Focus Features and released nationwide on May 15th, 2026 and became the highest grossing in the company's history, surpassing 2019's “Downton Abbey”.
Harper Steele talks about transitioning and the differences in how she experiences the world as a woman and how the world experiences her. The differences in parenting, writing, and comedy. Trying to fight off who she really was for years. Her fears of being judged. How finding her true self saved her life. How road trips are different. How being macho was an odd priority before. How that reflected her comedy. How a teacher started her writing. How the movie “Will & Harper” has affected other transpeople and how she has been mostly accepted by the world and completely accepted by her friends. Her love of thrift stores and vinyl records. And our mutual love of The Eurovision Song Contest. Bio: Harper Steele is a comedy writer who launched her career in 1995 at the renowned show "Saturday Night Live." For over thirteen years, she served the show in various capacities, eventually ascending to the position of head writer for four years. This period of her career was marked with a notable achievement, with Steele earning a Primetime Emmy Award in 2002. Following this, her creativity found a new platform at Funny or Die, where she assumed the role of creative director. Steele's writing prowess was not limited to television, as she contributed to the scripts of several films, including "Casa de mi padre," "The Ladies Man," and "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga." Alongside her writing career, she also served as an executive producer of HBO's "Funny or Die Presents." Her multifaceted career in comedy writing and production was depicted in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Will & Harper," which also explored Steele's gender transition and its impact on her friendship with longtime friend and collaborator Will Ferrell. The documentary "Will & Harper" received critical acclaim, premiering at the 40th Sundance Film Festival in January 2024 and earning a nomination for a People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival. Steele's comedic and political viewpoints, often referred to as "purple-haired woke," advocate for humor as a catalyst for positive change. Such viewpoints have earned her accolades within her industry circles, with Jimmy Fallon describing Steele as "one of the funniest people I think I've ever met in my lifetime." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Carolina Caroline" is a 2025 American romantic crime thriller film directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier and written by William Thomas Dean IV, starring Samara Weaving, Kyle Gallner, Jon Gries, and Kyra Sedgwick. The film follows A young woman who joins a charming con man on the run, leaving a trail of crime and passion as they hustle through the Southeast in search of her estranged mother. It had its world premiere in the Centerpiece program of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its chemistry between its two leads, Rehmeier's look at the American deep South, and its fusion of the romance and crime genres, creating a "Bonnie and Clyde" story for a new era. Weaving, Gallner, and Rehmeier were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Magnolia Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At the Toronto International Film Festival, I sat down with acclaimed filmmaker Darlene Naponse to discuss her stunning new film Aki. More than a documentary, Aki is a poetic meditation on land, memory, community, and our relationship to the natural world. Together they explore narrative sovereignty, Indigenous storytelling, mining and environmental responsibility, truth and reconciliation, and the power of listening more closely—to the land, to one another, and to ourselves. Naponse reflects on how making the film transformed her as an artist and why hope, connection, and responsibility remain at the heart of her work. A thoughtful conversation about belonging, beauty, and finding our way home.Darlene Naponse is an award-winning Anishinaabe filmmaker, writer, and community advocate from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek in Northern Ontario. Widely recognized as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Indigenous cinema, her work explores themes of land, identity, language, sovereignty, community, and the enduring relationships that connect people to place.Over the past decade, Naponse has built an acclaimed body of work that includes the feature films Falls Around Her, Stellar, Every Emotion Costs, and Aki. Her films have screened at major festivals around the world, including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), imagineNATIVE, and the American Indian Film Festival, earning praise for their poetic visual style, emotional depth, and commitment to authentic Indigenous storytelling.Beyond filmmaking, Naponse has spent years working in community development, governance, and nation-building initiatives within her own community. That lived experience informs much of her creative work, which often bridges personal stories with broader questions about history, reconciliation, environmental stewardship, and cultural resurgence.Her latest film, Aki is a striking visual meditation on community, memory, and humanity's relationship with the natural world. Created through a process rooted in respect, observation, and Indigenous ways of seeing, the film reflects Naponse's ongoing commitment to narrative sovereignty and storytelling that emerges from community rather than speaking for it.Whether working behind the camera, mentoring emerging artists, or engaging in conversations about Indigenous futures, Darlene Naponse continues to challenge audiences to look more closely, listen more carefully, and reconsider their relationship with the land and with one another.David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 800 in-depth interviews with some of the world's most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversation.He's a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels, hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David's work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves good conversation — and believes it's one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bennett Yellin and Peter Farrelly talk about meeting each other in school and immediately connecting over their shared sense of humor. Bennett talks about substance abuse in college, while Peter discusses being a very hard driver at work. You talk about getting very lucky working with Eddie Murphy and David Zucker, and about bringing Bobby Farrelly into the group when they were writing movies together. Peter talks about being extremely loyal, living in Ojai, and never feeling like Los Angeles was really his town. Bennett talks about growing up in Beverly Hills in an Orthodox Jewish family. Peter tells a story about using the wrong knives while staying at Bennett's house because meat is not supposed to touch milk. Peter says he doesn't think Rotten Tomatoes is fair, and he also doesn't think criticism is very helpful. Bennett recently wrote a horror movie, Día de Muertos. Peter is a good audience member and wants everyone to contribute. Bennett knew everything about movies, while Peter knew almost nothing about them. Peter also has a very happy crew. Bio: -Peter John Farrelly (born December 17, 1956) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and novelist. Along with his brother Bobby, the Farrelly brothers are best known for directing and producing quirky and romantic comedy films such as Dumb and Dumber, Shallow Hal, Me, Myself and Irene, There's Something About Mary, and the 2007 remake of The Heartbreak Kid. Farrelly solo-directed and co-wrote the comedy-drama Green Book (2018), which won the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2018, the Golden Globe Award for Best Screenplay, and the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. He has been married to Melinda Farrelly since December 31, 1996. They have two children. -Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bennett received his B.A. in Fiction from U.C.L.A. Still not ready to enter the real world, he enrolled at UMass in Amherst for an M.F.A. in fiction. It was there — on the first day of school — that he met and befriended Peter Farrelly. On a lark, they tried writing a comedy together and this spec script ultimately got into the hands of Eddie Murphy and the Zucker Brothers, creators of Airplane and The Naked Gun. Both Murphy and the Zuckers asked the duo to write movies for them, and their career was off and running. Yellin wrote exclusively with Peter for years until they asked his brother Bobby to join them. The three went on to write a number of unproduced features together until they created Dumb and Dumber in 1994 and reunited in 2014 to co-write the official sequel chronicling the further idiotic adventures of Harry and Lloyd, Dumb and Dumber To. In 2007, the Farrelly Brothers branched out on their own and Yellin partnered with James Robert Johnson to create a professional writing duo that has endured for sixteen years. Among the plethora of projects they've tackled during their career — some produced, others not — the two have co-written Let's Scare Jessica to Death for Paramount Pictures, the Fox situation comedy Unhitched, the direct-to-DVD thriller Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead, Paramount Pictures' Hotel For Dogs 2, the Anchor Bay action-thriller In the Blood with Gina Carano, the 20th Century Fox family film, Santa's Little Helper, and the Warner Brothers re-boot of the Police Academy series, Police Academy: Takin' it to the Streets. More recently, Yellin and Johnston have co-written a live action family stage show adaptation of the hugely popular Angry Birds IP, and their original supernatural thriller Dia de Muertos has recently completed filming and is set to be released in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
pWotD Episode 3308: Obsession (2025 film) Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 203,802 views on Saturday, 23 May 2026 our article of the day is Obsession (2025 film).Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants him his wish for his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrifying consequences. Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter also appear in supporting roles. Obsession premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, as part of its Midnight Madness section. It had a theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features. The film received positive reviews and has grossed $75 million worldwide.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 12:27 UTC on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.For the full current version of the article, see Obsession (2025 film) on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Jasmine.
Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural horror film[6] written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants him his wish for his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrifying consequences. Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter also appear in supporting roles.Obsession premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, as part of its Midnight Madness block. It had a theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features. The film received positive reviews and has grossed $44.1 million worldwide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join me for a spoiler-free discussion on three new horror movies currently in cinemas: Exit 8, Hokum, and Obsession. I will provide a quick analysis of each, highlighting their best parts and any issues I found without spoiling fates of characters or important plot points. Horror is on a true renaissance this year with so many horror sequels and original films coming our way in 2026!For May in particular, we have Obsession, Passenger, Backrooms and more getting released so choosing a horror movie above the others is getting hard! Especially during the cost of living crisis.NO SPOILERS so keep it cute in the comments and let me know what you thought of each movie :)Follow the Complete Guide to Horror Movies podcast on our social channels below.↪ TikTok↪ Twitter↪ Facebook↪ Instagram↪ Subscribe to our YouTube channel↪ Shop our Store!↪ Tip us $5↪ Linktree↪ LetterboxdExit 8 (Japanese: 8番出口, Hepburn: Hachiban Deguchi) is a 2025 Japanese mystery psychological horror film directed by Genki Kawamura, who co-wrote the screenplay with Kentaro Hirase, based on the 2023 video game The Exit 8 developed by Kotake Create. The film stars Kazunari Ninomiya as an unnamed man who is caught in a looping subway corridor and must find anomalies in each loop to escape.Exit 8 had its premiere at the Midnight Screenings of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on 19 May, and was released in Japan by Toho on 29 August. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed ¥5.2 billion.Hokum is a 2026 supernatural horror film written and directed by Damian McCarthy. The film stars Adam Scott as an author who travels to a hotel in Ireland, unaware that it may be haunted. Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Michael Patric, Will O'Connell, Brendan Conroy, and Austin Amelio appear in supporting roles.Hokum premiered at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 14, 2026, and was released in the United States by Neon on May 1, 2026. The film received positive reviews from critics.Obsession is a 2025 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film follows Bear (played by Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy that grants him his wish for his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette) to fall in love with him, resulting in horrifying consequences. Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter also appear in supporting roles.Obsession premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025, as part of its Midnight Madness block. It had a theatrical release in the United States on May 15, 2026, by Focus Features. The film received positive reviews and has grossed $35 million worldwide.Chapters00:00 introduction02:00 Exit 8 Review05:00 Hokum Review07:14 Obsession10:14 Final Thoughts and Winner#horror #review #exit8 #hokum #obsession #currybarker #adamscott
For this week's main podcast review, Josh Parham, Giovanni Lago, Larry Fried, and Ben Langford join me to review and discuss Curry Barker's "Obsession" starring Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter. The story follows a young hopeless romantic who breaks the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush's heart. However, he soon discovers that some desires come at a dark and sinister price. The film had its world premiere in the Midnight Madness section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for Barker's script and direction, as well as Navarrette's unhinged performance. What did we think of it? Please tune in as we discuss all of these points and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Obsession" is a 2025 American supernatural horror film written, directed, and edited by Curry Barker. The film follows Bear (Michael Johnston), a music store employee who buys a supernatural toy and wishes for his childhood friend, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), to fall in love with him. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival as part of its Midnight Madness section, where it received positive reviews from critics. Navarrette, Johnston, and Barker were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on May 15th from Focus Features. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rosanne Pel is filmmaker en regisseur. Haar eerste film ‘Light as Feathers' ging in wereldpremière op het Toronto International Film Festival. Hiermee won ze de prijzen van de Nederlandse Filmkritiek en van het Forum van Regisseurs tijdens het Nederlands Film Festival. Voor de film liet ze zich inspireren door de filosofie uit het boek ‘The Human Condition' van Hannah Arendt. Nu verschijnt haar tweede speelfilm ‘Donkey Days', die werd geselecteerd voor het New Directors/New Films-festival in New York. In de film strijden twee zussen om de aandacht van hun moeder. Wanneer zij meer zorg nodig heeft, worden de zussen gedwongen samen te leven in het ouderlijk huis, waar oude conflicten oplaaien en familiegeheimen komen bovendrijven. Femke van der Laan gaat met Rosanne Pel in gesprek.
