Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. From screenwriting to film language to cinematography, we'll be examining the innovative ways today's best filmmakers are getting their visions out into the world.
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Nov 13, 2026 · 44:05
Writer and director James Gray returns to the Filmmaker Toolkit, and as always it's delightful to listen to him discuss cinema. Gray shares how "Paper Tiger" began as a sequel to…
Nov 10, 2026 · 34:46
From Cannes to NYFF, "Club Kid" is one of this years biggest indie success stories, and announces writer, director and star Jordan Firstman as a major new talent. Firstman joined…
Nov 6, 2026 · 49:50
In his follow up to the 2018's "Burning" director Lee explores two families united and divided by class struggle. Things grow complicated when the wife of one of the two central…
Nov 4, 2026 · 42:23
The most cinematic moments in 'Wildwood' are the smallest ones. Director Travis Knight tells IndieWire about bringing techniques he learned from live-action to Laika's…
Oct 28, 2026 · 48:30
With his newest film "Fatherland" staring Sandra Hüller, director Pawel Pawlikowski completes his unofficial trilogy of films looking at the historic past. Listen to hear how the…
Oct 23, 2026 · 34:00
During the making of her boundary breaking period drama "Marie Antoinette," Sofia Coppola's mother Eleanor shot hundreds of hours of behind the scenes footage. Sofia and her long…
Oct 19, 2026 · 53:53
Lance Oppenheim is a favorite guest on the Filmmaker Toolkit; a director who loves dissecting his process. Lance has two films in theaters that demand this kind of breakdown more…
Oct 14, 2026 · 43:03
Director Cristian Mungiu ("4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days") uses his films to challenge audience's morals and sense of justice. In his newest film, the Palme d'Or winning "Fjord,"…
Oct 10, 2026 · 1:01:14
The legendary screenwriter returns to the subject that won him an Oscar for "The Social Network," this time in the director's chair. Hear Sorkin explain how he tried to get David…
Oct 9, 2026 · 34:19
In his fourth film as writer and director, Chris Rock is coming out as a cinephile. In this conversation with IndieWire's Chris O'Falt, Rock shares his love for independent…
Oct 1, 2026 · 30:07
In a live edition of Filmmaker Toolkit, writer-director Walter Hill joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill at the American Cinematheque for a post-screening discussion of his…
Sep 24, 2026 · 29:26
Through films like "Fury," "End of Watch" and "The Beekeeper" David Ayer has proven himself an auteur of visceral action and male emotion. His newest has him re-teaming with Brad…
Sep 17, 2026 · 35:33
For his feature documentary debut, director John Wilson takes us into (and far, far beyond) the history of a substance that forms the foundation of the modern world. He sat down…
Sep 11, 2026 · 52:18
After creating one of the biggest waves of any film to ever hit the Cannes Film Festival, Director Na Hong-jin is bringing his genre defying spectacle "Hope" to theaters.…
Sep 4, 2026 · 30:00
Director Michael Dinner returns to the podcast to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about his work on Apple TV’s “Silo.” Dinner discusses the influence of 1970s conspiracy…
Aug 27, 2026 · 25:18
In a wide-ranging conversation, veteran director Ridley Scott returns to the podcast to talk with IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill about his latest film, “The Dog Stars.”…
Aug 20, 2026 · 32:03
Director Matt Johnson is already a hot name this year following the cult success of “Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie,” and now his next film “Tony” is attracting early…
Aug 17, 2026 · 37:37
After his hit shows ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul,’ creator and showrunner Vince Gilligan is back with the sci-fi thriller ‘Pluribus.’ We sat down with Gilligan at a…
Aug 14, 2026 · 36:58
For their third feature, Jane Shoenbrun brings us to the brink of ecstasy with their deeply felt and impeccably crafted exploration of the slasher genre. The director of "I Saw…
