Jason Anderson is a film programmer, critic, and lecturer based on Toronto. He programs films for the Toronto International Film Festival, the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, and Aspen Shortsfest. His writing regularly appears in such publications as Uncut magazine, Sight & Sound, and Broadview.

Jason Anderson is a film programmer, critic, and lecturer based on Toronto. He programs films for the Toronto International Film Festival, the Kingston Canadian Film Festival, and Aspen Shortsfest. His writing regularly appears in such publications as Uncut magazine, Sight & Sound, and Broadview.

Liz Shannon Miller is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has been talking about television on the Internet since the very beginnings of the Internet. She is currently senior entertainment editor at Consequence, and her work has also been published by Vulture, Variety, The Los Angeles Times, Collider, The AV Club, IGN, Paste, The Verge, Thought Catalog, and more. She is also a produced playwright, an occasional podcaster, and a repository of "X-Files" trivia.

Sign up to her newsletter at: https://consequence.net/best-new-shows-movies-to-stream/

Follow her on Twitter at @lizlet.

Chris Klimek is a writer for Smithsonian magazine and the host of their podcast, "There's More to That." His writing appears regularly in The Washington City Paper, on NPR, and in The Washington Post. He is an occasional panelist on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.

Website: http://chrisklimek.net/

Twitter: @ctklimek 

Instagram: snakeoilck

Kimberley Jones Discusses 'Asteroid City'

Kimberley Jones is a graduate of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas, and is editor-in-chief of The Austin Chronicle, a progressive newspaper in Austin, Texas, and a longtime film critic.

https://www.austinchronicle.com/authors/kimberley-jones/

Twitter: @CHRONKIMJONES https://twitter.com/ChronKimJones

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series “Ebert Presents At the Movies” opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor.

Christy co-hosts the film review podcast and YouTube show “Breakfast All Day.” She also appears regularly on the Southern California radio shows KPCC FilmWeek and KCRW Press Play. A third-generation Los Angeles native, Christy is a member of the LA Film Critics Association.

You can find her on Twitter @christylemire.

Sean Patrick Kelly is a film blogger and freelance writer based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He graduated with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies in 2010. He later expanded his film production knowledge by receiving a continuing education certificate from Ryerson University in 2013.

In addition to his writing for his own site, Sean Kelly has contributed as a freelance film writer to the following outlets: MONDOmagazine, TheSubstream, Toronto Film Scene, HuffPost, The LAMB, Screen Anarchy, Rue Morgue Magazine, and Screen Rant.

You can find Sean Kelly online…

https://skonmovies.com/

Linda Cook is a digital multimedia journalist/film critic, who worked 35 years at a newspaper before joining the Local 4 team in August 2020.

She is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, rottentomatoes.com, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and the American Jail Association.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and elementary education from Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill., and a master of criminal justice degree from St. Ambrose University, Davenport. She taught criminal justice, English, and other classes at St. Ambrose, Kaplan University, Hamilton Tech, and Brown Mackie for many years.

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series “Ebert Presents At the Movies” opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor.

Christy co-hosts the film review podcast and YouTube show “Breakfast All Day.” She also appears regularly on the Southern California radio shows KPCC FilmWeek and KCRW Press Play. A third-generation Los Angeles native, Christy is a member of the LA Film Critics Association.

You can find her on Twitter @christylemire.

Jason Anderson is a film programmer, journalist and lecturer in Toronto. He programs for the Toronto International Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest and the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. A former film critic for Toronto’s Eye Weekly and The Grid, he writes regularly for such publications as Broadview, Sight & Sound, Uncut and Cinema Scope.

Jason Anderson is a film programmer, journalist, and lecturer in Toronto. He programs for the Toronto International Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest, and the Kingston Canadian Film Festival. A former film critic for Toronto’s Eye Weekly and The Grid, he writes regularly for such publications as Broadview, Sight & Sound, Uncut, and Cinema Scope.

Juan Ayala is an actor, journalist, podcast producer, and host, born and raised in Connecticut. After discovering an early love of performing, he earned his degree in Theater Arts from Housatonic Community College and later studied at the renowned Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. As an actor he has appeared in network television shows including NBC’s Blindspot and ABC’s For Life, as well as commercials for major brands like Sprint and Blink Fitness.

