The Reel Girls Club

In this episode, I chat with Klara Klariger, about the journey behind Hopes and Beans, a comedy short that explores the realities of social anxiety with humour and heart. Klara is a Croatian-born, London-based actor, director and writer. Klara shares insights into the film, why comedy can be such a powerful way to talk about difficult experiences, and how everyday awkward moments can become meanin...

In this episode of The Reel Girl's Club , I sit down with Writer & Director Rosie May Bird Smith to talk about her brilliantly surreal short film Egg Timer - a dark comedy that turns the pressure of the biological clock into a bold, hilarious, and chaotic cinematic experience. Rosie shares how the idea came to life, her process for creating eye-catching practical effects, and how she used humo...

In this episode of The Reel Girls Club, I'm joined by Swiss/French Writer & Director, Julie Magnaudet, whose work shines a light on the complexities of women's lives. With a background in both writing and filmmaking, Julie brings a sharp eye for storytelling that blends intimate character work with broader social themes, Her latest short film, The Contraception Fair - produced by Candid Broads...

In this episode of The Reel Girl's Club , I'm joined by Canadian-Italian, filmmaker, writer and creative producer Issabella Orlando, to explore her stunning short film, Topos - a poetic reflection on place, heritage, and the archeology of identity. Blending ancient myth with visual storytelling, Topos meditates on what it means to be rooted in a place, to inherit memory, and to make art that honor...

In this special bonus episode, I'm joined by Oscar -nominated ( The Edge Of Democracy ) filmmaker Petra Costa to discuss her powerful new documentary Apocalypse In The Tropics , now streaming on Netflix . The film explores the rise of evangelical power in Brazilian politics and the erosion of democracy through a deeply personal lens. Petra shares the story behind the making of the film, her creati...

In this episode, I sit down with multidisciplinary talent, Ella Dorman-Gajic, English-Serbian writer, performer, and filmmaker - to explore her powerful short film Back of the Net , a multi-award-winning short film directed by Klara Kaliger and written by Ella Dorman-Gajic. Back of the Net is more than just a sports film - it's a moving portrait of girlhood, power, and persistence and is the perfe...

In this special bonus episode, I'm joined by directors and writers, Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson, from the US, to discuss their powerful new documentary ' COMPARSA ', which will be premiering at the Sheffield DocFest 2025. Set in Ciudad Peronia, Guatemela, the film follows sisters Lesli and Lupe, whose activism is ignited by the 2017 fire at a state-run children's home that killed 41 girls - a...

In this special bonus episode for the Sheffield DocFest, I sit down with UK-based filmmaker and writer, Jessi Gutch to talk about her deeply personal and beautifully crafted documentary, Blue Has No Borders . Set in the port town of Folkestone, the film explores themes of migration, identity, and community through a hybrid documentary style that blurs the lines between filmmaker and subject, obser...

From Cosmopolitan to the Cutting Room: Louise Ford on Editing Robert Egger's Vision In this episode, I sit down with UK-born, NYC-based, Louise Ford, A.C.E., a dynamic creative force whose career journey has taken her from the fast-paced world of magazine journalism as a former Deputy Editor at Cosmopolitan UK to the immersive realm of film editing - where she's become a trusted collaborator of vi...

In today's episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Oscar , BAFTA , Critics Choice & Emmy nominated (and Emmy winning!) set decorator, Regina Graves, the creative mind behind the richly detailed world of A Complete Unknown , The Irishman , Fallout and other major film productions. Regina is US-born & NYC-based. From her early days as an interior design student, to becoming a set decorator on...

In this bonus episode of The Reel Girls Club , I dive into the hauntingly beautiful short film Diary of a Ghost , directed by Caroline Hajny and written by Maren Koenigs. The film, which stars Genevieve Chenneour, Mia Rodgers, and Alfie Noble, explores love, loss, and grief with a deeply atmospheric and evocative approach. I'm joined by director Caroline Hajny and actor Alfie Noble for an insightf...

In this episode of The Reel Girls Club , I chat with Canadian (& a part Scottish!) costume designer Linda Muir. Known for her long-standing collaboration with director Robert Eggers, Linda takes us behind the scenes of her incredible work, particularly on the 2024 Nosferatu remake, which earned her both a BAFTA and Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design. You’ll learn about the challenges and...

