The Indie Film Hustle Podcast is your #1 source for how to hack the film business and indie film world! The show is here to help as many indie filmmakers as I could. We wanted to bring the best guests, industry leaders, creative legends, and film business friends to you, the IFH Tribe. Some of the past guests include 3X Oscar® Winning Writer/Director Oliver Stone, Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black), Alex Proyas (The Crow, I, Robot), James V. Hart (writer Dracula, Hook), John August (Big Fish, Aladdin), Jim Uhls (writer of Fight Club), Oscar® Winner Russell Carpenter (DP of Avatar, Ti...
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Sep 29, 2026 · 44:06
Writer, producer, and director Miranda Sajdak takes us inside the realities of building a filmmaking career from the ground up. After studying film at Columbia, Miranda worked on…
Sep 22, 2026 · 1:09:09
Filmmaker Jason Kartalian grew up around movie sets through his father, character actor Buck Kartalian, whose credits included Planet of the Apes, Cool Hand Luke, and The Outlaw…
Sep 15, 2026 · 55:01
Actress, artist, and producer Jackey Neyman takes us behind the scenes of one of the strangest cult movies in filmmaking history: Manos: The Hands of Fate. Jackey was only six…
Sep 8, 2026 · 49:43
Entertainment writer, screenwriter, and independent filmmaker Andrew Bloomenthal joins the show to discuss what years of interviewing working screenwriters and directors taught…
Sep 1, 2026 · 1:15:14
What happens when Hollywood never comes knocking? Comedian, filmmaker, podcaster, and longtime Jimmy Kimmel collaborator Don Barris shares the unconventional journey that…
Aug 25, 2026 · 1:10:37
What happens when Hollywood keeps saying no, but you refuse to stop making movies? Filmmaker and screenwriter Michael Rousselet shares the unconventional path that took him from…
Aug 18, 2026 · 47:40
How do you build an independent film studio that produces movies constantly without betting the entire company on every release? In this episode, David M. Latt, co-founder of The…
Aug 11, 2026 · 55:19
What does it really take to become a professional screenwriter? In this fascinating conversation, Glenn Benest—screenwriter of two Wes Craven films, producer, novelist, and…
Aug 4, 2026 · 1:18:43
Success in filmmaking rarely comes from waiting for permission. In this episode, horror filmmaker Harrison Smith shares the lessons he learned from building a career through…
Jul 28, 2026 · 45:44
Writing a screenplay is easy. Writing one that Hollywood actually wants to read is something entirely different. In this episode, veteran screenplay consultant David Hohl shares…
Jul 21, 2026 · 1:35:24
On today's episode, filmmaker Greg Francis shares the incredible journey behind making his first feature film, Poker Night, after spending more than a decade fighting to bring it…
Jul 14, 2026 · 1:07:33
Breaking into Hollywood has never followed a single formula, and Jeanne Veillette Bowerman proves that some of the most successful careers begin far outside Los Angeles. After…
Jul 7, 2026 · 55:44
What starts as a spontaneous idea during a cold morning outside a locked office eventually becomes a life-changing adventure stretching across an entire continent. In this…
Jun 30, 2026 · 34:03
What does it take to spend more than two decades creating creatures, monsters, and makeup effects for Hollywood before finally stepping behind the camera to direct your own…
Jun 23, 2026 · 39:50
What if the reason your screenplay isn't getting attention has nothing to do with your writing ability? In this eye-opening conversation, Lane Shefter Bishop—known throughout…
Jun 16, 2026 · 1:17:49
What does a career look like when it spans cult films, Bollywood productions, Hollywood boardrooms, and ultimately a complete reinvention of purpose? In this episode, Will Keenan…
Jun 9, 2026 · 37:45
What separates a good cinematographer from one that directors, producers, and talent repeatedly trust with high-pressure productions? In this episode, cinematographer Jared Hess…
Jun 2, 2026 · 1:58:09
What happens when a lifelong wrestling fan decides to document one of the most chaotic and misunderstood subcultures in entertainment history? In this episode, filmmaker John…
May 26, 2026 · 1:00:44
What does it really take to make an independent film with almost no money, no studio backing, and no guarantees? In this episode, filmmakers Bob Woolsey and Darren Borrowman…
May 19, 2026 · 1:21:30
Christopher Downie’s filmmaking journey began the same way many indie filmmakers start—with VHS tapes, cheap cameras, and a deep obsession with movies. But after discovering…
May 12, 2026 · 1:12:32
What really stops independent filmmakers from succeeding? According to producer and actress Jenna Edwards, it’s not talent, money, or even connections—it’s the complete lack of a…
May 5, 2026 · 35:54
What if the biggest threat to your film isn’t your budget… your script… or even your distribution—but something legal you never even thought about? In this episode, Nellie Akalp,…
