Ilse Will Say

Intrepida Entertainment

Ilse Will Say is an EVERYTHING podcast with a core focus on the entertainment field. Expect Ilse’s takes on TV shows, pizza, nostalgia, bigfoot, butterbeer, the weird little S we all drew in middle school—literally everything. If it lives in your group chat, it lives here too.

  1. 5d ago

    Sundance, SXSW and Cannes: Film festival strategy for independent filmmakers

    This one's a little different. No guest this week - just me and my producer Jacob Cagle, flipping the mic and doing a proper debrief on the last six months. We're talking Sundance, South by Southwest, and Cannes. What worked, what didn't, and what I'd tell anyone who's scared to walk into a room full of people who seem like they belong there more than you do. We also get into something I don't talk about enough — the real reason I started going to film festivals in the first place, what jealousy actually taught me about what I want, and why fear isn't a stop sign, it's a map. Plus: a little state of the pod. It's almost been a year. I have feelings about it. Topics covered: F**k, Marry, Kill: Sundance, South by Southwest, and Cannes (yes we went there)Chicago International, Chicago Latino Film Festival, and Midwest Film Festival — where it all startedHow to go to Sundance without a badge and not miss a thingSouth by Southwest: the honest review — badge worth it or not?Cannes: why it tripled my contacts and why I'm completely biasedHow to sneak into parties at Cannes and why it's basically requiredInternational film festivals that will actually pay for you to goJealousy as a compass — what it's really telling you"You belong in that room" — and what that actually means when you grew up brokeThe monopoly board theory for your life and careerOne year of Ilse Will Say: what I know now that I wish I knew then Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    30 min

  2. Jun 2

    Lorena Lourenço: Showing Up Unapologetically On Set, At Festivals, and In Life

    Lauren Lourenço has been backed by Film Independent, Series Fest, and the Orchid Project. She's directed festival-winning shorts, an MTV music video for Anitta, and she's currently developing her first feature, Whatever Happened to Rosa Elena? — a queer horror comedy set in Palm Springs. She's also, somehow, terrified of horror films. We met at Sundance, had lunch, and I immediately understood why people find me intimidating. In this episode, we get into endometriosis (the real version, not the "heavy period" version), why Lorena started writing comedy, her hot take on where Sundance is heading, the small festivals actually worth paying attention to, candles as a gateway drug to full woo-woo, and what it means to make work that's specific without feeling like homework. Also: aliens. Probably among us. Probably fine. Follow Lorena on Instagram at @lorenaMML Topics covered: Warby Parker and the big head problemEndometriosis, emergency surgery, and writing a pilot on morphineLa Chupacabra and Whatever Happened to Rosa Elena — yes, we're on the same wavelengthSundance: what it is now vs. what it was, and the smaller festivals doing it betterInside Out (Canada), Cascadia, Julien Dubuque, La Leff, River RunHot Cakes: the 60-second rapid fire roundAliens: living among us, and Lauren's friend who might actually be oneHouse of Intuition candles: cute or too much?Therapy as an oil change, but for your brain Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    33 min

  3. May 19

    Jake Ferree: Life is too short to be one thing

    This week on Ilse Will Say, Ilse sits down with actor, musician, wine guy, and casual full-calendar haver Jake Ferree. You’ve seen Jake on The Baxters, True Detective, and more, but this episode gets into the stuff that does not fit neatly on an IMDb page: touring with his Irish punk band Hounds of Belfast, turning pandemic drinking into actual wine knowledge, why grocery store wine might be personally attacking you, and what happens when Jude Law gently asks to pass by you on Broadway. They also get into the weirdness of being a working actor when your footage is stuck in release limbo, the joy of refusing to be just one thing, and a truly terrifying haunted stay at the Lemp Mansion that may ruin bathrooms for everyone. Follow Jake on Instagram @jakeferree, check out his band Hounds of Belfast at @houndsofbelfast, and go watch their music video “Bar Maid” on YouTube. If you’re in LA, you can also catch Hounds of Belfast live on June 19th at The Mint. Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    33 min

  4. May 12

    Sonya and Wendy Madrigal: Just say yes first

    This week on Ilse Will Say, Ilse is joined by sisters Sonya and Wendy Madrigal, two Chicago artists who somehow make multi-hyphenating look genetic. Sonya is an actor, director, choreographer, and educator, while Wendy is a multidisciplinary artist, producer, puppeteer, and voiceover agent, which is exactly the kind of résumé that makes you ask, “Wait, so what exactly do you do?” in the best way. They get into growing up as the Madrigal sisters before Disney caught up, ugly crying during Coco and Encanto, folklórico as a family love language, community college theater magic, saying yes to unexpected career pivots, and why Wendy may or may not have manifested both her boyfriend and a dinosaur puppet. Plus, Hot Cakes brings tacos, Rocky, stinky breath, and a truly unwell Subway answer. Go see Sonya’s choreography in Goodnight Moon at Chicago Children’s Theatre through June 7, and follow Wendy @itswendymadrigal and Sonya @soniamadrigal. Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    33 min

