A Podcast About Cinema & Filmmaking Hosted by Zef Cota
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Actor Chris Camaj joins Zef Cota for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up Albanian-American in Queens, old-school New York, and the unconventional path that eventually led him into acting. Chris talks about his early years around the independent hip-hop scene, appearing in Spike Lee’s 25TH HOUR, and later deciding to seriously pursue acting, including his role in THE WANNABE and working…
Today's guests are Paul Wagner, an Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker who has produced and directed more than fifty films across a remarkable fifty-year career, and his wife and creative partner, Ellen Casey Wagner. Together, they directed the outstanding documentary GEORGIA O'KEEFFE: THE BRIGHTNESS OF LIGHT, a fascinating portrait of one of America's most influential…
Jonathan Yunger returns to THE FILM SITUATION for an in-person conversation following the Washington, D.C. premiere of his latest film, LUCKY STRIKE. Jonathan discusses producing the World War II survival thriller starring Scott Eastwood, collaborating once again with director Rod Lurie, and the importance of authenticity in historical filmmaking. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from the…
Acclaimed casting director and intimacy coordinator Marci Liroff joins THE FILM SITUATION for a wide-ranging conversation about her extraordinary career working on films including E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, FOOTLOOSE, and FREAKY FRIDAY. We talk about casting iconic films, working with actors, and her important work as an intimacy coordinator. Marci also shares two of her favorite movie scenes:…
Janek Ambros is a filmmaker, producer, writer, and founder of Assembly Line Entertainment whose work has screened in connection with major festivals including Sundance, Venice, SXSW, and TIFF. As both a producer and director, he has built a career balancing the creative and business sides of independent filmmaking while helping bring a wide range of projects to life. In this episode, we discuss…
Episode Description Cannes 2026 just wrapped, and Zef is joined by producer Cole Howard to break down the films, winners, distributors, and festival buzz coming out of the world’s most prestigious film festival. They discuss this year’s Palme d’Or winner FJORD, Christian Mungiu’s new family drama starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve, along with some of the biggest films on their watchlists,…
Alex Braverman is a filmmaker who has directed and produced acclaimed documentaries, including the 2023 film THANK YOU VERY MUCH, a fascinating portrait of the great Andy Kaufman. I first discovered Alex’s work through THANK YOU VERY MUCH, which is currently on MUBI, and immediately wanted to talk to him about Kaufman, documentary filmmaking, and the strange blurred line between performance,…
Chicago-based director Jared Isaac recently directed his debut feature film AN AUTUMN SUMMER, which releases next month. A great conversation about the joys of shooting an indie film in the hidden cinematic gem of Northern Michigan. We spoke about the personal nature of this film and how it's based on some of his closest friends...and the fascinating story of how he was able to, against-all-odds,…
Ross Brodar joins The Film Situation for a wide-ranging conversation about filmmaking, New York stories, and the strange overlap between cinema and real life. Ross has worked as a locations manager on acclaimed films including ANORA, MARTY SUPREME, and projects with directors such as Sean Baker, James Gray, and Josh Safdie. In this episode, Ross breaks down the art and logistics of location…
In Episode 79 of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef Cota sits down with producer, writer, and director Sean A. Reid for a grounded conversation about what it actually takes to get an independent film made. Sean breaks down his experience raising money, structuring deals, and navigating today’s distribution landscape. From MGs and tax incentives to the surprising revenue potential of niche films on platforms…
