After listening to all five finalists of the Bloomberg Green Docs, be honest -- there's no way you can tell who won. They are all that good. In part 1, I talked to the judges and today, you'll hear from the five finalists.

• LIFE WITH BATS by David Luff
• CLIMATE DIARIES: HEATHER'S STORY by Berit Anderson and Ali Scattergood
• FINDING HOME by Maria Stanisheva
• GROVE OF GIANTS by Bree Sanders
• SAVING GLACIERS by Ciril Jazbec

And you'll hear who won. But as David Luff says, they all won by being a part of this process. Thanks again to Bloomberg Climate for helping make these interviews happen.

Links:

Bloomberg Green Docs

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This week is all about the Bloomberg Green Docs festival, held in Seattle on July 12, 2024. Thanks to Bloomberg Climate, especially Emily Anton and Courtney J. Boland, I interviewed most of the judges and all of the five finalists.

Taken altogether, they paint a picture of where the industry is going in regards to climate documentaries; how nonprofits are changing views through both narrative and documentary filmmaking; the secrets to success in a tough industry; and what they were looking for from the five finalists.

I've broken down the interviews into two episodes: the first is with the judges and the second with the finalists. Maybe you've read who won, but if you haven't, I urge you to go on a ride with me this week and wait till the end of part 2 to see who takes home the $25,000.

In this episode, I talk with:

• Aaron Rutkoff, Executive Editor, Bloomberg Green
• Will N. Miller, Producer, The Territory & Co-founder, Documist
• Jill Tidman, Executive Director, The Redford Center
• Lindsay Firestone, Film & Special Content Projects Lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies

In part 2, I'll talk with the five finalist teams:

• CLIMATE DIARIES: HEATHER'S STORY by Berit Anderson and Ali Scattergood
• FINDING HOME by Maria Stanisheva
• GROVE OF GIANTS by Bree Sanders
• LIFE WITH BATS by David Luff
• SAVING GLACIERS by Ciril Jazbec

Links:

Bloomberg Green Docs

The Redford Center

A Louisiana Story (the 1948 film Lindsay Firestone references)

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: WEIRDOS (2016).

Director: Bruce McDonald

Written By: Daniel MacIvor

Cast: Dylan Authors; Julia Sarah Stone; Molly Parker; Allan Hawco

SYNOPSIS

During the American Bicentennial weekend, a 15-year-old Nova Scotia boy runs away with his girlfriend to make a new home with his artistic mother.

Watch The Episode on YouTube.

Watch WEIRDOS Now on MUBI

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

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Independent cinema won't save itself. People have to go to local art house theaters and support the films they are showing if they want them to survive. And by them, I mean the theaters and the filmmakers.

The good news is: we have a day coming up where you can do just that. Art House Theater Day is July 25th, 2024, and my guest, Kate Markham, managing director of Art House Convergence, is here to talk about it.

We talk about how she got started at the organization; trends in art houses; the rise of international films; how we should all be able to put away our phones for a couple of hours; and what's next for this amazing organization.

You can check out Art House Convergence’s website on how you can participate in Art House Theater Day — go do it for cinema!

Kate's Indie Film Highlight: International Films At Art Houses

Links:

Art House Theater Day

Art House Convergence's Instagram

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There's not been another episode like it. And maybe that's because I've never had a Brazilian filmmaker on the show. But that changes with Pedro Freire, director of Sundance favorite MALU.

It's stunning the amount of ground and insight we cover in this episode, and a recap feels a little inadequate to the brilliance of Pedro's mind, but here goes: we talk about how he got his start in filmmaking (watching films with an obsession for years); teaching film in Cuba; the state of Brazilian filmmaking; the unique way in which he shot MALU that should resonate for all independent filmmakers; how to use color in service to the story; how work doesn't mean a film will be successful.

And that's not all, not even close: the versatility of directors; his "personal relationship" with the Sundance Film Festival; if his film resonates specifically in Latin America because of his portrayal of families; what he would go back and tell himself at the beginning of his career; what's next for him and MALU. His next film is a love story, "two women who fall in love...but they are in their 80s."

Whenever we talk about the most promising filmmakers of the future, Pedro Freire has to be on the list.

