Woodstock Film Festival LET'S TALK FILM! Podcast

The Non-Fiction Hotlist + the Sports Betting Documentary STATE OF GAMBLING w/ Adam Neuhaus and Kyle Thrash

In Episode 34, filmmaker Kyle Thrash [https://kylethrash.com/] and producer Adam Neuhaus [https://www.neuhausideas.com/about] speak about the process of creating a documentary independently, without support from the film industry. They share insights into the inspiring journey of filmmakers coming together to support one another through Adam’s The Non-Fiction Hotlist [https://nonfictionhotlist.com/], and how that experience contrasts with working under the influence of industry executives. Kyle also discusses the subject of his forthcoming documentary STATE OF GAMBLING, shedding light on the surprisingly pervasive influence of the world of sports betting. Listen to more [https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast] WFF podcast episodes.

Developing a Short into a Feature with Sundance Award Winner Rashad Frett

In Episode 33, host and WFF shorts programmer Amanda Naseem speaks with director Rashad Frett about the making of his award-winning short film RICKY and how he is currently working on a feature-length version. Rashad also discusses his journey in finding himself as an artist and filmmaker and the process of casting non-actors and family members. Rashad Frett is an award-winning Caribbean-American filmmaker. He is an NYU Tisch Graduate Film alumni, a Spike Lee Film Production fellow, a Ryan Murphy HALF Initiative fellow, a Sundance Feature Film Lab fellow, and a Cary Fukunaga Production fellow. In 2023 he was named one of Filmmaker magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film.” His feature film RICKY won the Best Directing Award in 2025 Sundance Film festival's U.S. Dramatic Competition category and Best Short Doc at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival. To learn more about Rashad, check out his website [https://www.rashadfrett.com/]. Listen to more WFF podcast episodes [https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast]

Establishing Trust With Your Documentary Subjects with Oscar Nominated Filmmakers Smriti Mundhra + Maya Gnyp

In Episode 32, we talk with Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp, the Director and Producer of the Oscar-nominated short documentary, I AM READY, WARDEN [https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/films/iamreadywarden]. Mundhra and Gnyp share the importance of establishing trust with the subjects of their documentary in creating an authentic representation of a death row prisoner seeking redemption.  Smriti Mundhra is a DGA Award-winning, Academy Award-nominated and three-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker. She created and directed Netflix’s “The Romantics,” a four-part documentary series about Bollywood’s history. Her 2019 Oscar-nominated documentary short “St. Louis Superman,” was acquired by MTV Documentary Films in a multi-studio bidding war. Her most recent short, “I Am Ready, Warden,” was nominated in the 97th Academy Awards.  Maya Gnyp is an Oscar and Emmy-nominated Producer of documentary film and television. This year, she is the Executive Producer of “Muslim Matchmaker” for HULU/ABC and was nominated for her short documentary film, “I Am Ready, Warden”. Her film, “Shelter,” was nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy, NAACP Image Award, and the Humanitas Prize.  Listen to more WFF podcast episodes: https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast [https://woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast]

2024 WFF Panel: Carla Gutiérrez and Roger Ross Williams Talk About FRIDA

WFF Panel Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios Carla Gutiérrez is an Emmy-nominated documentary director/editor. Her directorial debut, FRIDA [https://letterboxd.com/film/frida-2024/], premiered at Sundance 2024 and she edited the Oscar-nominated films RBG and La Corona. Carla is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and the American Cinema Editors. Roger Ross Williams is an Oscar, Emmy, Peabody, and NAACP Image award-winning director, producer, and writer – and the first African American director to win an Academy Award, with his film Music By Prudence. More Episodes: www.woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast [http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/podcast]

2024 WFF Panel: AI and the Creative Process with Nicolas Neubert

AI has been making its way into many areas of society over the last two years including the creative arts and filmmaking. As a versatile tool, AI is being embraced by many artists, filmmakers, and studios to explore new ideas and bring their visions to life. These tools are already streamlining production processes and lowering budgets, while simultaneously sparking discussions about their impact on the creative industry at large. This panel of filmmakers, artists, and AI tool builders will discuss these new tools and their impact on creativity. With Runway AI Creative Team member Nicolas Neubert, Philip Shane, Kris Lefcoe, and Eunice Lau Moderated by Filmmaker Magazine Co-Founder / Editor in Chief Scott Macauley More Episodes: www.woodstockfilmfestival.org/podcast [http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/podcast]