Interviews

With Light Up, filmmaker Ryan Ashley Lowery delivers a deeply personal and radiant tribute to the Black queer community. Premiering at the 2024 Bronzelens Film Festival, the documentary shines a spotlight on five remarkable individuals whose courage, faith, and authenticity illuminate the path for others. Through honest conversations, spiritual reflection, and moments of joy, Lowery crafts what he calls “a love letter” — to himself, to the LGBTQ+ community, and to anyone learning to embrace their full truth. IndieWrap sat down with the director to discuss representation, vulnerability, and the power of letting your light shine.

In an era when blockbuster spectacle often feels out of reach for independent creators, filmmaker Christopher Lombardi has done the unthinkable. With Princess Halle and the Jester — a fairy tale adventure made for just $100,000 and filmed entirely in a garage — Lombardi has crafted what’s believed to be the first fully generative AI-enhanced indie feature.

Seth Zvi Rosenfeld has been a defining voice in New York’s indie film scene since the 1990s, known for his gritty, street-wise storytelling in films like A Brother’s Kiss and King of the Jungle, and acclaimed TV projects such as HBO’s How to Make It in America and Netflix’s The Get Down. With his latest feature, Sunday at Il Posto Accanto, Rosenfeld returns to his roots—crafting a heartfelt, funny, and authentic slice of New York life.

Kristina Lorent Goztola’s career is as international as it is multifaceted. Born in Hungary, trained in London, New York, and Los Angeles, she has performed in four languages across television, film, and theatre — from Hollywood thrillers to French arthouse dramas. Today, she is not only an accomplished actress but also the co-founder of Gold Wood Pictures in Paris, a company recently recognized by France’s National Film Centre (CNC).

In an industry that has long sidelined women’s voices, filmmakers Rachel Noll James and Sienna Beckman are rewriting the narrative. As the co-founders of Washington-based production company Emergence Films, they’ve launched the Emerging Filmmakers Program — an ambitious, mission-driven incubator designed to equip early-career, female-identifying filmmakers with the tools, mentorship, and financial support they need to thrive. Photo Credit: Aiyana Irwin, Courtesy of Emergence Films

In Knee High, Michael Ridley delivers a quietly devastating performance as Cal, a young man navigating grief, fatherhood, and the unspoken weight of loss. Co-developed with director Marissa Vonn, the film trades grand spectacle for intimate moments, trusting audiences to meet its characters in silence as much as in words.

Actor, writer, and producer Tony J Black is carving out a path as dynamic as his performances—from major network hits like NCIS: Sydney and Apples Never Fall to deeply personal indie projects like his award-nominated short film TALK.

With Saffron Kingdom, debut director Arfat Sheikh delivers a searingly personal and politically urgent film rooted in the lived experience of growing up in Kashmir.

Some films don't just entertain — they move us. IZIDOR is one of them. Based on the true story of Izidor Ruckel, a boy hidden away in a Romanian asylum, the film captures a powerful glimpse into resilience and hope. Director David Kabbe and producer, writer, and actress Sarah Padbury bring Izidor’s journey to life. In this exclusive interview, they share the heart behind IZIDOR and why this story — and the children it represents — must be seen and heard.

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the visionary filmmaker Sebastian Sommer to discuss his debut feature Dragon.