In this inspiring episode of Best in Fest, Les Lippa sits down with filmmakers David Morrison, Penny Edmondson, and Judy Marlin to talk about their dynamic documentary It’s Our Ball—the untold story of senior women dominating the basketball court and redefining age, athleticism, and respect. From heartfelt personal journeys to the challenges of authentic storytelling, the trio shares how they brought these powerful voices to the screen and why this project is changing the conversation around women, sports, and aging. Whether you’re a filmmaker, sports fan, or just love a great underdog story, this episode will leave you motivated to get in the game—at any age.

What does it take to go from indie filmmaker to Emmy-winning director? In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Bridget Stokes—trailblazing director of A Black Lady Sketch Show, Hello, Jack!, and Boy Genius—to unpack her inspiring rise through the film and television world. From waiting tables in New York to winning an Emmy as the first woman in her category, Bridget shares the real hustle behind her success.

She dives deep into the contrasts between episodic TV and feature films, her collaborative producing roots, and her passion for building immersive story worlds. Plus, hear the behind-the-scenes story of The Rachel Divide, her pivot into children's television during the pandemic, and why she believes now is the perfect time to chase what sets your soul on fire.

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• How to transition from indie film to episodic directing
• Lessons from working on hit shows like The Goldbergs, Gabby Duran, and A Black Lady Sketch Show
• Tips on collaboration, creative longevity, and shadowing the right way
• Why staying true to your storytelling voice is the only way forward

📲 Follow Bridget on Instagram @murphystokes and on LinkedIn.

What do PlayStation, storefront media, and cutting-edge documentaries have in common? Nathan Elliott. In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with the Canadian entrepreneur, technologist, and filmmaker to discuss how he's revolutionizing advertising and storytelling. Nathan reveals how his company, FrontRunner Technologies, transforms vacant storefronts into immersive media platforms—and how that tech-savvy mindset shaped his foray into film production.

They explore Black Mark, a powerful documentary about NBA star Matt Barnes’ near-fatal high school experience with the KKK, and its evolution into a gripping series concept. Plus, Nathan shares behind-the-scenes insight into With Love, Charlie, a Korean War-era short film now hitting Samsung platforms on August 1. From branded entertainment to virtual production and beyond, this episode is packed with game-changing ideas for creators, producers, and marketers alike.

🎯 Topics Covered:

• Brand integration in film and TV
• Virtual production for indie filmmakers
• Turning trauma into transformational storytelling
• Global advertising trends
• The future of theatrical experiences

📲 Follow Nathan: @elliottnate8
🔗 Company: @frontrunnertech
🎬 Shorts to stream: Black Mark and With Love, Charlie