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Have You Seen My Film? A Kinema Podcast
Have You Seen My Film? A Kinema Podcast
Author: Kinema, Christie Marchese, Ron Passaro
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© 2026 Have You Seen My Film? A Kinema Podcast
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Hi there, and welcome to Have You Seen My Film?: A Kinema Podcast on Independent Distribution. I’m Christie Marchese, the founder and CEO of Kinema and your host for this series. In each episode, we interview an industry expert or filmmaker (or both), and we focus on one specific aspect of a good film distribution strategy. And with a good strategy, your film can find its audience. If you’re a filmmaker or work with filmmakers, this is for you!
Hosted and Co-Produced by Christie Marchese | kinema.com
Edited and Produced by Ron Passaro | ronpassaro.com
33 Episodes
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Wait - there's a new way to apply to film festivals?? I needed to know more! After hearing filmmakers talk about a new, smarter way to apply to film festivals via Hiike Independendt, I DMed the founders on instagram and they kindly agreed to tell us everything. Join us as I interview Brynne Norquist and Tyler Knohl, co-founders of Hiike Independent, a film festival research and submission platform. They discuss the platform's unique features, including a quiz that matches filmmakers wit...
In this episode, host Christie Marchese, founder and CEO of Kinema, sits down with documentary filmmaker and founder of Doc Film School T.C. Johnstone for an inspiring and in-depth conversation about the power of purpose-driven storytelling. T.C. shares insights from his filmmaking journey, including the creative and strategic decisions behind projects like Rising from Ashes. Together, they explore how filmmakers can build authentic impact campaigns, cultivate meaningful partnerships, and cr...
Host Christie Marchese, founder and CEO of Kinema, sits down with filmmaker and educator Keith Ochwat, founder of Show&Tell. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of independent filmmaking in 2026, discussing practical strategies for fundraising, marketing, and distribution. Keith shares his wealth of experience, including case studies from his successful projects like 'Age of Champions,' which raised over $1.5 million through innovative partnerships. He also dives into the vario...
Let's dive deep into the world of crowd investing with Marc Iserlis, the head of Republic Film. Hear how Republic.com enables film financing by allowing filmmakers to raise capital from everyday fans, transforming them into equity investors rather than donors. In this episode, we explore: 🎬 The difference between crowd investing and crowdfunding 🎬 The impact of the Jobs Act on investment opportunities for unaccredited investors 🎬 Successful case studies, including Robert Rodriguez and...
This episode of the Kinema podcast was recorded live at the Bridge Summit in Abu Dhabi! We were given a brief window to utilize their podcast studio, and nabbed three speakers close by to share the corner of the film and storytelling world. We chat attention economy with Joe Marchese, founder and chairman of Human Ventures, creators moving from short form to long form with Liv Stone, a content creator and disability advocate, and founder James Del, who introduces the Independent Media C...
We have a special treat for you! Kinema's Head of Marketing, Ami Vora, joins Christie in chatting with film legend and king of #Filmstack, Ted Hope! Ted is a renowned filmmaker and the former co-head of Amazon Studios, and in this episode, he generously shares with us his journey in the film industry, what Filmstack is on Substack, and his vision for empowering independent filmmakers. We covered: The evolution of independent filmmakingThe role of community in the film industryStrategies...
In this episode of Have You Seen My Film, host Christie sits down with Ray Kuglar, a Houston-based unit stills photographer with over a decade of experience on set. Ray shares his insights on the vital role of a unit stills photographer in film production, explaining how high-quality stills are essential for marketing, advertising, and selling films. Join us as we discuss: What a unit stills photographer does and why they are crucial on setThe types of content captured, including publicity st...
I love when a guest gets spicy with their hot takes! We spoke with the legendary Jeffrey Winter, co-executive director of The Film Collaborative, to get the hard truths on getting into film festivals. More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube 🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese 🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro 💻 https://kinema.com/
I sat down with Gen Z filmmaker and office intern Emma Buzgo as she explained social media to this old Millennial. Emma shared insights into how Gen Z engages with film communities online, particularly on platforms like TikTok. More on Kinema for Filmmakers here: https://bit.ly/kinemayoutube 🎙️ Hosted and co-produced by Christie Marchese 🎬 Produced and edited by Ron Passaro 💻 https://kinema.com/
In episode 2 of this season we sat down with THE Richard Rushfield! Richard is the Editorial Director and a Columnist for The Ankler, and a leading voice in the entertainment industry. We explored the evolving landscape of independent film. From the vibrant scenes at the Toronto Film Festival to the challenges and opportunities facing filmmakers today, Richard shares his insights on marketing, audience engagement, and the future of cinema. Discover how human connection remains vital in a di...
