Podcasts by Whats Up with Docs Podcast
An unapologetic documentary podcast that celebrates all of us! #tellyourstory
Further podcasts by Toni Bell
Podcast on the topic Filminterviews
All episodes
Special Episode - "The Gambler" - BIPOC&Co-conspirator Liberation within the Doc Industry - An Informal Conversation from 2023-08-23T18:47:05
Usually, after recording a podcast episode, Ranell and I would quickly say goodbye to our guests so we could get on with Saturday afternoon activities. We stayed in the Zoom room for over an hou...
ListenEpisode 40 - Episode 40 - Jennifer Crystal Chien - “Keep On Keeping On" from 2023-08-21T16:37:14
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker, mentor, activist, and co-founder of Re-Present Media, Jennifer Crystal Chien. During our conversation, we chatted about how she got into docs, her commit...
ListenEpisode 39 - Marion Schmidt - “Freedom” from 2022-10-20T21:25:24
ListenWuWD@ DOK Leipzig 2021 - Jihan El Tahri - “Jihan&Toni Talk Archives” from 2022-05-21T17:37:44
During this conversation, I speak with the filmmaker, archivist, and the artistic director of Dox Box, Jihan El Tahri about the manifesto, “Liberate the Image.” The manifesto was a call to action t...
ListenWuWD@ DOK Leipzig 2021 - Mariam Ghani - “Preserving History During Times of Conflict” from 2022-04-29T22:13:37
We recognize that war, conflict, and occupation often bring destruction not only to physical bodies but to the histories, archives, and cultural identities of the people impacted. During this conve...
ListenEpisode 38 - Jacquil Constant - “That's How I Knew” from 2022-02-28T15:03:30
In this episode, I speak with a friend, filmmaker, and professor, Jacquil Constant. During our conversation, we chat about our time working on Bridging the Divide: Tom Bradley and the Politics of...
ListenEpisode 37 - Scott Calonico&Sandy Wieding - “C’est Si Bon” from 2022-02-18T12:49:25
In this episode, I speak with film director Scott Calonico and archival researcher and producer Sandy Weeding. During our conversation, we chat about our first meeting at the Ji.hlava Documentary F...
ListenEpisode 36 - Emma Francis Snyder - “Pa’lante”&“Que Bonita Bandera” from 2022-02-01T17:55:49
In the first full episode of 2022, I chat with the filmmaker and activist Emma Francis-Snyder about her Oscar-shortlisted short Takeover! We talk about her journey as a white person and the obligat...
ListenEpisode 35 - Laura van Halsema - “Chelas City” from 2021-11-27T12:39:12
In this episode, we continue our celebration of the 2021 edition of IDFA as I chat with the Senior Programmer of the festival, Laura van Halsema. We talk about how she got into docs, her nearly 20 ...
ListenEpisode 34 - Mostafa Youssef - “Hello Sunshine” from 2021-11-20T17:02:59
In this episode, I speak with the film director&co-founder of Seen Films, Mostafa Youssef. We chat about his near lifelong love of film, the entertainment industry in Egypt and its impact througho...
ListenEpisode 33 - Raven Two Feathers - “Burn Your Village to the Ground” from 2021-11-13T15:08:09
In this episode, I speak with friend and writer, director, co-producer, Raven Two Feathers. During our conversation, we chat about when we first met and my struggle with the Seattle hills, the 4th ...
ListenEpisode 32 - Mirjam Wiekenkamp - "Abusey Junction" from 2021-11-06T08:11:04
n this episode, I speak with the publicist and one of the founders of NOISE Film PR, Mirjam Wiekenkamp. During our conversation, we get into her publicist origin story, some of the differences betw...
ListenEpisode 31 - Brenda Avila-Hanna - “Pueblos” from 2021-10-25T10:38:48
In this episode, I speak with Mexican filmmaker and Co-Director of Video Consortium Mexico, Brenda Avila-Hanna. During our conversation, we chat about her latest feature project Libertad, the profe...
ListenPast Guest Roundup from 2021-10-09T13:14:43
ListenPast Guest Roundup from 2021-10-09T13:14:43
ListenEpisode 30 - Ina Finchman - “Hallelujah” from 2021-09-24T23:09:52
In this episode, I speak with Canadian producer extraordinaire, Ina Finchman. During our conversation, we chat the nuts, bolts, and knowledge needed to be a great international co-production partn...
ListenEpisode 29 - Ann Kaneko&Jin Yoo-Kim - “We Are the Children” from 2021-09-11T12:28:40
In this episode, I speak with director, producer, and writer Ann Kaneko and producer Jin Yoo-Kim about their latest project, Manzanar: Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust. We chat about Ann’s very i...
