Behind the Scenes

Jenna suru is an award-winning director and actor and is the director of the Paris International Film Festival. Highlighting the new voices of independent cinema, PIFF puts French and international filmmakers with a positive message under the spotlight. Built around its independent feature and short films competitions, the Festival offers a wide look on both International and French independent pr...

Neil Truglio joins Laura to talk about the 43rd year of the Denver Film Festival and how they're offering the complete experience online. Check out the organization at https://www.denverfilm.org/dff43/ , on Instagram @denverfilmsociety, and on Facebook @denverfilm. #DFF43 You can connect with Laura at www.laurapowers.net , on Facebook @thatlaurapowers, on Twitter @thatlaurapowers, and on Instagram...

Laura gives a wrap-up of the latest SeriesFest, an annual event that has become her favorite for networking and seeing what the latest developments in the film industry are. She gives a recap of some of the panel discussions, especially on the topic of diversity and changes in the industry due to Covid -19. Learn more about the festival at www.seriesfest.com . To find out more about Laura and her...

Minh Collins began his filmmaking career in 1997 on the independent feature film “Sparkler.” This positive experience prompted him to switch careers from the medical field to the entertainment industry. Never regretting the transition, he has created a list of notable projects on his resume. In 2019 Minh directed a horror feature film “Clown Fear” and is currently being distributed by Lionsgate. 2...

Peter Cattaneo was born on July 1, 1964 in Twickenham, London, England. He is a director and writer, known for The Full Monty (1997), Opal Dream (2006) and Military Wives (2019). Find more about Military Wives at https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/military-wives and find him on IMDB at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0146341/ To find out more about Laura and her work please visit her website at www.laura...

A third-generation actor, Spencer is the son of actress Kathleen Nolan, a former two-term president of the Screen Actors Guild. Father is Richard Heckenkamp, former head of Film Artists Associates, a talent agency. Spencer was raised in New York and Los Angeles and attended Duke and Fordham Universities before embarking on his theatrical studies with acclaimed teacher Sanford Meisner. He is best k...

With over 20 years of experience in producing, creating, and directing TV shows and movies, Brant Pinvidic has developed some of the most advanced pitch and presentation techniques that he now teaches to people from all walks of life. From humble beginnings in Canada, he worked his way through the ranks of Hollywood, earning his reputation as one of the industry's most effective and dynamic creati...

Sarah is a English actress and writer who trained at New York’s Lee Strasberg Institute of Film and Television. She was born in the Lake District in England and she spent a large part of her childhood growing up in Qatar, in the Middle East where she started acting at the age of seven when she was cast in a community theatre show. Some of her favorite stage roles are Viola from Twelfth Night and N...

John D. Farmer has been in the music industry for 25+ years and has owned various radio stations, including Utah Musicians Radio, American Music Radio, and Global Music Radio. His goal is to promote independent music from around the world. In 2018, he began directing and producing films with his spouse, and they turned their photography company Zepstone Media into an award-winning film production...

Laura gives a wrap-up of her experience at the Berlin Film Festival and what filmmakers are generating buzz along with logistical tips to make the most of your attendance. The Berlinaleis one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. For the film industry and the media, the eleven days in February are also one of th...

Maureen has worked for many years in the advertising industry in Buenos Aires and as been awarded by Cannes Lions, CLIO and TV Grand Prix In Diente. She began directing advertising commercials in 2008 and was International Champion of the Absolut Lomo Competition. Learn more about her work at https://www.landia.com/director/maureen-hufnagel/buenos-aires/ . Instagram: @maureenhuf Facebook: Maureen...

Laura met Steven Dayvid McKellar, a South African Born artist, musician and writer, while she was at the Sundance Film Festival. He is the lead singer for Civil Twilight and currently lives in Nashville, TN. Learn more about his music and artwork at https://stevendayvidmckellar.com/ https://stevendayvidmckellar.bandcamp.com/ To find out more about Laura and her work please visit her website at www...

Laura provides a wrap-up to the Sundance Film Festival and gives tips and tricks for making the most of your trip as well as the latest film industry news. Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides and preserves the space for artists in film, theatre, and new media to create and thrive. Learn more at https://www.sundance.org/ To find out more a...

