Best in Fest

Leslie and her guest Gloria Gifford discuss her dynamic career as a woman of color including all of the hard earned lessons she learned working on Broadway and in Hollywood. Gloria Gifford taught at the American Film Institute for six years in the Masters' Program. She taught Directors, Writers and Producers and among her successful AFI students: Patty Jenkins ( Monster (2003), Brian Dannelly...

Jacob Rachinski is a 1st AD, line Producer and now a Covid-19 Compliance officer with a ton of on set experience.  If you are a new filmmaker and you want to cut out about a billion potential mistakes you will probably make early on in your career, then you want to listen to this episode.   http://www.lafemme.org

In this information packed episode Leslie speaks with Sales Agent Jenny Hayden about the best ways to get the industry interested in your independent film.  This is straight from an industry professional who has been in this world her entire career.  You don't want to miss her advice.  More about Jenny: Jenny Hayden has over twenty years of experience in the acquisition and distribution of aw...

How do you write a great script that integrates well and allows the audience to accept the unacceptable? In this episode, Leslie has on Screenwriter James Napoli to break down his writing process Step by Step.  If you're a writer or wanna be writer than you can't miss this episode of Best in Fest! More About James Napoli James has a master’s in film from the London Film School. He began...

Producer/Actor Suzanne Johnson talks about her film "The World Without You" with Leslie in this episode of Best in Fest.  The conversation quickly goes to how an Independent can further his or her career and Suzanne gave nuggets of gold. Build the right team and spend what you must to get them was the advice, because your film and career will depend on it.  Suzanne gives anecdotes about...

In this episode Leslie speaks with multi award winning screenwriter  Ben Sztajnkrycer.  Listen in as they unravel the mystery of a great script and how to write one.  Don't miss it. BEN SZTAJNKRYCER is an award winning screenwriter who works in both the U.S. and Canadian film industries. His supernatural thriller "Refuge" was shot in 2021, with Renny Harlin (“Cliffhanger”) directing...

Don't miss this episode! If you want to sell your independent film to a distributor or are looking for investors,  this episode is essential for you.  Leslie LaPage, the Director of LaFemme Film Festival and the host of Best in Fest, takes control and gives a detailed and specific outline of what you need to provide in every page of your Look Book. For the past fifteen years Leslie La Page ha...

With a passion for film and filmmaking since childhood, Daniel decided to move to California in 2000 with an interest in the film business. After graduating at Cal State Northridge in 2006, he realized that young filmmakers had very little access to industry professionals, and few options for screening their films. And thus, the HollyShorts Film Festival was born. Now in its 18th year and Academy...

Do you think a development executive turned screenplay writer might have some good advice? Then this episode is for you. Leslie sits down with Garrick Dion  from LA-based management/production company 5X and the conversation is FIRE!!! More about Garrick: Having started his career as an intern for THE MATRIX producer Joel Silver, Garrick Dion has over 25 years of experience in the Film & Telev...

In this episode Leslie dives deep with Co-founders of Dances with Films  to discuss what film festivals are looking for and how to improve your chances as a filmmaker to get your film accepted. LESLEE SCALLON & MICHAEL TRENT // Co-Founders  A Regent Scholar at New York University, Michael Trent began his career as one of the youngest stage managers to receive an Equity production contract with...

Leslie and Deborah Gilels discuss the real truths about marketing your Indie film from a PR Professional in Hollywood.  Now, not every Publicist is a marketing person and not every marketing person is a publicist.  In this episode, they also discuss promoting vs selling a film using a press release, niche marketing, social media, pitching to trades and much more. More About Deborah: Deborah Gilels...

How do you get your indie film made and distributed? Ilyssa Goodman says build your rolodex and know your market.  In this episode Leslie and Ilyssa talk about writing, production and casting to make your project sellable to studios and distributors. More About Ilyssa: Director, producer, writer and distribution strategist Ilyssa Goodman has worked with many of Hollywood’s top young and establishe...

