The Film Situation

072 : 2026 OSCAR NOMINATIONS

On this episode of THE FILM SITUATION, Zef sits down with intern Cole Howard to react to the 2026 Academy Award nominations (announced January 22, 2026) and talk through what the Best Picture lineup says about where cinema is right now. They get into the love hate relationship filmmakers have with awards season, how the “race” can feel like sports, and why it still matters even when it drives you crazy.

Zef and Cole run through the big titles in the conversation, including SINNERS, MARTY SUPREME, TRAIN DREAMS, HAMNET, SENTIMENTAL VALUE, FRANKENSTEIN, BEGONIA, THE SECRET AGENT, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, and the eyebrow raising Best Picture nominee F1. Expect a mix of real film geek insight, a few laughs, and plenty of honest takes about what feels deserved, what feels surprising, and what they are most excited to watch next. If you are following the Oscar season too, hit follow and send this episode to a film friend who loves debating Best Picture.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota & Cole Howard of The Film Situation

071: Walter Krochmal: Executive Director, Bronx World Film

Actor, writer, translator, and founder of Bronx World Film Walter Krochmal joins me to talk about his incredible journey, from studying theater on a scholarship in New England, to performing, translating, and building one of New York’s most quietly essential film organizations.

We discuss how Bronx World Film was born in the basement of Cannes’ Short Film Corner, the post World War II European idea of cinema as a tool for social reconstruction, and why Walter believes true festivals must serve both filmmakers and neighborhood audiences, not the cash grab mentality that’s overtaken so many indie fests.

In the final segment we dive into two unforgettable film moments: Fellini’s LA STRADA, which he calls a paragon of empathy and craft, and the timeless comedy of THE NAKED GUN, where Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan genius turns “Nice beaver” into a masterclass in visual timing.

Films discussed: LA STRADA (1954) and THE NAKED GUN: FROM THE FILES OF POLICE SQUAD! (1988)

Guest links: bronxworldfilm.org and Instagram @bronxworldfilm

070 - Richie Doyle - Producer IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU

Real talk with indie film producer producer Richie Doyle on the making of A24’s IF I HAD LEGS, I’D KICK YOU (dir. Mary Bronstein), starring Rose Byrne, Conan O’Brien, and A$AP Rocky. We talk about what a producer actually does, living at the intersection of art and commerce and protecting the artists while getting the film into the world. Richie also shares his road in, from a New Line Cinema internship and early industry jobs to standup, launching Sunday Morning Digital (including Webby wins), and building momentum into feature producing. We close on the awards season ride, including Rose Byrne’s Berlin Silver Bear win and what that spotlight means for the work.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota

069 - Remembering Rob Reiner

Zef is joined by producer Heather Buckley and intern Cole Howard for a heartfelt tribute to cinema of Rob Reiner. They revisit his legendary range; STAND BY ME, MISERY, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, THIS IS SPINAL TAP, WHEN HARRY MET SALLY…, and A FEW GOOD MEN and reflect on why his movies feel like childhood, why they’re endlessly quotable, and what his work taught us about story, character, and craft.

 

Hosted by Zef Cota

068 - Vance Howard - Producer SXSW award winner LUV YA BUM!

Vance Howard is a producer and CEO of Lucky Number 8 Productions. He produced the documentary LUV YA, BUM!, which won the Audience Award for Documentary Spotlight at SXSW 2025. In this conversation, we talk about his move from business into filmmaking, what drew him to the story of Bum Phillips, and how leadership, mentorship, and conviction translate from the football field to the world of film producing.

Hosted by Zef Cota

 

 

067 - Gregg Blake - The Indie Film Breakdown

Episode 67 features my good friend and collaborator Gregg Blake (Writer, Director, Actor), who recently wrapped production on his debut feature film SOUVENIR in Atlanta. I helped produce the film, and this episode is our first time breaking down the experience from the emotional core of the story to Gregg’s creative plan to rotoscope the film.

