Film Forward

This month, Film Forward is highlighting filmmakers from the 2020 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival.

In this episode, we interview Justin Andrew Davis, the writer/director and star of the thriller You Look Great.

You Look Great follows Peter. After secretly struggling with his weight for years, his body shame forces him to go further than before in pursuit of complete control.

The film is based off of Justin’s personal experiences, him and Nicholas discuss what is was like to prepare for the role and revisiting these tough moments in his past. We do a deep dive on his gripping, unsettling and necessary short film.

You can follow Justin here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinandrewd/

Website: https://www.justinandrewdavis.com

You can watch You Look Great at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival from August 4th - August 30th at LADFF.com.

Follow us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladiversityfilmfest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LADFF/

Website: https://www.ladff.com

If you dig this episode, please subscribe and review.

This month, Film Forward is highlighting filmmakers from the 2020 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival.

In this episode, we interview Michelle Gritzer, director of the wonderful comedy Do You Have A…?

Do You have A…? Tells the story of Amy, a timid people-pleaser who unexpectedly gets her period at her new job, she must learn to let go of her past and stand up for herself in order to obtain a tampon before her life (and her pants) are ruined.

Michelle and Nicholas discuss her masterful blend of comedy and drama and working with her stellar cast, including star Britt Baron.

As always, our guest helps us out with our favorite segment Gimme Three, providing three films that have inspired her work and her career.

You can follow Michelle here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgritzer/

Website: http://www.michellegritzer.com

You can watch Do You Have A…? At the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival from August 4th - August 30th at LADFF.com

Follow us at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladiversityfilmfest/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LADFF/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LADFF

If you dig this episode, please subscribe and review.

This month, Film Forward is highlighting filmmakers from the 2020 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival.

In this episode, we interview Emil Gallardo, director of the gripping short film 1, 2, 3 All Eyes On Me.

1, 2, 3 All Eyes On Me follows a passionate teacher doing her best to manage her challenging class, suddenly finds herself trapped in a crisis that engulfs her elementary school campus, threatening the children in her care.

Emil and Nicholas discuss the difficulties in tackling the subject of mass shootings. We also dive into Emil’s very effective techniques for working with the child actors in his film.

As always, our guest helps us out with our favorite segment, Gimme Three, providing three films/shows that have inspired his work and his career.

You can follow Emil here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilg80/

Website: https://www.waterlightfilms.com

You can watch 1, 2, 3 All Eyes One Me at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival from August 4th - August 30th at LADFF.com

If you dig this episode, please subscribe and review.

This month, Film Forward is highlighting filmmakers from the 2020 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival.

In this episode, we interview Symone Baptiste, director of the hilarious short film, Sixteen Thousand Dollars.

Sixteen Thousand Dollars imagines a world in which reparations are given to African-Americans in the form of a check, which ultimately doesn’t amount to much. Symone and Nicholas discuss the necessity of reparations and the brilliance of using comedy as a avenue of tackling important subjects.

As always, our guest helps us out with our favorite segment, Gimme Three, providing three films that have inspired her and her career.

You can follow Symone here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/symonejett/

Website: https://www.symonebaptiste.com

You can watch Sixteen Thousand Dollars at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival from August 4th - August 30th at LADFF.com

If you dig this episode, please subscribe and review.

In our first episode highlighting 2020 LADFF Filmmakers, we interview Jay Snow. He is the writer/director and star of the short film Flawd.

Flawd is a romantic comedy based on Jay’s personal experiences with Sickle Cell Anemia. In this episode, we discuss why it took for Jay this long to write about his history with the disease. We also discuss the challenges and triumphs with simultaneously directing and acting.

As always our guest helps us with our favorite segment Gimme Three; three films that have inspired Mr. Snow and his work.

You can follow Jay here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsnowpro/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsnowpro

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jsnowpro

You can watch Flawd at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival from August 4th - August 30th at LADFF.com

If you dig the episode, please subscribe and comment.

Crip Camp is The Audience Award Winner at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. We were honored to be joined by the film's co-directors, Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham.

The two filmmakers walk us through a detailed history of how the documentary was made and what it was like to premiere at Sundance. They also fill us in on some really fun behind the scenes stories.

Crip Camp is available to stream on Netflix.

The Wretched has found a happy home playing at Drive-In movie theaters all across the country. It has been the #1 movie three weeks in a row. The Pierce Brothers discuss what it's like to release "The Wretched" smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic.

We also do a deep dive of their impressive creature and their amazing practical effects.

If you are into horror movies or the wonders of indie-filmmaking, this is the episode for you!

Deniese Davis is an accomplished television producers who's shows include "Insecure" & "The Black Lady Sketch Show." The two of us dissect the rise of HBO's hit comedy and explore how they've been able to keep their show consistent for four years and counting.

And as always, our guest hooks us up with a great Gimme Three in the final segment of the show.

New episodes of Insecure air Sunday nights on HBO. "Insecure" and "Black Lady Sketch Show" are available to stream on HBONow and HBOGo. Enjoy!

This week’s episode is a Re-Release of a episode we recorded back in October with filmmakers Elena Weinberg and Duncan Coe, they are co-directors of the film A Room Full of Nothing.

We are really happy to announce that the film has since gotten distribution, and is available NOW on soooo many streaming platforms.

A Room Full of Nothing explores isolationism, escapism and the complexities of modern relationships.

The story follow Phyillis, and Barry, as their world is unexpectedly turned upside down they discover that they are the last two people on Earth.

Watch it TODAY: Available to rent/buy on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, FandangoNOW & many more...

Melissa Barrera stars in the award-winning television show, Vida and the upcoming Lin-Manuel Miranda produced film, In the Heights.

We discuss the upcoming third and final season of Vida which premieres April 26th on Starz.

Melissa also tells the amazing story of her long history with "In the Heights," from super fandom of the broadway play, to her incredible audition story, to working with the incredible cast and production team.