Best in Fest

Welcome to Best in Fest, where host Lili Masztar-Hazi moderates a powerful panel discussion recorded at the inaugural La Femme International Film Festival Europe in Budapest.

Award-winning filmmakers, producers, directors, cinematographers, actors, and industry leaders come together to discuss what it's really like to build a career as a woman in today's film industry. From Hollywood to Europe, they share personal stories about overcoming bias, creating opportunities, mentoring the next generation, balancing motherhood with filmmaking, and why collaboration—not competition—is shaping the future of cinema. 

In this episode you'll learn:

•  How women are breaking barriers in the film industry 
•  The realities of directing, producing, acting, and cinematography 
•  Why mentorship and community are essential for long-term success 
•  The challenges of gender bias, pay equity, and representation 
•  Motherhood, career growth, and navigating creative leadership 
•  How film festivals help launch careers and build international networks 
•  Why women are creating their own opportunities through producing and independent filmmaking 
•  Advice for aspiring filmmakers looking to build lasting careers 

Featuring insights from Leslie LaPage, founder of the La Femme International Film Festival, alongside acclaimed filmmakers and creatives including Petra Körner, Dorka Gryllus, Yvonne Terek, Judit Romwalter, and other accomplished women working across every corner of the film industry. Together they explore how filmmaking is evolving—and what still needs to change. 

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, film student, producer, writer, actor, cinematographer, or simply passionate about cinema, this conversation offers practical career advice, inspiring personal stories, and an honest look at the future of women in film.

Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with award-winning filmmakers, festival founders, producers, directors, actors, and creative leaders from around the world.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Lili Masztar-Hazi brings together an inspiring panel of award-winning filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, sustainability leaders, and production designers to discuss the unexpected journeys that shaped their careers.

From changing careers later in life to overcoming rejection, launching independent production companies, attending film school, working on major studio productions, and finding success through international film festivals, each guest shares honest insights into what it really takes to build a career in filmmaking.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How successful filmmakers found their unique career path
• Whether film school is necessary for a career in film
• The value of persistence, networking, and creative partnerships
• Lessons from directors, producers, writers, and production designers
• How sustainability is transforming modern filmmaking
• Behind-the-scenes stories from independent films and major studio productions
• The challenges of financing, producing, and distributing films
• Advice for emerging filmmakers navigating today's industry
• Why there is no "right" way to become a filmmaker

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, film student, producer, writer, cinematographer, or simply passionate about cinema, this conversation offers practical advice and inspiring stories from professionals who have forged their own paths in one of the world's most competitive creative industries.

Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with award-winning filmmakers, festival directors, producers, actors, screenwriters, and industry leaders from around the world.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage brings together an extraordinary panel of award-winning directors, producers, cinematographers, and film professionals from around the world to reveal how they built successful careers in filmmaking—and what aspiring filmmakers need to know to do the same.

From self-taught directors to internationally acclaimed producers, these guests share honest stories about rejection, persistence, networking, film school, mentorship, funding, and finding your place in one of the world's most competitive industries.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How successful filmmakers got their first break
• Is film school worth it—or can you succeed without it?
• The importance of networking and building creative relationships
• How producers, directors, and cinematographers build lasting careers
• What award-winning filmmakers wish they knew when they started
• How to overcome rejection and keep creating
• Why storytelling matters more than expensive equipment
• Advice for women working in the film industry
• How international co-productions and film festivals open career opportunities
• The mindset required to survive—and thrive—in independent filmmaking

Featuring insights from acclaimed filmmakers whose work has premiered at Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, and major international film festivals, this conversation offers practical advice for filmmakers, film students, writers, producers, actors, cinematographers, and anyone dreaming of a career in movies.

Whether you're making your first short film, pitching your first feature, or looking to grow your filmmaking career, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from professionals who've done it.

Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with award-winning filmmakers, festival directors, screenwriters, actors, producers, and industry leaders from around the globe.

