Best in Fest

In this inspiring Best in Fest episode, host Leslie LaPage spotlights the award-winning filmmakers of the 2025 LaFemme International Film Festival . From a Ukrainian refugee’s moving documentary Mama’s Voice , to the hilarious and heartfelt short The Whole Truth about motherhood and hemorrhoids, to the genre-bending Nepo Baby exploring identity and fame, to the chilling psychological thriller Don’...

In this inspiring Best in Fest episode, host Leslie LaPage spotlights the award-winning filmmakers of the 2025 LaFemme International Film Festival . From a Ukrainian refugee’s moving documentary Mama’s Voice , to the hilarious and heartfelt short The Whole Truth about motherhood and hemorrhoids, to the genre-bending Nepo Baby exploring identity and fame, to the chilling psychological thriller Don’...

In this episode of Best in Fest , filmmaker, educator, and Army veteran Shannan Wynn shares her extraordinary journey from serving in the armed forces and counseling at-risk youth to building her own production company, Winquest Entertainment . Shannan reveals how her life experiences inspired her debut thriller A Life of Sunshine —a female-driven, murder mystery now streaming on Amazon Prime and...

In this episode of Best in Fest , branding strategist, publisher, and fashion-to-film trailblazer Lela Christine Thompson shares how she built a dynamic career at the intersection of fashion, entertainment, and digital media . From designing for Queen Pen and collaborating with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on campaigns for Moulin Rouge , Soul Food , and The Hunger Games , to launching her o...

In this powerhouse episode of Best in Fest , award-winning producer and industry trailblazer Kimberly Ogletree shares her incredible journey through music videos, television, and independent filmmaking. From working with icons like Russell Simmons, Stevie Wonder, and Julie Dash to producing groundbreaking content for BET , Viacom , and MTV , Kimberly reveals how she transitioned from million-dolla...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , entertainment attorney turned filmmaker Sauda Johnson-McNeal shares her journey from studying acting at USC to founding her own production company, Ron Ash LLC , and creating the award-winning independent film Love the Skin You’re In . What began as a personal story of healing and self-discovery evolved into a powerful film about self-acceptance, resilie...

In this episode of Best in Fest , Emmy-nominated supervising sound editor Bobbi Banks shares her inspiring journey from starting as an assistant with no film background to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected post-production voices. With over 120 film and TV credits—including Desperately Seeking Susan , Poetic Justice , Self Made , Snowfall , and When They See Us —Bobbi reflects on her early...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , producer and filmmaker Christine La Monte takes us on a globe-spanning journey through her extraordinary career—from pioneering studio marketing campaigns in the 1980s to producing award-winning documentaries like Viva Verdi and Ai Weiwei: Yours Truly . Christine shares how she broke into the male-dominated entertainment industry, the spiritual force beh...

Actress-turned-documentarian Marta György-Kessler joins Best in Fest to share her fascinating transformation from the stages of Budapest to uncovering untold spiritual journeys through film. In this episode, Marta dives into the backstory of her award-winning documentary Hannah: Buddhism's Untold Journey , her deep connection to Buddhist icon Hannah Nydahl, and her current film chronicling th...

In this powerful episode of Best in Fest , Leslie LaPage sits down with legendary actor, director, teacher, and empowerment leader Richard Lawson . With a career spanning over 55 years—from Poltergeist to Tyler Perry productions—Lawson shares his journey of resilience, integrity, and artistry. He discusses his groundbreaking philosophy from The Artist’s Roadmap , why “no” is never the end but a re...

In this insightful episode of Best in Fest , Leslie LaPage sits down with Sam Goff—creative talent manager at Fourth Wall Management and self-proclaimed “animation activist.” From her early days at DreamWorks and Netflix to teaching animated perspectives at Loyola Marymount and Cal State Long Beach, Sam shares how authentic voices are reshaping the future of animation. She dives into the importanc...

What does it take to transform a lifetime of dance into powerful storytelling for film, opera, and television? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Les LaPage sits down with Jermaine McGhee —scholar, choreographer, educator, and former principal dancer for the LA and San Francisco Opera, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Omar . Jermaine shares his journey from performing in blockbuster films...

