In this episode of 1st on Film, we sit down with director Eduardo Braun Costa to discuss his short film The Liars, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

The Argentine short follows two boys, Matías and Jaime, who suddenly find themselves navigating the confusing responsibilities of adulthood. When Jaime is detained by a mall security guard, Matías must quickly improvise and convince a stranger to pretend to be their father in order to get him released. What unfolds is a tense, quietly humorous moment that explores friendship, adolescence, and the fragile line between childhood and adulthood.

Running 19 minutes and performed in Spanish, The Liars stars Noah Roja and Filippo Carrozza alongside Esteban Bigliardi, Mariana Chaud, and Pablo Fusco. The film’s performances were widely praised, earning Roja and Carrozza the Short Film Special Jury Award for Acting at Sundance for their naturalistic portrayals that blur the line between fiction and reality.

During our conversation, Braun Costa discusses the inspiration behind the story, working with young actors, and crafting an intimate coming-of-age moment within the short film format. We also talk about the experience of premiering the film at Sundance and what this recognition means for the film’s journey on the festival circuit.

On this episode, we chat with Maddy Myer about her brand new podcast titled Maddy Mania. We discuss fandom, wrestling, superheroes and so much more.

Hosted by entertainment publicist and journalist Maddy Myer, Maddy

Mania is a pop culture podcast where Maddy goes all in on her niche

interests. Each episode is part fan spiral, part insider chat, diving deep

into the fandoms and phenomena that make her lose her mind, from

WWE to Broadway, Comic books to Ariana Grande, Smallville to Teen

Wolf, K-pop to the MCU, Jurassic Park to basketball. Blending personal

fandom, pop culture analysis, and interviews with people who get it just as

much as she does, Maddy Mania is chaotic, funny, and heartfelt. She

believes pop culture isn’t a hobby, it’s its own language. If you’ve ever

cared too much about something… welcome to the mania.

Where obsession is an art form.

On this episode, we sit down with Oscar-nominated directors Alexandre and Natalie to discuss their provocative and intimate short film Two People Exchanging Saliva.

In our conversation, they break down the inspiration behind the film, the creative risks they embraced, and how a deceptively simple premise becomes a layered exploration of vulnerability, connection, and human intimacy. We also talk about navigating the festival circuit, the road to the Academy Awards, and what it means to have such a bold short resonate on a global stage.

It’s an honest, thoughtful deep dive into a film that challenges audiences while asking a universal question: what does it really mean to connect?

Two People Exchanging Saliva is an Oscar-nominated short film directed by Alexandre and Natalie that transforms a raw, intimate act into a powerful meditation on human connection. Through restrained storytelling and striking visual language, the film explores vulnerability, boundaries, and the emotional weight of physical closeness.

Minimal in concept yet expansive in meaning, the short lingers long after its final frame.

In this episode, we sit down with Victoria Trow to talk about her powerful upcoming short film Eructation, premiering at SXSW.

Victoria opens up about the creative process behind the film, the themes that inspired the story, and how Eructation explores identity, discomfort, and emotional release through bold storytelling. We also dive into her journey as a filmmaker, the challenges of bringing such an intimate project to life, and what the SXSW premiere means for her career moving forward.

An honest, thoughtful conversation with a rising voice in independent film.

Eructation is a striking short film that uses symbolism and emotional tension to explore internal pressure, suppressed identity, and the human need for release. Through visually intimate storytelling and atmospheric tone, the film examines how unspoken emotions can build inside a person—until they demand to be expressed.

Raw, unsettling, and deeply human, Eructation challenges audiences to confront discomfort, vulnerability, and the quiet battles people fight within themselves. Premiering at SXSW, the film marks a bold and distinctive new voice in contemporary short-form cinema.

In this episode, we sit down with Meyer Levinson-Blount, the visionary filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated short film Butcher’s Stain.

Meyer takes us inside the creative process behind the film, from its haunting themes and visual language to the emotional weight driving its story. We explore what inspired the project, the challenges of crafting a powerful short film, and what the Oscar nomination means for his career and future as a storyteller.

This is a deep, honest conversation about filmmaking, identity, and using cinema as a tool for impact — a must-listen for film lovers and aspiring creators alike.

Butcher’s Stain is a haunting and emotionally charged short film that explores the psychological and moral weight of violence, memory, and identity. Through striking imagery and intimate storytelling, the film follows a character haunted by past actions and the lasting imprint they leave behind — not just on the body, but on the soul.

