What does it take for your short film to truly stand out among thousands of global submissions? In this episode, Misha sits down with Ben Thompson, the head short film programmer at the Tribeca Film Festival, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous process of selecting films for one of the world’s most prestigious festivals. From the unique challenge of judging comedy, to how Tribeca's teams evaluate submissions, to the surprising self-care habits that keep programmers sane during crunch time, this episode offers invaluable insight for filmmakers, actors, and anyone curious about the festival world. If you're an artist navigating the festival circuit, this one is essential listening.