Mission Matters Entertainment with Adam Torres

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Tim Millette, Writer & Producer at Majestic Worldwide Productions, as part of the American Film Market (AFM) Series. Tim shares takeaways from AFM in Century City, reflects on the entertainment industry’s shifting landscape—pandemic, strikes, and AI—and explains why human emotion and connection remain the foundation of powerful storytellin...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Lauren Kleeman⁠, comedy writer and director of Trailer Park Queen. Lauren shares her experience attending the American Film Market, lessons learned about financing and distribution, and her mission to create authentic, comedic stories that spotlight older women as powerful protagonists. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ speaks with ⁠Marbella Avilez⁠, writer, producer, actress, and creator of Stories of Love, Sex and Other Things…. Marbella shares her creative journey across theater, television, and books, and explains her mission to make fiction accessible as a tool for mental wellbeing, empathy, and creativity. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.c...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠⁠Adam Torres⁠⁠ interviews ⁠⁠Jared Brewer⁠⁠, Writer at ⁠⁠FYM Films⁠⁠, about their AFM experience and the upcoming film Fuck You Money. Jared explains how the story—based on real-world fixer experiences—evolved into a dark comedy satire with a unique perspective on wealth, power, and the people who keep that world running. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 S...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Elizabeth Von Isser⁠, Writer, Actor & Executive Producer at New Trick Productions, on Mission Matters. They discuss her experience at AFM, the journey of creating Kate Hugo: Murder After Mayhem, and how she’s building New Trick Productions to support and guide other indie filmmakers. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big th...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Tricia Byrnes⁠, Founder & Executive Producer at Suite Podcast Studio, and ⁠Noah Lydiard⁠, Director & Writer at Suite Podcast Studio. They discuss AFM insights, how podcasting fits into film markets, and why scripted audio and short-form content are becoming powerful tools for testing stories and building audiences. This interview is par...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Judi Jordan⁠, Writer, Producer, and Entertainment Journalist at Judi Jordan Productions, about AFM 2025’s resurgence and the current landscape for Latino creators. Judi also shares the development journey of her series A History of Blood, a globally scaled, culturally grounded project built to expand premium Latino storytelling on scree...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Luke Tennie and Noam Shapiro, Lead Actors, Producers & Writers at Dirty Coffee Pictures, about their award-winning short film JADE and its FilmShortage streaming premiere (January 14th). They share how they collaborated from a fast-writing process to a polished short designed as a calling card—and how they’re using the release to build mom...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠J. M. Stelly⁠, Writer, Director & Producer at Anatomica Films, about premiering Within Madness at AFM, his rapid-fire DIY production process, and how he’s shot three feature films since September. JM shares lessons on staying authentic, building community and industry fans, and why filmmakers must stop waiting for permission and start d...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Dr. Gary Mason II, Author, Veteran, and Filmmaker at Media 1st Creations, about attending AFM for the first time, what he learned from industry panels and deal-making environments, and why oral history is the foundation of meaningful storytelling. Dr. Mason also discusses his book-to-screen projects, including Persecuted to Love and Uncond...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews Michael Greene, Founding Partner at Armington-Greene Productions, about lessons from AFM—why preparation, targeting, and proper materials matter—and how his documentary work achieved distribution across 13 streamers. Michael also shares how he’s developing a feature screenplay and using AI as a practical tool to strengthen script cohesio...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews DeAnna Charett, Founder & Producer at Bad Habitz Productions, LLC, about her first AFM experience, live pitching, and her veteran-first production model—staffing at least 60% of cast and crew with military veterans while developing projects including Dealer’s Choice, The Cairo, and DEFCON 4: Land of the Morning Calm. This interview is part...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Nicholas deKay⁠, Director at Athlaoch Pictures, about attending AFM for the first time, transitioning from stunt work into directing, and pitching new projects including Eat the Rich Day and a Muay Thai documentary—plus insights from his distributed film The Arc of Lilburn. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Erik Felsted, CEO & Executive Director of Known By Name Foundation, about attending AFM for the first time, launching a mission-driven foundation, and developing a feature film inspired by a true story of escape from North Korea to elevate awareness and human dignity. About Erik Felsted Erik Felsted is a serial entrepreneur, finance execut...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Abby Tozer, Founder of No Good Movies, about the renewed energy at AFM, building an indie-focused production company, and her journey toward directing her first feature film while balancing a growing career as a writer, producer, and actor. About Abby Tozer Abby Tozer is a UC Berkeley Neuroscience alumna who serves as the director, produce...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Christine Lakin, Director of I Won’t Dance, about her first AFM experience, why competitive ballroom dancing is the perfect sports-romcom backdrop, and how she plans to bring the intensity of movement and emotion to the screen. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Follow Adam on...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Ian Stevenson, Director & Producer at Bondi Beach Productions, about how to navigate AFM with intention—prepping early, targeting the right buyers, and using networking to advance finished films and projects in development. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! About Ian Stevenso...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Joshua Berwald, Owner of Quixotic Arts Films, about attending AFM for the first time, learning the relationship-driven side of distribution, and how Quixotic builds lean, high-quality films—using community, strategy, and a slate mindset to scale sustainable independent filmmaking. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank yo...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Sean Kanan⁠, Partner at Flip Creative Inc., about sponsoring the AFM Buyer’s Lounge, finishing the action thriller Body Man and navigating distribution offers, plus the lessons behind his award-winning relationship book Cobra Couple and why aligned partnership is a cornerstone of long-term success. This interview is part of our AFM 2025...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Darren Frankel, Head of Film & Television at Adobe, about his AFM panel experience, the benefits and risks of AI in filmmaking, and why ethical, IP-respecting AI is critical to protecting creativity and the future of the film and television industry. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠American Film Market⁠...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Stan Wong, Writer & Director at Infinite Fountain Productions, about attending AFM for the first time and seeking distribution for his feature documentary The Real American—an anthology honoring military heroes and the true story of Evan Thompson, whose lifelong patriotism inspired a film focused on unity and remembrance. This interview is...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews Walea Constantinau, Founding Honolulu Film Commissioner at the City and County of Honolulu Film Office, about AFM’s renewed creative energy, what film commissions do for productions, and how Hawai‘i’s statewide and county offices collaborate to streamline filming and support both visiting and local storytellers. This interview is part of...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Unni Rav⁠, Founder of Visual Narrative Films, and ⁠Olga Gabris⁠, Exec. Creative Producer & Partner at Visual Narrative Films, about leveraging AFM to pitch a slate, building films with a distribution-first mindset, and their mission to take projects from script to screen—so indie films get finished, launched, and seen. This interview is...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Laurence Benhamou⁠, Attorney at Benhamou Law, about her France–California entertainment practice, why chain of title and strong contracts matter for distribution, and the evolving legal questions around AI, authorship, and copyright protection in film and media. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠⁠American...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Jonathan Fox, CEO, Founder & Head of Production at Wondermade Productions, about his first AFM experience, selling his upcoming comedy Ice Bros, why he edits his own films, and his mission to bring more bold, clean comedy back to audiences. This interview is part of our AFM 2025 Series. Big thank you to ⁠⁠American Film Market⁠⁠ ! Follow Ad...