In this episode, MediaMaker Spotlight producer Brandon Ferry sits down with two visionary directors whose films were screened at this year’s Ebertfest film festival held at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, Illinois. Brandon first speaks with trailblazing director of the 80s and 90s, Susan Seidelman, best known for directing the cult classic, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN (rapturously received at Ebertfest), as well as the pilot and multiple episodes of SEX AND THE CITY, and the early-90’s Meryl Streep dark comedy, SHE-DEVIL. The conversation explores Susan’s four-decade career directing genre-blending films that reflect her passion for classic Hollywood storytelling, mixed with a playful New Wave spirit– informed by her years living in downtown NYC. Susan also touches upon her recently-released (not to mention sharp-witted) book, titled Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls.

Next, Brandon has an insightful conversation with up-and-coming writer-director, David Fortune, whose moving feature film debut, COLOR BOOK was warmly received by Ebertfest’s audience. COLOR BOOK beautifully tells the story of a devoted single father (William Catlett) embarking on a journey through Metro Atlanta with his 11-year-old son with Down Syndrome (newcomer Jeremiah Daniels) to attend their first baseball game together. Recently named one of Variety's 10 Directors to Watch in 2025, David financed COLOR BOOK after winning AT&T and Tribeca Film Festival’s $1 million Untold Stories prize in 2024. David dives deep into his journey writing and directing his debut feature, the challenges he encountered, and the incredible success he has achieved getting his film financed, developed, and screened across the country at numerous film festivals. Check out these behind-the-scenes interviews, recorded on location, direct from the festival with producer Brandon!

Learn more about Ebertfest Film Festival: https://www.ebertfest.com/

Check out Susan Seidelman’s book: Desperately Seeking Something: A Memoir About Movies, Mothers, and Material Girls (which can be found wherever books are sold). https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250328229/desperatelyseekingsomething/

Watch the trailer for David Fortune’s award-winning debut film COLOR BOOK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go9ZqJJq7f0

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this episode, host Sandra Abrams sits down with Chaz Ebert, for a lively discussion about her book, It's Time To Give A FECK. FECK stands for forgiveness, empathy, compassion and kindness. She also shares insights into the many projects she is working on including a documentary, Wellness Warrior, about the life of 103-year old Deborah Szekley, founder of the Rancho La Puerta spa. In addition to directing and writing, Ms. Ebert is the CEO of Ebert Digital LLC and is the legal adviser and TV and movie producer at Ebert Productions. For 24 years, she shared a life with Pulitzer-prize winner and film critic, Roger Ebert, who passed away in 2013. Together, they established the Ebertfest film festival and the Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies at the University of Illinois.

Learn more about the book giveafeck.com

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this conversation, filmmaker Chance McClain sits down with host Candice Bloch and shares his journey from a diverse creative background to founding Heritage Films, a company dedicated to creating personal legacy documentaries. He discusses the importance of storytelling, connecting generations, the emotional impact of capturing family histories, and the production process involved in making these films. Heritage Films has created over 800 films, and counting. Chance also highlights the role of technology, including AI, in enhancing the filmmaking experience while maintaining a focus on personal narratives. The discussion also touches on the lessons learned from various life stories and how they can inspire future projects.

To learn more about Heritage Films, visit: https://yourheritagefilm.com/

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this episode, host Sandra Abrams chats with three WIFV members about their independent feature film, THE OTHER YOU, and how the movie went from an idea during the pandemic to its premiere during the DC Independent Film Festival in March 2025. The surreal comedy sheds light on how a wife and mother tries to find time to work on her writing when a portal in her closet shows her another version of her life. Will she stay or will she go? Director Shoshana Rosenbaum and writer Julie Gold share how they got funding, and producer Robin Noonan-Price tells how she switched gears to get the film made on time when a storm almost derailed the production. Robin, who is a past president of WIFV, also answers questions on being named one of WIFV’s 2025 Women of Vision honorees. Congratulations to Robin!

Learn more about The Other You

Learn more about Women of Vision

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

Host Tara Jabbari interviews editor Dustin Elkin who has worked in Los Angeles and Chicago for clients such as CBS, Mattel, Hallmark, and Bally’s. During their conversation, Dustin shares the importance of networking, his work ethic, and why he is a fan of utilizing AI for his work - including for his own podcast, The Video Editing Guru Podcast.

Connect with Dustin:
https://www.dustinelkin.com/

The Video Editing Guru Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-video-editing-guru/id1768209291

Podcraftr is what Dustin uses for his podcast. Here is an affiliate link in case you are interested:
https://podcraftr.com/?linkId=lp_854324&sourceId=dustin-elkin&tenantId=podcraftr

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this celebratory 100th episode of MediaMaker Spotlight, our three hosts - Candice, Sandra, and Tara - reflect on their journey, the evolution of the podcast, and the impact of Women in Film & Video. They discuss the transition to video content, the diverse range of topics covered, and the importance of networking within the industry. The conversation highlights notable guests, achievements, and the learning experiences gained through podcasting, while looking ahead to future milestones. They share memorable episodes, personal connections with guests, and the podcast's role as a resource for aspiring media professionals. The hosts also share updates on their guests' achievements and the global perspectives brought by international guests, culminating in a heartfelt celebration of their accomplishments and future aspirations.

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this episode, host Candice Bloch interviews William Fay, a seasoned producer and motion picture executive, discussing his extensive career in the film industry. Bill, known for producing and executive producing many notable projects through the years such as Independence Day, The Patriot, 300, The Hangover, The Town, and more, elaborates on the multifaceted role of a producer, his journey into filmmaking, key milestones, and the founding of Legendary Entertainment. He shares insights on balancing creativity with business, the importance of audience engagement, and the evolution of the producer's role over the decades. The discussion also touches on the fun aspects of producing and working with directors, the increased diversity in production teams, and the advancements in visual effects technology. Bill also shares insights on transitioning to new ventures, including his current work in the wine and spirits industry and a theater adaptation of 'Happy, Texas.'

You can see a list of Bill’s credits here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0269621/
Learn more about his spirits company here: https://steric.com/

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!

In this second episode of a special two-part series, host Sandra Abrams chats with Maxine Peake about her portrayal of Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian-American journalist, in the film Words of War. Maxine shares what it was like to play the real life reporter, wife, and mother of two who risked her life to uncover the truth about the Chechen War. Anna was assassinated on October 7, 2006, the same day as Vladimir Putin’s birthday. The international cast for this geo-political thriller includes Ciaran Hinds as her editor, Dimtry, Jason Isaacs as her husband, Sasha, Harry Lawtey as her son, Ilya, and Naomi Battrick as her daughter, Vera. Maxine says she loved filming on location in Latvia and shares which scene she and Jason did some improvising. Sean Penn serves as executive producer. The film is now in theaters.

Part one of this series (episode 97) features Mark Maxey, President of Rolling Pictures, WIFV board member, and one of the producers of the film.

To learn more about Words of War, visit: https://www.rollingpictures.com/
You can watch the film’s trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pui6KMbHECM

#WordsOfWar

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Subscribe to learn more about filmmaking, production, media makers, creator resources, visual storytelling, and every aspect that brings film, television, and video projects from concepts to our screens. Check out the MediaMakerSpotlight.com show page to find even more conversations with industry professionals that inspire, educate, and entertain!

We on the Women in Film & Video (WIFV) Podcast Team work hard to make this show a great resource for our listeners, and we thank you for listening!