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Indie Film Hustle® - A Filmmaking Podcast

Indie Film Hustle
Independent Filmmaking
Screenwriting
Indie Filmmaking
Filmmaking
Hollywood
Film Distribution
Networking
Crowdfunding
Character Development
Storytelling
Film Industry
Film Production
Acting
Entrepreneurial Filmmaking
The Hatred
Independent Film
Query Letters
Social Media
Sundance Film Festival
Character Arcs

The Indie Film Hustle Podcast is your #1 source for how to hack the film business and indie film world! The show is here to help as many indie filmmakers as I could. We wanted to bring the best guests, industry leaders, creative legends, and film business friends to you, the IFH Tribe. Some of the past guests include 3X Oscar® Winning Writer/Director Oliver Stone, Barry Sonnenfeld (Men in Black), ... more

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Latest Episodes

What if the biggest threat to your film isn’t your budget… your script… or even your distribution—but something legal you never even thought about?

In this episode, Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet, breaks down the essential legal foundations every film... more

In this episode, Will Ball—talent agent and founder of a new agency—breaks down the harsh realities of the film and acting industry that most aspiring filmmakers never hear. From the oversaturated market in Los Angeles to the misconception that talen... more

What happens after you finish your film? For most filmmakers, that’s where the real struggle begins.

In this episode, Liz Manashil—filmmaker and manager at Sundance’s Creative Distribution Initiative—reveals the uncomfortable truth about modern film... more

James Altucher breaks down the real foundation of creativity and why most writers and filmmakers struggle—not because they lack talent, but because they don’t consistently generate ideas. He explains how developing an “idea muscle” through daily prac... more

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Recent Guests

Will Ball
Talent agent, founder of Vi Agency
Vi Agency
Episode: IFH 852: Why Moving to LA Might Ruin Your Film Career with Will Ball
Liz Manashil
Filmmaker; Sundance Creative Distribution Initiative Manager
Sundance Institute
Episode: IFH 851: Why Your Film Might Never Get Distributed (Brutal Truth) with Liz Manashil
James Altucher
Multi-time Amazon bestselling author and entrepreneur; host of The James Altucher Show
Independent author and podcaster
Episode: IFH 850: Why Most Creators Never Finish Their Film (Hard Truth) with James Altucher
Bill Ostroff
Founder/Director of First Glance Film Festival, Philadelphia
First Glance Film Festival
Episode: IFH 849: Why 99% of Indie Films NEVER Get Distribution with Bill Ostroff
Rob Dimension
Filmmaker and creator of Rob Dimension projects
Episode: IFH 848: Why Most Filmmakers NEVER Finish Their Movies with Rob Dimension
Ethan Marten
Actor, Producer, and Filmmaker
Independent film projects (Eyes of the Roshi, White Buffalo)
Episode: IFH 847: The Indie Filmmaker’s Survival Guide (No Hollywood Required) with Ethan Marten
Sandra Leviton
TV and film development executive, Under the Stairs Entertainment
Under the Stairs Entertainment
Episode: IFH 846: Why Breaking Into TV Is HARDER Than You Think with Sandra Leviton
Guy Goldstein
Screenwriter and software developer, creator of WriterDuet
WriterDuet
Episode: IFH 845: The Screenwriting Software Changing How Writers Work with Guy Goldstein
Patrick Epino
Actor and producer, co-creator of Awesome Asian Bad Guys
National Film Society / Awesome Asian Bad Guys
Episode: IFH 844: How to Turn a YouTube Idea Into a Feature Film with Patrick Epino

Host

Alex Ferrari
Host of Indie Film Hustle Podcast; indie filmmaking-focused interviewer and educator

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 537 ratings
  • Good content, but 5 yrs old?

    Just listened to an episode and it feels like Alex has checked out. He built his tribe and has now handed it over to guest hosts. The last ep I listened to was at least 5 years old (they mentioned Hateful 8 as an upcoming movie).

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mass455
    United States8 months ago
  • Not the same without Alex’s touch

    The podcast has been a great resource for information and learning about filmmaking, but sadly not having Alex Ferrari on at the helm conducting the interview has been lamentable.

