2021 was a tremendous year for cinema. Not only were we treated to a beautiful array of stories, but it was also the year when we were able to return to the cinemas. 

In this episode of Film Forward, our producers Sonja Mereu, Anselm Kennedy, and Nicholas Ybarra each give three of their favorite films from the year that was 2021. 

Please give us a listen and let us know what your favorites from 2021 are in the comments.

Gimme Three - Films of 2021 w/ Sonja Mereu, Nicholas Ybarra & Anselm Kennedy

StoryNosh is a digital storytelling competition served in delicious bite-sized pieces. Four themes are explored throughout this initial season, each featuring a handful of stories released weekly on YouTube.

The web series' Director Aysha Wax and producers/showrunners David Chiu and Daphna Shull join Film Forward to discuss their selection process and their adaptation and creative process. 

You can check out the Web Series, presented by The Braid, at the-braid.org/storynosh.

Aysha Wax, Daphna Shull & David Chiu "StoryNosh"

In 2019, LADFF screened the beautiful short film Disfluency. Three years later, we're proud to be screening the feature film version of Disfluency. 

In this episode of Film Forward, we speak with writer/director Anna Baumgarten. She discusses the journey from short to feature, shooting a movie in her hometown, and the catharsis of telling a personal story. 

LADFF's special screening of Disfluency is April 21st at the Laemmle NoHo 7. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com

Anna Baumgarten "Disfluency"

Katt Shea has directed some of the most memorable cult films of the last quarter-century, including Poison Ivy, The Rage: Carrie 2, and Streets.

In this episode of Film Forward, Katt discusses her storied career, from her start working with Roger Corman to her recent work in family films with Netflix. 

We also discuss her latest film, Rescued By Ruby, a heartwarming movie available to stream now on Netflix.

Drop us a line and let us know what you think! 

You can find out more about Katt and her acting workshops at https://www.kattshea.com/.

Katt Shea "Rescued By Ruby"

Director and Producer Emelie Mahdavian joins Film Forward to discuss her new film, Bitterbrush. The beautiful and immersive documentary follows two friends who traverse the changes in season, as well as the changes in their lives.

Emelie discusses her relationship with the fascinating subjects of the film and what it was like adapting to the conditions in rural Idaho. 

Bitterbrush is screening this week in select theatres and will be available on VOD starting June 24th. Let us know what you think.

https://magpictures.com/bitterbrush/

Emelie Mahdavian "Bitterbrush"

As a part of our series highlighting filmmakers from the 9th Annual Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival:

Wet Seal Cigarettes blends and bends cinematic genres to create a world where consumerism is eating individualism alive. This short film takes every opportunity to inspire the individual to be more than what they consume, whether it be their environment, media, or even the illustrious Wet Seal Cigarette.

Writer/Director Percival Bernard and Producer/Star Nicholas G. Sims join Film Forward to discuss the pertinent themes of Wet Seal Cigarettes, as well as the film’s intoxicating style and performances.

See Wet Seal Cigarettes at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival on August 20th as a part of the This Is America block. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com.

Percival Bernard & Nicholas G. Sims "Wet Seal Cigarettes"

Our series highlighting the filmmakers from the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival continues with the director of the powerful short film When She Was Good. 

When a young girl discovers that Santa is not real, she questions the lies told by adults and the terrible secret that she has been forced to keep.

Join us at LADFF to see When She Was Good, screening Saturday, August 20th, as a part of the Through Her Lens block. Tickets are available right now at LADFF.com

Margarita Milne "When She Was Good"

Our series on 2022's Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival continues with Diliana Deltcheva and Alex Frnka, makers of the gripping short film Blue Moon. Blue Moon follows a family that unravels one evening as they struggle with the best course of care for their mother, who is in the later stages of Alzheimer's.

Diliana and Alex discuss their uncomfortable but relatable subject and the importance of creating a family off-screen and on-screen. 

Blue Moon screens as a part of the block Love. Lust. Lost. on Friday, August 19th. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com/2022fest.

Diliana Deltcheva & Alex Frnka "Blue Moon"

On this episode of Film Forward, we chat with Rae Binstock and Maria Fernanda Diez, producers of the wildly entertaining short film DIVR, which will screen at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival on August 18th. 

DIVR follows three founders of an exclusive lesbian sex app, shattering the start-up world’s glass ceilings, but the pressures of success have threatened the integrity of their friendship - and worse, their brand. 

Tickets for DIVR are available now at LADFF.com/2022fest. Join us for a fantastic night after you listen to these kick-ass filmmakers.

Maria Fernanda Diez & Rae Binstock "DIVR"

Our series covering the 2022 Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival continues as we do a deep dive into the beautiful and ethereal short film, Letters To Axel. 

Filmmakers Miles Adonay Lopez and Jonathan De La Torre discuss their writing process and the creative challenges of blending the real world with the dream world. 

Letters To Axel screens with LADFF on Friday, August 19th, as a part of the Love. Lust. Lost. block. Tickets are available now at LADFF.com/2022fest.

Miles Lopes & Jonathan De La Torre "Letters to Axel"

The official podcast of the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. Our podcast highlights voices and films from underrepresented voices. This podcast is for cinephiles, by cinephiles. We hope you enjoy!

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