From Rock Bands to Rom-Coms: Paula Tiberius on Writing, Reinvention & Hollywood Grit
In this inspiring Best in Fest episode, host Leslie LaPage sits down with award-winning writer, director, and musician Paula Tiberius — one of the very first La Femme Film Festival winners — to explore her incredible evolution from indie rocker and filmmaker to in-demand screenwriter for Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix.Paula opens up about her early days making the cult rock-and-roll movie Goldie Rocks, her journey breaking into Hollywood, and how she found creative freedom writing beloved TV romances like Hearts Around the Table, Crossroads Springs, and Santa’s Got Style.🎥 In This Episode:How Goldie Rocks launched a fearless filmmaking career.Writing heartfelt stories for Hallmark and Lifetime — without losing artistic integrity.The rise of “vertical” short-form storytelling and how it’s reshaping the industry.Why perseverance and process are the secret weapons of every successful writer.How her new company, Death or Story, is teaching writers to structure screenplays that actually sell.💡 Key Takeaway: Paula proves that discipline, reinvention, and a love for story are what turn a rock-and-roll dreamer into a Hollywood powerhouse.
--------
35:48
--------
35:48
From “Love Jones” to Hollywood Mogul — Acting, Producing & Distributing with Jacqueline Fleming
In this powerful Best in Fest episode, host Leslie LaPage sits down with award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur Jacqueline Fleming — known for Love Jones, Losing Isaiah, and collaborations with stars like Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, and Mark Wahlberg.Jacqueline shares her remarkable journey from Denmark to Hollywood, revealing how she turned frustration into fuel — building a multi-hyphenate career as an actress, producer, and now the founder of Slate Distribution and At the Kitchen Table Productions.🎥 Inside This Episode:The Love Jones legacy and what it was like starring opposite Lorenz Tate and Nia Long.How she built her own production and talent empire when Hollywood doors closed.Funding indie films through private equity and mastering the business side of filmmaking.Why she launched a distribution company that actually invests in filmmakers and marketing.Her bold vision for empowering women, minorities, and independent creators to own their content.💡 Key Takeaway: Jacqueline proves that talent opens the door — but knowledge, hustle, and ownership build the house.
--------
31:44
--------
31:44
LaFemme Winners: Powerful Women’s Voices — Part 2
In this inspiring Best in Fest episode, host Leslie LaPage spotlights the award-winning filmmakers of the 2025 LaFemme International Film Festival. From a Ukrainian refugee’s moving documentary Mama’s Voice, to the hilarious and heartfelt short The Whole Truth about motherhood and hemorrhoids, to the genre-bending Nepo Baby exploring identity and fame, to the chilling psychological thriller Don’t Let Them Out, and the emotional documentary The Ramba Effect about Chile’s last circus elephant—each story celebrates female creativity, courage, and vision.🎥 Featured Films & Creators:Mama’s Voice — resilience through war and artNepo Baby — a Vietnamese fantasy about fame and familyDon’t Let Them Out — psychological horror with a purposeThe Whole Truth — moms, friendship, and the funny side of tabooThe Ramba Effect — saving Chile’s last circus elephant✨ Tune in for exclusive filmmaker interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and a celebration of women redefining cinema across every genre.
--------
1:00:03
--------
1:00:03
LaFemme Winners: Powerful Women’s Voices — From War Diaries to Comedy Shorts - Part 1
In this inspiring Best in Fest episode, host Leslie LaPage spotlights the award-winning filmmakers of the 2025 LaFemme International Film Festival. From a Ukrainian refugee’s moving documentary Mama’s Voice, to the hilarious and heartfelt short The Whole Truth about motherhood and hemorrhoids, to the genre-bending Nepo Baby exploring identity and fame, to the chilling psychological thriller Don’t Let Them Out, and the emotional documentary The Ramba Effect about Chile’s last circus elephant—each story celebrates female creativity, courage, and vision.🎥 Featured Films & Creators:Mama’s Voice — resilience through war and artNepo Baby — a Vietnamese fantasy about fame and familyDon’t Let Them Out — psychological horror with a purposeThe Whole Truth — moms, friendship, and the funny side of tabooThe Ramba Effect — saving Chile’s last circus elephant✨ Tune in for exclusive filmmaker interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and a celebration of women redefining cinema across every genre.
--------
54:04
--------
54:04
From Soldier to Storyteller: Shannan Wynn on Indie Filmmaking
In this episode of Best in Fest, filmmaker, educator, and Army veteran Shannan Wynn shares her extraordinary journey from serving in the armed forces and counseling at-risk youth to building her own production company, Winquest Entertainment. Shannan reveals how her life experiences inspired her debut thriller A Life of Sunshine—a female-driven, murder mystery now streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV—and how she navigated the challenges of self-funding, casting, and distributionShannan Wynn.She also dives into her collaboration on the relationship documentary The Love Script, the importance of partnerships in indie filmmaking, and her future plans to adapt her children’s book The Tales of Chance and the Faithful Few (with a foreword by CeCe Winans) into an animated seriesShannan Wynn. Along the way, Shannan shares advice on building relationships, supporting other filmmakers, and why you should “never put a period where a comma belongs.”Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, a fan of thrillers and documentaries, or simply looking for inspiration to pivot careers, this conversation is a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and following your passion.
Host Leslie LaPage, Director of LaFemme International Film Festival uncovers the Secrets of Filmmaking with her lineup of industry professional guests. In every episode you will learn things like how to make the most out of the film festival circuit, how to find a great distribution partner, how to attract A list talent, finding the perfect representation, the dirty little secrets of Hollywood and much more.
USA