Category: SEASON 26
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Jacob Smith on Crafting Humor, Heart, and Aging on Screen

Director Jacob Smith joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of Dancing on the Elephant, a heartfelt indie film about friendship, aging, and finding hope when life seems nearly finished. The story follows Nora and Edna, two retirement home residents who form an unlikely bond—and hatch one final adventure. Read more
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How Merge Brought Indie Sci-Fi Anthologies to the VOD Market | ZB Siwek Interview

Executive Producer ZB Siwek joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of the sci-fi anthology Merge, a feature film built from award-winning short films exploring humanity’s relationship with advanced technology. Now streaming on Amazon Prime, Merge combines stories about AI, digital afterlives, and neural enhancement into a dystopian anthology often compared to Black Mirror. In Read more
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Crafting the Look of Nobody Wants This – Cinematographer Wes Cardino

Join cinematographer Wes Cardino as he takes us behind the lens of Nobody Wants This. Whether you’re an aspiring cinematographer or an indie filmmaker, Wes shares practical tips on lighting, camera setups, and creating mood that supports story. Perfect for filmmakers wanting to elevate their craft. Read more
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How Blood Barn Was Made in 11 Days | Director Gabriel Bernini | Filmmaker Mixer

Director Gabriel Bernini joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of Blood Barn, a retro supernatural slasher inspired by the gritty, low-budget horror films of the 1980s. Shot in just 11 days, the film embraces practical creature effects, DIY filmmaking, and the chaotic energy that defined classic cabin-in-the-woods splatter movies. The film was shot at Read more
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Beautiful Pam | J.R. Stokes on Addiction, Identity, and Making an Intimate Indie Film

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, filmmaker J.R. Stokes joins us to discuss Beautiful Pam, a stark and emotionally grounded film following addiction, identity, and survival. Stokes breaks down the creative and practical decisions behind the film—from working within tight constraints to building trust with actors and crafting empathy without sentimentality. Filmmakers will gain insight Read more
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From Script to Slamdance: The Making of Daddies Boi

What does it take to create a bold comedy pilot that lands at Slamdance? In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we talk with Zoe Tyson and Louie Rinaldi, the creators behind Daddies Boi. They break down writing razor-sharp comedy around aging and identity, directing emotionally risky material, and shaping a 14-minute pilot that feels expansive, Read more
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Ralph Jean-Pierre on Editing The Beast in Me | Filmmaker Mixer

In this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, editor Ralph Jean-Pierre joins us to discuss shaping The Beast in Me in the cutting room. From identifying the emotional spine of the story to navigating structural challenges, Ralph breaks down the real craft behind film editing. With credits including Tokyo Vice, Servant, The Boys, and Lost in Space, Read more
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Inside He Bled Neon: Drew Kirsch on Action, Style, and SXSW Premiere

Director Drew Kirsch joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss the making of the action-thriller He Bled Neon. In this conversation, Kirsch breaks down the visual style, action design, and directing choices that shaped the film. Starring Joe Cole, Rita Ora, and Marshawn Lynch, He Bled Neon premieres at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival in Read more
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Inside FIFTEEN — Body Horror, Girlhood & Social Pressure | SXSW ’26 World Premiere

At SXSW 2026, directors Jack Zagha Kababie and Yossy Zagha premiere FIFTEEN, a bold coming-of-age horror film where a quinceañera spirals into something monstrous. In this Filmmaker Mixer episode, we break down the creative decisions behind blending cultural tradition with body horror. We explore creature design, directing young actors, staging large celebration scenes under tension, Read more
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Building a Whodunnit Around Mental Health | Peter Warren at SXSW

Writer/director Peter Warren joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss his SXSW film KILL ME, a gripping dark comedy thriller starring Charlie Day and Allison Williams. The film follows a man who wakes up in a bathtub with his wrists slit—but insists he didn’t do it—launching a bizarre amateur murder investigation to prove someone else tried to Read more