In 2020, Juan launched his first podcast Actors With Issues, which features conversations with actors from across film, TV and Broadway, sharing their stories and breaking down the issues and obstacles that they’ve faced as actors.

Juan also hosts the podcast Multicultural TV Talk for MediaVillage.com, where he has worked as an entertainment journalist since 2017, focusing conversations on diversity, inclusion, and representation in entertainment.

You can find Juan online:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juanayalaofficial/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ijuanayala?lang=en

Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can.

Social Media: 

The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thewastelandreviewer 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/

Reel Mental is a podcast about the intersection of film and psychology.

Host, Dr. Marcia Sirota, interviews directors, writers, actors and critics, to explore how mental health is portrayed on-screen. We discuss where movies and TV shows get it right and get it wrong when it comes to mental health.

Dr. Marcia’s approach is thoughtful, perceptive and accessible, making it easy for listeners to see themselves and their own journeys in the films being discussed.

Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can.

(Our sincere apologies for the technical difficulties that sporadically occur with Shane Conto's audio.)

Social Media: 

The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thewastelandreviewer 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/

Adam Manery is a former high school teacher turned film critic who has transitioned his passion for education from the classroom to the screen. He shines a light on independent filmmaking and emerging directors while offering insightful commentary on some of the world's largest films. His reviews delve into the themes, characters, and philosophy of each project, weaving between hope and existential dread.

Website: www.pointsofreviews.com

YouTube: @PointsofReview (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQV2SBk6KPXKZDD9K6ZppYA)

Adam Manery is a former high school teacher turned film critic who has transitioned his passion for education from the classroom to the screen. He shines a light on independent filmmaking and emerging directors while offering insightful commentary on some of the world's largest films. His reviews delve into the themes, characters, and philosophy of each project, weaving between hope and existential dread.

Website: www.pointsofreviews.com

YouTube: @PointsofReview (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQV2SBk6KPXKZDD9K6ZppYA)

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who co-hosts the Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast. She also writes for RogerEbert.com.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastAllDay/ 

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breakfast-all-day-movie-reviews/id1448539528 

Saturday Matinee Newsletter: https://christylemire.beehiiv.com/

Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can.

The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJqs95vIGPNW5h0tgXWNctQ 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/ 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewastelandreviewer?lang=en

Shane Conto (he/him) is an educator by day and a full blown cinephile who dabbles in all types of film circles the rest of the time. YouTuber, writer, and podcaster, Shane highlights his love for film amongst other hobbies (from TV, books, music, sports, and video games) through reviews, podcasts, and a variety of written projects. Running a tutoring center and teaching statistics does not stop Shane from exploring his deep passion for the arts in all the avenues that he can.

The Wasteland Reviewer YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJqs95vIGPNW5h0tgXWNctQ 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/WastelandShane/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewastelandreviewer/ 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewastelandreviewer?lang=en

John Wenzel is an A&E journalist and Critic-at-Large for The Denver Post who has contributed reviews and features to Esquire, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone and Vulture. He is the author of the nonfiction book "Mock Stars" and has had essays published in music, horror, and comedy anthologies. He lives in Denver with his family, a Hobbit garden, and a half dozen overworked gaming consoles.

(Apologies for the background noise. John's dog was having a mini mental breakdown that day.)

@johnwenzel 

https://www.denverpost.com/author/john-wenzel/

*Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (available anywhere in Canada).*

Alex Billington is the founder and editor of FirstShowing.net - he is a die-hard film lover and film critic. Originally from Colorado, he is now based in Berlin, and is always planning his next film festival trip when not enjoying movies at home.

Twitter/X: @firstshowing

Letterboxd: @firstshowing

Instagram: @abillington

Brian Eggert is the owner and film critic of Deep Focus Review, where he has written movie reviews, in-depth essays, and critical analyses since 2007. Brian also regularly appears on KARE 11, the NBC affiliate for the Twin Cities, to review and discuss movies. He belongs to the Society For Cinema and Media Studies, Minnesota Film Critics Alliance, Online Film & Television Association, International Film Society Critics, Independent Film Critics of America, The Critics Circle, and National Coalition of Independent Scholars.

