Episode Details

Independent film takes center stage on The Roundtable with Robert Bannon as we celebrate the inaugural Left Turn Film Festival, presented by the historic Ojai Playhouse.

The one-day showcase shines a spotlight on daring new voices in cinema, featuring acclaimed independent films Situations, $Positions, and Crumb Catcher, along with live filmmaker conversations following each screening. The festival was created to champion boundary-pushing storytellers and give audiences an intimate look inside today's independent film movement.

Joining us are the filmmakers behind three of the festival's standout selections.

Greg Vrotsos, making his feature writing and directing debut with Situations, discusses crafting an intimate, character-driven drama about a Los Angeles photographer navigating a relationship in free fall. Vrotsos also stars in the film alongside Fiona Dourif, Melora Walters, and P.J. Byrne, bringing years of experience from projects including Orange Is the New Black, Twin Peaks, and Mayans M.C. into his first feature behind the camera.

We also spotlight Brandon Daley's $Positions, a tense, darkly funny thriller that follows a Midwestern family whose lives spiral after a risky cryptocurrency investment turns into an all-consuming obsession. The film has earned praise for capturing the anxiety and uncertainty of modern financial culture with equal parts suspense and satire.

Finally, we dive into Chris Skotchdopole's offbeat thriller Crumb Catcher, a wildly original genre-bending film that follows newlyweds whose honeymoon is interrupted by an eccentric blackmail scheme involving a bizarre kitchen invention. Equal parts suspense, comedy, and horror, the film has become a favorite on the festival circuit for its unique voice and unforgettable performances.

From creating films outside the studio system to finding audiences through festivals like Left Turn, this is a fascinating conversation about taking creative risks, telling authentic stories, and why independent cinema continues to thrive.

Watch now on BroadwayWorld, YouTube, Broadway Podcast Network, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and wherever you enjoy The Roundtable with Robert Bannon.

For more info, go to RobertBannon.com and follow Robert on IG @RobertMBannon.

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