SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking

Episode 223: This episode was recorded October 27, 2026 and published October 27, 2026.

Happy Birthday! Officially, the day I became a “podcaster” was a leap. An investment on my part to share your voice as a storyteller, a filmmaker and an artist, to the world. 

I wanted you to reach farther than the International Mobile Film Festival. To be found. To connect. Community is power and support. 

Listen to my message and join me. We all need to connect like we used to online. We need community engagement. There are people who care about your work, your stories and your films.

We give a shout out, during this episode, to our patrons, our supporters on Patreon. Thank you!

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Urgent! Don't wait until the podcast is gone, I can’t do this by myself. Please support:  

BuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

Our Links: 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 222: This episode was recorded October 10, 2026 and published October 20, 2026.

I met Réka Shikli and her family in San Diego as a contender during the 13th edition of the International Mobile Film Festival in 2024 with her short film, Disquiet, shot with an iPhone 11. Reka was attending from Fraser Lake, Canada, but today, she is in Budapest, Hungary.

In this episode, Réka and I  discuss her experience connecting with independent filmmakers working on film sets, her studies in film and television directing, and sharing some fun horror film stories. 

We give a shout out to the first episode of the SBP Podcast in its ninth year this month.

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

This week, I want to acknowledge new Patron supporters Ant Pruitt, Mike McLaughlin, and Aaron Nabus. Thank you! If you become a patron and I’ll thank you by acknowledging you in future episodes.

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Mentioned in this episode: Previous episode 186: https://mobilefilmmaking.podbean.com/e/family-bonding-and-smartphone-filmmaking-with-reka-shikli/ 

Medium Article from her mobile film, Disquiet: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking/family-bonding-and-smartphone-filmmaking-57f266a50a30 

Follow Réka Shikli:

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

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12958441 

Website: https://rekashikli.github.io/  

Urgent! Don't wait until the podcast is gone, please support: 

BuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello  

Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/sbppodcast  

Join me free on Patreon. Don’t use an Apple iPad or iPhone to subscribe to save. Use a web browser.

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@susybotelloofficial  

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/susybotello.bsky.social  

Susy’s Substack: https://susybotello.substack.com  

Our Links: 

SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.com  

Smartphone Filmmaking Publication: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking   

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast       

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

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3QbEFUm 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 221: This episode was recorded October 4, 2026 and published October 6, 2026.

Hey friends! One of our favorite guests is back to share his professional experience on getting cast for projects. 

Ant is getting callbacks and he’s open to sharing what he’s learned from the inside so that you can get auditions and callbacks if you’re looking to be cast in a commercial, or even a film. 

I share my experience working with a film casting agent and director and we compare notes. This is a well rounded episode filled with good information for novice and even more experienced actors and models. Of course, it’s a bit entertaining and we share a bit about using your smartphone for those tapeless “Self Taping” videos in your process from submitting to getting booked. 

Ant Pruitt is a model and commercial actor. He spent most of his professional life as an IT support member as well as a photographer covering local sports, events, and more. Today he is behind the camera only in his spare time, be it on the local sports sidelines or at his desk hosting his podcast about life as a creative and entertainer. 

Ant has advocated for mobile photography and video capture for many years and has served as a judge for the IMFF.

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Mentioned in this episode: Previous episode 220: https://mobilefilmmaking.podbean.com/e/your-smartphone-camera-as-your-partner-in-film-with-susy-botello/ 

Follow Ant Pruitt:

Urgent! Don't wait until the podcast is gone, please support: 

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

Our Links: 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 220: This episode was recorded September 20, 2026 and published September 22, 2026.

Would you replace your most intimate partnership every time you make a new film? Probably not, right? 

I share a message with you about how your smartphone camera is your partner in smartphone filmmaking. I refer to iPhones, because that is what I use, but this is true for all brands.

I also share an important message for directors and filmmakers about good communication skills. 

This podcast is a personal investment for me. It has costs which I cannot continue to expense myself. If you appreciate my efforts to support our mobile film community, please share, subscribe and support with Patreon or BuyMeACoffee. Thank you, I appreciate you!