"Two Pianos" (or in French, "Deux pianos") is a 2025 French romantic drama film directed by Arnaud Desplechin, starring François Civil as a virtuoso French pianist who returns from Asia to experience an impossible love story in his hometown of Lyon. The cast also includes Nadia Tereszkiewicz, Charlotte Rampling, and Hippolyte Girardot. The film had its world premiere in the Gala Presentations section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and received positive reviews. Desplechin was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Kino Lorber. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Fuze" is a 2025 British crime thriller heist film directed by David Mackenzie and written by Ben Hopkins, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Theo James, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Sam Worthington. Set in London, there is a citywide evacuation when an unexploded World War II bomb is unearthed at a busy construction site. Amid the escalating tension and chaos, a daring criminal operation is set in motion -- one that uses the evacuation as a cover for a meticulously planned bank heist. As authorities race against time to contain the crisis, alliances blur, and moral boundaries are crossed. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its action, tension, twists, and muscular direction. Taylor-Johnson, Worthington, and Mackenzie were all kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on April 24th from Roadside Attractions and Saban Films. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"I Swear" is a 2025 British biographical drama film directed, written, and produced by Kirk Jones. It is based on the true life story of John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette syndrome who was the subject of the 1989 television documentary "John's Not Mad." The film stars Robert Aramayo as Davidson, alongside Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson, and Peter Mullan in supporting roles, with Scott Ellis Watson making his acting debut as a young Davidson. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received universal acclaim from critics, who praised the performances of Aramayo and Mullan. The film received five nominations at the 79th British Academy Film Awards, winning two for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Aramayo and Best Casting. Aramayo was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will open in US theaters on April 24th from Sony Pictures Classics. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Wasteman" is a 2025 British prison film directed by Cal McMau from a screenplay by Hunter Andrews and Eoin Doran. The film stars David Jonsson and Tom Blyth as incarcerated cellmates who have to do what they need to do in order to survive the prison's brutal conditions. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for McMau's intense and gritty direction and the powerful performances from Jonsson and Blyth. The two young actors were both kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sunrise Films. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Mile End Kicks" is a 2025 Canadian romantic comedy film written and directed by Chandler Levack. Based in part on Levack's own young adulthood before becoming a professional music critic and filmmaker, the film stars Barbie Ferreira as Grace Pine, a young woman who moves to Montreal, Quebec, in 2011 to write a book about Alanis Morissette's album Jagged Little Pill but instead becomes romantically involved with Archie (Devon Bostick) and Chevy (Stanley Simons), two members of the aspiring indie rock band Bone Patrol, and takes a job as the band's publicist. The cast also includes Jay Baruchel, Juliette Gariépy, Robert Naylor, Emily Lê, Hasani Freeman, Magi Merlin, and Isaiah Lehtinen. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews. Levack was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sumerian. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"The Christophers" is a 2025 black comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon. It stars Sir Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Jessica Gunning, and James Corden. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews from critics for Ed Solomon's screenplay and the performances of Sir Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, mostly in a chamber piece under the direction of Soderbergh. McKellen and Cole were kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from NEON. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Erupcja" is a 2025 drama film directed and produced by Pete Ohs, from a screenplay by Ohs, Jeremy O. Harris, Charli XCX, Lena Góra, and Will Madden. It stars XCX, Góra, O. Harris, and Madden. It had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival in the Centerpiece section, and also played in New York at Film at Lincoln Center as part of the New Directors, New Films program. The film follows Nel (Góra), who lives in Warsaw, Poland, where she works at a flower shop. When her childhood friend Bethany (XCX) comes to visit with a new boyfriend (O. Harris), a volcano erupts. Ohs, O. Harris, and Góra were kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from 1-2 Special. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with filmmaker Andy Hines and songwriter Adam Baldwin to explore the powerful Canadian film Little Lorraine. What begins as a conversation about a song becomes a deeper reflection on storytelling, community and the human condition. Together, they unpack how a simple narrative rooted in Cape Breton evolves into a compelling film about desperation, resilience, and belonging. With stunning cinematography and emotionally rich performances, Little Lorraine is ultimately a story about family, survival and the quiet search for healing in hard times.Andy Hines was born into a creative family, Andy's passion for the arts has been a lifelong endeavor. As the son of a landscape and portrait photographer, Andy grew up with a camera in his hands and the opportunity to travel and grow a world view from an early age.As a Grammy nominated director, Andy has spent over a decade working alongside musicians ranging from Beyonce, Kanye West, and Missy Elliott to Luke Combs and Keith Urban. His range has never been limited by genre or style. His work has garnered multiple MTV VMA Awards and nominations as well as five Cannes Lions including Gold for both commercials and music videos.His debut feature film titled, Little Lorraine, premiered in September 2025 at The Toronto International Film Festival. The film stars Stephen Amell, J. Balvin, Sean Astin and Rhys Darby. Beyond filmmaking, Andy has spent time as an art director for Converse special projects and as a creative director for Grammy nominated singer Khalid, designing the campaign that brought Khalid on the tarmac for his historic performance in front of the Virgin Galactic on its maiden voyage to space.When Andy is away from set, he spends much of his time in the wilderness of Canada and Northern California raising his two daughters, tending to his lifelong passion of raising chickens and goats.Adam Baldwin is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Nova Scotia known for his vivid, character-driven storytelling and East Coast perspective. Blending folk, country, and rock influences, his music explores themes of hardship, resilience, and everyday life with honesty and depth.His song Lighthouse in Little Lorraine, inspired by a real story, became the foundation for the feature film of the same name. Baldwin also contributed to the screenplay, helping bring authenticity to the film's voice and setting.His work is rooted in lived experience, capturing the struggles and spirit of working-class communities, and continues to resonate with audiences through its raw, human, and deeply relatable storytelling.David Peck is a writer, speaker, and award-winning podcaster who works at the intersection of storytelling, social change, and meaningful dialogue. As the host of Face2Face and former host of Toronto Threads on 640 AM, he has published over 800 in-depth interviews with some of the world's most compelling thinkers, artists and storytellers, including Viggo Mortensen, Sarah Polley, Raoul Peck, Werner Herzog, Chris Hadfield, David Cronenberg, Jason Issacs, Gillian Anderson and Wade Davis. With a background in philosophy and international development, David brings a thoughtful, globally aware perspective to every conversationHe's a published author and experienced keynote speaker, known for creating spaces where complexity is welcomed and ideas come alive. Whether moderating panels,hosting live events, or speaking on issues ranging from ethics to media, David's work is grounded in a deep curiosity about people. At heart, he simply loves goodconversation — and believes it's one of the best ways we grow, connect, and make sense of the world.