Best in Fest

Author: Leslie LaPage

Host Leslie LaPage, Director of LaFemme International Film Festival uncovers the Secrets of Filmmaking with her lineup of industry professional guests. In every episode you will learn things like how to make the most out of the film festival circuit, how to find a great distribution partner, how to attract A list talent, finding the perfect representation, the dirty little secrets of Hollywood and much more.
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Language: en-us

Genres: Arts, TV & Film

Contact email: Get it

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Indie Filmmaking in a Broken System: Maegan La’Trese on Tax Incentives, Vertical Video & Surviving Hollywood
Monday, 23 February, 2026

In this episode of Best in Fest, host Leslie LaPage sits down with Maegan La’Trese Fillmore — director, producer, activist, and founder of Hudson Fillmore — for a no-nonsense conversation about the real economics of independent filmmaking today.Maegan shares her journey from overseeing productions at Comedy Central, VH1, MTV, the NFL, YouTube Originals, and Paramount to directing award-winning indie projects like Soul Tie, and why she ultimately chose to build outside the studio system.In this episode, we break down:🎥 Why California tax incentives fail independent filmmakers💰 The $1M budget floor problem — and what indies can do instead🌍 Shooting outside California vs. Europe and emerging U.S. markets🧾 How film slates and funds actually leverage tax incentives🤝 Why tech investors are replacing traditional indie financiers📱 Vertical video explained — formats, budgets, and monetization reality🎬 What Quibi got right (and wrong) about short-form storytelling🧠 Union vs non-union strategy in a shrinking job market🏆 Building culturally specific films that still travel globally🔥 Why most indie films help careers — not investorsMaegan also discusses the future of vertical storytelling, the dopamine economics behind short-form content, why China is currently the only market making real money from vertical series, and how filmmakers can stay creative — and solvent — in a volatile industry.