Film Forward

The official podcast of the Los Angels Diversity Film Festival, Film Forward is for Cinephiles, by Cinephiles. Through our events and podcast, LADFF establishes a true multicultural experience represented by the world’s independent film community.

Anna Salinas & Lauren Knutti "Me Night" 09/19/2023

Anna Salinas & Lauren Knutti "Me Night" Me Night is a wild, hilarious, and honest depiction of one woman's night alone. Filmmakers Lauren Knutti and Anna Salinas join us for an in-depth conversation on the heart of their film and the brilliant technical approaches to making it. Me Night screens on Saturday, September 23rd with the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/28082331

Rostam Zafari & Nicholas Mihm "Bubjan" 09/18/2023

Rostam Zafari & Nicholas Mihm "Bubjan" Bubjan is a powerful documentary that chronicles an Iranian man who has been living in exile in the United States since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. He was a member of the Iranian parliament, where he dedicated his life to cultivating a progressive, modern, and free society in Iran. But the rise of the Islamic Republic eclipsed those aspirations and forced him to leave behind everything he knew. Joining us on the Film Forward are director Nicholas Mihm and producer Rostam Zafari. Don’t miss Bubjan - screening with LADFF on Saturday, September 23rd. Tickets are on sale now at LADFF.com /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/28062513

109. Emelie Claxton "Doggone" 09/11/2023

109. Emelie Claxton "Doggone" LADFF alum Emelie Claxton returns to Film Forward to discuss her new project, Doggone. In this deep dive, Emelie talks about her writing process, the heart of her story, and pre-production, which includes her Kickstarter campaign. You can donate to Doggone's crowdfunding campaign at DoggoneShortFilm.com from now through September 15th. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/27995718

108. Felicia Pride "Look Back At It" 09/05/2023

108. Felicia Pride "Look Back At It" Felicia Pride's work spans television, film, and podcasts. In this episode of Film Forward, she discusses how her work on shows like Grey's Anatomy and Queen Sugar sharpened her craft and prepared her for personal projects like Look Back At It. Felicia and host Nicholas Ybarra discuss the importance of making a place for yourself in the film industry, carving your own path, and honing your true voice. Look Back At It screens with LADFF on Friday, September 22nd. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/27945897

107. Joshua Coppenbarger "Opening Night" 08/14/2023

107. Joshua Coppenbarger "Opening Night" Joshua Coppenbarger's short film Opening Night screens this week at LADFF's 10th Anniversary Celebration. In this episode of Film Forward, Joshua discusses his journey from sports documentaries to narrative romance. PLUS: the triumphant return of our Gimme Three segment! See Opening Night on August 17th at the Laemmle NoHo 7. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/27746805

Sav Rodgers "Chasing Chasing Amy" 07/23/2023

Sav Rodgers "Chasing Chasing Amy" Films have incredible power to change lives and perspectives and evoke empathy. Sometimes, they can piss us off as well. Such is the case with one 1997 indie-darling, Chasing Amy. Twenty-six years after the film's release, a beautiful counterpart to the film is released, Chasing Chasing Amy. A documentary that examines the complex legacy of Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy (1997) on LGBTQ+ people and its life-saving impact on director Sav Rodgers. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/27541446

105. Sam Pollard "MLK/FBI" (Re-Release) 01/16/2023

105. Sam Pollard "MLK/FBI" (Re-Release) Two years ago, we were honored to speak with Academy Award-winner Sam Pollard, a legend among editors and documentary filmmakers. He talked to Film Forward about his documentary MLK/FBI. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are proud to revisit our discussion about this pertinent and essential film. In this episode, Mr. Pollard elaborates on how he and his team approached this wonderfully crafted film and what audiences can take away from the lessons of the past. The film is available to stream now on Hulu. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/25624116

104. Gimme Three - Female-Led Thrillers w/ Ryan Lacen 01/09/2023

104. Gimme Three - Female-Led Thrillers w/ Ryan Lacen Returning guest Ryan Lacen joins us for another installment of Gimme Three. This week’s theme is Female-Led Thrillers, as we celebrate the Los Angeles Premiere of Save Me From Everything, a mystery thriller starring Paige Henderson. Ryan Lacen and Nicholas Ybarra each provide three pulse-pounding thrillers led by powerhouse performances from Zoe Kravitz, Jodie Foster, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Naomi Watts, Natalie Portman, and Sofia Boutella. Check out all six of these fantastic films, then see Save Me From Everything, hosted by LADFF on January 12th at the Laemmle NoHo7. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/25546464

103. Jéan Elie "Send Help" 10/06/2022

103. Jéan Elie "Send Help" Writer, producer, and star, Jéan Elie joins the podcast to discuss his incredible series, Send Help, which can be streamed right now on allblk.tv. Elie (Insecure, Rap Sh!t) discusses the journey to tell his own story and what it was like to sit in the director's chair for the first time. Jéan also highlights the birth of his own production company, Bassett House Pictures - visit their website bassetthousepic.com for more info on their upcoming film festival. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/24609039