Laura interviewed the nationally recognized film critic and historian Tony Toscano at the Sundance Film Festival. In 2002 Tony was honored with his first Emmy Award for his program. In 2007 Toscano received his 2nd Emmy. Toscano is also the film reviewer and entertainment guru for ABC-4's "Good Morning Utah" and "Midday." Additionally, Tony is heard on a number of radio stations across the US, inc...

Novi Brown was at Sundance this year with the festival short film BALDWIN BEAUTY and she also stars in the hugely successful BET show, Tyler Perry’s SISTAS. The show is about four African American women living in Atlanta dealing with love, dating and work. Each episode was written and directed by Tyler Perry. In addition to her acting career, Novi is a photographer, model, and a passionate advocat...

Laura hosted a seminar titled Film Festival Distribution Strategy at the Gold Movie Awards with Rebekah Smith and Billy Thurmon. Doctor Rebekah Louisa Smith began her film industry career in 2008, working as a producer on Wales’ most successful national horror film festival, the brilliantly-named Abertoir Horror Festival. A decade ago, she created her company The Film Festival Doctor, the name a n...

Laura interviews Jason Matthewson (event producer) and Marco Recalchi (founder and organizer) from the Gold Movie Awards. Gold Movie Awards® is an international film festival and is proud to be brought to you live from London’s world famous West End at the historic birthplace of British cinema and the world's oldest and most respected film institution the Regent Street Cinema on January 9th 2020....

Laura moderated a panel discussion at the Seattle Film Summit with veteran music and music video producers from the area. They talk about the creative process, taking risks, and making the most out of a small budget. Learn more about the Summit at https://seattlefilmsummit.com/ Panelists: Anthony L. Ray “Sir Mix-a-Lot” @therealmix @sirmixalot Josh Taft http://www.joshtaft.com/ Jon Jon Augustavo @j...

Laura gives a wrap-up of the events and panels at the 2019 American Film Market in Santa Monica as well as tips and tricks for getting the most out of your visit. To find out more about Laura and her work please visit her website at www.laurapowers.net . You can also find Laura on Twitter @thatlaurapowers, on Facebook @thatlaurapowers, and on Instagram at laurapowers44.

Sean Flanagan is a writer/producer who has made his name in film distribution and marketing, working on over 800 feature films in the past five years. He has worked for Swingset Creative, BidSlate, Mojomakers, Buffalo 8, Visual Data Media Services, Premiere Digital, Quiver and for dozens of North American distributors during his career. Key projects include Al Pacino’s Wilde Salome, Ashley Judd’s...

Laura gives a wrap-up of her experience at Mipcom in Cannes, France, including some of the highlights, latest technological innovations, and tips on how to get the most out of your experience at the film festival. Learn more about the festival at  https://www.mipcom.com / To find out more about Laura and her work please visit her website at www.laurapowers.net .  You can also find Laura on Twitter...

Ben is the founder of the Seattle Film Summit which empowers regional artists to develop innovative methods of storytelling, funding and distribution to shape a new, socially responsible film culture for the Pacific Northwest. Writers, directors, producers and actors have the opportunity to meet distributors, acquisition executives, talent agents, attorneys, festival directors and others who provi...

Karim Zariffa is a director and artist based in Quebec, Canada who has produced advertisements for high-profile clients including Google, Toyota, Master Card, and BMW. Karim’s artistic vision as a director is a vibrant and playful one. Known for his distinctive art direction, he works in a bold color pallet with handmade tangibility and in-camera magic, both in his TV commercials and a wide variet...

Neil Truglio has been with the Denver Film Society for thirteen years as the Director of Marketing and PR. After departing the organization in 2008 to seek an opportunity to teach in the public school, he returned this year as the Education Director to bring cinematic education programs to the community of Denver. Neil continues to be an avid part of the theatre and filmmaking communities of Denve...

Leonardo Corbucci is an American/Italian author, director and producer, an International award winning member of the DGA Director Guild of America. He comes from a family of filmmakers including Sergio Corbucci, the filmmaker who has heavily influenced Quentin Tarantino and was recently featured in, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Leonardo is working in Los Angeles and was born in Rome, Italy. He...