Rephonic
Artwork for Films for Today
Love
Cinema
Existentialism
Withnail & I
Killer Of Sheep
American Beauty
The Conversation
Stanley Kubrick
Los Angeles
The Elephant Man
Halloween
The Remains Of the Day
Charles Burnett
World War II
Debauchery
Relationships
Christmas
Individuality
The Wild Bunch
The Shining

Hosted by Jimmy Bernasconi (‘Sacred Cinema’, ABC Radio), ‘Films for Today’ explores how the art of cinema can help us understand the social, cultural and political issues that currently trouble us. Each week, Jimmy selects a seminal film and contemplates its profound insights into the most pressing challenges of our time. For questions or enquiries about the show, you can reach Jimmy at contact@ji... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes248Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Film HistoryTV & Film

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Artwork for Films for Today

Latest Episodes

Being a true film for today in many more ways than one, Christopher Nolan's newest box office hit, The Odyssey, is the focus of this week's episode, igniting contemplation about how much the concept of deception underlies the human condition.

Contac... more

This week's episode is a well-overdue examination of Curry Barker's theatrical debut, Obsession, which reignites discussions from earlier this year about the potentially self-corrupting nature of wanting.

We also briefly discuss:

Her (2013) d. Spik... more

In this week's episode, we sit down with the with the founders of the OMNI International AI Film Festival, to discuss all the pressing issues central to current debates concerning AI filmmaking, from intellectual property protection to the democratis... more

Following last week's discussions about the elusiveness of certain political ideas, this week's episode contemplates the tension between the experience of socioeconomics versus something more transcendent, through the lens of Alan Parker's 1991 comed... more

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Recent Guests

Travis Rice
CEO and curator of Omni International AI Film Festival
Omni International AI Film Festival
Episode: What is the future of AI filmmaking? | OMNI “HYPERPHANTASIA” International AI Film Festival w/ Aryeh Sternberg & Travis Rice
Aryeh Sternberg
Co-founder and CMO of Omni International AI Film Festival
Omni International AI Film Festival
Episode: What is the future of AI filmmaking? | OMNI “HYPERPHANTASIA” International AI Film Festival w/ Aryeh Sternberg & Travis Rice
Sophy Romvari
Canadian filmmaker, director of Blue Heron
Self-employed/Filmmaker
Episode: Should storytellers strive for authenticity? | "Blue Heron" (2025) d. Sophy Romvari w/ Sophy Romvari
Bhenn Tonks
Guest on special episode discussing Symbiopsychotaxiplasm, Take One
Film Radio veteran
Episode: What is the participatory aspect of cinema and reality itself? | "Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One" (1968) d. William Greaves w/ Bhenn Tonks
Ali Gill
Director of Party Animal
Episode: What are the effects of modern discourse? | "Party Animal" (2025) d. Ali Gill w/ Ali Gill and Aimie Sullivan
Aimie Sullivan
Producer of Party Animal
Episode: What are the effects of modern discourse? | "Party Animal" (2025) d. Ali Gill w/ Ali Gill and Aimie Sullivan
Chris Smol
Friend of the show and film expert
Episode: How powerless are we as individuals in the face of existential threats? | "First Reformed" (2017) d. Paul Schrader w/ Christopher Smol
Eddie Bernasconi
Film enthusiast and brother of the host
Episode: 'Bad Santa' (2003) d. Terry Zwigoff w/ Eddie Bernasconi
Henry Bretz
Comedian and film critic from London
Episode: 'Anora' (2024) d. Sean Baker w/ Henry Bretz

Host

Jimmy Bernasconi
Host of Films for Today; affiliated with multiple film/media platforms and often anchors episodes.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 18 ratings
  • 30minute of knowledge

    Without a doubt one of the best and unique film analysis podcasts. The episodes with Lindsay Anderson movies If…. And This Sporting Life are brilliant.

    The 30 minute you wish lasts longer!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yassijiro
    United States3 years ago
  • Mr

    Not your average film pod. Gets more into the psychological and philosophical elements of cinema. Big fan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seamus Owen O'Toole
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for its unique, knowledge-packed film analysis and thoughtful, philosophical take on cinema.
Guests and hosts are seen as engaging and insightful, with strong analytical depth.
Audience appreciates the mix of cultural references and rigorous critique without sacrificing accessibility.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What is the future of AI filmmaking? | OMNI “HYPERPHANTASIA” International AI Film Festival w/ Aryeh Sternberg & Travis Rice
Q: How do they handle the uncanny valley and the look of AI films in selections?
The team prefers films that resonate emotionally and narratively over “plasticky” visuals, steering clear of overly artificial aesthetics while recognizing advances in motion capture and actor-driven storytelling as ways AI can support, not replace, human performance.
What is the future of AI filmmaking? | OMNI “HYPERPHANTASIA” International AI Film Festival w/ Aryeh Sternberg & Travis Rice
Q: Does Omni have a stance on IP given the use of AI and other people's work in generated films?
They acknowledge the IP challenges, noting that about 90% AI-generated works are sought in submissions and that they exclude films with recognizable, protected talent; they emphasize transparency and voluntary standards to protect creators' rights.
How powerless are we as individuals in the face of existential threats? | "First Reformed" (2017) d. Paul Schrader w/ Christopher Smol
Q: So maybe we should just give a little quick summary for if people haven't seen actually the film.
Jimmy gives a detailed overview of 'First Reformed', discussing its minimalist style, themes of despair, and the protagonist's journey through existential crises.
'The Taste of Mango' (2023) d. Chloe Abrahams w/ Chloe Abrahams
Q: How did you approach that relationship we all have to our different context throughout time?
I did not really have any point; I just wanted to document my journey of connecting with my grandma.
'The Taste of Mango' (2023) d. Chloe Abrahams w/ Chloe Abrahams
Q: Were you trying to tap into the kind of weird nostalgia?
I felt that nostalgia, but not for my own childhood; for what I had seen in other people's childhood.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Films for Today

What is Films for Today about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful film-analytic show that uses a different seminal movie each week to illuminate social, cultural, and political issues. The host blends philosophy, psychology, and cultural references to unpack how cinema reflects and shapes contemporary life, often drawing connections to broader societal themes and media culture. Episodes tend to feature a single lead host with occasional co-hosts or guests, delivering rigorous, interpretive debate alongside personal anecdotes that make complex ideas accessible for curious listeners who enjoy deep dives into meaning, ethics, and human behavior in cinema.

Noteworthy: the format consistently centers on provocative questions about authenticity, belief, power, and identity as seen through film, wit... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Films for Today:

1. Kermode & Mayo’s Take

How many episodes of Films for Today are there?

Films for Today launched 5 years ago and published 248 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 Films for Today?

Recent guests on Films for Today include:

1. Travis Rice
2. Aryeh Sternberg
3. Sophy Romvari
4. Bhenn Tonks
5. Ali Gill
6. Aimie Sullivan
7. Chris Smol
8. Eddie Bernasconi

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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