102. Gimme Three - Movie Musicals w/ Max Sopkin 09/13/2022

102. Gimme Three - Movie Musicals w/ Max Sopkin Actor and Musical aficionado Max Sopkin joins the podcast for another installment of Gimme Three. Not only do we discuss some spectacular movie musicals, but we also explore the very definition of what a movie musical is. Max and host Nicholas Ybarra tell us how these musicals changed their life trajectory, work, and friendship. Let us know what your favorite movie musicals are! /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/24362607

101. Alyssa Limperis "No Bad Days" 08/29/2022

101. Alyssa Limperis "No Bad Days" In her debut solo special, No Bad Days, Alyssa Limperis takes the audience through a funny and relatable journey of grief, love, and strength. She blends stand-up comedy and a one-woman show to create a unique and powerful special not soon to be forgotten. In this episode of Film Forward, Alyssa joins us to discuss her writing process, finding comedy in grief, and the intricacies of filming a stand-up special. No Bad Days is available to stream right now on Peacock! Check it out and let us know what you think. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/24193140

Episode 100! Gimme Three - LADFF 2022 w/ Sonja Mereu 08/17/2022

Episode 100! Gimme Three - LADFF 2022 w/ Sonja Mereu It's our 100th episode!! On our 100th episode of Film Forward, we are joined by LADFF Festival Director Sonja Mereu. Together, Sonja and Nicholas preview the 2022 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival and highlight a few of the films they are excited about. Tickets are available for LADFF right now! Visit LADFF.com/2022fest. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/24085833

Miles Lopez & Jonathan De La Torre "Letters To Axel" 08/12/2022

Miles Lopez & Jonathan De La Torre "Letters To Axel" Our series covering the 2022 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival continues as we do a deep dive into the beautiful and ethereal short film, Letters To Axel. Filmmakers Miles Adonay Lopez and Jonathan De La Torre discuss their writing process and the creative challenges of blending the real world with the dream world. Letters To Axel screens with LADFF on Friday, August 19th, as a part of the Love. Lust. Lost. block. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com/2022fest. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/24037473

Maria Fernanda Diez & Rae Binstock "DIVR" 08/11/2022

Maria Fernanda Diez & Rae Binstock "DIVR" On this episode of Film Forward, we chat with Rae Binstock and Maria Fernanda Diez, producers of the wildly entertaining short film DIVR, which will screen at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival on August 18th. DIVR follows three founders of an exclusive lesbian sex app, shattering the start-up world’s glass ceilings, but the pressures of success have threatened the integrity of their friendship - and worse, their brand. Tickets for DIVR are available now at . Join us for a fantastic night after you listen to these kick-ass filmmakers. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/24028005

Diliana Deltcheva & Alex Frnka "Blue Moon" 08/08/2022

Diliana Deltcheva & Alex Frnka "Blue Moon" Our series on 2022's continues with Diliana Deltcheva and Alex Frnka, makers of the gripping short film Blue Moon. Blue Moon follows a family that unravels one evening as they struggle with the best course of care for their mother, who is in the later stages of Alzheimer's. Diliana and Alex discuss their uncomfortable but relatable subject and the importance of creating a family off-screen and on-screen. Blue Moon screens as a part of the block Love. Lust. Lost. on Friday, August 19th. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com/2022fest. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/23993391

Margarita Milne "When She Was Good" 08/01/2022

Margarita Milne "When She Was Good" Our series highlighting the filmmakers from the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival continues with the director of the powerful short film When She Was Good. When a young girl discovers that Santa is not real, she questions the lies told by adults and the terrible secret that she has been forced to keep. Join us at LADFF to see When She Was Good, screening Saturday, August 20th, as a part of the Through Her Lens block. Tickets are available right now at LADFF.com /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/23918106

Percival Bernard & Nicholas G. Sims "Wet Seal Cigarettes" 07/25/2022

Percival Bernard & Nicholas G. Sims "Wet Seal Cigarettes" As a part of our series highlighting filmmakers from the 9th Annual : Wet Seal Cigarettes blends and bends cinematic genres to create a world where consumerism is eating individualism alive. This short film takes every opportunity to inspire the individual to be more than what they consume, whether it be their environment, media, or even the illustrious Wet Seal Cigarette. Writer/Director Percival Bernard and Producer/Star Nicholas G. Sims join Film Forward to discuss the pertinent themes of Wet Seal Cigarettes, as well as the film’s intoxicating style and performances. Come see Wet Seal Cigarettes at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival August 20th as a part of the This Is America block. Tickets are available now at /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/23856117

Emelie Mahdavian "Bitterbrush" 06/20/2022

Emelie Mahdavian "Bitterbrush" Director and Producer Emelie Mahdavian joins Film Forward to discuss her new film, Bitterbrush. The beautiful and immersive documentary follows two friends who traverse the changes in season, as well as the changes in their lives. Emelie discusses her relationship with the fascinating subjects of the film and what it was like adapting to the conditions in rural Idaho. Bitterbrush is screening this week in select theatres and will be available on VOD starting June 24th. Let us know what you think. https://magpictures.com/bitterbrush/ /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/23484485

