Film Festival Radio

Filmmaker Andrew Davies Gans joins us today to talk about his new documentary Voices: The Danny Gans Story, honoring his father, the late Danny Gans—one of Las Vegas’ most iconic and beloved performers. The film, which celebrates Danny’s impact on fans and the Vegas entertainment community, is set to screen at the upcoming San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (April 25, 26, 27). The film, which has won numerous awards on the film festival circuit, marks Andrew's directorial debut. TRAILER: https://vimeo.com/1074112327 www.slofilmfest.org #andrewdaviesgans #dannygansdocumentary #lasvegaslegend #dannygans #sanluisopispointernationalfilmfestival #slofilmfestival2026 #lasvegasentertainment Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we’re spotlighting one of the biggest global celebrations in the world -- The Crunchyroll 10th Annual Anime Awards (May 23, 2026) live from Tokyo, Japan. This event is colossal! It brings together millions of fans from around the world together. Joining us for this special conversation are two voices who know the awards inside and out. Tim Lyu, one of the co-hosts of the pre-show event, and Nicholas Friedman, host of Crunchyroll Presents: The Anime Effect, both stopped by to break down this year’s nominees, fan‑favorite categories, and the trends shaping the future of anime around the world to honor the creators, performers, and series that defined the year in anime. Pop music recording artist The Weeknd is one of the many special guest performers. Cast your votes until April 15, 2026 at the website below: https://www.crunchyroll.com/animeawards/ #timlyu #nicholasfriedman #crunchyroll #anime #animeawards #animepopculture #theweeknd #animefandom Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we’re joined by filmmakers Jeremiah and Wendy Ginsberg, the creative team behind the new feature film Mendel’s Messiah — a project that began as a hit Off‑Broadway musical and has now made the leap to the big screen. They’re here to share the story behind the film, its beloved characters, and the journey from stage to cinema. The duo shares insights on bringing their beloved stage production to the screen, the creative process behind the story, and the cultural themes that make Mendel’s Messiah resonate with audiences of all backgrounds. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/KTX21LCOH68?si=gA6xq7MWqT2rE7E9 WEBSITE: www.mendelsmessiah.com #MendelsMessiah #JeremiahGinsberg #WendyGinsberg #OffBroadwaymusical #faithbasedfilms #Jewishstorytelling #inspirationalfilm #comedydrama Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stanley Nelson is the foremost chronicler of the African American experience working in nonfiction film today. His documentary films, many of which have aired on PBS. Nelson’s latest documentaries include Sound of the Police for ABC News Studios/Hulu, and Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom and Becoming Frederick Douglass for PBS. His previous documentary Attica for SHOWTIME Documentary Films was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 94th Academy Awards and earned him the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary. Marcia Smith is co-founder and former president of Firelight Media, which produces documentary films, provides artistic and financial support to emerging filmmakers of color and builds impact campaigns to connect documentaries to audiences and social justice advocates. Marcia Smith has written several films alongside documentarian Stanley Nelson including: Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities; Through the Fire: The Legacy of Barack Obama; Freedom Riders; Jonestown: The Life and Death of the Peoples Temple; Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind; and The Murder of Emmett Till. Smith received a Primetime Emmy nomination and won the Writers’ Guild Award for best nonfiction writing for her work on The Murder of Emmett Till. Ms. Smith is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, sits on the Peabody Board of Directors (East Coast) and is a member of the Board for Martha's Vineyard Film Society. www.blackpublicmedia.org www.firelightmedia.tv #Stanleynelson #MarciaSmith #BPM #BlackPublicMedia #PitchBlackSessions #PitchBlackForum #documentaryfilmmakers #firelightmedia Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guest: Bailey Tippen, who stars as 'Sylvie' on Tyler Perry's runaway hit drama series BEAUTY IN BLACK, on Netflix. The series explores power, corruption, family betrayal, and reinvention, all set against the backdrop of a beauty‑care dynasty with deep underground ties. Beauty in Black is holding down the #1 rated show or in the top 10 of shows on Netflix around the world! TRAILER: https://youtu.be/HAq7dpjG-T0?si=1wRPe9sd8XwIs0ZG #baileytippen #sylvie #beautyinblack #tylerperrystudios #netflixdrama #tylerperry Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Guest Drea Cooper chats about his latest documentary -- Rory McIlroy: The Masters Wait (premiering March 30, 2026, on Prime Video). The film chronicles Rory McIlroy’s 14-year, often painful pursuit of a Masters victory to complete the career Grand Slam. The documentary features intimate interviews and highlights Rory's 2011 meltdown, years of near-misses, and the ultimate 2025 triumph, revealing his mental struggle to conquer Augusta National to finally win the title. The Masters remained elusive, the missing piece that prevented him from completing golf's most exclusive achievement, the career Grand Slam. Built around the dramatic final round of the 2025 Masters and unfolding hole by hole, the film is a cinematic battle between man and course, revealing why sport is never just sport, but myth played out in real time. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/G8F2OM1OJ5A?si=RPaBZgA7poxhzMam # RoryMcIlroy #golf #TheMasters #PGA #Augustanational #primevideo #dreacooper #themasterswait #careergrandslam #championshipgolf #amazonoriginal #PGATour #TheMasters2026winner Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason Melton is the creator, writer and executive producer of the new docuseries ADVENTURE IN WONDER. It's currently exclusively on Wonder Project’s subscription on Prime Video in the U.S.The series follows two families from opposite worlds learning from each other: the Meltons, a Texas family who, after health scares, reprioritized what matters most, and the Woods, who've spent years sailing the globe while raising their children. Together, they navigate Croatia's stunning coastline, treacherous waters, cultural discoveries, and personal breakthroughs. TRAILER: https://youtu.be/ReBtKO8c3Tg?si=Wa-UZP-83GLCFk2S #jasonmelton #adventureseries #Primevideoseries #docu-series #sailing #Croatia #explorationandadventure #wonderprojectseries #thewoodsfamily #themeltonsfamily Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.