WIFT Austin Podcast WIFT Podcast

Join us as we chat with two Austin-based filmmakers about their success stories in financing short film projects.

Jessica Wolfson is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. She began her career working as an executive at IFCtv Originals where she produced films by many renowned filmmakers including Kirby Dick, Steve James, John Landis, and Jon Favreau. Jessica has directed several films including HOT GREASE (Discovery Channel) and RADIO UNNAMEABLE (Kino Lorber).  And produced many feature and short documentaries including LIFE & LIFE, SACRED, REVENGE OF THE MEKONS and A GIRL AND A GUN. She has created content for PBS, Discovery, History Channel, ESPN, CBS All Access, MTV, & Wall Street Journal. Her most recent projects include KINDERLAND and THE PAINT WIZZARD (New Yorker). Jessica was named “20 Under 40” by DOC NYC in 2010. She has acted as consultant for many documentary projects, a mentor for the Gotham and Tribeca Film Institute and teaches documentary production at New York Film Academy.

Kelli Horan is an independent filmmaker and artist in Austin, TX. Since moving from Tucson, AZ, she has written, directed, and produced feature and short films that have been featured in festivals such as Boston SciFi Film Festival, SXSW, Other Worlds Film Festival, Arizona International Film Festival, and more.

Active in the filmmaking community, Kelli was previously the Screenwriting Co-Director and Programmer at Other Worlds Film Festival (2020), a member of Women Communicators of Austin, and the current development Chair for Women in Film & Television Austin.

Movie Review: Hellion

Showrunner: Chantelle James

Hosts & Producers: Ai Vuong, Chantelle James & Samantha Rae Lopez

Editors: Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Karla Rivera

Movie Reviews: Summer Heart

Marketing: Karla Rivera & Tori Rose

Follow us: @wift_austin

https://www.wiftaustin.com

podcast@wiftaustin.org

In this episode we interview Mykle McCoslin, a representative from SAG-AFTRA, to find out what the role of the union is in a right to work state.

Born in Houston, Texas, Mykle McCoslin is an actor, writer, producer, director, voice talent, storyteller and industry leader. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA, McCoslin serves as President of the Houston-Austin SAG-AFTRA local, and is a strong advocate for the rights of all union performers.

In addition to her advocacy in the industry, Mykle is also known for her TV work in AMC’s Preacher and ABC’s The Astronaut Wives Club.

Movie Review: Game of Silence



Showrunner: Chantelle James

Hosts & Producers: Ai Vuong, Chantelle James & Samantha Rae Lopez

Editors: Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Karla Rivera

Movie Reviews: Summer Heart

Marketing: Karla Rivera & Tori Rose



Follow us: @wift_austin

https://www.wiftaustin.com

podcast@wiftaustin.org

Join us as we chat to screenwriter, Alex Yonks, about her experience writing her first feature film Candy Coated Christmas.

Alex Yonks is originally from Dallas. She is one of the creators behind The Food Network’s first-ever scripted movie streamed on Discovery+, Candy Coated Christmas. Alex holds two “story by” credits for the hit show The Big Bang Theory, as well as a 2017 College Television Emmy Award in Children’s Programming for her short film, A Taylor Story.

Movie Review: Candy Coated Christmas



Showrunner: Chantelle James

Hosts & Producers: Ai Vuong, Chantelle James & Samantha Rae Lopez

Editors: Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Karla Rivera

Movie Reviews: Summer Heart

Marketing: Karla Rivera & Tori Rose



Follow us: @wift_austin

https://www.wiftaustin.com

podcast@wiftaustin.org

Join us as we chat to Austin-based film producer Bettina Barrow and Austin-based actress/producer Mindy Raymond on raising children and managing a career in the film and TV industry.

Bettina Barrow is an independent film producer based in Austin, Texas. She formed Kill Claudio Productions with her producing partner, Lily Rabe, to produce film and television. Her short film Maude premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Bettina most recently produced the feature film Sister Aimee, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. Before becoming an independent producer, Bettina was a lawyer at an international law firm in Los Angeles, specializing in employment and entertainment law. Bettina is a graduate of Princeton University and the UCLA School of Law.

