Known in some circles as "The She-Devil with a Sword," author Robert E. Howard's "Red Sonja" has been adapted from his novels into comics and, until recently, only one theatrical title. Director MJ Bassett has changed this with her Matilda Lutz-led adaptation, titled "Red Sonja," that released in theaters for one-night only on August 13th and is set for a VOD release on August 29th, unleashing a new tale with the Hyborian Age for audiences to experience. 

Sitting down with EoM Contributor AJ Friar, Bassett and Lutz discuss how they each became attached to the project, how practical effects impacted the process, and a great deal more in this brief conversation.

Official Summary:
Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.

Available on VOD August 29th, 2025.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/-Oqql6RErHc

Directed By: MJ Bassett
Written By: Tasha Huo
Cast: Matilda Lutz, Martyn Ford, Robert Sheehan, Wallis Day, Michael Bisping, Philip Winchester, Trevor Eve, Luca Pasqualino, Rhona Mitra, Sofia Weldon

A Conversation with "Red Sonja" director MJ Bassett and actor Matilda Lutz.

 Olaide Sadiq’s directorial debut Grenfell: Uncovered examines the disturbing chain of events that led to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, giving survivors, bereaved families and firefighters a platform to share their story.

In the latest episode of the Directors UK Podcast, recorded live at our exclusive member event last month, Olaide sits down with fellow documentary director Toby Trackman, to discuss how she became involved with the project, her approach to working with collaborators and the responsibility she felt towards them as director, and what it was like working with Netflix on this project.

Olaide Sadiq and Toby Trackman on Grenfell: Uncovered

Join JB, J$ and Davey Joe for the first of their freeform segments for the third season of The No-Name Cinema Society.  In this #SoundOff, the boys answer some of your tweeted questions from their 2016 Finale.  They also do a Top 5 Indies of 2011 AND JB revisits one of the 1966 films they didn't get to discuss on their 1966 in Review show.  Originally aired on YouTube in October 2017.

The No-Name Cinema Society Sound Off #23 (Episode 39.4) - Top 5 2011 Indies

Our two new books...  STORY QUESTIONS: How To Unlock Your Story One Question At A Time - https://payhip.com/b/ZTvq9
and  17 Steps To Writing A Great Main Character -  https://payhip.com/b/kCZGd

In this Film Courage podcast, we speak with husband and wife duo, Jason Gerber and Blue Gerber, a co-directing team working in films and commercials together and individually. Their first feature documentary is DAWN DUSK, available on multiple platforms (link below). 

DAWN DUSK features Chelli Look, an artist specializing in handbags, experiences overwhelming grief after the murder of her sister by her brother-in-law. In the years that follow, Chelli’s journey towards healing forces her to rediscover who she is as an artist, leading to an unexpected revelation that takes her in a new direction.

They have directed commercials for brands such as Walgreens, 7UP, Scotch-Brite, Meiomi Wine, Chipotle, Intelligentsia, LOEWE and more. Their heart for storytelling can be seen in their work for The Boys & Girls Clubs, GE Girls, Athletes Unlimited, Lincoln Park Community Services, which won a Silver Telly, as well as piece for Chicago Connected which was shared by President Barack Obama. Their most recent short film, Otis’ Dream, about voter suppression, debuted during the months leading up to the 2020 election and was shared by Oprah as an official Super Soul Sunday short film, gaining attention from major media outlets.

Female and male, tactful and feeling, they evoke imagination and authentic human narratives directing as one voice.

Where to find the film:

https://www.dawnduskfilm.com

Where to watch:

https://www.dawnduskfilm.com/where-to-watch

Truth About Building A Film Career - DAWN DUSK Filmmakers Blue Gerber and Jason Gerber

EoM Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning recently had a conversation with filmmaker Ben Leonberg, co-writer and director of "Good Boy" from Independent Film Company. This story is told entirely from the emotional perspective of Indy, Leonberg's real-life canine companion in his acting debut. Leonberg talks about the bootstrapping production of this project that he made with his wife and producing partner, Kari Fischer, as well as what it takes to make a movie with a dog who doesn't know he's in a movie. 

In theaters October 3rd, 2025. 

Official Synopsis: 
A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner Todd, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most. 

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/q4-CRkd_74g 
Director: Ben Leonberg, Alex Cannon, 
Screenwriter: Alex Cannon, Ben Leonberg 
Cast: Indy, Shane Jensen, Larry Fessenden, Arielle Friedman, Stuart Rudin, Anya Krawcheck, Max 

A Conversation with “Good Boy” co-writer/director Ben Leonberg.