Why are Hollywood blockbusters, Netflix productions, and international filmmakers flocking to Hungary?

In this episode of Best in Fest, we sit down with producers, studio executives, film festival leaders, and industry veterans to uncover why Budapest has quietly become one of the hottest filming destinations on Earth.

From massive sound stages and medieval backlots to generous tax incentives, world-class film crews, and stories from James Bond, Rain Man, and modern Hollywood productions, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what really makes movie magic happen.

Along the way, our guests share hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, career advice, hard-earned lessons about trust in filmmaking, and one truth everyone agrees on:

🎥 Great movies aren't made by buildings—they're made by great people.

In this episode, we discuss:
• Why Hollywood keeps coming back to Hungary
• The secrets behind Budapest's booming film industry
• Service productions vs. international co-productions
• What producers really look for when choosing a filming location
• Studio life, backlots, post-production, and film restoration
• Career advice for aspiring filmmakers
• Women in the film industry
• Burnout, resilience, and surviving production life
• And why carrying coffee for Ben Kingsley might be the best film school you'll ever attend. ☕

Whether you're an indie filmmaker, producer, film student, or just obsessed with movies, this episode is packed with insider stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, acclaimed Kosovo-Albanian actress and producer Arta Dobroshi shares her extraordinary journey from performing as a young artist in Kosovo to building an international career in film.

Arta opens up about how growing up amid war and political instability shaped her perspective, her performances, and her commitment to humanity. She discusses her acting process, including Stanislavski-based training, script preparation, emotional presence, and what it takes to fully inhabit complex characters on screen.

The conversation also explores Arta’s experience working with celebrated directors, producing independent projects, balancing a demanding film career with motherhood, and advocating for refugees and greater unity across cultures. She offers heartfelt advice for emerging actors, creatives, and women entering the entertainment industry: trust your inner voice, do not be discouraged by rejection, and keep moving toward the life you envision.

This is a candid conversation about film, purpose, resilience, creativity, and the power of joy.

In this special episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with an inspiring group of filmmakers from around the world whose stories explore identity, technology, human connection, and the power of cinema to preserve history.

From a moving documentary about a Japanese Canadian artist overcoming the legacy of World War II internment camps, to thought-provoking films examining artificial intelligence, modern relationships, immigration, friendship, and self-discovery, these filmmakers reveal the creative journeys behind their work and the real-world experiences that inspired them.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How filmmakers are using cinema to preserve overlooked historical stories
• The impact of Japanese Canadian internment and the role of art in healing generational trauma
• Why AI is becoming one of the most fascinating topics in modern storytelling
• The ethical and emotional questions surrounding artificial intelligence and human relationships
• How voice messages, social media, and technology are changing the way we communicate
• The realities of building a filmmaking career across multiple countries and cultures
• Why personal experiences often create the most powerful stories on screen
• The importance of women filmmakers bringing unique perspectives to contemporary cinema
• How short films can become proof-of-concept projects for larger productions

Featured films include powerful documentaries, AI-inspired narratives, relationship dramas, international comedies, and award-winning short films that challenge audiences to think differently about history, identity, and the future.

Whether you're a filmmaker, storyteller, film festival enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the intersection of technology and humanity, this episode offers valuable insights into the creative process and the evolving landscape of independent film.

Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, and industry leaders shaping the future of entertainment.

From AI-generated filmmaking and documentary storytelling to action shorts, horror competitions, relationship dramas, and artistic documentaries, these creators share how they brought their unique visions to life and what it takes to succeed in today's rapidly changing film industry.

Featured conversations include:

• The opportunities and challenges of creating films with artificial intelligence
• How filmmakers are using emerging technology to tell deeply personal stories
• Producing documentaries that take years to complete and follow real-life subjects across continents
• Building proof-of-concept films that grow into feature-length projects
• Creating compelling action films on student and independent budgets
• The realities of film festivals, distribution, and audience discovery
• Writing and producing independent films inspired by modern dating culture
• Documentary filmmaking focused on art, creativity, and the human experience
• Winning film competitions and creating professional-quality work under extreme deadlines

Guests also discuss the importance of collaboration, perseverance, creative problem-solving, and finding new ways to connect with audiences in an increasingly digital world.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, producer, writer, actor, or film enthusiast, this episode offers practical insights into the creative process and the future of independent storytelling.

