FILMD Chats

In this episode of FILMD Chats, we sit down with Neil Jeram-Croft, director of Manchester Film Festival, to unpack how festivals really work and what filmmakers often misunderstand about them. From the early days of building MFF from scratch to scaling it into an 11-day festival screening 150 films, Neil shares what actually matters when submitting your work. We talk about the mistakes filmmakers make, how programmers really watch films, why your opening minutes matter more than you think, and the practical differences between making shorts and making features. If you are submitting to festivals, developing a feature, or trying to build momentum in your region, this episode is packed with practical insight you can apply immediately. FILMD is proud to sponsor Manchester Film Festival this year, supporting the continued growth of regional film culture across the UK.

Luís Hindman went from making home movies on an iPod to winning a BIFA and earning a BAFTA nomination. In this episode, he breaks down the real journey behind the success. The six projects that were rejected. The years spent making music videos to sharpen his craft. The moment he realised writing mattered more than technical skill. And why finding what you dislike in film might be the key to finding your voice. We talk about building collaborators, getting funding from the BFI, directing actors, handling pressure, and making an uncompromised film that truly feels like yours. If you are an emerging filmmaker trying to break through, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Founder & CEO Craig Heyworth pulls back the curtain on why FILMD exists and how the platform helps filmmakers move from script to screen. Craig shares the reality of training hard, then hitting the “who you know” wall and how that frustration became a mission to build a home for filmmaking where people can connect, collaborate and create without waiting for gatekeepers. We break down what you can do on FILMD today, what it is designed to unlock, and what’s coming next including a stronger focus on trust, verification, safer hiring, accreditation, and more real pathways into work. Wherever you’re based and whatever your role, this is your founder-led guide to getting the most out of FILMD.

On this episode of FILMD Chats, British actor Jaskiranjit Singh Deol joins us for a frank conversation about craft, confidence and career-defining choices. Jaskiranjit opens up about the discipline it takes to stay ready, the reality behind “making it”, and the surprising truth that sometimes success can feel scary when it finally arrives. We dig into how he approached a soap role with premium-drama standards, what representation on British TV really means, and the responsibility (and pride) of portraying a turban-wearing Sikh man as a fully realised protector and leading character. From rejection and resilience to knowing when to walk away and level up, this is an essential listen for actors, filmmakers, and anyone building a creative life with purpose. Subscribe, share, and follow FILMD for more conversations that move the industry forward.

Director, writer and producer Shih-Ching Tsou joins FILMD Chats to talk about Left Handed Girl, the indie feature now on Netflix, and the long road it took to get there. From growing up in Taipei to studying in New York and meeting Sean Baker, Shih-Ching Tsou shares how a story can live with you for decades until the timing finally aligns, and why “real life” choices (real locations, small crews, smart spending) can make a film both more truthful and more affordable. We dig into practical low-budget tactics, what to prioritise when money is tight, and the mindset that keeps you moving as an independent filmmaker: focus on the story, tell the stories that don’t get a voice, and don’t wait for permission, you can make something with what you already have, even a phone.

In this episode of the FILMD Podcast, Zain sits down with filmmaker Walt Perez to unpack a career built on grit, representation and relentless self-belief. From teaching himself the craft through DVD special features to launching his own banner, Verloren Productions, Walter shares how he went from early no-budget comedies to award-winning shorts on the festival circuit. He talks about adapting a Stephen King “Dollar Baby” into Into the Night, achieving Academy consideration, and using short films as both a creative laboratory and a calling card for bigger projects. The conversation dives into the realities of diversity and representation in film, why sometimes you have to “build another door” when the industry says no, and how his work in studios like Warner Bros and NBCUniversal has shaped his perspective on who really makes decisions in the room.

In this episode of FILMD Chats, director, cinematographer and writer Gurjant Singh (New Line Films / Wolverhampton Film Festival) breaks down how he built a filmmaking career with no contacts, no clear plan, and a lot of stubborn persistence. He shares how dropping out of a business degree, shooting weddings to pay the bills and sneaking video work on the side eventually led him back to film school and his first short in 2017. From there, Gurjant talks about posting in Facebook actor groups to find collaborators, making nine shorts in a single year, and turning New Line Films into a company that now spans narrative work, commercials, music videos and podcasts. We also go behind the scenes of running Wolverhampton Film Festival, from venue nightmares to creating a genuinely welcoming space for filmmakers. If you’re an emerging filmmaker wondering where to start, this one will light a fire under you.

This week on FILMD Chats, writer–director Rob Ayling breaks down a director’s most honest promise, the opening shot and how to make it declare the film’s thesis, set rules, and prime expectation from second one. He shows how Living in Crime Alley and Punching Bag use a singular first image to set tone and then flip what viewers think they’re getting hook first, subvert later. Rob shares a practical drafting mantra write the first draft for yourself, the next for the audience, then demonstrates how he re-engineered structure and beats to respect expectation without surrendering authorship. It’s a blueprint for choices that travel from page to lens. We also explore adaptation in a restless industry: treating tech as tool, not crutch; why the pendulum back to celluloid brings discipline and texture; and when to choose phone, DSLR or Super-16 to serve theme, not habit.

Writer and director Jack Howard joins FILMD for a practical conversation about getting work finished and seen. We dig into the habits and systems that move a short from draft to delivery, how to run lean sets without losing ambition, and the collaboration essentials that lift performance and picture. Jack shares his approach to character (before plot), shaping endings that land, and surviving notes while protecting the heart of the story. For filmmakers building momentum project by project, this episode focuses on what you can control: preparation, communication, and discipline.

Writer-director Ash Connaughton shares the realities of building a filmmaking career without the usual support systems. From navigating a lack of formal training to creating work outside traditional funding routes, Ash discusses what it means to take control of your process, find your audience, and stay focused on the work that matters. This is a conversation about craft, persistence, and making space for yourself when the industry isn’t offering it. For any filmmaker trying to get their stories made on their own terms, Ash’s journey is both a reality check and a reminder that there’s no one way in, just your way. Tune in for grounded insights, lessons learned, and a practical look at what it takes to stay in the game.