The Film Festival Doctor Podcast

In this episode, Rebekah sits down with Imani Davis the founder of the Proof Film Festival, a short film festival in Los Angeles dedicated to highlighting the best in proof-of-concept films to discuss what types of films they are looking for and the value of a strong POC short film.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks candidly with Grace Barber-Plentie, one of the BFI London Film Festival programmers discussing what she looks for when programming feature films. They also discuss some of the highlights from this year’s festival including actor Ashley Walter’s directorial debut and the boundary pushing Josephine.

BFI London Film Festival Website:
https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/lff

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/yE0xGvfOuuQ?si=Yv_L-nobHrhn6Gbv

Follow on Instagram - @britishfilminstitute

In this episode, Rebekah sits down with Jay Martin the Festival Director of the BIFA qualifying Mansfield Town Film Festival to discuss working class film programming and curating a selection of quality independent films to Mansfield, U.K.

In this new ‘Bitesize’ series Rebekah takes a deep dive for 15 minutes on one topic with a film festival programmer. In this episode, she sits down with Tony Nguyen & Alishba Javaid the programming team from the Dallas Asian American Film Festival to discuss how they programme and curate Asian American focused cinema.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with veteran programmer Jason Anderson discussing candidly programming Canadian, Benelux and Nordic feature films for the Toronto International Film Festival; Canadian feature films for the Kingston International Film Festival and short film programming at the Oscar Qualifying Aspen ShortsFest.

In this new ‘Bitesize’ series Rebekah takes a deep dive for 15 minutes on one topic. In this episode, she sits down with marketing expert Eric Vollweiler to discuss how marketing plays a significant role in the film festival circuit.

In this episode, recorded live from the Waco Independent Film Festival, Rebekah sits down with three film festival Directors from the McMinnville Short Film Festival, the Waco Independent Film Festival & the Oak Cliff Film Festival to discuss how they programme and curate their film festivals.

In this new ‘Bitesize’ series Rebekah takes a deep dive for 15 minutes on one topic with a film festival programmer. In this episode, she sits down with Nicole Sandavol from the Champion Film Salon International Film Festival to discuss how they programme and curate disability focused films.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Cherie Federico, the Festival Director of the Aesthetica Film Festival, one of the UK's largest BAFTA & BIFA qualifying film festivals. 

They discuss programming, curation and the huge amount of work that goes into building their critically acclaimed industry panels, masterclasses and workshops.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Anderson William the Lone Star Film Festival's Director of Programming. They discuss his role, how he curates the festival and the key patterns and trends he sees each year.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive with veteran programmer Joe Mauceri who has worked in genre film programming for over 20 years. He is one of the curators of the Winter Film Festival's FEARS programme.

In this episode, Rebekah welcomes the Oak Cliff Film Festival back to the podcast. Lauren  Alberque & Ashton Campbell share with her an exclusive preview of what's in store for this year's Festival and reveal their personal top film picks.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive with John Currie, the Beeston Film Festival's Director, discussing the Festival's growth over the years, curating its programme, and becoming a BIFA qualifying Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive into Oregon's premiere short film festival; the McMinnville Short Film Festival with the Executive Director and programmer Heather Older 

Recorded live during the McMinnvile Short Film Festival, Rebekah sits down with three filmmakers; Ali Cook, Mylissa Fitzsimmons & Keaton Morris-Stan and talks candidly about their festival journeys, goals and experiences on the circuit.

In this masterclass episode, Rebekah speaks with the iconic BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER superstar Juliet Landau. They discuss acting, first-time filmmaking and becoming a successful podcaster.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with James Christopher, one of the Co-Directors of the Austin Revolution Film Festival about how he operates his festival and the warm Texas welcome that the Festival gives to filmmakers

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Lisa Ogdie, one of the short film programmers, exploring what the Sundance Shorts team looks for when curating their Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with seasoned Festival programmer and manager Hanna Mason about her impressive career programming film festivals and what she specifically looks for when curating Documentary short film programs for the Oscar qualifying Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and what makes an impressive proof of concept short film.  


This episode is dedicated to the Hope for Stomach Cancer Charity as part of Podcasthon’s goal to raise awareness of a charity.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive exploring the programming techniques, crafts and PR & marketing strategies with the Utah Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah focuses on college student programming and interviews Bryan Louzil the Founder & Director of one of North America's leading student festivals; the Mometu College Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive with Hendrik Harms & Kirsty Gregory the Co-Directors of the recently BIFA qualified Worcester International Film Festival and explores their programming techniques.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with the Heartland International Film Festival & the Oscar & BAFTA & Goya qualifying Indy Shorts Film Festival’s Artistic Director Greg Sorvig. They discuss how these 2 festivals have rapidly evolved and their programming techniques.

