Two microbudget horror films just outdrew the big franchises, and Hollywood is asking why. John hands hosting duties to Danny, joined by Meara, to unpack what Obsession and Back Rooms reveal about original voices, Gen Z audiences, and the return of the 90s aesthetic. Read the full conversation below.

Meara breaks down why DC's Supergirl flopped, tracing the failure to a script where Kara and Ruthye never actually change each other. Comparing it to True Grit and Logan, he explains why mentor/mentee arcs need reciprocal transformation to work, shows where the film abandons its comic source material, and rewrites the story's back half to demonstrate what real character growth looks like.

Mr. Lawrence, writer and voice of Plankton on SpongeBob SquarePants joins the podcast to discuss writing for characters he also performs. He covers the show's cartoonist-first, visual approach to comedy, building character dynamics that have lasted 26+ years, finding new episode structures, and how writing the Plankton movie pushed the character's arc beyond what the series alone could do.

Peter Parker is trying to quit Spider-Man and that's exactly why Far From Home falls flat. Meara breaks down the one screenwriting fix (want vs. need) that could've turned Quentin Beck's betrayal into a gut punch instead of a twist. Plus: why "reactive" heroes like Ripley and Marty McFly still work, and Meara's own rewritten synopsis that fixes the whole third act.

Nolan's Odyssey is a triumph of scale, so why does its hero feel like a stranger? Meara argues Matt Damon's Odysseus isn't chasing glory, he's fleeing an unearned guilt, and the script never lets him win it back. This episode rebuilds the myth from Troy to Ithaca, testing what one ruthless addition could fix. A must-listen for any writer who's felt one small change ripple through an entire story.

She was a full-time mom with no screenwriting experience. Then came a 3 a.m. image so terrifying she had to write it. What started as a personal project became a screenplay that captured thousands and landed her a production deal. Kathryn's debut script Due is proof: write what moves you, finish what you start, and don't try to sell it. Just get the clay on the table.

Back Rooms is a hell of a debut, but is its second half playing it too safe? Danny breaks down what makes Kane Parsons' liminal horror so unsettling, why it stumbles into over-explaining its own metaphors, and how a page from David Lynch's Inland Empire could've made Clark's descent into the back rooms even more devastating. Spoilers ahead.

Domestic Bliss wins Kinolime's South Asia Shorts Competition. On the Subarnarekha river, boat driver Bikash chases concrete wealth while tribal vendor Baha honors her roots. When a bridge destroys his livelihood and she finds independence, their love fractures between modernity and tradition. A masterwork of understated devastation.

Veteran producer Mike Gabrawy shares what he saw at the 2025 Cannes Film Market and why the indie film industry finally feels hopeful again. From the breakout success of micro-budget films like Obsession and Iron Lung to the collapse of pre-sales and the rise of self-distribution, Mike breaks down what's working now, and why original storytelling and finding your audience are the keys to survival.

In this episode of the Kinolime Podcast, Meara breaks down why the 1984 Supergirl film crashed and burned. Instead of a fetch quest where Kara stumbles through a boarding school, he argues the film needed a clear emotional journey, a protagonist desperate to prove herself beyond her cousin's shadow. By focusing on her internal conflict, the story could become a powerful exploration of identity and respect.

Screenwriter Zach Morrison proves you don't need a studio greenlight to make television. From interning at Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show, and SNL to independently raising $300K for his TV pilot, Morrison reveals the exact strategies for building industry relationships, securing indie financing, and surviving today's broken development system.

In this episode of the Kinolime Screenwriting Podcast, Danny breaks down how Michael could have been a stronger biopic. Instead of a career highlight reel, he argues the film needed clearer conflict, deeper family dynamics, and a more active Michael at its center. By focusing on his wants, wounds, isolation, and need to be loved, the story could become a more powerful portrait of fame.

Danny and Meara dive into Obsession, the low-budget horror breakout that has everyone talking. From its unsettling premise and standout performances to its questions about desire, control, agency, and the future of internet-era horror, this episode unpacks what makes the film so exciting, disturbing, and divisive.

Congratulations to Kathryn Zizek, winner of the 2026 Kinolime Feature Film Competition for her horror mystery thriller Due. Years after a mysterious deal made during a near-fatal overdose, a new mother faces a shapeshifting entity that has returned to claim what it is owed. Thank you to every Kinolimer who read, watched, voted, and helped choose this year’s winning script.

Our first-ever South Asia Shorts Competition has reached its Top 10. Now, the judges begin the difficult task of choosing the three scripts that will move forward. Follow the decisions live on our website and see how your favorite story is holding up in the race to the Top 3.

Mob Mentality, the 2025 Kinolime Competition winner, has officially found its director: William Groebe. Known for his work in animation, visual effects, and storyboarding, William brings a sharp visual eye and impressive experience to this bold comedy about a thirteen-year-old suburban kid convinced he is the reincarnation of John Gotti. With William attached, Mob Mentality takes its next exciting step toward the screen.

The Judges have spoken and The Top 3 of the Kinolime Feature Film Competition 2026 are here. Thrilling, action packed, and most importantly, waiting for your vote. Read, vote, discuss, who will be crowned the winner?

John and Danny dive into one of the year’s most divisive films: Michael. What begins as a debate about the Michael Jackson biopic quickly expands into a larger conversation about nostalgia, modern musical biopics, and whether these films are still true character dramas or have become theatrical fan experiences. From storytelling and performance to controversy and box office success, the two break down what screenwriters can learn from one of the most talked-about movies of the year.

The scripts are in, and the next stage is in the community’s hands. After hundreds of submissions from across South Asia and the diaspora, the Top 26 scripts of the 2026 South Asia Shorts Competition have officially been selected. Now it’s time to read, vote, and help decide which stories move into the Top 10. From intimate character dramas to bold original concepts, these shortlisted scripts showcase the incredible range of voices shaping the future of South Asian cinema.