Best in Fest

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...

In this episode of Best in Fest , festival director Leslie LaPage sits down with veteran TV writer Michael FX Daley—whose credits include CSI , The X-Files , Reaper , Maniac , and The Leftovers —for a behind-the-scenes look at how the television industry has transformed over the past two decades. Daley shares his journey from being a reluctant TV convert to writing major network finales, dishes on...

In this episode of Best in Fest , Leslie LaPage sits down with acclaimed international actor Ido Samuel, known for his roles in We Were the Lucky Ones , FBI: International , Tehran , and the award-winning short Dirty Bomb . Ido shares his journey from growing up in Israel to breaking into Hollywood, how he landed his powerful role as a conflicted Jewish policeman in Hulu’s Holocaust drama, and the...

Ready to pull back the curtain on reality TV? In this episode of Best in Fest , powerhouse producer Kellie Dancho —the creative force behind hits like FBOY Island , America’s Got Talent , and Rhythm & Flow —shares how today’s unscripted shows are crafted, cast, and edited for maximum drama and laughs. 🎬 Inside the episode: The real (and hilarious) secrets behind producing FBOY Island and F Gi...

What do exploding Zoom speakers, killer mice, and surprise parades have in common? Actress and producer Allison Pittel . In this no-holds-barred episode of Best in Fest , Allison dishes on her rise as a modern scream queen—from indie horror hit Terrifier to the Disney-gone-wrong chaos of Streamboat , where Steamboat Willie gets a slasher makeover. She also reveals what it’s really like producing r...

Struggling to stay on track with your creative or professional goals? Award-winning author and goal strategist Debra Eckerling joins Best in Fest to break down her powerful DEB Method — Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, Brainstorm Your Path —to help you set and actually achieve your goals. Whether you're in entertainment, a business professional, or just someone trying to get thei...

What does it take to transition from the U.S. Marine Corps to the big screen? Actress Dee Freeman shares her incredible journey from serving in the military to gracing the stage and screen, including her gripping true-crime solo show, Poison Gun . From breaking barriers as a woman in the USMC to tackling Hollywood’s toughest auditions, Dee’s story is one of resilience, humor, and an unbreakable sp...

In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with actress and fitness expert Kerstin Schulze to uncover the secrets behind Hollywood’s most sculpted bodies. From training A-list stars like Chris Hemsworth to landing roles in The Righteous Gemstones and American Horror Story , Kerstin shares her journey from competitive sports to the big screen. Discover the truth about Hollywood...

From Bollywood dreams to Hollywood reality, filmmaker and editor Alpesh Patel shares his incredible journey in the entertainment industry. In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage dives into Patel’s career—from writing award-winning screenplays and directing indie films to editing over 30 reality TV shows, including Ghost Hunters and Expedition X . Discover how he navigated the film in...

Award-winning screenwriter Amir Ohebsion joins Best in Fest to share the real journey behind getting an indie film made—from winning Slamdance to self-producing his own features. Discover the highs, the hustle, and the hard truths of Hollywood’s screenplay competitions, financing indie films, and why writing with passion is the key to success. Plus, get the inside scoop on All There Is , premierin...

What does it take to go from modeling to starring in films with Hollywood legends? Actor Blake Boyd joins Best in Fest to share his journey—from off-Broadway stages to leading roles in movies like Cash Collectors . He dishes on audition secrets, working with Michael Madsen, and the power of taking risks in acting. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from his time on Shameless , Rocketman , and more! T...

What happens when a media strategist and startup expert turns his passion into an animated series with a mission? In this episode of Best in Fest , host Leslie LaPage sits down with Nimrod May, the visionary behind God’s Gang , a groundbreaking animated series where love, unity, and compassion become superpowers. Discover how Nimrod transitioned from launching media startups to creating an interfa...

Chelsea is currently the casting director for "Love on the Spectrum, but when she was little, Chelsea would spend her time imitating characters and singing songs. This is all in spite of the fact that she was diagnosed with Autism and had to work harder than most at communicating her thoughts and feelings. All of that work paid off and she became a communication major at California Lutheran U...

Jijo Reed, recognized by LA WEEKLY and NEW YORK POST as "Top Trendsetter in 2023" is an Emmy Winning Producer, 16 time Telly Award Winner, and Executive Producer of over 80 feature films and/or series. Latest feature films include Crescent City starring Alec Baldwin and Terrence Howard, THE BLACKENING directed by Tim Story for MRC, Village Roadshow's CINNAMON, and MENDING THE LINE s...

With over 25 years in the entertainment industry, Stacy Halbach has honed her craft across a wide spectrum of genres, including biographies, documentaries, crime dramas, competition shows, reality TV, and an array of promotions and pilot projects. No matter the format, Stacy brings an unwavering focus on storytelling, leveraging her finely tuned instincts to craft narratives that resonate. “I appr...

Farah White is an Actress, Producer, Director and Writer but does whatever needs to be done depending on the day! Her love for the entire filmmaking process is obvious by the wide spectrum of genres in her resume which spans over 25 years. She has produced over 30 feature films, shorts and TV pilots in addition to acting in over 50 films, MISS CONGENIALITY being one of her first. She has been on t...

Rashaana Shah , a Serial Entrepreneur and actor works in the Film, Music & Art space. She is a producer with Mulberry Films, a books-to-film TV and film development company, and a former actress. Born in India, Ms. Shah earned a degree in computer engineering from a prominent Indian university before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting.  Between 2005 and 2012, Ms. Shah starred in mul...