Best Independent Fillmakers Podcasts (2025)

1
Hassan Said - Briana Walsh - Jordan Potch - BONUS Throwback Interview! 1:47:43

Play Pause

4h ago1:47:43

1:47:43

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 223 from August 2019 featuring filmmaker Writer director Hassan Said and Stars Briana Walsh and Jordan Potch days after they finished shooting their one take feature, This is Your Song. Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode from monday with J. Davis and And…

1
J. Davis and Andre Hyland - Making Feature #2 and the Actor/Director Relationship! 59:53

2d ago59:53

59:53

By Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell, Bleav

1
Yoko Okumura - BONUS Throwback Interview! 55:26

8d ago55:26

55:26

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 414 from March 2023 featuring writer director, Yoko Okumura! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Mercedes Bryce Morgan from Monday because Yoko also started doing a ton of short content before making her first feature. After that we play another roun…

1
Mercedes Bryce Morgan - From Short Content to Paid Feature Work! 54:43

11d ago54:43

54:43

This week we welcome writer/director Mercedes Bryce Morgan on the show to talk about her latest film Bone Lake, how she got the feature and her start doing paid short form content. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podc…

1
Anne Hu - Geoffrey Prather - Bryan Poyser - BONUS Throwback Interview! 1:00:58

15d ago1:00:58

1:00:58

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 453 from December 2023 with short filmmakers Anne Hu, Geoffrey Prather and Bryan Poyser who all talk about their latest short films at the time. We felt that this short filmmaker roundtable was a good match for our episode with Brandon ShipCowSky and Ted Hayden from Mond…

1
Brandon Shypkowski and Ted Hayden - Why Make a Short? 1:07:07

18d ago1:07:07

1:07:07

This week we have a very special episode featuring not one but two indie short filmmakers who come on to talk about their films in separate segments. First up we have Brandon Shypkowski to talk about his film 29 Palms which he also co-starred in and then we talk to Ted Hayden who talks about his short Violet Vendetta which is an awesome action come…

1
Asif Akbar - BONUS Throwback Interview! 43:01

22d ago43:01

43:01

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 352 from January 2022 featuring producer, writer and director Asif Akbar. I thought this was a good match for our episode with Kenny Beaumont from Monday because they both produce and direct narrative features. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy…

1
Kenny Beaumont - Producing Family Movies Full Time and Directing F+! 55:00

25d ago55:00

55:00

This week we welcome writer/director/producer Kenny Beaumont on the show to talk about how he got his first feature F+ made and funded, his days producing dog movies and how he made his way to working on movies full time. After that we play another round of THE GAME and talk about the current statuses of our projects, enjoy! Don’t forget to support…

1
Theo Brown - BONUS Throwback Interview! 56:16

29d ago56:16

56:16

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 463 from February 2024 with filmmaker Theo Brown who talks about making his first feature indie sci-feature on a low budget and how he casted the film. I thought this was a good match for Lincoln from Monday because both their features were low budget sci-fi films which …

1
Lincoln Fenner - Turning a Profit on a Indie Sci-Fi Feature Before the Release! 47:00

1M ago47:00

47:00

This week we welcome filmmaker Lincoln Fenner who is based in Australia to talk about his indie sci-fi feature Time Rewind which made it’s budget back before it was released on digital. It’s just me on the show today so no The Game but I’m going to talk a bit about where I am at with my next feature and my current projects, read a brand new review …

1
Michael Molina - BONUS Throwback Interview! 1:16:59

1M ago1:16:59

1:16:59

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 232 from October 2019 featuring writer Michael Molina who talks about being a tsaff writer on animated show The Casagraandes and making his first feature Trivia night back in 2016. Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Toby Jones from Monday because bo…

1
Toby Jones - Creating an Imaginative No Budget Indie Comedy! 1:07:10

1M ago1:07:10

1:07:10

This week we welcome writer/director Toby Jones on the show to talk about his latest film AJ Goes to the Dog Park, which he made 100% independently out in Fargo North Dakota. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.a…

1
Larry Fessenden - BONUS Throwback Interview! 49:13

1M ago49:13

49:13

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 315 from April 2021 with actor, writer and director Larry Fessenden who talked about acting alongside Barbara Crampton in Jakobs Wife. We felt that Larry was a good match for our episode with Macon Blair on Monday because they are both indie legends who write, director a…

