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Happy Friday, Everyone! Kai Brown wrote and directed the wonderful animated short, “The Anatomy of Jane Doesn’t Exist,” a film that screened at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing in Animation. Every aspect of the film is made with intelligence, both emotional and intellectual intelligence, and it was nearly overwhelming to see this painting in motion on the big screen.                                                            It is a powerful, beautiful film.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  In fact, you should follow Kai’s website and social media for opportunities to see it! Learn more about Kai at kaimedia24.com and you should also probably follow the Instagram @kaimedia24 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Xander Copp brought his short film “Carter” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Horror. If you listened to Monday's episode, you can hear I'm obviously impressed with Xander as an artist and person and I couldn't wait to get to his 4 Questions to see what types of films inspired him. You can learn more about Xander and his film by following @carter_shortfilm on Instagram. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Happy Monday, Listeners! Xander Copp brought his short film “Carter” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film, Horror.                                                                                        It was only through this podcast that I learned all that I wanted to know about this faithfully creative Lovecraft adaptation.                                                                                                                                          The more I learned the more impressed I am with the work that Xander put into it. You can learn more about Xander and his film by following @carter_shortfilm on Instagram. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Brett Willis wrote and directed the film “When The Clocks Stop” that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in June 2025 and took home The Poppy for Best In Fest - Featurette! Brett and I had a truly fantastic talk. In fact, we talked so long that Brett had to rush off for work and then return a week later to record his four questions answers! Follow Brett on Instagram at @sirbrettt and make sure that you see his incredible film someday! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Welcome Back, Everybody! Today’s podcast guest is Brett Willis, who wrote and directed the film “When The Clocks Stop” that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in June 2025 and took home The Poppy for Best In Fest - Featurette! The Poppy is the custom trophy that we created for the 10th Anniversary of FI-LA and Brett was actually the first filmmaker whom I had the privilege to hand a Poppy to.                                                                In other words, Brett reaction to this little trophy our team lured their hearts into is locked in my heart for life. I should tell you one more thing. You know how we all watch films and think to ourselves, “If I met the person behind this film I bet they’re awesome.”                                                                                                  I had that thought the first time I saw “When The Clocks Stop,” and the second time as well, and when I finally met him Brett was awesome. There you go.                                                                                     Try to meet the people who make great films, because they seem to be great people. Brett hopped onto the DIF mics and we had a fantastic talk. As I always say, if you enjoy listening half us much as we enjoyed talking, then you’re about to love this marathon podcast.                                       We talked so long that Brett had to rush off for work and then return a week later to record his four questions answers! Follow Brett on Instagram at @sirbrettt and make sure that you see his incredible film someday! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Bob Lindenmayer made the feature documentary, “Making Megaforce,” which had a SOLD OUT screening at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 and earned the trophy that we introduced for the Best In Fest award. The first documentary to win the Best In Fest - Feature award! You will have to wait a while to see it because “Making Megaforce” is still on the festival circuit.                                                                                                                                                                                   But when it does get its release, make sure to catch it. In the meantime, you can listen to sone of the films that inspired Bob to get to this point with the 4Qs! Follow the film on Instagram at @makingmegaforce Making Megaforce on IMDB Making Megaforce on Letterboxd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Happy Friday, Film Lovers! It's an extra special day today because it's the first night of programming for our 10TH YEAR of the SHERMAN OAKS FILM FESTIVAL! Hopefully you're all listening to this podcast on the way to Look Cinemas to catch some of our incredible films. Something else amazing happened in 2025 and it is because Bob Lindenmayer made the feature documentary, “Making Megaforce,” and submitted it to Film Invasion Los Angeles.                                                     What was so amazing?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    My life partner and best friend, an introvert who refuses to come to any of the film festivals that I run, came to the sold out world premiere of “Making Megaforce” to see it a second time and meet Bob.             