The masochistic nature of podcasting

Dr. Allie on Education, Intimacy, and Beautiful Failures

Our latest Failed Films podcast features Dr. Allie Melendez, sex educator extraordinaire turned intimacy coordinator. After meeting Allie through Sunday Faire earlier this year when they hosted our film screening, we knew we had to get her on the show.Sunday Faire, founded in February 2023 by women and sex workers, creates vital space for the adult industry community with monthly events. Their mantra #playfaire perfectly captures their spirit – building community while advocating for better industry conditions. Failed Films was honored to screen at their PASS-certified benefit party, where our experimental shorts sparked conversations among industry professionals.In our conversation, Allie shares her journey from academia (she has a PhD in Human Sexuality!) to film sets, where she now ensures everyone from actors to crew members feels safe during intimate scenes. Her refreshing take on failure – viewing it as necessary evolution rather than catastrophe – resonates deeply with our ethos at Failed Films.

Janesta on F%^&ing Up Gloriously

In our Season 2 podcast premiere, we welcome Janesta—filmmaker, dancer, poet, and Failed Films royalty since our very first season in 2016. From making DIY installations with found materials to creating mesmerizing films like "True Colors" and "Black Light," Janesta's artistic journey embodies the spirit of Failed Films. Join me, Christopher Holloway and Lauren West as we speak with with Janesta into their evolution as an artist and her transformed relationship with failure. Janesta candidly shares how pain provides information, and why the most beautiful projects often emerge from our greatest struggles. Whether discussing the interpersonal challenges behind artistic collaboration or the liberation of refusing to choose between being an intellectual and a "badass bitch," this conversation offers wisdom for creators at every stage. "Who's to say when a project is truly done?" Janesta asks—a reminder that our failures are often just beginnings in disguise. Show Notes: * See Janesta perform with Robert Moses Ken at ZSpace in San Francisco, March 14-17, 2025 * Follow Failed Films @failedfilmsfest * Visit www.failedfilms.info [http://www.failedfilms.info] for upcoming events

not all failures are created equal

This week, we spoke with our friend and collaborator, Kasper Smits [Kaspersmits.com]. Kasper is a musician, composer, video artist, and all-around talented individual. He began his creative journey making films with his dad’s camcorder, which eventually led him to explore the highs and lows of the music industry. Kasper has always followed his curiosity. Despite trying to avoid failure at all costs, he found that failure was impossible to avoid. We talk with Kasper about his path to seeing failure not as a foe but as a necessary part of learning, life, and art. Now, as a composer and filmmaker, he enriches Failed Films with melodies and stories that move us deeply. Please enjoy our conversation with Kasper Smits.

Liberation Through Failure

This week we sat down with Gia Isabella [giaisabella.com]. Gia is a chatroom actress, a clip artist and casual pretender. She creates a variety of content, for o^*yfans, p%&nhub and YouTube. I admire Gia’s creative drive and ability to produce a high volume of content for her business. She is at the forefront of being an independent adult creator. I wanted to talk to her about her creative process, her relationship with failure and the origins of her debut film Glory. Gia’s world is a true rabbit hole and it was an honer to spend an hour in it with her. This episode just has one banger after the next. Please enjoy this conversation with the one and only Gia Isabella.

The masochistic nature of podcasting

This week, we sat down with the writer, podcaster, and horror filmmaker, DeVaughn Taylor [https://linktr.ee/spectercinema]. DeVaughn was apart of this year's curatorial committee. I was excited to talk to DeVaughn about his love of Horror films, the similarities between smut and horror, and the masochistic nature of podcasting. It is an honest conversation that left me inspired. Let’s get to it.