In this episode of Best in Fest , Leslie LaPage chats with television producer Audrey Smith about the art and strategy behind reality TV’s evolving sub-genres. Audrey breaks down the difference between docu-follow and soft-scripted formats, revealing how casting, storytelling, and audience expectations shape each style. From Girlfriend Confidential to today’s surge in true documentary content, Aud...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , Les Lippa sits down with filmmakers David Morrison, Penny Edmondson, and Judy Marlin to talk about their dynamic documentary It’s Our Ball —the untold story of senior women dominating the basketball court and redefining age, athleticism, and respect. From heartfelt personal journeys to the challenges of authentic storytelling, the trio shares how they br...

What does it take to go from indie filmmaker to Emmy-winning director? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Bridget Stokes—trailblazing director of A Black Lady Sketch Show , Hello, Jack! , and Boy Genius —to unpack her inspiring rise through the film and television world. From waiting tables in New York to winning an Emmy as the first woman in her category, Bridget...

What do PlayStation, storefront media, and cutting-edge documentaries have in common? Nathan Elliott. In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with the Canadian entrepreneur, technologist, and filmmaker to discuss how he's revolutionizing advertising and storytelling. Nathan reveals how his company, FrontRunner Technologies, transforms vacant storefronts into immersive m...

What happens when an aerospace engineer-turned-actor and a multilingual actress-turned-writer join forces? You get Reminisce —a compelling new short film exploring a May-December romance, generational gaps, and power imbalances in love. In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Ashna Sharan and Wayne Jay to unpack their creative journey, from meeting in a virtual writers&...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with powerhouse filmmaking duo Blue and Jason Gerber. From directing award-winning commercials for brands like Walgreens, Chipotle, and Lincoln Park Community Services, to creating emotionally resonant documentaries, this married team shares their evolution from the fast-paced world of high-budget commercials to the deeply personal rea...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , Leslie speaks with Jack Teeter—marketing legend behind iconic Universal hits like Back to the Future , Scarface , and The Breakfast Club . Now a director and producer, Teeter shares how his old-school marketing chops fueled the creation of Blind Logic: The Ralph Teeter Story , a powerful documentary about his blind great-uncle who invented cruise control...

In this episode of Best in Fest , Leslie sits down with powerhouse producer and development executive Laura Knight to talk about the art of telling stories across film, TV, podcasts, and animation. From her early days at ICM to her work with John Leguizamo and the groundbreaking interactive show Bar Karma , Laura shares what it takes to craft compelling content—whether it’s adapting a bestselling...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie speaks with first-time filmmaker Tamar Springer about her powerful documentary More Than Santa Baby — a heartfelt tribute to her father, legendary composer Philip Springer. Known worldwide for penning the holiday classic "Santa Baby," Philip’s influence goes far beyond that single hit, with songs recorded by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Pre...

In this visionary episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage talks with Ian Hinden —Las Vegas-born musician, game designer, and immersive storyteller—about redefining how music, gaming, and social commentary collide. Ian dives into the creation of his interactive music video and video game hybrid, "Would You Call Him a Bad Man?" , which is set to premiere at Dances With Films . He shar...

In this powerful episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage welcomes acclaimed actress-turned-screenwriter Laura Harrington , whose career has spanned blockbuster sets and award-winning scripts. From starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape to writing for legends like Martin Scorsese and Taylor Hackford, Laura shares how she transitioned from the stage to the page—and w...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage welcomes writer, producer, and performer Elizabeth Quinn , whose sharp wit and love for offbeat stories have earned her a spot at the 2024 Tribeca Festival with her audio drama Going Reno . Elizabeth shares her journey from New York theater to L.A. improv, her transition into writing and producing, and the creative spark behind her 1930s divorce...

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with one of Hungary’s most celebrated directors, Krisztina Goda , whose breakout hit Just Sex and Nothing Else catapulted her to fame. Goda shares her journey from the prestigious National Film and Television School to UCLA, her experience navigating Hungary’s male-dominated film industry, and the creative challenges of writi...