In this debut episode of the State of the Arts Podcast, host filmmaker and writer Des Doyle chats with Ciarán Donnelly, BAFTA and multiple IFTA award-winning Director/Producer, and co-creator of Kin. Produced in partnership with Film Ireland and supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, the series explores the creative processes, industry challenges, and new opportunities that both Irish & international creatives face in ever-evolving artistic landscapes. 

In this discussion, Donnelly shares his experience and insight, having directed and produced some of the world’s most successful television series, including global hits such as Amazon’s The Wheel of Time, Netflix’s Vikings: Valhalla, and MGM/History’s Vikings.

Read more about the podcast here: www.filmireland.net/state-of-the-arts-podcast-ciaran-donnelly-dir-wheel-of-time-vikings-co-creator-kin-with-host-des-doyle/

Follow the journey of  State of the Arts here: https://www.instagram.com/sotapod/

Chapters:

2.37 Influences
5.00 College
11.25 Early Career in the UK
14.37 Getting Cold Feet
20.45 Getting a BAFTA
21.40 Working in the US
22.40 Directing The Tudors
26.04 Directing Camelot
26.45 The Importance of Directing a Pilot
29.05 Gaining Experience and Co-Directing Krypton
32.22 Working With Artists Like Eva Green & John Malkovich
36.06 Directing Wheel of Time
41.13 Being Producer/Director
42.30 Being a Writer
43.25 Kin
46.25 Artificial Intelligence
53.32 The Streaming Age
59.03 Current & Future Projects
1.04.05 T4 Productions
1.05.23 Creator's Choices

State of the Arts: Ciarán Donnelly (Dir: Wheel of Time, Vikings/Co-creator: Kin) with Des Doyle

In the latest episode of the Directors UK Podcast, recorded live at our exclusive Directors UK member event, Academy Award-winning director Kathryn Bigelow speaks with fellow director Peter Straughan on her approach to directing, and the work that went into directing her explosive new film A House Of Dynamite.

Kathryn Bigelow in conversation with Peter Straughan on A House of Dynamite

In 1936, renowned wit, dramatist and erstwhile star of The Italian Job, Noël Coward, debuted his cycle of ten one-act plays, collectively Tonight at 8.30. With three plays performed each night, audiences were treated to a full range of theatrical experience, peppered with music, drama and an abundance of hilarious misunderstandings.

Carlton presents (at 7:45) a triple-bill of: Hands across the Sea, a domestic comedy on the social obliviousness of the upper classes; Red Peppers, a musical interlude from the backstage of a music hall; and Still Life, a drama of forbidden love (best known as the inspiration for the film Brief Encounter).

The martinis have been poured, the pianist is in full flow, and the cast are waiting in the wings. Welcome to our house of strange enchantment.

Tonight at 8.30 will be performed at the Studio at the New Wimbledon Theatre from the 4th to the 8th November at 7.45 PM, with a 3 PM matinee on the 8th. Tickets are available from here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ctg-tonight-at-830-hands-across-the-sea-red-peppers-and-still-life/studio-at-new-wimbledon-theatre/

Episode 4- Tonight at 8.30 (at 7.45)

Recorded live at our exclusive Directors UK member event, Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro sits down with friend and fellow Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón for a fascinating deep dive into his creative process, and the making of his haunting new film, Frankenstein.

Guillermo del Toro in conversation with Alfonso Cuarón on Frankenstein

Daisy-May Hudson joins fellow director Alex Kalymnios for an in-depth conversation about the making of her fiction feature debut, Lollipop.

Daisy-May shares her unconventional route into filmmaking, the moment she realised that directing was for her, why film is such a powerful medium to tell stories that matter.

The conversation delves into the creative and practical challenges of crafting Lollipop, and how Daisy’s unique perspective shaped both her storytelling and her process of working with non-professional actors.

Daisy-May Hudson in Conversation with Alex Kalymnios on Lollipop

Est. in 2009 - YouTube channel on writing/film/acting

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Welcome to The Cast, the official Carlton Theatre Group Podcast! Join Harry and Natalie as they preview and discuss our upcoming productions, as well as provide retrospectives on some of our favourite past shows!

Available on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods.

The Directors UK Podcast allows the listener to attend our member events with top directors. Hear what directors have to say when they speak to a room of their peers, and gain exclusive insight into their creative process.

Directors UK is the professional association for UK screen directors. With over 8,500 members, we represent directors’ rights and concerns, promote excellence in the craft of direction and champion change to the current landscape to create an equal opportunity industry for all.

Elements of Madness is an entertainment website focused on cinematic releases past, present, and future. With so many channels to watch films, and more arriving every day, EoM seeks to help cut through the clutter by focusing on not just the big studio pieces, but also the smaller indie pictures hitting theaters and streaming services. Though our team is small, the combination of their particular talents and view of cinema is the mixture that leads to madness.

Covering all things cinema on the island of Ireland.

New tracks tagged #Directing