The Reel Girls Club

In today's episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Domee Shi. Domee is a Chinese-Canadian Director & VP, Screenwriter & Storyboard Artist at PIXAR Animation Studios (pinch me!)In the interview we talk all about how Domee's childhood love of drawing, manga and anime turned into an education at Sheridan college starting out in storyboarding then finally, into a career at one of the biggest animation studios in the world. She started out as an intern, storyboarding on Inside Out & The Incredibles 2, to name a few, and has now gone on to make her Oscar-winning short 'Bao' and has also directed her first feature length, Turning Red. She's currently co-directing on an upcoming feature-length due for release in 2025.You can stream both Bao & Turning Red on Disney+ now!

In today's episode, I'm joined by Weronika Tofilska. Weronika is a Polish Director & Screenwriter based in London. Following studies at the Krzysztof Kieślowski Film School in Poland before later graduating from the National Film and Television School in England, she's gone on to direct the hit Netflix miniseries Baby Reindeer this year. She was also recently nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her work on the series' fourth episode. Weronika also worked as co-writer alongside Rose Glass on the romantic thriller, Love Lies Bleeding, starring Kristen Stewart.We chat about her studies both in Poland and the UK, her creative process when directing and the differences when working as a co-writer on a feature film, and much more!You can find more info about her work on Weronika's website hereFollow Reel Girls Club on Instagram hereThanks for listening!

In today's episode, I'm joined by Desiree Akhavan. Desiree is an Iranian-American Director & Writer, You may have heard of Desiree from her award-winning film The Miseducation of Cameron Post starring Chloe Moretz or her critcally acclaimed Channel 4 TV series, The Bisexual - where Desiree explores identity & the queer experience.In this episode, we talk about how her love for playwriting put her on a path towards a career in filmmaking, how music is inspiring her latest project, how she's finding her voice, what inspired her upcoming book 'You're Embarrassing Yourself: Stories of Love, Lust & Movies' & much more.To pre-order Desiree's new book head to this link:You're Embarrassing Yourself by Desiree Akhavan: 9780399588501 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: BooksPraise for the memoir: 'I laughed, I cried and then I laughed again' LENA DUNHAM'The film-maker's memoir is a smart, funny, painfully honest account of a 'loser' finding success.' THE GUARDIANGIVEAWAY!I'll be giving away one copy of Desiree's new book so follow @reelgirlsclub on Instagram to be in with a chance of winning!Disclaimer: this episode contains some swearing and some sound issues, but overall very wholesome and inspiring content!

In today's episode, I'm joined by Louisa Connolly-Burnham. Louisa is a British Actress & Director.She had an early start as an actress, best known her for her roles in the BAFTA-winning "Wolfblood" (BBC) and "Vampire Academy" (NBC Universal). She has made appearances in Channel 4's "Drifters", ITV's "Midsomer Murders", Sky1's "Little Crackers", BBC's "Holby City", "Doctors", "Outnumbered", "Casualty" and a lead role in Nickelodeon's "House of Anubis".Louisa is also an award-winning writer/director and founded her production company Thimble Films in 2019 and she is a member of the female filmmaking collective Cinesisters. Her directorial debut "The Call Centre", which she also wrote, had a successful festival run including the Oscar-qualifying Foyle Film Festival with a nomination for "Best International Film".She recently wrote, directed and starred in her new short film 'Sister Wives' starring Mia McKenna-Bruce (How To Have Sex, The Witcher) & Michael Fox (Downton Abbey, Dunkirk). Sister Wives explores a fictional relationship between two women living in a polygamous society based on the FLDS cult.Follow Louisa on Instagram here

In today's brand new 1ST episode of season 3 of the podcast, I'm joined by Ninna Pálmadóttir.Ninna, from Iceland, is a Film Director & Writer. Her filmography includes short films Paper Boy, which was the winner of the Edda Award for Best Short Film in 2020, & All Dogs Die. Her debut feature film Solitude, premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Solitude is a multilayered and heartfelt story about an old farmer who has to relocate to the city and forms a bond with his local paper boy and neighbor.In this episode, we chat about Ninna's formative years in Iceland, studying at TISCH in NYU and how she came to direct her first feature and much more!For more info check out Ninna's IMDb HERE!