1
Macon Blair - Remaking the Cult Classic The Toxic Avenger! 1:09:31

2M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

This week we welcome indie film rockstar, actor, writer and director Macon Blair on the show to talk about writing and directing The Toxic Avenger Remake which releases in theaters this week! Macon also talks about the impact Blue Ruin had on his career and the circumstances that lead to him directing The Toxic Avenger! After that we play another r…

1
Brian Helgeland - BONUS Throwback Interview! 48:32

2M ago48:32

48:32

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 454 from December 2023 featuring writer and director Brian Helgeland who talks about making his latest feature Finestkind starring Ben Foster and Tommy Lee Jones.Alrik thought it would be fun to pair Brain with Chuck Russell from Monday because Brain also directed some r…

1
Chuck Russell - How to Approach Remaking a Horror Classic with Witchboard! 1:01:29

2M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

This week we welcome Writer, director Chuck Russell on the show to talk about remaking Witchboard as his latest feature, we also talk about his hayday as a director, getting to direct NIghtmare on Elmstreet 3, The Blob remake, The Mask and Eraser. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreo…

1
Maria Loohufvud and Love Martinsen - BONUS Throwback Interview! 57:56

2M ago57:56

57:56

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 404 from December 2022 featuring documentary filmmakers Maria Loohufvud and Love Martinesen who talked about making their documentary Calendar Girls! I thought this was a good match for our episode with Julie Meyer from Monday because they both made documentaries about a…

1
Julie Meyer - Filming Ballet Dancers in Ukraine During Wartime! 1:08:18

2M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

This week we welcome producer Julie Meyer on the show to talk about the documentary The Sky Was on Fire, Ballet and War in the Ukraine, where she talks about how the project came to be and what it was like traveling to Ukraine to film the movie. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.…

1
Jason Horton - BONUS Throwback Interview! 50:19

2M ago50:19

50:19

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.comfor information about our collection and use of personal data foradvertising.By Liz Manashil & Alrik Bursell, Bleav

1
Jason Park - Putting Your Filmmaking Success in Your Own Hands! 1:10:03

2M ago1:10:03

1:10:03

This week we welcome writer/director/editor/colorist and actor Jason Park on the show to talk about how he has made his 8 features on his own, while raising a family and having a day job. He also breaks down how he manages to shoot his movies primarily on the weekends. After that we play another round of THE GAME and talk about the current statuses…

1
Jeff Ryan - BONUS Throwback Interview! 46:09

2M ago46:09

46:09

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 439 from August 2023 featuring filmmaker Jeff Ryan who talks about making his feature Mean Spirited, he thought this was a good match for our episode from Monday because Liz thought this was a good match because both of their movies have Spirit in the title. After that w…

1
Christopher Yates and Sabrina Zahir - Coming Together as Producer and Director to Make a First Feature! 59:31

2M ago59:31

59:31

This week we welcome writer/director Christopher Yates and producer Sabrina Zahir on the show to talk about the making of American Spirit which premiered at the Austin Film Festival last fall. Our producer extraordinaire Eric Toms conducted this interview from the Omni Hotel in Austin so it’s sure to be a good one. After that we play another round …

1
Adam Cooper - BONUS Throwback Interview! 46:05

3M ago46:05

46:05

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 468 from March 2024 featuring writer and director Adam Cooper who talks about making his first feature starring Russell Crowe after a career writing studio features. I thought it would be fun to pair it with James and Sebastian from Monday because James also started his …

1
James DeMonaco and Sebastien Lemercier - Forming a Lasting Director Producer Partnership! 1:13:20

3M ago1:13:20

1:13:20

This week we welcome Writer, director James DeMonaco and Producer Sebastien Lemercier on the show to talk about making their latest feature The Home starring Pete Davidson and they also talk about how they connected as a team and how they brought The Purge into existence. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support …

1
Ryan Spindell - BONUS Throwback Interview! 47:37

3M ago47:37

47:37

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 413 from February 2023 with filmmaker Ryan Spindell who talks about making his first feature which was an anthology, horror film that he made with the help of the success of one of the shorts that make up the feature. We felt that Ryan was a good match for Rick because t…

