The BraveMaker Podcast

Mailbag topic conversation with Tony Gapastione  / tonygapastione  

Film & TV icon: Loretta Devine

Tony Gapastione is a SAG-AFTRA actor, speaker, and the founder and executive director of BraveMaker, a California-based nonprofit that uses film to educate, entertain, and create community through conversations about mental health, justice, diversity, and belonging. Since founding BraveMaker in 2018, he has built a year-round organization that produces a film festival, filmmaker grants, educational programs, networking events, the BraveMaker Academy, and the BraveMaker Podcast, all with the mission of empowering artists and fostering meaningful connection. As a writer, director, and producer, Tony creates character-driven stories about people falling apart who find hope, healing, and belonging through unexpected communities. His recent projects include 33 Days, inspired by the true story of Roger Huang's 33-day hunger strike, and NonProfiting, a heartfelt comedy-drama about rebuilding a life through community. Tony is driven by a simple belief: stories have the power to heal, challenge injustice, build bridges across differences, and inspire people to become brave enough to tell the stories that matter.   / tonygapastione  Khristopher “Squint” Sandifer, our 2026 BraveMaker Culturista, is a Visual Composer, award-winning creative director, photographer, filmmaker, and storyteller whose work bridges culture, technology, and authentic human connection. He has created impactful visual narratives across sports, entertainment, and business, collaborating with some of the world’s leading brands and cultural figures. His recent accolades include a 2026 Webby Award People’s Voice Winner, a 2026 Clio Award, four Drum Awards including The Drum Awards President’s Award, and recognition as part of a New York Times bestselling project. Squint is the primary photographer for Stephen Curry’s book Shot Ready. As a director, writer, and producer, he has led documentaries, television projects, commercials, and branded content across multiple platforms. Through every project, he remains committed to creating work that connects, inspires, and leaves a lasting impact.   / iamsquint  Dana Harris-Bridson, our first ever Brave Journalist Honoree, is Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of IndieWire, where she oversees editorial strategy across film, television, and culture and helps guide the publication through a period of rapid industry change. A longtime advocate for independent filmmakers and creative risk-takers, she has played a key role in evolving IndieWire into a forward-looking platform centered on analysis, point of view, and the future of the business. She launched IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking initiative, a cross-platform series of editorial, events, and conversations examining how filmmakers build sustainable careers amid shifting economics, new technologies, and changing audience habits. She also writes and curates In Development, IndieWire’s newsletter focused on emerging models, new voices, and the realities shaping today’s filmmakers.   / danalharris  Phillip Andre Botello, our 2026 Luminary Actor Honoree, is an award-winning actor known for his memorable performances in The Art of Self-Defense opposite Jesse Eisenberg, as well as Sunset on the River Styx and Pledge. Most recently, he completed filming the upcoming Netflix feature One Attempt Remaining alongside John Cena and a new feature from A24, while also appearing in Season 2 of The Rehearsal with Nathan Fielder. A graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School, Phillip has earned multiple Best Actor awards for his performances in Twenty Nine, Free Pass, and You Still See Dead People. Recognized for his authenticity, emotional depth, and commitment to his craft, Phillip continues to build an impressive body of work across film and television while inspiring fellow artists and audiences alike.   / phillipandrebotello  

🎙️ Episode 333 of the BraveMaker PodcastTwo remarkable women filmmakers. Two deeply personal stories. This episode features Colette Ghunim, director of the feature documentary Traces of Home, and Paige Morrow Kimball, director of the short film WAIT. Together, we explore identity, belonging, family, resilience, and the power of storytelling to spark empathy and meaningful conversation.If you love independent film and stories that stay with you long after the credits roll, this episode is for you.Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and experience both films at the BraveMaker Film Fest.https://bravemakerfilmfest.com/

🎙️ Episode 332 of the BraveMaker Podcast! 🎬As we count down to the 8th Annual BraveMaker Film Festival, we're kicking off a special series of festival preview episodes featuring filmmakers, honorees, industry leaders, and special guests who will be joining us in Redwood City July 8–12.www.BraveMakerFilmFest.comIn this episode, you'll hear from our Maverick Honoree, Keith Powell—best known as "Tow-fer" on the TV show 30 Rock and most recently seen on Shrinking. Keith has also become a sought after television director, helming episodes of Interview with the Vampire, Will Trent, Superstore and more.We're also joined by Vernon Davis, former San Francisco 49ers star and Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion, who has successfully transitioned into acting and can be seen in the BraveMaker Film Festival short film The Listeners, directed by Joslyn Rose.And finally, producer Sean Drummond joins us to discuss distribution opportunities for independent filmmakers, including his platform, Cindee, and the workshops he'll be leading during the festival.Whether you're attending for one event or all five days, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the most of your BraveMaker Film Festival experience.

Our BraveMakers @thejacobgunter, @gabriellelorein & @belgica.rodriguez.professional had the opportunity to attend and do red carpet interviews for The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) last week! 🤩🎬💫LALIFF is an international event dedicated to excellence in filmmaking. Through film, television, music, and education, LALIFF offers a vibrant stage to celebrate the richness and diversity of Latino cinema through distinct directorial voices and culturally significant narratives.Celebrating its milestone 25th edition, LALIFF took place May 27 – May 31, 2026, at the TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood and the Egyptian Theatre Hollywood. The festival opened with Valentina @valentinamovie and closed with TheyDream @theydreamfilm (this movie will also be our closing night movie for BMFF!), screening over 120 films—including 19 world premieres—and nearly 250 student films from the Youth Cinema Project @youthcinemaproject_🎥🎞️For 25 years, LALIFF has championed storytellers whose perspectives enrich the cinematic landscape, and we remain committed to supporting the next generation of creators because their voices, vision, and creativity will help define what comes next. The future es Latino. We will go over their experience at LALIFF, the impact the them, festival had on and what the future of filmmaking can look like! ⭐️🎬

It's time to film. You've worked hard, prepared well, he problems... t? You continue to lead well, elevate creativity, and protect the story and value each person's contributions.

Everything can and DOES go wrong. What do you do?

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Tony Robinette moved to Los Angeles after performing sketch comedy and improv at the Walt Disney World Resort, while also working steadily in local film, television, and commercials.He made his feature film debut in Spring Breakers, directed by Harmony Korine, acting opposite Vanessa Hudgens. Since then, he has built an extensive list of credits across network, streaming, and premium television.Tony’s work includes appearances on How I Met Your Mother, Fresh Off the Boat, Night Court, NCIS, This Is Us, and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. More recent and current appearances include St. Denis Medical, American Primeval, and Waco: The Aftermath.He can also be seen as Henry in Miss Governor, where he recurs across 11 episodes, and will appear as an upcoming guest star on Fallout.Tony continues to bring grounded, memorable characters to life and is quickly becoming a go-to actor for both comedy and drama across television and streaming platforms.

As we prep for our 1st ever Multi-Hyphenate summit--an all day conference on Saturday April 11th for film/TV makers--we'll talk about what indie actors and creators could be doing to achieve their creative dreams.