Best in Fest

• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• Lela Christine Thompson on Branding, Indie Marketing, and Digital Media Influence

  In this episode of Best in Fest, branding strategist, publisher, and fashion-to-film trailblazer Lela Christine Thompson shares how she built a dynamic career at the intersection of fashion, entertainment, and digital media. From designing for Queen Pen and collaborating with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment on campaigns for Moulin Rouge, Soul Food, and The Hunger Games, to launching her own digital magazines like Power Player Lifestyle, Fab Five Lifestyle, and Goddess Couture News, Lela reveals how creative vision and persistence can open unexpected doors.She dives deep into brand marketing for independent filmmakers, the power of social impact media, and how to leverage product placement, blogs, and digital magazines to grow your film’s reach. With practical tips on creating a social media calendar, saving behind-the-scenes content, and pitching to online outlets, this conversation is a masterclass in building a digital footprint that lasts.Whether you’re an indie filmmaker, content creator, or entrepreneur looking to elevate your brand, this episode will inspire you to think outside the box and embrace the ever-evolving media landscape.

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