In this podcast, Film Ireland is delighted to partner with the National Talent Academy for Film & TV and GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival as we're joined by three participants from their fantastic starGAZE programme. This is a platform for LGBTQIA talent that provides access to Irish and international creatives, full festival access, and mentorship with an established LGBTQIA filmmaker.

Listen back as cinematographer Alba Fernandez, producer and screenwriter Philip Emo, and director and screenwriter Hiram Harrington talk about craft, career and what makes a film great. 

starGAZE 2025 applications are now open

GAZE International LGBTQIA Film Festival has announced the second year of their professional development programme starGAZE, supporting by the National Talent Academies. The initiative which will support six emerging LGBTQIA filmmakers is now open for applications. starGAZE provides a platform for LGBTQIA talent through an internationally recognised film festival by giving participants access to Irish and international creatives, full festival access and a mentorship with an established LGBTQIA filmmaker.

starGAZE 2025 will accept applications from LGBTQIA people of all backgrounds, particularly encouraging applicants from the global majority, trans and non-binary people, people from working-class communities, the Travelling community, people with disabilities and all equity-seeking individuals facing additional challenges within the film industry. starGAZE is supported by the National Talent Academy Film & TV Drama and by the Arts Council of Ireland.

starGAZE's ambition is to increase the number of Irish LGBTQIA stories on screen and showcase the next generation of Irish queer and trans voices.

Apply by Monday 14 April, 5pm here: 

https://www.nationaltalentacademies.ie/courses-activities-programmes/stargaze-2025

Read more about these creatives here:
https://filmireland.net/2025/03/21/podcast-introducing-stargaze-participants-alba-fernandez-philip-emo-hiram-harrington/

Presents: StarGAZE Participants Alba Fernandez, Philip Emo & Hiram Harrington

🎙️ In this episode of The RGB Podcast, we sit down with Brian Brough, a prolific filmmaker who has produced and directed around 60 films—and consistently makes money doing it. Brian has mastered the business and creative sides of filmmaking, successfully bringing stories to life while ensuring profitability in an ever-changing industry.

As the founder of Candlelight Media Group, Brian has developed a streamlined approach to production that balances creativity with financial sustainability. In this conversation, we dive into what it really takes to produce and direct films at scale, how to navigate the entertainment industry, and the key strategies for making films that not only resonate with audiences but also turn a profit.

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of making movies, this episode is packed with valuable insights from someone who has done it—again and again.

🎧 Listen now to hear Brian’s journey and how he built a successful career producing and directing films that work both artistically and financially!

👉 Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of filmmaking and creative business!

 

Brian Brough: The Secrets to Producing Profitable Films | The RGB Podcast | Ep. 2

For Episode 66 of EoM Presents, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with documentary filmmaker Liam Le Guillou to discuss "A Cursed Man." Premiering in L.A. on March 22nd ahead of its VOD release on March 25th, Guillou discusses his project to determine the reality of magic and gets into why he doesn't recommend this for anyone else. 

It's an extensive conversation, so strap in.

Premiering in L.A. on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025.
Available on VOD on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025.

https://www.liamleguillou.com/

Official Synopsis:
Documentary filmmaker Liam Le Guillou enters the world of witchcraft: and the occult, searching for an answer to the question “is magic real?” Seeking out some of the world's most powerful dark magic practitioners, Le Guillou will ask the unthinkable - will they put a Curse on him. Meeting with Witches in California, Voodoo practitioners in New Orleans, Tantrics in India, and even a Satanist Shaman in Mexico, the filmmaker exposes himself to some of the world’s darkest magic. On his Journey, Le Guillou meets with psychologists, and scientists studying the real world eﬀects of magic and the power of belief.

As the consequences of his request begin to hit home, Le Guillou seeks out help from the very witches that warned him of his actions, forcing him to question the nature of reality in this dangerous, never-before-seen, dark social experiment.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/NUcMfQMnzkU?si=fu_NvAy_-E0IzQaN

Directed/Written By: Liam Le Guillou


A Conversation with "A Cursed Man" writer/director Liam Le Guillou.

Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the casting process behind Channel 4 series, Queenie, in the latest episode of the Directors UK Podcast.

Recorded live at our career development masterclass last Autumn, Director (episodes 1-4) Joelle Mae David, Casting Director Aisha Bywaters, and lead actor Dionne Brown, explore the show’s approach to casting. Director James Kent hosts their conversation.

Listen to the discussion wherever you get your podcasts.

Working with a Casting Director: A Masterclass on Queenie

In this interview for EoM Presents, Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning talks with the cast and crew of the new film “Zero,” including writer and director Jean Luc Herbulot, actor, writer, and producer Hus Miller, and actor Cam McHarg. This geo-political thriller from Well Go USA Entertainment was filmed on location in Dakar, Senegal and explores the oppressive system of capitalism with tightly crafted suspense and tension, as well as a darkly comedic tone. Plus, Oscar-nominee Willem Dafoe appears in a key voice role, acting as the film’s de facto narrator. 

