In the Season 5 finale, host Tom Oliva sits down with one of the most visually daring and thematically rich filmmakers to come through the AAHSFF — Max Hendrickson. A three-time alum from Dublin, Ireland, Max is the director of The Oubliette, Enkata, and a chilling stop-motion adaptation of The Tell-Tale Heart.Max’s films are immersive, unsettling, and meticulously crafted, often exploring themes of isolation, surveillance, industrialization, and internal struggle — all through a unique visual language that fuses digital, hand-drawn, and stop-motion animation. In this episode, Max discusses his inspirations, his process, and how he builds layered cinematic experiences that linger in the mind long after viewing.With multiple nominations and wins, including Best Animation and the Maverick Award, Max reflects on his growth across three years of AAHSFF submissions and how his evolving style continues to challenge the limits of student filmmaking.The Oubliette: https://youtu.be/bAK_4RLWe_UEnkata: https://youtu.be/JXxqIdDwMeMThe Tell-Tale Heart: https://youtu.be/IVNmNamZca0

In Episode 8 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva catches up with 2021 AAHSFF alum Luca Csathy, writer and director of Hot Head, which won Best Comedy at the 2021 Festival for its sharp writing, dynamic pacing, and unforgettable character work.

Luca breaks down how a simple “what if” premise — robbing a convenience store during a heatwave — turned into a layered, unexpected character study. From performance under pressure to crafting situational humor with emotional stakes, Luca shares how he blends absurdity with vulnerability to create something genuinely entertaining and human.

The episode dives into comedic structure, shot selection, editing rhythm, and the kind of creative instinct that makes a short film resonate long after the credits roll.

Hot Head - Luca Csathy - 2021 Best Comedy Winner

Website: lucacsathy.com 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lucacsathy

In Episode 7 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva connects with South Florida native and AAHSFF alum Samuel Correa — writer, director, and cinematographer of Ilia, which won Best Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy in 2021.

Samuel discusses how he approached building a grounded, emotional science fiction world on a student scale, and how his focus on character, conflict, and visual storytelling helped elevate the film’s ambitious concept. Now studying cinematography at Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts, Samuel reflects on his evolving process, the importance of restraint, and how to make genre filmmaking feel intimate, not just impressive.

This episode is a deep dive into practical worldbuilding, creative control, and the lessons learned by a filmmaker pushing himself to go bigger without losing focus.

ILEA - 2021 Best Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy Winner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samuelcorreea/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/samuelsmovingpictures

In Episode 6 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva reconnects with one of the most inspiring voices to emerge from the AAHSFF community — Colin Dowse. Colin wrote, directed, and starred in Smile, the film that won Best Overall and Best VFX in 2020 — as a freshman. Born from the early pandemic lockdown and shaped by a deep passion for visual effects and storytelling, Smile became a defining moment not just for the festival, but for Colin’s evolution as an artist.

In this episode, Colin shares how his early obsession with VFX led to deeply personal filmmaking, how living with juvenile arthritis has shaped his creative outlook, and what it's meant to find his voice both behind the camera and as a student at Emerson College. From self-made dolly rigs to multi-crew student productions, Colin opens up about the joy, pressure, and growth that comes from making films at every stage.

Featured Works: Smile, Out of My Mind

In Episode 5 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva sits down with Madeleine Case — recipient of the 2023 Female Rising Star Award — to talk about her film Hardcore, a raw and emotional story exploring love, loss, and the pressures of young womanhood.

A U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and YoungArts Writing Award winner, Madeleine opens up about her layered storytelling approach, balancing visual style with emotional depth, and how her nonlinear structure and use of contrast bring Hardcore to life. Her work explores complex inner worlds through sharp visuals, bold direction, and a deeply personal voice.

She also shares her thoughts on DIY filmmaking, close-up cinematography, and the value of trusting your gut as a young creator.

In Episode 4 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva chats with AAHSFF alum Chase Olivera, a standout animator whose work includes Beethoven vs. the Bird and Cloud Racers. Known for his inventive use of CGI, sharp comedic timing, and dynamic sound design, Chase reflects on how he developed his visual style, his experiences at the All American High School Film Festival, and how animation allows him to push storytelling boundaries.The episode also explores Chase’s creative influences, the value of collaboration, and what it means to bring a story to life frame by frame.Watch now and subscribe for more conversations with the future of filmmaking: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/futureoffilm2022 Best Animation Winner - Beethoven vs. the Bird: https://youtu.be/UYGvCUgaESo2023 Best Animation Nominee - Cloud Racers: https://youtu.be/UjJThYTUmpsWebsite: https://chaseolivera.wixsite.com/bluephoenixfilmworksInstagram: @bluephoenixfilmworksYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BluePhoenixFilmworks

In Episode 3 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva sits down with All American High School Film Festival alumna Jordan Held to discuss her Best Comedy nomination at the 2023 Teen Indie Awards, Ovaryacting.

