After placing in the Top 3 of the Kinolime Short Film Competition with his Short Chicken, filmmaker Ian Samuels joins the Kinolime team to unpack what happens after the script, when momentum meets reality. From chicken trainers and puppetry to POV filmmaking and funding hurdles, this episode explores creative problem-solving, persistence, and the messy leap from page to production.

In this episode, John and Danny speak with Jessica, a finalist from the Kinolime Short Film Competition, about what happens after a script starts gaining momentum. Calling in from Brazil, Jessica shares her journey developing Body of Water, attending Ventana Sur, and building international partnerships. They discuss industry trends, social storytelling, and the leap from idea to production.

Winning a competition is one thing. Turning that win into a finished film almost immediately is another. In this episode, we talk with Eduard Mitra, winner of the Kinolime Shorts Competition, just days after wrapping his short. He shares how a years-long passion project went into production almost overnight, what it takes to move fast with limited resources, and why passion and the right team matter more than money.

As Kinolime closes out 2025, John and Danny reflect on a landmark year of growth, storytelling, and community. From record-breaking script submissions and new competitions to films moving into production, they pull back the curtain on what it really takes to turn great screenplays into movies. They also introduce the first-ever Limelist, three unforgettable scripts that didn’t win but left a lasting mark.

Hollywood is entering a new era of consolidation, with Warner Bros. at the center of a bidding war that could reshape how movies are made and released. In this episode, John and Danny unpack what media mergers really mean for theatrical releases, creative freedom, and jobs, and why self-distribution and independent voices may be the industry’s next big turning point.

In this episode of Producer Profile, John talks with Chaya Amor, CMO of Kinolime and producer of HBO Max’s One Day in October, about what producing really entails. Chaya discusses why creativity must drive every producer, how to balance artistic integrity with high-stakes decision-making, and when walking away is the smartest move. She also shares the intense reality of producing a series during a war and the leadership it demands.

What makes a movie truly last? In this episode of the Kinolime Podcast, John and Danny dive into one of cinema’s most irresistible debates: the best films of the 21st century. Sparked by Quentin Tarantino’s recent Top 20 list, the conversation quickly becomes personal. From bold epics to intimate character studies, comedies, and international cinema, they build their own list, arguing, calling audibles, and questioning what “greatness” really means today.

John and Danny open up about the struggles and joys of being a writer, and why no one should have to create alone. In this Kinolime Podcast episode, they share their hopes for a community where writers swap pages, trade honest notes, grow together, and find the spark to keep going. It’s a heartfelt look at how showing up for each other can transform your writing journey.

In this powerful conversation, director Alice Biletska takes us inside the making of Our House Is on Fire, a Kinolime production and one of the first narrative films shot in Ukraine during the full-scale invasion. She reflects on leaving LA to return home, creating art under bombings and curfews, and the profound questions that shaped the film: Why tell stories when the world is collapsing? What endures when everything else falls away?

Warner Bros. exploring a sale isn’t just news, it’s a turning point. In this episode, John and Danny break down what mega-mergers, Wall Street leadership, and weak antitrust mean for filmmakers, film lovers, and the future of cinema. From worst-case buyers to the rise of indie film and audience-driven studios, they unpack the risks, the hope, and why this moment matters more than ever.

John and Danny dive into how the streaming boom is reshaping screenwriting. With films now driving more revenue than TV, they explore what that means for writers, covering Netflix’s five-minute rule, the rise of high-concept storytelling, and why shorter, punchier scripts win. Tune in for six essential tips on writing for today’s market and keeping your stories irresistible from page one.

This Halloween, Meara and filmmaker Woody Bess take a decade-by-decade dive into the evolution of horror. From the eerie colonial ghosts of I Walked with a Zombie to the viral terror of Talk to Me, they explore how each era’s fears shaped its stories. Expect passionate debates (Alien vs The Thing), hidden gems, and insights into what truly makes a horror film stick in your mind long after the credits roll.

In this episode of the Kinolime Podcast, Meara and Danny sit down with Kole, Kinolime’s Social Media Manager and one of this year’s Shorts Competition standouts, to discuss his surreal and deeply personal script COME. Inspired by David Lynch’s creative philosophy, Kole shares how he let go of structure and logic to write from instinct, exploring shame, guilt, and emotion through pure, unfiltered storytelling.

Few films divide audiences like One Battle After Another. In this Kinolime Podcast, John and Danny debate whether it’s truly the defining film of the 21st century. From DiCaprio’s anxious hero to PTA’s bold themes of revolution and failure, they unpack every frame, and ask: does this movie redefine modern cinema or just spark one more battle?

BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Stephen Fingleton (The Survivalist, The Waif) joins John Schramm to explore the art of screenwriting; from crafting ideas and building conflict engines to mastering focus, feedback, and discipline. A deep dive into how writers find their process, sustain passion, and finally finish the story.

The spec script market isn’t dead, it’s making a comeback. In this episode, John Schramm and Danny Murray share five must-know tips for screenwriters: from crafting a killer premise and sharp dialogue to building tension with unforgettable antagonists.

Short films aren’t just stepping stones, they’re an art form. In this conversation, BAFTA-nominated filmmaker Stephen shares lessons from writing to financing, working with crews, guiding actors, and navigating festivals. Practical, honest advice for anyone ready to make their short stand out.

Short films are back—and hotter than ever. In this episode, John sits down with producer Mike Gabrawy (Hotel Mumbai) to explore why shorts are the perfect calling card for filmmakers, how to craft a complete story in minutes, and why the right crew can make all the difference. Packed with tips, insights, and inspiration.

The summer box office brought billions but few blockbusters, leaving audiences with a chorus of “fine.” In this episode, John and Danny dig into why standout hits are disappearing, what filmmakers can do to win back audiences, and why the spec market might be the brightest news for writers in years. Plus, stick around for some hilarious blind film rankings that prove no movie is safe.

In this roundtable, we dive into Cooperville, a daring Kinolime Top 3 script that blends bold ideas with relentless storytelling. From its unforgettable villain Mosquito Man to its thought-provoking social themes, John, Kat, Jack, and Lee unpack what makes the screenplay tick—and why writers should take notes.