1
Rick Bosner - From Serial Feature Producer to Feature Film Writer/Director! 1:06:00

3M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

This week we welcome long-time producer Rick Bosner back on the show to talk about directing his first feature Devoted, which is currently in post production After that we play another round of THE GAME and Liz is back, hooray!!! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts…

1
Thom Harp - BONUS Throwback Interview! 57:28

3M ago57:28

57:28

On this throwback episode, we revisit the interview with writer and director Thom Harp where he talks about making his move to LA, getting reps, making connections and then after many many years, making his two first features back to back during the pandemic with a focus on The Donor Party starring Malin Ackerman --- After that we play another roun…

1
Kim Noonan - Getting Hired to Direct a Horror Feature! 58:07

3M ago58:07

58:07

This week we welcome director Kim Noonan on the show to talk about making his latest feature film Are You There?, how he got attached to the project and how Kim ended up having two features come out the same year! After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Revie…

1
Ren: The Girl with The Mark - BONUS Throwback Interview! 49:23

3M ago49:23

49:23

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 470 from April 2024 with Ren: The Girl with The Mark Co Creators/Directors/Writers, Kate Madison and Christopher Dane and current showrunner DP and Writer Neil Oseman. I thought these guys were a perfect match for our interview with Sarha Jefferson Carter and Justin Cart…

1
Nina Conti and Shenoah Allen - Turning a Live Stage Show into a Feature Film! 1:03:09

3M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

This week we welcome Writer, director and star and producer/star couple Nina Conti and Shenoah Allen on the show to talk about making their first fiction feature, Sunlight which they made together based on a live show they did on stage together. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.…

1
Emily Abt - BONUS Throwback Interview! 50:54

4M ago50:54

50:54

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 424 from May 2023 with writer and director Emily Abt who talks about getting into Sundance with her first feature and making her second feature Thirsty, which is not streaming on all platforms! I thought this was a great time to re-release the episode now that the movie …

1
Sarah Jefferson Carter and Justin Carter - Making a Completely Independent TV Show! 1:13:04

4M ago1:13:04

1:13:04

This week we welcome Sarah Jefferson Carter and Justin Carter on the show to talk about creating their indie fantasy sci-fi show Queendom Come, how they financed the show and how they made it the way they did. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on…

1
Kestrin Pantera - BONUS Throwback Interview! 55:57

4M ago55:57

55:57

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 267 from June 2020 featuring writer director Kestrin Pantera! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Hala Matar from Monday because Kestrin also talks about making her first feature. After that we play another round of You’re the expert, enjoy! Don’t fo…

1
Hala Matar - From a Trip to Italy to Making a First Feature Film! 1:07:55

4M ago1:07:55

1:07:55

This week we welcome writer director Hala (Hella) Matar on the show to talk about making her first feature film Electra in Italy. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the…

1
Abby Horton and Ryan Dickie - BONUS Throwback Interview! 57:21

4M ago57:21

57:21

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 443 from September 2023 featuring writer and director husband and wife team Abby Horton and Ryan Dickie talking about making their first feature together as a team. I thought it would be fun to pair it with Brian and David’s episode from Monday because they are also a ma…

1
David Joseph Craig and Brain Crano - Directing a Dream Feature with Your Life Partner! 1:13:51

4M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

This week we welcome Writer and director power couple Brian Crano and David Joseph Craig on the show to talk about writing I Don’t Understand You, how they came up with the story, how they got it made and what it was like to write and direct the movie together . After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patr…

1
Natalie Erika James - BONUS Throwback Interview! 40:22

4M ago40:22

40:22

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 273 from July 2020 featuring writer and director Natalie Erika James. Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Julia Max from Monday because they both made supernatural horror films as their first features, both with substantial budgets. After that we pla…

1
Julia Max - Orchestrating Your Dream First Feature Film! 1:10:01

4M ago1:10:01

1:10:01

This week we welcome Writer/Director Julia Max on the show to talk about how she made her first feature The Surrender on a high budget, how she found the money and her process for pulling the film together once she found the budget. After that we play another round of THE GAME and talk about what we are both up to, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us…

