Mathias Noschis is a film marketing strategist and the founder of Alphapanda, a film marketing agency based in Berlin with team members in Europe. Mathias shares what led him to start a film marketing agency, why he chose Berlin over London, and how signing Warner Brothers was instrumental to Alphapanda's growth. Marianna and Mathias chat about the state of US indie filmmaking, Cannes film festival. and why the Larnaca Cinema Festival is magical.
Kasper Selvig is a Norwegian podcast producer / audio editor living & working in LA. Marianna and Kasper chat all things podcasting (and why Dax Shepard is the ultimate podcaster), how Kasper ended up working with Rabbit Grin Productions (the legends behind Armchair Expert & That Was Us podcasts) & why Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch was his favorite podcast to produce. Kasper shares his love for true crime podcasts, and imparts insightful advice for aspiring podcasters.
Sami Saif Sirelkhatim is a Moroccan and Sudanese independent filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. Marianna and Sami chat about how his childhood influenced his career trajectory, studying at a film school in Morocco, and the inspiration for the award-winning Naima's Movie. Sami shares his experience of film festivals, signing with Mad Solutions, and his next project.
Gasper Chiaramonte is a Hollywood video editor and producer. He is best known for working as an Editor on American Idol, Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show with James Corden & many other TV projects. Gasper shares insights on how to break into Hollywood, the key role an editor plays in unscripted TV, how well editors get paid, along with advice for aspiring editors. Marianna and Gasper chat about how you can't edit chemistry, Chelsea Handler living up to her reputation, the importance of marketing when it comes to indie films, Sean Baker's rise to success, and how YouTube is a great playground to discover your voice as a filmmaker.
Ed Rowell is a creative producer and video editor based in the UK. Marianna and Ed reminisce about working together at TOH PR, Ed chats about the transformational experience that was working in production for Wigwam Films, and what it was really like to be part of the crew for a BAFTA winning film. Ed discusses the difference between creative agencies in the UAE vs UK, and shares his insights on the role of AI in film production.
Layal Moukahal is the founder and CEO of Film Pudding Productions. She shares her love for production, why the advertising agency world was not quite right for her, & overcoming obstacles when launching her own film production company. Marianna and Layal chat about their experiences of working with Arab men, and Layal gives some insights into what’s next for Film Pudding.
Hayat Aljowaily is an Egyptian filmmaker & cultural programmer based between Paris & Cairo. Marianna chats to Hayat about how growing up in NYC during her formative years shaped her career, studying in the South of France, interning at Mad Solutions in Cairo & Maven Pictures in New York, and launching Le Hangar, a Paris-based production company. Hayat shares how being a female filmmaker in a male-dominated industry has given her confidence, and spotting Al Pacino backstage once.
Sameer Al Jaberi is the Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission. Sameer shares his journey into the film industry, being on set of Mission Impossible, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's new rebate for film producers, and how Abu Dhabi is supporting regional filmmakers. Marianna and Sameer chat about their shared love for ice skating, Vin Diesel, and why nothing beats gaining practical experience on a film production shoot.
Bilal Dayani is the COO of Eagle Films, a motion pictures distributor & producer in the MIddle East and North Africa regions. Bilal discusses the early days of film distribution in the Middle East, DVDs, and the challenges of producing Arabic content. Marianna and Bilal chat about the horror genre, Saudi Arabia's bustling film industry, and Egyptian film talent. Bilal also shares some of the top Hollywood films he's distributed including Twilight and Saw.
Amanda Turnbull is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rise Studios, an entertainment company driving investment into content throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Amanda and Marianna discuss the fundamental differences between the US and MENA film industries, insights into the growth of the Saudi region, and how storytelling is universal. They chat about wishing for the resurrection of the Dubai International Film Festival, if there is a gap in the region when it comes to film marketing, and Amanda shares an update on an exciting project in the works from Rise Studios.
