714. Kelly Hooper, Kathryn Ross, & Jonny Diaz “The Mail Gaze”

Welcome back!

We have an exciting episode for you today!

The Mail Gaze made its LA Premiere as a Sherman Oaks Film Festival 2025 Official Selection: Short Film – Comedy and took home the Grand Jury Award – Best Performance by a Duo – Kelly Hooper & Kathryn Ross.

I loved this film and I was thrilled to see I got three of its major players of it to sign up for a joint interview- Kelly Hooper, Kathryn Ross, Jonny Diaz.

Johnny directed, Kathryn wrote, Kathryn and Kelly produced as well as obviously acted so well in it they won an award.

Here’s all the Social Media Handles on Instagram so watch out for what these talented folks do next:
@themailgazefilm
@kelly.hooper                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              @kathrynaross
@jonny305diaz

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Discover Indie Film Foundation (nonprofit for the arts) Website
Sherman Oaks Film Festival
Film Invasion Los Angeles

Source: Discover Film

MASC

2026 Official Selection: Documentary – Feature

MASC

What is masculinity? And what is it doing to us?

  • Director(s): Andy Motz
  • Producer(s): Brandon Morrissey, Taylor Rae
  • Editor(s): Cecilio Escobar
  • Cinematographer(s): Giselle Gonzalez, Hank Groat
  • Sound Designer(s): Polar Sound
  • Composer(s): Eric Phillips

Language: English

Runtime: 1h 14m

Country: United States

Los Angeles Premiere

Synopsis: In a world of pundits and politicians seeking to “reclaim manhood,” a young queer filmmaker journeys to discover non-toxic masculinity across class, race, and gender in America today, leading him to confront his own religious upbringing, pastor father, and what he was taught it means to be a man.

Click here to watch the trailer →

Visit this Official Selection’s Instagram →

Visit the official website →

Source: FILA

Lone Wolf

2026 Official Selection: Short Film – Horror

Lone Wolf

An insomniac, hired gun begins to question her sanity when she runs into one of her previous victims alive and well.

  • Director(s): Matt Van Tine
  • Writer(s): Rich Van Tine
  • Producer(s): Matt Van Tine, Rich Van Tine, Tim Simek, AnaElise Beckman, Ryan Kuna
  • Key Cast: Aly Trasher, Tim Simek, William Gabriel Grier
  • Editor(s): Matt Van Tine, Ed Morales
  • Cinematographer(s): Ryan Kuna
  • Production Designer(s): Rick Quitoriano
  • Sound Designer(s): Eric Romero
  • Composer(s): Royce Stubbs

Language: English

Runtime: 15m

Country: United States

Synopsis: An insomniac, hired gun begins to question her sanity when she runs into one of her previous victims alive and well.

Visit this Official Selection’s Instagram →

Visit the official website →

Source: FILA

Journeys

2026 Official Selection: Feature Film – Documentary

Journeys

Understanding the world of Psilocybin assisted psychedelic therapy and those that are turning to the treatment.

  • Director(s): Christopher James Cramer
  • Producer(s): Christopher James Cramer, James Dunovan, Devin Brooke, Ariel Barber

Language: English

Runtime: 1h 57m

Country: United States

Synopsis: Understanding the world of Psilocybin assisted psychedelic therapy and those that are turning to the treatment. Providing a look into micro-dose and full "Heroic" dose treatment with key topics including Veterans, PTSD, depression, end-of-life care, childhood trauma, ethics, costs of treatment, indigenous history and the science of psychedelic therapy.

Click here to watch the trailer →

Visit the official website →

Source: FILA

Turn Off The Machines

2026 Official Selection: Featurette – Documentary

Turn Off The Machines

Turn Off the Machines follows Ethan Hughes, a radical homesteader in mid-coast Maine who lives entirely without electricity, global supply chains, or modern technological comforts.

Program: Turn Off The Machines · Sun, Aug 23, 2026 · 2:00 PM

  • Director(s): Joseph El-Khoury, Muhammad Yusuf Khattak
  • Producer(s): Joseph El-Khoury, Muhammad Yusuf Khattak, Jack Ruefli
  • Key Cast: Ethan Hughes

Language: English

Runtime: 42m

Country: United States

World Premiere

Synopsis: Turn Off the Machines follows Ethan Hughes, a radical homesteader in mid-coast Maine who lives entirely without electricity, global supply chains, or modern technological comforts. Raised in Gloucester to working class parents, an early tragedy shattered a happy childhood and set him on a path of radical resistance. Living deliberately below the poverty line, Ethan’s life is not a retreat but a protest against capitalism, war, and ecological collapse. The film explores his convictions, his family’s daily rhythms, and the tensions that arise when belief meets the demands of life.

Click here to watch the trailer →

Visit the official website →

Source: FILA