Learn more about Brian Eggert:

Website: www.deepfocusreview.com 

Blue Sky: deepfocusreview.bsky.social 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/

*Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide. If you or anyone you know are struggling with thoughts of suicide please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (available anywhere in Canada).*

Brian Eggert is the owner and film critic of Deep Focus Review, where he has written movie reviews, in-depth essays, and critical analyses since 2007. Brian also regularly appears on KARE 11, the NBC affiliate for the Twin Cities, to review and discuss movies. He belongs to the Society For Cinema and Media Studies, the Minnesota Film Critics Association, the Online Film & Television Association, the International Film Society Critics, and the Independent Film Critics of America.

Learn more about Brian Eggert:

Website: www.deepfocusreview.com 

Blue Sky: deepfocusreview.bsky.social 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/

In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I speak with writer, director, and producer, Russell Brown about his new film, Loren & Rose. 

Filmmaker Russell Brown’s body of work includes five narrative features, two full-length documentaries and a number of well-regarded narrative and documentary shorts. His feature films have opened theatrically in select cities to stellar reviews after playing collectively at more than 150 festivals around the world, winning awards nationally and internationally in a vast array of categories including directing, writing, acting and editing. His diverse resume includes Search Engines, Annie and the Gypsy, Karen Black: On Acting, The Blue Tooth Virgin, Conversation with a Cigarette, Mama Laura’s Boys, The 44 Scarves of Liza Minnelli, Above the Arroyo: A Dream of the Stairs of Los Angeles, Reality USA, and The Kaleidoscope Guy at the Market. He is known in particular for directing actresses to critically lauded and award-winning performances, and has worked with Karen Black, Jacqueline Bisset, Cybill Shepherd, Joely Fisher, Amber Benson, Connie Stevens, Gia Carides, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and Daphne Zuniga.

• Social Media: @lorenandrosemovie
• Website: https://www.lorenandrose.com/
• Website: https://www.russellbrownfilmmaker.com/loren-and-rose/

Cast/Crew: 

• Rose - Jacqueline Bisset
• Loren - Kelly Blatz
• Phil - Paul Sand
• Mrs. Cork- Gia Carides

Crew:

• Writer/Director/Producer: Russell Brown
• Cinematography - Christopher Gosch
• Editors - Nat Carter and Curtiss Clayton
• Casting - Tineka Becker
• Production Design - Leah Mann
• Costume Design - Jessica Fuller
• Executive producer - Linda Brown

Images courtesy of Loren & Rose

In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I speak with writer, director, and producer, Corey Sherman about his new film Big Boys.

Corey Sherman (Writer/Director/Producer) is a 29 year-old filmmaker living in Los Angeles. He grew up in Riverdale, a neighborhood in the north Bronx, just within New York City limits. He attended Horace Mann School, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, and majored in Film & Television Production at the University of Southern California. His mother was a journalist and his father an English professor, so he grew up around people who loved words and well-told stories. Corey started making comedy short films when he was eight years old, and continues making them to this day. A long-time lover of animation, Corey branched out from live action in college and created an animated web series titled Billiams, which was well-received online and led to a partnership with Matt Maiellaro, the creator of Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Corey achieved a life-long dream when he wrote, directed, edited, and voiced a character on several episodes of Matt Maiellaro's animated Adult Swim show, 12 Oz. Mouse. Corey is also passionate about nonfiction filmmaking, and recently edited Lawrence Kasdan’s documentary short, Last Week at Ed’s, which won the Audience Award for Best Marquee Feature at the 2019 Austin Film Festival. Corey is already at work on his next narrative feature, and hopes to build a career that allows him to alternate between his three passions - live action, animation, and documentary. 

Big Boys: A teenage boy’s unexpected crush turns a camping trip into a weekend of self-discovery in this heartwarming coming-of-age comedy.  

