Best in Fest
Host Leslie LaPage, Director of LaFemme International Film Festival uncovers the Secrets of Filmmaking with her lineup of industry professional guests. In every episode you will learn things like how to make the most out of the film festival circuit, how to find a great distribution partner, how to attract A list talent, finding the perfect representation, the dirty little secrets of Hollywood and much more.
Best in Fest
Laura Harrington on Acting with DiCaprio, Writing for Scorsese, and Crafting Stories That Matter - Ep #221
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Leslie LaPage
In this powerful episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage welcomes acclaimed actress-turned-screenwriter Laura Harrington, whose career has spanned blockbuster sets and award-winning scripts. From starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape to writing for legends like Martin Scorsese and Taylor Hackford, Laura shares how she transitioned from the stage to the page—and why storytelling is her true calling.
Laura reveals:
- How her breakout role in Maximum Overdrive led to working with Stephen King
- The real-life encounter that inspired her script about Fidel Castro
- Her emotional journey writing The Ninth Fortress, a Holocaust escape drama
- Why actors make some of the best screenwriters
- Her approach to writing character-driven films in a superhero-saturated industry
- And how her Farmhouse Writing Retreat in Italy nurtures creators of all kinds
Whether you're an aspiring screenwriter, actor, or just love behind-the-scenes film stories, this episode is filled with rare insights and raw honesty about the creative process, reinvention, and writing with courage.