Isaac Elliot and Oli Pizzey Stratford are amazingly talented and charming filmmakers. In today's episode they discuss two of their incredible films, the documentary We Are Sexual Beings, and the dark comedy Don't Come In... Yet! Isaac and Oli discuss their craft and how their being wheelchair users affects their thematic approach to their projects. You can see We Are Sexual Beings on Friday, September 22nd with LADFF. Don't Come In... Yet screens with LADFF on Saturday, September 23rd. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com ..read more

Me Night is a wild, hilarious, and honest depiction of one woman's night alone. Filmmakers Lauren Knutti and Anna Salinas join us for an in-depth conversation on the heart of their film and the brilliant technical approaches to making it. Me Night screens on Saturday, September 23rd with the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com ..read more

Bubjan is a powerful documentary that chronicles an Iranian man who has been living in exile in the United States since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. He was a member of the Iranian parliament, where he dedicated his life to cultivating a progressive, modern, and free society in Iran. But the rise of the Islamic Republic eclipsed those aspirations and forced him to leave behind everything he knew. Joining us on the Film Forward are director Nicholas Mihm and producer Rostam Zafari. Don’t miss Bubjan - screening with LADFF on Saturday, September 23rd. Tickets are on sale now at LADFF.com ..read more

LADFF alum Emelie Claxton returns to Film Forward to discuss her new project, Doggone. In this deep dive, Emelie talks about her writing process, the heart of her story, and pre-production, which includes her Kickstarter campaign. You can donate to Doggone's crowdfunding campaign at DoggoneShortFilm.com from now through September 15th ..read more

Felicia Pride's work spans television, film, and podcasts. In this episode of Film Forward, she discusses how her work on shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Queen Sugar" sharpened her craft and prepared her for personal projects like "Look Back At It." Felicia and host Nicholas Ybarra discuss the importance of making a place for yourself in the film industry, carving your own path, and honing your true voice. "Look Back At It" screens with LADFF on Friday, September 22nd. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com ..read more

Joshua Coppenbarger's short film Opening Night screens this week at LADFF's 10th Anniversary Celebration. In this episode of Film Forward, Joshua discusses his journey from sports documentaries to narrative romance. PLUS: the triumphant return of our Gimme Three segment! See Opening Night on August 17th at the Laemmle NoHo 7. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com ..read more

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 boundaries of nonfiction and immerse the audience into the human experience of police work within a dysfunctional system. A Cop Movie is available to stream right now on Netflix. Check it out, and let us ..read more

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 stories. Bring Your Own Brigade is the most in-depth look at the horrifying wildfire epidemic. It is a must-see film - you can see it now on the big screen in select theaters! It will also be available o ..read more

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, the insanity of watching Ady’s rapid fame, and what they learned from Ady’s journey. Not Going Quietly plays in select theaters (Los Angeles: Laemmle Town Center 5 in Encino). See it on the big screen an ..read more

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 spill cleaned up 60 years after the disaster. In this episode, we are honored to be joined by Melissa Bumstead herself and the film’s director Nicholas Mihm. In the Dark of the Valley is playing at the Lae ..read more