Aug 10, 2026 · 31:57
HBO's epic dragon war just wrapped its third season, and series co-creator and showrunner Ryan Condal sat down with IndieWire's Sarah Shachat to break down how they pull off…
Aug 3, 2026 · 35:57
Director Gregg Araki joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, “I Want Your Sex.” Araki discusses casting Olivia Wilde and Cooper Hoffman,…
Jul 31, 2026 · 30:53
Writer and producer Nick Antosca joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to discuss his Apple TV series "Cape Fear," an adaptation of Martin Scorsese's 1991 thriller and the…
Jul 20, 2026 · 29:47
For the third season of the gothic horror series, "Interview with the Vampire" got a new name and a new focus on undead rock & roll. The creator and showrunner of all three…
Jul 13, 2026 · 44:53
The co-creators of this sci-fi alternate history series join IndieWire's Sarah Shachat to dig into 'Star City's connections to 'For All Mankind,' adding spies to the mix, and the…
Jul 9, 2026 · 36:03
Director David Wain and Star Ken Marino bring their decades of iconic comedy experience ("Wet Hot American Summer," "Role Models") to co-writing their newest hilarious summer…
Jul 3, 2026 · 51:01
Olivia Wilde, the director and star of "The Invite," joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt for an in depth discussion of her thorny and hilarious relationship drama. Drawing on lessons…
Jun 26, 2026 · 36:34
Call it crass, but Jackass has proven to be one of the best made comedy series of its generation. Jeff Tremaine, the director of every single frame of Jackass, sat down with…
Jun 19, 2026 · 45:48
The director of the beloved "Pig" is back for his third feature, the surprisignly brutal and deeply tactile drama "The Death of Robin Hood." Sarnoski talks with IndieWire's Chris…
Jun 17, 2026 · 34:03
IndieWire's Sarah Shachat sat down with the creators of one of the oldest and longest running Dungeons and Dragons shows of the current boom. They discuss the wild ride taking…
Jun 9, 2026 · 29:50
Andrew DeYoung returns to the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast to discuss his new HBO series with Tim Robbins. DeYoung talks frankly about how budget limitations lead to the series'…
Jun 4, 2026 · 29:14
Get ready for a lesson on how to make good TV. Creator and showrunner R. Scott Gemmill sat down with IndieWire's Sarah Shachat to talk about the Season 2 finale, and how "The…
Jun 2, 2026 · 37:08
"Euphoria" creator, writer, and director Sam Levinson joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill to discuss the third and final season of his HBO hit. In a wide-ranging…
May 29, 2026 · 39:56
Lucia Aniello sat down with IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to discuss the creative evolution of Hacks, balancing comedy with emotional storytelling, and wrapping up one of television’s…
May 27, 2026 · 30:09
Showrunner Spencer Hudnut joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about the CBS series “Marshals,” a “Yellowstone” spinoff that combines the epic Western sweep of that show with…
May 22, 2026 · 1:06:53
The writer and director of “I Love Boosters” sits down with IndieWire’s Craft Editor Sarah Shachat to discuss how music shapes his writing process, bringing ambitious cinematic…
May 20, 2026 · 20:01
Writer Jack Thorne and director Marc Munden tell IndieWire about the journey to shoot “Lord of the Flies” in Malaysia, what they learned from the young actors playing boys…
May 15, 2026 · 33:53
Ten years ago, "The Comeback" was one of the first shows to satirize the rise of reality TV. Last Sunday the show aired its final episode, concluding a season that tackles the…
May 8, 2026 · 1:09:31
We are fortunate to be joined by one of our favorite working filmmakers this week, the masterful Lucrecia Martel. In her first documentary, Martel tells the story of an…
Apr 28, 2026 · 30:40
In a rare mid-season Toolkit check in, IndieWire's Chris O'Falt sits down with the creator of Euphoria and series cinematographer Marcell Rev to explore what makes Season 3 such…
Apr 24, 2026 · 40:31