Mindy Raymond is an Austin-based actress with over 20 years of industry experience working in film & television. She is a partner at the Shine Company, Executive Producer of Now with Fiona, and the communications director for Texas Media Production Alliance. Mindy wears many hats and is known to be a connector extraordinaire for the film and TV industry in Texas. She is currently on the advisory board of Women in Film & Television Austin.

Movie Review: Frances Ferguson



Showrunner: Chantelle James

Hosts & Producers: Ai Vuong, Chantelle James & Samantha Rae Lopez

Editors: Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Karla Rivera

Movie Reviews: Summer Heart

Marketing: Karla Rivera & Tori Rose



Follow us: @wift_austin

https://www.wiftaustin.com

podcast@wiftaustin.org

Join us as we talk to Alka Bhanot of Indie Meme festival and Hanna Huang of the Asian American film festival about Austin-based film festivals creating culture and diversity in storytelling in Austin.

Alka Bhanot is the co-founder of Indie Meme Film Festival, an award winning festival, organized in April in Austin Texas, IMFF is a 4 day fest celebrating excellent South Asia cinema, filmmaker interactions, panels, parties, networking and discussions. Alka has extensive experience producing for Indian Television and was the Executive Producer for the first Late Night Show, ‘Movers & Shakers’ in India, which won numerous awards. In Austin, since 2003 her film credits include Bryan Poyser’s ‘Dear Pillow’ (2003) Winner, Best Narrative Feature, Atlanta Film Festival, Margaret Brown’s ‘Be Here To Love Me’ (2006) a film about the life and music of Townes Van Zandt and ‘Sunshine’(2009) a documentary about adoption and single parenthood by Karen Skloss which aired as part of the Independent Lens series on PBS. She also worked on the ‘Trevor Romain Video Series’ (2005) an animated kids show which aired on PBS.

Hanna Huang is the executive director of Austin Asian American Film Festival. AAAFF is an annual film festival that highlights new Asian and Asian American films with a mission of championing Asian and Asian American stories via media arts and empowering Asian Americans to explore opportunities in cinema. 

Movie Review: Panic



Showrunner: Chantelle James

Hosts & Producers: Ai Vuong, Chantelle James & Samantha Rae Lopez

Editors: Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Karla Rivera

Movie Reviews: Summer Heart

Marketing: Karla Rivera & Tori Rose



Follow us: @wift_austin

https://www.wiftaustin.com

podcast@wiftaustin.org

Pitching your project can often feel clunky and awkward. Join us as we chat to industry experts Juliet Blake & Heidi Hornbacher on the art of pitching; how to prepare, how to create a solid pitch, and how to execute it in the room.

Juliet Blake was the head of television at TED for 10 years. She executive produced the second season of TED Talks India Nayi Baat, for the largest TV network in India, STAR PLUS. She has also produced TED Talks Live on Broadway, a PBS television series of one-hour specials shot at New York's Town Hall Theater. Earlier in her career, she served as president of Jim Henson Television and a senior executive at the National Geographic Channel. She produced The Hundred-Foot Journey, with Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, starring Helen Mirren and the late Om Puri. Juliet has served as an Advisory Board Member of WIFT Austin.

Heidi Hornbacher is a screenwriter, director, and producer. She is a graduate of the UCLA screenwriting program and works as a story consultant and writer for hire. She is co-founder of PageCraft, a writing center offering retreats and workshops to help writers realize their creative visions. Heidi has written numerous features, treatments, and TV pilots for various independent producers. She also co-founded the Slamdance Script Clinic, and has been a judge for the Slamdance Film Festival screenwriting contest, the Page Awards, and The Writer’s Lab. Her writing clients include Emmy winners, TV legends, and brand new writers too.

Movie Review: Hope Floats



Showrunner: Chantelle James

Hosts & Producers: Ai Vuong, Chantelle James & Samantha Rae Lopez

Editors: Shannon Stefan, Valerie Torres, and Karla Rivera

Movie Reviews: Summer Heart

Marketing: Karla Rivera & Tori Rose



Follow us: @wift_austin

https://www.wiftaustin.com

podcast@wiftaustin.org