Best in Fest

In this powerful episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Jennifer Elizabeth Valdez — entrepreneur, domestic abuse survivor, and founder of From Gen to Generations — to share a deeply personal story of resilience, reinvention, and building success against all odds.
Jennifer opens up about leaving an abusive home at just 15 years old, surviving homelessness, and navigating dangerous environments while working to support herself. Through sheer determination, she went on to build multiple healthcare companies, become a CEO, and launch a platform dedicated to empowering others through storytelling and real-life transformation.
🎯 In this episode, we cover:
 💔 Escaping domestic violence and surviving homelessness as a teenager
 🧠 How adversity builds resilience, discipline, and decision-making skills
 💼 Building multiple businesses from the ground up
 📈 The realities of success—and what happens after failure
 🎙️ Launching a podcast to empower others through real stories
 🎬 Using personal experiences to create films, books, and creative projects
 ⚖️ How to navigate setbacks, lawsuits, and major life disruptions
 🔥 Why failure is part of the path—not the end of it
 💡 How to “dance with fear” and take action anyway
Jennifer also shares how she transitioned back into creative work—writing a book (We Were Fearless), producing film projects, and funding her own content—while using her business success to support her passion for storytelling.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Charlotte Delaney Riggs, an award-winning actress and rising talent known for projects like Austin High, Thunder Road, and Through a Glass, Dimly.
Charlotte shares her journey from performing in elementary school theater productions to working professionally in film and television—while balancing school, auditions, and life as a young actor in today’s fast-changing entertainment industry.
🎯 In this episode, we cover:
 🎭 How young actors get started in film, TV, and commercials
 🎬 The reality of auditions—and why most actors don’t book every role
 🧠 How to handle rejection and move on quickly in a competitive industry
 ✍️ Breaking down a script: audition technique vs. on-set performance
 📺 The difference between acting in films vs. ongoing series
 🎓 Balancing acting, college, and a demanding schedule
 📱 How Gen Z consumes content (streaming, TikTok, short-form video)
 🚀 Why influencers and short-form creators are shaping the future of entertainment
 🌍 How Hollywood is evolving for the next generation of actors
Charlotte also shares practical advice for actors—like why you should submit your audition and forget about it, how to make bold choices even with limited script information, and why persistence matters more than perfection.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Kash Hovey — actor, producer, and host of On Air with Kash — to explore how the entertainment industry has evolved from traditional Hollywood systems to today’s creator-driven economy.
Raised in a legacy entertainment family and with experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes at William Morris Endeavor (WME), Kash brings a unique perspective on how careers are built—and rebuilt—in a rapidly changing industry.
🎯 In this episode, we cover:
 🎬 Breaking into Hollywood as an actor and navigating early career opportunities
 🏢 What it’s like working inside a major agency like WME
 🎙️ Why podcasting and hosting are becoming powerful career paths
 📱 How social media, influencers, and YouTube are reshaping entertainment
 💰 The shift from traditional residuals to modern creator monetization
 🌍 Why production is moving outside Los Angeles (tax incentives & global filming)
 🚀 How creators can build careers without relying on studios
 🎥 Why vertical video, streaming, and digital platforms are the future
 🧠 How to adapt to industry changes and stay relevant as a creative
Kash also shares firsthand insight into the transition from traditional film and TV structures to a world where content creators, podcasters, and influencers are driving audience attention—and revenue.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Patti Negri, psychic medium, author, and host of The Witching Hour podcast, to explore how niche creators can build powerful personal brands and loyal audiences in today’s digital landscape.
Patti shares how she has expanded her career across television, podcasting, and social media—creating a recognizable presence in the paranormal space while connecting with a global audience.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 🔮 How to build a niche brand in the paranormal and spiritual space
 🎙️ How podcasting can expand your reach and authority
 📱 Why consistent branding across platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) matters
 🌍 How to grow and engage a loyal audience across multiple channels
 🚀 The importance of authenticity when building a personal brand
 ⚠️ How to protect your brand from impersonators and fake accounts online
 💡 Why creators must actively promote and distribute their own content
Patti also discusses her podcast The Witching Hour, her online presence, and how creators can leverage multiple platforms to increase visibility, credibility, and audience engagement.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with actress, filmmaker, and producer Julia Morizawa to break down her evolution from working actor to multi-hyphenate storyteller creating impactful, culturally rooted films.
With over 20 years in film, television, and voice acting, Julia shares how she transitioned into writing and producing—using animation, short films, and emerging technology to bring deeply personal stories to life.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 🎭 How actors can transition into writing, producing, and directing
 🎬 How to develop a film from personal or family history into a compelling narrative
 🎨 Why animation can be a powerful and cost-effective storytelling tool
 📊 The realities of short film distribution—and how to extend a film’s lifecycle after festivals
 🌍 How cultural and heritage-driven stories can connect with global audiences
 🚀 How platforms like Omeleto create new exposure opportunities for filmmakers
 🎥 How to use proof-of-concept shorts to develop larger projects (features or series)
 🧠 Why adapting your story across formats (film, podcast, series) increases your chances of success
 ⚙️ How emerging tools like Unreal Engine are changing indie production workflows
Julia also shares the story behind her animated short Dragonfly, inspired by her family’s experience during World War II, and how it evolved from a feature script into a successful festival film—and now into broader distribution.