Lauren Melinda is an award-winning filmmaker, artist and founder of SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS. Her work explores issues of feminine identity and perception, while critiquing the forces of culture and circumstance that mold the roles assigned to women. As a mixed-media artist, Lauren’s video installations have been commissioned by galleries, museums, and private collectors in North America and the Middle East, while her photographs have been sold to major collections around the world. As a filmmaker, Lauren has written and directed three short films that have screened in 52 festivals on nearly every continent – garnering the top prize at six of them. Her most recent narrative film, Before You, is playing the festival circuit and is in collaboration with Planned Parenthood. She is now developing her first narrative feature, ECHOES, in which a Persian-American artist faces a Faustian bargain when a Berlin gallery demands she exploit her heritage for success, as well as a TV series based on her Ukrainian great-grandmother, who served as the midwife to the Shah of Iran. As a mother of two young girls, Lauren’s passion for women’s issues only continues to grow in depth and perspective. Inspired by her daughters, Lauren launched SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS in 2024, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through film. The organization fosters female-centric stories that promote mutual validation, awareness, and hope. Most recently, SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS Executive Produced the feature film, Satisfaction, by Alex Burunova and featuring Emma Laird, which premiered at SXSW 2025. Lauren received a dual Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine. She is based in Los Angeles. Instagram: @laurenmelindafilm @simbelleproductions @beforeyouthefilm
*Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide. Please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (in Canada) if you need help.* SEAN KING O’GRADY is an award-winning filmmaker whose work spans narrative features, documentaries, and high-profile branded content. His films have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, Telluride, Berlin, Venice, TIFF, SXSW, Sitges, Fantastic Fest, and dozens of other major festivals worldwide. Sean’s latest feature directorial effort, the Hulu Originals sci-fi thriller THE MILL, starring Lil’ Rel Howery, premiered at #1 on the platform in October 2023. His narrative debut, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, released theatrically by IFC Midnight, garnered critical acclaim and is now streaming on Hulu. His documentary work includes REVOLUTION: GMC HUMMER EV (History/Hulu) and OUR AMERICAN FAMILY (AMC+), the latter co-directed with Hallee Adelman. As a producer, Sean has been behind a number of acclaimed films, including Lil Rel Howery’s directorial debut HAUNTED HEIST which premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2025, Brandon Espy's 2024 Hulu Original hit MR. CROCKET, Steve Buscemi’s THE LISTENER starring Tessa Thompson, James Morosini’s SXSW-winning I LOVE MY DAD, Adam Carter Rehmeier’s Sundance breakout DINNER IN AMERICA, and Natalia Almada’s Sundancewinning USERS. His previous credits include THE ASSISTANT, LIVING UNDOCUMENTED, LAND GRAB, BIG SUR, and IN A WORLD…. Beyond film, Sean has directed high-impact branded content for LinkedIn, Amazon, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Carhartt, Virgin Atlantic, and other global brands. SUSPICIOUS MINDS is a docuseries that investigates the disturbing rise of artificial intelligence as a trigger for delusional thinking. Through powerful firsthand accounts and in-depth interviews with leading experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, and AI ethics, the series unpacks a growing psychological phenomenon: individuals developing complex, often life-altering delusions rooted in AI technologies. From chatbots to surveillance fears, we examine how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of paranoia and how these modern delusions echo, amplify, and challenge our historical understanding of the human mind. Led by psychiatrist Dr. Joel Gold and philosopher Ian Gold, PhD, who together first described the Truman Show Delusion (people believing they were on a reality TV show like Jim Carrey’s character in The Truman Show) and authored the groundbreaking book Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness (The Truman Show Delusion and Other Strange Beliefs), the