In theaters and on digital April 11th, 2025.

https://wellgousa.com/films/zero

Official Synopsis:
Two strangers searching for purpose in Dakar, Senegal, wake up with bombs strapped to their chests, counting down from ten hours. Controlled by a mysterious voice, they must complete a series of chaotic missions with devastating consequences. As the city erupts in protest against Western influence, the reluctant partners race for redemption. "Zero" is a thrilling, darkly humorous tale of survival, connection, and the human search for meaning.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/_wVUlt_kWko

Directed By: Jean Luc Herbulot
Written By: Jean Luc Herbulot, Hus Miller
Cast: Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Gary Dourdan, Roger Sallah, Moran Rosenblatt, Willem Dafoe

A Conversation with "Zero" filmmaker Jean Luc Herbulot and actors Hus Miller and Cam McHarg.

Episode 15 of the PAD podcast is a special one featuring our first in-person podcast interview with recent PAD alum and director of the #WashU production of ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’ Brenna Jones! Literally on the Spelling Bee set, Rob talks with Brenna about all things Spelling Bee comprised of an all-student cast, designers, and crew but also discusses her many outside projects that she managed even while a busy WashU student! In 2018, Brenna was approached by the Showboat Theatre Board in her hometown of Hermann, MO and asked to start a program for the local students to experience theatre. Along with her business partner, Brenna created the Half Act Theatre Company, which has grown to a troupe of over 100 students ages 4-18 that continues to bring summer camp theatre to Hermann and change young lives in the process. She has also helped to kickstart the Riverside Theatre Project, which is a cross-community collaboration between St. Louis and Hermann designed to open up dialogue between rural and urban artists. Don’t miss this inspiring episode interview with one of Missouri’s rising theatre stars: Brenna Jones!

15: Brenna Jones

Recorded live at a Directors UK members event, in partnership with Illuminatrix and FOMO House, director Shannon Murphy and DoP Annika Summerson explore their recent collaboration on BBC drama Dope Girls, in a live discussion moderated by DoP Susanne Salavati.

Shannon and Annika share how their creative partnership evolved during filming.

Image Credit: BBC/Bad Wolf/Grant Royce

Shannon Murphy and DoP Annika Summerson on Dope Girls, with Illuminatrix and FOMO House

In this Film Ireland podcast, Gemma Creagh talks to José Miguel Jiménez, Director of 'Amanda', which is screening at Docs Ireland (23-29 June 2025).  We also catch up with Festival Programmer Stuart Sloan about this years' line up. 


Amanda has painted in isolation for years, using art as both expression and refuge. Now, she must face the challenge of speaking out about a painful past she wishes to leave behind.

Once institutionalised and labeled by others, Amanda reclaims her narrative through her unique canvases — works that evoke the chaos of her experience, paintings marked by scars that mirror her own.

As she prepares for her first retrospective and her story reaches national newspapers, Amanda navigates the vulnerability of sharing both her art and truth. Will this confrontation lead to healing, or reopen old wounds?

Through observational hangouts and immersive explorations of her luminous works, the film captures her journey to transform silence into radiance.

Directed by José Miguel Jiménez
Produced by Roisín Geraghty
Funded by: The Arts Council of Ireland's Reel Art Fund

Amanda screens on 27th June 2025 as part of Docs Ireland.

Tickets: https://queensfilmtheatre.com/Whats-On/Amanda

https://www.littlerose.ie/amanda-2025

Docs Ireland Podcast: José Miguel Jiménez, Director of 'Amanda'

Presents: José Miguel Jiménez, Director of 'Amanda' & Docs Ireland Programmer & Stuart Sloan

The Dead City Season 2 finale hits hard—with betrayals, brutal choices, and heartbreaking goodbyes. Sam joins me as we break down Maggie’s emotional face-off with the Dama, Hershel’s shocking decision, and Negan’s return to brutal form in that jaw-dropping “Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe” moment. We also talk about Ginny’s devastating fate, the tangled loyalties between characters, and what it all means moving forward for Maggie, Negan, and Perlie. Plus, we share a thoughtful listener voicemail that really moved us.&nbsp; Plus, we have TV and movie recommendations! Gilded Age, We Were Liars, Echo Valley, and more! 00:00 Introduction and Listener Shoutout 02:11 Question of the Day and Spoiler Alert 02:59 Finale Breakdown: Maggie vs. The Dama 09:14 Negan's Red Wedding and PTSD 18:26 Maggie Stabs Negan: A Turning Point 27:29 Maggie's Difficult Decision: Letting Herschel Go 29:55 Maggie's Struggles and Manipulation 30:36 Character Dynamics and Future Speculations 31:36 Benjamin's Mysterious Role 33:01 Maggie's Decision and Herschel's Reaction 33:56 The Croat's Potential Return 35:05 Voiceover Reflection and Maggie's Journey 37:04 Rapid Fire Questions 39:18 Season Anticipations and Takeaways 45:18 Question of the Day: Support in Hard Times 51:33 TV and Movie Recommendations &nbsp; Website:  Email: &nbsp; X  Instagram:  Facebook:  Feedback and TV/Movie Recommendations:&nbsp; Google voice (669) 223-8542‬&nbsp; Free background music from JewelBeat.com:  &nbsp;

