My guest today is Director Adnan Al Rajeev, a prominent voice in South Asian visual storytelling and founder of Runout Films.

His newest short film ALI, will have its North American premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, screening as part of the festival’s Short Cuts program. A Bangladesh-Philippines co-production, ALI is a 15-minute allegorical drama that blends poetic realism with a searing social commentary on identity, censorship, and generational silence.

Ladies and gentlemen, director Adnan Al Rajeev’s beautiful yet striking short film ALI. In his words, ALI is a reflection of “those forced to whisper their truths, bleed quietly, and censor themselves to survive.” Set in the fictional village, where women are forbidden to sing, ALI follows a 15-year-old boy harboring a mysterious secret. Raised by his mother in the shadow of both natural and cultural mountains, Ali is urged to audition for a singing competition—a rare opportunity to cross to the other side of the mountain and leave repression behind. But the act of singing becomes both a risk and a rebellion.

The film crescendos to a deeply emotional climax: a boat, a broken stitch, and a song that cannot be silenced. We continue to live in a world where millions are voices are silenced.

That silence is robbing us of those who are talented, creative, craftsmen or women, maybe the next president or prime minister.

ALI is an haunting reminder that we still have a long way in our world for everyone’s voices to be heard and respected. #shortfilm #movie #film #filmmaker #filmfestival #bondoncinema #cinephile #cinema #filmdirector #cinematography #bangladesh #cannes #voices #opportunity #talent #gifts #abilities #creativity

Actress Charlotte Jackson Coleman, known to UK audiences for her work on Sky Sports News, ITV’s 71 Degrees North, and The Big Quiz: Sports Special, has quickly transitioned into an acclaimed actress since 2021.

Her critically praised role in A Positive Contribution earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Romford Film Festival.

In her newest film role, SECRETS, she plays Sammy—a resilient single mother who returns to her hometown after her own mother is murdered. As she tries to protect her daughter while confronting a long-buried past, Charlotte’s layered performance anchors the film with a quiet intensity and emotional power.

Ladies and gentlemen, SECRETS, the haunting new psychological thriller, features standout performances from British actress Charlotte Jackson Coleman and emerging actor-producer Mike Dickman, as they lead a taut and emotionally complex story of trauma, truth, and survival.

After her mother's passing, Sammy, a resilient single mother, grapples with the looming threat of a breakdown while keeping her mysterious past hidden. Ava, Sammy's daughter, exploration uncovers more than she originally intended to reveal.

This film is tense, dark and takes the audience to a place they weren’t prepared for. There are multiple storylines interweaving with one another that all come together at the end. You may need therapy after seeing this film, but for all of you who love psychological suspense thrillers, then you found the perfect film.

#newmovie #newfilm #suspensethriller #psychologicalthriller #cinema #bondoncinema #film #actor #actress #secrets #hiddensecrets #filmmaking #independentfilm #filmmaker #filmdirector

My guest today is Julia Weisberg Cortes, a writer, director and producer. Julia is heavily involved in both the Latina and female filmmaking communities which has afforded her the tools to pursue personal stories rooted in identity and womanhood.

Her new short film, BOYFIGHTER, a haunting and deeply human short film starring Michael Mando (Better Call Saul, Orphan Black), will have its world premiere at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival.

The film is one of ten shorts selected for the 2025 Indeed Rising Voices program, an initiative committed to championing underrepresented BIPOC filmmakers through mentorship, funding, and high-profile exposure.

Ladies and gentlemen, Julia Weisberg Cortez’s short film BOYFIGHTER is set in a world shaped by economic hardship and generational violence, Boyfighter follows a retired bare-knuckle fighter who is forced to confront the brutal legacy he's passed down to his son. As he prepares for the fight of his life, he must reckon with the emotional damage left in his wake and the possibility of redemption.