1
J.J. Perry - BONUS Throwback Interview! 54:19

4M ago54:19

54:19

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 493 from September 2024 featuring director and stuntman JJ Perry! I thought this was a good match for our episode with Kirsten Foe from Monday because JJ also started in stunts before moving onto directing, so I thought it would be fun to pair it with Kirsten's episode. …

1
Kirsten Foe - Navigating the World of Stunts, Directing an Indie Film and Finding the Right Collaborators! 1:07:03

5M ago1:07:03

1:07:03

This week we welcome Writer, Director and Stunt Woman Kirsten Foe on the show to talk about how she got into stunts and how she was able to get her first feature financed by the late great Jim Irsay. This was recorded before his death so our condolences to his friends and family. After that we play another round of THE GAME and talk about what we a…

1
Melissa Rundle - BONUS Throwback Interview! 54:29

5M ago54:29

54:29

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 441 from September 2023 with writer Melissa Rundle who talks about making a career as a writer in Hollywood. Alrik thought this was a great match for Leon’s episode on Monday because they are both full time writers working in Hollywood. After that we play another round o…

1
Leon Chills - Writing and Selling Your First Feature Script in Hollywood! 1:03:54

5M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

This week we welcome writer Leon Chills on the show to talk about writing the new feature Shadow Force, how he got the script sold and how he has been making a living as a Hollywood Writer. After that we play another round of THE GAME and talk about what we are both up to, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Le…

1
Braden Duemmler - BONUS Throwback Interview! 49:33

5M ago49:33

49:33

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 391 from October 2022 featuring wrtier/director Braden Duemmler! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Felipe Vargas from Monday because Braden also went to USC and his first feature was funded at a pretty high budget, just as Felipe’s was. After that …

1
Felipe Vargas - Short Films to USC to a First Feature! 1:06:04

5M ago1:06:04

1:06:04

This week we welcome writer director Felipe Vargas on the show to talk about making his first feature film Rosario, how he got attached to the project and the short films he made that led him to get his first feature made at this level. Friend of the show and previous guest Clinton Cornwall came on to do the interview with Alrik due to a scheduling…

1
Carter Smith - BONUS Throwback Interview! 50:53

5M ago50:53

50:53

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 412 from February 2023 featuring director Carter Smith! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Timothy Scott Bogart from Monday because Carter also is making his films at different budget levels, going well over 10 million and way under, depending on th…

1
Timothy Scott Bogart - Writing and Directing Indie Musical Juliet and Romeo! 1:07:40

5M ago1:07:40

1:07:40

This week we welcome writer director Timothy Scott Bogart on the show to talk about making his latest feature film Juliet & Romeo, a pop-musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, shot on location in Italy, starring Rebel Wilson, Jason Issacs, Rupert Everett and Derek Jacobi among others, with all the songs being recorded in camera. After that we play…

1
Mick Davis - BONUS Throwback Interview! 52:30

5M ago52:30

52:30

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 449 from November 2023 with director Mick Davis who talks about directing his latest feature Walden, starring Emile Hirsch. I thought this was a great match for Dito’s episode on Monday because they are both full time directors how have directed eight features. After tha…

1
Dito Montiel - Casting Jennifer Coolidge to Breath Life into Feature #8! 1:02:09

6M ago1:02:09

1:02:09

This week we welcome writer/director Dito Montiel on the show to talk about directing his latest feature Riff Raff, starring Jennifer Coolidge, Pete Davidson and Bill Murray, among others and Dito tells us about how he got such an incredible cast in this film. After that we play another round of THE GAME, enjoy! Don’t forget to support us on Patreo…

1
Marco Aguilar - BONUS Throwback Interview! 1:17:26

6M ago1:17:26

1:17:26

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 149 from March 2018 with filmmaker Marco Aguilar who talks about taking his short film concept and building it out to raise money for his Zombie Parkour feature. Alrik thought this was a great match for Grant Rosado’s episode from Monday because they both talk about runn…

1
Meera Menon - BONUS Throwback Interview! 54:47

6M ago54:47

54:47

On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 385 from August 2022 featuring director Meera Menon! Alrik thought this was a good match for our episode with Ami Canaan Mann from Monday because Meera also started making indie features before going into TV directing. After that we play another round of You’re the exper…