We talk about working with actors, the energy of the set, the community painting everyone contributed to, and what it really feels like to direct a feature from your own home studio. We also dive into the current state of filmmaking, the Netflix–Warner Bros. deal, and the changing landscape for indie films. A candid, funny, and personal conversation about the craft and the journey of making SOUVENIR.

066 - Diana Porter: Crafting Near-Future Cinema

In Episode 66, We welcome Diana Porter, who has more than 50 IMDb acting credits and a growing footprint in the sci-fi thriller space. We talk about her newest short film, THE REWIND, which she co-wrote, co-directed, and stars in. Diana walks me through the film’s concept, the emotional core of the story, the production design choices, and what it’s like balancing acting and directing on the same project.

We also get into her path from analyst to working actor, her unexpected stunt-double experience for Christina Hendricks, the festival she founded in Massachusetts, and her creative partnership with filmmaker Michael Whistler.

Later in the episode, Diana shares two film moments that have stayed with her: the heartbreaking telegram scene in A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN and the unforgettable long takes and emotional ceasefire in CHILDREN OF MEN.

065 - "ARTFULLY UNITED" Mike Norice & Christopher Walters

In this moving and wide-ranging conversation, filmmaker Zef Cota sits down with Los Angeles muralist Mike Norice, the subject of the new documentary Artfully United, and producer Chris Walters, to explore how art, activism, and faith intertwine to heal communities.

From the streets of Watts and South L.A. to the Cannes Film Festival, Mike’s story is one of transformation and resilience. Known for his striking black and white murals bearing single words like HOPE, LOVE, and FORGIVENESS, Norice shares how each wall becomes a pulpit and each neighborhood a congregation. Together with Walters, he reflects on the decade-long journey of documenting this mural movement, the challenges of filming through a pandemic, and the creative partnership that brought Artfully United to life.

The episode also touches on Mike’s family legacy, his educator mother, his sister Dr. Carmelle Norice, a renowned medical expert and activist, and his sister Joy Norice, whose song “Tree” closes the film. Through their collective story, the conversation becomes a testament to art’s power to uplift, unify, and inspire across generations.

064 - Jamieson Shea - Producer

In this episode, Zef sits down with producer Jamieson Shea, whose recent projects range from heartfelt indie drama to star-studded comedy. Zef first met Jamieson at the YoFi Fest in New York during the premiere of MERRY GOOD ENOUGH, and since then Jamieson has gone on to produce BOLIO: Spirit of the Mustang — directed by Jim Issa, starring Eugene Cordero and Gabriel Hogan, with Tony Shalhoub, Brooke Adams, and Kevin Heffernan of Broken Lizard on board as executive producers.

Together they dive into Jamieson’s journey into producing, the challenges and triumphs of bringing MERRY GOOD ENOUGH and BOLIO to life, and the realities of balancing creativity with logistics in indie filmmaking.

In the second half of the conversation, Jamieson shares two of his all-time favorite movie scenes: the powerful funeral sequence from Backdraft and the hilariously awkward cafeteria exchange in Wet Hot American Summer.

This episode offers a candid look at the craft of producing, the stories behind the projects, and the scenes that inspire the work.

063 - Erin Áine & Kyle Valle - ZOMBIECON vol 1

Filmmaking partners Erin Áine and Kyle Valle join the podcast to discuss their brand-new indie film ZOMBIE CON VOL. 1. Kyle directed the film and Erin stars as the lead actress.

It is a wild zombie apocalypse ride that begins with four friends on their way home from a cosplay convention only to discover that the end of the world has arrived right outside the convention doors.

We talk about how they pulled off this inventive indie, the challenges of blending horror with comedy, and what it was like making a zombie film with a tight-knit creative team. The conversation also dives into their favorite film scenes of all time, with Kyle choosing the Battle of Helm’s Deep from THE LORD OF THE RINGS: The Two Towers and Erin choosing the awe-inspiring brontosaurus reveal from JURASSIC PARK.

Hosted by Zef Cota