Podcast
First Time Go
Hosted by Benjamin Duchek · EN
A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.
64episodes
Episodes
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Indie Film Highlight: PAYING FOR IT (2024)
1w ago00:01:32Tap to summarizeEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: PAYING FOR IT (2024)Director: Sook-Yin LeeStory by: Chester BrownStars: Emily Lê; Andrea Werhun; Dan BeirneSYNOPSISWhen an introverted cartoonist's girlfriend wants to redefine their relationship, he begins sleeping with sex workers and discovers a new kind of intimacy in the process.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedIn
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Why Film In Minnesota? Deputy Director Of Explore Minnesota Film, Nell Lawrenz-Wareham
1w ago00:22:12Tap to summarizeI love Minnesota; in fact, on June 29th, there I'll be, beside one of its 10,000 lakes, ready for America's 250th birthday. (It's the best place to spend the Fourth.)It's also a great place for filmmaking so I talk about that with deputy director of Explore Minnesota Film, Nell Lawrenz-Wareham. This was recorded at the beginning of the month so apologies about any confusion about application deadlines.I am quite certain if we support filmmaking in Minnesota, they'll be back around this time next year.In this episode, Nell and I talk about:how she got involved in film and became deputy director of Explore Minnesota Film;why Explore Minnesota Film transferred from a nonprofit to its current incarnation and what that means for other state film organizations;the pitch for filming in Minnesota;what might surprise you about filming in Minnesota;the 30 year anniversary of FARGO (1996), which was filmed in Minnesota;the biggest challenges facing Minnesota's fim commission right now;what festivals and project markets stand out for her;the wide range of incentives available to you in Minnesota;the 10,000 Stories Fund;what she hopes she can talk about regarding Explore Minnesota Film in the future.Nell's Indie Film/Filmmaker Highlight: ISH MEETS A MERMAID (2025), dir. by Jonathan Thunder; Abby HarriMemorable Quotes:" Most of our permits are free. We can get back to you on an application in under 30 days. We have $92 million in a tax credit pool waiting for you."" And this is also a place where artists can afford to live and stay."Links:Follow Explore Minnesota On InstagramExplore Minnesota Film WebsiteThe 10,000 Stories Fund
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Special Tribeca Podcast: Lindsay Calleran, dir. of CAITY (2026)
1w ago00:34:30Tap to summarizeI conclude Tribeca special coverage with one of my favorite films at the festival, CAITY (2026). To say Lindsay Calleran has been through some things to get her debut feature made is underselling it by a lot. Please read this First Person IndieWire article that Lindsay wrote; it gives a lot of important background to her story and how CAITY came to be.I'm so impressed by so many different things: the resiliency she showed in both losing her father and getting this film made; the journey to sobriety; having the guts to put it all out there for the world to see.Mostly, though, I'm impressed she made an absolute banger of a coming-of-age film. It has amazingly unique cinematography and an ending that you won't predict. It leaves you wanting to know more (and then feeling a little heartbroken after). That's great filmmaking.Lindsay and I discuss:the combination of a birthday, Tribeca premiere, and Father's Day when your debut feature is fictionalized version of your relationship with your father;how much real life influenced the final film;how she got into filmmaking;the unique touches of cinematography in this film;the incredible actors playing Caity and her father in this film, and somehow finding the chemistry between them;if casting directors are underrated in indie films;the EP/producer relationships for this film and the unique grant that made this film happen;why we don't see more films like this in festivals and theaters;what's next for her.Lindsay's Indie Film Highlight: LONG'S LONG LOST & MINI MART (2025) dir. by Julian DoanLinks:Follow Lindsay On Instagram
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Special Tribeca Podcast: Lily Weisberg, dir. of RARE BIRDS (2026) & Maria Sofia Hernandez, dir. of LA LUCHA DE LUCÍA (2026)
2w ago00:41:23Tap to summarizeThe Tribeca Film Festival helped organize this tremendous in-person panel with two New York filmmakers: Lily Weisberg, dir of RARE BIRDS (2026) and Maria Sofia Hernandez, dir of LA LUCHA DE LUCÍA (2026).Recorded on June 9th at Spring Studios, we talk about their incredible films; the challenges of writing different types of characters; what BACKROOMS (2026) and OBSESSION (2025) mean for independent filmmakers; and more.In this episode, we talk about:the creation stories of LA LUCHA DE LUCIA and RARE BIRDS;casting for the films and the role of social media;how she was able to achieve such well-drawn out characters in RARE BIRDS and her advice for other filmmakers;the challenges of writing both males and female characters;what does a bad short film look like?why Tribeca for their films?what to do with their films now after a premiere at Tribeca (shout out to NoBudge!);BACKROOMS and OBSESSION -- what does that mean for independent filmmakers?how her experience as a director helps her as an actor;what's next for them.Lily's Indie Film Highlight: CAITY (2026), dir. by Lindsay CalleranMaria's Indie Film Highlight: DADDY'S LITTLE MEATBALL (2026), dir. by Yael GrunseitLinks:Follow Maria On InstagramFollow Soonest Mended Productions, Lily's Production Company, On InstagramFollow LA LUCHA DE LUCÍA On InstagramMODERN SILENT SHORTS (Check out the tour this summer!)