Apr 28, 2026 · 1:23:16
In this episode, Will Ball—talent agent and founder of a new agency—breaks down the harsh realities of the film and acting industry that most aspiring filmmakers never hear. From…
Apr 14, 2026 · 1:08:05
James Altucher breaks down the real foundation of creativity and why most writers and filmmakers struggle—not because they lack talent, but because they don’t consistently…
Apr 7, 2026 · 1:21:52
What if the biggest obstacle to your film career… isn’t talent—but misunderstanding how the industry actually works? In this eye-opening conversation, Bill Ostroff—founder of one…
Mar 31, 2026 · 53:11
What if the only thing standing between you and your film career… is you? In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Rob Dimension pulls back the curtain on the real struggles of…
Mar 24, 2026 · 1:30:36
Ethan Marten shares his journey from growing up around Hollywood through his father’s connections to forging his own path as an actor, producer, and filmmaker outside the…
Mar 17, 2026 · 51:05
In this episode, Sandra Leviton pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a career in television and film. From her early days working in reality TV to her time at…
Mar 10, 2026 · 50:21
Guy Goldstein discusses how his background as both a programmer and screenwriter led to the creation of WriterDuet, one of the most innovative screenwriting tools available…
Mar 3, 2026 · 50:58
Patrick Epino shares how a simple YouTube video about Hollywood tropes evolved into the crowdfunded feature film Awesome Asian Bad Guys. After building an audience through the…
Feb 24, 2026 · 55:34
Jennifer and Kevin Sluder share their journey from North Carolina to Los Angeles and how they built Sunshine Boy Productions into a growing independent film company. Kevin’s…
Feb 17, 2026 · 1:14:05
Erman Baradi and Brandon Waites share practical, real-world advice on how to network effectively in Hollywood without coming across as desperate or transactional. Drawing from…
Feb 10, 2026 · 46:19
Marc Bienstock shares an honest look at what producing really means, drawing from decades of experience on both independent and studio films. From his early days at NYU and…
Feb 3, 2026 · 2:08:14
David Powers shares his unconventional path into filmmaking, one driven by curiosity rather than credentials. From discovering cinema through genre films and festivals to…
Jan 27, 2026 · 54:16
Aaron Kaufman and Brian Levin share an unfiltered look at how independent filmmakers can build real momentum by creating instead of waiting. Drawing from experiences ranging from…
Jan 20, 2026 · 52:13
Charmane Star shares her unexpected journey from a small role in Black Dynamite to discovering a deep passion for independent filmmaking. What began as a routine booking evolved…
Jan 13, 2026 · 55:49
David Feinman shares how cinematic storytelling can be used to build successful businesses and viral experiences. From creating Zombie Run—a nationwide immersive event inspired…
Jan 6, 2026 · 1:02:50
The Jalbert Brothers share how they built their filmmaking careers by embracing low budgets, consistent output, and hands-on learning. Rather than waiting for funding or studio…
Dec 30, 2025 · 1:04:52
Michael K. Snyder shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build a sustainable screenwriting career. From film school and early networking with Lloyd Kaufman to…
Dec 23, 2025 · 1:10:00
Bob Saenz shares a rare, honest look at what it means to build a long-term career as both an actor and screenwriter. From his early days in theater and television to writing…
Dec 16, 2025 · 59:39
Gough, the world’s first legally blind filmmaker to write, produce, edit, direct, and star in a feature film, has built a groundbreaking career through his production company,…
Dec 9, 2025 · 1:02:36
Danny Mac, a self-taught filmmaker from Edmonton, turned his dream into a career through persistence, creativity, and sheer determination. After producing his first feature,…
Dec 2, 2025 · 52:24
On today’s episode, we meet David Ash, a filmmaker who perfectly embodies the spirit of the weekend warrior — balancing a demanding corporate career, a family of four, and a…
Nov 25, 2025 · 38:15
Jim Toscano and Danny Gianino, two filmmakers from Detroit, found an unexpected calling in telling the story of Mike Kunda, the world’s number one Rocky fan. Their documentary,…
Nov 22, 2025 · 1:15:23
Franco Sama, a veteran executive producer, reveals the hard truths and practical steps behind raising real money for independent films. He explains that while many filmmakers…
Nov 18, 2025 · 1:27:24
On today’s episode, we welcome Brad Wilke, a filmmaker, screenwriter, and marketing strategist whose career bridges the worlds of storytelling and audience building. A graduate…
Nov 11, 2025 · 1:15:14
Leo Fong was a true Renaissance man — a martial arts Grand Master, filmmaker, and Methodist minister who turned life’s challenges into fuel for creativity. Born in 1930s…
