Discover Indie Film

Happy Monday, Film Friends! Ren Olivieri brought his film “The Trade” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2024, coming down from Canada to represent the film he wrote, produced, and starred in. This smart, funny, wonderfully produced short also took home the Programmer’s Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking. I also have to mention that Ren is one of those most excellent people who makes the most of the festival, coming to the Gala and closing night mixer, as well as catching many screenings.                               But that’s not why I like this dude… the truth is that we started bonding via email when I confessed to him my involvement in fantasy sports and sealed the deal upon meeting in person. But even cooler than becoming friendly with me, Ren met filmmaker Enrique Mendoza at the SOFF Opening Night Gala and the two kit it off, watched each other’s films at the fest, and then… collaborated on a film! For all I know it is in post at this point or even done! Ren is my kinda person!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Follow him on Instagram at @reno91 [https://www.instagram.com/reno91] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website [https://discoverindiefilm.com] – DIF Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heffay111/] – DIF BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/difwins.bsky.social] Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation [https://discoverindiefilm.org/] – Sherman Oaks Film Festival [https://shermanoaksfilmfestival.com] – Film Invasion Los Angeles [https://filminvasionla.com]

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Tal Anderson is a talented actor, writer, director and producer, whose short film “Breaking Normal” took home a Programmer’s Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2024. I was so glad for the chance to interview Tal and extremely curious to hear what she had in store for her 4 Questions. Tal’s Personal Links: Website: www.theTALanderson.com [http://www.theTALanderson.com] IMDb: www.IMDB.me/TalAnderson [http://www.IMDB.me/TalAnderson] IG: www.Instagram.com/TheTalAnderson [http://www.Instagram.com/TheTalAnderson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTalAnderson [https://www.youtube.com/@TheTalAnderson] Tal’s Work Links: JOY film : https://youtu.be/2-zDgrIsw1E?si=N1ps31t5NwinDwkW [https://youtu.be/2-zDgrIsw1E?si=N1ps31t5NwinDwkW] Hairy Yarns Podcast : https://hairyyarns.buzzsprout.com/ [https://hairyyarns.buzzsprout.com/] Breaking Normal : https://youtu.be/dbmW0vDamsg [https://youtu.be/dbmW0vDamsg](This is unpublished but can be accessed if you click on the link. I’m using this one because it’s the most recent version of the film) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website [https://discoverindiefilm.com] – DIF Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heffay111/] – DIF BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/difwins.bsky.social] Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website [https://discoverindiefilm.org/] Sherman Oaks Film Festival [https://shermanoaksfilmfestival.com] Film Invasion Los Angeles [https://filminvasionla.com]

Welcome back, Listeners! Tal Anderson is a talented actor, writer, director and producer, whose short film “Breaking Normal” took home a Programmer’s Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2024.         Tal acted in and produced the film, but a quick look at Tal’s IMDb page will show you what a genuine multi- hyphenate she is. Actually… I did this math before the interview and might as well share it. Tal has 30 actor credits, 19 editor credits, 9 producer credits, 8 writer credits, 6 director credits, and some other departments as well! It was a pleasure to get to interview Tal and get to know her better! And now… links! Tal got the following links to us… please enjoy her work! Tal’s Personal Links: Website: www.theTALanderson.com [http://www.theTALanderson.com] IMDb: www.IMDB.me/TalAnderson [http://www.IMDB.me/TalAnderson] IG: www.Instagram.com/TheTalAnderson [http://www.Instagram.com/TheTalAnderson] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTalAnderson [https://www.youtube.com/@TheTalAnderson] Tal’s Work Links: JOY film : https://youtu.be/2-zDgrIsw1E?si=N1ps31t5NwinDwkW [https://youtu.be/2-zDgrIsw1E?si=N1ps31t5NwinDwkW] Hairy Yarns Podcast : https://hairyyarns.buzzsprout.com/ [https://hairyyarns.buzzsprout.com/] Breaking Normal : https://youtu.be/dbmW0vDamsg [https://youtu.be/dbmW0vDamsg](This is unpublished but can be accessed if you click on the link. I’m using this one because it’s the most recent version of the film) Links just for interest and follow up since Tal mentioned them: LINK to the Smithsonian Exhibit and Schedule: https://www.sites.si.edu/s/topic/0TO4z000000nTALGA2/japanese-war-brides-across-a-wide-divide [https://www.sites.si.edu/s/topic/0TO4z000000nTALGA2/japanese-war-brides-across-a-wide-divide] LINK to article I wrote where I interviewed 3 producer/filmmakers responsible ultimately for the Smithsonian exhibit: https://joysauce.com/how-these-three-women-are-preserving-the-legacies-of-japanese-war-brides/ [https://joysauce.com/how-these-three-women-are-preserving-the-legacies-of-japanese-war-brides/] _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website [https://discoverindiefilm.com] – DIF Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heffay111/] – DIF BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/difwins.bsky.social] Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation [https://discoverindiefilm.org/] – Sherman Oaks Film Festival [https://shermanoaksfilmfestival.com] – Film Invasion Los Angeles [https://filminvasionla.com]

What are the 4Qs? (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out. Ethan Shaftel brought his Immersive film “Ajax All Powerful” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2024 and took one the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Immersive Short. If you listened to Friday’s full interview with Ethan its no secret that “Ajax All Powerful” simply blew my mind and I was very eager to hear about the type of films Ethan was drawn to with his 4 Questions! Learn more about Ethan at his website EthanShaftel.com [https://www.ethanshaftel.com] or @ethanaction [https://www.instagram.com/ethanaction]on Instagram. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website [https://discoverindiefilm.com] – DIF Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heffay111/] – DIF BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/difwins.bsky.social] Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website [https://discoverindiefilm.org/] Sherman Oaks Film Festival [https://shermanoaksfilmfestival.com] Film Invasion Los Angeles [https://filminvasionla.com]

Happy Independence Day, Everyone. And what better way to celebrate independence thank listened to a podcast about Independent film! Ethan Shaftel brought his Immersive film “Ajax All Powerful” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2024 and took one the Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Immersive Short.                                                      Do I need to explain what an immersive short is? You watch it on the Meta Quest virtual reality headset and become immersed in the amazing world that Ethan created. “Ajax All Powerful” simply blew my mind and I think every person looking at these words right now should find a way to get their hands on one and watch Ethan’s film. What else needs to be said in this intro? Learn more about Ethan at his website EthanShaftel.com [https://www.ethanshaftel.com] or @ethanaction [https://www.instagram.com/ethanaction]on Instagram. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Podcast Links DIF Podcast Website [https://discoverindiefilm.com] – DIF Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/heffay111/] – DIF BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/difwins.bsky.social] Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Links DIF Foundation [https://discoverindiefilm.org/] – Sherman Oaks Film Festival [https://shermanoaksfilmfestival.com] – Film Invasion Los Angeles [https://filminvasionla.com]