Best in Fest

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Shalini Dutta, an accomplished actress with over three decades of experience across Bollywood, theater, television, and independent film to discuss her journey, career reinvention, and the evolving landscape for women and South Asian talent in the global film industry.

From her early start in Indian cinema to stepping away for family life and returning years later to pursue meaningful storytelling, Shalini shares what it really takes to sustain a creative career across different life stages.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🎭 How Shalini began her acting career in Bollywood and regional Indian films
•  🌍 The key differences between Bollywood and Hollywood storytelling styles
•  🎬 Why meaningful, character-driven roles matter more than screen time
•  🔄 Reinventing your acting career after a long break
•  👩🏽‍🎬 The rise of strong female roles and diverse storytelling in modern cinema
•  📺 How Indian cinema has evolved into a global storytelling force
•  🎥 Working in indie films like Between Places and building a second career
•  🌱 Why actors should choose roles based on purpose—not just exposure or pay
•  🎙️ Building a platform to uplift South Asian voices through content and community

Shalini also shares insights into the challenges and progress of representation for South Asian actors, explaining why opportunities are growing—but why there’s still work to be done.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Aarti Misra — producer, business strategist, and global dealmaker working at the intersection of film, technology, and finance.

With over 20 years of experience spanning Silicon Valley startups, film production, and international co-productions, Aarti breaks down how the entertainment industry is evolving—and what filmmakers must understand to stay competitive in an AI-driven, globally distributed marketplace.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🤖 How AI is transforming filmmaking—and why it’s a tool, not a replacement for creatives
•  🎬 Inside “Up and Now”: an AI-powered tool for storyboarding, shot lists & pre-production
•  💰 How film financing works today (and how independents can compete with studios)
•  🌍 Why global co-productions and international tax incentives are reshaping film production
•  📊 The rise of independent filmmakers in a disrupted Hollywood system
•  🎥 How to package films, secure IP, and find the right audience
•  📱 Vertical content, short-form storytelling & new monetization opportunities
•  🧠 Why creatives—not tech companies—must drive AI innovation in storytelling
•  🏢 How big tech is influencing the future of studios and distribution

Aarti also shares insights from her work across Europe, the U.S., and India, explaining how filmmakers can leverage global partnerships, navigate shifting distribution models, and build sustainable careers outside traditional studio systems.

n this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Sohm Kapila — a globally trained actress whose credits span Grey’s Anatomy, The Morning Show, Never Have I Ever, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and more — to break down the realities of building a sustainable acting career across continents.

From being born in India and raised in the UK to establishing herself in Los Angeles, Sohm shares how her journey through theater, television, and film shaped her craft—and how actors today must adapt to an ever-changing industry.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🎭 What the Meisner acting technique really is—and how to use it on set
•  🎬 How to prepare for auditions using “couch time” and character psychology
•  🎥 The difference between acting for theater vs. film and TV
•  🎙️ Why improv training (UCB) builds confidence and booking potential
•  🌍 Building an international acting career across the UK, US, and beyond
•  🎭 Navigating typecasting and diversity in casting for actors of color
•  📉 How Hollywood strikes and industry shifts impact working actors
•  🎶 Her upcoming Bhangra musical and potential Broadway trajectory
•  🤖 Exploring AI and storytelling through her original short film Baby Talk
•  💡 Why perseverance and saying “yes” are key to longevity in acting

Sohm also shares her personal process for developing characters, working through multiple takes on set, and adapting performances in real time—skills essential for actors working in today’s fast-paced production environments.

In this powerful episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Jennifer Elizabeth Valdez — entrepreneur, domestic abuse survivor, and founder of From Gen to Generations — to share a deeply personal story of resilience, reinvention, and building success against all odds.

Jennifer opens up about leaving an abusive home at just 15 years old, surviving homelessness, and navigating dangerous environments while working to support herself. Through sheer determination, she went on to build multiple healthcare companies, become a CEO, and launch a platform dedicated to empowering others through storytelling and real-life transformation.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  💔 Escaping domestic violence and surviving homelessness as a teenager
•  🧠 How adversity builds resilience, discipline, and decision-making skills
•  💼 Building multiple businesses from the ground up
•  📈 The realities of success—and what happens after failure
•  🎙️ Launching a podcast to empower others through real stories
•  🎬 Using personal experiences to create films, books, and creative projects
•  ⚖️ How to navigate setbacks, lawsuits, and major life disruptions
•  🔥 Why failure is part of the path—not the end of it
•  💡 How to “dance with fear” and take action anyway

Jennifer also shares how she transitioned back into creative work—writing a book (We Were Fearless), producing film projects, and funding her own content—while using her business success to support her passion for storytelling.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Charlotte Delaney Riggs, an award-winning actress and rising talent known for projects like Austin High, Thunder Road, and Through a Glass, Dimly.

Charlotte shares her journey from performing in elementary school theater productions to working professionally in film and television—while balancing school, auditions, and life as a young actor in today’s fast-changing entertainment industry.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🎭 How young actors get started in film, TV, and commercials
•  🎬 The reality of auditions—and why most actors don’t book every role
•  🧠 How to handle rejection and move on quickly in a competitive industry
•  ✍️ Breaking down a script: audition technique vs. on-set performance
•  📺 The difference between acting in films vs. ongoing series
•  🎓 Balancing acting, college, and a demanding schedule
•  📱 How Gen Z consumes content (streaming, TikTok, short-form video)
•  🚀 Why influencers and short-form creators are shaping the future of entertainment
•  🌍 How Hollywood is evolving for the next generation of actors

Charlotte also shares practical advice for actors—like why you should submit your audition and forget about it, how to make bold choices even with limited script information, and why persistence matters more than perfection.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Kash Hovey — actor, producer, and host of On Air with Kash — to explore how the entertainment industry has evolved from traditional Hollywood systems to today’s creator-driven economy.