We had to sit in camping chairs at the front corner of the theater for that sold out show. Even better, she got to see me grab the one moment during the Q&A that Barry Bostwick took a break from enchanting the entire room to present Bob with The Poppy, the trophy that we introduced for the Best In Fest award at Film Invasion L.A.’s Tenth Anniversary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    It should also be noted that “Making Megaforce” is the first documentary to win the Best In Fest - Feature award! You will have to wait a while to see it because “Making Megaforce” is still on the festival circuit.                                                                                                                                                                                   But when it does get its release, make sure to catch it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Then you’ll know why watching this film is not just entertaining; it is the most genuine love letter to the movies that I’ve ever seen.                                                                                                                              And you get to see Barry Bostwick and Bob bond in a way that you will never forget! Follow the film on Instagram at @makingmegaforce Making Megaforce on IMDB Making Megaforce on Letterboxd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Dancer/Choreographer/Performer/director/writer Anna Long had two official selections at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025; the short film “Death in The Desert” that took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing - Drama and the feature length screenplay “The Experience.” I could wait to interview this incredibly nice and talented person (I hope you already listened to that chat!) and pick her brain with the always revealing 4 Questions. You should follow Anna’s work at the website https://www.thisisannalong.com/ And on Instagram at @thisisannalong _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Anyone else not know how we're already in December?! Dancer/Choreographer/Performer/director/writer Anna Long was developed by scientists in a lab to create a person who would literally engage my every artistic interest at once.                                                  That is almost not hyberbole! Anna had two official selections at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025; the short film “Death in The Desert” that took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing - Drama and the feature length screenplay “The Experience.” This incredibly talented person also happens to be one of the nicest people to interact with.                                                                                                                                                                                                 In fact, while putting together the FI-LA lineup I tend to email with folks, and I could already tell that Anna is an awesome person. You should follow Anna’s work at the website https://www.thisisannalong.com/ And on Instagram at @thisisannalong _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Michael D. Cohen held his WORLD PREMIERE of his short comedy film “Roughing It” at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing, Comedy. When I'm forced to wrap up a great conversation, I'm always grateful for the follow up 4 Questions for an excuse to chat a little longer! Here are the best ways to check in on Michael and his work: Roughing It - official website - https://roughingitfilm.com/ Michael D. Cohen Studio - official website - https://michaeldcohenstudio.com/ IG- @michaeldcohen _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

It's the week of Gratitude and one thing I'm certainly thankful for is all of you curious listeners and our amazing guests. Speaking of amazing guests: Michael D. Cohen has enjoyed a wonderful career as a TV actor, but I got to meet him at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, 2025 when we held the World Premiere of a short comedy film that Michael wrote and directed called “Roughing It.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 As a fan of the film, I was particularly pleased to see our jury give Michael the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Writing, Comedy. The screening was standing room only and I am proud to say that you have another chance to see it at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival on Sunday, December 7 at 6:15 PM!                                                            That’s one week after this podcast releases... and we didn’t plan that out. Kismet! Here are the best ways to check in on Michael and his work: Roughing It - official website - https://roughingitfilm.com/ Michael D. Cohen Studio - official website - https://michaeldcohenstudio.com/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Caleb Garrett brought his film “Lonesome Town” to FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film, Experimental/Arthouse. Caleb and I got swept away in our chat (posted Friday) but you know I had to squeeze in our 4 Questions follow up before I could let him run off to a production meeting! Follow Caleb on Instagram at @cmgcine _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Thank Goodness It's (DIF) Friday! Caleb Garrett brought his film “Lonesome Town” to FIlm Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film, Experimental/Arthouse.                                                                     I have yet to meet someone, audience or jury member, who did not love this film.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Caleb also took home awards from our Filmmakers Board, a jury of alumni filmmakers, including Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Cinematography.                                               Quite literally... WooHoo! I hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we did recording.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 In fact, we went long and Caleb literally had to run out the door to a production meeting! Follow Caleb on Instagram at @cmgcine _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Maxwell Hamilton produced and starred in “The Mannequin,” a feature length horror film that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Horror,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Best Screenplay - Feature Film for John Berardo, Best Cinematography - Feature Film for Jonathan Pope, and Best Production Design - Feature Film for Emily Peters! I hope you already enjoyed our conversation from Monday and here because you are as excited as I was to hear Maxwell's answers to the 4 Questions. I also urge you to watch, review and support The Mannequin! How? Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-mannequin-2025/ JustWatch - https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-mannequin-2025 Watch it. Review it. Support it! Social Media Handles Instagram @maxwellhamilton Facebook @MaxwellHamilton X @maxxhamm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Happy Monday, Film Folks! Maxwell Hamilton produced and starred in “The Mannequin,” a feature length horror film that came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2025 and took home a little award that we like to call the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Horror.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 But you can add a few more to the list, including Best Screenplay - Feature Film for John Berardo, Best Cinematography - Feature Film for Jonathan Pope, and Best Production Design - Feature Film for Emily Peters. I was excited to get to have an extended chat with Maxwell and that was BEFORE he helped me put it together that his onscreen role is one of my favorites in the film.                                                                     In fact, I feel safe saying that Maxwell delivers an absolutely crucial performance during the film’s climax. I hope you enjoy our conversation and I urge you to watch, review and support The Mannequin! How? Letterboxd - https://letterboxd.com/film/the-mannequin-2025/ JustWatch - https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-mannequin-2025 Watch it. Review it. Support it! Social Media Handles Instagram @maxwellhamilton Facebook @MaxwellHamilton X @maxxhamm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker Chloe Schieldhause’s “Pool House,” a surreal, original, imaginatively dark comedy kicked off Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, Comedy. I was pretty eager to learn more about Chloe, and she did not disappoint. Great conversations always get me excited about the 4 Questions follow up! Follow Chloe on Instagram at @chloish Or at the website https://www.schildhause.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

A Wonderful Wednesday to You All! Chloe Schieldhause won me over pretty quickly.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The first time I saw the short film “Pool House” as a member of the Film Invasion Los Angeles jury, I thought, “This HAS to be the film that launches the festival.” And it worked out! The first film in the first block of 2025 was Chloe Schieldhause’s “Pool House,” a surreal, original, imaginatively dark comedy that took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Originality, Comedy. As you might imagine, I was pretty eager to learn more about Chloe.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                It’s not every day that you meet someone who writes, produces and stars in a completely unique comedy that blows your mind.                                                                                                                                Here’s the blogline, “A horror novelist, with the help of a ghost hunter, brings back the spirit of a ghost who is hell bent on staying on Earth for socialization.”                                                                                         That description doesn’t even scratch the surface, to be honest. It was a ton of fun to record this podcast. I hope you enjoy it, too! Follow Chloe on Instagram at @chloish Or at the website https://www.schildhause.com _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Tommy O'Rourke and Josh Sathree had their theatrical premiere of the episode “Hairy Herb” of their comedy series, “Barney & Herb,” at Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2023.                                                                      Their screening and Q&A at the festival were extremely fun and it was well worth the two year wait to get them on the podcast for a longer interview and the follow up 4 Questions. Watch “Barney & Herb” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GrandpaBunny Review on Letterboxd at https://boxd.it/PFQe Follow these two at: @grandpabunnyproductions @thetommyorourke tiktok: @grandpabunnyproductions _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

Welcome back for another exciting Filmmakers chat! I met Tommy O'Rourke and Josh Sathree when we held the theatrical premiere of the episode “Hairy Herb” of their series, “Barney & Herb,” at Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2023. Thanks to some pre-fest emails, I wasn’t too surprised when their presents, screening and Q&A at the festival were extremely fun. The comedy series they created is filled with humor, but also heart, intelligence and thoughtfulness. I sh*t you not... we emailed back and forth about recording this podcast more times than I can recall. But damn if Josh isn’t a film producer extraordinaire; he did not let this ball drop. It may have taken us two years, but we did it! One special favor. First, watch “Barney & Herb” on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@GrandpaBunny And you know what? Even if you don’t watch it, give it a great review on Letterboxd at https://boxd.it/PFQe Do the right thing, folks. Finally, follow these two at: @grandpabunnyproductions @thetommyorourke tiktok: @grandpabunnyproductions _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Filmmaker JB Singh Ghuman, Jr. provided the main attraction at our Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025 Opening Night Gala’s VR Pavillion by presenting, "paSSive poWer."                                                                     It was described as, “a sonic visual 8K 4D 360 VR collaborative experience” and I was very eager to interview him about the piece and what inspired him to make the type of work he does. Always grateful the Four Questions to help with that! Follow JB at @JBGhumanJR _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles