Best in Fest

From Bollywood dreams to Hollywood reality, filmmaker and editor Alpesh Patel shares his incredible journey in the entertainment industry. In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage dives into Patel’s career—from writing award-winning screenplays and directing indie films to editing over 30 reality TV shows, including Ghost Hunters and Expedition X. Discover how he navigated the film industry, built a production studio in Pennsylvania, and his plans for launching a new comedy series. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or a content creator, Patel's insights on storytelling, AI in film, and breaking into Hollywood will inspire you. Don't miss this insider's guide to making it in the business!

Award-winning screenwriter Amir Ohebsion joins Best in Fest to share the real journey behind getting an indie film made—from winning Slamdance to self-producing his own features. Discover the highs, the hustle, and the hard truths of Hollywood’s screenplay competitions, financing indie films, and why writing with passion is the key to success. Plus, get the inside scoop on All There Is, premiering at the Beverly Hills Film Festival!

What does it take to go from modeling to starring in films with Hollywood legends? Actor Blake Boyd joins Best in Fest to share his journey—from off-Broadway stages to leading roles in movies like Cash Collectors. He dishes on audition secrets, working with Michael Madsen, and the power of taking risks in acting. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from his time on Shameless, Rocketman, and more!

Tune in for an inside look at Hollywood, indie filmmaking, and the mindset that keeps Blake booking roles. 

What happens when a media strategist and startup expert turns his passion into an animated series with a mission? In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Nimrod May, the visionary behind God’s Gang, a groundbreaking animated series where love, unity, and compassion become superpowers. Discover how Nimrod transitioned from launching media startups to creating an interfaith superhero universe with millions of followers, all while leveraging startup strategies, marketing expertise, and the power of manifestation. Tune in for insights on growing a digital brand, funding an independent animation project, and making a lasting impact through storytelling.

Chelsea is currently the casting director for "Love on the Spectrum, but when she was little, Chelsea would spend her time imitating characters and singing songs. This is all in spite of the fact that she was diagnosed with Autism and had to work harder than most at communicating her thoughts and feelings. All of that work paid off and she became a communication major at California Lutheran University, graduating Summa Cum Laude! She's come far in life, having done a pop culture radio show at her university during her undergrad, red carpet interviews, and of course multiple character voices, both for work and play!

Jijo Reed, recognized by LA WEEKLY and NEW YORK POST as "Top Trendsetter in 2023" is an Emmy Winning Producer, 16 time Telly Award Winner, and Executive Producer of over 80 feature films and/or series.

Latest feature films include Crescent City starring Alec Baldwin and Terrence Howard, THE BLACKENING directed by Tim Story for MRC, Village Roadshow's CINNAMON, and MENDING THE LINE starring Brian Cox (Succession)... also, MACHINE GUN KELLY'S LIFE IN PINK 2022 documentary for Hulu/Disney and BACK ON THE STRIP with Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.

A high point in his career is when he deep dived to the wreck site of TITANIC in the Russian submersible, MIR 1, while directing and producing a documentary about the famed, ill-fated ship...during which he became one of the very few men in the entire world to dive the actual wreckage of TITANIC at 2.5 miles below sea level. More people have been to outer space than this depth of the ocean. His "ground breaking, cinematic" footage of Titanic is recognized globally. Reed states: "This was the most life changing project of my career."

Also, Reed was Visual Effects Supervisor for THE AVENGERS S.T.A.T.I.O.N 3D interactive exhibit, the innovative and revolutionary experience which is currently a main attraction in Times Square, NY and Las Vegas.

Jijo was Executive Producer of the 2013 OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Concert in Washington DC featuring WIL I AM and JOHN LEGEND. Additionally, he has produced screen media for live music concert tours, including EMINEM's MTV Awards performance and GUNS & ROSES.

In 2004, Jijo created the hit VH1 show "CELEBRITY REHAB" which has won numerous awards and has helped people all over the world overcome addiction

Throughout the 1990's, he worked as Post Supervisor on the audio/visual ad campaigns of studio films such as Martin Scorsese's CASINO, Jim Cameron's TRUE LIES, STAR TREK, DIE HARD, LETHAL WEAPON 4, THE UNFORGIVEN, and many others.

Jijo Reed is a third generation Los Angeles native and the grandson of Alan Reed who was the voice of FRED FLINSTONE and acted in such movies as Breakfast At Tiffany's and Postman Always Rings Twice. Jijo is also the nephew of FRED ASTAIR'S choreographer, Hermes Pan.

