Joanne Mitchell on Broken Bird , Directing in Serbia, and the Actor-Director Journey How do you take a story set in the rolling hills and local pubs of Northern England and shoot it entirely in Belgrade, Serbia? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with actor, producer, and director Joanne Mitchell to discuss her incredible feature directorial debut, Broken Bird . Originally developed from her award-winning short film Sybil , the film was an opening night selection at Fr...
May 11, 2026•1 hr 29 min
Directing The Devil Wears Prada , Studio Pressures, and Trusting Your Cast with David Frankel How do you adapt when a major studio cuts your post-production schedule by six weeks? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with Oscar-winning director David Frankel ( The Devil Wears Prada , Sex and the City , The Morning Show ). Fresh off the mix stage for his latest film, David pulls back the curtain on navigating massive studio pressures and the magic of true collaboration. D...
May 04, 2026•39 min
Empire of Lies: Making an Indie Thriller on a Shoestring with Matthew Hope & Joseph Millson What happens when an established action director strips everything away to make a micro-budget thriller in just 8 days? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, Giles Alderson sits down with director Matthew Hope ( The Veteran , All the Devil's Men ) and returning champion, actor/producer Joseph Millson ( Casino Royale , Signs of Life ), to discuss their tense new two-hander, Empire of Lies . Matthew and ...
Apr 29, 2026•1 hr 10 min
Brian Cox on Directing Glenrothan , Trusting Your Collaborators, and the Magic of the Edit Filmmakers, you are in for an absolute treat today. We are joined by a true titan of the industry, the legendary Brian Cox . After decades of delivering iconic performances on stage and screen, Brian sits down with us to discuss stepping behind the camera for his highly anticipated feature directorial debut, Glenrothan . Fresh off a phenomenal premiere at TIFF (complete with a massive standing ovation!), B...
Apr 21, 2026•42 min
"The ultimate indie film success story! Writer and director Ian Tuason joins Giles Alderson to discuss his massive breakout horror hit, Undertone. Made for just $500,000, Undertone sparked a bidding war at Fantasia Fest, was acquired by A24 in a 7-figure deal, and is now crushing the global box office ($20M and counting). Ian breaks down how he crafted 'the scariest movie you'll ever hear' by making an audio-driven horror film where only one speaking character ( Nina Kiri ) is ever shown on scre...
Apr 13, 2026•1 hr 3 min
How to Make a Hit Rom-Com: Will Packer & Kat Coiro on You, Me & Tuscany Are romantic comedies officially making a massive comeback? This week on The Filmmakers Podcast, we sit down with powerhouse producer Will Packer ( Girls Trip, Ride Along, Straight Outta Compton ) and hitmaking director Kat Coiro ( Marry Me, She-Hulk, Dead to Me ) to discuss their stunning new theatrical release, You, Me & Tuscany . We dive deep into the nuts and bolts of the industry, looking at how Kat transiti...
Apr 08, 2026•44 min
The Unconventional Making of FUZE with Aaron Taylor-Johnson & David Mackenzie How do you craft the perfect anti-hero? In this episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, host Dom Lenoir sits down with Golden Globe-winning actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick Ass Tenet), and Academy Award-nominated director David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water, Relay) following the explosive premiere of their new high-octane thriller, FUZE . Aaron and David break down their unique, highly spontaneous collaborative process....
Apr 01, 2026•34 min
The kings of modern horror-comedy are here! Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (the filmmaking collective Radio Silence who made Scream and Scream VI) join Dom Lenoir and Conor Boru to discuss their blood-soaked new theatrical hit, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (2026). In this deep-dive interview, Matt and Tyler reveal why they decided to return to the universe of their 2019 breakout hit, how they managed to pick up the story on the exact same day seven years later, and the joy of t...
Mar 24, 2026•52 min
In this episode, host Conor Boru sits down with director Vanessa Caswill to discuss her latest feature, Reminders of Him. Vanessa is an English director and screenwriter known for her work across television and film, including the BBC miniseries Thirteen, Little Women, and the feature Love at First Sight. Her latest film follows a young mother who, after serving time in prison, attempts to rebuild a relationship with her daughter. Facing hostility from nearly everyone around her — except a b...
Mar 17, 2026•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 501
We are delighted re-release this episode with Hamnet producer and TV producer Liza Marshall as she gears up for the Oscars this week! Hosted by Giles Alderson and co-host Dom Lenoir, we sit down and chat about her experience as a producer and how she went about making TV dramas such as 'The Sins', 'Fields of Gold', 'Taboo', 'Honour' and 'Temple' and the feature films, 'Welcome to the Punch', 'Springsteen & I' and 'Before I Go To Sleep'. We talk about how he started off working as a producer ...
