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First Time Go: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Benjamin Duchek
A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.
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- Yesterday20 min
Special Cannes Podcast: Anna Berthollet of Lightdox
The podcast concludes this unreal Cannes Film Festival series with Lightdox founder and CEO, Anne Berthollet. Lightdox has consistently championed stunning documentaries, like GABIN (2026); FLOPHOUSE (2025) and so much more. How is the company able to find such amazing documentaries? What happens when Lightdox grows -- will they be able to maintain their quality offerings? And what is her advice for aspiring documentarians?See you next year, Cannes!In this episode, Anna and I discuss:why she founded Lightdox;her slate at Cannes and why Lightdox chose these particular films;the process in selecting her films and what she is looking for;their sales and distribution strategy in the current market;is there a redline for films and sales where Lightdox *won't* go?whether she'll be able to maintain the high quality of Lightdox's slate as the company expands;how she feels about true crime docudramas in the documentary space;how documentary filmmakers are surviving right now;what it's like being at Cannes as a Swiss film company;what's next for Lightdox.Links:Follow Lightdox on InstagramLightdox
- 2 days ago14 min
Special Cannes Podcast: Nguyễn Phan Linh Đan
I'd argue the Pierre Angénieux Tribute is the best thing going at the Cannes Film Festival. Why? Two reasons:they elevate one filmmaker -- this year, it was Japanese cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa -- by way of tribute. If you haven't seen her work, now is your opportunity. But they don't stop there.they utilize the platform of that tribute to give a "special encouragement" to a young cinematographer. This year, it was my guest, Nguyễn Phan Linh Đan, who combines Vietnamese and French cultures to offer a new and fresh perspective on storytelling.Listen to both conversations and tell me this isn't truly amazing what Angénieux is doing at Cannes. May there be 100 more companies that follow their lead.In this episode, we talk about:the press release indicated that she "belongs to a new generation of Vietnamese filmmakers who seek to redefine the contours of a national cinema" -- what do those words mean to her?how she got involved in filmmaking and decide to be a cinematographer;how much cinematography can be taught?;her relationship with technology and cinematography;the amazing respect she has for Akiko Ashizawa;why there aren't more female cinematographers;what she's looking for when working with a director and whether she wants to direct;how she maintains her currency on her equipment.Indie Film Highlight: Akiko AshizawaLinks:Follow Linh Dan on InstagramMy Conversation With Akiko AshizawaPierre Angénieux Tribute
- 3 days ago21 min
Special Cannes Podcast: Akiko Ashizawa 芦澤 明子
What an incredible honor to be joined by famed cinematographer Akiko Ashizawa, who was honored at the Cannes Film Festival with the 2026 Pierre Angénieux Tribute. We talk about her career, how she thought the tribute was spam!, females in cinematography, and more.The episode is recorded thanks to a translator.In this episode, Akiko and I discuss:how she found out about the Pierre Angénieux Tribute and thought it was spam!;how she got her start;what defines Japanese cinema and its visual style;her views on technology and cinematography;her mentors and her advice for young cinematographers like Nguyễn Phan Linh Đan;why there aren't more female cinematographers and whether it's improved since she started.Akiko's Indie Filmmaker Highlight: Shuichi Okita 沖田 修Links:2026 Pierre Angénieux TributeAkiko Ashizawa
- 4 days ago15 min
Special Cannes Episode: Michael Hampden of Sandbox VR
We've seen the future of indie filmmaking the last few weeks with the theatrical runs of OBSESSION (2025) and BACKROOMS (2026).Let me argue that sometime in the future, we'll see a Sandbox VR or immersive experience film have that kind of launch. In this Cannes episode, I talk with senior vice president of content for Sandbox VR about what the future looks like for VR + immersive experience films.Given how many locations they already have, I'm confident Sandbox -- and Michael Hampden -- will be a part of it.In this episode, Michael and I talk about:what is Sandbox VR and his role at the company;how did he know he can not only play these games but write + direct them;what is the Curators Network and his participation in this year's event;his thoughts on the Immersive Experience films at Cannes and how it compares to Sandbox VR;the media landscape's coverage (or lack thereof) of these films;what unexpected things did he learn as part of the Curators Network;directors transitioning to Sandbox VR and what that experience is like;what's next for Sandbox VR.Link:Curators Network at CannesFollow Sandbox VR On Instagram
- 5 days ago1 min
Indie Film Highlight: FIRST GROWTH (2015)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: FIRST GROWTH (2015)Director: Jérôme Le GrisWriters: Vanessa Portal; Rémi Bezançon; Jérôme Le GrisStars: Gérard Lanvin; Jalil Lespert; Alice TaglioniSYNOPSISCharlie must take over operation of his family's vineyard when it nears bankruptcy. He gambles on the farm's future by using traditional methods that went away with the introduction of new technology.Subscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedIn
- 1 weeks ago8 min
Special Cannes Podcast: Why Peru? An Interview With The Country's Director At Le Marché du Film
Why film in Peru? I stopped by a booth at Le Marche du Film at the Cannes Film Festival to talk about what they have to offer filmmakers. At the Cannes Film Festival, they have a market where most countries around the world are represented.I talked with Carlos Manuel Arca Hoyle, director of Promperú France, about why people should film in western South America.In this episode, Carlos and I discuss:why film in Peru?;what films people know that were filmed in Peru;the kind of clients in Peru;the most asked question at the festival.You can reach Carlos at cmarca@promperu.gob.pe
- 1 weeks ago14 min
Special Cannes Podcast: Sara Ishaq سارة إسحاق Of THE STATION (2026)
It's a hard question for me to answer because I saw so many wonderful films, but people ask it -- what was your favorite at Cannes?And I answer it with THE STATION (2026) by Sara Ishaq, her fiction debut at the Cannes Film Festival.The film tells a story we hardly see in war films: what is happening with the families during a conflict. The characters are richly drawn from the amazing tapestry of Sara's life and she imbues it with such life that it will stay with you long after you walk out of the theater. What a bright star in independent filmmaking: Sara Ishaq.In this episode, Sarah and I discuss:what she'd like people to know about THE STATION;the events, especially 9/11, that led a Scottish-Yemeni student into filmmaking;how her triple majors at university (!) -- theology, Middle Eastern politics, law -- inform the film;what draws her to these tough topics;why she chose to focus on how war impacts families in this film.Links:Follow Sara On InstagramVariety's Review Of THE STATION
- 1 weeks ago13 min
Special Cannes Podcast: Sophie Power Of WHATEVER A SUN WILL ALWAYS SING (2025)
Today, I'm talking with Irish filmmaker Sophie Power, whose film WHATEVER A SUN WILL ALWAYS SING (2025), which was selected to screen at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner - Cinema De Demain. The film is built entirely around recreations of four anonymous people answering the question: what was the moment you were forced to grow up?In some random order, I love hybrid documentaries; Irish filmmakers; people screening their films at Cannes and talking about it, which meant that I absolutely loved Sophie's film and talking with her about it.In this episode, Sophie and I discuss:her experimental hybrid documentary and how she blended four stories into a cohesive film;what the film says about documentary;how she got started in filmmaking;what can change systematically to help female directors and inviting more people to "grab coffee" as a way forward;her Cannes experience and what kind of advice she'd give a filmmaker attending for the first time.what's next for her and what it means to be an Irish filmmaker.Sophie's Indie Film Highlight: Andrew Thomas HuangLinks:Follow Sophie On Instagram
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A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.
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