Principal Crew and Cast:

Director/Writer: Corey Sherman 

Producers: Allison Tate, Corey Sherman 

Director of Photography: Gus Bendinelli 

Editor: Erik Vogt-Nilsen, Corey Sherman 

Production Designer: Rachel Scott 

Composer: Will Wiesenfeld 

Jamie -Isaac Krasner 

Allie -Dora Madison 

Dan -David Johnson III 

Will -Taj Cross 

Nicole - Emily Deschanel 

Erika - Marion Van Cuyck 

Quinn -Emma Broz 

Fantasy Jamie - Jack De Sanz 

Website: https://www.BigBoysFilm.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/BigBoysFilm

Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigBoysTheFilm

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@bigboysfeaturefilm

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigBoysFilm

Hashtag: #BigBoysFilm

Images courtesy of Dark Star Pictures

In my new episode of the Reel Mental podcast, I speak with co-writers and directors, Benjamin Cohen and Max Strand about their new film Rocky's.

ROCKY’S stars Stanley Simmons (The Iron Claw, Superior), Ben Cook (West Side Story, Pretty Little Liars), Gil Perez-Abraham (The Batman, Carry On), Jasai Chase Owens (Mutt, The Expanse), Ani Mesa (Superior), Sharlene Cruz (In The Summers), Steven Maier (Omni Loop), Brandon Lindsay (A Soldier's Play - National Tour), and introducing Dante Palimteri and Dani Foster. 

The film was co-written and directed by Benjamin Cohen and Max Strand and produced by Josh Michaels and James Benson.

Benjamin B. Cohen is a Brooklyn-based comedy filmmaker. Born in San Francisco, raised in Atlanta, Ben's work tends to explore mental health and undermining toxic masculinity through independent film, TV, graphic novels, and the New York City stage. He attended film school at the UNCW & GSU programs, graduating with a B.A. in Film, a B.A. in History, and an M.A. in Film Production & Screenwriting. He maintains a Certificate of French Civilization from the University of Paris IV - La Sorbonne. He also studied at the UCB, Reckless, and Annoyance Comedy Theaters. As Co-Writer and Director of the 90s-themed Godamsterdam web-series, Ben has appeared on CNN, The Examiner, and at Atlanta's High Museum of Art. Ben completed a television pilot based upon the web series. As a comedian, Benjamin's performed at the UCB, PIT, Annoyance, & Reckless theaters as well as festivals everywhere from North Carolina to Iceland. As a professor, Benjamin's teaches Screenwriting, Film History, and Improv at the New York Film Academy (Variety top 25 Film School) and ESRA Film School. And just like, as a person, he has a dog named Sasha Malia, a fiance named Sabrina, a Simba tattoo, and once helped Tony Danza put a bandage on Liza Minnelli's foot.

Max Strand is known for Goodbye Honey (2020), Dead Man Down (2013) and Limitless (2011).

Gravitas Ventures released ROCKY’S on digital platforms on January 21, 2025. The film has a running time of 79m 49seconds and will not be rated by the MPAA.

About the movie Rocky's: Growing up, Charlie and his friends spent their days loitering in the parking lot of Rocky's, the neighborhood 24/7 deli. Years later, after drifting apart during their college years, Charlie receives word that an ex-girlfriend has tragically died. He returns home ahead of the funeral, aware that there are some people that it will be awkward to see. His first stop is Rocky's, where he runs into a cast of characters from his past; some are happy to see him, others are not. In real-time, Charlie's old crew reconnects to confront past wounds, eat a few sandwiches and face the reality that they've grown up, whether they want to admit it or not.

Nicole Cabrera is a Toronto-based film enjoyer with a passion for the eighties, horror, and deep diving their favourite actors' obscure filmography. When they're not watching movies, they're writing, crafting, cosplaying, going to concerts, working on their podcast (Hollywood Deepdive) and dreaming of traveling.

Podcast : Hollywood Deepdive 

Writing: films fatale 

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who writes for RogerEbert.com and co-hosts the Breakfast All Day YouTube channel and podcast.

Breakfast All Day: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastAllDay/ 

Saturday Matinee newsletter: https://christylemire.beehiiv.com/

In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I discuss the Toronto International Film Festival® short film, "Butterfly on a Wheel," with writer, director, and composer Trevor Morris.

TREVOR MORRIS

Writer, Director, Composer

Trevor Morris is a writer, composer and director for Film & Television, a 5-time EMMY® nominee and 2x winner. Canadian-born and dual citizen of Great Britain, Trevor splits his time between his home and studios in Los Angeles and Toronto, Canada.