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

Our Links: 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 219: This episode was recorded September 3, 2026 and published September 8, 2026.

An entertaining and insightful conversation with filmmaker Justin Ho, the winner of the Best Feature Film Award at the International Mobile Film Festival last year with “Broken Pieces” who attended the festival in San Diego. His film was shot with his iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Due to us having watched The Odyssey by Chris Nolan, we kept referencing it. 

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Follow Justin Ho:

We referred to Episode 215 with Justin: https://mobilefilmmaking.podbean.com/e/fade-in-to-film-george-lucas-and-guillermo-del-toro-sdcc-2025/

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

BuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello  

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

Our Links: 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 218: This episode was recorded August 25, 2026 and published September 1, 2026.

Ant Pruitt and I have a discussion that looks at 2026 in all the things that are taking place with technology and our cameras, focusing on our smartphones. We discuss how AI is taking over everything, and is it also about to take over your camera to make movies and videos in a way you don’t want? Listen through to the very end for a call to action. Actually, two.

Ant Pruitt is a model and commercial actor. He spent most of his professional life as an IT support member as well as a photographer covering local sports, events, and more. Today he is behind the camera only in his spare time, be it on the local sports sidelines or at his desk hosting his podcast about life as a creative and entertainer. 

Ant has advocated for mobile photography and video capture for many years and has served as a judge for the IMFF.

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Follow Ant Pruitt:

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

Our Links: 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 217: This episode was recorded August 17, 2026 and published August 18, 2026.

I share a sentimental message for our community around the world who has been part of our podcast as guests and all our listeners from forever to now. 

I also explain why you can save your money and not get the latest smartphone to make indie films.

I update you a bit on what’s been going on since the last episode, where I am, and where the International Mobile Film Festival is heading. But more importantly I try to inspire and motivate you to make films with your smartphone camera and why that action helps us continue to stay connected as a community. 

From my perspective I tell you why the podcast needs you as a guest and as a listener, to share us and why supporting the podcast supports mobile filmmakers who come on the show and those who listen. 

This episode is dedicated to my dog Tiko, my best friend. Rest In Peace. June 30, 2010 - October 25, 2025.

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

The latest news on the International Mobile Film Festival 2027, mentioned in the show: https://internationalmobilefilmfestival.substack.com/p/the-next-chapter-for-the-international

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

BuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/susybotello  

Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/sbppodcast  

Join me free on Patreon. Don’t use an Apple iPad or iPhone to subscribe to save. Use a web browser.

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Susy Online:

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

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@susybotelloofficial  

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/susybotello.bsky.social  

Susy’s Substack: https://susybotello.substack.com  

Links: 

SBP Podcast Website: http://sbppodcast.com  

Smartphone Filmmaking Publication: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking   

Facebook: http://facebook.com/sbppodcast       

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

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3QbEFUm 

© 2026 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 216: This episode was recorded September 17, 2025 and published September 23, 2025.

Filmmaker, actor and author Miguel Lopez de Leon comes back to talk about the feature film he made, Bellow. We also talk about his IMFF 2025 short film, Inner Voices, which won best Ultimate Mobile Film Category, and what inspires him to make films. 

Miguel’s films shine a light on mental health in an entertaining and effective way. We discuss the topic of mental health as it affects filmmakers. Miguel talks about how much he got out of “the big circle” lab session during the International Mobile Film Festival 2025 in San Diego, last April, and how awesome it was for everyone who participated. We are thankful to all attending filmmakers who participated during IMFF2025.

Follow Miguel and Join him making his next film:

The International Mobile Film Festival is open for submissions. Feature Film Deadline is October 19.

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Shoutout and thank you to Zacuto for sponsoring IMFF 2026!

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

Join us on Patreon with bonus episodes and more! https://www.patreon.com/sbppodcast   

Podcast Update Page: https://subscribepage.io/svpkFh  

Community resource and support:

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l   

Thankful to our fiscal IMFF sponsor Angaelica: https://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com/support/  

Follow Susy:

Our Links: 

© 2025 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 215: This episode was recorded August 10, 2025 and published August 19, 2025.

