First Time Go

1:51

Indie Film Highlight: LAST SUMMER (2023)

First Time Go ·

2026/05/03

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: LAST SUMMER (2023)Director: Catherine BreillatWriters: Catherine Breillat; Pascal Bonitzer; Maren Louise KäehneStars: Léa Drucker; Samuel Kircher; Olivier RabourdinSYNOPSISSuccessful lawyer Anne leads a happy life with her husband Pierre and their two daughters. But when she begins an affair with Theo, Pierre's son from a previous marriage, her

en

42:28

Brandyn Johnson

First Time Go ·

2026/05/01

Watch This Episode On YouTubeThe film SEAWEED SNACKS (2026), which screened at Slamdance this year, was so moving for me as a father that I wanted to talk with the person that directed it -- Sylvia Ray, a great episode, you can find it linked in the show notes -- and my guest today, the writer, Brandyn Johnson.What does it feel like when someone else directs your words? Why the focus on fatherhood? What is it like mentoring young up and coming filmmakers at Ghetto Film School? Is a USC grad

en

23:13

Suki Chan

First Time Go ·

2026/04/28

The words "artist, writer, and director" that my guest, filmmaker Suki Chan, uses to describe herself, do not come close to encompassing the artistic brilliance of her feature directorial debut, CONSCIOUS (2026), which she premiered at CPH:DOX this year in Denmark.The film delves into the stories of three people who "navigate dementia in transformative ways", and even that gives short shrift to what we see on screen. I don't think I've seen a documentary get closer to

en

28:09

Eric Leja

First Time Go ·

2026/04/24

Only a Marine could get away with writing a novella entitled -- let me make I'm sure I got this right -- "Let's Murder the Fuck out of Baby Hitler." And even then, maybe only a Marine who is a filmmaker and screenwriter.Fellow redleg Eric Leja (servicemember assigned to the artillery branch) returns to the podcast to talk about his new novella which is he is hoping to turn into a feature or a series; the reaction to such a provocative title in an industry that claims to support free

en

26:14

NYC Mayor's Office Of Media And Entertainment...

First Time Go ·

2026/04/21

Elected at 26 to the New York State Assembly, my guest today, filmmaker Rafael Espinal says it was easier to become a politician than chase his dreams into indie film. Think about that for a moment!Now he's helping you achieve your dreams by serving as commissioner of New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, or MOME. And what I mean by that is I didn't expect him to be so in tune with the plights of independent filmmaking, in New York City and elsewhere. We talk about the

en

1:42

Indie Film Highlight: HAPPYEND (2024)

First Time Go ·

2026/04/19

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: HAPPYEND (2024)Director: Neo SoraWriter: Neo SoraStars: Kurihara Hayato; Hidaka Yukito; Ayumu NakajimaSYNOPSISFriends Yuta and Kou, about to graduate, sneak into school. They pull off a terrible prank and face unforeseen consequences as graduation approaches.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on

en

27:29

Natalia Koniarz

First Time Go ·

2026/04/17

Watch This Episode On YouTubeOne time, it might be a coincidence. But time after time, if you're going to areas that make other people afraid, like underground fight clubs in Asia or the Chilean Andes or like in her latest film, SILVER (2026), a mine in Bolivia, that's your hallmark as a filmmaker.You can say that about my guest, brilliant director Natalia Koniarz, whose film SILVER won the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize at this year's Slamdance film festival. No explanations, no

en

34:49

Victoria Trow

First Time Go ·

2026/04/14

Watch This Episode On YouTubeLet's all wish happy birthday to filmmaker Victoria Trow, whose film ERUCTATION (2026) won big at SXSW this year -- not at all surprising once you watch it.That said, when you first read about it, at least for me, it was...a film about what? Burping? Then you watch it and realize you're in the hands of an ultra-talented admaker and filmmaker for six quick minutes that makes you know right away that she's going far.Her attention to detail, use of color and

en

1:38

Indie Film Highlight: ADOPT A HIGHWAY (2019)

First Time Go ·

2026/04/12

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: ADOPT A HIGHWAY (2019)Director: Logan Marshall-GreenStory By: Logan Marshall-GreenStars: Ethan Hawke; Elaine Hendrix; Diane GaetaSYNOPSISWhen an ex-convict finds an abandoned baby in a dumpster, he gains a new lease on life, deciding to dedicate himself to making sure the child has a good life.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on

en

42:07

Julia Coulter

First Time Go ·

2026/04/07

Here's a challenge: watch the first few minutes of ROAD TO L'ETAPE DU TOUR (2026) and not get the sense you're seeing a documentary. Impossible because the film is that good about its comparison to real life. The logline: facing a turning point in her life, a woman with a congenital heart defect embarks on a journey to train for a famous cycling race. It's all narrative, but the heart of the film, just like all her other art, is from its director, Julia Coulter, who you can tell from

en

27:36

Renée Marie Petropoulos

First Time Go ·

2026/04/03

When you watch SOUVENIR (2025), you know you are watching something incredible -- filmmaker Renée Marie Petropoulos brings the power of cinema to the topic of relationship abuse. And what I mean is that she uses the full force of the medium to craft a story of what it really looks like in the modern age.It's like nothing I've ever seen before, and SXSW agrees -- it won the 2026 narrative shorts competition. The jury said, "Led by moving, raw performances, this film meets viewers in an

en

26:25

Josef Gatti

First Time Go ·

2026/03/31

PHENOMENA (2026) is a type of film that I've never seen before -- an exploration of nature through a visual medium. It's not surprising that it, too, comes from a filmmaker of a type I've never talked with-- an Australian who started doing art exhibitions and immersive experience shows before his debut feature.So it's not surprising it's getting the rave reviews it's getting from places like Variety, and it is a testament to the vision that Josef brings to filmmaking. So get

en

2:00

Indie Film Highlight: CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (2016)