Nov 4, 2025 · 1:11:36
Jamie Buckner’s filmmaking journey is one built on passion, persistence, and pure creative drive. After exploring careers in music, architecture, and art, he realized filmmaking…
Oct 28, 2025 · 1:19:32
Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving…
Oct 21, 2025 · 52:34
Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift,"…
Oct 14, 2025 · 40:34
Dan Benamor began his film career as an intern, quickly working his way up to head of development at a small production company. That experience gave him a deep understanding of…
Oct 7, 2025 · 1:10:36
James Moorer is a screenwriter whose path into Hollywood began with early experiments in short films and years of disciplined study. Starting out as a PA, he worked his way up…
Sep 30, 2025 · 37:15
Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into…
Sep 23, 2025 · 1:01:07
Clarke Scott, an Australian writer, director, and commercial photographer, shared his unconventional path into filmmaking after leaving behind academia and corporate work. A…
Sep 16, 2025 · 1:59:41
Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a…
Sep 9, 2025 · 30:32
In this episode, we welcome Dale Sherman, author of The Quentin Tarantino FAQ, who takes us deep into the life and career of one of cinema’s most unconventional directors. Known…
Sep 2, 2025 · 1:30:06
Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a…
Aug 26, 2025 · 57:54
In this episode, we welcome Jason Love, a multi-talented creator whose filmmaking journey began with nothing more than flip books and a VHS camcorder. What started as playful…
Aug 19, 2025 · 52:05
The journey of Rocky Costanzo is a testament to the raw, unpolished path of independent filmmaking. Beginning as an actor and extra on shows like The Wonder Years, he quickly…
Aug 12, 2025 · 54:38
In this episode, veteran actor and director Greg Travis dives into his decades-long filmmaking journey, culminating in the release of his once-abandoned 1984 feature Dark…
Aug 5, 2025 · 49:45
In this episode, Whitney Davis, a seasoned literary manager and script consultant, breaks down the real-deal process of getting noticed in Hollywood—from landing a manager to…
Jul 29, 2025 · 1:02:36
Evan Kidd is a passionate indie filmmaker who believes great stories don’t need big budgets—just big heart. In this episode, he shares how he created his feature film Son of…
Jul 22, 2025 · 38:07
In this episode, screenwriter and filmmaker S.S. Wilson shares the behind-the-scenes journey of creating the cult classic Tremors, revealing how creative limitations, meticulous…
Jul 15, 2025 · 52:47
Brit Cruise—educator, filmmaker, and producer of Pixar in a Box—takes us on a journey through the fusion of storytelling, science, and education. From his early days editing…
Jul 8, 2025 · 53:24
Len Kabasinski shares his journey from childhood dreams of monsters and martial arts to becoming a prolific force in the world of independent B-movie filmmaking. He recounts the…
Jul 1, 2025 · 43:58
In this colorful and deeply personal episode, Staci Layne Wilson shares her remarkable journey from a childhood surrounded by Hollywood legends and horseback riding to becoming…
Jun 24, 2025 · 24:12
Shae Smolik, a talented young actress from Iowa, shared her journey from local modeling to leading a feature film in Los Angeles. Starting with commercials and gradually…
Jun 17, 2025 · 57:52
When two Daves walk into a podcast, you don’t expect to stumble upon a meditation on art, failure, persistence, and horror-comedy. But that’s exactly what happened in this…
Jun 10, 2025 · 58:41
In this episode, we dive into the wild, wonderful world of Ron Bonk, an indie filmmaker and founder of SRS Cinema known for the cult horror-comedy House Shark. Ron shares his…
Jun 3, 2025 · 1:15:39
When the moon is high and the muse is low, we often find ourselves in deep conversation with our own souls, asking, "Why do I do this?" And on today’s episode, we welcome the…
May 27, 2025 · 1:32:52
When a zombie filmmaker makes you laugh so hard you forget you're talking about death and destruction, you know you're in for something special. On today’s episode, we welcome…
May 20, 2025 · 56:35
The world is far more peculiar than most of us dare to admit. Somewhere between a demolition derby and a wrestling ring, between the crackle of VHS tapes and the shriek of…
May 13, 2025 · 44:27
When the lights of the cinema dim and the hum of anticipation fills the air, something magical happens—stories come alive. And sometimes, the stories behind the storytellers are…
May 6, 2025 · 52:23
Sometimes, the fire of creativity is struck not by lightning but by the slow, smoldering ache of dissatisfaction. And in today's soul-stirring conversation, we welcome Shawn…
Apr 29, 2025 · 27:37
The mind is a curious trickster, delighting in dreams where logic pirouettes in absurdity. In today's extraordinary episode, we welcome Andrew Shaffer, a humorist and New York…
Apr 22, 2025 · 1:27:25
