The Host:

Eric Trommater https://ko-fi.com/worldcinemahistory

The Panel:

Susan Gorrell

Executive Director of the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (JDIFF).

https://julienfilmfest.com/

Jim Farmer

Festival Director of Out On Film

https://outonfilm.org

Jennifer Trujillo

Senior Managing Director and Executive Director at the Gilbert Baker Film Festival and Panelist on The World Cinema History Podcast.

https://gilbertbakerfilmfestival.lgbt/

Joshua R. Pangborn

Writer/Actor/Filmmaker of Queer Fat-Positive Horror/Comedy. Founder/SideKick Productions.

https://www.sidekickproductionsny.com

Luke Higginson

Writer/Director/Co-Editor of RELAX, I'M FROM THE FUTURE (2023) and friend of The World Cinema History Podcast.

https://www.instagram.com/borrowedtimemedia

Erin Brown

Independent Filmmaker and Co-Host of The World Cinema History Podcast.

https://youtube.com/@pizzahorseproductions

Laura Petrie

Founder and Executive Director Cinema Systers Film Festival.

https://cinemasysters.com/

krissy mahan

working class filmmaker and founder of dykeumentary films.

https://www.dykeumentary.com/

The Issues:

0:00 Shenanigans, Tomfoolery, and the Podcast's Opening Banter

0:55 Introducing Our Distinguished Panel of Film Festival Experts

3:11 Volume, AI, and Human Standards in Film Submissions

5:18 Balancing Quality, Inclusivity, and Niche Film Curation

7:33 Expression, Online Reach, and In-Person Connection

13:34 Expanding Reach Through Online Film Festivals

17:33 The Struggle for Indies: Big Names Don't Guarantee Entry

21:20 Uplifting Voices: Why Queer Film Festivals Are Essential

23:29 How Festivals Screen Thousands of Films

25:53 Making Festivals Inclusive: Venues, Captions, and Beyond

31:33 Getting Artists Paid in the Streaming Era

38:16 Prestige, Strategy, and Audience Impact

42:30 Celebrating Unique Voices and Community

46:47 What is Art's Role in Global Crises?