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Actress and filmmaker Nat Boltt (Penelope Blossom on Riverdale) returns to the YVR Screen Scene Podcast to discuss Holy Days, her feature film directorial debut that screened at the venerable Toronto International Film Festival and is currently wowing crowds around the world. Based on the acclaimed novel by Dame Joy Cowley, Holy Days is a joyful adventure about faith, friendship, and the courage to take one last leap of belief. Three unconventional nuns embark on a last-ditch road trip across New Zealand on a journey to fight for their independence. Along the way, they form an unlikely bond with a young Māori boy on a deeply personal mission of his own. Holy Days was written and directed by the Vancouver-based Nat and stars a trio of legends: Academy Award nominee and Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA winner Judy Davis, BAFTA winner Miriam Margolyes, and two-time Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver; the young Māori boy is portrayed with stunning depth by rising star Elijah Tamati. Holy Days is moving, whimsical, funny, wildly entertaining, and beautiful. Recently, Holy Days has enjoyed screenings across North America (and will return to Vancouver's Park Theatre on April 25), and will soon be available on VOD. In this fascinating and episode, Nat Boltt reflects on the wild ride to bring this rollicking feature film directorial debut to the screen. It's a fun one!Episode sponsor: Fish Flight Entertainment
"Blue Heron" is a 2025 drama film written and directed by Sophy Romvari in her directorial debut. Described as "semi-autobiographical," the film is based in part on Romvari's own childhood and her previous short film "Still Processing." The film stars Eylul Guven as Sasha, the eight-year-old daughter of a Hungarian immigrant family who relocate to Vancouver Island in the late 1990s, while their oldest son, Jeremy (Edik Beddoes), displays increasingly dangerous behavioral issues in their new environment. The cast also includes Ádám Tompa and Iringó Réti as Sasha's parents, Liam Serg and Preston Drabble as Sasha's brothers, and Amy Zimmer as Adult Sasha. The film had its world premiere at the 78th Locarno Film Festival, receiving universal acclaim, winning the Swatch First Feature Award, and later the Best Canadian Discovery award at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Romvari was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about her work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on April 17th by Janus Films. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Normal" is a 2025 American action film directed by Ben Wheatley and written by Derek Kolstad, based on a story by Kolstad and Bob Odenkirk. Odenkirk also stars in the film alongside Henry Winkler and Lena Headey. The film premiered in the Midnight Madness program at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and received positive reviews for its practical action, small-town dark comedy, and Odenkirk's performance. Odenkirk and Wheatley were kind enough to spend some time talking with us about their work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released in theaters on April 17th by Magnolia Pictures. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Interfaith peace counselor Patrick McCollum and documentary filmmaker Gabe Polsky share the powerful prophecy that united the Amazon and led to making their film, The Man Who Saves the World?Click here to find screenings of The Man Who Saves the World? near you.This week on Mindrolling, Raghu speaks with his guests, Gabe and Patrick, about: The origin story behind The Man Who Saves the World? and the real-life journey that inspired the filmHow diverse Amazonian tribes are connected through shared spiritual practices and plant communicationThe meaning of the Roxa Prophecy and why the Amazon is considered the “heart of the world”Efforts to unite the Amazonian tribes to save the rainforest and its inhabitants Our universal journey to understand reality and our purpose in lifeHow psychedelics, indigenous wisdom, and other spiritual pursuits open doors to new perspectivesBursting the bubble of our constructed reality Patrick's work as a bridge between “the people of the concrete” (modern society) and the indigenous About Patrick McCollum:Patrick McCollum is an interfaith chaplain, spiritual mentor, and peace counselor. Patrick was inspired by the Great Mother to promote a sacred universal vision that respects religious and cultural diversity and advances pluralism. As a dedicated peacemaker, Patrick brings forth a well-timed meta-narrative of universal magnitude that is alerting the world of the sacredness of all beings. Patrick is the founder and president of The McCollum Foundation for Peace, which aims to discover and implement positive, workable, and sustainable strategies that create local and global change and peace in all areas of life. “Their ancient story said that one day, thousands of years later, the Amazon would be in trouble. It would be burning, the water would be poisoned, and the indigenous people and their wisdom would be wiped out. When that happened, the creator would send the spirit of Roxa into a man or woman, and that person would unite all of the indigenous people of the Amazon and help them create a strategy to save the heart of the world.” –Patrick McCollumAbout Gabe Polsky:Gabe Polsky is a filmmaker, director, producer, and writer best known for the documentaries Red Army (2014) and In Search of Greatness (2018). Known for pushing the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, Gabe Polsky has built a reputation for uncovering stories that challenge perception, provoke thought, and entertain. His work has premiered at major international festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival. “After eight years of pursuit from these tribes, he agreed to try and unfold this prophecy. I learned about this, and I got caught up in this story as well, following Patrick down to the Amazon to try and fulfill this prophecy. It's this wild spiritual adventure, very funny, very strange, it's a film that has a lot of deep meaning.” –Gabe PolskySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Netflix star Alyvia Alyn Lind says kindness is the way(ward)! The actor joins host Robert Peterpaul on The Art of Kindness to discuss: Working with kind leaders like Mae Martin, Toni Collette and Dolly Parton. How her kind family and friends keep her grounded. Her love of ducks and much more! ALYVIA ALYN LIND is an emerging powerhouse actress. This fall, she starred opposite Toni Collette in Wayward, Netflix's hit psychological thriller series from creator Mae Martin. The series premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and ranked in the top 10 on Netflix in over 35 countries. Lind previously starred as the female lead of the Peacock/Syfy horror series Chucky. She also led Roku's Spiderwick Chronicles with Christian Slater and Netflix's Daybreak alongside Matthew Broderick. In 2015, Lind played the role of Dolly Parton in Coat of Many Colors, which earned her a Critics Choice Award nomination. Lind was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her work on The Young and the Restless. Her additional television credits include the Hulu comedy series Future Man, Showtime's acclaimed drama Masters of Sex and AMC's The Walking Dead. In film, Lind starred with Adam Sandler in Warner Bros Pictures' Blended, alongside Drew Barrymore in Netflix's Overboard, and across Bella Thorne in Masquerade. Got kindness tips or stories? Please email us: artofkindnesspodcast@gmail.com Follow Alyvia @alyviaalind Follow us @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. We are supported by the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to this podcast episode with Molly McGlynn, with host Ellamae from Mind Over MRKH! Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for bonus Qs on camera! This episode is sponsored by Mira which is a hormone tracking device using urine samples which links to an app, where you can obtain detailed knowledge of your hormones throughout any day. Keep an eye on our Instagram where we'll be telling you loads more!All of our podcast sponsorships are reinvested into our wider MRKH work. To donate to our MRKH work, please visit our Mind Over MRKH not-for-profit crowdfunderMolly McGlynn is an Irish, Canadian and American writer, director and producer.Her first feature film, Mary Goes Round, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2017 and has screened at dozens of film festivals and won multiple awards, including the Panavision Independent Cinema Award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the Vail Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature at the Annapolis Film Festival. The film was nominated by the Directors' Guild of Canada for awards in Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Feature Film and Best Editing in a Feature Film. In January 2019, she won the Stella Artois Jay Scott Prize from the Toronto Film Critics Association which recognizes an emerging Canadian talent who is positively affecting the direction of Canadian cinema.Selected television credits include Workin' Moms (CBC/Netflix), The Wonder Years (ABC/Hulu), Grownish (Freeform), Grace and Frankie (Netflix) and The Big Door Prize (Apple). Additionally, she was the producing director on Season 2 of Bless This Mess. Most recently she served as an Executive Producer and directed all six episodes os Irish Blood (Acorn/AMC) starring Alicia Silverstone.Her second feature film, Fitting In, (fka Bloody Hell), starring Maddie Ziegler and Emily Hampshire, had its World Premiere at SXSW in the Narrative Spotlight section in March 2023. Its International Premiere was at the prestigious Deauville American Film Festival and its Canadian premiere was at the Toronto International Film Festival. It won Best Canadian Feature Film at the Vancouver International Film Festival and was nominated for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film by the Directors Guild of Canada. In 2025, Fitting In was nominated for a GLAAD award for Outstanding Film – Limited Theatrical Release.Fitting In was released theatrically in the US (Blue Fox Entertainment) and Canada (Elevation Pictures) in February 2024 and is available in the UK and Ireland in September 2024. It is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.Podcast Artwork by Jewel Waara, an MRKH advocate in Canada. Podcast sound by Issie and Kayley, MRKH advocates in the UK.
In dieser Folge spricht der Künstler und Filmemacher Josef Dabernig mit Kuratorin und Kunsthistorikerin Fanny Hauser über seine künstlerischen Anfänge mit Druckgrafik und Kleinplastik, das Verhältnis von Film, Skulptur, Fotografie und Text in seinem Werk sowie über seine langjährige Beziehung zur Secession, wo er mehrmals ausgestellt hat, als Vorstandsmitglied tätig war und wo er nach dem Studium im Rahmen eines Akademikertrainings Mitte der 1980er-Jahre die frische, internationale Ausrichtung der Institution unmittelbar miterlebte. Das Gespräch wurde am 12. Dezember 2025 in der Secession aufgenommen. Josef Dabernig, geb. 1956 in Lienz. Studium der Bildhauerei an der Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien. Filme seit 1994, lebt in Wien. Beteiligungen an der der Manifesta 3 in Ljubljana (2000), 49. und 50. Venedig Biennale (2001, 2003), 6. Gyumri Biennale (2008), 9. Gwangju Biennale (2012), 1. Bergen Assembly (2013), 6. Contour Biennale, Mechelen (2013), Manifesta 10 in St. Petersburg (2014), steirischer herbst '20 und '22 sowie der 15. Baltic Triennial, Vilnius (2024). Festivalteilnahmen u.a. an Locarno International Film Festival, Mar del Plata International Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen, International Film Festival Rotterdam, Toronto International Film Festival und Internationale Filmfestspiele Venedig. https://dabernig.net/ Fanny Hauser ist Kuratorin und Direktorin der Kunsthalle Zürich. Zuvor war sie als stellvertretende Direktorin am Ludwig Forum für internationale Kunst in Aachen tätig. 2015 gründete sie gemeinsam mit Carolina Nöbauer, Denise Helene Sumi und Franziska Sophie Wildförster den in Wien ansässigen Kunstverein Kevin Space, wo sie zahlreiche Einzelausstellungen und künstlerische Neuproduktionen mitverantwortete. Bevor sie von 2019 bis 2021 gemeinsam mit Viktor Neumann kuratorische Stipendiatin der Gebert Stiftung für Kultur in Rapperswil war, arbeitete sie als kuratorische Assistentin für die documenta 14 in Athen und Kassel. Sie studierte Kunstgeschichte und Komparatistik in Wien und Paris und war bis 2022 Lehrbeauftragte an der Universität für angewandte Kunst in Wien. Secession Podcast: Members ist eine Gesprächsreihe mit Mitgliedern der Secession. Das Dorotheum ist exklusiver Sponsor des Secession Podcasts. Programmiert vom Vorstand der Secession. Jingle: Hui Ye mit einem Ausschnitt aus Combat of dreams für Streichquartett und Zuspielung (2016, Christine Lavant Quartett) von Alexander J. Eberhard. Schnitt: Paul Macheck Produktion: Jeanette Pacher
"EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert" is a documentary film about Elvis Presley directed by Baz Luhrmann, acting as a follow-up to Luhrmann's 2022 biographical film "Elvis." The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received extremely positive reviews from critics for its visual and audio restoration, and an electric look at one of the greatest entertainers of all time, fully in his element, on stage in front of an audience. Luhrmann was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his work on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which will be released exclusively in IMAX theaters by NEON beginning on February 20th, before being released theatrically to the general public one week later on February 27th. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back to the pod!Really excited for this episode and to introduce you all to Michael Coldwell, CEO & Co-Founder of Braintrust. A former professional stand‐up comic, a three-time published novelist, and former executive director of corporate communications for Caesars Palace, he brings more than 20 years of experience to the world of marketing.Michael speaks at many global seminars and summits focusing on brand building and marketing. He has shut down Times Square for red carpet openings, arranged celebrity events, rang the bell on the New York Stock Exchange, and earned a client's place in the Guinness Book of World Records on three occasions. He has negotiated original programming deals with networks such as NBC, CBS, and the Travel Channel, and has organized and executed marketing programs at the Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and the Academy Awards.Living near Nashville, TN, with his wife, Michael serves his community as a volunteer firefighter and is a nationally registered emergency medical responder. He is an elected representative that serves many parts of his community.Listen in to gain insights, perspectives and Michael's thoughts!Contact & Follow Cindy! Follow on Instagram at cindy_novotny, Facebook and LinkedIn for every day inspirational posts.Email at cindynovotny@masterconnection.com
Lifelong best friends and creative partners Jay McCarrol and Matt Johnson began their careers making the viral web series-turned-TV show Nirvanna the Band the Show. Now, they've adapted that project into a feature film, fittingly titled Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. During the Toronto International Film Festival back in September, Jay and Matt sat down with Tom Power to discuss the film, their friendship, the perils of fame and how they convincingly staged a wild stunt to jump off the CN Tower and parachute into the SkyDome.