Dead City Season 2 Finale: Loyalty, Loss, and Letting Go, Ep. 274

Since author Bram Stoker published "Dracula" in 1897, countless adaptations of the novel have been released from films seeking to bring the words on the page to life to authors adding their own spin to the tale through original works. One such adaptive work is author Joe Hill’s "Abraham’s Boys," first published in 2007 and now adapted for the big screen by writer/director Natasha Kermani ("Imitation Girl;" "Lucky") in "Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story." Kermani’s original work held its world premiere at The Overlook Film Festival 2025 and is now set for a theatrical release on July 11th. 

In the fourth of four interviews, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with writer/director Natasha Kermani to discuss her approach to adapting Joe Hill’s story, bringing her perspective to the source material, the opportunity of telling a story post-"Dracula," and more in their brief conversation.

In theaters July 11th, 2025.

Official Synopsis:
Max and Rudy Van Helsing have spent their lives under the strict and overprotective rule of their father, Abraham. Unaware of his dark past, they struggle to understand his paranoia and increasingly erratic behavior. But when they begin to uncover the violent truths behind their father’s history with Dracula, their world unravels, forcing them to confront the terrifying legacy they were never meant to inherit.

Official Trailer: youtu.be/-2BJrCzvEZQ

Directed/Written By: Natasha Kermani
Based Upon the Short Story by: Joe Hill
Cast: Titus Welliver, Jocelin Donahue, Judah Mackey, Aurora Perrineau, Brady Hepner, Corteon Moore

A Conversation with "Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story" writer/director Natasha Kermani

Deep Dive into the '28' Franchise: Examining the Rage-infected Universe. In this episode of Screens in Focus, hosts Diana and Sam delve into the 28 franchise, covering 28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later, and teasing 28 Years Later. They explore their personal connections to the genre, character arcs, unforgettable moments, and the emotional impact of each film. The convo even wraps with a fun question: If you were infected, what trait would you want to keep? Let us know yours! Timestamps/Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the 28 Franchise 00:32 Personal Zombie Genre Experiences 05:58 Question of the Day: Zombie Traits 06:34 Diving into 28 Days Later 12:56 Memorable Moments and Reflections 22:52 Exploring Rage and Humanity in 28 Days Later 25:53 First Impressions of 28 Weeks Later 29:06 Don’s Controversial Choices 34:31 Character Relationships and Epic Moments 38:24 Final Thoughts and Future of the Franchise 42:01 Question of the Day and Closing Remarks &nbsp; And hey, we’re on Ko-fi! If you love what we do, you can support us there and help keep the recaps rolling.&nbsp; ☕https://ko-fi.com/screensinfocus Website:  Email: &nbsp; X  Instagram:  Facebook:  Feedback and TV/Movie Recommendations:&nbsp; Google voice (669) 223-8542‬&nbsp; Free background music from JewelBeat.com:  &nbsp;#CillianMurphy #JeremyRenner #28Dayslater #28WeeksLater #28YearsLater&nbsp;

28 Days, 28 Weeks… and a Glimpse at 28 Years Later

In this episode of Screens in Focus, hosts Diana and Sam share their summer watchlist, from cult comedies to buzzy sequels and dark fantasy hits. Sam kicks things off with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Train Wreck, Shiny Happy People, South Park, and Stick. Diana jumps in with The Sandman Season 2, Building the Band, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, and The Hunting Wives. They also chat The Old Guard 2, Jurassic Park Rebirth, and Happy Gilmore 2, and wrap up with their love for The Gilded Age Season 3. Tune in, laugh with us, and let us know what you're watching!! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:39 Sam's TV Recommendations 03:29 Diana's TV Recommendations 08:29 Sam's Movie Recommendations 09:28 Diana's Movie Recommendations 14:28 Final Thoughts and Gilded Age Discussion 15:46 Closing Remarks and Contact Info Website:  Email: &nbsp; X  Instagram:  Facebook:  Feedback and TV/Movie Recommendations:&nbsp; Google voice (669) 223-8542‬&nbsp; Free background music from JewelBeat.com:  &nbsp;

Summer Watchlist: Sandman S2, Jurassic Reboot, Happy Gilmore 2 & More

I am a Teaching Professor of Drama (Design) at Washington University in St. Louis

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.

LINK TO ALL EPISODES: https://www.screensinfocus.com/podcast-1
Diana and Friends love TV shows and Movies and breakdown their favorites and review the latest! They talk about TWD: Daryl Dixon, Cobra Kai, House of the Dragon, movies and more!  

You can find ALL episodes on our website or other apps listed here: 
www.screensinfocus.com

Free background music from JewelBeat.com

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