First Time Go ·

2026/03/22

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: CAPTAIN FANTASTIC (2016)Director: Matt RossScreenplay: Matt RossStars: Viggo Mortensen; Samantha Isler; George MacKaySYNOPSISBen Cash (Viggo Mortensen), his wife Leslie and their six children live deep in the wilderness of Washington state. Isolated from society, Ben and Leslie devote their existence to raising their kids -- educating them to think

en

27:09

Victoria Blade

First Time Go ·

2026/03/20

She'll tell you acting is her calling, but then you listen to Victoria Blade sing and watch her direct -- her most recent film, VICKY WAKES UP (2026) won the episodes grand jury prize at the 2026 Slamdance Film Festival -- and I'm with you in thinking maybe three things are her calling.Filmmaker Victoria Blade is here to talk about her path to winning filmmaking prizes, and it starts with thinking she's going to be a dramatic actor and realizing she's can play comedy just as well

en

28:22

RE-RELEASE: David Borenstein & The Best Documentary...

First Time Go ·

2026/03/17

Watch This Episode On YouTubeRE-RELEASE: I'm re-releasing this episode, in part to congratulate the team behind MR. NOBODY AGAINST PUTIN (2025), who won the Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars, and also give further background to director David Borenstein's comments at the event. After you listen to this episode and hear about his background, his words come from experience. Congratulations, team. So well deserved.From December, 2025:Surely he didn't know it then, but his work in media

en

1:12

Indie Film Highlight: HARD EIGHT (1996)

First Time Go ·

2026/03/15

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: HARD EIGHT (1996)Director: Paul Thomas AndersonScreenplay: Paul Thomas AndersonStars: Philip Baker Hall; John C. Reilly; Samuel L. Jackson; Gwyneth PaltrowSYNOPSISVeteran gambler Sydney befriends a young man named John, transforming into a Las Vegas casino champion. John falls for a prostitute, and the couple soon finds themselves in need of

en

50:20

Special Slamdance Coverage: Mark Elijah Rosenberg

First Time Go ·

2026/03/13

If there's something that Mark Elijah Rosenberg hasn't done in film, I don't know what it is.Started Rooftop Films, which presents art and films around New York. Made a studio feature. Made deeply personal short films like ____ IN PARIS (2026), which he premiered at Slamdance this year. Made interactive art. Taught film. With a background like that, I knew the insight he would bring is incredible, and he doesn't disappoint here.The best part is you can tell Mark has thought about all

en

39:03

Special Slamdance Coverage: Sylvia Ray

First Time Go ·

2026/03/10

My conversation with filmmaker Sylvia Ray was eye-opening for me in so many ways. Let's start from the top: SEAWEED SNACKS (2026) is phenomenal filmmaking that is slightly dark, extremely funny, and captures a social dynamic that we too often don't see on screen: dads at a birthday party. Sylvia directed it, and the film was a product of Film Independent's Project Involve, where the SEAWEED SNACKS team was the only one with three out of 31 people with kids.I'm seeing this from the

en

23:41

Special Slamdance Coverage: Kate Cobb

First Time Go ·

2026/03/03

Watch This Episode On YouTubeKate Cobb is one of the most dynamic filmmakers working right now, and it's because she's willing to be an actress, an editor, a writer, a director, as well as empower everyone else on set to make the film happen. Her feature debut, OKIE (2024), was a revelation for its authenticity and heart, so it's no surprise that the filmmaker behind it is, too.Her new film, BRB (2026), premiered at Slamdance 2026 to fantastic reviews. It's a "love letter to

en

1:32

Indie Film Highlight: MISTRESS DISPELLER (2024)

First Time Go ·

2026/03/01

Watch This Episode On YouTubeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: MISTRESS DISPELLER (2024)Director: Elizabeth LoWriters: Charlotte Munch Bengtsen; Elizabeth LoStars: Fei Fei; Wang ZhenxiSYNOPSISA Chinese woman hires someone to secretly end her husband's extramarital relationship in an attempt to save her marriage.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

LA LISTA: A Latinx Writers Podcast

Rubén Mendive

町山智浩の『アメリカ流れ者』

TBS RADIO

Ruined with Alison Leiby and Halle Kiefer

Ruined with Alison Leiby and Halle Kiefer

The John Rocha Channel Network

John Rocha

GeekVerse Podcast

GeekVerse Geek TV Movies Spoilers...