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The Filmmakers Podcast

The Filmmakers Podcast

Giles Alderson 514 episodes Nov 9, 2026

A podcast about how to make film and TV by filmmakers who actually make them. Interviewing guests from the film-making world from Indie film to Hollywood and everything in between. Hosts Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar, and others explore the world behind-the-scenes of making films and TV, talking to the actors, writers, directors and producers who make them.

Episodes

The Academy Masterclasses: Léa Seydoux & Director Marie Kreutzer on the Emotional Core of 'Gentle Monster'
The Academy Masterclasses: Léa Seydoux & Director Marie Kreutzer on the Emotional Core of 'Gentle Monster' Nov 9, 2026 31:40 We are keeping the focus entirely on craft this week with a deep dive into one of the most affecting, emotionally rigorous films of the year. In a brand new Academy Masterclass, Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with director Marie Kreutzer and her incredible lead actress, Léa Seydoux, to discuss the creation of Gentle Monster. The film relies entirely on the unspoken, exploring the devas
How to Pitch to Film Investors & Demystifying Film Finance, SEIS, EIS, Tax Credits, Recoupment & SPV's on your indie films with Tony Cook, Zak Fenning & Giles Alderson
How to Pitch to Film Investors & Demystifying Film Finance, SEIS, EIS, Tax Credits, Recoupment & SPV's on your indie films with Tony Cook, Zak Fenning & Giles Alderson Oct 26, 2026 56:29 We are taking a break from the creative side this week to get straight into the hard reality of the industry: the money. If you want to make films, you need to understand how the numbers work. Giles Alderson is joined (in his hotel room) in Bulgaria by Tony Cook and Zak Fenning to completely demystify the business of independent film finance. Tony and Zak have just launched their new production b
Directing and writing 'Whalefall' – Brian Duffield & Daniel Kraus on Cinematic Constraints
Directing and writing 'Whalefall' – Brian Duffield & Daniel Kraus on Cinematic Constraints Oct 20, 2026 30:11 While Giles is away working on his own feature, the brilliant Conor Boru has stepped into his shoes to co-host (and edit) alongside Dom Lenoir, and they have delivered an absolute belter of an episode. Today, the lads sit down with director and co-writer Brian Duffield and author and co-writer Daniel Kraus to dig into their staggering new survival thriller, Whalefall. The film, starring Austin Ab
The Academy Masterclasses: Directing 'Tenzing' with Jennifer Peedom & Actress Thinley Lhamo
The Academy Masterclasses: Directing 'Tenzing' with Jennifer Peedom & Actress Thinley Lhamo Oct 15, 2026 39:43 In the inaugural episode of our brand new series, The Academy Masterclasses, Dom Lenoir sits down with director, writer and producer Jennifer Peedom and actress Thinley Lhamo to discuss the monumental task of bringing the true story of Tenzing to the big screen. Jen shares how her 23-year history with the Sherpa community in the Himalayas laid the groundwork for this epic feature. Together, they
Street Fighter Director Kitao Sakurai on Bringing Arcade Chaos to the Big Screen
Street Fighter Director Kitao Sakurai on Bringing Arcade Chaos to the Big Screen Oct 11, 2026 27:47 Filmmakers, welcome to the podcast! We've got a brilliant episode for you today. Dom Lenoir and Conor Boru are sitting down with the incredibly talented Kitao Sakurai. You probably know Kitao's work as the regular director of The Eric Andre Show and the hit film Bad Trip, but he's here to talk about his massive upcoming project: directing the live-action Street Fighter movie! Kitao dives deep int
Directing Brad Pitt in 'Heart of the Beast' | David Ayer (Fury, Training Day) Returns to TFP
Directing Brad Pitt in 'Heart of the Beast' | David Ayer (Fury, Training Day) Returns to TFP Oct 8, 2026 21:25 Welcome back to the podcast! This week, host Dom sits down with returning guest and powerhouse filmmaker David Ayer (Fury, End of Watch, Training Day, The Beekeeper) to break down his gripping new survival thriller, Heart of the Beast. Reuniting with his Fury leading man Brad Pitt, Heart of the Beast follows a former Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog fighting for survival after a violent plane
