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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 Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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 Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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 Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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 Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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

Welcome back, Listeners! Meeting filmmaker JB Singh Ghuman, Jr. was definitely one of the highlights of Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. JB provided the main attraction at our Opening Night Gala’s VR Pavillion by presenting, "paSSive poWer," described as, “a sonic visual 8K 4D 360 VR collaborative experience.” As you can imagine I am super busy at the gala and never get a chance to actually watch the VR presentations. Well... JB wasn’t going to let me leave without seeing this 4D extravaganza. And I was extremely grateful, because I loved it! For the record, the 8K image was a three dimensional space and that fourth dimension was the utilization of a fan to simulate wind at just the right moment. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I wish there had been a way for all 150+ in attendance that evening to have experienced “paSSive poWer.“ I was delighted to see JB’s name on my podcast recording calendar. I hope that you all enjoy listening to our conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. Follow JB at @JBGhumanJR _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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. Joel Benjamin created the Immersive Film “Max Q,” one of the highlights of the VR Pavilion at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025, and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Immersive Short! Seeing the array of great film posters behind Joel during our chat got me very eager to get to our follow up 4 Questions! You can learn more about Joel at his website https://electricbeard.com/ and you can follow the Max Q on Instagram at @maxqmovie And a Happy Halloween to all that celebrate! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 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! Joel Benjamin created the Immersive Film “Max Q,” one of the highlights of the VR Pavilion at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. In fact, Joel took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Immersive Short! I am always too busy at our festival’s Opening Night Gala to get a chance to watch the Immersive Films up in the VR Pavilion, but thankfully Joel created a “play through” video that gives a non-interactive representation of the work and... holy moly I’m impressed. It’s a fun, captivating thrill-ride in a cutting edge cinematic format. You can learn more about Joel at his website https://electricbeard.com/ and you can follow the Max Q on Instagram at @maxqmovie _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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. Johnny Galvan III has had several scripts in previous festivals and returned to Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, but this time with the animated short film “Franks In Hell.” Thanks to its creativity and originality, “Franks In Hell” won Johnny the Programmer’s Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. Johnny and I have deep connection which I talk about more in Friday's post with his full interview, but I was excited to dig even digger with the 4 Questions. To learn more about Johnny and his work, visit https://thewriting-company.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

Happy Friday, Film Friends! I’ve got a history with Johnny Galvan III. It started when Johnny’s screenplay “My Brother The Lion” was an Official Selection at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, 2024. (More on that below.) In December, 2024, Johnny was an Official Selection at Sherman Oaks Film Festival with the screenplay, “For Misty.” When 2025 rolled around, Johnny was once again at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June, but this time with the animated short film “Franks In Hell.” Thanks to its creativity and originality, “Franks In Hell” won Johnny the Programmer’s Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. To learn more about Johnny and his work, visit https://thewriting-company.com Before I complete this introduction, I have to honor Johnny’s wife Misty and mention something from the first time that we met. I was moderating the FI-LA 2024 Screenplay Awards Ceremony, which is a very cool event where each nominated screenwriter gets to stand in front of the audience and pitch their script. As Johnny was talking about his screenplay, a story about his brother who he lost, he began to cry. I was sitting in the front row and, well, I lost a best friend of 40 years in 2020 to Covid and know what it’s like to lose someone that you expected to be with you until your golden years. I stood up and offered Johnny a hug, and he accepted it, and we hugged. It was a moment that I will never forget. As North American men, we failed to bring up our weeping hug during the podcast, but after recording Johnny mentioned that Misty had mentioned it. So... the story will live forever in these show notes! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - 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. Drew Lewis Guerra wrote and directed the film “The Last Light” and we had the honor of hosting its World Premiere at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. Drew’s smart, touching and extremely powerful film took home two awards at FI-LA, the Filmmakers Awards For Outstanding Cast Performance, Drama and for Outstanding Cinematography, Drama. I was delighted to chat with Drew about his life and work and, as always, learn more about his inspirations with the follow up 4 Questions. Visit the website for Drew’s production company Black Canvas and watch the trailer at https://www.blackcanvas.com/the-last-light. Drew's IG: @directordlg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 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

Drew Lewis Guerra wrote and directed the film “The Last Light” and we had the honor of hosting its World Premiere at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2025. I have watched this film several times and I swear to you... it’s a masterpiece. I find myself crying throughout the credits. Drew’s smart, touching and extremely powerful film took home two awards at FI-LA, the Filmmakers Awards For Outstanding Cast Performance, Drama and for Outstanding Cinematography, Drama. I highly recommend you watch this film! So... do this. Visit the website for Drew’s production company Black Canvas and watch the trailer at https://www.blackcanvas.com/the-last-light. And keep your eyes out for festival screenings and its eventual online release! Drew's IG: @directordlg _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website - DIF Instagram - DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation - Sherman Oaks Film Festival - Film Invasion Los Angeles