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Special Tribeca Podcast: David Clancy, dir. of NIO KO BOKK (THIS BELONGS TO ALL OF US)
2w ago00:20:15Tap to summarizeIf you're going to make a film about surfing in Senegal, I assume the viewer expects beautiful shots of surfing and the landscape of Dakar, Senegal's capital city. And man, does my guest, filmmaker and director, David Clancy, of NIO KO BOKK or THIS BELONGS TO ALL OF US (2026) deliver.The film is a valentine to so many things: refugees, Senegal, surfing, and documentary filmmaking itself. David's story of creating the film relies so much on his exciting background, and it was a such a joy to hear about it from his spot now in the Canary Islands.In this episode, David and I talk about:why is he now in the Canary Islands and his wild career story;how did this film come into existence;when do documentaries require great cinematography?his path focusing on social impact films and whether that's repeatable for other documentary filmmakers;the requirements for social media as a documentary filmmaker and his advice to getting started;the prism of surfing and refugees for THIS BELONGS TO ALL OF US;the logistical challenges of making a surfing film;why Tribeca?;how do we see more films like this in theaters;what's next for him.David's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Jigar GanatraLinks:Follow David On InstagramFollow David On YouTube
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Indie Film Highlight: STRAIGHT TO HELL (1987)
2w ago00:01:45Tap to summarizeWatch This Episode On YouTubeWatch STRAIGHT TO HELL On Criterion ChannelEvery Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: STRAIGHT TO HELL (1987)Director: Alex CoxWriters: Dick Rude; Alex CoxStars: Joe Strummer; Dick Rude; Courtney LoveSYNOPSISThree bank robbers (Sy Richardson, Joe Strummer, Dick Rude) and a pregnant woman tear up a desert town.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedIn
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Special Tribeca Podcast: Elisee Junior St. Preux, dir. of THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES (2026)
2w ago00:16:11Tap to summarizeWhat a last month or so for Haiti and director Elisee Junior St. Preux's debut feature. Upon its release at the Tribeca Film Festival, THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES (2026) received the Special Jury Mention for Best New Narrative Director alongside rave reviews. It is truly stunning filmmaking, offering both a realistic glimpse of Haiti and an expansive view of fatherhood.Let's count the ways in which his month just aligns perfectly for this film: Haiti playing Brazil in its second World Cup today (there's special screenings of this film in Atlanta); Father's Day in the United States; and all of the plaudits received at its world premiere at Tribeca.We only get more Haitian film directors at top festivals if people like Elisee care about elevating other voices, and he does that, too. Have a month, Elisee; I'm here for it.In this conversation, Elisee and I discuss:the vibe of the film and how he made Haiti essentially a character in the film;why the topic of fatherhood for his first feature;his emphasis on shooting in Haiti and the challenge of others trying to take away his deeply personal story;the creation of what is now SOIL Pictures and how he focuses on uplifting Black voices;"labs are very specific about what they want to get across" -- such important advice about going into a lab or a fellowship;why Tribeca?what's next for this electric filmmaker.Elisee's Indie Film Highlights: MY FATHER'S SHADOW (2025) dir. by Akinola Davies, Jr; I LOVE BOOSTERS (2026) dir. by Boots RileyLinks:Follow Elisee On InstagramElisee's Website
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Special Tribeca Podcast: Hannah Peterson, dir. of VIA NEGATIVA (2026)