In today's episode, Amanda drinks some Zevia cream soda and root beer with writer, director, and producer Clara Altimas. Clara is a writer, director, and producer originally from Montreal, now based between Toronto and Los Angeles. She serves as showrunner, executive producer, and director on Crave's The Office Movers, created by Jay and Trey Richards, and is now working on season 3 of the series. She was previously a writer, producer, and director on CBC's Strays and Kim's Convenience. In addition to her television work, Clara has written and directed numerous short films, and is currently in development on her first feature film. She has also taken part in several major industry development programs, including the Canadian Film Centre's Writer's Lab and the Reykjavik International Film Festival's Talent Lab. Before all of that, Clara started out as an actor, training in Meisner with the late Jacqueline McClintock, studying scene study and script analysis with Larry Moss, and performing improv at UCB in Los Angeles and Toronto's Second City. She credits her love of story and character to her extensive training as an actor, and brings those experiences into her writing and directing work. In this episode, Amanda and Clara discuss the shift from actor to writer/director, how she got started in writing for TV, and how she navigates the pressures of comparison and self-doubt in the entertainment industry. Mentions from this episode… ~ This is John (short film by Jay & Mark Duplass) ~ Sleep Away (short film by Clara Altimas) ~ Christmas Green (short film by Clara Altimas) ~ Allan (Al) Magee ~ Heated Rivalry (series) Terms we mentioned… ~ “Meisner” - an acting approach developed by Sanford Meisner that focuses on "living truthfully under imaginary circumstances" ~ “Save the Cat” - a popular script writing book by Blake Snyder ~ “Punch up” - a term used to describe the process of adding more/better jokes to a script, or sharpening/heightening the existing jokes in a script ~ “Canadian Film Centre (CFC)” - https://cfccreates.com/ ~ “TIFF” - stands for the Toronto International Film Festival, one of the world's largest and most prestigious public-facing film festivals ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Let's Connect! Liquid Courage - click here! Amanda Pereira (host) - click here! Clara Altimas (guest) - click here! ⇒ To donate to the show, click here! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you'll be supporting the podcast, too!
Last year, a movie called My Father's Shadow made history when it became the first Nigerian film to be officially selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Set over the course of a single day in Lagos in 1993 (a day that happens to be one of the most catastrophic in Nigerian history), the film follows two young boys who join their father on a trip to the city so he can collect his paycheck. The story is semi-autobiographical, based on director Akinola Davies Jr.'s own family experiences. During the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Akinola sat down with Tom Power to talk about memory, Nigeria's lesser known history, and the stuff you learn about your parents after they're gone.
Blake Winston Rice joins She's All Over the Place to discuss the world premiere of his latest short film DISC at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. Blake is an award-winning writer-director whose breakout short Tea premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, with Patty Jenkins serving as Executive Producer. Since Cannes, Tea has screened at 13 Oscar-qualifying festivals, earned multiple awards, and is now a Vimeo Staff Pick streaming on Kanopy. In this conversation, Blake breaks down: The making of DISC, starring Jim Cummings (Thunder Road, The Wolf of Snow Hollow) and Victoria Ratermanis (Oscar-nominated A Lien) Crafting intimate, character-driven stories under pressure Navigating festival premieres at Cannes and TIFF Transitioning from actor and comedian to narrative filmmaker DISC is a sharp dramedy about connection, vulnerability, and the unexpected intimacy that emerges after a one-night stand—featuring an original score by Grammy-nominated Kevin Garrett (Beyoncé's Lemonade). Stay connected with the filmmaker: https://www.instagram.com/blakewrice Stay connect with me: https://www.instagram.com/shesallovertheplacepodcast/
Segun Akinola is a British-Nigerian composer for film and television. He is most known for his music in the three series of Doctor Who starring the first female Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. A BAFTA Breakthrough Brit 2017, Segun's other work includes scoring Sundance 2019 favorite and World Soundtrack Award nominee The Last Tree, Apple TV+ feature 9/11: Inside The President's War Room, and the BBC's landmark series Black and British: A Forgotten History. His recent projects include Origin: The Story of the Basketball Africa League, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and the BBC series Kingdom, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Segun talks with me about music as storytelling, the importance of determination and how we undervalue asking for help, the power of curiosity to drive learning, creative growth through collaboration, and a lot more. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 04:04 Discovering music as a child. 08:37 Transformers film sparked deep interest in movie music. 12:11 Access to YouTube helped him learn about modern composers. 16:39 More composers today due to online resources and courses. 20:19 Networking and persistence led to first professional composing gig. 24:07 Collaboration and peer learning valued as much as formal education. 28:04 Focuses on music as essential part of storytelling. 32:07 Creative growth comes from tackling difficult, unexpected musical challenges. 36:37 Film scores' emotional impact, balancing craft and artistry. 41:08 Fans and social media now deeply engage with film music. 45:27 Composing for Doctor Who brought excitement and creative freedom. 50:52 Always trying new styles, learning, and refining unique sound. Want more? Here are handy playlists with all my previous interviews with guests in music and Doctor Who. Check out the full show notes (now including transcripts!) at fycuriosity.com, and join us for the Follow Your Curiosity Creativity Circle. Please leave a review for this episode—it's really easy and will only take a minute, and it really helps me reach new listeners. Thanks! If you enjoyed our conversation, I hope you'll share it with a friend.
