Film Forward

All The World Is Sleeping follows Chama, a mother in New Mexico who's fighting for her own life and the ones she loves. She sinks deeper into her addiction while struggling to surface for her daughter.   On this episode of Film Forward , we're joined by All The World Is Sleeping writer and director Ryan Lacen . Ryan discusses the impactful backstory of the film, the importance of creating a famili...

Red Rocket is a new film by acclaimed writer/director Sean Baker. The film follows Mikey Saber, a washed-up porn star who returns to his small Texas hometown, not that anyone wants him back.   On this episode of Film Forward, we're joined by Red Rocket 's cinematographer Drew Daniels . Drew discusses his creative collaboration with Sean Baker, working with a micro-sized crew, and the significance...

"Juice WRLD: Into The Abyss" follows the meteoric rise of the late hip-hop artist. The powerful HBO documentary features archival footage of Juice WRLD performances, his artistic process, and his struggles. Director Tommy Oliver joins us to discuss his exploration of the footage and his emotional connection to the incredible artist gone too soon.

DMX's connection with his passionate fanbase is on full display in the riveting documentary, DMX: Don't Try To Understand. This immersive film follows Earl "DMX" Simmons through one eventful year of his life.    We are honored to be joined by the film's director, Christopher Frierson, who discusses their odd first encounter, what it was like touring with the hip-hop legend, and stories about the m...

What do Ethan Hawke, Jim Carrey, Terry Gilliam, Fritz Lang, and Robin Wright have in common? Sci-Fi premonitions!   Film Forward returns with one of our patented Gimme Three episodes. The theme for this installment is Sci-Fi Premonitions. Host Nicholas Ybarra and guest David Chiu each recommend three amazing science-fiction films that accurately predict the future.   Enjoy this fun discussion, and...

Film Forward is thrilled to be joined by award-winning actor and author Murisa Harba . Murisa discusses her insightful and eye-opening book Acting With Energy . In Acting With Energy , Murisa outlines her signature CHAKRA APPROACH to performance. This episode is not only a must-listen for aspiring actors but also aspiring writers and directors.   Acting With Energy is available to purchase now on...

In this episode of Film Forward , the accomplished producers Daniela Alatorre and Elena Fortes discuss their brilliant and inventive documentary, A Cop Movie.   The Netflix doc, A Cop Movie , takes us deep into the Mexican police forces with the story of Teresa and Montoya, together known as 'the love patrol.' In this thoroughly original and unpredictable documentary, the filmmakers play with the...

Earlier this year, LADFF had the honor of screening a compelling and pertinent film, In The Dark of the Valley , which airs this Sunday, November 14th on MSNBC - 10 PM ET and 7 PM PST.   In the Dark of the Valley is a deep dive into the nuclear meltdown at Santa Suzana Field Lab and the persistent effort to hide the meltdown and its effects on the community.   More importantly - the film follows t...

On this episode of Film Forward, we are joined by the filmmakers of the wildly creative and raunchy short film 1-800-D-Direct. While working a mundane job selling dishwashers in 1960's Manhattan, Joyce and Frances secretly start a secret database of all the meant in New York City-based on sexual performance. This jam-packed episode features director Clare Macdonald and writers/producers/stars Hale...

The powerful and pertinent film Jane is set during the burgeoning women's rights movement in the era before Roe v. Wade. Teresa and Josie are a part of an underground group that breaks the law and risks everything to help women access safe abortions. When their trusted doctor doesn't show up, will they be forced to turn away women in need? On this episode of Film Forward , we are honored to be joi...

Bring Your Own Brigade is a gripping investigation into our landscape's hidden fire stories and on-the-ground experiences of firefighters and residents struggling through deadly fires. We discuss this incredible documentary with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker . Lucy discusses her experiences filming intense fire sequences and what she learned from these personal and heartbreaking st...

Not Going Quietly follows Ady Barkan , whose life is upended when he is diagnosed with ALS. Still, a confrontation with a powerful senator catapults him to national fame and ignites a once-in-a-generation political movement. In today's episode of Film Forward, we are joined by director Nicholas Bruckman and producer Amanda Roddy . They discuss the challenges of filming a documentary on the road, t...