From 'One Day' to Feature Debut: Molly Manners & Producer Sarah Brocklehurst on Adapting Short Stories, Sundance and Making 'Extra Geography'
From 'One Day' to Feature Debut: Molly Manners & Producer Sarah Brocklehurst on Adapting Short Stories, Sundance and Making 'Extra Geography' Oct 3, 2026 50:24 Get tickets for SESSIONS Festival Screening at LIFF this Friday 9th Oct at Genesis Cinema in London here: https://genesiscinema.co.uk/event/114469 Filmmakers, welcome back to the podcast! Today we have an absolute treat for you, especially if you love fiercely authentic, character-driven British cinema. We are sitting down with BAFTA-winning director Molly Manners and powerhouse producer Sarah B
George MacKay on Sense and Sensibility, Wardrobe Malfunctions & an Acting Masterclass | TFP Mini-Ep
George MacKay on Sense and Sensibility, Wardrobe Malfunctions & an Acting Masterclass | TFP Mini-Ep Sep 27, 2026 19:51 On this special bonus mini-episode, we sit down with the incredible George MacKay (1917, Femme, Captain Fantastic) to talk about his latest role as Edward Ferrars in Georgia Oakley’s stunning adaptation of Sense and Sensibility. George gives us a rapid-fire masterclass in acting, collaboration, and how to survive the intense, high-pressure environment of a major period drama set. 🎬 IN THIS EPISO
Directing Sense and Sensibility: Georgia Oakley & Fiona Shaw on the BIG 2nd Feature, the Reality of Period Filmmaking & Cinematic Rigour
Directing Sense and Sensibility: Georgia Oakley & Fiona Shaw on the BIG 2nd Feature, the Reality of Period Filmmaking & Cinematic Rigour Sep 23, 2026 51:57 Filmmakers, welcome back to the podcast! Today we are tackling a literary masterpiece, but we are looking at it through a completely fresh, vibrant, and fiercely cinematic lens. We are joined by the phenomenally talented director Georgia Oakley and the absolute acting titan, Fiona Shaw. Georgia is fresh off the massive success of her BAFTA-nominated debut feature, Blue Jean, which won the Venice
Bad Apples: Jonatan Etzler on Nailing the Pitch, Transitioning to Features, 17 Shorts, Character Arcs & His English-Language Debut starring Saoirse Ronan
Bad Apples: Jonatan Etzler on Nailing the Pitch, Transitioning to Features, 17 Shorts, Character Arcs & His English-Language Debut starring Saoirse Ronan Sep 18, 2026 23:46 Filmmakers, welcome back to the podcast! Today Giles Alderson is sitting down with director Jonatan Etzler to talk about his brand new feature, Bad Apples. Now, if you want a masterclass in putting in the reps, Jonatan is your guy. He directed 17 short films that played at various festivals, including Intercourse, which screened at South by Southwest, and Swimmer, which won Best Comedy at Clermont
The Business of Film Special: The Hidden UK Indie Boom, Sales Agents & Surviving the Distribution & Box Office Market
The Business of Film Special: The Hidden UK Indie Boom, Sales Agents & Surviving the Distribution & Box Office Market Sep 8, 2026 1:25:06 Filmmakers, welcome back to the pod! Today we are stripping away the craft and diving headfirst into the absolute engine room of our industry: The Business of Film. Giles Alderson is joined by a massive powerhouse panel to dissect the current state of the market, the realities of raising cash, and how to actually get your indie film seen and sold. We have data guru Stephen Follows, brilliant prod
Directing PRACTICAL MAGIC 2: Susanne Bier on Magic, Studio Sequels & A-List Casts + Giles Announces his latest project
Directing PRACTICAL MAGIC 2: Susanne Bier on Magic, Studio Sequels & A-List Casts + Giles Announces his latest project Sep 3, 2026 37:52 Filmmakers, we have an absolutely magical episode for you this week! While Giles Alderson has been out in Bulgaria producing his latest feature film, the brilliant Conor Boru steps into the host chair to sit down with the phenomenal director Susanne Bier to discuss her massive new release, PRACTICAL MAGIC 2. Nearly three decades after the original spellbound audiences, Susanne takes us behind th

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