Last year, Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for his extraordinary film It Was Just an Accident, which he shot secretly in Tehran under great risk of serious harm. Jafar has been in prison twice on charges of “anti-government propaganda” and for protesting the imprisonment of other filmmakers. At the Toronto International Film Festival back in September, he joined Tom Power to tell us how It Was Just an Accident was shaped by his two experiences in Tehran's Evin Prison.
Elle Fanning (A Complete Unknown, The Neon Demon) is an A-list actor who calls herself a "nepo sibling.” When she was just two years old, she played a younger version of her sister Dakota Fanning's character in I Am Sam. But for someone who's been famous for nearly her entire life, there's a bit of mystery surrounding Elle — and that's intentional. During the Toronto International Film Festival last September, she sat down with Tom Power to talk about her latest film, Sentimental Value, which broke applause records when it premiered in Cannes earlier this year.
Rachel Lee Goldenberg is a Los Angeles-based writer/director. Her most recent film, Swiped (2025), stars Lily James as tech founder Whitney Wolfe, and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Swiped is Goldenberg's 10th feature, her other most recent film is Unpregnant (2020), a buddy comedy about abortion access. She began her career directing B-movies, culminating with A Deadly Adoption (2015) a meta Lifetime movie starring Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig. She also directed the pilots and additional episodes of Minx (2022) and Tiny Beautiful Things (2023), along with episodes of a dozen other show. She won an Emmy for producing Between Two Ferns: President Obama (2014). We chat about winning an Emmy, Funny Or Die and how Will Ferrell helped get her first agent, directing and crazy stories on set, working at the Asylum, following excitement, Swiped, working with low budgets plus so much more! Check Rachel out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlgoldenberg ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/
Before cementing her status as a bonafide comedic talent, Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids, Neighbors) was known for dramatic roles. The Australian actor combines those skills in the tense comedy-drama, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, for which she just won a Golden Globe. During last year's Toronto International Film Festival, Rose sat down with Tom Power to discuss the film and what it was like co-starring with Conan O'Brien in his first serious acting role. She also told us how she broke out of her shell as a shy kid, how she and Heath Ledger helped each other out as young Australians in Hollywood, and what she thinks about her one line from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones.
Acclaimed actor Lee Byung-hun (Squid Game, KPop Demon Hunters) has done a lot to pave the way for Korean films in Hollywood — but he never set out to be a performer. Now, he's reunited with director Park Chan-wook for the satirical drama No Other Choice. The film follows an honest labourer named Man-soo who struggles to find employment after being laid off from the paper mill where he's worked for the last 25 years. As his family makes sacrifices, Man-soo grows frustrated by the crowded job market and his methods for securing employment grow darker alongside his desperation. During the Toronto International Film Festival, Byung-hun sat down with Tom Power to reflect on his role in No Other Choice as well as his superstar career.
Welcome to Inwood Art Works On Air. On this Artist Spotlight episode, we chat with actor and filmmaker, Manny PérezBorn in the Dominican Republic and based uptown in Washington Heights, Manny Pérez is a Dominican American actor that has gained international recognition for his contributions to film and television. He gained significant attention for his performance in the film "Washington Heights" (2002), which he cowrote and produced. His portrayal in this independent film earned him critical acclaim, with The New York Times noting that he has "charisma to burn." He has appeared in various television series, including "Third Watch," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and "The Blacklist." His versatility as an actor has allowed him to take on both leading and supporting roles in numerous films, including "La Soga", which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, it's two sequels, and many others. Manny is not only recognized for his film work but also for his humanitarian efforts. He has been involved in charitable activities, including donating shoes to families affected by Hurricane Noel in the Dominican Republic.
"The Choral" is a British historical drama film co-produced and directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Alan Bennett. Set in 1916, during World War I, in the fictional town of Ramsden, Yorkshire, the film follows the members of the local choral society, which recruits a group of teenage boys and girls for a performance of Edward Elgar's "The Dream of Gerontius," a work chosen because a German did not write it. It stars Ralph Fiennes, Roger Allam, Mark Addy, Alun Armstrong, Robert Emms, and Simon Russell Beale. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received positive reviews for its feel-good story and performances. Hytner and Fiennes were both kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Sony Pictures Classics. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I had the grand opportunity to cover the 50th Aniversary of the Toronto International Film Festival. With animation being one of my favourite topics in the world, I am grateful that I was able to join this epic conversation and now share it with you. :) DIALOGUES: Creative Visions in Animated Feature Films is a specific TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) event/panel where acclaimed directors like Domee Shi (Pixar's Elio), Mamoru Hosoda (Belle, Summer Wars), and Momoko Seto (Dandelion's Odyssey) discuss balancing artistic vision with studio realities, creative authorship, and the future of bold animation, showcasing diverse global perspectives. This dialogue offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of making visionary animated features, featuring both indie and major studio voices. From intimate, auteur-driven projects to collaborations with major studios, discover how directors Domee Shi (Elio), Momoko Seto (Dandelion's Odyssey), Mamoru Hosoda (Scarlet), and Kid Koala (Space Cadet) balance artistic integrity with industry realities, and what it takes to make animated films that captivate audiences and spark global imaginations. Join us for a candid conversation about creative authorship, industry pressures, and the evolving space for bold, visionary animation. Domee Shi began as a story intern at Pixar Animation Studios in 2011 and was soon hired as a story artist on the Academy Award–winning Inside Out. She went on to work on The Good Dinosaur, Incredibles 2, and Toy Story 4. In 2015, she was greenlit to write and direct Bao, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. She made her feature directorial debut with 2022's Oscar-nominated Turning Red and most recently co-directed Elio, released June 2025. Born in Chongqing, China, and raised in Toronto, Shi now lives in Oakland, California. Momoko Seto was born in Tokyo and lives in Paris. She studied at Le Fresnoy - National Studio of Contemporary Arts. Her short film series Planet includes Planet Z (11) and Planet Sigma (15). The winner of the FIPRESCI Award at Cannes Critics' Week, Dandelion's Odyssey (25) is her feature film debut. Mamoru Hosoda was born in Toyama, Japan. He has worked on numerous animated series and directed the features One Piece: Baron Omatsuri and the Secret Island (05), The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (06), Summer Wars (09), Wolf Children (12), The Boy and the Beast (15) which played at the Festival, Mirai (18), and Belle (21). Scarlet (25) is his latest film. Kid Koala (Eric San) is a Montreal-based DJ, composer, and graphic novelist. He directed Space Cadet, his first animated feature based on his graphic novel, which premiered at the Berlinale and will have its North American Premiere at TIFF 50. Known for genre-defying albums and live shows, he has also scored acclaimed films, series, and video games. Moderator Theresa Scandiffio is the Associate Dean of Animation and Game Design at Sheridan College. Prior to joining Sheridan, Scandiffio led archival and curatorial projects at museums, festivals, and universities in Toronto, Chicago, and Orlando. From 2010–2020, Scandiffio was a member of the programming team that launched the Toronto International Film Festival's year-round home, TIFF Lightbox, where she led the Learning, Heritage, and Community Outreach divisions. Scandiffio served as an Ontario delegate for the 2015 Governor General Canadian Leadership Conference and was a 2017 Civic Action DiverseCity Fellow. She received her PhD in Cinema and Media studies from the University of Chicago. Key Participants & Films Mentioned: Domee Shi: Elio (Pixar) Momoko Seto: Dandelion's Odyssey (Indie/Artistic) Mamoru Hosoda: Scarlet (Japan's Studio Chizu) Kid Koala: Space Cadet (Independent) Themes Explored: Creative Authorship vs. Industry: How directors maintain their unique style within large production environments. Industry Pressures: Navigating financial and commercial demands in animation. Evolving Landscape: The growing space for unique, visionary animation. Global Perspectives: Highlighting both auteur-driven projects and major studio collaborations. Stay connected with me here: https://www.instagram.com/shesallovertheplacepodcast
As a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship (also known as the MacArthur Genius Grant), you could say filmmaker Sterlin Harjo is a certified genius. He's responsible for creating the groundbreaking series “Reservation Dogs,” which follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma. Now, Sterlin is back with a new series called “The Lowdown,” starring Ethan Hawke as a rough-and-tumble bookstore owner and "truthstorian" in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He sat down with Tom Power during this year's Toronto International Film Festival to talk about his career — and how being a genius really just means your friends will give you a hard time about it.
"Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received just as strong reviews as the first two entries in the franchise, "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion," with praise directed at Rian Johnson's direction, writing, and the performances of the cast. Johnson, along with members of the cast and crew, were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with Next Best Picture over the past few weeks, and you can listen to those conversations below. First, we have my interview with Rian Johnson and Josh O'Connor, followed by Dan Bayer's interview with Johnson and Benoit Blanc himself, Daniel Craig. Then we have Cody Dericks's interview with Academy Award-nominee and on-screen legend Glenn Close, followed by my chat with Mila Kunis and Cailee Spaeny, then Brendan Hodges's discussion with cinematographer Steve Yedlin, and finally my interview with composer Nathan Johnson. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix, and is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Dust Bunny" is an American horror-thriller film written and directed by Bryan Fuller in his feature directorial debut, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sheila Atim, David Dastmalchian, and Sigourney Weaver. It tells the story of an eight-year-old girl who asks her hitman neighbor to kill the monster under her bed. The film premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and received positive reviews for Mads Mikkelsen and Sophie Sloan's chemistry, Fuller's imaginative direction, and its blending of genres to create a fantastical horror film for kids. Fuller was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
For this week's main podcast review, Megan Lachinski, Josh Parham, Dan Bayer, and Brendan Hodges join me to discuss the latest film from Academy Award-winner Chloé Zhao, "Hamnet," starring Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, Jacobi Jupe, and Noah Jupe. The historical drama film co-written by Maggie O'Farrell, the author of the title novel this film is based on is a largely fictional story dramatizing the marriage between Anne Hathaway (Agnes Hathaway in the novel and film) and William Shakespeare, and the impact of the tragic death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet on their relationship, which inspired Shakespeare's iconic play "Hamlet." The film had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and has been drawing tears from audiences everywhere it plays, including the Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the People's Choice Award. What did we think of it, though? Please tune in as we discuss the story, performances, cinematography, score, whether it made us as emotional as intended, its awards season chances, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
"Eternity" had its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival where it received positive reviews for its clever premise about a woman who must choose between two men with whom to spend eternity in the afterlife co-written and directed by David Freyne along with the trio of heartwarming an heartbreaking performances from Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, and hilarious supporting work from John Early, Olga Merediz and Academy Award-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Freyne was kind enough to spend some time talking with Ema Sasic about his experience making the film, while I had the pleasure of speaking with Joy Randolph about her work on the film. Both interviews are available to listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from A24. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
THIS IS A PREVIEW PODCAST. NOT THE FULL REVIEW. Please check out the full podcast review on our Patreon Page by subscribing over at - https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture For this week's second podcast review, Josh Parham and Nadia Dalimonte join me to review and discuss the latest film from Hikari, "Rental Family," starring Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto. The comedy-drama film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to a warm reception, with praise for Fraser's performance, and Hikari's direction and writing (co-written with Stephen Blahut). What did we think of this sentimental film? Was it too sweet or just the right amount to capture our hearts? Please tune in as we discuss the performances, writing, direction, its awards season prospects, and more in our SPOILER-FILLED review. Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Now wait a minute. Ronna's feeling a bit outnumbered this week between (Bryan) and our very special guest, but she gets it together as we welcome to The Carriage House our DEAR friend Richard Lawson! Richard is of course an esteemed film journalist and writer who served as chief critic for Vanity Fair. These days you'll find Richard's work in the Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and more. Follow him on Bluesky! Richard drops by to give us his take on everything at the Toronto International Film Festival and then helps us give advice on seeking financial restitution from an ex. Ask Ronna Live in Boston is coming up in less than two weeks! There MIGHT be a ticket or two left if you want to join us on October 4th. Spoiler alert: you'll want to join us. Go to askronnalive.com for info! Also (Bryan)'s hit Edinburgh show ARE YOU MAD AT ME is coming to Los Angeles this Thursday September 25th. Extra show added! Go to bryansafi.com or check his bio for tickets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices