Film Forward

Duet is the story of one fateful day in the lives of 8-year-old girls May and Shadmit, who dislike each other but learn that their lives have become oddly intertwined forever.

On this episode of Film Forward, we are joined by Duet’s writer and director, Mika Orr (former LADFF Best Director Award Winner). Mika discusses the long journey with this personal story, filming across two countries, and what she took away from an extended post-production process.

As always, Mika also provides three film recommendations of work that inspired her in our Gimme Three segment.

Watch Duet in the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival from August 5th - August 9th in the program, A Many Splendored Thing. Go to LADFF.com to stream or for tickets.

The feature film documentary In the Dark of the Valley is a chilling examination of the 1959 partial nuclear meltdown at the Santa Susana Field Lab, and the decades-long effect it’s had on the community and its residents.

The film is both gripping and uplifting, thanks to the work of community leaders, parents, and Melissa Bumstead - the mother of a cancer survivor who is fighting to get the spill cleaned up 60 years after the disaster.

In this episode, we are honored to be joined by Melissa Bumstead herself and the film’s director Nicholas Mihm.

In the Dark of the Valley is playing at the Laemmle Town Center in Encino as a part of the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. Tickets for the event are available at LADFF.com

This week, the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival returns for it’s 8th installment. In this episode of Film Forward, Festival Director Sonja Mereu and Program Director Nicholas Ybarra discuss some of their favorite films from this year’s lineup.

LADFF will hold three In-Person screenings - July 29th, August 5th and August 12th. Online streaming for LADFF will be available from August 1st - August 14th at LADFF.com

Tickets, info and full festival lineup are available right now at LADFF.com

Hello, From Taiwan is a personal and intimate story from writer/director Tiffany Frances. In this episode of Film Forward, Tiffany discusses her experience in writing a personal story, the challenges of shooting a period piece on a budget and what it was like working with her incredible cast.

Hello, From Taiwan is nominated for two LADFF Jury Awards; Best Short Film and Best Director.

You can see the incredible short at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival, streaming from August 5th - August 9th. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com.

LADFF’s first In-Person screening will be taking place on July 29th and we couldn’t have picked a better film to return to the big screen with. Best Summer Ever is hilarious and uplifting musical/rom-com. We are so excited to be joined by the film’s star Shannon DeVido, an incredible actor and comedian.

Best Summer Ever is not only a terrific film, it is the first film to have over 50% of the cast and crew be people with disabilities.

Shannon takes us behind the scenes of the making of this epic movie; we laugh, we learn and we love. And as always, our guest participates in our favorite segment - Gimme Three!

You can see the film at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival on July 29th at the Laemmle Town Center in Encino. Tickets are available right now at LADFF.com.

Freeze follows Joy, whose fairytale romance crashes and burns on her 35th birthday, the incessant TICK-TOCK of her biological clock pushes her to try new things.

Freeze is a surrealist dark comedy that fires on all cylinders. In this edition of Film Forward, we are joined by Freeze’s writer/director Maya Albanese who discusses her inspiration for the short, it’s poignant commentary and it’s unique visuals.

Freeze will be a part of the 8th Annual Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival, streaming from August 1st - August 5th in the “That’s What She Said” block.

Tickets and info available now at LADFF.com

The powerful documentary Crip Camp just earned the Peabody Award, an incredible and well-earned accomplishment.

Last year we spoke with Crip Camp directors Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham about their beautiful film, the history of disability rights and what’s next for the movement.

The Academy Award nominated Crip Camp is available to stream right now on Netflix. Enjoy!

In the Heights is an epic return back to the cinema! The film pulsates with energy and love. If you haven’t seen it yet - now would be the perfect time to do so!

Last year we spoke with In the Heights star Melissa Barrera about the upcoming release of the film (of course the release got pushed back due to the pandemic). We are re-releasing this episode for all of the new In the Heights fans to hear Melissa share some amazing stories about the production.

We also discuss the powerful series Vida which Melissa co-stars in. All three seasons of Vida are available to stream now on Starz.

In The Heights is playing in theaters globally! Go see it… and see it again!

Film Forward returns with another one of our patented Gimme Three episodes. On this installment, returning guest David Chiu and host Nicholas Ybarra do a deep dive on their favorite films from the year 2001!

There must have been something in the water that year as many of the films we discuss happen to have many similar themes, including loneliness, existentialism, tech horror and of course - dreams!

Join us as we celebrate these film’s twenty year anniversary - and let us know what your favorite film from 2001 is!

Warrior is a heart-pounding, masterfully executed series based on an original concept and treatment by the legend Bruce Lee. The series is executive produced by his daughter, Shannon Lee. And on this episode of Film Forward, we are joined by Warrior’s Assistant Stunt Coordinator Johnny Yang.

Johnny Yang discusses what it means to be for a super fan of kung fu to be on a Bruce Lee show. He explains how he and the rest of his stunt team are able to create such incredible and consistent fight sequences and how the creative team balanced the series’ perfect balance of homage and invention.

As always, Mr. Yang partakes in our Gimme Three segment where he provides the audience with three film recommendations of movies that’s inspired him and his work.

Seasons 1 & 2 of Warrior are available to stream on HBO MAX.