In 2024, Trevor launched his Toronto-based production company, Snow Dance Entertainment, which now serves as the creative home for a bold, internationally focused slate of original feature films, including his directorial debut, “Butterfly On A Wheel”. Trevor has contributed to 30 Feature Films and over 700 hours of 1-Hour dramatic Television; his Films and Television series have grossed over $2.7 billion in US & Canada, and $6.5 billion worldwide. He has collaborated with Ridley and Tony Scott, Antoine Fuqua, Gore Verbinski, and Jerry Bruckheimer, among others. His music scoring work on Spotify attracts over one million monthly listeners. Trevor is a triple citizen of Canada, Great Britain and the United States.

IG: @trevormorrisofficial

https://www.butterflythefilm.com/

In the latest episode of the Reel Mental Podcast I discuss the film "The Condor Daughter" with writer-director Álvaro Olmos Torrico and star Marisol Vallejos Montaño at The Toronto International Film Festival®.

Álvaro Olmos Torrico (Writer-director):

Álvaro Olmos Torrico was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia. His debut feature, Wiñay (2019), was among the first Bolivian films to be released globally via Amazon Prime. He has produced both documentaries and fiction features, including "The Ones from Below" by Alejandro Quiroga (Mar del Plata IFF, 2022) and "The Visitor" by Martín Boulocq (Tribeca, 2022). He is the founder of BoliviaCine.com, the first SVOD platform dedicated to Bolivian cinema, and has taught at the Bolivian Private University and the Andean School of Cinematography. "The Condor Daughter" is his second feature film and was awarded in the Work in Progress sections of Ventana Sur and Cinelatino Toulouse during its development.

Marisol Vallejos Montaño (Clara):

Marisol Vallejos Montano was born in 2004 in Cochabamba, a city in the Bolivian Andes, with family roots in the nearby rural town of Pocona, home to a Quechua-speaking community and rich Inca heritage. A self-taught musician, she learned guitar at 11 and later fell in love with her grandfather's accordion, playing at local celebrations with her sister. In 2021, the family formed "Estrella del Valle", an all-female group performing traditional and popular Bolivian music such as cumbia, huayno and cueca. With no prior acting experience, she undertook intensive training in performance, ancestral singing and midwifery practices, making her film debut in the role of Clara.

https://www.tiktok.com/@estrellas_del_valle 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067165715002

With special thanks to our interpreter Álvaro Girón.

Brian Eggert is a national award-winning film critic and scholar. He is Tomatometer-Approved and belongs to several critical and scholarly associations, including: the Society For Cinema and Media Studies, Minnesota Film Critics Association, Online Film & Television Association, International Film Society Critics, National Coalition of Independent Scholars, and the Large Association of Movie Blogs. Additionally, Brian is a member of the Independent Film Critics of America, who honored him with the 2024 Critic of the Year award. Brian lives in Minnesota with his wife and their dog. He is an occasional programmer and regularly appears on the NBC affiliate in the Twin Cities, KARE 11, to review and talk about movies. He also co-hosts the KARE 11+ show, The CineFiles.

Learn more about Brian Eggert:

Website: www.deepfocusreview.com 

Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/deepfocusreview/

Jason Anderson is a film programmer, journalist and lecturer in Toronto. As a longtime programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, he programs work from Canada, the Nordic countries and Benelux. He's also the programming director for the Kingston Canadian Film Festival and Aspen Shortsfest. He's a regular contributor to such publications as Uncut magazine, Sight & Sound and Broadview.

Lauren Melinda is an award-winning filmmaker, artist and founder of SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS. Her work explores issues of feminine identity and perception, while critiquing the forces of culture and circumstance that mold the roles assigned to women.

As a mixed-media artist, Lauren’s video installations have been commissioned by galleries, museums, and private collectors in North America and the Middle East, while her photographs have been sold to major collections around the world.

As a filmmaker, Lauren has written and directed three short films that have screened in 52 festivals on nearly every continent – garnering the top prize at six of them. Her most recent narrative film, Before You, is playing the festival circuit and is in collaboration with Planned Parenthood. She is now developing her first narrative feature, ECHOES, in which a Persian-American artist faces a Faustian bargain when a Berlin gallery demands she exploit her heritage for success, as well as a TV series based on her Ukrainian great-grandmother, who served as the midwife to the Shah of Iran.

