Best in Fest

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.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Kevin Nicklaus, Head of Production and Partner at Sandstone Artists, a company focused on talent management, literary development, and film/TV production.
With a background in studio development and experience working on major projects, Kevin shares how the entertainment industry is evolving—and what it really takes to finance, package, and produce films outside the traditional Hollywood system.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
 🎬 Why the traditional studio system is no longer the primary path for filmmakers
 💰 How independent film financing actually works (equity, tax incentives, and gap funding)
 🧩 How to package a film: attaching talent, IP, and building a financing strategy
 📊 Why building an audience first (via comics, IP, or digital platforms) is critical
 🌍 How global IP—especially from markets like Korea—is reshaping Hollywood development
 🎥 Why more producers are focusing on features instead of television
 🤝 How to find investors and unconventional partners outside traditional studios
 🧠 What managers look for in new writers and creators today
 📱 Why creators must build their own ecosystem and audience to stand out
Kevin also breaks down the realities of today’s production landscape—including why studios are no longer taking the same financial risks, how independent teams are replacing legacy systems, and what filmmakers must do to stay competitive.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Theresa Demarest, an independent documentary filmmaker whose unconventional path to filmmaking includes life as a musician, critical care nurse, and activist storyteller.
Theresa shares how she transitioned into documentary filmmaking while telling the powerful story of Keiko—the orca made famous in Free Willy—and how that project launched her career behind the camera.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🎥 How Theresa created her first documentary, Keiko: The Untold Story of the Star of Free Willy
🐋 What it was like documenting the real-life story of Keiko the whale and the movement to return him to the wild
🎬 How independent filmmakers can navigate festivals, distribution, and streaming platforms
📺 How documentaries get placed on platforms like Amazon Prime and Vimeo
🎞️ Why aggregators are essential for distributing independent films
🐎 The inspiration behind her latest documentary, Throwaway Horses
📊 The realities of funding and promoting a documentary film without investors
🎟️ How grassroots screenings and nonprofit partnerships help build audiences
🎤 Why filmmakers must actively market their films even after landing distribution
Theresa also explains the behind-the-scenes realities of documentary filmmaking—from rough-cut screenings and festival feedback to building grassroots audiences through advocacy groups and targeted communities.

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage speaks with Amanda Hendon, owner and president of Entertainment 333, a full-service talent management company representing actors in film and television.
With decades of experience working with major agencies, casting offices, and production companies, Amanda shares an insider perspective on how actors build sustainable careers in Hollywood—and how the industry is evolving in the wake of strikes, streaming disruption, and emerging AI technology.
In this episode, we discuss:
🎭 What talent managers actually do for actors and how careers are built
🎬 How actors land representation and what managers look for in new talent
📼 The realities of the self-tape audition era
🌍 Why many actors are now working internationally in places like Ireland and Europe
📉 How the Hollywood slowdown and recent strikes have affected working actors
🤖 How AI tools—from headshots to production tech—are impacting the industry
🎥 Why Amanda is expanding from talent management into film producing
📚 The true-story film project she’s developing about James Dean and Liz Sheridan
💡 Practical advice for actors navigating today’s competitive entertainment industry
Amanda also shares candid insights about the difference between emerging and established talent, the realities of representation in Los Angeles, and why persistence and strong communication remain essential for actors trying to break through.