Through this deeply personal lens, the film explores the enduring impact of toxic masculinity, the consequences of limited opportunity, and the fragile beauty that exists even amidst pain. With a gripping, introspective performance from Michael Mando, Boyfighter delivers a raw, poetic meditation on fatherhood, healing, and the transformative power of connection.

Director Julia Weisberg Cortés brings a lyrical visual style to the screen, crafting a story that is both timely and timeless, rooted in themes of legacy, violence, and love. At its core, Boyfighter is a story about reckoning and hope: a man grappling with what it means to be a father, a fighter, and ultimately human. It’s a film that refuses to shy away from the darkness but insists on the possibility of light.

Julia has dedicated this film to her late brother, to honor his life and his legacy of love. #indeedjobs #shortfilm #movie #film #filmmaker #filmfestival #cinephile #bondoncinema #cinema #filmdirector #generationalimpact #fatherhood #womeninfilm #culturalidentity

My guest today is writer/director/actor Sarah Solemani. Her debut short film MASHHAD premieres at the 2025 Hollyshorts Film Festival.

Her film credits include the Bridget Jones franchise, Barry on HBO, Ridley Road on BBC and Chivalry on the Network.

Her new five part show The Party shoots later this year for ITV and she is directing her feature debut with Renee Zellweger and Tiffany Haddish attached to star.

Sarah Solemani is here to discuss her beautiful short film, MASHHAD. Set in the holy Islamic city of Mashhad in Iran, the film follows a spirited young ghetto girl, naive to the great lengths her family must go to keep their identity a secret. Unbeknownst to her, an innocent day of play with a neighborhood friend puts her and her family's life in jeopardy. What unfolds is an extraordinary story of religion as oppression, and faith as survival, and a retelling of Iran's long lost ethnic group. 

I have the honor to interview filmmakers from all over the world. Many from Middle Eastern countries and others from Israel, Europe and of course the UK and the USA.

One thing I know is we are all masterpieces in the Creator’s eyes. Films like MASHHAD is a stern reminder that we need to embrace our differences, form friendships, listen to each other and expand our hearts and our minds. #shortfilm #movie #filmmaker #film #filmdirector #filmmaking #cinephile #cinema #bondoncinema #filmfestival #hollyshorts #friendship #friends

My guest today is Samy Henderson, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Film at Baylor University and has been recognized for his outstanding teaching and research over the last decade. 

He is an award-winning film director and writer, named one of the 25 Screenwriters to Watch by the Austin Film Festival and MovieMaker Magazine. 

Sam’s most recent short film, ADO, starring the beloved Hollywood veteran, Jenifer Lewis, won the HBO Short Film Showcase at the American Black Film Festival, making it Oscar-qualified for the 2026 Academy Award Best Live Action Short. 

ADO made its World Premiere at the Oscar-qualifying Flickerfest in Syndey, Australia and went on to screen at several other Oscar-qualifying fests, including the Cleveland International, where it won the FilmSlam Student Choice Award, Florida Film Festival, Martha’s Vineyard, Hollyshorts, and the Dallas International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Texas Short. And it became Oscar-qualified again at Indy Shorts. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Sammy Ray Henderson’s ADO is a timely film. Ms. Hopkins, an aging African American woman, is a middle school drama teacher on the verge of retirement. 

However, while finishing up her final notes to a group of students who are about to perform Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, she’s confronted by a new challenge that threatens her life and the lives of her students. Her only hope lies within the memory of the language of love.

The greatest thing in the world is love. Many people don’t experience simple things in their lifetime like praise, gratitude, encouragement or a simple thank you. 

Many others never have someone to talk too, even more so they don’t have someone who will listen to them. 

ADO is about humanity, it’s about human decency. This film is a lesson to put the smartphone down and start looking at the people around you. Your words can save a life, steer a career or make someone feel appreciated. 

If you are teacher or a parent, your students or kids are fertile soil to plant the best into them. Sometimes one kind word will make the world of difference. Even tossing a baseball with your kid will go a long way. 

In 1999, since the Columbine High School shooting, we have lost 203 children to school shooters and the issue isn’t going away.

