Olivia Hocker: Inspirational Interview

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Phynley Joel: “Hello! My name is Phynley and I am a 22 year old filmmaker from Nashville, Tennessee. I love to make films with simple, hopeful stories and aim to create a set atmosphere that is warm, inclusive and collaborative! Half of my family is from New Zealand and I have a NZ dual citizenship, which is why some of my favorite projects have been done there. I also think that this greatly informs some of the lightness and simplicity that plays into a lot of my stories. In 2021 I was lucky enough to have my film, "Muggy," screened at the Nashville Film Festival and (to my disbelief, still) it actually won the Next Generation Filmmakers award there. This year, my film, "The Trobie" which was just screened at SWIFF was also screened at NFF. The last year and a half have held some very special occurrences and kindness towards some of my favorite projects. As of late, I graduated college in May of '22 and I have been to blessed to have gotten my start in directing a documentary piece which has taken me to Norway and Rome over the last few months - very exciting! To be honest, I'd say that beyond film alone, I am excited to be involved, in any way, in the production of any good story that I'm passionate about being told! I'm not sure what direction that will take, but for the moment, film is the vehicle and I am so thrilled and blessed to get to do it.”

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Stelios Psillos: “What I love the most about making movies is that they have the power to speak with or without using any dialogue, and that's the perfect way for me as an artist to express myself and tell stories that can mean something to me and to someone else. My passion for acting and filmmaking started at the age of 14, and at the age of 19 I created my first independent feature horror-action movie called "Hopeless". Two years later I made the sequel "Hopeless 2" which I directed, wrote, edited, and produced. I was born and raised in Greece and I moved to NYC in 2016. Few years later I made a short documentary about an artist's journey named Jesse Lee and after that I made the music video “Diving Up” which I submitted to the festival. I have graduated Video Arts and Technology from Borough of Manhattan Community College and I'm currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in film and media. I love writing, directing, editing and acting, and my biggest dream is to make a lot and good films.” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Oral Sledge: “The documentary series, Desire to Fly, depicts the journey of Oralanne Sledge, age 11, as she travels with her dad from Tucson Arizona to Compton California. She comes from a single parent household that realizes the barriers people of color face when attempting to enter it Aviation. The journey is 1000 miles round trip and we have not missed an in person session. Each attendance awards flight time to her log book adding gradually to the number of hours required (40 hours) when she becomes eligible to take her FAA single pilots solo test at age 16 and to be certified to fly at 17. Being abandoned by her mother at age 5, the need for fellowship and a sense of family is paramount for Oralanne. She finds the like minded 30+ youths from diverse backgrounds, in the program at Fly Compton Educational Foundation, family like and welcoming each and every time. Alternately, zoom classes are held every other week to reinforce what was taught in person. Having role models that are people of color reinforce the belief that she too can achieve the goals before her is so very essential! It is a blessing and privilege for this Vietnam Era Veteran (myself) to support my daughters journey while producing and directing this series, with the support and encouragement from film professors at rhe University of Arizona, as she breaks barriers and accomplishes what many others have been prevented from achieving. There is no other full time, low cost/free pilot training year round school for youth in the United States! We are honored to be accepted and excited to continue the journey, no matter how trying and difficult, to see this mission through.” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Kihwa EI: “"I performed. One day when I was doing ballet and musical on stage in 2017, I thought of the audience through my father's death. The performance can exist at the same time as the audience, but it was regrettable that it gradually disappeared over time. So I tried it. From the age of 23 in 2019 to the age of 27 in 2023 and I will continue to produce documentary films in the future, falling in love with the appeal of a movie that transcends time and space and meets the audience with works. That's how I'm a filmmaker who connects time and space between the boundaries of performance and film."” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Aadi Karnavat: “I am currently studying in the 2nd year of the IB Diploma Program, and I have film as one of my major subjects. This is the first film I have directed. I have some experience as a cinematographer, having shot a few commercials, a horror film called 'Spectral Help' that is yet to be released, and our film 'Realization'. I also enjoy photography, exploring a variety of genres, including astrophotography, wildlife, landscapes, and more. Recently, some of my images were published in a feature on Goodhomes Magazine India. Lastly, I am proud to know that my first film as a director has received an honorable mention award in the 2023 KVIFF STUDENT WORLD IMPACT FILM FESTIVAL. I aspire to be a filmmaker in the future, and this is the beginning of my journey.” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature JUN (Wenjun Dong): “"JUN (Wenjun Dong) was born in China, and fulfilled her enlightenment in fashion design and fine arts in Milano. After an encounter with the performing arts and filmmaking in London, she moved to Tokyo to complete her approach to creation. “As a filmmaker, my journey began with a passion for exploring the relationship between human bodies and fabric during my fashion studies. This perspective has shaped my approach to filmmaking, where I view films as dynamic movements and interpretations of single images. In addition, I have delved into documenting theatre performances, recognizing the contrasting nature of films and live performances. While films can be re-edited and re-screened, capturing the essence of a one-time, transient live performance presents a different set of challenges. Embracing the distinctive qualities of both mediums, I aim to weave captivating narratives that explore the fluidity of movement, humanity, and the enduring power of the cinematic art form.” “The film I have presented to SWIFF this time, If{Lemon}, is inspired by a theatre project where I make lemon as the performer. In a constant cycle of statements and images that develop and dissolve, the viewer gets the opportunity to engage with the narrative, identify their own presence and become part of the film in the exhibition space.” "” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Olivia Hocker: “I started film in high school as an extra curricular and fell in love. I decided to continue with film at the university of arizona. I love doing live news broadcasting and working on documentaries.” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Luyanda Sosibo: “Along my filmmaking journey I’ve been blessed with a number of opportunities that have shaped my development and understanding of what it means to be filmmaker. Initially introduced into costume design/styling and set design, I’ve challenged myself to write and produce.” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Sergio Burgos: “I am a filmmaker/director/actor that wants to not have a style, but simply make good content.” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.

On this episode of the Film Sessions Podcast, we are excited to feature Barbara Maria: “"Graduated in Artes & Design and Cinema in Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (MG, Brazil). Worked as art director assistant (because she loves thrift shops and flea markets) and producer assistant in some student movies. ""Pele de Monstro"", her fist movie as a director was released in 2017."” This episode was hosted and produced by Mark Leschinsky, the Festival Director of the Student World Impact Film Festival.