In today's short but sweet bonus episode, I'm joined by Indian Film & TV actress, Radhika Apte! We talk about her latest project, Sister Midnight. Set in Mumbai, Uma, played by Radhika, enters an arranged marriage which quickly spirals into darkness as her spineless husband watches her morph into a ruthless, feral force within their marital confines. The film featured at the Director's Fortnig...

In today's episode, I'm joined by two-time Oscar-nominated production designer, Judy Becker, from the US, whose work includes Brokeback Mountain, American Hustle, Carol and most recently, The Brutalist . Judy takes us behind the scenes of these iconic films, sharing her creative process and the challenges she faced in designing their unique worlds. We discuss how she collaborates with directors to...

In today's bonus episode, I'm joined by Audrey Diwan, the French-Lebanese filmmaker and writer behind the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion-winning Happening and now her latest film, Emmanuelle , starring Noemie Merlant. Emmanuelle will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on the 17th of January 2025, followed by a digital release on the 24th of January.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Croatian make up & hair designer, Ivana Primorac - one of the most renowned in the film industry today. From creating iconic looks in Atonement and The Hours to her work more recently on Barbie , Lee & We Live In Time , Ivana's artistry has brought countless characters to life. We dive into her creative process, the challenges of balancing historical accur...

In today's episode, I'm joined by British Director, Writer & Activist Ruby Phelan. Ruby trained as a dancer and worked both as a choreographer and dancer across Europe, before attending the Fontainebleau School of Acting in France. She then studied an MA in Directing & Writing at RADA. Ruby worked on several sold-out London stage productions, as well as working as a Director's Assistant on...

TW: The following discusses themes of SA. Today, in a BFI London Film Festival Special Bonus Episode, I'm joined by Japanese Journalist, Filmmaker & Women's Rights Activist, Shiori Ito. In this short but insightful conversation, we discuss her recent documentary 'Black Box Diaries', which recently premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and will have it's UK cinema release on the 25th of Oct...

In today's episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Domee Shi. Domee is a Chinese-Canadian Director & VP, Screenwriter & Storyboard Artist at PIXAR Animation Studios ( pinch me! ) In this interview, we talk all about how Domee's childhood love of drawing, manga and anime turned into an education at Sheridan college starting out in storyboarding then finally, into a career at one of the bigges...

In today's episode, I'm joined by Weronika Tofilska. Weronika is a Polish Director & Screenwriter based in London. Following studies at the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School in Poland before later graduating from the National Film and Television School in England, she's gone on to direct the hit Netflix miniseries Baby Reindeer this year. She was also recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy Awa...

In today's episode, I'm joined by Desiree Akhavan. Desiree is an Iranian-American Director & Writer. You may have heard of Desiree from her award-winning film The Miseducation of Cameron Post starring Chloe Moretz or her critcally acclaimed Channel 4 TV series, The Bisexual - where Desiree explores identity & the queer experience. In this episode, we talk about how her love for playwriting...

In today's episode, I'm joined by Louisa Connolly-Burnham. Louisa is a British Actress & Director. She had an early start as an actress, best known her for her roles in the BAFTA-winning "Wolfblood" (BBC) and "Vampire Academy" (NBC Universal). She has made appearances in Channel 4's "Drifters", ITV's "Midsomer Murders", Sky1's "Little Crackers", BBC's "Holby City", "Doctors", "Outnumbered", "C...

In today's brand new 1ST episode of season 3 of the podcast, I'm joined by Ninna Pálmadóttir. Ninna, from Iceland, is a Film Director & Writer. Her filmography includes short films Paper Boy , which was the winner of the Edda Award for Best Short Film in 2020, & All Dogs Die . Her debut feature film Solitude , premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival . Solitude is a multil...

In this BONUS episode, I'm joined by .Catherine Hardwicke! Catherine is an American Screenwriter, Director & Production designer, most famously known for having directed Thirteen & Twilight ! I feel very lucky and grateful to have interviewed her, even if it was only for 15 minutes! In this short but sweet conversation, Catherine tells me what inspired her to make Thirteen , how she brough...

In today's episode, I'm joined by Evgenia Alexandrova. Evgenia is a Russian cinematographer (or called director of photography/DOP) and is the cinematographer for both feature films by French actress Noemie Merlant, Mi Iubita Mon Amour, and The Balconettes (Les Femmes au Balcon) which will be premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this month! Evgenia gives an insight into the application process f...