In this powerful episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage welcomes acclaimed actress-turned-screenwriter Laura Harrington, whose career has spanned blockbuster sets and award-winning scripts. From starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape to writing for legends like Martin Scorsese and Taylor Hackford, Laura shares how she transitioned from the stage to the page—and why storytelling is her true calling.

Laura reveals:

• How her breakout role in Maximum Overdrive led to working with Stephen King
• The real-life encounter that inspired her script about Fidel Castro
• Her emotional journey writing The Ninth Fortress, a Holocaust escape drama
• Why actors make some of the best screenwriters
• Her approach to writing character-driven films in a superhero-saturated industry
• And how her Farmhouse Writing Retreat in Italy nurtures creators of all kinds

Whether you're an aspiring screenwriter, actor, or just love behind-the-scenes film stories, this episode is filled with rare insights and raw honesty about the creative process, reinvention, and writing with courage.