Best in Fest

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...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Kash Hovey — actor, producer, and host of On Air with Kash — to explore how the entertainment industry has evolved from traditional Hollywood systems to today’s creator-driven economy. Raised in a legacy entertainment family and with experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes at William Morris Endeavor (WME) , Ka...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Patti Negri , psychic medium, author, and host of The Witching Hour podcast, to explore how niche creators can build powerful personal brands and loyal audiences in today’s digital landscape. Patti shares how she has expanded her career across television, podcasting, and social media—creating a recognizable presence in the paranor...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with actress, filmmaker, and producer Julia Morizawa to break down her evolution from working actor to multi-hyphenate storyteller creating impactful, culturally rooted films. With over 20 years in film, television, and voice acting, Julia shares how she transitioned into writing and producing—using animation, short films, and emerging...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage speaks with Kevin Nicklaus , Head of Production and Partner at Sandstone Artists, a company focused on talent management, literary development, and film/TV production. With a background in studio development and experience working on major projects, Kevin shares how the entertainment industry is evolving—and what it really takes to finance, pack...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Theresa Demarest , an independent documentary filmmaker whose unconventional path to filmmaking includes life as a musician, critical care nurse, and activist storyteller. Theresa shares how she transitioned into documentary filmmaking while telling the powerful story of Keiko—the orca made famous in Free Willy —and how that proje...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage speaks with Amanda Hendon , owner and president of Entertainment 333, a full-service talent management company representing actors in film and television. With decades of experience working with major agencies, casting offices, and production companies, Amanda shares an insider perspective on how actors build sustainable careers in Hollywood—and...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage speaks with Laura Sydell , an award-winning journalist, audio producer, and storyteller best known for her work covering digital culture and technology for NPR programs including Planet Money , This American Life , and more. After two decades reporting from the front lines of Silicon Valley, Laura now brings that insider perspective to narrative...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage speaks with Shawn Bailey , entrepreneur, social media strategist, and founder of the WanderPreneur Agency. Shawn specializes in helping creators, filmmakers, and entrepreneurs understand the TikTok ecosystem and turn their content into a growing digital brand. As filmmakers increasingly rely on social media to build audiences before distribution...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Maegan La’Trese Fillmore — director, producer, activist, and founder of Hudson Fillmore — for a no-nonsense conversation about the real economics of independent filmmaking today . Maegan shares her journey from overseeing productions at Comedy Central, VH1, MTV, the NFL, YouTube Originals, and Paramount to directing award-winning...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Sandhya Hermon — an award-winning screenwriter and former research psychologist — to explore how a second career in storytelling can emerge from lived experience, global identity, and persistence. Sandhya shares her journey from earning a doctorate in psychology to pursuing an MFA in screenwriting at UT Austin, and how her scripts...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Arden Theresa Lewis — Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, playwright, and former educator — for a powerful conversation about creative reinvention, historical storytelling, and why it’s never too late to make meaningful work . Arden shares the eight-year journey behind her Daytime Emmy Award–winning documentary Leveling Lincoln ,...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Linda Arroz — lifestyle writer, speaker, advisor, former plus-size spokesmodel, and media strategist — for a wide-ranging conversation on reinvention, branding, and storytelling in today’s entertainment landscape . Linda shares her unconventional journey from working at General Motors to becoming a nationally recognized fashion an...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Debra Gilels — a veteran film PR strategist, producer’s rep, and distribution consultant who has helped launch award-winning documentaries and indie features into global release. With over 20 years of experience guiding films from festivals to streaming platforms, Debra breaks down how distribution really works today , why most fi...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Emilio Hughes Martinez — award-winning filmmaker, writer, and former Vice President of Development at Eclectic Pictures (Olympus Has Fallen, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Lovelace). Emilio shares his journey from studio development executive to independent filmmaker, revealing what production companies really look for in scripts,...