In her scripted debut, documentarian Sohpy Romvari explores with her memories of growing up with her brother's increasingly dangerous behavior. The way she wrestles with how her…
Apr 17, 2026 · 48:28
A favorite guest on the Filmmaker Toolkit, the director of "The Green Knight" and "A Ghost Story" is back with his newest original film. Lowery explains how "Mother Mary" began…
Apr 7, 2026 · 49:16
American filmmaker Julia Loktev, born in the Soviet Union, returned to Moscow in 2021 to make a documentary on the persistence of independent journalism in Putin’s Russia, only…
Apr 2, 2026 · 34:51
Directors Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher, also known as the comedy duo BriTANicK, join IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about their new Hulu “Pizza Movie, which elevates lowbrow…
Mar 19, 2026 · 30:01
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, better known as Radio Silence, join IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about their new film “Ready or Not 2: Here I Come.” A…
Mar 11, 2026 · 28:44
Maggie Gyllenhaal is back on the Filmmaker Toolkit and bigger than ever for her second feature, a reimagining of The Bride of Frankenstein with a blend of genres, 1930s-style…
Mar 2, 2026 · 53:19
The hit HBO drama "Industry" just dropped its season 4 finale last night, and we have creators Mickey Down and Konrad Kay on the Filmmaker's Toolkit to break it all down. They…
Feb 26, 2026 · 53:29
For her masterful work on "Sinners," Autumn became only the fourth woman in history to be nominated for a Best Cinematography Oscar. She opened up with IndieWire VP Chris O'Falt…
Feb 23, 2026 · 38:18
The world of 'Game of Thrones' has never felt quite like this before. Showrunner Ira Parker spoke with us about making a half hour comedy that eschews the dragons and royal…
Feb 23, 2026 · 28:29
Baz Luhrmann sits down with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to discuss EPIC: Elvis Presley In Concert. While making his 2022 biopic, Luhrmann uncovered boxes of unseen Elvis footage…
Feb 19, 2026 · 54:03
A rare treat today on the Filmmaker Toolkit: a deep dive into feature animation directing! Directors Byron and Jared explain how the film was essentially in pre-production,…
Feb 17, 2026 · 31:40
Visual effects supervisor Baneham and Wētā FX senior effects supervisor Eric Saindon talk to IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit podcast about working on James Cameron's 197-minute…
Feb 12, 2026 · 52:35
Mary Bronstien's second feature is making waves for Rose Byrne's lead performance, but the filmmaking is equally as impressive and brave. Bronstien had a blast unpacking the…
Feb 10, 2026 · 39:40
Sirât is a truly unique experience, a journey not only into desert rave culture but into the desert of our minds and our souls. From the Oscar nominated sound design, to the…
Feb 6, 2026 · 59:53
IndieWire's Chris O'Falt sat down with the director of the Sundance darling turned Best Picture nominee for an in depth discussion of the film's subtle beauties. From Joel…
Jan 26, 2026 · 34:38
Director Paul Feig discusses his latest film, "The Housemaid," and tells IndieWire about the importance of Hitchcock's tone, musical themes, Taylor Swift, test screenings, why…
Jan 22, 2026 · 51:39
Ponies is a delightful series about two women who become CIA spies during the Cold War. In our very generous conversation, creator Susanna Fogel explores the development of her…
Jan 15, 2026 · 46:07
Director Park joins the Filmmaker's Toolkit to explore his twisted and prescient satire "No Other Choice." Hear how the story was originally set in America before being adapted…
Jan 13, 2026 · 47:30
Kleber Mendonça Filho joins the FIlmmaker Toolkit to break down the making of his thrilling, poignant, and playful drama 'The Secret Agent.' From his deep relationship to star…
Jan 9, 2026 · 58:24
Kristen Stewart has a wild passion for film form, and our conversation about her directorial debut proves it. From the deep relationship she formed with star Imogen Poots, to her…
Jan 6, 2026 · 56:32
Co-Writer, Director, and Producer Mona Fastvold joins the Toolkit for an in depth discussion of her incredible new period musical. We dig into the research which birthed the…