Pedro's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Gabriel Mascaro; HEARTLESS (2023) dir. by Nara Normande; Eduardo Nunes

Links:

Pedro Freire's Instagram

MALU On Letterboxd

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (2010).

Director: Lisa Cholodenko

Story: Ruby Caster; Clara McGregor; Vera Bulder

Cast: Julianne Moore; Annette Bening; Mark Ruffalo

SYNOPSIS

Lesbian couple Nic and Jules have been together for twenty years, bringing up two children thanks to the contributions of a anonymous sperm donor. As 18-year-old daughter Joni prepares to leave for college, she and younger brother Laser get curious about their heritage. Making contact with Paul, the laid-back restaurateur whose sperm bank deposit helped bring them into the world, the two set off a chain reaction.

Watch The Episode on YouTube.

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There's something so special about having filmmakers who are writers -- or writers who are filmmakers -- on the show because of their turns of phrase are so...well, literary. You'll hear it several times in this episode from both Avery & Chloe: those little twists of words that turn a sentence into an image and an image into a memory. I didn't think I could be more excited for their film, THE BALLAD OF LORETTA RAY, now crowdfunding on Seed & Spark, but: listen to them talk about it.

In this episode, we talk about how they got started; their magical friendship that led to sharing writer and directing credits on the film; how they turned a genre usually associated with male protagonists on its head; their views on how to approach short v. feature; a discussion of the streaming platform Riseflix; and what's next for these extremely talented writer-directors. Director-writers? Here's guessing they'll be successful at both.

Chloe's Indie Film/Filmmaker Highlight: I USED TO BE FUNNY (2023) dir. by Ally Pankiw; Miranda July

Avery's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Nancy Savoca

Links:

THE BALLAD OF LORETTA RAY Crowdfunding Campaign

THE BALLAD OF LORETTA RAY Instagram

Chloe Fontenot's Instagram

Avery Warsaw's Instagram

Riseflix

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I’m re-releasing one of my favorite episodes of the pod, my conversation with Scott Monahan, director of ANCHORAGE.

Until July 18th, you can vote for ANCHORAGE on Decentralized Pictures — here's the link — and their team can win $2500 for their next project.

Given that this is one of my favorite episodes, and one of my favorite dudes, how could I not re-release to support?

So go vote for ANCHORAGE now. (This is assuming you've seen this great indie film. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?)

Scott is a phenomenal actor, sure, but I feel like the kindness is genuine.

Enjoy this episode, it’s one of my absolute favorites, and see you in Anchorage.

In this episode, we talk about Scott growing up with his U.S. Marine-turned middle school guidance counselor family in Japan to crowdfunding for ANCHORAGE at the beginning of the pandemic. We talk about his journey through the film festival circuit and distribution; Film Independent's role in independent film, the multi-hatting necessary for so many independent filmmakers, Scott's larger philosophy in what projects he chooses to be a part of, and what he wants to do next.

Go vote on Decentralized Pictures, and I hope you enjoy revisiting my conversation with one of indie film's good guys: Scott Monahan.

Scott's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Pete Ohs

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Links:

Vote now for ANCHORAGE

Watch ANCHORAGE

ANCHORAGE Movie Instagram

Scott Monahan's Instagram

Dakota Loesch's Instagram

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BLEEDING LOVE (2023).

Director: Emma Westenberg

Story: Ruby Caster; Clara McGregor; Vera Bulder

Cast: Clara McGregor; Ewan McGregor; Jake Weary; Kim Zimmer

SYNOPSIS

A father takes his estranged daughter on a road trip to get her out of trouble, leading to their strained relationship being tested as they meet all types of strangers along the way.

Watch The Episode on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Happy Fourth of July! As the podcast enters its second year, I can't think of a better person to spend it with than Corey Deshon. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he went about making his first feature, DAUGHTER (2022); how he got involved in filmmaking; whether you can see a through-line in his work from short films to feature; how much you should take into consideration the genre's reaction to your film; and what's next for Corey.

Corey talks about how DAUGHTER is a calling card for his filmmaking. To me, this is the calling card for the podcast -- remarkable insight and breakdown of how he accomplished what so many dream to do.