Welcome back to the Kinema podcast! We're kicking off season 3 with what filmmakers wanted to know most! We asked Kinema filmmakers what they wanted us to cover on the podcast. And we ended up getting loads of questions about how to best take advantage of the Kinema platform. So we brought in Kayla Kaipolani Carroll, Kinema's Head of Community. She is the first point of contact for screenings hosts and audiences, and sometimes filmmakers. Tune in to learn the answers to some of ou...
Sonya Childress and Sahar Driver are the co-founders and co-directors of the nonprofit organization Color Congress. In this episode, they share with us a sneak peek at Elevate Docs, their recently launched series of marketing experiments aimed at strengthening film distribution infrastructures for diverse audiences. In this episode, we discuss: 🎬 The mission and vision of Color Congress as an ecosystem builder for documentary organizations led by and serving people of color. 🎬 Th...
Do you need a theatrical release for your film? Why is it important? Can you do it on my own or should you hire someone? Annalisa Shoemaker, the founder of Suncatcher Productions, answers these questions for us. With over a decade of experience leading theatrical distribution campaigns at Amazon Studios and Focus Features, Annalisa shares her expertise on how filmmakers can successfully navigate the complexities of getting their films into theaters. In this episode, we discuss: 🎬 The diffe...
How do you build your email list to over 160,000 people - before your film is even available? We talked to first time filmmakers Brandon and Whitney Cawood about the release of their incredibly impactful documentary 'To Dye For,' which explores the risks associated with synthetic food dyes and the personal stories of families affected by them. Brandon and Whitney share their unique approach to filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of education and storytelling in making a real impact. The...
Alece Oxendine is a multitalented film industry expert and distribution strategist. She's worked in streaming tech at Fandor and GoDigtial, was director of Industry and Festival Outreach at Columbia University and is now serving as the Executive Director of Film Durham. Alece shares her expertise on breaking into the entertainment industry, maximizing the benefits of film school, and the importance of film festivals for emerging filmmakers. In this episode: 🎬 The role of audience...
Candice S. Cook Simmons is a multi-talented entrepreneur, lawyer, and business strategist. In this episode, we dive deep into her fascinating career journey, from trademarking the iconic cronut pastry to her current role as president of Color Farm Impact. Candice shares her thoughts on the evolving landscape of film financing and distribution, highlighting the importance of understanding audience dynamics and the power of community in the entertainment industry. We discuss the shift towards ...
Let's talk legal with Steven Beer, a partner at Lewis Brisbois and the national chair of the firm's entertainment, media, and sports practice. With extensive experience in film, television, and music, Steven shares invaluable insights into the world of independent filmmaking and distribution. In this episode: 🎬 When independent filmmakers should engage a lawyer 🎬 Why early legal advice is crucial. 🎬 The importance of understanding distribution models and how they impact your film...
Jo Jensen is an accomplished entrepreneur and marketing strategist with over two decades of experience at the intersection of digital innovation, public affairs, and entertainment. Currently the SVP of Digital and Entertainment at Touchdown Strategies, Jo also founded MovieGoer, a film marketing and distribution company that bridges entertainment and advocacy. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of digital campaigns, focusing on the importance of social listening. Jo shares her uniq...
Matt Hoklotubbe is a film producer and head of entertainment partnerships at Influential, the largest influencer marketing company in the world. With a network of over 3.5 million creators, Influential collaborates with 300 brands globally, including major studios and streaming platforms. In this insightful conversation, Matt breaks down the difference between influencers and creators, explaining how each plays a unique role in movie marketing. He shares his experiences working with brands l...
Stephen Ross Meier is an accomplished screenplay writer, director, and producer known for his recent works, including the coming-of-age thriller ‘Woodbridge’ and the feature film ‘Lake George.’ Stephen is one of the most generous and prolific filmmakers on LinkedIn. He generously shares with us how and why he uses LinkedIn to share his indie filmmaking knowledge. Stephen shares his journey as an indie lifer, his thoughts on the current state of the film industry, and the importance of mergi...