In this episode, recorded live at the Texas Theatre in Dallas, Rebekah welcomes the Oscar Qualifying Dallas International Film Festival’s Artistic Director James Faust to the Podcast and takes a deep dive with him discussing how he curates DIFF’s feature film programme and what’s in store for the 20th Anniversary edition of the Festival

In this episode, recorded live at the Texas Theatre in Dallas, Rebekah brings back the Oak Cliff Film Festival’s Co-Director Ashton Campbell and takes a deeper dive with him discussing his programming techniques and what’s in store for this year’s edition of the Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah explores in depth the history and programming techniques & practices of the Oscar Qualifying New Orleans Film Festival with Interim Executive Director Dodd Loomis & Artistic Director Clint Bowie.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive with the Catalina Film Festival’s Co-Founder & Director of Programming Tim Kennedy & Festival Producer & Artistic Director Emily Carroll exploring their programming techniques and craft.

In this episode, Rebekah explores in detail the BIFA Qualifying Women Over 50 Film Festival which celebrates older women in all their diversity.

In this masterclass episode, Rebekah speaks with established and award winning Editor Alex  about why every film needs a tight and strong edit to increase their chances of being selected for a Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive with Courtney Powell, the Founder & Festival Director of one of Australia’s largest Web Series Festivals; the Sydney Web Fest.

Filmed live at the Texas Theatre on August 27th 2025, this show features a special announcement from Dallas Film Commissioner Katie Schuck regarding Screen Dallas followed by 2 in-depth interviews with Paris Burris & Camila Chaves Rojas from the Oscar Qualifying deadCenter Film Festival & Austin King from the USA’s largest Genre Festival; Fantastic Fest.

In this episode, created especially for the Film Festival circuit, Rebekah catches up with Ashton Campbell and discuss this year’s Oak Cliff Film Festival and Francis Ford Coppola’s recent visit to the Texas Theatre.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Paul Sloop, the lead short film programmer at the Oscar Qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival. He discusses what the festival look for and how he curates his short film programmes.

In this episode, Rebekah explores short film distribution with Rob Munday the man behind Short of the Week & Directors Notes,

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Michael Rabehl, the Director of Programming & Associate Director at the Oscar Qualifying Cinequest Film Festival. He discusses how Cinequest programme their festival and their infamous Maverick Spirit Award.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Liz Farahardi the genius behind one of the UK's most filmmaker friendly and popular and rapidly up and coming films festivals; the Soho London Independent Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks to Samuel Thomas behind one of Texas's popular film festivals and one of MovieMaker Magazine Top 50 Festivals worth their entry fee; the Waco Independent Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Robert Misovic, the Festival Director of one of Canada's fantastic up and coming independent film festivals; the Pendance Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with established Sound Designer & Mixer TJ Callaway about why every filmmaker needs to have good sound in their film and why this is so important forfilm festival screenings.

In this episode, Rebekah takes a deep dive with Abby Wright the founder of Femme Filth Fest, programmer at the Woods Hole Film Festival, screener at the National Film Festival for TalentedYouth and the proof of concept film festival the Proof Film Festival.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with the Oak Cliff Film Festival's Ashton Campbell & Lauren Alberque previewing their 2025 programme and what's in store for this year's film festival.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Ana Souza Manager of Programming & Programmer at theSundance Film Festival. She discusses how she and the Sundance team curate their programme, why filmmakers need to pay attention to premiere policies and her infamous coat

In this episode Rebekah has an in-depth chat with the multi talented festival screener & filmmaker Kyle Goldfinch

In this episode Rebekah has an in-depth chat with Rudi Womack the Exec Director of one of the Wild West’s best festivals The Wyoming International Film Festival.

In this episode Rebekah chats with the team members of the longest running documentary film festival in Texas the Thin Line Festival about their programming techniques & secrets.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Daniel Sol, the Co-Director & Founder of the Oscar Qualifying HollyShorts Festival. 

During their discussion, they discuss how HollyShorts grew to become an Oscar Qualifying film festival, what types of short films they look for and what qualities an Oscar winning short film has.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Ben Thompson, the VP of Shorts Programming at the Oscar Qualifying TriBeCa Festival. 

During their discussion, they discuss Ben’s journey towards becoming a programmer, Curating the shorts programmes, how a block of shorts programming is built and the exact groundbreaking number of short films that he’s watched

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Amber Ekleberry, the recently Oscar Qualifying Dallas International Film Festival’s Senior Director of Programming. 

During their discussion, they discuss curating the shorts programme for DIFF, her plans for the festival and what makes a award winning short film

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with the Emmy award winning Ashton Campbell. During their discussion, they discuss his career journey so far including co-directing the Oak Cliff Film Festival, the secret to being a great interviewer & the iconic Texas Theatre.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Claire Richardson & Natalie Daniels the founders of Silver Screen. During their discussion, they discuss their festival which creates a celluloid community through screenings, Q&As and networking, their analog short film fund and their innovative jewelry business which makes jewelry from celluloid.

In this episode, Rebekah speaks with Claire Luci DiGiorgio Vasquez the co-founder of The Billy The Kid Film Festival. During their discussion, they take a deep dive into this unique Texas based Film Festival exploring how they look for films that challenge filmmakers to explore the lives of the disenfranchised, the broken, and the outcast.

