Best in Fest

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Lili Masztar-Hazi brings together an inspiring panel of award-winning filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, sustainability leaders, and production designers to discuss the unexpected journeys that shaped their careers.
From changing careers later in life to overcoming rejection, launching independent production companies, attending film school, working on major studio productions, and finding success through international film festivals, each guest shares honest insights into what it really takes to build a career in filmmaking.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• How successful filmmakers found their unique career path
• Whether film school is necessary for a career in film
• The value of persistence, networking, and creative partnerships
• Lessons from directors, producers, writers, and production designers
• How sustainability is transforming modern filmmaking
• Behind-the-scenes stories from independent films and major studio productions
• The challenges of financing, producing, and distributing films
• Advice for emerging filmmakers navigating today's industry
• Why there is no "right" way to become a filmmaker
Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, film student, producer, writer, cinematographer, or simply passionate about cinema, this conversation offers practical advice and inspiring stories from professionals who have forged their own paths in one of the world's most competitive creative industries.
Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with award-winning filmmakers, festival directors, producers, actors, screenwriters, and industry leaders from around the world.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage brings together an extraordinary panel of award-winning directors, producers, cinematographers, and film professionals from around the world to reveal how they built successful careers in filmmaking—and what aspiring filmmakers need to know to do the same.
From self-taught directors to internationally acclaimed producers, these guests share honest stories about rejection, persistence, networking, film school, mentorship, funding, and finding your place in one of the world's most competitive industries.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How successful filmmakers got their first break
• Is film school worth it—or can you succeed without it?
• The importance of networking and building creative relationships
• How producers, directors, and cinematographers build lasting careers
• What award-winning filmmakers wish they knew when they started
• How to overcome rejection and keep creating
• Why storytelling matters more than expensive equipment
• Advice for women working in the film industry
• How international co-productions and film festivals open career opportunities
• The mindset required to survive—and thrive—in independent filmmaking
Featuring insights from acclaimed filmmakers whose work has premiered at Cannes, Berlinale, Venice, and major international film festivals, this conversation offers practical advice for filmmakers, film students, writers, producers, actors, cinematographers, and anyone dreaming of a career in movies.
Whether you're making your first short film, pitching your first feature, or looking to grow your filmmaking career, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from professionals who've done it.
Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with award-winning filmmakers, festival directors, screenwriters, actors, producers, and industry leaders from around the globe.

Why are Hollywood blockbusters, Netflix productions, and international filmmakers flocking to Hungary?
In this episode of Best in Fest, we sit down with producers, studio executives, film festival leaders, and industry veterans to uncover why Budapest has quietly become one of the hottest filming destinations on Earth.
From massive sound stages and medieval backlots to generous tax incentives, world-class film crews, and stories from James Bond, Rain Man, and modern Hollywood productions, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what really makes movie magic happen.
Along the way, our guests share hilarious behind-the-scenes moments, career advice, hard-earned lessons about trust in filmmaking, and one truth everyone agrees on:
🎥 Great movies aren't made by buildings—they're made by great people.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why Hollywood keeps coming back to Hungary
• The secrets behind Budapest's booming film industry
• Service productions vs. international co-productions
• What producers really look for when choosing a filming location
• Studio life, backlots, post-production, and film restoration
• Career advice for aspiring filmmakers
• Women in the film industry
• Burnout, resilience, and surviving production life
• And why carrying coffee for Ben Kingsley might be the best film school you'll ever attend. ☕
Whether you're an indie filmmaker, producer, film student, or just obsessed with movies, this episode is packed with insider stories, practical advice, and plenty of laughs.

In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, acclaimed Kosovo-Albanian actress and producer Arta Dobroshi shares her extraordinary journey from performing as a young artist in Kosovo to building an international career in film.
Arta opens up about how growing up amid war and political instability shaped her perspective, her performances, and her commitment to humanity. She discusses her acting process, including Stanislavski-based training, script preparation, emotional presence, and what it takes to fully inhabit complex characters on screen.
The conversation also explores Arta’s experience working with celebrated directors, producing independent projects, balancing a demanding film career with motherhood, and advocating for refugees and greater unity across cultures. She offers heartfelt advice for emerging actors, creatives, and women entering the entertainment industry: trust your inner voice, do not be discouraged by rejection, and keep moving toward the life you envision.
This is a candid conversation about film, purpose, resilience, creativity, and the power of joy.

In this special episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with an inspiring group of filmmakers from around the world whose stories explore identity, technology, human connection, and the power of cinema to preserve history.
From a moving documentary about a Japanese Canadian artist overcoming the legacy of World War II internment camps, to thought-provoking films examining artificial intelligence, modern relationships, immigration, friendship, and self-discovery, these filmmakers reveal the creative journeys behind their work and the real-world experiences that inspired them.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• How filmmakers are using cinema to preserve overlooked historical stories
• The impact of Japanese Canadian internment and the role of art in healing generational trauma
• Why AI is becoming one of the most fascinating topics in modern storytelling
• The ethical and emotional questions surrounding artificial intelligence and human relationships
• How voice messages, social media, and technology are changing the way we communicate
• The realities of building a filmmaking career across multiple countries and cultures
• Why personal experiences often create the most powerful stories on screen
• The importance of women filmmakers bringing unique perspectives to contemporary cinema
• How short films can become proof-of-concept projects for larger productions
Featured films include powerful documentaries, AI-inspired narratives, relationship dramas, international comedies, and award-winning short films that challenge audiences to think differently about history, identity, and the future.
Whether you're a filmmaker, storyteller, film festival enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the intersection of technology and humanity, this episode offers valuable insights into the creative process and the evolving landscape of independent film.
Subscribe to Best in Fest for more conversations with filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, and industry leaders shaping the future of entertainment.