series presents an urgent vision of just how dramatically culture can influence our minds. With a spirit of empathy, curiosity, and respect, we tell real patients’ riveting stories while plunging viewers deep into their mental states, as their reality becomes surreal, and then follow their journey toward managing their illness. We explore the future of treatment and prevention, and through these stories create larger conversations to help destigmatize this phenomenon. Interviews with the Golds and other top experts including psychologists, neuroscientists, ethicists, AI researchers, and cultural critics help viewers understand the science and culture behind the madness as we follow the trajectory from the Y2K-era near-future fiction of The Truman Show to tomorrow’s hyperreal, AI-dominated technological and cultural landscape — a world that would be almost unrecognizable to people living 100, 50, or even 10 years ago. The line between mental wellness and mental illness is incredibly thin, and we never know when something will trigger us, or someone we love. The goal of this series is to create awareness of these new and omnipresent digital triggers, and explore the psychological minefield we find ourselves unexpectedly living in today. For more information: www.agoricmedia.com www.wondermind.com Instagram: @agoricmedia (https://www.instagram.com/agoricmedia/) YouTube: @agoricmedia (https://www.youtube.com/@agoricmedia)
In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I discuss the Toronto International Film Festival® short film, "Butterfly on a Wheel," with writer, director, and composer Trevor Morris. TREVOR MORRIS Writer, Director, Composer Trevor Morris is a writer, composer and director for Film & Television, a 5-time EMMY® nominee and 2x winner. Canadian-born and dual citizen of Great Britain, Trevor splits his time between his home and studios in Los Angeles and Toronto, Canada. In 2024, Trevor launched his Toronto-based production company, Snow Dance Entertainment, which now serves as the creative home for a bold, internationally focused slate of original feature films, including his directorial debut, “Butterfly On A Wheel”. Trevor has contributed to 30 Feature Films and over 700 hours of 1-Hour dramatic Television; his Films and Television series have grossed over $2.7 billion in US & Canada, and $6.5 billion worldwide. He has collaborated with Ridley and Tony Scott, Antoine Fuqua, Gore Verbinski, and Jerry Bruckheimer, among others. His music scoring work on Spotify attracts over one million monthly listeners. Trevor is a triple citizen of Canada, Great Britain and the United States. IG: @trevormorrisofficial https://www.butterflythefilm.com/
In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I discuss the film "The Condor Daughter" with writer-director Álvaro Olmos Torrico and star Marisol Vallejos Montaño at The Toronto International Film Festival®. Álvaro Olmos Torrico (Writer-director): Álvaro Olmos Torrico was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia. His debut feature, Wiñay (2019), was among the first Bolivian films to be released globally via Amazon Prime. He has produced both documentaries and fiction features, including "The Ones from Below" by Alejandro Quiroga (Mar del Plata IFF, 2022) and "The Visitor" by Martín Boulocq (Tribeca, 2022). He is the founder of BoliviaCine.com, the first SVOD platform dedicated to Bolivian cinema, and has taught at the Bolivian Private University and the Andean School of Cinematography. "The Condor Daughter" is his second feature film and was awarded in the Work in Progress sections of Ventana Sur and Cinelatino Toulouse during its development. Marisol Vallejos Montaño (Clara): Marisol Vallejos Montano was born in 2004 in Cochabamba, a city in the Bolivian Andes, with family roots in the nearby rural town of Pocona, home to a Quechua-speaking community and rich Inca heritage. A self-taught musician, she learned guitar at 11 and later fell in love with her grandfather's accordion, playing at local celebrations with her sister. In 2021, the family formed "Estrella del Valle", an all-female group performing traditional and popular Bolivian music such as cumbia, huayno and cueca. With no prior acting experience, she undertook intensive training in performance, ancestral singing and midwifery practices, making her film debut in the role of Clara. https://www.tiktok.com/@estrellas_del_valle https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067165715002 With special thanks to our interpreter Álvaro Girón.
Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who writes for RogerEbert.com and co-hosts the Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast. Breakfast All Day: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastAllDay/ Saturday Matinee newsletter: https://christylemire.beehiiv.com/
Nicole Cabrera is a Toronto-based film enjoyer with a passion for the eighties, horror, and deep diving their favourite actors' obscure filmography. When they're not watching movies, they're writing, crafting, cosplaying, going to concerts, working on their podcast (Hollywood Deepdive) and dreaming of traveling. Podcast : Hollywood Deepdive Writing: films fatale
*Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (available anywhere in Canada).* Alex Billington is the founder and editor of FirstShowing.net - he is a die-hard film lover and film critic. Originally from Colorado, he is now based in Berlin, and is always planning his next film festival trip when not enjoying movies at home. Twitter/X: @firstshowing Letterboxd: @firstshowing Instagram: @abillington
Brian Eggert is the owner and film critic of Deep Focus Review, where he has written movie reviews, in-depth essays, and critical analyses since 2007. Brian also regularly appears on KARE 11, the NBC affiliate for the Twin Cities, to review and discuss movies. He belongs to the Society For Cinema and Media Studies, Minnesota Film Critics Alliance, Online Film & Television Association, International Film Society Critics, Independent Film Critics of America, The Critics Circle, and National Coalition of Independent Scholars. Learn more about Brian Eggert: Website: www.deepfocusreview.com Blue Sky: deepfocusreview.bsky.social Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/
*Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (available anywhere in Canada).* Brian Eggert is the owner and film critic of Deep Focus Review, where he has written movie reviews, in-depth essays, and critical analyses since 2007. Brian also regularly appears on KARE 11, the NBC affiliate for the Twin Cities, to review and discuss movies. He belongs to the Society For Cinema and Media Studies, the Minnesota Film Critics Association, the Online Film & Television Association, the International Film Society Critics, and the Independent Film Critics of America. Learn more about Brian Eggert: Website: www.deepfocusreview.com Blue Sky: deepfocusreview.bsky.social Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/
In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I speak with writer, director, and producer, Russell Brown about his new film, Loren & Rose. Filmmaker Russell Brown’s body of work includes five narrative features, two full-length documentaries and a number of well-regarded narrative and documentary shorts. His feature films have opened theatrically in select cities to stellar reviews after playing collectively at more than 150 festivals around the world, winning awards nationally and internationally in a vast array of categories including directing, writing, acting and editing. His diverse resume includes Search Engines, Annie and the Gypsy, Karen Black: On Acting, The Blue Tooth Virgin, Conversation with a Cigarette, Mama Laura’s Boys, The 44 Scarves of Liza Minnelli, Above the Arroyo: A Dream of the Stairs of Los Angeles, Reality USA, and The Kaleidoscope Guy at the Market. He is known in particular for directing actresses to critically lauded and award-winning performances, and has worked with Karen Black, Jacqueline Bisset, Cybill Shepherd, Joely Fisher, Amber Benson, Connie Stevens, Gia Carides, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and Daphne Zuniga. Social Media: @lorenandrosemovieWebsite: https://www.lorenandrose.com/Website: https://www.russellbrownfilmmaker.com/loren-and-rose/ Cast/Crew: Rose - Jacqueline BissetLoren - Kelly BlatzPhil - Paul SandMrs. Cork- Gia Carides Crew: Writer/Director/Producer: Russell BrownCinematography - Christopher GoschEditors - Nat Carter and Curtiss ClaytonCasting - Tineka BeckerProduction Design - Leah MannCostume Design - Jessica FullerExecutive producer - Linda Brown Images courtesy of Loren & Rose
In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I speak with writer, director, and producer, Corey Sherman about his new film Big Boys. Corey Sherman (Writer/Director/Producer) is a 29 year-old filmmaker living in Los Angeles. He grew up in Riverdale, a neighborhood in the north Bronx, just within New York City limits. He attended Horace Mann School, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, and majored in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California. His mother was a journalist and his father an English professor, so he grew up around people who loved words and well-told stories. Corey started making comedy short films when he was eight years old, and continues making them to this day. A long-time lover of animation, Corey branched out from live action in college and created an animated web series titled Billiams, which was well-received online and led to a partnership with Matt Maiellaro, the creator of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Corey achieved a life-long dream when he wrote, directed, edited, and voiced a character on several episodes of Matt Maiellaro's animated Adult Swim show, 12 Oz. Mouse. Corey is also passionate about nonfiction filmmaking, and recently edited Lawrence Kasdan’s documentary short, Last Week at Ed’s, which won the Audience Award for Best Marquee Feature at the 2019 Austin Film Festival. Corey is already at work on his next narrative feature, and hopes to build a career that allows him to alternate between his three passions - live action, animation, and documentary. Big Boys: A teenage boy’s unexpected crush turns a camping trip into a weekend of self-discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age comedy. Principal Crew and Cast: Director/Writer: Corey Sherman Producers: Allison Tate, Corey Sherman Director of Photography: Gus Bendinelli Editor: Erik Vogt-Nilsen, Corey Sherman Production Designer: Rachel Scott Composer: Will Wiesenfeld Jamie -Isaac Krasner Allie -Dora Madison Dan -David Johnson III Will -Taj Cross Nicole - Emily Deschanel Erika - Marion Van Cuyck Quinn -Emma Broz Fantasy Jamie - Jack De Sanz Website: https://www.BigBoysFilm.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/BigBoysFilm Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigBoysTheFilm TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bigboysfeaturefilm Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigBoysFilm Hashtag: #BigBoysFilm Images courtesy of Dark Star Pictures