Blending realism with symbolic visual storytelling, Butcher’s Stain confronts the viewer with difficult questions about guilt, humanity, and the invisible scars people carry. Its powerful atmosphere and quiet intensity transform a personal story into a universal reflection on consequence and conscience, making it a deeply resonant and unforgettable cinematic experience.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Praise Odigie Paige, the visionary director behind the Sundance short film Birdie, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Praise opens up about the inspiration behind Birdie, the emotional themes that shaped the story, and her creative process as a filmmaker telling intimate, character-driven narratives. We talk about representation, vulnerability, identity, and what it means to create art that resonates deeply with audiences.

This conversation is an honest, inspiring look into the mind of one of the most exciting emerging voices in independent cinema.

A must-listen for filmmakers, film lovers, and anyone passionate about powerful storytelling.

Praise Odigie Paige is a rising filmmaker and storyteller whose work centers on emotional truth, identity, and the complexity of human relationships. Known for her intimate, visually poetic style, Paige crafts narratives that explore vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery through deeply personal perspectives.

Praise’s creative vision is grounded in representation and emotional honesty. She focuses on stories that are often overlooked — quiet moments, internal struggles, and the personal journeys that shape identity. Her work avoids spectacle in favor of meaning, using atmosphere, performance, and visual language to tell stories that feel intimate, raw, and real.

As an emerging director, writer, and creative voice, Praise Odigie Paige represents a new generation of filmmakers redefining independent film — prioritizing emotional depth, lived experience, and storytelling that centers the inner lives of her characters.

Birdie is a poignant, emotionally driven short film that explores identity, vulnerability, and the quiet struggles of self-acceptance. Through intimate storytelling and delicate visual language, the film follows a character navigating internal conflict, emotional isolation, and the search for belonging.

Rather than relying on dialogue-heavy exposition, Birdie communicates through atmosphere, performance, and visual symbolism, creating a deeply personal and immersive experience. The film captures the fragility of growth and the courage it takes to confront one’s inner truth.

Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, Birdie stands out as a powerful piece of independent cinema — a quiet yet impactful story that lingers long after the screen fades to black.

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker Meagan Coyle to discuss her striking short film Prime, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Prime is a powerful, intimate short that explores themes of identity, vulnerability, and human connection through a deeply personal lens. The film follows a pivotal moment in a young woman’s life as she navigates emotional tension, self-discovery, and the quiet complexities of growing into herself. Told with restraint, honesty, and emotional precision, Prime captures the beauty and discomfort of transformation, making it a resonant and unforgettable viewing experience.

In our conversation, Meagan shares the inspiration behind the story, her creative process, the challenges of bringing Prime to life, and what it meant to premiere the film on one of the world’s most important stages for independent cinema. We also dive into her journey as a filmmaker, navigating the festival circuit, and finding your voice in today’s film industry.

If you love discovering new filmmakers, behind-the-scenes stories, and the creative journeys behind breakout films, this episode is for you. 🎬

In this episode, we sit down with Megan and Marcus Bagala for an inspiring conversation about building careers in music and entertainment. From their creative beginnings to navigating the industry, they share honest insights about passion, persistence, and what it really takes to turn talent into a career. Marcus and Megan deep dive into some of their projects including kids podcast programming, DC High vol Batman and discuss some new upcoming projects

We talk about:

• How they got started in music 🎶

• Breaking into the entertainment industry

• Balancing creativity with business

• Challenges, growth, and staying motivated

• work/life balance as new parents

Whether you’re an aspiring musician, filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur, this interview offers real-world perspective and motivation from two artists actively shaping their paths in entertainment.

In this special episode, we sit down with cinematographer Ruairí O’Brien to explore the visual storytelling behind Eternity — A24’s imaginative 2025 fantasy romantic comedy that asks what it really means to choose where and with whom you’d spend forever.

Directed by David Freyne and starring Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner, Eternity follows a recently deceased woman navigating a whimsical afterlife decision: whether to remain with the devoted husband she loved for decades or reunite with her charismatic first love who’s been waiting for her for over 60 years.

Ruairí takes us behind the scenes to discuss crafting the film’s distinctive visual worlds — from the bright, nostalgic afterlife landscapes to the emotional interplay of color, light, and camera movement that shapes the story’s emotional core. We dig into his approach to collaboration with director, production design, and color grading, and how his choices help make a fantastical, heartfelt story feel grounded and resonant for audiences.

Whether you’re a fan of cinematography, world-building in film, or just love a great love story, this episode reveals how Eternity came alive through the lens.

In this episode, we sit down with Isaiah and Emmett from the reality series Canada Shore for a conversation that’s just as wild as the show itself. Between a couple of drinking games and plenty of laughs, the duo spills on life inside the Canada Shore house, behind-the-scenes moments viewers never see, and what really happens when reality TV meets real friendships. It’s a chaotic, unfiltered, and genuinely fun chat about fame, filming, and surviving the madness—one drink at a time.