Subscribe to Best in Fest for more interviews with filmmakers, creators, and industry leaders from around the world.

In this special episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with an inspiring group of filmmakers featured at the Budapest Film Festival to discuss the stories, challenges, and creative journeys behind their latest projects.

From a courageous documentary following a young women’s rights activist in Kyrgyzstan, to powerful films exploring teen pregnancy, collective memory, neurodiversity, grief, and social justice, this episode highlights the global impact of independent filmmaking.

Featured guests share their experiences navigating film financing, festival circuits, documentary production, animation, directing first features, and creating meaningful stories that spark conversation and change.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How documentary filmmakers build trust with their subjects over years of production
• The challenges of creating social impact films on limited budgets
• Why personal experiences often become powerful cinematic stories
• The role of animation in preserving history and collective memory
• How filmmakers are bringing awareness to underrepresented communities and conditions like dyspraxia
• The realities of film festivals, distribution, and finding audiences in today's streaming landscape
• Why authentic storytelling continues to resonate across cultures and borders

Whether you're a filmmaker, film festival enthusiast, documentary lover, or someone passionate about stories that make a difference, this episode offers valuable insights into the art and business of independent cinema.

Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with filmmakers, producers, actors, and industry leaders shaping the future of film and entertainment.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Joi Noelle Worley, editor, director, and content creator with experience across DreamWorks Animation, Netflix, Hulu, and independent film, to explore the evolving landscape of storytelling across animation and live action.

Joi shares her unique career path working in both mediums, breaking down the creative and technical differences between editing animation and live action—and how those skills translate into directing, writing, and building original IP.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🎬 The real difference between editing animation vs live action
•  🎞️ Why editing is about emotion, timing, and storytelling—not just cutting footage
•  🤖 AI in filmmaking: where it helps—and where it threatens creativity
•  🎨 Why animation is more than “just for kids” and requires deep collaboration
•  🎭 Directing animation vs actors: clarity, story beats, and visual intention
•  📺 Working on projects for DreamWorks, Netflix, and major studios
•  🧠 How animation skills improve live action directing (storyboarding, pacing)
•  🚀 Creating your own IP: building pitch bibles, animatics, and proof of concept
•  🌍 Pitching original series and films in today’s competitive market
•  🎥 Why filmmakers must create their own opportunities instead of waiting for permission

Joi also dives into her original projects, including her animated series Lionheart, viral fan animatics, and her current feature film Ilaaj, a Hindi-language inspirational drama exploring healing and self-discovery.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Elissa Shay. actress, writer, and producer, to break down her journey from struggling to find the right roles in Hollywood to producing and starring in her own feature film, Fractured.

After facing challenges as a mixed-ethnicity actress in an industry that often struggles with representation, Elissa took control of her career—writing, producing, and financing projects that aligned with her purpose and creative voice.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🎭 Why Elissa transitioned from acting into producing early in her career
•  🌍 Producing a documentary in Africa (Mully) and what it taught her about storytelling
•  ✍️ Writing your own roles when Hollywood isn’t offering the right opportunities
•  💰 How indie films are actually financed through private investors
•  🧾 Using tax incentives and investor structures to fund a feature film
•  🎬 How Fractured came together with talent like Julia Ormond and Bruce Dern
•  📊 The realities of film festivals, PR, and why marketing budgets matter
•  🚧 Common mistakes filmmakers make when they don’t budget for distribution
•  📱 Why building an audience during production is critical for success
•  🎥 Navigating identity and representation in casting and storytelling

Elissa also shares candid insights about the biggest lesson she learned: making the film is only half the battle—getting it seen is an entirely different challenge.