Joelle began her writing career as an advertising copywriter, creating award-winning campaigns for brands like In-N-Out Burger, Kleenex and Lexus. Since making the jump to screenwriting, she's written several romantic comedy and family telefilms including Hallmark Channel's Paris, Wine and Romance. Other films include Love on the Vines and Diagnosis Delicious, each of which aired on Hall...

From good sound design to proper formatting on deliverables, Leslie and her guest Megan Huggins from Gravitas dive deep on exactly what distributors are looking for in your film. Megan Huggins is the acquisitions coordinator for Gravitas Ventures, the largest indie all rights distributor in North America. In her time with Gravitas she has negotiated hundreds of feature film deals across VOD, theat...

Are you interested in being a creator of animation? In this information packed episode Leslie and Marlene discuss, global development of Animation in Japan,  merchandising in Animation Crossover content and trends in animation, the market for boys at specific ages, an animation market for girls, the difference between selling your show and producing your show, Web-comics and the new content creati...

The first question to ask when you're preparing your pitch is, what do you want them to understand? Next is what's your hook, your personal story that will get and hold their attention. In this powerful episode, Devo Cutler-Rebenstein answers these questions as well as discussing how to get buyers to want to work with you, gap financing, digital marketing tools and more. Devo Cutler-Rube...

How do you transition from directing commercials to directing features? Are the structures similar? Are the skills transferable?  In this episode, Leslie talks with a young director named Justing Bertrand about the differences between directing in France and directing in the US, the Me Too movement, sexism in the French culture and film industry, Justine's process as a director and much more....

Sometimes you just have to do it yourself ... as long as it's in conjunction with someone else.  In this episode, Leslie talks with Actress/Writer/Director Kathryne Isabelle Easton about developing her own horror franchise, her award winning short film Borrelia Borealis, how to navigate Hollywood as a woman and still stay true to your vision, pay inequity and much more. More about Kathryne: K...

What is it like to find love during a Worldwide pandemic? In this episode Leslie talks to the co-creators of the award winning web series "Love in 2020" about what it takes to create and film during Covid 19. Eirinn Disbrow I am an LA based director and editor who is passionate about telling women's stories. Credits include working in editorial on Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters (Sony), Jo...

In this very special episode Leslie brings you just a sample of the filmmakers that were featured at this year's LaFemme Film Festival.  There was such a wonderful representation of fantastic  projects driven by passionate women to choose from that we had to share them with you. 

Kathleen Rowell wanted to be a novelist and ended up writing a  huge film (none other than the Outsiders) as her first feature. How did this happen? In this episode, Leslie and Bridget dive into the reality of being a working Scriptwriter in Hollywood. There are some great tips in this episode.

In this very special episode, Leslie is on the hot seat as she answers questions from Producer Phil about everything from the origins of LaFemme to how filmmakers should properly submit to a festival, common mistakes, what to expect at a festival, networking tips, how and why films are chosen, how the right festival can launch your career and much more. More About Leslie: For the past fifteen year...

Streaming and the pandemic are inextricably linked, so let's jump on the bandwagon!  In this episode Leslie and Bridget dive into developing a storyline for streaming networks, trends in television, the rise of Sci-fi and women, finding your way into a pitch and behind the camera, ageism in Hollywood (ignore the elderly at your peril), made for TV movies, Ed Asner AND MUCH MORE! Bridget Terry...

Ellen Gerstein is an award winning actor/filmmaker.  She is a member of: Women In Film, The Alliance of Women Directors, LA Film Team, Film Independent and is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio. As an actor Ellen has worked with talented directors including Martin Scorsese, Mark Rydell, Mimi Leder, Rob Marshall and Danny DeVito to name a few. She was honored with the Robert Proski Character Ac...

Julie Janney has been a working actress for more than 30 years in film, television, and theatre. She has trained with world renowned producers, directors, and educators like Lee Strasberg and Nikos Psacharopoulis. She has also acted as Meryl Streep’s stunt double on seven feature films, and has performed on Broadway. Ms. Janney is a member of the several acting guilds and organizations and has tau...