Mar 14, 2026•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 217
We made it to Episode 500! 🎉 After 9 years, over 600 hours of audio, and interviews with hundreds of the greatest directors, writers, actors and producers in the world, The Filmmakers Podcast is celebrating its 500th episode the best way we know how: by turning the microphones over to YOU. In this massive milestone episode, hosts and working filmmakers Giles Alderson (The Dare), Dom Lenoir ( Winter Ridge ), and Phil Hawkins ( Robin and the Hoods ) sit down to answer your audience questions. We ...
Mar 09, 2026•1 hr 30 min
On this weeks The Filmmakers Podcast are legendary creator Steven Knight ( Peaky Blinders ) and powerhouse actress/producer Hannah Walters ( Boiling Point ) who join Dom Lenoir (Winter Ridge) to discuss their hit Disney+ series, A Thousand Blows (2026). We delve into the true history of the Forty Elephants gang, the art of writing historical thrillers, and what it takes to produce high-end drama for global streamers. Steven also shares updates on the Peaky Blinders movie and writing the new Jame...
Mar 02, 2026•33 min
In this episode, hosts Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with writer-director-producer Lincoln Fenner and lead actor Tim Cullingworth-Hudson to talk about their time-travel feature Time Rewind (2025) — an ambitious independent film made on a very limited budget that went on to win multiple festival awards and secure international distribution on Apple TV. In their conversation, they discuss: Building a creative partnership based on trust, passion, and shared commitment The nearly decade-lon...
Feb 27, 2026•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 498
BAFTA-winning filmmaker Bart Layton (The Imposter, American Animals) joins Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir to discuss his massive new crime thriller, Crime 101 (2026). In this deep-dive interview, Bart reveals how he assembled a powerhouse cast including Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan. We discuss his process for adapting Don Winslow’s novella, why he prefers 'character-driven tension' over CGI spectacle, and the technical challenges of filming high-speed car chases o...
Feb 19, 2026•35 min•Ep. 497
In this episode, host Giles Alderson (The Dare) sits down with acclaimed director Corin Hardy for an in-depth conversation about craft, career trajectory, and working within the horror genre. Corin Hardy is an award-winning filmmaker, illustrator, sculptor, and writer known for a striking visual style that blends the macabre with the epic and the beautiful. After studying theatre design at Wimbledon School of Art, Hardy created the award-winning stop-motion short Butterfly (2004), which launched...
Feb 14, 2026•53 min•Ep. 496
Welcome back to The Filmmakers Podcast! Filmmakers, today is a massive double-header. We are taking a deep dive into the survival horror sensation that everyone is talking about: Send Help. In the first half, we are joined by the architectural minds behind the film. First, he is a man who needs no introduction — the architect of modern horror and the superhero blockbuster. From the cabin in the woods of Evil Dead to the original Spider-Man trilogy and the madness of Doctor Strange, please welcom...
Feb 12, 2026•43 min•Ep. 495
In this special episode, we go behind the scenes of the 6-time BAFTA-nominated film I Swear (2026) with the filmmaking team! In Part 1, Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with producers Piers Tempest ( The Wife , William Tell ) and Georgia Bayliff ( Paradise Highway ) from Tempo Productions . They discuss the reality of financing independent British drama in 2026, how they packaged a film about Tourette’s syndrome as a crowd-pleasing theatrical event, and the role of a producer during a busy...
Feb 03, 2026•1 hr 32 min
The reigning Academy Award winner for Best Picture joins the show! Legendary producer Charles "Chuck" Roven ( Oppenheimer , The Dark Knight Trilogy ) sits down with Giles Alderson to discuss his pulsing new sci-fi thriller, Mercy (starring Chris Pratt & Rebecca Ferguson). In this masterclass on producing, Chuck breaks down his unique career path from stuntman to the founder of Atlas Entertainment . He reveals how he packages massive films independently (like American Hustle and 12 Monkeys ),...
Jan 29, 2026•58 min
In this special episode, host (and Executive Producer!) Giles Alderson sits down with actor/producer Tony Cook ( Dune: Part Two ) and director Zak Fenning to break down the making of their new British crime-comedy, A Gangster's Life . Joined by fellow filmmakers Dom Lenoir the team reveals exactly how they pulled off a low-budget feature film that spans two countries (London and Greece) without breaking the bank. They discuss the "hustle" behind casting rising stars like Jonny Weldon ( One Day ,...
Jan 23, 2026•1 hr 18 min
Director Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) joins Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir to discuss directing the massive horror sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. In this deep-dive interview, Nia breaks down the incredible pressure and privilege of taking the baton from Danny Boyle for Part 2 of the new trilogy. She reveals her journey from the Sundance Labs with Little Woods to managing massive VFX budgets, and now returning to practical, visceral horror. We discuss working with legends like Cil...