The Pine Ridge Reservation (in South Dakota) declares a State of Emergency when youth suicide rates reach the highest levels in the country. A respected female elder leads the Oglala Sioux Tribe's suicide prevention team while mentoring a group of suicide-survivor teenagers to find their voice.   This is the story of The Bears on Pine Ridge - a powerful, eye-opening, and empowering documentary by...

Duet is the story of one fateful day in the lives of 8-year-old girls May and Shadmit, who dislike each other but learn that their lives have become oddly intertwined forever.   On this episode of Film Forward, we are joined by Duet's writer and director, Mika Orr (former LADFF Best Director Award Winner). Mika discusses the long journey with this personal story, filming across two countries, and...

The feature film documentary In the Dark of the Valley is a chilling examination of the 1959 partial nuclear meltdown at the   Santa Susana Field Lab, and the decades-long effect it's had on the community and its residents.   The film is both gripping and uplifting, thanks to the work of community leaders, parents, and Melissa Bumstead - the mother of a cancer survivor who is fighting to get the s...

This week, the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festiva l returns for it's 8th installment. In this episode of Film Forward , Festival Director Sonja Mereu and Program Director Nicholas Ybarra discuss some of their favorite films from this year's lineup.   LADFF will hold three In-Person screenings - July 29th, August 5th and August 12th. Online streaming for LADFF will be available from August 1st - Au...

Hello, From Taiwan is a personal and intimate story from writer/director Tiffany Frances . In this episode of Film Forward , Tiffany discusses her experience in writing a personal story, the challenges of shooting a period piece on a budget and what it was like working with her incredible cast.   Hello, From Taiwan is nominated for two LADFF Jury Awards; Best Short Film and Best Director.   You ca...

LADFF's first In-Person screening will be taking place on July 29th and we couldn't have picked a better film to return to the big screen with. Best Summer Ever is hilarious and uplifting musical/rom-com. We are so excited to be joined by the film's star Shannon DeVido , an incredible actor and comedian.   Best Summer Ever is not only a terrific film, it is the first film to have over 50% of the c...

Freeze follows Joy, whose fairytale romance crashes and burns on her 35th birthday, the incessant TICK-TOCK of her biological clock pushes her to try new things.   Freeze is a surrealist dark comedy that fires on all cylinders. In this edition of Film Forward , we are joined by Freeze's writer/director Maya Albanese who discusses her inspiration for the short, it's poignant commentary and it's uni...

The powerful documentary Crip Camp just earned the Peabody Award, an incredible and well-earned accomplishment.   Last year we spoke with Crip Camp directors Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham about their beautiful film, the history of disability rights and what's next for the movement.   The Academy Award nominated Crip Camp is available to stream right now on Netflix. Enjoy!

In the Heights is an epic return back to the cinema! The film pulsates with energy and love. If you haven't seen it yet - now would be the perfect time to do so! Last year we spoke with In the Heights star Melissa Barrera about the upcoming release of the film (of course the release got pushed back due to the pandemic). We are re-releasing this episode for all of the new In the Heights fans to hea...

Film Forward returns with another one of our patented Gimme Three episodes. On this installment, returning guest David Chiu and host Nicholas Ybarra do a deep dive on their favorite films from the year 2001!     There must have been something in the water that year as many of the films we discuss happen to have many similar themes, including loneliness, existentialism, tech horror and of course -...

Warrior is a heart-pounding, masterfully executed series based on an original concept and treatment by the legend Bruce Lee. The series is executive produced by his daughter, Shannon Lee. And on this episode of Film Forward, we are joined by Warrior's Assistant Stunt Coordinator Johnny Yang.   Johnny Yang discusses what it means to be for a super fan of kung fu to be on a Bruce Lee show. He explai...

The new comedy film Golden Arm follows a tough lady trucker who trains her wimpy best friend to compete in the National Ladies Arm Wrestling Championship.   On this episode of Film Forward, we were honored to be joined by Maureen Bharoocha , the director of Golden Arm . Maureen discusses what it was like to work with some of the funniest comedians in the game and she kept each arm wrestling scene...

Some of the most underrated and under appreciated artists that work in cinema are stunt performers. Not only does their work involve immense creativity and technical knowledge, but they also put their bodies on the line; not in the metaphorical way, they literally put their bodies on the line. So during Oscar week, we want to give some love to the department that the Academy has ignored for yet an...