Katt Shea "Rescued By Ruby" 06/08/2022

Katt Shea "Rescued By Ruby" Katt Shea has directed some of the most memorable cult films of the last quarter-century, including Poison Ivy, The Rage: Carrie 2, and Streets. In this episode of Film Forward, Katt discusses her storied career, from her start working with Roger Corman to her recent work in family films with Netflix. We also discuss her latest film, Rescued By Ruby, a heartwarming movie available to stream now on Netflix. Drop us a line and let us know what you think! /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/23366816

Disfluency 04/11/2022

Disfluency /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/22748936

Aysha Wax, Daphna Shull & David Chiu "StoryNosh" 02/28/2022

Aysha Wax, Daphna Shull & David Chiu "StoryNosh" StoryNosh is a digital storytelling competition served in delicious bite-sized pieces. Four themes are explored throughout this initial season, each featuring a handful of stories released weekly on YouTube. The web series' Director Aysha Wax and producers/showrunners David Chiu and Daphna Shull join Film Forward to discuss their selection process and their adaptation and creative process. You can check out the Web Series, presented by The Braid, at the-braid.org/storynosh. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/22276925

Bruce David Klein "ICAHN: The Restless Billionaire" 02/23/2022

Bruce David Klein "ICAHN: The Restless Billionaire" The HBO Documentary, ICAHN: The Restless Billionaire, explores the fascinating contradictions at the heart of the famed financier Carl Icahn. He has amassed close to 20 billion dollars over the last half-century was at the forefront of some of the most legendary business deals of our time; the film dissects his legacy and the American system that helped create it. On this episode of Film Forward, we are joined by the film's writer/director, Bruce David Klein. Bruce discusses the film's long road and what it was like working with Icahn himself. As always, our guest gives us three excellent film recommendations in our Gimme Three segment. ICAHN: The Restless Billionaire is streaming now on HBO Max. Watch this riveting and informative documentary, and please let us know what you think. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/22227350

Gimme Three - Films of 2021 w/ Sonja Mereu, Nicholas Ybarra & Anselm Kennedy 02/07/2022

Gimme Three - Films of 2021 w/ Sonja Mereu, Nicholas Ybarra & Anselm Kennedy 2021 was a tremendous year for cinema. Not only were we treated to a beautiful array of stories, but it was also the year when we were able to return to the cinemas. In this episode of Film Forward, our producers Sonja Mereu, Anselm Kennedy, and Nicholas Ybarra each give three of their favorite films from the year that was 2021. Please give us a listen and let us know what your favorites from 2021 are in the comments. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/22046279

Kristen Gutoskie "All The World Is Sleeping" 01/18/2022

Kristen Gutoskie "All The World Is Sleeping" We conclude our series on All The World Is Sleeping with one of the film's stars, Kristen Gutoskie. Kristen discusses the detailed work that created her character Nell, both from a physical and emotional standpoint. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21813392

Emily Greene "All The World Is Sleeping" 01/14/2022

Emily Greene "All The World Is Sleeping" Film Forward continues its series on the film All The World Is Sleeping. In the episode, we're joined by composer Emily Greene. Emily discusses her composition process, inspirations, and what it was like laying vocals down in her music. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21773306

Ryan Lacen "All The World Is Sleeping" 01/10/2022

Ryan Lacen "All The World Is Sleeping" All The World Is Sleeping follows Chama, a mother in New Mexico who’s fighting for her own life and the ones she loves. She sinks deeper into her addiction while struggling to surface for her daughter. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21725120

Drew Daniels "Red Rocket" 01/07/2022

Drew Daniels "Red Rocket" Red Rocket is a new film by acclaimed writer/director Sean Baker. The film follows Mikey Saber, a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone wants him back. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21703319

Tommy Oliver "Juice WRLD: Into The Abyss" 12/20/2021

Tommy Oliver "Juice WRLD: Into The Abyss" "Juice WRLD: Into The Abyss" follows the meteoric rise of the late hip-hop artist. The powerful HBO documentary features archival footage of Juice WRLD performances, his artistic process, and his struggles. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21541067

Christopher Frierson "DMX: Don't Try To Understand" 12/13/2021

Christopher Frierson "DMX: Don't Try To Understand" DMX’s connection with his passionate fanbase is on full display in the riveting documentary, DMX: Don’t Try To Understand. This immersive film follows Earl “DMX” Simmons through one eventful year of his life. /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21464246

Gimme Three - Sci-Fi Premonitions w/ David Chiu 11/29/2021

Gimme Three - Sci-Fi Premonitions w/ David Chiu What do Ethan Hawke, Jim Carrey, Terry Gilliam, Fritz Lang, and Robin Wright have in common? Sci-Fi premonitions! /episode/index/show/filmforward/id/21307829

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