What are the 4Qs?  (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Filmmaker Christopher Ninness made the documentary short “The Kids are Still Here,” which played at Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film – Documentary.  This amazing documentary investigates “nodding syndrome,” a rare, regional, severe seizure disorder affecting children.  I’m proud to say that “The Kids are Still Here” is in Season 6 of the Discover Indie Film TV Series on Amazon Prime Video!

In THIS podcast, we don’t tail about Christopher’s wonderful film.  Instead he answers the 4Qs above.

But… you should learn more about nodding syndrome.

Christopher worked directly with WEND Africa on this film.  WEND Africa (Women Empowerment Network Design) is a nonprofit that provides opportunities for  employment, education & empowerment to war-affected mothers in Northern Uganda.  Learn more at wendafrica.com

To see more of Christopher’s work, visit cgninness.com

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Christopher Ninness brought the documentary  short “The Kids are Still Here” to Film Invasion Los Angeles in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short Film – Documentary.  This amazing documentary investigates “nodding syndrome,” a rare, regional, severe seizure disorder affecting children.  I’m proud to say that “The Kids are Still Here” is in Season 6 of the Discover Indie Film TV Series on Amazon Prime Video!

I think you will agree with me that Christopher is an impressive individual.  Anyone who chooses to spend their free time devoted to humans in need is the kind of human that the world needs, and in greater quantities.

Christopher worked directly with WEND Africa on this film.  WEND Africa (Women Empowerment Network Design) is a nonprofit that provides opportunities for  employment, education & empowerment to war-affected mothers in Northern Uganda.  Learn more at wendafrica.com

To see more of Christopher’s work, visit cgninness.com

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What are the 4Qs?  (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Sarah Cugini & Brandon C. Lay have collaborated on multiple films, all under Brandon’s Living Proof Pictures Brand.  Their feature film, “Bitter Taste of Ginger,” which Brandon wrote & directed, Sarah was the lead actor in, and both produced with collaborators Marcy Repp and Joshua Faturos, came to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home two Grand Jury Awards, Best Feature Film – Arthouse/Experimental and Best Actress in a Lead Role  for Sarah!   Their short film “Cueball” played at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June of 2022 along with “Bitter Taste of Ginger,” making it the rare film to play both SOFF and FILA.  Also, Sarah is the first and so far only actor to take hime the Grand Jury Award for Best Lead Role in both festivals!

After their DIF interview, of course I had them answer the 4Qs above together.

To learn more about this team and learn where you can watch their films, visit Livingproofpictures.com. & @living.proof.pictures on Instagram.

You can also hit Sarah’s wonderful Instagram at @sarah_bear912

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Brandon C. Lay wrote and directed the feature film “Bitter Taste of Ginger,” which lead actor Sarah Cugini absolutely threw onto her shoulders and brought to life.  These two also co-produced the film with collaborators Marcy Repp and Joshua Faturos. “Bitter Taste of Ginger” came to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home two Grand Jury Awards, Best Feature Film – Arthouse/Experimental and Best Actress in a Lead Role  for Sarah!   These two frequent collaborators represent the best in indie film; innovative, rule-breaking, and original.

You can add to this introduction that their short film “Cueball” played at Film Invasion Los Angeles in June of 2022 along with “Bitter Taste of Ginger,” making it the rare film to play both SOFF and FILA.  Also, Sarah is the first and so far only actor to take hime the Grand Jury Award for Best Lead Role in both festivals!

Okay.  That is enough intro.  I certainly hope you enjoy this interview!

To learn more about this team and learn where you can watch their films, visit Livingproofpictures.com. & @living.proof.pictures on Instagram.

You can also hit Sarah’s wonderful Instagram at @sarah_bear912

If you want to watch “Bitter Taste of Ginger” you can!  Click here for “Bitter Taste of Ginger” on VOD.

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What are the 4Qs?  (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Writer, director, actor, and dancer Karina Wolfe created the short film “Lou,” doing everything you can imagine for this comedy including creating a human-sized cat costume!  “Lou” played at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Audience Award for Short Film – Comedy.  I’m proud to say that you can catch “Other” in Season 7 of the Discover Indie Film TV Series on Amazon Prime Video!

Karina came by for a DIF interview and of course I had her answer the 4Qs above.  based on her answers, I think she is someone whose taste I can completely trust!  Great list!

You can follow Karina on Instagram at @karinalovewolfe

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Karina Wolfe brought her short comedy “Lou” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Audience Award for Short Film – Comedy.  I’m proud to say that you’ll be able to watch “Lou” starting January 15 in Season 7 of the Discover Indie Film TV Series on Amazon Prime Video!

Karina is talented in nearly every way; dance background, high level acting, comedy and now writing/directing!  I’m so glad that she got to share her path with us on this podcast.

You can follow Karina on Instagram at @karinalovewolfe

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What are the 4Qs?  (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Ramone Menon wrote, directed, and co-produced the horror short “The Pey” which came to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film – Horror.   But this podcast is not about Ramone’s excellent horror film or his filmmaking!  It is about answering the 4Qs above!

Have a listen to one of the most personable, entertaining filmmakers on the festival circuit.  Seriously.  Everywhere Ramone goes he leaves behind new friends with great stories about the guy they just met at a festival.  Enjoy!

You can follow Ramone on Instagram at @ramonemenon

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In my opinion, filmmaker Ramone Menon is one of the champions of the festival circuit. Ramone brought his horror short “The Pey” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and took home the Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film – Horror.  I soon saw on his social media (@ramonemenon)  that Ramone was hitting a new film festival what seemed like every week.  You can do that when you make an excellent horror film!

Ramone also gave one of the most fun Q&A’s we’ve ever had, filling his time with humor and self-effacing comments.  I knew Ramone would give a great podcast interview and he did not disappoint!

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What are the 4Qs?  (1) Three favorite films. (2) An underrated film. (3) An overrated film. (4) A lesser-known film people should seek out.

Byrne Owens wrote, directed, edited, co-produced, and did a jillion other things including VFX for the film “My Roommate the Jedi.” This remarkable film happened to be the first to take home FIVE awards at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival, so you know you want to see it.  You can watch right now by going to myroommatethe.com.

But this podcast is about Byrne answering the 4Qs above!  Enjoy!

To learn more about Byrne and his work:

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Byrne Owens brought his film “My Roommate the Jedi” to the Sherman Oaks Film Festival in 2021 and, oh my, became the first filmmaker to take home FIVE awards in a single festival.  I will not list them all, who has time, but Byrne and his longtime collaborator Lu Louis made a masterpiece that you can watch right now by going to myroommatethe.com.

Byrne also happens to be an incredible nice and open person and this conversation was a wonderful one to have.  I hope you enjoy listening to it!

To learn more about Byrne and his work:

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