The Film Dept.

Join hosts Thalia and Marie in a post-screening conversation with director and UNLV Film professor David Mackenzie on the making of FUSE. From filming in London’s intricate permitting landscape to refining scenes for maximum tension, this episode is packed with film industry secrets and creative wisdom — perfect for cinephiles and aspiring filmmakers alike! We discuss: The challenges and nuances o...

Today's class will follow our hosts, Thalia, Meredith, and Marie in conversation with Professors Andi Isaacs and Roudi Boroumand Watch this episode (and all previous episodes) on  UNLV College of Fine Arts Podcasts YouTube Channel Breaking Barriers in Film: Women’s Voices and Leadership Get ready for a lively, inspiring conversation about the power of women in the film industry! Dive into stories...

Welcome back to The Film Dept Podcast. Get ready for a thrilling course this semester! Today's class will follow hosts Lex, Matthew and Robby as they head off from Las Vegas to LA for a private tour of the legendary Panavision. Watch this episode (and all previous episodes) on  UNLV College of Fine Arts Podcasts Join us as we explore the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking with a focus on Panavi...

Welcome back to The Film Dept Podcast. Get ready for a thrilling course this semester! Today's class will follow our new hosts, Thalia, Meredith, and Marie as they start off the semester discussing the hit book adaptation, PROJECT HAIL MARY, starring Ryan Gosling and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Watch this episode (and all previous episodes) on  UNLV College of Fine Arts Podcasts...

Welcome back to The Film Dept. Podcast!  In this episode of the Film Department podcast our hosts discuss the intense film IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU, directed by Mary Bronstein. They explore the film's themes of motherhood, mental health, and the complexities of relationships, particularly focusing on the character of Linda, played by Rose Byrne. The conversation delves into the film's emotional...

Welcome back to The Film Dept. Podcast! In this episode, our hosts met with Mike Plante, producer and senior programmer for Sundance Film Festival, discussing the journey of short films from creation to submission at festivals like Sundance. They explore the importance of choosing the right stories, common pitfalls in filmmaking, and the various avenues available for filmmakers to showcase their w...

Welcome back to The Film Dept. Podcast! In this class our hosts had the opportunity to speak with Emmy Winner, Tyler Perry Dreamers Fellow and UNLV Film student Hisonni Mustafa about the significance of diversity programs for emerging filmmakers. These include the Commercial Directors Diversity Program, the Tyler Perry Dreamers Collective, the Veterans Writers Project, Rideback Rise and more! Inte...

Welcome back to The Film Dept. Podcast! In today's class, our hosts chat with Danny Chandia, local Las Vegas filmmaker, writer and director of MARGARET THE BRAVE and co-founder of Desert Cactus Films . They delve into Chandia's complex feelings about Las Vegas and presenting his upcoming project as a "Love letter to Las Vegas" that explores the local culture and community beyond the typical touris...

Welcome back to The Film Dept. Podcast! To celebrate the 100th year anniversary of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925), and to get into the Halloween season spirit, our hosts spent this class session discussing several iterations of the Phantom of the Opera. They discuss the symbolism of masks, revenge, and more in this episode in thanks to our partner movie house The Beverly Theater! Chapters 00:00 I...

Welcome back to The Film Dept. Pencils up everyone! In this class, we delve into Luca Guadagnino's film AFTER THE HUNT, exploring its themes of truth, character complexity, and the impact of its cinematography and music. Our hosts, alongside Professor Mona Nahm, discuss the film's ambiguity and how it reflects modern cultural issues, encouraging listeners to engage in discussions about personal tr...

Welcome to TFD 301 - Film Podcasts for Everyone. Class is now in session! In this class our new hosts Lex, Matthew and Robby interview UNLV Film alum Edwin Ramirez ('24) whose 48 Hour Film Project - Las Vegas film THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE WATER won First Place: Best Film of 2025. Edwin shares his insider's knowledge for shooting a successful 48 Hour competition project as UNLV Film enters its own...

In a special pre-season episode of TFD, we're joined by one of last season's co-hosts, Nic Patrick and returning collaborator David Rosen of Piecing it Together Podcast for a review of THE LONG WALK, written by J.T. Mollner and Directed by Francis Lawrence. Watch this episode (and all previous episodes) on UNLV College of Fine Arts Podcasts Credits: Email us: thefilmdeptpod@gmail.com   HOSTS - Nic...