In my new episode of the Reel Mental podcast, I speak with co-writers and directors, Benjamin Cohen and Max Strand about their new film Rocky's. ROCKY’S stars Stanley Simmons (The Iron Claw, Superior), Ben Cook (West Side Story, Pretty Little Liars), Gil Perez-Abraham (The Batman, Carry On), Jasai Chase Owens (Mutt, The Expanse), Ani Mesa (Superior), Sharlene Cruz (In The Summers), Steven Maier (Omni Loop), Brandon Lindsay (A Soldier's Play - National Tour), and introducing Dante Palimteri and Dani Foster. The film was co-written and directed by Benjamin Cohen and Max Strand and produced by Josh Michaels and James Benson. Benjamin B. Cohen is a Brooklyn-based comedy filmmaker. Born in San Francisco, raised in Atlanta, Ben's work tends to explore mental health and undermining toxic masculinity through independent film, TV, graphic novels, and the New York City stage. He attended film school at the UNCW & GSU programs, graduating with a B.A. in Film, a B.A. in History, and an M.A. in Film Production & Screenwriting. He maintains a Certificate of French Civilization from the University of Paris IV - La Sorbonne. He also studied at the UCB, Reckless, and Annoyance Comedy Theaters. As Co-Writer and Director of the 90s-themed Godamsterdam web-series, Ben has appeared on CNN, The Examiner, and at Atlanta's High Museum of Art. Ben completed a television pilot based upon the web series. As a comedian, Benjamin's performed at the UCB, PIT, Annoyance, & Reckless theaters as well as festivals everywhere from North Carolina to Iceland. As a professor, Benjamin's teaches Screenwriting, Film History, and Improv at the New York Film Academy (Variety top 25 Film School) and ESRA Film School. And just like, as a person, he has a dog named Sasha Malia, a fiance named Sabrina, a Simba tattoo, and once helped Tony Danza put a bandage on Liza Minnelli's foot. Max Strand is known for Goodbye Honey (2020), Dead Man Down (2013) and Limitless (2011). Gravitas Ventures released ROCKY’S on digital platforms on January 21, 2025. The film has a running time of 79m 49seconds and will not be rated by the MPAA. About the movie Rocky's: Growing up, Charlie and his friends spent their days loitering in the parking lot of Rocky's, the neighborhood 24/7 deli. Years later, after drifting apart during their college years, Charlie receives word that an ex-girlfriend has tragically died. He returns home ahead of the funeral, aware that there are some people that it will be awkward to see. His first stop is Rocky's, where he runs into a cast of characters from his past; some are happy to see him, others are not. In real-time, Charlie's old crew reconnects to confront past wounds, eat a few sandwiches and face the reality that they've grown up, whether they want to admit it or not.
Jason Anderson is a film programmer, critic, and lecturer based on Toronto. He programs films for the Toronto International Film Festival, the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, and Aspen Shortsfest. His writing regularly appears in such publications as Uncut magazine, Sight & Sound, and Broadview.
Jason Anderson is a film programmer, critic, and lecturer based on Toronto. He programs films for the Toronto International Film Festival, the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, and Aspen Shortsfest. His writing regularly appears in such publications as Uncut magazine, Sight & Sound, and Broadview.
Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can. Social Media: The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thewastelandreviewer Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/
Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can. (Our sincere apologies for the technical difficulties that sporadically occur with Shane Conto's audio.) Social Media: The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thewastelandreviewer Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/
Adam Manery is a former high school teacher turned film critic who has transitioned his passion for education from the classroom to the screen. He shines a light on independent filmmaking and emerging directors while offering insightful commentary on some of the world's largest films. His reviews delve into the themes, characters, and philosophy of each project, weaving between hope and existential dread. Website: www.pointsofreviews.com YouTube: @PointsofReview (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQV2SBk6KPXKZDD9K6ZppYA)
Adam Manery is a former high school teacher turned film critic who has transitioned his passion for education from the classroom to the screen. He shines a light on independent filmmaking and emerging directors while offering insightful commentary on some of the world's largest films. His reviews delve into the themes, characters, and philosophy of each project, weaving between hope and existential dread. Website: www.pointsofreviews.com YouTube: @PointsofReview (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQV2SBk6KPXKZDD9K6ZppYA)
Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who co-hosts the Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast. She also writes for RogerEbert.com. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastAllDay/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breakfast-all-day-movie-reviews/id1448539528 Saturday Matinee Newsletter: https://christylemire.beehiiv.com/
Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can. The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJqs95vIGPNW5h0tgXWNctQ Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewastelandreviewer?lang=en