Raised in a legacy entertainment family and with experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes at William Morris Endeavor (WME), Kash brings a unique perspective on how careers are built—and rebuilt—in a rapidly changing industry.

🎯 In this episode, we cover:

•  🎬 Breaking into Hollywood as an actor and navigating early career opportunities
•  🏢 What it’s like working inside a major agency like WME
•  🎙️ Why podcasting and hosting are becoming powerful career paths
•  📱 How social media, influencers, and YouTube are reshaping entertainment
•  💰 The shift from traditional residuals to modern creator monetization
•  🌍 Why production is moving outside Los Angeles (tax incentives & global filming)
•  🚀 How creators can build careers without relying on studios
•  🎥 Why vertical video, streaming, and digital platforms are the future
•  🧠 How to adapt to industry changes and stay relevant as a creative

Kash also shares firsthand insight into the transition from traditional film and TV structures to a world where content creators, podcasters, and influencers are driving audience attention—and revenue.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Patti Negri, psychic medium, author, and host of The Witching Hour podcast, to explore how niche creators can build powerful personal brands and loyal audiences in today’s digital landscape.

Patti shares how she has expanded her career across television, podcasting, and social media—creating a recognizable presence in the paranormal space while connecting with a global audience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  🔮 How to build a niche brand in the paranormal and spiritual space
•  🎙️ How podcasting can expand your reach and authority
•  📱 Why consistent branding across platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) matters
•  🌍 How to grow and engage a loyal audience across multiple channels
•  🚀 The importance of authenticity when building a personal brand
•  ⚠️ How to protect your brand from impersonators and fake accounts online
•  💡 Why creators must actively promote and distribute their own content

Patti also discusses her podcast The Witching Hour, her online presence, and how creators can leverage multiple platforms to increase visibility, credibility, and audience engagement.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with actress, filmmaker, and producer Julia Morizawa to break down her evolution from working actor to multi-hyphenate storyteller creating impactful, culturally rooted films.

With over 20 years in film, television, and voice acting, Julia shares how she transitioned into writing and producing—using animation, short films, and emerging technology to bring deeply personal stories to life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  🎭 How actors can transition into writing, producing, and directing
•  🎬 How to develop a film from personal or family history into a compelling narrative
•  🎨 Why animation can be a powerful and cost-effective storytelling tool
•  📊 The realities of short film distribution—and how to extend a film’s lifecycle after festivals
•  🌍 How cultural and heritage-driven stories can connect with global audiences
•  🚀 How platforms like Omeleto create new exposure opportunities for filmmakers
•  🎥 How to use proof-of-concept shorts to develop larger projects (features or series)
•  🧠 Why adapting your story across formats (film, podcast, series) increases your chances of success
•  ⚙️ How emerging tools like Unreal Engine are changing indie production workflows

Julia also shares the story behind her animated short Dragonfly, inspired by her family’s experience during World War II, and how it evolved from a feature script into a successful festival film—and now into broader distribution.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Kevin Nicklaus, Head of Production and Partner at Sandstone Artists, a company focused on talent management, literary development, and film/TV production.

With a background in studio development and experience working on major projects, Kevin shares how the entertainment industry is evolving—and what it really takes to finance, package, and produce films outside the traditional Hollywood system.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  🎬 Why the traditional studio system is no longer the primary path for filmmakers
•  💰 How independent film financing actually works (equity, tax incentives, and gap funding)
•  🧩 How to package a film: attaching talent, IP, and building a financing strategy
•  📊 Why building an audience first (via comics, IP, or digital platforms) is critical
•  🌍 How global IP—especially from markets like Korea—is reshaping Hollywood development
•  🎥 Why more producers are focusing on features instead of television
•  🤝 How to find investors and unconventional partners outside traditional studios
•  🧠 What managers look for in new writers and creators today
•  📱 Why creators must build their own ecosystem and audience to stand out

Kevin also breaks down the realities of today’s production landscape—including why studios are no longer taking the same financial risks, how independent teams are replacing legacy systems, and what filmmakers must do to stay competitive.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Theresa Demarest, an independent documentary filmmaker whose unconventional path to filmmaking includes life as a musician, critical care nurse, and activist storyteller.

Theresa shares how she transitioned into documentary filmmaking while telling the powerful story of Keiko—the orca made famous in Free Willy—and how that project launched her career behind the camera.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 🎥 How Theresa created her first documentary, Keiko: The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy
• 🐋 What it was like documenting the real-life story of Keiko the whale and the movement to return him to the wild
• 🎬 How independent filmmakers can navigate festivals, distribution, and streaming platforms
• 📺 How documentaries get placed on platforms like Amazon Prime and Vimeo
• 🎞️ Why aggregators are essential for distributing independent films
• 🐎 The inspiration behind her latest documentary, Throwaway Horses
• 📊 The realities of funding and promoting a documentary film without investors
• 🎟️ How grassroots screenings and nonprofit partnerships help build audiences
• 🎤 Why filmmakers must actively market their films even after landing distribution

Theresa also explains the behind-the-scenes realities of documentary filmmaking—from rough-cut screenings and festival feedback to building grassroots audiences through advocacy groups and targeted communities.