Filmmaker Mixer

How do you bring iconic comic-book characters into the real world? On this episode of Filmmaker Mixer, we sit down with Cynthia Summers, the costume designer behind HBO’s Lanterns, to explore how she created the grounded visual identity of the series.
Cynthia takes us inside the creative process—from developing contemporary streetwear and distinct looks for John Stewart and Hal Jordan to using silhouette, texture, layering, and wear to reveal character. Filmmakers will learn how costume can become a storytelling tool long before a character says a word.

Director Cyrus Neshvad joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss Child, his debut feature about a couple willing to cross every boundary to save their son. The psychological horror film premiered at the 2026 Raindance Film Festival, and Child has been selected to represent Luxembourg in the 2027 Oscar and Goya races.
Cyrus takes us behind the scenes of the filmmaking process—from creating suspense and psychological horror to directing performances, controlling what the audience sees, and making the transition from acclaimed short films to a feature. He also discusses lessons learned from The Red Suitcase, his Oscar-nominated short, and how those experiences shaped Child.

What does it really take to get an independent film distributed? In this episode of the Filmmaker Mixer Podcast, Richard Wolff of Breaking Glass Pictures shares how distributors evaluate films, the biggest mistakes filmmakers make, and what today's marketplace actually looks like.
We also discuss festivals, streaming platforms, AI, marketing, financing, and where independent film distribution is headed next. Whether you're producing your first feature or preparing your next festival submission, you'll come away with practical advice that can help your film reach its audience.

We’re welcoming Susie Carter back to the Filmmaker Mixer, along with producer Rick Mountcastle, to talk about No Country for Old People and the extraordinary response to the documentary—including its role in inspiring the first-ever national walk for reform on September 27.This is a conversation about storytelling, filmmaking, and the power of a story to create real-world action.

Award-winning director and writer Tessa Blake joins Filmmaker Mixer to discuss her feature directorial and writing debut, If I Tell You, starring Academy Award-nominated Carol Kane. Based on Lisa O’Donnell’s novel Closed Doors, the film explores trauma, family, community, and a 12-year-old boy’s changing understanding of the world.Tessa takes us behind the filmmaking decisions—from shooting in the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota to adapting the novel. Filmmakers will learn how she translated years of television experience into feature filmmaking and approached the unique challenges of directing her first feature.