About this podcast
A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 168 episodes
- Taking the Moonshot: Katrina Medoff on Opening Doors in Film and TV · 45 min · Season 4 Episode 55Whenever we see a popular film by a female director, the general consensus is -- well, the problem is fixed. Female directors have the same opportunities as men, clearly! My…
- Directing My Mother: Kenny Riches On MOUSE (2026) · 26 min · Season 4 Episode 54Watch This Episode On YouTube Director Kenny Riches is here to break down pretty much every stereotype in independent film: it's in his fourth feature where he feels like it is…
- Filming Your Own War: Alisa Kovalenko, dir. of TRACES (2026), Ukraine's Oscar Nominee · 34 min · Season 4 Episode 53Watch This Episode On YouTube There was intense fighting during America's Global War on Terror era in Iraq and Afghanistan, no question. But it's nothing compared to the sheer…
- "I Hate Most Addiction Films": How Director Aaron Strand Broke Almost All Of The Rules · 56 min · Season 4 Episode 52We're so accustomed to the tropes of addiction related films. Recovery is inspiration. There's a happy ending. The story is over when your protagonist comes out of therapy. As I…
- "It's Actually A Sunny Day In Ireland" Damian McCann, director of AONTAS (2025), Ireland's Oscar Pick for 2027 · 32 min · Season 4 Episode 51The most Irish friendly film podcast is back with another Irish guest, director Damian McCann, who brings a host of firsts with him -- first Irish language film made in Northern…
- Paula González-Nasser — Six Years Scouting, One Film: THE SCOUT (2025) · 20 min · Season 4 Episode 50Not a pop psychology show, but if it was, I'd explore more with my guest, writer and director Paula González-Nasser of the brilliant film THE SCOUT (2025), how she made her first…
- Mylissa Fitzsimmons On Running Away And The Making of MACKENZIE (2026) · 46 min · Season 4 Episode 49My guest today, director Mylissa Fitzsimmons, previously released two features -- EVERYTHING IN THE END (2021) and THE LONG RUN (2025) -- and never got a premiere. She suffered…
- Thrilling sci-fi films, parenthood, and acting in your 60s: The Amazing Story of Ace Thor & Glen Steele · 33 min · Season 4 Episode 48Expectations are good in a lot of ways. They hold us to a standard and promote accountability. But they can also be creatively limiting. For actor and executive producer Glen…
- Indie Film Highlight: RYE LANE (2023) · 1 min · Season 4Watch This Episode On YouTube Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: RYE LANE (2023) Director: Raine…
- Betting Big On Yourself Through Helping Others: Dylan Mulick and HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD · 52 min · Season 4 Episode 47Watch This Episode On YouTube When you normally see a series like HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD, put together by my guest, filmmaker Dylan Mulick (and the team at World Within…
- War Zones And Walks To Legendary Romances: Orlando von Einsiedel, director of THE CYCLE OF LOVE (2025) · 17 min · Season 4 Episode 46One of the most fascinating things I've learned about in conducting interviews are how top awards can end up meaning -- nothing. Think back -- can you name who won the Oscar for…
- Indie Film Highlight: EVELYN (2018) · 2 min · Season 4Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: EVELYN (2018). Director: Orlando von Einsiedel SYNOPSIS When a…
- Shooting A Coming Of Age Story From A Child's Perspective: Ang Geck Geck Priscilla, dir. of AH GIRL (2026) · 23 min · Season 4 Episode 45Watch This Episode On YouTube If you are staying up till 1030 pm to talk with me from Milan, Italy, well, I'm going to be grateful no matter what. But even better if your film is…
- TWO UGLY PEOPLE (2025), One Exceptional Director: Peter Skinner · 34 min · Season 4 Episode 44It always fascinates me when people with other artistic backgrounds settle on making films. They end up creating an art form that is noticeably different than their peers. My…
- Indie Film Highlight: MOON (2009) · 2 min · Season 4Watch This Episode On YouTube Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: MOON (2009) Director: Duncan…
- The Best Film I've Watched All Year (Part 2): Cinematographer Tom Ford of URCHINS (2026 · 27 min · Season 4 Episode 43At the risk of sounding corny (and real in a world of AI slop podcast descriptions), let me add a fourth F: Ford. As in Tom Ford. No, not that one -- the cinematographer Tom…
- The Best Film I've Watched All Year (Part 1): Director Adam Rioux of URCHINS (2026) · 41 min · Season 4 Episode 42The story behind URCHINS (2026), a coming of age tale set in the waterways of Florida, distills what is best and what is worst about the modern state of independent film. URCHINS…
- Indie Film Highlight: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (2011) · 2 min · Season 4Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI (2011) Director: David Gelb Cast: Jiro…
- Shih-Ching Tsou, dir. of LEFT-HANDED GIRL (2025) · 30 min · Season 4 Episode 41Watch This Episode On YouTube From the looks of it, LEFT-HANDED GIRL (2025) has everything going for it. Fantastic film. Taiwan's 2025 Oscar submission (and widely expected to be…
- Lee Kirk, dir. of NIMRODS (2025) · 21 min · Season 4 Episode 40I talk to filmmakers all the time who say things like, I'm reviving the romcom. Or my film is a homage to 1950s Westerns. The statements encompass so many genres but the truth…