In this BONUS episode, I'm joined by .Catherine Hardwicke! Catherine is an American Screenwriter, Director & Production designer, most famously known for having directed Thirteen & Twilight!I feel very lucky and grateful to have interviewed her, even if it was only for 15 minutes! In this short but sweet conversation, Catherine tells me what inspired her to make Thirteen, how she brought her own creative vision toTwilight, what it was like having imposter syndrome when working on Vanilla Sky as a production designer for Tom Cruise plus some advice for aspiring filmmakers.I've never really interviewed someone so quickly before, in such a rapid-fire style, but I really hope you enjoy it and find the conversation inspiring and helpful.PS. At the 11.34/35 time mark, Catherine showed me some of her story boarding/photographs for future film projects, incase there's any confusion to what we're referring to! I also think I may ask the same (ish) question twice as I'm clearly quite excited and nervous sorry!

In today's episode, I'm joined by Evgenia Alexandrova. Evgenia is a Russian cinematographer (or called director of photography/DOP) and is the cinematographer for both feature films by French actress Noemie Merlant, Mi Iubita Mon Amour, and The Balconettes (Les Femmes au Balcon) which will be premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this month!Evgenia gives an insight into the application process for studying at La Femis, advice for future cinematographers, stories from working on set, her future projects and much more!You can see more of Evgenia's work on her website here

In today's episode, I'm joined by Sophia Hardman. Sophia is a Foley Editor and Mixer from the UK who has worked on blockbuster films such as 1917 by Sam Mendes, House of Gucci by Ridley Scott and No Time To Die by Cary Joji Fukunaga as well as TV shows like Black Mirror and The Tourist.We chat about Sophia's career beginnings at Twickenham studios, what some of the most common props used in a foley studios are, her advice for people wanting to work in foley and much more.Disclaimer: ironically (while interviewing an expert sound person) my sound is not so great (mic gain issues) and you may also hear the odd motorbike passing my house, a car, birds tweeting...etc etc. No I was not experimenting with my own foley art. But that's the last time I record downstairs in my living room...but you can still hear the interview fine, so let's just say it adds some atmosphere!You can check out her impressive resume on IMdb here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6830147/Mubi Profile: https://mubi.com/en/cast/sophia-hardmanLinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sophiahardman?original_referer=

In today's episode, I'm joined by Mary Harron. Mary is a Canadian Director & Screenwriter of major feature films such as, I Shot Andy Warhol, American Psycho, Charlie Says, Daliland & The Notorious Bettie Page.In this interview, we talk about Mary's childhood growing up between Hollywood & Ontario, her student years in London, her first steps into the film world in New York, what it was like working as a music journalist for PUNK magazine and as a director on set with Christian Bale.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Mariayah Kaderbhai, of British Asian heritage, who is Head of Programmes at BAFTA. While you all may know BAFTA for the awards ceremony, it's also a membership organisation and charity that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the UK.BAFTA also has an international programme of events and initiatives offering access to talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures, and mentoring schemes in the United Kingdom and the United States.In this episode, we talk about Mariayah's career beginnings at the BFI and Al Jazeera English, she also shares her advice for interviewing film stars and documentary filmmakers as well as what BAFTA offers for those interested in working in the film industry, and much more,Links for information mentioned in podcast:Podcast: Countdown To The BAFTAs | BAFTABAFTA Connect Membership | BAFTAAbout BAFTA Membership | BAFTAJob Vacancies | BAFTABAFTA - Opportunities @ Creative AccessDisclaimer: podcast episodes are recorded on Zoom therefore the audio quality may reflect this. The episode was recorded in January 2024 so when I say next month for the BAFTAS, I mean February.