With over 25 years in the entertainment industry, Stacy Halbach has honed her craft across a wide spectrum of genres, including biographies, documentaries, crime dramas, competition shows, reality TV, and an array of promotions and pilot projects. No matter the format, Stacy brings an unwavering focus on storytelling, leveraging her finely tuned instincts to craft narratives that resonate.

“I approach every project as a treasure hunt, searching for those diamonds in the
rough—the subtle moments that bring a story to life. Whether it’s uncovering the
emotion in a scene or finding the perfect juxtaposition to spark laughter one moment and tears the next, I thrive on creating content that connects deeply with audiences. For me, success is hearing that a project I helped shape has moved someone emotionally or inspired them to act for a greater cause. That’s the kind of impact I strive for every day.”

Farah White is an Actress, Producer, Director and Writer but does whatever needs to be done depending on the day! Her love for the entire filmmaking process
is obvious by the wide spectrum of genres in her resume which spans over 25 years. She has produced over 30 feature films, shorts and TV pilots in addition
to acting in over 50 films, MISS CONGENIALITY being one of her first. She has been on the creative side as well as produced and directed commercials for
FED-EX, AMERICAN AIRLINES, FRITO LAY, WALGREENS, GATORADE and REVLON. She UPM’d Solange’s Video Album “When I get Home” as well as producing live recordings of WEEZER and THE PIXIES for Live Nation Events. She directed the
feature film, LANDLORD FROM HELL (2023) for the LIFETIME Movie Network and is the executive producer for Ondi Timoner’s reimagining of the cult classic, DIG XX (2025), which premiered at Sundance 2024 and opened in theaters world-wide Jan 2025. you can “see” her on the screen currently in the Tommy Stovall’s CONDITION OF RETURN, starring AnnaLynne McCord, Dean Cain and Natasha
Henstridge and A CHRISTMAS IN NEW HOPE directed by Julia Barnett starring Adrianne Palicki, Stephanie Kurtzuba and Malcolm Goodwin.

Rashaana Shah, a Serial Entrepreneur and actor works in the Film, Music & Art space. She is a producer with Mulberry Films, a books-to-film TV and film development company, and a former actress. Born in India, Ms. Shah earned a degree in computer engineering from a prominent Indian university before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting.  Between 2005 and 2012, Ms. Shah starred in multiple Bollywood and International films that have won international awards including IFC’s 3-part movie BOLLYWOOD HERO with Chris Katan and COLORS OF PASSION. 

She recently produced feature films THE COLLABORATOR (Book to film adaptation), AMERICAN UNDERDOG(Completed 2024), LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND (Co-Producer), BLOWING UP RIGHT NOW (distributed by Gravitas Ventures in 2020) and A NEW CHRISTMAS (distributed by Cinedigm in 2019). Her documentary ICONS was in Hollyshorts 2024. Ms. Shah currently lives between Los Angeles and Atlanta. 

She has been instrumental in setting up a series of cross border JVs in Asia Pacific CORD WORLDWIDE, a full-service music agency that builds brands through music and B&H PHOTO VIDEO Asia Pacific, world’s largest retail house for high-end professional equipment.

Ms. Shah is the recipient of ’Top 20 Global Women of Excellence 2022’ by Congressman Danny K Davis and was honored by NY State Assemblyman Hon David Weprin and Federation of Indian Association -Tristate for her achievements in Hollywood.

Nadia Davari is an entertainment attorney with extensive experience across a spectrum of fields including film, television (both scripted and unscripted), documentaries, music, influencer branding, technology, fashion, and startups. She is known for her dynamic legal counsel and has also expanded her portfolio by executive producing and producing several notable projects. Some of her credits include "Senior Moment," "All There Is," "Harpoon," "Here's Yianni," "A Motel," "Workaholics," and "The Crusades."

Ms. Davari's legal and production expertise is complemented by her active participation in educational and industry panels. She has shared her knowledge at prestigious institutions and events, including the USC School of Cinematic Arts, the USC School of Law's Entertainment Law Symposium, Southwestern Law School, UCLA School of Law, and Raindance LA Film School. She has also been a keynote speaker and panel moderator at renowned industry gatherings like Hollywood Women's Film Festival, Wonder Women Tech, Dances with Films, The Multi Cultural Film Festival, Bet Tzedek Legal Services, and the ScareLA horror convention.

Ms. Davari earned her J.D. from the University of Southern California's School of Law. Her undergraduate education was completed at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics—demonstrating her ability to bridge the worlds of science and entertainment with her diverse skill set.