A spark of madness is often the first step toward creation. On today’s episode, we welcome Bojan Dulabic, a passionate Vancouver-based filmmaker who pulled off a small miracle—he…
Apr 15, 2025 · 56:38
Cynthia Hill, a filmmaker from North Carolina, discussed her journey from pharmacy school to filmmaking, highlighting her documentaries "Tobacco Money," "Private Violence," and…
Apr 8, 2025 · 1:10:28
When the winds of curiosity rustle the mind and stir the soul, they often bring with them storytellers—those rare beings who don’t just recount events but breathe life into them.…
Apr 1, 2025 · 1:13:03
Gary King is a filmmaker who transitioned from a career in psychology and human resources to independent cinema, building a body of work that balances heart, hustle, and deeply…
Mar 25, 2025 · 1:11:42
Some stories unfold not with a bang, but with the echo of a bowling ball rolling down a waxed lane—steady, unpredictable, and brimming with hidden intention. On today’s episode,…
Mar 18, 2025 · 33:29
A blank canvas. A single frame. The quiet hum before a film breathes life into a screen. But what happens after the final cut? How does a filmmaker's vision transcend the void…
Mar 11, 2025 · 57:35
Some moments in life are stitched together like the seams of a well-loved garment, their fabric woven with laughter, reinvention, and a refusal to let the world dictate what is…
Mar 4, 2025 · 42:59
A film editor’s job is much like the work of a sculptor. You take a massive block of material—raw footage—and with a series of delicate, precise cuts, you shape it into something…
Feb 25, 2025 · 1:05:56
Life, they say, is a story we tell ourselves—a script of experience, moments, and emotions woven into a narrative only we can claim as our own. On today’s episode, we welcome…
Feb 18, 2025 · 1:15:50
On today’s episode, we welcome Michael G. Kehoe, a filmmaker who turned a whisper of an idea into the resounding voice of a feature film. From Brooklyn to Hollywood, from an…
Feb 11, 2025 · 1:34:37
On today's episode, we welcome Curt Wiser, a writer and director whose journey proves that the path to making movies doesn’t require a New York or Los Angeles zip code. From the…
Feb 4, 2025 · 59:28
What if the greatest stories of our lives are the ones we never meant to write? On today’s episode, we welcome Steven Bernstein, a man whose journey through the world of cinema…
Jan 28, 2025 · 1:21:52
On today's episode, we welcome Matthew T. Burns, an individual who embodies resilience, creativity, and reinvention. Known to wrestling fans as "Sick Nick Mondo," Matthew has…
Jan 21, 2025 · 1:11:24
On today's episode, we welcome the multi-talented Kim Ray, a writer, producer, and director whose career spans reality TV, documentaries, and scripted projects. Best known for…
Jan 14, 2025 · 56:00
There’s a certain magic in the way creativity stirs the soul, and on today’s episode, we welcome Kristin Overn, a seasoned producer and the visionary behind the PAGE…
Jan 7, 2025 · 49:18
On today’s episode, we are graced with Kristen Maldonado, a vibrant storyteller whose passion for pop culture and digital strategy has led her to roles like Social Media Manager…
Dec 30, 2024 · 55:59
The landscape of existence can sometimes feel like a cosmic play—actors shifting between roles, creating stories that ripple through time. On today's episode, we welcome Phil…
Dec 23, 2024 · 1:11:47
When two brothers decide to turn their holiday traditions into a cinematic thrill, they step into a world where creativity is born from the mundane. On today's episode, we…
Dec 17, 2024 · 1:10:18
Stories are the connective tissue of humanity. They reveal our commonality, our struggles, and our triumphs. And in the vibrant chaos of the world, some individuals rise with a…
Dec 10, 2024 · 55:44
On today's episode, we dive into the fascinating world of creativity, resilience, and the art of storytelling with Phillip Andrew, a multi-talented producer, motivational…
Dec 3, 2024 · 48:13
On today’s episode, we welcome the dynamic duo, Lily Yasuda and Michael Wolfe, two inspiring filmmakers who have decided to take the road less traveled by creating their own…
Nov 26, 2024 · 46:59
On today's episode, we welcome Jim Wynorski, a filmmaker whose career is a kaleidoscope of genres, relentless creativity, and a staggering portfolio of over 160 films. Known for…
Nov 19, 2024 · 22:34
The craft of filmmaking is as much about the soul as it is about the frame. In today's conversation, we sit down with Kansas Bowling, a maverick filmmaker who began charting her…
Nov 12, 2024 · 58:14
In today’s episode, we welcome the brilliant comedic minds behind Chasing Molly: Shelley Pack and Josh Sutherland. Together, they share the odyssey of making an independent film…
Nov 5, 2024 · 49:27
On today's episode, we welcome Jameson Parker, a seasoned producer with roots in theater, who’s climbed the ranks in the world of film and television. As a Development Director…
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