As a mother of two young girls, Lauren’s passion for women’s issues only continues to grow in depth and perspective. Inspired by her daughters, Lauren launched SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS in 2024, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through film. The organization fosters female-centric stories that promote mutual validation, awareness, and hope. Most recently, SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS Executive Produced the feature film, Satisfaction, by Alex Burunova and featuring Emma Laird, which premiered at SXSW 2025.

Lauren received a dual Bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts and Art History from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Masters of Fine Arts from

the University of California, Irvine. She is based in Los Angeles.

Instagram:

@laurenmelindafilm

@simbelleproductions 

@beforeyouthefilm

*Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide. Please reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 (in Canada) if you need help.*

SEAN KING O’GRADY is an award-winning filmmaker whose work spans narrative features, documentaries, and high-profile branded content. His films have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, Telluride, Berlin, Venice, TIFF, SXSW, Sitges, Fantastic Fest, and dozens of other major festivals worldwide. Sean’s latest feature directorial effort, the Hulu Originals sci-fi thriller THE MILL, starring Lil’ Rel Howery, premiered at #1 on the platform in October 2023. His narrative debut, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, released theatrically by IFC Midnight, garnered critical acclaim and is now streaming on Hulu. His documentary work includes REVOLUTION: GMC HUMMER EV (History/Hulu) and OUR AMERICAN FAMILY (AMC+), the latter co-directed with Hallee Adelman. As a producer, Sean has been behind a number of acclaimed films, including Lil Rel Howery’s directorial debut HAUNTED HEIST which premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2025, Brandon Espy's 2024 Hulu Original hit MR. CROCKET, Steve Buscemi’s THE LISTENER starring Tessa Thompson, James Morosini’s SXSW-winning I LOVE MY DAD, Adam Carter Rehmeier’s Sundance breakout DINNER IN AMERICA, and Natalia Almada’s Sundancewinning USERS. His previous credits include THE ASSISTANT, LIVING UNDOCUMENTED, LAND GRAB, BIG SUR, and IN A WORLD…. Beyond film, Sean has directed high-impact branded content for LinkedIn, Amazon, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Carhartt, Virgin Atlantic, and other global brands.

SUSPICIOUS MINDS is a docuseries that investigates the disturbing rise of artificial intelligence as a trigger for delusional thinking. Through powerful firsthand accounts and in-depth interviews with leading experts in psychiatry, neuroscience, and AI ethics, the series unpacks a growing psychological phenomenon: individuals developing complex, often life-altering delusions rooted in AI technologies. From chatbots to surveillance fears, we examine how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of paranoia and how these modern delusions echo, amplify, and challenge our historical understanding of the human mind. Led by psychiatrist Dr. Joel Gold and philosopher Ian Gold, PhD, who together first described the Truman Show Delusion (people believing they were on a reality TV show like Jim Carrey’s character in The Truman Show) and authored the groundbreaking book Suspicious Minds: How Culture Shapes Madness (The Truman Show Delusion and Other Strange Beliefs), the series presents an urgent vision of just how dramatically culture can influence our minds. With a spirit of empathy, curiosity, and respect, we tell real patients’ riveting stories while plunging viewers deep into their mental states, as their reality becomes surreal, and then follow their journey toward managing their illness. We explore the future of treatment and prevention, and through these stories create larger conversations to help destigmatize this phenomenon. Interviews with the Golds and other top experts including psychologists, neuroscientists, ethicists, AI researchers, and cultural critics help viewers understand the science and culture behind the madness as we follow the trajectory from the Y2K-era near-future fiction of The Truman Show to tomorrow’s hyperreal, AI-dominated technological and cultural landscape — a world that would be almost unrecognizable to people living 100, 50, or even 10 years ago. The line between mental wellness and mental illness is incredibly thin, and we never know when something will trigger us, or someone we love. The goal of this series is to create awareness of these new and omnipresent digital triggers, and explore the psychological minefield we find ourselves unexpectedly living in today.

For more information: 

www.agoricmedia.com 

www.wondermind.com 

Instagram: @agoricmedia (https://www.instagram.com/agoricmedia/)

YouTube: @agoricmedia (https://www.youtube.com/@agoricmedia)