Best in Fest

The conversations continue from the La Femme International Film Festival as Best in Fest sits down with another group of filmmakers to explore the passion, persistence, and creative decisions behind their work. In Part 2, we go deeper into what it really takes to make independent films—from developing an original idea and assembling the right team to overcoming production challenges and getting a...

What does it take to bring an independent film from an idea to the festival screen? In this special episode of Best in Fest , we sit down with filmmakers featured at the La Femme International Film Festival to talk about the stories behind their films, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and what it takes to turn a creative vision into a finished project. From writing and directing to produc...

What happens when Hollywood stops simply portraying autism and starts listening to the people who actually live it? On this episode of Best in Fest , La Femme International Film Festival founder Leslie LaPage sits down with actress Lillian Carrier , star of the film Horse Girls , for a candid conversation about autism, acting, disability representation, authentic casting and the changing face of H...

What does it take to spend years working beside some of Hollywood’s top directors—and finally decide it’s time to tell your own story? In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with writer-director Brenda Wachtl and Romanian-born actress Maria Bata to discuss their new short film, In the Deep , as well as directing, acting, career reinvention, film festivals, and the persistenc...

Welcome to Best in Fest, where host Leslie LaPage sits down with Abby Savell , owner of LA Percussion Rentals & Recording , one of Hollywood's most unique resources for film composers, music supervisors, and sound designers. From blockbuster films to independent productions, Abby's collection of rare percussion instruments helps create the unforgettable sounds audiences hear in their...

Can artificial intelligence give us the perfect relationship—or does perfection come at the cost of real human connection? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with writer, director, producer, and bestselling author Lisa Steadman to discuss modern relationships, romantic storytelling, artificial intelligence, and her new festival short film, Tainted Love. A graduate of th...

What does it take to leave a successful career behind, move to Hollywood, and start building your dream all over again? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Ukrainian actress, model, dancer, songwriter, and television host  Liliia Halushko to discuss her journey from a small village in Ukraine to the international entertainment industry—and her latest suspense short...

What happens when animal cruelty becomes profitable content? In this powerful episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage speaks with journalist and animal advocate Nina Jackel and documentary filmmaker Kirk Murray about exposing animal abuse, confronting powerful technology companies, and using filmmaking as a catalyst for change. Nina is the founder of Lady Freethinker , a nonprofit media organ...

How do you create movies that entertain audiences, attract major talent, and still make a meaningful impact on the world? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with producer and One Community Head of Content Ameet Shukla for an in-depth conversation about social impact filmmaking, independent film production, finding powerful scripts, and building a sustainable career in H...

What does it really take to build a lasting career in Hollywood? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage , founder of the La Femme International Film Festival , sits down with Academy Award-nominated writer, director, and producer Jonathan Heap for an in-depth conversation about storytelling, directing, editing, working with legendary actors, and surviving decades in the film industry...

Welcome to Best in Fest , where host Lili Masztar-Hazi moderates a powerful panel discussion recorded at the inaugural La Femme International Film Festival Europe in Budapest. Award-winning filmmakers, producers, directors, cinematographers, actors, and industry leaders come together to discuss what it's really like to build a career as a woman in today's film industry. From Hollywood to...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Lili Masztar-Hazi brings together an inspiring panel of award-winning filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, sustainability leaders, and production designers to discuss the unexpected journeys that shaped their careers. From changing careers later in life to overcoming rejection, launching independent production companies, attending film school, working o...

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage brings together an extraordinary panel of award-winning directors, producers, cinematographers, and film professionals from around the world to reveal how they built successful careers in filmmaking—and what aspiring filmmakers need to know to do the same. From self-taught directors to internationally acclaimed producers, these guests share hones...

Why are Hollywood blockbusters, Netflix productions, and international filmmakers flocking to Hungary? In this episode of Best in Fest , we sit down with producers, studio executives, film festival leaders, and industry veterans to uncover why Budapest has quietly become one of the hottest filming destinations on Earth . From massive sound stages and medieval backlots to generous tax incentives, w...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , acclaimed Kosovo-Albanian actress and producer Arta Dobroshi shares her extraordinary journey from performing as a young artist in Kosovo to building an international career in film. Arta opens up about how growing up amid war and political instability shaped her perspective, her performances, and her commitment to humanity. She discusses her acting proc...

In this special episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with an inspiring group of filmmakers from around the world whose stories explore identity, technology, human connection, and the power of cinema to preserve history. From a moving documentary about a Japanese Canadian artist overcoming the legacy of World War II internment camps, to thought-provoking films examining artificial...

From AI-generated filmmaking and documentary storytelling to action shorts, horror competitions, relationship dramas, and artistic documentaries, these creators share how they brought their unique visions to life and what it takes to succeed in today's rapidly changing film industry. Featured conversations include: • The opportunities and challenges of creating films with artificial intellige...

In this special episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with an inspiring group of filmmakers featured at the Budapest Film Festival to discuss the stories, challenges, and creative journeys behind their latest projects. From a courageous documentary following a young women’s rights activist in Kyrgyzstan, to powerful films exploring teen pregnancy, collective memory, neurodiversity,...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Joi Noelle Worley,  editor, director, and content creator with experience across DreamWorks Animation, Netflix, Hulu, and independent film, to explore the evolving landscape of storytelling across animation and live action. Joi shares her unique career path working in both mediums, breaking down the creative and technical differen...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Elissa Shay.  actress, writer, and producer, to break down her journey from struggling to find the right roles in Hollywood to producing and starring in her own feature film, Fractured . After facing challenges as a mixed-ethnicity actress in an industry that often struggles with representation, Elissa took control of her career—w...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Shalini Dutta,  an accomplished actress with over three decades of experience across Bollywood, theater, television, and independent film to discuss her journey, career reinvention, and the evolving landscape for women and South Asian talent in the global film industry. From her early start in Indian cinema to stepping away for fa...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Aarti Misra — producer, business strategist, and global dealmaker working at the intersection of film, technology, and finance . With over 20 years of experience spanning Silicon Valley startups, film production, and international co-productions, Aarti breaks down how the entertainment industry is evolving—and what filmmakers must...

n this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Sohm Kapila — a globally trained actress whose credits span Grey’s Anatomy , The Morning Show , Never Have I Ever , Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom , and more — to break down the realities of building a sustainable acting career across continents. From being born in India and raised in the UK to establishing herself in Los Angeles, So...

In this powerful episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Jennifer Elizabeth Valdez — entrepreneur, domestic abuse survivor, and founder of From Gen to Generations — to share a deeply personal story of resilience, reinvention, and building success against all odds. Jennifer opens up about leaving an abusive home at just 15 years old, surviving homelessness, and navigating danger...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Charlotte Delaney Riggs , an award-winning actress and rising talent known for projects like Austin High , Thunder Road , and Through a Glass, Dimly . Charlotte shares her journey from performing in elementary school theater productions to working professionally in film and television—while balancing school, auditions, and life as...