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.
Episodes
239 episodes
Lela Christine Thompson on Branding, Indie Marketing, and Digital Media Influence
In this episode of Best in Fest, branding strategist, publisher, and fashion-to-film trailblazer Lela Christine Thompson shares how she built a dynamic career at the intersection of fashion, entertainment, and digital media
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36:17
Breaking Barriers & Building Empires: Kimberly Ogletree on Producing, BET, and Greenlight Women
In this powerhouse episode of Best in Fest, award-winning producer and industry trailblazer Kimberly Ogletree shares her incredible journey through music videos, television, and independent filmmaking. From working with icons li...
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40:04
Love the Skin You’re In: Sauda Johnson-McNeal on Self-Love and Storytelling,
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, entertainment attorney turned filmmaker Sauda Johnson-McNeal shares her journey from studying acting at USC to founding her own production company, Ron Ash LLC, and creati...
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27:53
Bobbi Banks on Breaking Barriers in Post-Production and the Future of Film Sound
In this episode of Best in Fest, Emmy-nominated supervising sound editor Bobbi Banks shares her inspiring journey from starting as an assistant with no film background to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected post-productio...
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31:54
Manifesting Masterpieces: Christine La Monte on the Art of Saying Yes
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, producer and filmmaker Christine La Monte takes us on a globe-spanning journey through her extraordinary career—from pioneering studio marketing campaigns in the 1980s to producing award-winni...
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41:59
Buddhism, Smuggled Hash & Hidden Footage: Marta György-Kessler’s Untold Journey into Documentary Filmmaking
Actress-turned-documentarian Marta György-Kessler joins Best in Fest to share her fascinating transformation from the stages of Budapest to uncovering untold spiritual journeys through film. In this episode, Marta dives into the backst...
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35:57
Richard Lawson on Acting, Empowerment & The Artist’s Roadmap to Success
In this powerful episode of Best in Fest, Leslie LaPage sits down with legendary actor, director, teacher, and empowerment leader Richard Lawson. With a career spanning over 55 years—from Poltergeist to Tyler Perry prod...
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52:39
Breaking Barriers in Animation: Sam Goff on Diversity, Storytelling, and Building Global Hits
In this insightful episode of Best in Fest, Leslie LaPage sits down with Sam Goff—creative talent manager at Fourth Wall Management and self-proclaimed “animation activist.” From her early days at DreamWorks and Netflix to teaching ani...
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42:59
Jermaine McGhee: From Stage to Screen—Dance, Choreography & Storytelling Through Movement
What does it take to transform a lifetime of dance into powerful storytelling for film, opera, and television? In this episode of Best in Fest, host Les LaPage sits down with Jermaine McGhee—scholar, choreographer, educator, and...
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29:53
From Docu-Follow to Soft Scripted: Audrey Smith on Crafting Reality That Resonates
In this episode of Best in Fest, Leslie LaPage chats with television producer Audrey Smith about the art and strategy behind reality TV’s evolving sub-genres. Audrey breaks down the difference between docu-follow and soft-scripted form...
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45:32
Breaking Barriers & Busting Myths: “It’s Our Ball” and the Power of Senior Women in Sports
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, Les Lippa sits down with filmmakers David Morrison, Penny Edmondson, and Judy Marlin to talk about their dynamic documentary It’s Our Ball—the untold story of senior women dominating ...
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44:04
Emmy Winner Bridget Stokes on Sketch Comedy, Episodic Directing & Indie Grit
What does it take to go from indie filmmaker to Emmy-winning director? In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Bridget Stokes—trailblazing director of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Hello, Jack!,...
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37:01
Nathan Elliott on Virtual Production & Brand-Backed Cinema
What do PlayStation, storefront media, and cutting-edge documentaries have in common? Nathan Elliott. In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with the Canadian entrepreneur, technologist, and filmmaker to discuss ...
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37:20
The Making of “Reminisce” with Ashna Sharan and Wayne Jay
What happens when an aerospace engineer-turned-actor and a multilingual actress-turned-writer join forces? You get Reminisce—a compelling new short film exploring a May-December romance, generational gaps, and power imbalances in love....
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30:07
From Commercial Giants to Intimate Documentarians with Jason & Blue Gerber
In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with powerhouse filmmaking duo Blue and Jason Gerber. From directing award-winning commercials for brands like Walgreens, Chipotle, and Lincoln Park Community Services, to c...
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37:18
From Back to the Future to Blind Logic: Jack Teeter’s Epic Marketing Journey
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, Leslie speaks with Jack Teeter—marketing legend behind iconic Universal hits like Back to the Future, Scarface, and The Breakfast Club. Now a director and producer, ...
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51:49
Creating on Your Own Terms: Laura Knight on Producing, Storytelling & Owning Your Voice
In this episode of Best in Fest, Leslie sits down with powerhouse producer and development executive Laura Knight to talk about the art of telling stories across film, TV, podcasts, and animation. From her early days at ICM to h...
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32:32
More Than Santa Baby: Tamar Springer’s Tribute to Musical Legend Philip Springer
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie speaks with first-time filmmaker Tamar Springer about her powerful documentary More Than Santa Baby — a heartfelt tribute to her father, legendary composer Philip Springer...
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36:04
Ian Hinden on Building a Music-Game Universe & Reinventing Storytelling
In this visionary episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage talks with Ian Hinden—Las Vegas-born musician, game designer, and immersive storyteller—about redefining how music, gaming, and social commentary collide. Ian dives i...
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32:44
Laura Harrington on Acting with DiCaprio, Writing for Scorsese, and Crafting Stories That Matter - Ep #221
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 D...
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44:00
Elizabeth Quinn on Writing with Grit, Producing with Passion & the Real Story Behind 'Going Reno' - Ep #220
In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage welcomes writer, producer, and performer Elizabeth Quinn, whose sharp wit and love for offbeat stories have earned her a spot at the 2024 Tribeca Festival with her audio drama ...
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43:32
Krisztina Goda on Female Filmmaking, International Storytelling & Surviving the Creative Process - Ep #219
In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with one of Hungary’s most celebrated directors, Krisztina Goda, whose breakout hit Just Sex and Nothing Else catapulted her to fame. Goda shares h...
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28:54
From the Writers’ Room to the Revolution: Michael Daley on TV’s Changing Landscape
In this episode of Best in Fest, festival director Leslie LaPage sits down with veteran TV writer Michael FX Daley—whose credits include CSI, The X-Files, Reaper, Maniac, and The Leftovers—f...
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30:16