Today, I want you all do something for me and I’ll do it too. When you are out and about, tell someone that you appreciate them. Maybe the checkout lady or the waiter or the barista making your coffee. Or tell your teacher, your preacher or professor that you appreciate their hard work and if they have made a difference in your life, tell them. 

I can go on and on, but Sam Henderson’s short ADO is about to make a beeline to the Oscars. Keep your eyes on this one. 

#oscars #academyawards #hollyshorts #cinema #film #shortfilm #bondoncinema #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #actor #actress #cinephile #filmcritic #filmreview #cinematography #storytelling 

My guest today is Guy Trevellyan and this newest short film PLASTIC SURGERY marks his directing debut and something very close to his heart. Tackling the issue of plastic pollution and its effect on the planet and our health.

Since graduating from the MetFilm School Guy’s unique style has been shaped by working alongside directors such as Wes Anderson, Michael Sarnoski, Shawn Levy and more as an Assistant Director. Learning from these creative titans in the industry has given Guy a window into all forms of filmmaking.

He founded Nice Guy Pictures in 2024 and aims to raise awareness about social and human issues. Stories about family, belonging and truth.

Plastic Surgery is now BAFTA and BIFA qualified having been selected to Hollyshorts, Bolton International and Women X Film Festival amongst others.

Ladies and gentlemen, Guy Trevellyn’s PLASTIC SURGERY is a powerful and again, “Metaphorically Cinematic”. You cannot miss its meaning and more importantly its message. In 2022, microplastics were discovered in human blood for the first time.

Microplastics have been proven to significantly damage cells in the human body. Leading to serious health conditions, cancer, lung disease and birth defects. Plastic is in the food we eat. The water we drink and the air we breathe. Plastic is in you.

We are now living in a world where the real danger to our health is…man himself. Nature has never been a danger to us, as nature has been telling us for centuries what we’ve been doing it wrong.

Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden for disobedience and God gave them a shovel. Since then, man has slowly sinned against the Earth and now in 2025, we are paying the price. Recycling plastics is not actually going to save us as every one of us has Microplastics in our blood, our organs, our brains, our liver and more. So what are we going to do about it. We may have just created a catch-22 with no way out.

This short film PLASTIC SURGERY has a message we need to heed too and hopefully this message makes it all the way to the Oscars or the BAFTAs to reach the multitudes. #plastic #plasticpollution #microplastics #filmmaker #movie #film #shortfilm #filmdirector #cinephile #filmfestival #bondoncinema #filmmaking #hollyshorts

Entertainment lawyer John Mason and his new book, CRAZY LUCKY: Remarkable Stories from Inside the World of Celebrity Icons. Includes his clients Brian Wilson, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, The Jacksons, Roy Orbison, Eddie Rabbitt, Kenny Rogers, Olivia Newton-John, Gloria Estafan, Donna Summer and more! 

He was named “Entertainment Lawyer of the Year” by Billboard Magazine, and has represented a variety of icons in the entertainment industry throughout his career, including notable names in film, television and music and top talent in literary and music publishing and more. 

He has served as the chairman of the Nevada Film Commission and as a member of the President’s Committee on The Arts and Humanities. 

Get ready for an enlightening interview today as we’re going to reveal some of the biggest names in entertainment and the stories behind them.

#michaeljackson #kennyrogers #olivianewtonjohn #gloriaestafan #royorbison #quincyjones #reba #randytravis #kennyrogers #thejacksons #celebrities #celebrity #entertainment #entertainmentlawyer 

Filmmaker Kelsey Taylor’s breakthrough sci-fi short film, “Alien: Specimen”, was created through an initiative with 20th Century and has accumulated over 7 million views.

As a DGA commercial director, Kelsey has worked with brands like Volkswagen, Walmart, and Verizon and her work ranges from comedy to dark world building.

Southwest Airlines tapped Kelsey to direct their branded short film, “Alone In Tombstone”, a modern Western that further proved Kelsey’s ability to work in any genre. 

Drawn to stories that live in the gray and allow for shining perspectives, Kelsey's feature film, “To Kill A Wolf,” which she wrote, directed and produced, is a modern reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood told through the lens of sexual grooming. Which is our discussion for today. 

Ladies and gentlemen, TO KILL A WOLF is a powerful and emotional feature film. In a modern re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood, a social pariah discovers a teenage runaway in the Oregon Wilderness and does his best to help her find a way home – a troubling exploration of trauma and redemption.

TO KILL A WOLF is mysteriously tense, but Kelsey Taylor handles the tough subject matter with grace. The audience will not only be engaged with the story, but learn some things in the process. The film will resonate with those who have had such experiences, and I believe the narrative will lead to a better understanding of this topic for a broader audience. 

#featurefilm #film #cinema #cinematographer #cinema #movies #newmovie #theatrical #trauma #abuse 

My guest today is animation director Laura Quinn Geyer, whose love of mixed media and bold colors, versatile style, but loves sharing hopeful stories to delight the whole family. She grew up on the family farm in Cornwall UK, making home videos and building bale forts.

A love of art and math led her to study Animation at Savannah College of Art and Design, before working on animations and live action in NYC and currently London. Collaborating closely with directors and supervisors to visualize films and commercials has been invaluable experience, as she now directs. 

Laura's recent journey into motherhood has been bumpy and beautiful, a tension she explores in her work.

Ladies and gentlemen, Laura Quinn Geyer’s 2 minute and 20 second animated short film LOST MARBLE is such a delight to watch, you want to watch it over and over again.

As the log line says, ‘I love to go with the flow, as long as the flow goes directly to the finish line’ thinks the marble, upon starting their first ever marble run. But when has life ever been a smooth ride?’ This film is a big film in so many ways.

I see so many life lessons in this film that both children and adults will take something positive from it. And we need more positivity in our lives and animation is the perfect medium to put a smile on our faces.

I want to see this film get Oscar-qualified as it deserves it so much. #animation #aninatedshort #cinema #shortfilm #filmmaker #film #filmdirector #cinephile #filmfestival #bondoncinema #hollyshorts

My guests today are writer/directors Salvatore Scarpa & Max Burgoyne-Moore. Salvatore Scarpa, a Sardinian filmmaker and actor, and Max Burgoyne-Moore, a British filmmaker who also works in children's education, have been collaborators since middle school. Together they founded Studio Goodluck.

They are here today to talk about their emotionally moving short film LARGO. A film I have waited a year to see and I am honored to have both of them on the show today. LARGO has its Los Angeles premiere at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival, following its world premiere at Indy Shorts International Film Festival, another Academy Award-qualifying event.

The film has a star-studded cast and produced by the Oscar winning production company Slick Films. Ladies and gentlemen, LARGO is a short film that follows Musa, a young Syrian refugee living in the UK, who sets out to build a boat and sail back home in search of his missing parents.

Through Musa's story, LARGO explores the themes of displacement and grief, refracted through the lens of a child's enduring hope. All over the world, millions of people are seeking freedom, better opportunities. But they soon find that their arrival is unwelcome and judged by the color of their skin, their culture or religion.

What gets lost in the translation is every person is a human, made in the likeness of the Creator. Which simply means that each man, woman and child is a masterpiece.

LARGO is a film that reminds us of how fragile life can be. Whether you are chasing a dream, a new land or freedom, when you arrive how would like to be received. We need to take the poignant message that LARGO delivers to us. Love one another.

Extend your hand just like Grace did to Musa in this film. We need to be more like Grace and show grace to others, especially if they don’t look like you, speak like you or believe like you.

LARGO is a film to keep your eye on. A very powerful, emotionally moving film that reaches into the depths of your heart. #shortfilm #shortfilms #film #movies #cinema #cinephile #filmmaker #filmmaking #filmdirector #grief #refugees