Corey's Indie Film Highlight: THEY CLONED TYRONE (2023), dir. by Juel Taylor

Links:

Corey Deshon's Instagram

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: HAPPINESS (1998).

Director: Todd Solondz

Written By: Todd Solondz

Cast: Jame Adams; Jared Harris; Lara Flynn Boyle; Phillip Seymour Hoffman; Cynthia Stevenson; Dylan Baker

SYNOPSIS

This dark ensemble-comedy is centered on the three Jordan sisters. Joy (Jane Adams) moves through lackluster jobs with no sense of purpose. Now employed teaching adults, she is dating a student, Russian taxi-driver Vlad (Jared Harris). Helen (Lara Flynn Boyle) is an esteemed poet who becomes amused by her perverted neighbor, Allen (Philip Seymour Hoffman). And eldest sister Trish (Cynthia Stevenson) is married to Bill (Dylan Baker), a psychiatrist with a very disturbing secret life.

Watch The Episode on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Indian cinema is the largest national film industry in terms of the number of films produced, with 2,446 feature films produced annually as of 2019. But until today...I haven't talked about it for the podcast. That changes with the extraordinary story of Rohini Jadhav, who recently filmed her debut short ANOKHI.

In this episode, we talk about her journey from architect to Hollywood; how the world of production design fits for those used to constructing buildings; the type of stories that aren't being told in Indian and South Asian communities; the importance of spouses, partners, and family for indie filmmakers; the state of Indian independent film; and what's next for this exciting new voice in filmmaking.

Rohini's Indie Film Highlight: HALWA (2018) dir. by Gayatri Bajpai and Nirav Bhakta; FOUR SAMOSAS (2022) dir. by Ravi Kapoor; THREE OF US (2022) dir. by Avinash Arun; POLITE SOCIETY (2023) dir. by Nida Manzoor; A DEATH IN THE GUNJ (2016) dir. by Konkona Sen Sharma; Guneet Monga Kapoor; THE ELEPHANT WHISPERERS (2022) dir. by Kartiki Gonsalves

Links:

Rohini Jadhav's Website

Rohini Jadhav's Instagram

Anokhi Crowdfunding Campaign

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Love letter to New York City? Check. A humble, kind, smart filmmaker? Check. A bold name and a bold film on Kickstarter? Check, check, check.

In this episode, I talk with Louis Momméja about his new film, REFUCTORING; his journey from Paris to New York, with a stop in Los Angeles; the realities of trying to keep up with a filmmaking career while also making money; the challenges of highlighting darker topics in one's work (no lie -- Wendy Corn's episode was the most downloaded last year); the international value of living and working in New York City; and the exciting future for Louis and his film.

If a guy named his film REFUCTORING and makes it work, I'm betting on that guy to go a long way.

Louis' Indie Film Highlight: THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED (2023) dir. by Joanne Arnow

Links:

REFUCTORING Kickstarter

Louis Momméja Instagram

REFUCTORING Instagram

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BARBECUE (2014).

Director: Éric Lavaine

Written By: Éric Lavaine; Hector Cabello Reyes

Cast: Lambert Wilson; Franck Dubosc; Florence Foresti; Guillaume de Tonquedec; Lionel Abelanski

SYNOPSIS

On his 50th birthday, a man who's been watching his weight, health and temper all his life suffers a heart attack. He's been doing everything he was told he should do and it still didn't help. He decides to turn the page and let loose.

Watch The Episode on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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In a first for the First Time Go podcast, I talk with a filmmaker in person -- Ibrahim Nash'at, the multi-award winning Egyptian documentary filmmaker who made HOLLYWOODGATE, which premiered at DC/DOX 2024.

(Let me apologize upfront about audio quality. It's not the standard I expect of myself and I'll do a better job with in-person interviews next time. Thanks for understanding and being supportive.)

We talk about how he got involved in filmmaking; his journey to Afghanistan to make this film while everybody else was leaving; what makes a good documentary filmmaker; the portrayal of the Taliban and women in Afghanistan; issues surrounding access for documentarians; and what's next for Ibrahim.