In this episode, Rebekah talks with Chad Pierce the Head Projectionist at the Texas Theatre and explores with him the role of a film projectionist also known as a theatres ‘invisible thread.’

In this episode, Rebekah talks with Tony Armer the Head of Production at Talon Entertainment & Co Founder of the Sunscreen Film Festival about the opening of the Dallas based South Side Studios & the upcoming 20th edition of the Sunscreen Film Festival which he is the co-founder of.

In this episode, Rebekah talks with filmmaker and educator Bart Weiss about his latest book ‘Smartphone Cinema Making Great Films With Your Mobile Phone’ and how to navigate the festival circuit with a film made on your smartphone

In this episode Rebekah talks in depth with the Denton Black Film Festival team Harry and Linda Eaddy exploring how it is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black culture with film at its heart and spotlights on other forms of storytelling, including spoken word, art, music, comedy, and dance.

In this special episode, Rebekah offers further updates regarding how to adjust your film festival strategy around the impact of COVID-19.

Writer and Actress Vivien Reid discusses her extraordinary filmmaking journey and the making of her award winning short film ‘The Box’.

Clementine Ledger, USC School of Cinematic Arts Festival Coordinator, talks to Rebekah about helping their students create successful festival strategies.

Director Ian David Diaz talks to Rebekah about his multi-award-winning web series Rebecca Gold and how it came together.

The man behind one of LA's top reviewed Film Festivals - The North Hollywood Cinefest - Gustavo Sampaio talks to Rebekah about the festival's origins.

Rebekah talks to established L.A. based actor and director Johnny Rey Diaz about juggling acting and directing and how film festivals helped him on his journey.

In this special episode, Rebekah talks you through how to adjust your film festival strategy around the impact of the Coronavirus.

Filmmaker Eric Blakeney chats to Rebekah about his recently launched collaborative film finance business, PROM - The People's Republic of Movies

Director and Composer Tom Lawes discusses his extraordinary filmmaking journey and the making of his silent award winning feature film, Amaryllis.

Rebekah chats to legal consultants, Leighton Lloyd and Simon Long about why a legal team are an essential component of a film production

Tracey Adlai - the woman behind one of the biggest L.A. Film Festivals - The Valley Film Festival - talks to Rebekah about what makes the event so successful.

Anna Levine, Development Manager for Gunpowder & Sky - one of the world's biggest up and coming genre production and distribution companies - talks to Rebekah about how to do great horror and sci-fi on a budget.

Holly Castro is the Managing Director of HollyShorts, one of the biggest short film festivals in the world. She chats to Rebekah about how this LA based event has grown and become an Academy Award qualifying festival - and how incredibly proud she feels of the festival's alumni.

Director Meghan Sunder talks to Rebekah about the making of her short film Olympians and its successful film festival journey.

Clients of the Film Festival Doctor, creatives Mark Sayler and Conner Wharton, discuss the making of their short film 'Ladies Most Deject'.

Famous for being prop master on 'Stranger Things' and 'True Detective', director Lynda Reiss talks to Rebekah about the making of her short film 'Ready To Go' and its successful film festival journey.

Established US-based director Stephen David Brooks gives Rebekah an honest and insightful interview about his journey from making films to making powerful connections at film festivals. www.stephendavidbrooks.com

Rebekah to talks to Festival Director Sean Marlon Newcombe who introduces us to his groundbreaking VR Film Festival - the first of its kind which will be an immersive experience for all of those who attend.

In this episode, Rebekah talks to L.A. based actress Lillianna, who gives a raw and honest interview about the importance of believing in yourself. Instagram - lilliannalove

In this episode, Rebekah talks to influencer Holly Charlotte Campbell aka The HCC, who helps people find their inner voice and build their confidence using creative spiritual techniques

In this episode, Rebekah talks to the Festival Director of one of the world's best LGBTQI Film Festivals - Jason Fiddler of the Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.
https://www.dglff.org.za/ Instagram - dbngayfilmfest

In this episode, Rebekah talks to American psychic to the stars and international public figure Laura Powers about the spiritual tools which should be integrated into your festival strategy.

Rebekah talks to Exec Producer Phil McCauley about the dos and don'ts of film financing and the importance of film festivals.
Phil is happy for you to connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-mccauley-b340b31/

Film Festival Doctor Rebekah talks to established South African film Director Mark Engles about his upcoming feature MASINGA.
You can contact Mark through: mark@blastfilms.co.za, or from from website: blastfilms.co.za

Hi! I'm Rebekah Louisa Smith, The Film Festival Doctor and my podcast is designed to help you achieve film festival success and beyond.

Not only to do we cover with our guests the key things to include in your festival strategy including creating your goals, planning your budgets and which festivals to target, we also go beyond this and talk about the importance of attaching a sales agent to your film, theatrical distribution planning and the all-important personal and self-development skills to name just a few of the topics we cover with our fascinating and celebrated guests.

There will also be spotlight interviews with our clients who share their festival journey with you and how important the festival circuit is for your film.