ListenEpisode 28 - Adam Benzine - “What's Happening Brother” from 2021-08-28T14:37:22
In this episode, I speak with Oscar-Nominated, United Kingdom-born, and Canada-based filmmaker Adam Benzine. During the episode, we chat about his career in journalism, his move to Canada, his crit...
ListenEpisode 27 - Ashley O’Shay - “Basquiat” from 2021-08-14T06:58:37
In this episode, I speak with DP and director, Ashley O’Shay. We chat about the uniqueness of Chicago filmmakers, How she discovered her love for cinematography, her work on national brands, her wo...
ListenEpisode 26 - Resita Cox - “What They Do” from 2021-07-31T10:34:35
In this episode, I speak with journalist and filmmaker, Resita Cox. We chat about her local news career and why she decided to become a documentary filmmaker. We also discuss her latest project whi...
ListenEpisode 25 - Matt Lauterbach, Reveca Torres,&Grishma Shah- “My Future” from 2021-07-17T08:44:55
In this episode, I speak with Matt Lauterbach, Grishma Shah, and Reveca Torres of All Senses Go. During our conversation, we chat about how their work with organizations and content creators to en...
ListenEpisode 24 - Abby Sun - “I Want to Break Free” from 2021-07-03T06:31:51
In this episode, I speak with curator, Abby Sun about her work with the DocYard, an award-winning film and discussion series at the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge. We also chat about her work with Di...
ListenEpisode 23 - Robert Y. Chang - “Tightrope” from 2021-06-19T08:07:46
In this episode, I speak with Coordinating Producer at American Documentary/America Reframed, Robert Chang. During our conversation we chat about his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology, America ReFram...
ListenEpisode 23 - Robert Y. Chang - “Tightrope” from 2021-06-19T08:07:46
In this episode, I speak with Coordinating Producer at American Documentary/America Reframed, Robert Chang. During our conversation we chat about his Ph.D. in cultural anthropology, America ReFram...
ListenEpisode 22 - Elhum Shakerifar & Steven Eastwood - "Cactus" from 2021-06-05T21:41:17
In this episode, I speak with UK-based artist-filmmaker Steven Eastwood and producer, Elhum Shakerifar about their collaborative work on the film ISLAND and how that work has shaped their thoughts ...
ListenEpisode 22 - Elhum Shakerifar&Steven Eastwood - "Cactus" from 2021-06-05T21:41:17
In this episode, I speak with UK-based artist-filmmaker Steven Eastwood and producer, Elhum Shakerifar about their collaborative work on the film ISLAND and how that work has shaped their thoughts ...
ListenWhat’s Up with Docs @ "The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West, Day of Black Docs" from 2021-05-21T11:58:22
The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West (BADWest) is a professional organization providing people of African descent working in documentary film, video or other media the opportunity t...
ListenWhat’s Up with Docs @ "The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West, Day of Black Docs" from 2021-05-21T11:58:22
The Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West (BADWest) is a professional organization providing people of African descent working in documentary film, video or other media the opportunity t...
ListenEpisode 21 - April Dobbins - “No Agreement” from 2021-05-08T20:34:53
In this episode, I speak with writer, photographer, educator, filmmaker, and proud mom, April Dobbins. During our conversation, we chat about her many, many, many artistic endeavors and the joys an...
ListenEpisode 20 - Victoria Thomas - “Survivor” from 2021-04-23T12:53:54
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and educator Victoria Thomas. In our conversation, we chat about her latest project, Born in New York, Raised in Paris, her teaching at the London Film Schoo...
ListenEpisode 19 - Lindsey Dryden&Day Al-Mohamed - “Say My Name” from 2021-04-10T14:37:52
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker Lindsey Dryden and filmmaker, novelist, and podcaster, Day Al-Mohamed. In our conversation, we chat about Day’s advocacy work in Washington, D.C., Lindsey’s...
ListenEpisode 18 - Chloë Walters-Wallace - “Take Me Home, Country Road/West Jamaica” from 2021-01-29T23:04:07
In the this episode, I speak with Firelight Media’s Manager of Artists Programs, Chloë Walters-Wallace. In our conversation, we chat about what got her started in the documentary field, her work a...
ListenEpisode 17 - Rüzgâr Bus?ki - “?stikrarl? Hayal Hakikattir/Consistent Fantasy is Reality” from 2021-01-16T01:48:34
In this episode, I speak with artist and filmmaker Ru?zga?r Bus?ki. In our conversation, we talk about immigrating from Instanbul, where to get great Turkish food in Berlin, discrimination in Germa...
ListenEpisode 17 - Rüzgâr Bus?ki - “?stikrarl? Hayal Hakikattir/Consistent Fantasy is Reality” from 2021-01-16T00:48:34
In this episode, I speak with artist and filmmaker Ru?zga?r Bus?ki. In our conversation, we talk about immigrating from Instanbul, where to get great Turkish food in Berlin, discrimination in Germa...