Jan 21, 2026•38 min
Legendary writer-director Paul Schrader ( Taxi Driver , Raging Bull , First Reformed ) joins Giles Alderson & Dom Lenoir to discuss his powerful new film, Oh, Canada . In this exclusive masterclass, Paul reveals how he shot the complex, multi-timeline drama in just 17 days and why he reunited with Richard Gere 45 years after American Gigolo . We dive deep into his screenwriting process, talking Taxi Driver, re-writing, the reherasal process and directing actors. Why he reads scenes in revers...
Jan 17, 2026•58 min
Director Hikari ( Beef , Tokyo Vice ) joins The Filmmakers Podcast to discuss her new film Rental Family and working with Brendan Fraser. In this inspiring interview, Hikari breaks down her unique journey with Dom Lenoir to chat her journey from stunt extra to award-winning director. She discusses the process of crafting the visual language for the hit Netflix series Beef (directing the pilot), working with Michael Mann on Tokyo Vice , and the emotional journey of making Rental Family . We dive ...
Jan 13, 2026•1 hr 1 min
It's 2026! Welcome back to The Filmmakers Podcast! The legendary James L. Brooks (Creator of 'The Simpsons', Director of 'As Good as It Gets') sits down with Conor Boru and Francis Annan to discuss his first film in 15 years, 'Ella McCay'. In this exclusive interview, the 3-time Oscar winner breaks down his return to the director's chair, working with Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis, and his unique process for finding the "truth" in comedy. We dive deep into his screenwriting craft, how he prod...
Jan 06, 2026•28 min
In this regular festive episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, the hosts and guests engage in light-hearted banter, share personal updates, and discuss the joys and challenges of filmmaking, the TOP TEN podcast episodes of the year AND they compete in the ANNUAL QUIZ! Who will win (again?) Our hosts are: Giles Alderson, Dom Lenoir, Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar, Phil Hawkins, Stephen Follows, Tobias Vees and Matthew Butler-Hart who all share their experiences and insights, highlighting the collaborative na...
Dec 23, 2025•1 hr 52 min
Filmmakers, we have the creators of the biggest show on the planet. The masterminds who took 80s nostalgia, Dungeons & Dragons, and a group of kids on bikes, and turned it into a global empire. I am talking, of course, about Matt and Ross Duffer—The Duffer Brothers! Now, you know them as the creators of Stranger Things , the show that literally breaks the internet every time a new season drops. But what we love about this conversation is that we go right back to the start. We talk about thei...
Dec 18, 2025•41 min
We are joined this week by Mark Hampton, who has not only written, produced, directed and edited his British Independent Boxing Drama Thriller (described as "Rocky meets Wall Street" ) but starred in it too. Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit and chat with Mark about how he made Unlicensed. How he raised the money, sales and distribution, why you have to push your own film out in the world. How he had been burnt and learnt from it, how he wrangled locations, worked with his great DP and crew and ...
Dec 10, 2025•1 hr 34 min
This week we are joined by Sales Agent Itzchak Maghen! Itzchak has works on indie gems to studio movies including THE ABSENCE OF EDEN starring Zoë Saldana and Adria Arjona, DREAMIN' WILD with Casey Affleck and Zooey Deschanel, THE CUT featuring Orlando Bloom and John Turturro, and MASERATI: THE BROTHERS with Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Alba. He talks to Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir about why he picks projects, what filmmakers should do when speaking to sales agents. They also talk: Does your proje...
Dec 07, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Giles Alderson and Dom Lenoir sit down with writer/director (and actor) Kristen Stewart and actor Imogen Poots to discuss Kristen's highly anticipated feature directorial debut, The Chronology of Water . The director, acclaimed for her Oscar-nominated role in Spencer , breaks down the challenge of adapting Lidia Yuknavitch's raw memoir and her choice to shoot on 16mm film . Imogen Poots ( The Father , Vivarium ) shares her actor's process for embodying the difficult role and how the unique Stewa...
Dec 03, 2025•58 min
On this weeks episode with have Director and Writer Noah Baumbach. Dom Lenoir (Dombach meets Baumbach!!) sits down with the Oscar-nominated filmmaker Noah Baumbach (Barbie, The Squid and The Whale, Marriage Story) to dive into his stunning new film, Jay Kelly . The director explains his intimate writing process for building emotionally complex characters, the challenge of directing superstars like George Clooney and Adam Sandler , and how he uses Hollywood fame as a device for poignant dramedy ....
Nov 26, 2025•37 min
From Zodiac to Nuremberg : James Vanderbilt's Masterclass in Psychological Conflict. Welcome back to The Filmmakers Podcast, the place where we talk to the world’s most dynamic directors and actors about how they get films made! This week, we have an absolute heavyweight episode for you. We are diving deep into history with the new psychological thriller, Nuremberg . Joining hosts Dom Lenoir and Conor Boru are the film’s writer and director, James Vanderbilt, and the incredible, Oscar-nominated ...
Nov 19, 2025•49 min