A conversation with Justin Ho about filmmaking, art and storytelling. Justin is back for the first time since he experienced the festival in San Diego. He joins me for a passionate discussion about the message film directors George Lucas and Guillermo del Toro just shared with their fans during their panel at SDCC 2025, on July 27. Justin watched the video (link below) and I attended in person!

Star Wars creator George Lucas was at San Diego Comic-Con International for the first, time ever and Susy Botello casually stumbled into Hall H for the panel with George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang; moderated by Queen Latifah. 

We discuss the topics they discussed about mythology, storytelling, community and art. We also talk about AI in the context Guillermo del Toro discussed. The panel was an announcement about the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, set to open in 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Susy Botello was invited to participate in a panel inside the convention during Comic-Con. The panel was called “How to Bring Your Stories to Life: From Page to Live Action. I give shoutouts to co-panelists Multi-Nominated Emmy Award-Winners Mark Nazal and Sina San, Actor Earl Baylon and filmmaker Alan Chan; moderated by Author Lorran Garrison presented with Surreal Arts, Little Brainstorm & Visual Effects Society - Texas Section. Grateful to have been a part of this panel and thankful for the invitation and experience!

Justin Ho is a multi-award winning filmmaker who is using his iPhone to turn stories into film experiences. His full length feature film, “Broken Pieces” won Best Feature Film at the International Mobile Film Festival 2025 in San Diego.

The International Mobile Film Festival is open for submissions. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

Mentioned:

Community resource and support:

SDCC Lucas Panel Video by Lucas Museum of Narrative Art:

Shoutout and thank you to Zacuto for sponsoring IMFF 2026 in April! 

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

Podcast Update Page: https://subscribepage.io/svpkFh  

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l   

Thankful to IMFF fiscal sponsor Angaelica: https://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com/support/  

Follow Justin Ho:

Susy:

Our Links: 

© 2025 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.

Episode 214: This episode was recorded March 26, 2025 and published May 20, 2025.

Part Two of my conversation with Justin Ho, the winner of the Best Feature Film 2025 at the International Mobile Film Festival  in San Diego on April 27. Justin Ho shot “Broken Pieces” with the iPhone 14 Pro. 

In this episode we discuss his feature film which was 1 hour and 23 minutes long. Justin discusses his film, and a few other topics related to the decision to shoot a feature film with iPhones.

We discuss production gear, the app he used to shoot, and editing software. Justin gives some shout outs to the wonderful humans who worked on “Broken Pieces” and much more! 

Broken Pieces: Writer, Director & Cinematography: Justin Ho; Editor: Justin Ho; Producers: James Orfanos, Teddy Orfanos, Justin Ho; Associate Producer: John Amedro; Costume Designer: Allison Windhausen; Score: Lee Armbrust and Andrija Lazarevic

Listen to Part One: Episode 213: https://mobilefilmmaking.podbean.com/e/feature-film-storytelling-and-the-iphone-part-one-with-justin-ho/ 

Article on Smartphone Filmmaking publication on Medium: https://medium.com/smartphonefilmmaking/feature-film-storytelling-and-the-iphone-with-justin-ho-e3721e85de2b 

Watch the Trailer for Broken Pieces: https://youtu.be/zATIJnRuZAg  

Congratulations to everyone who won an award at the festival this year and everyone who participated!

SBP Podcast Mobile Filmmaking: The Voice of Mobile Film™ is for everyone who ever wanted to or is curious about making movies and videos using smartphones. 

Producer, writer, director, editor, composer, graphics and host: Susy Botello. This podcast does not use AI voices or generative AI.

We’re on Patreon with bonus episodes and more! https://www.patreon.com/sbppodcast  

Your support means the world. Thank you! 

Podcast Update Page: https://subscribepage.io/svpkFh 

Community resource and support:

Subscribe to listen in your own app: https://www.podbean.com/site/podcatcher/index/blog/kOpp1Xtzvu6l  

Thankful to our fiscal sponsor Angaelica: https://internationalmobilefilmfestival.com/support/ 

Follow Justin Ho:

Susy:

Our Links: 

© 2025 S. Botello Productions. All rights reserved.