ListenEpisode 16 - Elegance Bratton&Chester Argenal Gordon - “Solid” from 2021-01-02T03:48:42
In this episode, I speak with writer and director Elegance Bratton and producer and costume designer Chester Argenal Gordon. In our conversation, we chat about how they met each other, their latest...
ListenEpisode 15 - Lillian Benson, A.C.E. - “Wanting Memories” from 2020-12-19T01:03:30
In the final episode of 2020, I speak with the director and editor, Lillian Benson. In our conversation, we talk about when she met the Civil Rights icon, Congressman John Lewis at the Academy Awar...
ListenEpisode 14 - Set Hernandez Rongkilyo - “A Thousand More” from 2020-12-05T13:57:56
In this episode, I speak with filmmaker and co-founder of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, Set Hernandez Rongkilyo. In our conversation, we discuss their filmography the ways undocumented fi...
ListenEpisode 13 - Denise Hamilton - “We Shall Not Be Moved” from 2020-11-21T10:54:40
In this episode, I speak with educator, filmmaker and former co-chairperson of BADWest: Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers - West, Denise Hamilton, In our conversation we talk about BADWes...
ListenEpisode 12 - Bo McGuire - “Fancy” from 2020-11-07T00:17:36
In this episode, I speak with the writer, director, and producer of Socks on Fire, Bo McGuire, winner of the Best Documentary Feature Award at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Since Bo is a country ...
ListenEpisode 11 - Brigid O’Shea - “Down Under” from 2020-10-23T23:14:22
n this episode, I speak with the Head of Dok Industry Programme at Dok Leipzig and founder of the Documentary Association of Europe (DEA), Brigid O’Shea about what brought the Australian transplant...
ListenEpisode 10 - Jamie Starboisky - “Live Your Life Be Free” from 2020-10-10T07:19:26
In this episode, I speak with director, creative producer, writer Jaime Starboisky about the Queer Media Film Festival and his virtual reality project, Therese&Peta: A Tale of Two-Spirits. In 199...
ListenEpisode 9 - Claire Aguilar - “A Meeting in the Ladies Room” from 2020-09-26T01:00:52
In this episode, I speak with award-winning film curator, film festival director and television commissioning editor and broadcaster, Claire Aguilar about her career in documentary and her recent w...
ListenEpisode 8 - Fallon Young - “I’m Walking to New Orleans” from 2020-09-11T22:21:31
In this episode, I speak with Fallon Young, Executive Director of the New Orleans Film Society about the plans for the New Orleans Film Festival and other programs in the time of COVID-19, “regiona...
ListenEpisode 7 - Dante Alencastre - “Finally” from 2020-08-28T23:15:21
In this week’s episode, I speak with the filmmaker, Dante Alencastre, director&producer of AIDS Diva: The Legend of Connie Norman. This episode’s song is one of Connie’s favorites, CeCe Peniston’s ...
ListenEpisode 6 - Lily Zepeda - “Waterfalls” from 2020-08-14T20:06:08
In this week’s episode, I speak with Lily Zepeda, director, producer&writer of Mr. Toilet: The World’s #2 Man. Because she is a self-proclaimed of the child of the nineties, this week’s song is TLC...
ListenEpisode 5 - Ani Mercedes - “Money” from 2020-07-31T22:29:31
In this week’s episode, I speak with Ani Mercedes, CEO, Founder,&Impact Producer at Looky Looky Pictures. Because she’s a fearless hustler, this episode’s song is Cardi B’s “Money.”
ListenEpisode 4 - Sonya Childress - “I Am the Black Gold of the Sun” from 2020-07-17T08:00
In this episode, I speak with Sonya Childress, Senior Fellow at the Perspective Fund, about her pioneering work in the field of documentary and impact. Because in all her work, she centers People ...
ListenEpisode 3 - Godisamang Godi Khunou - "Lady" from 2020-07-03T12:30
In this episode, I speak with Godisamang Godi Khunou, founder of Mogale Pictures, a production company dedicated to creating content from the Pan African and Pro African Feminism perspective. Becau...
ListenEpisode 2 - Emily Cohen Ibañez&Ashley Solis Pavon - "It Takes Two" from 2020-06-19T16:00
In this episode, I speak with director/writer, Emily Cohen Ibañez, and protagonist/writer Ashley Solis Pavon about their upcoming project Fruits of Labor and what it’s like to collaborate on the fi...
ListenEpisode 1 - Tracy Rector - "I'm Every Woman" from 2020-06-11T06:00
In this episode, I speak with Choctaw/Seminole co-founder of Longhouse Media, Tracy Rector about her filmmaking, her new gig with Nia Tero and, her mentoring of the 4th World Indigenous Media Lab...
Listen