Is it real—or is it all in our heads?

At SXSW, we spoke with writer/director Fergus Campbell about his thought-provoking coming-of-age film Sparks.

Blending teenage identity, imagination, and a mysterious time portal, Sparks challenges the idea of reality while exploring what it truly means to find yourself.

And by the end… you may be questioning everything.

Topics Discussed

• The origin of the film’s time portal concept
• Blending coming-of-age with subtle sci-fi
• Building “The Crop” and character identity
• The role of imagination vs. reality
• Cleo’s mysterious disappearance
• Why ambiguity is essential to the story

About the Film:

Set in Sparks, Nevada, a group of teens experiment with a rumored time portal—until a newcomer disrupts everything and pushes them to question who they are and what’s real.

On this episode of The Buzz with NaVell J. Lee, we sit down with Emily Robinson, the writer, director, and star of Ugly Cry, recorded for SXSW 2026.

We dive into the making of the film, the psychology behind Delaney’s unraveling, and the deeper themes of identity, obsession, and the pressure to be perfect in the entertainment industry.

Topics Discussed:

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 01:00 – How Ugly Cry came together (from 2022 to production)
• 05:30 – Indie filmmaking challenges & delays
• 08:45 – The meaning behind the “ugly cry”
• 12:00 – Identity, obsession, and real-world parallels
• 17:30 – The illusion of success in Hollywood
• 22:10 – When acting becomes reality
• 27:00 – Emotional and physical transformation in the role
• 31:30 – SXSW premiere experience
• 34:30 – Where to watch Ugly Cry at the festival

Join NaVell J. Lee on Buzzworthy Radio as he sits down with the cast of BRIAN—Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Joshua Colley, Sam Song Li, Sophia Macy, and Jacob Moskovitz—at SXSW. This coming-of-age story is funny, heartfelt, and painfully relatable, and the cast shares insights about friendship, mental health, and high school life.

Topics Discussed & Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction – NaVell welcomes listeners and sets up SXSW coverage.
• 00:21 – Meet Brian – Overview of Brian’s character and his unfiltered, awkward, yet relatable personality.
• 02:04 – Joshua Colley on Justin – Discussing the supportive best friend role and lessons Brian learns from Justin.
• 04:27 – The Friendship Dynamic – Deep dive into what it means to be seen and cared for in relationships.
• 05:39 – Peyton Elizabeth Lee on Lisa – Exploring Lisa’s standout moments, humor, and bold personality.
• 06:16 – Everyone Has a “Brian” Moment – The cast shares how we all relate to Brian in different ways.
• 07:31 – Film Festival Excitement – Peyton talks about premiering multiple projects at SXSW.
• 08:27 – Music Side of Joshua Colley – Brief discussion of his music and creative endeavors.
• 09:20 – Coming-of-Age Themes – Reflection on the universal high school experience and character journeys.
• 10:08 – Working with William H. Macy & Seth Meyers – Behind-the-scenes of collaboration and passion on set.
• 12:06 – Sophia Macy on Ashley & Feminist Themes – Bold characters, honesty, and humor in the film.
• 14:56 – Jacob & Teddy Analysis – Understanding Teddy’s motivations and the pressures of high school life.
• 16:41 – Sam Song Li on Kyle – How Kyle’s tough-love approach shapes Brian and family dynamics.
• 18:59 – Sophia Macy on Ronnie – Comparing her roles and excitement for upcoming projects.
• 19:40 – Final Thoughts & SXSW Recommendations – Encouraging viewers to catch BRIAN at the festival.

Tune in to laugh, cringe, and maybe see a little of yourself in Brian.

What does it really mean to keep going when no one is watching?

In this exclusive interview from the SXSW Film Festival, I sit down with STAGES director Ryan Booth alongside stars Leslie Grace and David Ramirez to talk about their award-winning film, which took home the Best of Texas Award.

Unlike traditional music films that focus on fame and success, STAGES explores the uncertainty of the journey—following a singer-songwriter navigating life, identity, and relevance on his first solo tour.

We dive into:

• The emotional final performance scene that left audiences stunned
• Why the film embraces uncertainty over inevitability
• Recording all music live on set for authenticity
• The personal connection each artist has to the story
• How STAGES became a love letter to places like Austin and Nashville

This is more than a film conversation—it’s about what it takes to keep creating when success isn’t guaranteed.

