Talking Pictures

DIFF•www.dallasfilm.org

If you love movies as much as we do—and we know you do—tune in every month as James Faust, artistic director of the Dallas International Film festival, takes deep dives into movies with the people making them. And the people watching them. It’s your chance to get unique perspectives and insights into the world of films.

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Episodes

Hispanic? Latino? Filmmaker!

This episode of Talking Pictures dives into the experiences of Latino and Hispanic filmmakers in Hollywood, addressing the challenges of being pigeonholed into stereotypical roles and stories. The panelists discuss the importance of telling authentic, diverse stories that reflect the full spectrum of Latino experiences, while also exploring the economic potential of the Latino market. They share personal insights, offer advice to aspiring filmmakers, and emphasize the need for greater support and representation in the industry.

Mar 10, 2025•59 min

The Chosen Ones

In this episode, guest host, Tony Armer, Film Commissioner for the City of Dallas, sits down with some of the makers of The Chosen to discuss everything from getting a show based on the life of Jesus off the ground via a crowdfunding campaign to recreating the Sea of Galilee in Benbrook Lake in North Texas. Join him as he talks with producers Chad Gundersen and Chris Juen, production manager Kerri Navarro and production support star Erin Gardner.

Mar 03, 2025•57 min

Speaking Parts

What’s it take to succeed in acting these days? James delves into that with Dallas-based actors Giovannie Cruz and Julio César Cedillo. Gio acts, directs and is a professional opera singer. Her credits include NCIS: New Oeleans and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Julio was born in Mexico, raised in Ft. Worth and honed his craft on Narcos: Mexico, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada and a bunch more. Check them both out on IMDb while you listen in.

Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 26 min

Anime with a Texas Twist

James dives deep on Anime with Adam Zehner, Senior Vice President, Global Acquisitions and Global Content Planning at Crunchyroll. In partnership with Sony Pictures, they champion Anime to passionate fans, as well as a legion of rabid newcomers, around the world. From movies to streaming to stuff you can buy, they’re all about Anime. Adam talks about what they’ve done, what’s coming and what it’s like doing Anime from his home base in Dallas.

May 30, 2024•54 min

Miles Hargrove goes Miracle Fishing

In 1994, Miles Hargrove's father was kidnapped outside the family home in Cali, Colombia by FARC – the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. In 2020, Hargrove’s documentary, Miracle Fishing: Kidnapped Abroad , premiered at Tribeca. It’s crafted from Hargrove’s own video diaries. James talks with him about making the film, why it took more than 25 years to finish, how it is watching it with an audience and much more.

Apr 05, 2024•40 min

Liz Cardenas Wears Many Hyphens

James dives deep with Spirit-Award-Winning-Dallas-International-Film-Festival-Award-Winning-TriBeca-Film-Festival-Award-Winning-Actor-Writer-Producer-Director Liz Cardenas. She talks about her early days making talking-dog movies, discovering her love for producing and her ongoing campaign to form a true producers union. There’s no place she’d rather be than on a movie set creating diverse stories that make people laugh, cry, think and feel.

Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min

Pit Stop Turns 10

In this episode, James celebrates the 10th anniversary of the award- winning film, Pit Stop , with director Yen Tan, producer Kelly Williams and DP, Hutch. They discuss everything from how it feels for an artist to look back on their work to making a queer film in small-town Texas a decade ago to the intricacies of the film’s love/sex scene and the surprising impact it had on the sex lives of people at Sundance. Enjoy.

Jan 17, 2024•42 min

Niven is Driven

Hello film buffs, in this episode of Talking Pictures, James sits down with director Norry Niven, whose trophy mantle includes 6 Emmys. They talk everything from Norry’s early film exploits recreating TV commercials to what it’s like directing JLo to his super bowl spots. Norry discusses directing features vs TV commercials and dives deep on one of his passions—blowing things up.

Dec 23, 2023•55 min

The Sher Thing

Welcome to a special episode of Talking Pictures . Today, award-winning cinematographer Hutchsits in for regular host James Faust for a conversation with Lawrence Sher. If you don’t know his name, you surely know his work. From Garden State to the three Hangover movies to Joker , Sher’s distinctive eye and instinct make him one of the top cinematographers out there.

Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 18 min

Deep in the art of animation

Greetings film lovers. In this episode of Talking Pictures, James talks with award-winning filmmakers Brandon Oldenburg and Limbert Fabian on everything from how they met in art school in Sarasota, Fla. to the lunacy of starting an animation studio in Texas to sharing a kindred spirit with Robert Rodriguez—who gave them their first big film break with Spy Kids 2 .

Oct 02, 2023•43 min

From soaps to nuts. Writer-Director-Producer Chris Dowling

Thanks for checking out this episode of DIFF's Talking Pictures, where James sits down with writer-director-producer Chris Dowling in front of a live audience following a screening of Dowling’s “Where Hope Grows.” The conversation kicks off with Chris’ start in the business – including a stint acting on soaps. And veers into how he balances his filmmaking career with family life and what it’s like making a deal with Netflix.

Sep 22, 2023•31 min

Talking Pictures with Pixar's Mike Jones

Welcome to Talking Pictures. In this episode, James talks pictures with Mike Jones, award-winning screenwriter and Senior Story and Creative Artist at Pixar Animation. His writing credits include the animated features Soul and Luca. James digs deep on Mike’s life, his writing process and what it’s like working for Pixar. He also probes Mike on what’s next from Pixar.

Sep 12, 2023•45 min