Discover Indie Film

Allan Tran brought his film “Valley” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2020 and took home two awards, Outstanding Short Film – Drama and Outstanding Acting, Cast – Drama.  Then Allan retuned a year later with the film “Exits” and won the same two awards with that film!  And I’m proud to say that you can catch “Valley” in Season 6, Episode 5 of the  Discover I...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Brian Giovanni’s film “Of Crumbs and Dreams”  was an Official Selection at Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and wowed audiences with its beautiful animation and compelling story.  I’m proud to say that you can catch it in Season 6,...

Brian Giovanni came in to talk about his short film “Of Crumbs and Dreams,” an animated film that he made in the tradition of the great Bill Plympton; one animator doing everything . Literally one person, working alone, creating a film.  “Of Crumbs and Dreams” was an Official Selection at Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and I’m proud to say that you can catch it in Seaso...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Daniel Amerman wrote, directed, edited, lead acted, and wore a dozen other hats to make the film “The Poet.” This original, heartfelt, and hilarious film came to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2022 and took home Outstanding Short Film – Exper...

Daniel Amerman brought his film “The Poet” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2022 and took home two awards;   Outstanding Short Film – Experimental/Arthouse and  Outstanding Performance, Individual – Experimental/Arthouse !  Those wins were no surprise because “The Poet” was the most discussed film among the selection committee that year.  This original, heartfelt, and hilari...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Matthew Gratzner’s film “Mutiny!” took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film – Comedy at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2022!  You can watch “Mutiny!” right now at Matthew’s website matthewgratzner.com  and...

Matthew Gratzner hopped onto Zoom to talk about his hilariously excellent comedy “Mutiny!” as well as his long running career in Visual Effects.  By the way, at Film Invasion Los Angels in 2022, Matthew’s film brought home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film – Comedy!  You can watch “Mutiny!” right now at Matthew’s website matthewgratzner.com . Besid...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Arvid Eriksson bought his film “Acknowledgements,” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental!  I’m proud to say that this engaging, innovative film in Season 6 of the...

Arvid Eriksson made the beautiful film “Acknowledgements,” bringing voice, cinematography, and swimming pools into perfect balance.  At Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2021. “Acknowledgements” took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film – Arthouse/Experimental!  I’m proud to say that this engaging, innovative film in Season 6 of the  Discover Indie Film TV Series on Ama...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Rob Campoy brought his film “A Face on the Ceiling” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film – Horror.  I’m proud to say that this engaging, innovative film is part of Sea...

Rob Campoy brought his film “A Face on the Ceiling” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short Film – Horror.  I’m proud to say that this engaging, innovative film is part of Season 6 of the  Discover Indie Film TV Series on Amazon Prime Video! Rob brought all of his talents to “A Face on the Ceiling,” serving as...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Finn McCager Higgins and I discussed his stunning film “In The Pines” in the podcast before this one.  Finn co-wrote, co-directed, and played a lead role in the film.  I’m proud to say that this “In The Pines” is part of Season...

Finn McCager Higgins made the stunning film “In The Pines” with his collaborator Tom Groom.  They co-wrote, co-directed, and both played lead roles in the film.  Finn brought his film to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2021 and this Lynchian, personal, beautiful film left an impact on me. I’m proud to say that this film is part of Season 5 of the  Discover Indie Film TV Series on Amazon P...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Writer, Director & Actor Taylor Olson brought his film “Bone Cage” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home FOUR Grand Jury Awards, including Best Feature Film – Drama, Best Actor in a Lead Role – Taylor Olson, Best Perfo...

Taylor Olson directs and performs the lead role in the feature film “Bone Cage,” and he also adapted the script from an award winning stage play.  This remarkably talented filmmaker brought his film to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home FOUR Grand Jury Awards, including Best Feature Film – Drama, Best Actor in a Lead Role – Taylor Olson, Best Performance by a Full Cas...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Writer/producer/lead actor Wyatt Bunce and director/producer Willow Hamilton brought their film “Killer Whales” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film – Comedy.  Wyatt also took ho...

Willow Hamilton, Wyatt Bunce & Thom Reidy brought their film “Killer Whales” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Feature Film – Comedy.  You know what I didn’t say to them during this podcast?  As a festival programmer who sees over a thousand indie films per year, I can say with complete confidence that a feature length comed...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Jake Whiston hopped onto DIF to discuss his career in music and film as well as his short film “Your Heart Is Mine,” which took home the Programmer’s Prize at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2020.  I’m proud to say that this f...

Filmmaker Jake Whiston brought his short film “Your Heart Is Mine” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2020 and took home the Programmer’s Prize.  This incredibly unique and original film started out as a music video and then evolved into an art film, and that term is a high compliment in my book, that utilized the song as its soundtrack.   I’m proud to say that this film...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Shannon Gibbs came into DIF HQ to discuss their film “My Own,” a wonderful film that rocked the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021.  And of course Shannon was game to answer the DIF 4Qs. I’m also proud to say Shannon’s film &#82...

Shannon Gibbs brought the film “My Own” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and this smart, emotionally touching film went home with a Programmer’s Prize.  Shannon wrote, associate produced and starred in the film, bringing a fresh, important perspective to the screen.  I’m proud to say that this film will be released as part of Season 6 of the  Discover Indie Film TV...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Clare O’Connor & Emma Fazzuoli answered those four questions above after recording a podcast about their film “Coco & Colby,” which took home the Audience Award for Short Film – Comedy at Film Invasion Los Angeles 2022. You ca...

Clare O’Connor & Emma Fazzuoli brought their film “Coco & Colby” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2021 and took home the Audience Award for Short Film – Comedy.  This hilarious mockumentary is a personal favorite and I always knew that I wanted them on this podcast. By the way, AUDIO QUALITY WARNING.  I’m not sure what was going on with my mic, but it was bad.  Sorry...

What are the 4Q’s?  (1) Favorite films, top 3. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Oliver Scott’s brought his film “The Sword That Waits” to both Film Invasion Los Angeles and the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home awards at both festivals.  I’m proud to say that this film is part of Season 5 of...

Oliver Scott’s unique, cinematic vision in his piece “The Sword That Waits” took home awards from both Film Invasion Los Angeles and the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021.  For this film, Oliver shot footage at an abandoned middle school. added impactful, incongruous digital imagery, and also wrote an incredible score.  I’m proud to say that this film is part of Season 5 o...