Topics Covered:

• The reality of building a career in music
• Capturing raw emotion on camera
• The power of performing without validation
• Behind-the-scenes of the film’s most powerful moment
• Full-circle SXSW premiere experience

Guests:

• Ryan Booth (Director)
• Leslie Grace (Jessie Ramos)
• David Ramirez (Ben Garza)

In this special episode of The Buzz, we sit down with the cast and creators of GRIND ahead of its premiere at SXSW 2026—a bold horror anthology that turns modern work culture into something truly terrifying.

Featuring interviews with Chris Marquette, Rob Huebel, Jessika Van, Barbara Crampton, James Urbaniak, Ify Nwadiwe, and filmmakers Brea Grant, Ed Dougherty, and Chelsea Stardust, this episode dives into a film that explores hustle culture, burnout, and the realities of working in today’s economy.

Across these conversations, the cast and crew break down how GRIND reflects real-life experiences—from toxic bosses and gig work struggles to the psychological toll of modern labor systems.

With humor, horror, and a lot of truth, one message comes through loud and clear:

Work… kind of sucks.

🎬 Interview recorded ahead of SXSW 2026

#SXSW #GRINDFilm #HorrorAnthology #FilmPodcast #WorkCulture

In this special SXSW edition of The Buzz, I’m joined by Corbin Bernsen (showrunner), Oliver Bernsen (director), and Stephen Tobolowsky to talk about WOODSTOCKERS, the series that revisits the spirit of 1969.

Set in the summer of Woodstock, WOODSTOCKERS follows Lenny Baker and his best friend Calvin Reddick, who never quite left the era of idealism, dreams, and the reckoning of life’s choices. In this conversation, we explore the inspiration behind the series, the generational lens of the characters, and how the Woodstock dream meets reality over fifty years later.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes insights, the creative process, and the thoughtful reflections of a cast and crew bringing this story to SXSW 2026.

Recorded for SXSW 2026, I sit down with A Safe Distance director Gloria Mercer and stars Bethany Brown and Tandia Mercedes to break down this gripping and emotionally charged thriller.

We dive into:

• The film’s exploration of toxic relationships and self-identity

• How Alex’s journey reflects the struggle of losing yourself to someone else’s life

• The complex and evolving bond between Alex and Kiana

• Why freedom can be both empowering… and dangerous

Plus, Gloria Mercer shares the real-life experiences that inspired the story, and the cast opens up about portraying characters navigating survival, desire, and emotional awakening.

A Safe Distance isn’t just about running away—it’s about discovering who you are when everything familiar is stripped away.

On this episode of The Buzz – BuzzWorthy Radio, I sit down with Christopher David, host of the Advice Unfiltered Podcast, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about mental health, resilience, and personal growth.

Together, we share our own experiences navigating depression, anxiety, and life’s toughest challenges while discussing the habits and mindset shifts that help us push forward and grow. Christopher opens up about his journey, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how trusting your inner voice can lead to meaningful change.

This episode is also part of Podcasthon, a global initiative where podcasters dedicate episodes to highlight important causes. Through this conversation, we are helping raise awareness for the work of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by mental illness.

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember—you are not alone. Conversations like this matter, and sharing our stories helps break the stigma surrounding mental health.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Lily Rosenthal joins BuzzWorthy Radio to discuss the new children’s book Just Try It: Someplace New, the latest entry in the Phil and Lil series written with her father, Phil Rosenthal.

During the conversation, Lily talks about the inspiration behind the book, encouraging kids (and adults) to step outside their comfort zones, and how trying new foods or traveling to new places can open the door to amazing experiences.

NaVell J. Lee also shares his own journey from picky eater to full-fledged foodie, leading to a fun discussion about discovering new cuisines — including squid ink pasta.

Plus, Lily shares details about Max and Helen’s, the California diner she runs with her husband, and the story behind the fan-favorite menu item: Lily’s Hot Chocolate.

🎧 Listen now to hear about food, family, and why sometimes you just have to try something new.

At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, I sat down with actor Noam Ash and writer/director Mike Doyle to talk about their new film Bookends. We dive into the film’s coming-of-age themes, the emotional hospital scenes with F. Murray Abraham and Caroline Aaron, and why ambiguity—not closure—was the right ending for Nate’s journey. Funny, heartfelt, and deeply human.