    Having a special host in Dave Bullis can only do so much, he should be given the reigns and rebrand the show to his liking.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Nmeskto
    United States8 months ago
  • Superb episode

    We’ve recently finished our first short film. I’ve read the book and got the T-shirt but this episode was wonderfully honest and full of important and current tips going forward. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SimsUAV
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Ad bukkake

    Way too many gdmf ads. Every 5 minutes another ad. Murders the flow of conversation every time. Basically unlistenable. Trash podcast, poorly edited, lame host to say the least

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jake Khakis
    United States2 years ago
  • Alex Ferrari’s nervous/fake laugh is telling

    I don’t believe Alex believes in himself, because he is constantly guffawing when nothing funny was said. It feels like nerves, but it could also be some attempt to make him seem likable.

    Alex Ferrari isn’t likeable, and he’s not a good interviewer.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mister Mistofelees
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the practical, experience-based guidance for indie filmmakers and the wide range of guests with real-world lessons.
The show is seen as a staple resource for people pursuing independent film careers, though some feedback notes the host's style and ad frequency can be polarizing.
Audience sentiment is mixed about hosting and ads, but many praise the depth of interview content and actionable tips for crowdfunding, marketing, and production.

Top TV & Film Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

IFH 851: Why Your Film Might Never Get Distributed (Brutal Truth) with Liz Manashil
Q: What are the key factors distributors look for in micro-budget features?
Distributors want clear audience potential, strong creative control, a viable budget, and a marketing plan. Built-in audience through crowd or existing fanbase, and a compelling cast can tilt the odds in favor of acquiring and marketing a film, even with a small budget.
IFH 851: Why Your Film Might Never Get Distributed (Brutal Truth) with Liz Manashil
Q: How did you approach crowdfunding Bread and Butter and what was the impact on distribution decisions later?
Crowdfunding served as both proof of audience interest and a way to assemble a team and capital. The process helped secure a distributor later on and underscored the importance of having named cast to attract attention and investment.
IFH 849: Why 99% of Indie Films NEVER Get Distribution with Bill Ostroff
Q: What can writers and directors do to set their indie film apart from everything else out there?
Start early with branding: create and maintain dedicated social accounts for the film, develop a strong poster and graphic identity, and build an audience from day one; also, consider micro-budget strategies like filming a strong scene to attract investors.
IFH 850: Why Most Creators Never Finish Their Film (Hard Truth) with James Altucher
Q: How much time do you spend researching your podcast guests?
A substantial amount; for Steven Pressfield, for example, he spent 40-50 hours preparing, reading multiple books, watching interviews, and traveling to interview in person to ensure depth and quality.
IFH 850: Why Most Creators Never Finish Their Film (Hard Truth) with James Altucher
Q: How long have you been doing the 10 ideas a day?
Since 2002, a sustained practice used to keep the creativity muscle active and to generate a steady stream of potential concepts that can be refined into bigger projects.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Indie Film Hustle®

What is Indie Film Hustle® about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on indie filmmaking, distribution, marketing, crowdfunding, and the business side of building a film career. Episodes commonly feature filmmakers, producers, writers, and actors who share practical, hands-on insights about getting projects off the ground with limited budgets, navigating festivals, securing distribution, and leveraging networks. A standout angle is the emphasis on entrepreneurship within filmmaking—rethinking traditional paths, using grassroots outreach, and deploying creative marketing to reach audiences. The host dynamic tends toward candid conversations with a focus on actionable takeaways for aspiring artists, filmmakers, and “filmtrepreneurs.” Potential listeners who want real-world tactics for crowdfun... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Indie Film Hustle®?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Indie Film Hustle®:

1. The No Film School Podcast
2. The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna
3. Scriptnotes Podcast
4. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
5. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast

How many episodes of Indie Film Hustle® are there?

Indie Film Hustle® launched 11 years ago and published 996 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Indie Film Hustle®?

Recent guests on Indie Film Hustle® include:

1. Will Ball
2. Liz Manashil
3. James Altucher
4. Bill Ostroff
5. Rob Dimension
6. Ethan Marten
7. Sandra Leviton
8. Guy Goldstein

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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