RiverRun 2026, Part 2: Writer-Director Will Thwaites

On day 2 of the RiverRun International Film Festival, we sat down with filmmaker @willthwaites to discuss the documentary film @crimeandparody which he wrote, directed, filmed, and co-edited. "Crime + Parody" begins with an account of Anthony Novak's legal conflict with his local police department in Parma, Ohio and expands to cover the story of another Ohio resident, Omar Arrington Bay, whose encounters with law enforcement ultimately led to his death. Along the way, the film addresses issues like freedom of speech, the importance of comedy as a check on governmental power, and the controversial legal principle of qualified immunity. 

     In addition to discussing the film, we also talked with Will about his career in the film industry, which has included projects as varied as Animal Planet's "Zoo" and James Cameron's "The Story of Science Fiction." "Crime + Parody" is his feature length directorial debut, and has already won him an award for best Director (at the Atlanta Documentary Film Festival) during its festival run. If you are listening to this episode prior to April 24th, you may be able to catch the final showing of "Crime + Parody" at the Marketplace Cinema here in our very own Winston Salem, NC. 

*The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Nerdhat podcast or its hosts.*

Buy a ticket for the Friday, April 24th Showing of Crime + Parody: 

https://riverrunfilm.com/events/crimeandparody/#buynow

Follow the Film on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/crimeandparody/

Follow Will Thwaites on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/willthwaites/

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