The Honest Filmmaker
REAL TALK FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS
Are you wrapping up your film degree or contemplating a career shift into the creative industry? The Honest Filmmaker is your go-to resource for navigating the real-world challenges of micro-budget and indie filmmaking.
Hosted by award-winning filmmaker Jim Eaves, the podcast delves into the nitty-gritty of independent film production. From securing funding and managing tight budgets to distribution strategies and building a sustainable career, this is unfiltered advice and practical tips from professionals who have been in your shoes.
Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or an indie filmmaker determined to make your mark, The Honest Filmmaker equips you with the tools, insights, and honest guidance to thrive in the world of independent cinema.
http://www.thehonestfilmmaker.co.uk
Episodes
138 episodes
AI, Copyright and the Future of Filmmaking with Jonathan Yunger
AI is rapidly changing filmmaking — but what are the real implications for artists, copyright and the future of creative work?This week, Jim sits down with Jonathan Yunger, Co-President of Millennium Media and Co-Founder & CEO of Arc...
From No Film School to a 5 Day Feature Film | Evan Marcewicz
What does it actually take to make a feature film on a micro budget?Filmmaker Evan Marcewicz joins the podcast to share how he went from skipping film school to shooting a feature film in just five days.We dis...
Why AI Faces a Filmmaker Backlash - Micro Budget Horror and Film Financing with Daniel J. Pico
Filmmaker Daniel J. Pico joins the podcast to unpack the realities of making independent horror films on a micro budget.We discuss the pitch behind The Withering, why horror remains one of the strongest genres for indie c...
Making a Micro Budget Horror Film: Black & White, Filmhub & Indie Film Survival | Zoe Carol & Daya Dodds
Director Daya Dodds and actor/writer/producer Zoe Carroll join the podcast to discuss the making of Witches of God — a micro budget black and white horror feature created with extremely limited resources.In this conversat...
Can Micro Budget Films Still Work? Funding, Profit & Distribution
Filmmaker Jason Morris joins the podcast to discuss the realities of micro budget filmmaking in today’s industry. Including film funding, distribution, profitability and the changing landscape for independent filmmakers.From produ...
Indie Film Distribution, Micro Budget Horror & Surviving Independent Filmmaking with Austin Galante
#moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm Filmmaker, actor and producer Austin Galante talks about the grind of making independent films in today’s market, from ...
From YouTube Film School to Directing Indie Features & Series with Beasy Jones
#moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker Podcast, director Beasy Jones joins us to unpack the realities...
Inside the Business of Indie Film: What ‘Cheat’ Taught Us About Distribution, Revenue & Reality
#moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm Filmmaker Nick Psinakis joins the podcast to discuss the journey behind his feature film Cheat and the realit...
Micro-Budget Action, Hong Kong Stunts & Filmmaking Reality – with Bruce Fontaine
#moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilmWhat separates convincing screen action from something that just feels fake?In this episode of The Honest Filmmaker Podcast, I’m joined by Bruce Fontaine, stunt performer, martial artist...
One Man, One Film: How Matt Simpson Made Disremembered Completely Solo
#moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm What happens when one person takes on every role in a film production?In this episode, I’m joined by Matt Simpso...
What It Really Takes to Make Your First Feature Film with Shawn Goolsby
#moviemaking #filmmaking #indiefilm #filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm What happens when you decide to make a feature film without the safety net of a big budget?In this episode, I’m ...
From Indie Hustle to Film Machine - Steve Love on Budget, Mistakes & Distribution
In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Steve Love, who describes himself as “The Film Machine.”We explore his journey into filmmaking, the lessons he learned from his first projects and the realities of working within b...
The Business of Storytelling: Practical Wisdom for Screenwriters (From Spec to Screen)
#filmmakingpodcast #scriptwriting #screenwriting #scriptwriterIn this episode, I chat with Andrea Mann, a British screenwriter and mentor, about her journey into the industry. Her first spec script was picked up by a Golden Globe–winning...
High Concept, Micro Budget: Making Bears on a Ship with Eduardo Castrillo
#filmmaking #filmmakingpodcast #moviemaking #indiefilm #movieproduction How do you scale a big idea on an indie budget?Director Edward Castrillo joins the show to discuss his new film, Bears on a Ship. W...
From First Film to Franchise: Ramon “Swift” Sloan on Indie Filmmaking
#indiefilm #filmmaking #indiefilmmaking #filmmaker #filmpodcast What does it take to build a real career in independent filmmaking?In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Ramon “Swift” Sloan about the realities of makin...
Making a Feature on Weekends: Tobias Jon on Gifted Pain
#indiefilm #filmmaking #indiefilmmaking #filmmaker #filmpodcastIn this week's episode, I’m joined by filmmaker Tobias Jon to break down the making of his debut feature, Gifted Pain. We talk about how the film came together, how ...
How to make money from your short films with ZB Siwek
#filmmakingpodcast #podcast #indiefilm #shortfilms #shortfilm #shortfilmmakers This week on the podcast, I’m joined by producer ZB Siwek, who shares how he’s monetising short films by packaging them into anthology featu...
Surviving Your First Indie Feature Film - From Dog Soldiers to Director with Craig Conway
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilmfest #moviemaking #indiefilm #movieproduction You might know Craig Conway from Dog Soldiers, The Descent, and his long collaboration with Neil Marshall. In this conversation...
Audience, Budget & Distribution - Building your Indie Film Career with Devon Bray
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm #interview #movieproduction This week, I’m joined by filmmaker Devon Bray, a director who’s built a loyal audience across eight independent feature films.Devon shares ho...
How to Sell your Movie to HBO - with Stefan Van De Graaf
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm This week I sit down with indie filmmaker Stefan Van De Graff to break down the real journey behind selling a first feature film.Stefan walks through how his debut thriller Simmer ca...
Directing Your First Micro-Budget Feature Film with Jessica Boss
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #indiefilm #moviemaking #microbudget What is it really like to direct your first micro-budget feature film?In this episode, I’m joined by first-time feature film director Jessica Boss, who brea...
How to Self-Distribute a Micro-Budget Feature Film with Alex Srednoselac
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #movieproduction #microbudget This week I chat to indie filmmaker Alex Srednoselac who breaks down what it’s really like to make, finish, and self-distribute a micro-budget feature film. Alex shares hi...
How to Fund a Micro-Budget Movie: 5 Practical Financing Strategies
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmakingtips #indiefilmWith 2026 just getting started, a lot of filmmakers are asking the same question: how do I finance my first (or next) indie feature? This week, I’m breaking down five practical ways to fund yo...
How to be a full time Filmmaker - Building a Micro Budget Movie Career with Gugu E. Michaels
#filmmakingpodcast #filmmaking #moviemaking #microbudget #indiefilm This week on the podcast I’m chatting with filmmaker GuGu E. Michaels, an award-winning director and cinematographer whose work spans North American and African cin...
Is Filmhub's Relay the future of Indie Film Streaming? With Chad Wittman
#filmmakingpodcast #filmhub #relay #filmmaking This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Chad Wittman from Filmhub to break down their new streaming platform, Relay, and what it could mean for indie filmmakers navigating today’s crowd...