Welcome to the final (final) episode of Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast!  This episode of The Film Dept. Podcast, Nic Parks is joined by Season 1 host Davey Parks on the Cote d'Azure for a review of their favorite films from 2025 Festival de Cannes! Watch this episode (and all previous episodes) on UNLV College of Fine Arts Podcasts Credits: Email us: thefilmdeptpod@gmail.com   HOSTS - Nic Patr...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast! We've got a new crew reviewing the latest films screening at The Beverly in downtown Las Vegas... and beyond. This episode of The Film Dept. Podcast, we interview Las Vegas filmmaker Adam Kilbourn on his latest feature, the high octane action feature proudly produced, filmed, and cast in Las Vegas, ACTION! ACTION! premiering Friday, April 25 at 7p at...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast! We've got a new crew reviewing the latest films screening at The Beverly in downtown Las Vegas... and beyond. This episode of The Film Dept. Podcast, we interview film producer Douglas Haines about his new feature SATURN , premiering at the upcoming Indie Vegas Film Festival, Sunday, April 27, 7:30p at The Cannery Hotel and Casino's Galaxy Theatres. D...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast! We've got a new crew reviewing the latest films screening at The Beverly in downtown Las Vegas... and beyond. This episode of The Film Dept. Podcast marks our very first crossover with Las Vegas's own Piecing It Together podcast to discuss NEWLYWEEDS (2013) directed by Shaka King and screened in front of a live audience at our partner cinema, The Beve...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast! Please meet our fresh crew reviewing the latest films screening at The Beverly in downtown Las Vegas... and beyond. This episode we take a look at a range of films from Berenice Chavez , a Los Angeles based editor and UNLV Alum. Our hosts talk with Berenice about INTOTHE FIRE: THE LOST DAUGHTER (2024), PAMELA: A LOVE STORY (2023), and COME SEE ME IN T...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast! We've got a new crew reviewing the latest films screening at The Beverly in downtown Las Vegas... and beyond. This episode  is  beyond! For over 25 years UNLV Film has taken a cohort of students to the Sundance Film Festival. At the annual UNLV College of Fine Arts party on Main Street in Park City, we kicked off our inaugural Sundance panel with writ...

Welcome to Season 2 of The Film Dept. Podcast! We've got a new crew reviewing the latest films screening at The Beverly in downtown Las Vegas... and beyond. This episode we take a look at the quintessentiallly Las Vegan THE LAST SHOWGIRL starring Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis.  Directed by Gia Coppola, THE LAST SHOWGIRL also features Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka and Billie Lou...

This week, the season 1 hosts return for their top Letterboxd films. Be sure to follow Davey, Simona and Jeff to see what else floats their boats! Credits: Email us: thefilmdeptpod@gmail.com   HOSTS - Davey Parks, Simona Grigonis, Jeff Wallitsch   Production Sound Mixer - Angelica-Rose Keenum Co-Producer/Editor - Lilly Richie PRODUCERS - Tom Bjelic, Sam Decker EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY - Adam Paul, Ro...

This week, we review FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS (1998, 118 minutes) Directed by Terry Gilliam.  Playing at The Beverly, November 26. For tickets and info: The Beverly Theater It is 1971, and journalist Raoul Duke barrels toward Las Vegas—accompanied by a trunkful of contraband and his slightly unhinged Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo—to cover a motorcycle race. What should be a cut-and-dried journa...

This week, we review A DIFFERENT MAN (2024, 112 minutes) Directed by Aaron Schimberg.  Playing at The Beverly, November 22-30. For tickets and info: The Beverly Theater Aspiring actor Edward undergoes a radical medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance. But his new dream face quickly turns into a nightmare, as he loses out on the role he was born to play and becomes obsessed with r...

This week we review the Sundance Indigineous Shorts Tour, Nov. 1-3 at The Beverly Theater. Check out this 83-minute theatrical program featuring eight short films from Indigenous filmmakers: four from the 2024 Sundance Film Festival program, three from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and one short film from the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. Started in 2021 as a virtual presentation in conjunction w...

In our first Bonus Episode, Team TFD goes on a deep dive into the history, lore, and significance of John Carpenter’s essential horror film ‘Halloween’ (1978) Credits: Email us:  thefilmdeptpod@gmail.com HOSTS -Davey Parks, Simona Grigonis, Jeff Wallitsch Production Assistant - Angelica-Rose Keenum Production Sound Mixer -Amber Harris Co-Producer/Editor - Lilly Richie PRODUCERS -Tom Bjelic, Sam De...

Credits: Email us: thefilmdeptpod@gmail.com HOSTS -Davey Parks, Simona Grigonis, Jeff Wallitsch Production Assistant - Angelica-Rose Keenum Production Sound Mixer -Amber Harris Co-Producer/Editor - Lilly Richie PRODUCERS -Tom BjelicSam Decker EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY -Adam PaulRoudi Boroumand To read the hosts' reviews, head over to substack.com/thefilmdeptpodcast This semester, The Film Department h...