  5. May 5

    Giselle De La Rosa: Always late but worth the wait

    This week on Ilse Will Say, Ilse sits down with Giselle De La Rosa, associate director at Cine Las Americas and a SXSW film festival screener, for a behind-the-scenes conversation about film festival programming, short film submissions, festival curation, and what makes a film stand out fast. Giselle shares what it’s like to watch hundreds of documentary shorts, why the first 30 seconds of a short film can reveal so much, and how screeners balance instinct, taste, community, and the brutal math of limited festival slots. Ilse and Giselle also get into Latine storytelling, Latin American cinema, Indigenous stories, Austin film culture, The Artist’s Way, morning pages, creative burnout, community building, coffee withdrawal, and being “always late, but worth the wait.” Giselle also shares more about Cine Las Americas Film Festival, its mission to showcase films centered on Latinidad and Indigenous life, and the importance of creating spaces for underrepresented filmmakers. Follow Giselle @cosasdelarosa and support Cine Las Americas @cinelasamericasiff, especially if you’re in Austin and love film festivals, independent cinema, community screenings, and the people doing the real work behind the scenes. Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    28 min

  6. Apr 28

    Alexander Gonzalez: Improv brain meets editor instinct

    You know when a scene just hits and you can’t explain why? That’s editing. Ilse sits down with editor and assistant editor Alexander Gonzalez to talk about the invisible craft that shapes everything we feel on screen. From working on Sender with Jamie Lee Curtis and Britt Lower to navigating SXSW like a pro, Alex breaks down how pacing, instinct, and collaboration turn raw footage into something unforgettable. They get into improv as accidental life training, networking without the weird pressure, and why being honest about where you’re at is actually the best strategy. Also discussed: coffee as a personality trait, animation dreams, and a sleep paralysis story that might make you rethink staying over at anyone’s house. Follow Alex @alexgedit (and his projects @toincossfilm & @stophittingyoursister_film) and keep up with his upcoming projects if you like your storytelling sharp, thoughtful, and just a little unhinged. Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    30 min

  7. Apr 21

    Teresa Martinez Moore & Adam Rebora: They said “let’s make something” and didn’t flake

    When your friends don’t just talk about making something… they actually do it—and then keep going? Yeah, that’s the vibe. This week, Ilse sits down with Teresa Martinez Moore and Adam Rebora, the duo behind Film in a Bag and the kind of creative partnership that makes you rethink your group chat. From improv team beginnings (bug bites and backyard shows included) to building a full-on film collective, these two get into what it really looks like to grow something over time. We’re talking ten years of collaboration, learning the Chicago indie scene, and figuring it out as they go. They break down their “12 films in 12 months” experiment (yes, truly), why the 48 Hour Film Project rewires your brain, and how just starting—before you feel ready—is kind of the whole point. Also: mythical creatures, whale blessings, and putting salad dressing on pizza. Obviously. Follow Film in a Bag on IG and catch their work on YouTube—then go make something with your friends. Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    30 min

  8. Apr 14

    Paige Galdieri: I came out the womb with jazz hands

    When someone can make you laugh, hit a note, and quietly diagnose why your last post flopped… you listen. This week, Ilse sits down with multi-hyphenate menace (compliment) Paige Galdieri — a performer who moves between comedy, music, and acting like it’s nothing, while also helping other artists figure out their digital voice behind the scenes. We get into her musical theater origin story (yes, it involves jazz hands at birth), the very real fear that keeps creatives stuck, and what it actually means to find your way back to joy when performing starts to feel like pressure instead of play. There’s also a haunted dorm situation, a possibly vengeful ghost cat, and a family movie test that determines whether you’re allowed to stay. Naturally. Plus, Paige teases her new single Trigger Happy and the very specific kind of crush that inspired it. Follow Paige on IG @paigegaldieri and keep an eye out for Trigger Happy dropping April 15. Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias Mentioned in this episode: Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

    33 min
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5
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About

Ilse Will Say is an EVERYTHING podcast with a core focus on the entertainment field. Expect Ilse’s takes on TV shows, pizza, nostalgia, bigfoot, butterbeer, the weird little S we all drew in middle school—literally everything. If it lives in your group chat, it lives here too.

Information

  • Creator
    Intrepida Entertainment
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Intrepida Entertainment
  • Show Website
    Ilse Will Say