Film Forward

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

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

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.

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 

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 LADFF.com/2022fest. Join us for a fantastic night after you listen to these kick-ass filmmakers.

Our series on 2022's Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival 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.

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

As a part of our series highlighting filmmakers from the 9th Annual Los Angeles Diversity Film:

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 LADFF.com

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/

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!