film essay
Standing Room Only
Drew Denny, director of the new documentary Second Nature, on a transformative decade spent telling a story that truly matters.
Between the Takes
Actress and writer Freya Adams, best known for her lead role in Jennifer Phang’s Advantageous, shares a poem on how life and acting intersect.
A Crucifixion in Brooklyn, or: Filming the Oldest Special Effect
Director Caroline Golum on filming a solar eclipse for her low-budget historical epic, Revelations of Divine Love, which is in theaters now.
Battlestar Fantasy
Matthew Shear’s path to directing his first feature, Fantasy Life, through the lens of his favorite TV show, Battlestar Galactica.
Nonna
Petra Volpe, whose new feature Late Shift opens tomorrow, on how her Italian grandmother set her on the path to becoming a filmmaker.
A Rare Alignment of Friendship: Notes on Last Ride
Writer-director Cinqué Lee reveals the deeply personal story that inspired his new film, the coming-of-age survival drama Last Ride.
I Don’t Know What I’m Doing, Except for When I Do
Amandine Thomas, writer-director of the Sundance 2026 short Albatross, on how her superpower of learning has got her to where she is now.
Why I’m Not Suing Corey Feldman for Defamation
Director Marcie Hume on how she responded to her subject's attacks on her new documentary, Corey Feldman Vs. the World.
The Art of Hanging Out
Filmmaker Beth Harrington on almost 50 years of friendship with David Greenberger, the subject of her SXSW doc Beyond the Duplex Planet.
“It’s Not in My Nature to Be Mysterious”: On the Easy Brilliance of Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve
Alex Thompson on Steven Soderbergh’s twin masterpieces, his joint top choices in Talkhouse’s recent best-of-the-century poll.
Don’t Build a New Ship, Improve the Old One
Dolly director Rod Blackhurst on the deeply meaningful process of building an ever-growing team of collaborators around him.
What Can a Story Be?
Alison McAlpine, director of the Oscar-nominated documentary short perfectly a strangeness, on pushing the boundaries of narrative.