A documentary is frequently labeled important even when it isn't but that isn't the case at all with HOLLYWOODGATE; the film is an extremely moving cinéma vérité style look at a world that Ibrahim risked his life for us to get to see.

Ibrahim expressed an interest in screening the film for military and veteran audiences -- I look forward to that, too. In sum, his work is the best kind of filmmaking: it shows you not what you may want to see, or what you expect, but what is.

Links:

HOLLYWOODGATE Trailer

HOLLYWOODGATE Review

Ibrahim Nash'at Instagram

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE (1989).

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Screenplay: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Andie MacDowell; Peter Gallagher; Laura San Giacomo; James Spader

SYNOPSIS

Ann (Andie MacDowell) is trapped in a sexually and emotionally unfulfilled relationship with her husband, John (Peter Gallagher), a successful but unpleasant lawyer who is sleeping with her sister, Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). The underlying tensions in the couple's marriage rise to the surface when Graham (James Spader), a friend of John's from college who's been drifting for nine years, returns to town and videotapes Cynthia and Ann as they talk about their sexual desires.

Watch The Episode: https://youtu.be/CbeVd07nK3s

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@firstgopod

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There's been (roughly) 100 episodes of the podcast. So when you hit on topics you haven't talked with anybody about before (IRAs, 401(k)s, faith-based organizations), you know you are in for something special.

But I knew that already from his trenchant social media posts. In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Kyle Prohaska about perseverance, resilience, and becoming a jack of all trades in the filmmaking business. We talk about his start as a filmmaker and working in the faith-based sector; the problems with expensive short films that just have to make festivals; the lack of QC in indie filmmaking; and where you should expect to see Kyle in a couple of years. "Prepare for your future" is Kyle's main advice; if yours is indeed in filmmaking, chances are you'll see Kyle Prohaska there.

Kyle's Indie Film Highlight: (the first time we ever had a recommendation for a film that has been an episode on the podcast): YOUR LUCKY DAY (2023) dir. by Daniel Brown; THE LAST STOP IN YUMA COUNTY (2023) dir. by Francis Galluppi; MASS (2021) dir by Fran Kranz

Links:

Prohaska Studios

Kyle Prohaska's Threads Account

Kyle Prohaska's X Account

Kyle Prohaska's Instagram

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BEGINNERS (2010).

Director: Mike Mills

Screenplay: Mike Mills

Cast: Ewan McGregor; Christopher Plummer; Mélanie Laurent

SYNOPSIS

After his mother dies, Oliver (Ewan McGregor) is stunned when his father, Hal (Christopher Plummer), recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, comes out of the closet. When Hal passes away a few years later, Oliver grows depressed, struggling with his failing career as an artist while constantly remembering his childhood and time spent with his dad. Oliver's loneliness is eased when he meets actress Anna (Mélanie Laurent), but their relationship is threatened by their mutual fear of commitment.

Watch The Episode: https://youtu.be/wr3Xa-d5uGc

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@firstgopod

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I urge you to go watch TWICE THRICE TOLD and if you’ve seen something like it, let me know. And once you hear the story behind it — no post-production, one take — you’ll be simply astonished by Brennan Hershock’s story.

In this episode, we talk about how ex-FBI agents helped Brennan get his passport renewed in time to go to the Straight 8 events in Cannes and London; what the Straight 8 competition is; how he feels about short films and niche film competitions like Straight 8; and what's next for this award-winning (yep, top 8 of the Straight 8) indie filmmaker. Put him down for another episode in 2029 for his first feature.

Brennan's Indie Film Highlight: RIDDLE OF FIRE dir. by Weston Razooli

Links:

Straight 8 Films on YouTube (Twice Thrice Told is at 23:23)

Brennan Hershock's Instagram

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Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!! (2016).

Director: Richard Linklater

Screenplay: Richard Linklater

Cast: Glen Powell; Tyler Hoechlin; Zoey Deutch

SYNOPSIS

In 1980 Texas, a college freshman meets his new baseball teammates, an unruly group of disco-dancing, skirt-chasing partyers, and they navigate their way through the freedom and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood.

Watch The Episode: https://youtu.be/krhyTGFexng

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@firstgopod

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