1st on Film

In this episode, we sit down with writer Eliza Power and director Philip Clyde-Smith to talk about their short film A Hand to Hold. Together, they unpack the story’s emotional core, exploring the themes of connection, vulnerability, and what it means to truly show up for someone in moments of need. Eliza shares the inspiration behind the script and how the story evolved from page to screen, while...

In this exclusive episode, we sit down with the creative minds behind the short film THE NOVEL — director Kellen Gibbs and actors Kaprise Colvin and Jordan Knapp. We dive into the inspiration behind the film, the collaborative process on set, and the challenges of bringing such a layered story to life in a feature format. From character development to the emotional core of the narrative, this conv...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Andrew Bachelor—better known as King Bach—to talk about his latest project, Hate the Player: The Ben Johnson Story on Paramount+. Blending satire with sharp cultural commentary, the mockumentary takes a fresh and comedic look at one of the most controversial figures in sports history. Bach opens up about stepping into this unique role, the challenge...

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears, the visionary filmmakers behind the Oscar-nominated animated short film Forevergreen. Together, they break down the creative journey behind one of this year’s most visually and emotionally striking animated projects. From developing the film’s unique visual style to crafting a story that resonates without limits, they take us i...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Luke Angus, the director behind the short film Solstice. Luke takes us inside the creative process behind the film, from its earliest inspiration to the challenges of bringing it to life on screen. We explore the themes at the heart of Solstice, the visual storytelling choices that define its tone, and what it means to craft a compelling n...

Fresh off the red carpet at the Canadian Film Fest, we sit down with actor-turned-director Scott Anthony Cavalheiro to talk about his bold feature directorial debut, Plan C. Plan C is a gritty, high-stakes crime thriller that marks the feature directorial debut of Scott Anthony Cavalheiro. The film follows siblings on the run after a robbery spirals out of control, launching them into a desperate...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Nicole Alyse Nelson to talk about her latest short film, a fresh take on a Jane Austen-inspired period drama. Nicole shares what drew her to the project, how she approached bringing a classic tone to life, and the creative challenges of working within the short film format. We also dive deeper into her journey as an actor—exploring her career beginn...

In this episode of 1st on Film, We chat with filmmaker Michael Makaroff at the red carpet to discuss his compelling short film Animals, screening this week at the Canadian Film Festival. Animals is a tense and intimate short film that explores the fragile boundaries between human instinct and social restraint. Through a tightly focused narrative, the film examines how ordinary situations can unrav...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Will Niava to explore his striking short film Jazz Infernal. Blending rhythm, tension, and visual storytelling, the film dives into the darker harmonies of creativity and obsession. Niava discusses the inspiration behind the project, his approach to crafting atmosphere through sound and imagery, and the challenges of bringing such an inten...

In this special episode, we hit the convention floor to chat with some of the event’s most dedicated attendees. Chris Markland (@iamsupafly) is a pop culture content creator and social media influencer making waves in the fandom space. Known for his energetic presence and love of comics, cosplay, and geek culture, he’s built a strong following by connecting with fans and bringing convention experi...

In this episode, we sit down with acclaimed director Alireza Khatami to discuss his latest film The Things You Kill. Known for his haunting, poetic storytelling and deeply introspective themes, Khatami dives into the creative process behind the film, exploring its emotional core, visual language, and the personal influences that shaped it. We talk about the challenges of bringing such an intense s...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with voice actors Emi Lo and Dawn M. Bennett to dive into the intense and thought-provoking anime Sentenced to Be a Hero. From exploring their approaches to complex characters to sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the recording booth, Emi and Dawn offer a candid look at what it takes to bring this dark fantasy world to life. We also discuss the emoti...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Chris Lavis to discuss his haunting stop-motion short The Girl Who Cried Pearls. Created alongside longtime collaborator Maciek Szczerbowski, the film tells a dark fairytale set in early-20th-century Montreal about a poor boy who discovers a mysterious girl whose tears transform into priceless pearls. As greed, love, and mo...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Mekhai Lee to discuss his powerful short film Them That’s Not, which screened at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. Lee shares the inspiration behind the film, the personal experiences that shaped the story, and the challenges of telling an intimate narrative about grief, identity, and family connection. We also dive into the craft...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with the English voice cast behind the critically acclaimed anime Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Joining us are Mallorie Rodak (Frieren), Jill Harris (Fern), and Jordan Dash Cruz (Stark). The trio discusses bringing the beloved characters to life in the English dub, the emotional depth of the series, and why Frieren’s story has resonated with audiences a...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Renée Marie Petropoulos and actor Emily Grant to discuss their haunting new short film Souvenir, which premieres at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival. Set during the summer of 2008, the film follows Keira, a closeted teenage girl vacationing at a tropical resort with her family and her girlfriend Zoe. As the two try to keep their re...

In this special SXSW episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with filmmaker Brian Tetsuro Ivie and actor Takehiro Hira to discuss their new science-fiction road film Anima, which made its world premiere at the SXSW Film & TV Festival. The film follows an unlikely pair on a cross-country journey toward a controversial technology that can preserve human consciousness. In our conversation, Ivie talks abo...

In this episode, we sit down with voice actors Adam McArthur and Kayleigh McKee from the hit anime Jujutsu Kaisen. They discuss bringing their characters to life, what it’s like working on one of the most popular anime series in the world, and the challenges and excitement of voice acting in high-intensity scenes. If you’re a fan of anime, voice acting, or the supernatural world of curses and sorc...

On this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with rising actor Jeremy Ray Taylor to talk about his role in the coming-of-age film This Too Shall Pass. Jeremy discusses what drew him to the project, the themes of friendship and self-discovery at the heart of the story, and what it was like bringing his character to life alongside a talented ensemble cast. The conversation also explores Jeremy’s jour...

In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Eduardo Braun Costa to discuss his short film The Liars, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The Argentine short follows two boys, Matías and Jaime, who suddenly find themselves navigating the confusing responsibilities of adulthood. When Jaime is detained by a mall security guard, Matías must quickly improvise and convince a str...

On this episode, we chat with Maddy Myer about her brand new podcast titled Maddy Mania. We discuss fandom, wrestling, superheroes and so much more. Hosted by entertainment publicist and journalist Maddy Myer, Maddy Mania is a pop culture podcast where Maddy goes all in on her niche interests. Each episode is part fan spiral, part insider chat, diving deep into the fandoms and phenomena that make...

On this episode, we sit down with Oscar-nominated directors Alexandre and Natalie to discuss their provocative and intimate short film Two People Exchanging Saliva. In our conversation, they break down the inspiration behind the film, the creative risks they embraced, and how a deceptively simple premise becomes a layered exploration of vulnerability, connection, and human intimacy. We also talk a...

In this episode, we sit down with Victoria Trow to talk about her powerful upcoming short film Eructation, premiering at SXSW. Victoria opens up about the creative process behind the film, the themes that inspired the story, and how Eructation explores identity, discomfort, and emotional release through bold storytelling. We also dive into her journey as a filmmaker, the challenges of bringing suc...

In this episode, we sit down with Meyer Levinson-Blount, the visionary filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated short film Butcher’s Stain. Meyer takes us inside the creative process behind the film, from its haunting themes and visual language to the emotional weight driving its story. We explore what inspired the project, the challenges of crafting a powerful short film, and what the Oscar nominatio...

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Praise Odigie Paige, the visionary director behind the Sundance short film Birdie, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Praise opens up about the inspiration behind Birdie, the emotional themes that shaped the story, and her creative process as a filmmaker telling intimate, character-driven narratives. We talk about representation, vulnerabilit...