Created during her senior year at Orange County School of the Arts, the film garnered multiple accolades, including the Young Filmmakers Competition Jury Award at the 2023 Austin Film Festival.

Jordan shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of navigating the festival circuit, and her experiences transitioning to Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

Tune in to hear about her journey and advice for aspiring filmmakers.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-held-a78390260/
https://www.instagram.com/jordy.pickles/
https://filmfreeway.com/JordanHeld
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9116920/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Jordan%2520Held

In Episode 2 of Season 5, host Tom Oliva sits down with All American High School Film Festival alumna Ella Janes to discuss her evolution as a filmmaker. Ella delves into the creation of her award-winning short film The Derivative Outlook on Love From the Perspective of Two Sixteen-Year-Olds, which earned her the Best Editing award at AAHSFF 2023. She also reflects on her earlier work, The First 280 Honest Words of My Life, which won Best Experimental at AAHSFF 2022.

Ella shares insights into her creative process, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and how her Oklahoma City roots have influenced her storytelling.

Tune in to hear about her experiences at AAHSFF and her advice for high school filmmakers navigating the world of cinema.

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ellaajanes/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@urgirlfriendsfavoritefilms

Website:

https://www.urgirlfriendsfavoritefilms.com/

Filmography:

Happiness in the Palm of Her Hand

The Derivative Outlook on Love From the Perspective of Two Sixteen-Year-Olds

The First 280 Honest Words of My Life

Prom Dress Music Video

Mr. Baxter

Cut Scenes From a Love Story

The Thrilling Adventure of Amos Waters

In the Season 5 premiere, host Tom Oliva sits down with All American High School Film Festival alumnus Wesley Wang to discuss his remarkable journey from high school filmmaker to signing a feature film deal with Darren Aronofsky and Sony TriStar. Wesley shares insights into the creation of his viral short film nothing, except everything., which garnered millions of views on YouTube, and how it led to a groundbreaking opportunity in Hollywood.

Wesley also reflects on his experiences at AAHSFF, where he won the 2023 Best Overall Film award for nothing, except everything. and the 2022 Best Drama award for Mute. He offers valuable advice for high school filmmakers navigating the challenges of independent filmmaking and shares his vision for the future of cinema.

Tune in to hear about his experiences at AAHSFF, the challenges of independent filmmaking, and advice for filmmakers in high school.

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/w.wang64

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@wesleywangfilm

Filmography:

Mute

nothing, except everything.

Get ready for the season 4 finale of the Future of Film podcast as we dive into the world of cinematic storytelling with the brilliant Hadley Hillel. An alumnus from as far back as 2014, Hadley's captivating dark comedies, "Muffins" and "The Talk," have been a consistent highlight in our Roadshow Presentations across the country. These films are more than just movies; they're journeys into curious, offbeat, and uproariously funny worlds, where flawed characters come to life amidst unexpected laughter.

Join us as we sit down with Hadley Hillel, a visionary storyteller who has held my attention for a decade with his imaginative narratives. From an awkward hitman serving muffins at a bed and breakfast to a selfish couple contemplating divorce through absurd arguments, Hadley's films take us on extraordinary journeys, often with lines like "nobody trims a cactus with lawn clippers." He masterfully weaves surreal characters and conflicts into stories that defy convention, blending stylized presentation with profound humanity.

Explore Hadley's journey as he navigates fantastical realms, challenging the boundaries of what filmmaking can achieve. His films, from a sad tea cozy factory worker befriending a boy through notes in the floor to a son suspecting his mother is a robot in a futuristic 1950s setting, showcase his unparalleled creativity. With an impressive list of awards and accolades too lengthy to enumerate, Hadley's talent speaks for itself, proving that he's a creative force with limitless potential.

Subscribe Now: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/futureoffilm 

Website: www.hadleyhillel.com

"Muffins" by Hadley Hillel - 2014 AAHSFF Best Screenplay Winner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2NDs7iS_Rg