2w ago00:16:28Tap to summarizeWatch This Episode On YouTubeVIA NEGATIVA resonated with me on so many different levels -- as a Catholic; as someone who uses firearms; as a veteran (there's a moment in there, if you've seen it); and most importantly, a lover of truly astonishing filmmaking. Director Hannah Peterson achieved something extraordinary with this film by bringing a novel to life in the best possible way and making you think of life's grand questions without pandering.The film's log line: "It follows the story of Father Dan who goes on a mythic road trip with a wounded coyote, a loaded pistol, and a mission to avenge his best friend."If there's justice in this world, this film will be up for numerous awards come that season, but as VIA NEGATIVA shows us, that concept is something that's hard to find.This is brilliant filmmaking and I am so excited to follow Hannah's journey and the roll-out of this film. After hearing this episode, I hope you are, too.In this episode, Hannah and I talk about:how she got involved in filmmaking;the long process of getting VIA NEGATIVA made and what went into its debut;what her thought process is going into her second premiere at Tribeca;the process of adapting a book for film and working with the author on making the film;how much attention should be paid to accurately depicting a religion;the weapon handling in this film and her advice for other directors;distribution for the film;what's next for her.Hannah's Indie Film Highlight: Antigravity AcademyLinks:Follow Hannah On Instagram
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Special Tribeca Podcast: Shan Jiang 姜姗, dir. of EPHEMERA (2026)
3w ago00:20:56Tap to summarizeIt's one thing to say you're going to create the "Chinese lesbian version of BEFORE SUNRISE (1995)"; it's another thing to actually pull it off.In EPHEMERA (2026), the debut feature for filmmaker Shan Jiang which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, it appears she has done just that. It took global producers, a fantastic team, and a truly extraordinary story in how she found the actors, but the film will stand as wide shoulders for so many people and so many future projects.In this episode, we talk about:how she describes EPHEMERA and whether "unhurried" is an adjective she likes to describe the film;the incredible story of how she got involved in filmmaking;her storytelling philosophy, which has been described as " inhabit[ing] familiar narrative tropes and bends them from within to allow new perspectives to emerge" (an amazing quote);the global producers that made EPHEMERA and the concept of China as an entity reacting to a lesbian-focused film; what she took away from this experience for her next feature;finding the incredible actors in this film;what she learned from rehearsals with the actors in a film that is very dependent on them;her direction philosophy in this film and what she views as her job in regarding to structure;why Tribeca ("it's coming home for this film") and the Chinese film festival market;what's next for her.Shan Jiang's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Celine Sciamma; Peter GreenwayLinks:Follow Shan JiangFollow EPHEMERA On Instagram
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Special Tribeca Podcast: Meriem Sakrouhi, dir. of MON TAXI (2026)
3w ago00:13:57Tap to summarizeMON TAXI (2026), which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, is a "love letter to the filmmaker's dad." Architect + filmmaker Meriem Sakrouhi created a film that is part New York, part Moroccan, and altogether touching cinema, and we talk about how she did it for the podcast.Along with directing, she edited and produced the first Moroccan entry at Tribeca in 20 years. Given that she pitched a project at Cannes Docs this year and beautifully describes what Moroccan influence looks like, we shouldn't have to wait that long for another.In this episode, Meriem and I discuss:why Tribeca for this particular film;growing up in Morocco and how she got involved in filmmaking;how architecture informs her filmmaking;how she describes MON TAXI and what she wants viewers to feel -- "the film is about communication about my dad after he passed";editing, producing, shooting the film -- how did she make it all work?what is the Moroccan influence on the film?what's next for her and what she pitched at Cannes Docs.Meriem's Indie Film Highlight: BOUCHRA (2025) dir. by Orian Barki; Meriem BennaniLinks:Follow Meriem On InstagramMON TAXI Website
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