Dec 26, 2025 · 26:42
Josh Safdie breaks down the craft behind his hectic hustler comedy 'Marty Supreme'. Josh opens up about his relationship to winning and losing, living the dream of working with…
Dec 23, 2025 · 35:25
Writer, director, producer and editor James Cameron joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill for a wide-ranging discussion of “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Cameron talks about his casting…
Dec 22, 2025 · 21:51
The star and showrunner of the hit HBO comedy sat down with IndieWire's Sarah Shachat to talk about how her experience in films translated to writing television, the advice she…
Dec 19, 2025 · 42:14
We are fortunate to have the legendary Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi on the podcast to discuss Palme d'Or winning film. Panahi explains how he shot the movie in secret, and how…
Dec 17, 2025 · 49:50
Norwegian-Danish filmmaker Joachim Trier joins the Filmmaker Toolkit to discuss his follow up to Worst Person in the World, the filmmaker family drama Sentimental Value. Trier…
Dec 12, 2025 · 41:17
The writer and director behind the beloved Knives Out mysteries returns to the Filmmaker Toolkit to break down his most personal one yet. Johnson discusses why the central themes…
Dec 9, 2025 · 24:40
Documentarian Craig Renaud joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to discuss “Armed Only With A Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud.” Renaud talks about both the difficulty and…
Dec 5, 2025 · 44:21
When Director Charlie Shackelton returned to his failed documentary about the Zodiac Killer, he realized he could make an even more interesting film about the true crime genre…
Dec 2, 2025 · 47:42
Oscar winning director Chloé Zhao returns to the Filmmaker's Toolkit to break down the devastating emotions and enthralling craft of her new film "Hamnet." You'll wont want to…
Nov 26, 2025 · 54:13
Those who know Kahlil Joseph's work have long been hoping he would make a feature film. The master of short form filmmaking, including collaborations with Kendrick Lamar and…
Nov 25, 2025 · 42:44
With his two 'Wicked' films, director Jon M. Chu had the rare experience of orchestrating and unifying a massive musical to his vision. Chu was excited to dig into all the…
Nov 21, 2025 · 35:25
Director Hikari joined IndieWire's Jim Hemphill to discuss her new comedic drama, staring Brendan Frasier as an actor hired to be a friend and companion to a family in Japan.…
Nov 18, 2025 · 32:28
Kevin Macdonald knows John Lennon and Yoko Ono are one of the most scrutinized relationships pop culture history. So he took a new approach to these icons: exploring how the TV…
Nov 15, 2025 · 32:17
Director Edgar Wright sat down with the Filmmaker Toolkit to dig into his high-octane adaptation of Steven King's The Running Man. We dive into the world building, working with…
Nov 14, 2025 · 45:37
Richard Linklater returns to the Filmmaker Toolkit to discuss his loving recreation of the French New Wave. Linklater shares why the movies of that period meant so much to his…
Nov 12, 2025 · 54:10
Documentary filmmakers Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman spent one fateful day filming a barbecue at an Alabama state prison, a day filled with inmates telling them the pleasant…
Nov 7, 2025 · 37:41
Beloved Director Guillermo del Toro sits down with the Filmmaker Toolkit to talk about making his dream film, and how 'Frankenstein' has been a part of each of his prior films.…
Nov 3, 2025 · 47:27
A new Yorgos Lanthimos film is always an event at IndieWire, and 'Bugonia' might be his most topical and direct one yet. Yorgos digs into the key decisions that make this tense…
Oct 29, 2025 · 36:49
Writer and director Nia DaCosta joins IndieWire's Sarah Shachat to dive deep into her 1950s-set adaptation of Hedda Gabler. DaCosta explains how the film's lush look and sound…
Oct 24, 2025 · 58:04
Director Scott Cooper sat down for a revealing and personal conversation about helming this anticipated and highly scrutinized biopic. Cooper talks about Bruce Springsteen's…
Oct 22, 2025 · 35:40
