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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1000Founded11 years ago
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TV & FilmSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Indie Film Hustle®

Latest Episodes

What does a career look like when it spans cult films, Bollywood productions, Hollywood boardrooms, and ultimately a complete reinvention of purpose?

In this episode, Will Keenan shares one of the most unconventional journeys in entertainment. From ... more

What separates a good cinematographer from one that directors, producers, and talent repeatedly trust with high-pressure productions?

In this episode, cinematographer Jared Hess shares hard-earned lessons from over a decade shooting for ESPN, WWE, B... more

What happens when a lifelong wrestling fan decides to document one of the most chaotic and misunderstood subcultures in entertainment history?

In this episode, filmmaker John Philapavage breaks down the 13-year journey of creating Barbed Wire City, ... more

What does it really take to make an independent film with almost no money, no studio backing, and no guarantees?

In this episode, filmmakers Bob Woolsey and Darren Borrowman break down the entire chaotic journey of making their indie feature film Do... more

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Recent Guests

Jared Hess
Cinematographer based in Orlando, Florida; experienced with WWE, Bellator, ESPN, and various indie/long-form projects
Freelance Cinematographer
Episode: IFH 858: The Cinematographer’s Secret to Making Actors Trust You with Jared Hess
John Philapavage
Co-director and producer of Barbed Wire City, the unauthorized story of Extreme Championship Wrestling
Barbed Wire City
Episode: IFH 857: The Untold Story of ECW’s Rise & Fall with John Philapavage
Bob Woolsey
Filmmaker, co-creator of Bar of Time Productions
Bar of Time Productions
Episode: IFH 856: How to Make an Indie Film When You Have NO Money with Bob Woolsey & Darren Borrowman
Darren Borrowman
Filmmaker, co-creator of Bar of Time Productions
Bar of Time Productions
Episode: IFH 856: How to Make an Indie Film When You Have NO Money with Bob Woolsey & Darren Borrowman
Christopher Downie
Filmmaker behind Shooting Clerks and related projects
AldrichyMedia / Smod Co. network involvement mentioned
Episode: IFH 855: The Crazy Story Behind Shooting Clerks (The Clerks Biopic) with Christopher Downie
Jenna Edwards
Producer/Actor discussing career and personal journey
Jenna Edwards Media
Episode: IFH 854: Why Most Indie Films Fail Before Production Even Starts with Jenna Edwards
Nellie Akalp
CEO of CorpNet, entrepreneur, legal filing expert in corporate formation
CorpNet
Episode: IFH 853: The Legal Mistake That Can Destroy Your Film Career with Nellie Akalp
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

Hosts

Alex Ferrari
Host of the indie filmmaking-focused show; long-time creator and entrepreneur in the indie film space.
Dave Bullis
Guest host on several episodes, brings industry-insider perspectives and practical filmmaking guidance.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 539 ratings
  • Too many ads

    Sometimes the interviews are good but ads are constant and interrupt the interviewee mid sentence constantly. Ridiculous.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TeamSG1
    United Statesa month ago
  • Informational but annoying

    Honestly there can be good info in here but ads pop up mid sentence! And the episode that finally made me give up is touted as info on LLC’s etc but is actually one ridiculously long commercial for guest’s company. Astounding.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    MossATL
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States9 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 States9 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

Listeners Say

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

The host's presence is polarizing; guests and content receive praise for practical insight.
High-quality guests and actionable tips are consistently cited as standout strengths.
Some listeners feel the host dominates conversations, impacting the flow.
Ads and pacing divide listeners, with some calling for fewer interruptions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#156
Singapore/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

IFH 857: The Untold Story of ECW’s Rise & Fall with John Philapavage
Q: What tips would you give for documentary crowdfunding and managing a project like this?
John shares hard-won crowdfunding insights, emphasizing budget discipline, the importance of perks, transparency with backers, and the necessity of a pre-order model to cover costs and expectations.
IFH 857: The Untold Story of ECW’s Rise & Fall with John Philapavage
Q: How did you go about starting to put Barbed Wire City together in the initial stages?
John explains the initial concept, assembling a list of interview targets, and the gradual process of turning a long-term passion project into a funded documentary through Kickstarter and outreach.
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.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A practical, industry-focused show that features indie filmmakers, producers, and distribution experts sharing real-world strategies for crowdfunding, pre-production planning, distribution, and building a sustainable film career on a micro-budget. Episodes frequently explore crowdfunding campaigns, festival and distribution tactics, legal and business structures, and the realities of breaking into LA or other markets. Notable strengths include unvarnished storytelling from hands-on practitioners, a track record of high-profile indie guests, and actionable insights for navigating the film business in today's landscape. A recurring edge is the emphasis on community, mentorship, and the “filmmaker entrepreneur” mindset, making it valuable for ... 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. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
5. Team Deakins

How many episodes of Indie Film Hustle® are there?

Indie Film Hustle® launched 11 years ago and published 1000 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. Jared Hess
2. John Philapavage
3. Bob Woolsey
4. Darren Borrowman
5. Christopher Downie
6. Jenna Edwards
7. Nellie Akalp
8. Will Ball

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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