Sarah Calderón is the founder of The Film Agency, a film marketing consultancy based in Madrid. Sarah gives a glimpse into what it took to launch The Film Agency, and the gap in the market that existed then (& still exists now). Marianna and Sarah chat about how indie films allow for more creative freedom when it comes to marketing, and the perils of not marketing a film in the early stages of production. Sarah shares insights into the main differences between the European and US film industries.
Justin McGuire is the OG of the Middle East Recruitment Industry. He’s the co-founder of MCG, the go-to talent specialists across Marketing, Creative, Communications and Technology in the Middle East and Asia. Marianna and Justin chat about the state of the recruitment industry in the GCC region, why just applying to jobs doesn’t work in the UAE, & the importance of not giving up. Marianna and Justin have a candid chat about salaries in the UAE, and Justin shares why he prefers Dubai over Singapore as his home base.
Gianluca Chakra is the visionary founder and managing director of Front Row Filmed Entertainment, the leading independent film distributor & producer in the MENA region. Marianna and Gianluca chat about how fragmented the film industry is in the Middle East, and the challenges of the region when it comes to film distribution. Gianluca shares insights into building a film distribution company, why everyone needs to watch Robbie Williams as an ape, and how George Clooney is one of the most fun Hollywood celebs he has met.
Brenden Hubbard is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and film festival strategist. Marianna and Brenden worked together on two film marketing projects - ‘Before I Disappear’ & ‘Last night in Rozzie’. Brenden chats his passion for producing, how his career has evolved from film to podcast producing, and how producing American Hostage Podcast with Jon Hamm ended up being so special. He gives valuable film festival advice to up-and- coming filmmakers, and shares why Logan Lerman is his favourite Hollywood actor.
Patriek Karayil is a C-suite advisor, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow & Board Member of the American Education Board. Marianna chats to Patriek about the serendipitous nature of his career, digital transformation for the US government, & what it was really like working at The White House. Marianna and Patriek debate the merits of an European education vs the concerning state of US education, and the alarming rise of AI startups.
Pauline Li is the co-managing partner of Madonna Capital (https://www.madonna-capital.com), with over 15 years of experience across a variety of sectors. From high school to KPMG, from Christian Dior to the UK startup scene, from working in finance AND fashion in Sydney to supporting female founders in the UK, there is little Pauline hasn't done in her illustrious career. Marianna chats to Pauline about meeting over sushi, some of the cultural differences of working in Australia vs the UK, how to navigate tech bros, and why you 'can't hate a hustler'.
Justin Butlion is the founder of projectBI, an analytics agency that specializes in helping eCommerce businesses unlock growth using data. Marianna chats to Justin about his digital nomad lifestyle, and his all time favourite city to work from (hint: it’s in Thailand). Justin talks about emerging digital trends, his BI consultancy, and why niche is best. He also has some words of wisdom for budding business analysts.
Ard Matthews is the front man of South African band Just Jinjer, with their debut album title ‘All Comes Round’, becoming one of the biggest selling rock genre albums of all time in South Africa. Marianna chats to Ard about her memory of working with him (and how he is the nicest celebrity), the creative process, and how much he loves touring in Dubai. Ard shares if he is a Swiftie, and talks a little about his upcoming new music.
Talia Savva is the co-founder of The Pilates Course (https://www.thepilatescourse.com/). Marianna and Talia reminisce about relay races at primary school, discuss New Zealand contract opportunities and their shared love for Auckland, along with delving deeper into Talia’s career trajectory and her passion for Pilates. Talia chats emerging Pilates trends and shares how she & her sister are taking The Pilates Course global, first in Miami and now in Dubai at FitRepublik.
Alla Boguslavsky is Head of Global Projects at an EdTech giant (2U). She has 17 years experience, across three continents and 300+ projects, successfully implementing complex global projects. Marianna chats to Alla about work cultures in New Zealand vs US vs Singapore vs South Africa along with AI trends in Project Management. Alla also imparts some wisdom for budding project managers including why 'competent is better than confident'.