An IndieWire favorite, director Kelly Reichardt returns to Toolkit with her new film The Mastermind. Reichardt told us about working with Josh O'Connor, putting her own spin on…
Oct 20, 2025 · 49:30
The creator of one of the hottest shows of the Fall joined IndieWire's Chris O'Falt for a spoiler-packed deep dive deep into the psychology of the characters and how he…
Oct 15, 2025 · 47:12
The creator of 'Reservation Dogs' is back with a new series staring Ethan Hawke as a man investigating crimes and corruption in Oklahoma. Sterlin shared some of the noir stories…
Oct 13, 2025 · 35:53
Director Derek Cianfrance joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, “Roofman.” A true story about an escaped criminal who hides out in an abandoned toy store,…
Oct 9, 2025 · 33:43
Who's a good boy? Indy, the star of this new horror film told entirely from his point of view. Director Ben Leonberg brought Indy into the office for a fun chat about filming a…
Oct 7, 2025 · 53:03
In his solo directorial debut after making 'Good Time' and 'Uncut Gems' with his brother Josh, Benny Safdie pushed his signature chaotic style to a deeper, more personal place.…
Oct 3, 2025 · 41:35
The master of recreating real crisis is back. Director Paul Greengrass joins IndieWire's Chris O'Falt to discuss his newest survival thriller based on a true story from the 2018…
Oct 1, 2025 · 31:13
Writer-director Shane Black joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill to talk about his latest film, the action-comedy “Play Dirty.” They discuss Black’s approach to adapting author Donald…
Sep 25, 2025 · 56:34
Filmmaker’s Toolkit Podcast with Chris O’Falt (IndieWire) Welcome to the Filmmaker’s Toolkit Podcast, hosted by IndieWire’s Chris O’Falt. This week we dive into one of the most…
Sep 20, 2025 · 26:09
Director and co-writer Justin Tipping joins Toolkit to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about his surreal new horror film from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions. Tipping…
Sep 18, 2025 · 27:28
Rob Reiner returns to Filmmaker Toolkit to talk with IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill about “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” Reiner discusses returning to the characters who launched…
Sep 15, 2025 · 40:59
On this week’s IndieWire’s Filmmakers Toolkit, Chris O’Falt talks with writer-director Andrew DeYoung about his dark comedy Friendship—now streaming on HBO Max. He reveals how he…
Aug 28, 2025 · 37:08
Mario Van Peebles joins IndieWire’s Jim Hemphill for a live version of Filmmaker Toolkit to talk about his directorial debut, “New Jack City.” In a conversation that followed a…
Aug 25, 2025 · 47:27
Director Josh Greenbaum took IndieWire behind the scenes of the planning, shooting, and editing of his Emmy nominated documentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
Aug 21, 2025 · 42:25
Emmy-winning director Jon Cassar joins IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill for a special episode on Jon’s 31 rules for television directors. These are things he’s learned over…
Aug 19, 2025 · 36:06
"Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" is a documentary that knows to tell the story of Sly Stone's life and music, you need exceptional craft and storytelling discipline.…
Aug 15, 2025 · 34:29
Brennan Lee Mulligan, executive producer and GM of "Dimension 20," offers IndieWire a peak inside the dimensional dome and discusses how cinematic tools, from editing and art…
Aug 13, 2025 · 40:37
This episode is a real treat for animation fans, a deep dive into the art and process with the beloved creator of Samurai Jack, Dexter's Lab, Primal, and now the new Netflix…
Aug 12, 2025 · 42:27
Legendary TV creator R. Scott Gemmill joins the Toolkit to breakdown one of this years biggest shows: 'The Pitt.' Gemmill lifts the curtain on the show's medical accuracy,…
Aug 8, 2025 · 48:48
Paul Rubens, the man who created and became Pee-Wee Herman, has eluded a documentary about his life for a long time. While Matt Wolf was finally able to make a film exploring…
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