Discover Indie Film

Jeff Howard

Meet tomorrow’s filmmakers today.

  1. 688. Ahmed Zayani “Hope”

    MAY 8

    688. Ahmed Zayani “Hope”

    Happy Friday, Film Folks! Ahmed Zayani wrote and directed “Hope,” a horror short that was an Official Selection at both Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2025 and Film Invasion Lima 2026! In fact, Ahmed took home the Programmers Prize for Exceptional Filmmaking at SOFF 2025 and the Filmmakers Award for Outstanding Short – Horror at FI-Lima 2026!                                                                                                                                                                    As I type this, I realize that even Ahmed’s title gives away the depth of his film. Yes, it is a horror film, but the title “Hope” certainly does suggest there is more to to this film than jump scares. Ahmed was not able to travel to either festival from his home in Bahrain.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          I was delighted that the DIF podcast gave me the opportunity to have a quality conversation with this talented filmmaker! Follow Ahmed on Instagram at @theahmedzayani _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website – DIF Instagram – DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

    46 min
  2. MAY 4

    686. Leo Berkeley “Dark Matter”

    May the 4th be with you, Listeners! Leo Berkeley wrote, directed, produced and is the sole performer in the film “Dark Matter,” a brilliant film that will forever be the first to film to ever win awards at Film Invasion Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks Film Festival, and Film Invasion Lima in succession. (I don’t get to say, “During a single calendar year,” because SOFF was held in December 2025 and FI-Lima was held in January, 2026.)                                                            Needless to say, Leo’s film has won more awards than I have time to list here! Leo is a filmmaker and a retired academic, who has looked at interesting ways to combine these two roles.                                                                                                                                                                               He has had a 40- year career as an independent filmmaker and, before retiring in 2018, he taught and researched in film, television and video production at RMIT University in Melbourne for 20 years. You can see much of Leo’s work by visiting LeoBerkeley.com I highly recommend ALL OF IT! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website – DIF Instagram – DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

    36 min
  3. APR 29

    684. Cassie Keet “Abigail Before Beatrice”

    Happy Wednesday, Listeners! Cassie Keet came onto the podcast to talk about her feature film, “Abigail Before Beatrice,” that took home the Best In Fest award at Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2025!                                                                             Not only that, the film’s lead, Olivia Taylor Dudley, took home the Grand Jury award for Best Lead Performer – Feature Film.                                                                                                                                                   Not only that, but Shayn Herndon won the Grand Jury award for Best Supporting Performer – Feature Film.                                                                                                                                                                             Not only that, but William Tanner Sampson won the Grand Jury award for Best Cinematography – Feature Film.                                                                                                                                                                  Needless to say, you need to see this film when you get the opportunity. (Cassie will keep us updated when there’s a link to stream it.) In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this conversation half as much as I did. Cassie is the Best! Follow the film on Instagram at @abigailbeforebeatrice _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Discover Indie Film Links DIF Podcast Website – DIF Instagram – DIF BlueSky Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website Sherman Oaks Film Festival Film Invasion Los Angeles

    1h 22m
5
out of 5
23 Ratings

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Meet tomorrow’s filmmakers today.