Sundance 2026 - Queen of Chess with Rory Kennedy and Judit Polgár

Send a textThese two Sundance documentaries touch on the importance of freedom of speech, and what happens when we both give people access and take it away.Public Access shares rare footage of NYC's media rebels who turned our screens into platforms for free expression, turning ordinary people into stars. We sit down with director David Shadrack Smith and subject/public access star Jake Fogelnest to discuss the wild west of public access TV, why Jake interrogated David before he agreed to participate in the film, and Jake being the original influencer.Seized documents the illegal raid of the Marion County Record, a small town Kansas newspaper, and what happened in its aftermath. Director Sharon Liese joins us to share how she gained the trust of the local people, the importance of telling both sides, and how the arrival of a new intern changed the way the story would be told.Follow director David Shadrack Smith on IGFollow Jake Fogelnest on IGFollow director Sharon Liese on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textThis episode brings you two Sundance documentary short films that touch on such timely issues that our filmmakers rushed to get them out as soon as possible.In La Tierra del Valor (The Home of the Brave), during a summer of grief and fear brought about by ice raids in Los Angeles, one small act of bravery brings a community of hope. Director (and return guest) Cristina Costantini and producer Alfie Koetter sit down with us to discuss how they met Nezza, the patriotism of immigrants, and how bravery feels a lot like fear. In short, FUCK ICE.Luigi is a short film about the cultural sensation (and obsession) following the murder charge of Luigi Mangione. Director (and return guest) Liza Mandelup shares why she was inspired to tell the story from this perspective, how she scouted online and in her own backyard of NYC for the subjects of her film, and our collective rage and frustration that has led us to this moment. In short, HEALTH CARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT.Follow director Cristina Costantini on IGFollow producer Alfie Koetter on IGFollow director Liza Mandelup on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textThis episode brings you two Sundance documentaries that show very different ways that technology can have an impact on our lives.Joybubbles is a biopic about a deaf man (born decades before the internet or the computer) who learns how to manipulate the telephone system by whistling, and inadvertently lays the groundwork for the future of hacking and technology. Director Rachel J. Morrison joins us to share how she learned about Joybubbles from his obituary in the NY Times, his connection to Mr. Rogers, and the meta way in which she found hours of tapes of Joybubbles speaking about his life. Ghost in the Machine is a documentary that reveals the dark untold origins of Artificial Intelligence, and where we go from here. Director Valerie Veatch sits down with us to discuss her years long work examining the intersection of technology and society, why we should all be friction maxing everyday (and what the hell that actually means),  and how being a parent informs her work (and vice versa).Follow Joybubbles on IGFollow director Rachel J. Morrison on IGFollow Ghost in the Machine on IGFollow director Valerie Veatch on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textThis episode is the warm hug that we all need right now. It will introduce you to two beautifully moving Sundance films that highlight important parts of Black American history.Once Upon a Time in Harlem invites the viewer to be a fly on the wall at a gathering of Harlem Renaissance artists and intellectuals at Duke Ellington's house in the summer of 1972. Director David Greaves and producer Liani Greaves join us to discuss the importance of engaging in meaningful communication, honoring William Greaves' legacy, and the significance of this film being released 50 years later.The Baddest Speechwriter of All is a short film about MLK's attorney and speechwriter, Dr. Clarence B. Jones. Co-director Ben Proudfoot and producer Erick Peyton sit down to discuss working with Stephen Curry (as co-director), the colorful way they decided to open the film, and why Dr. Clarence's life makes them optimistic about the future.Follow Once Upon a Time in Harlem on IGFollow producer Liani Greaves on IGFollow director Ben Proudfoot on IGFollow producer Erick Peyton on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textLevitating (Para Perasuk) follows Bayu as he attempts to become a shaman of a trance party so he can make enough money to keep from being evicted. We were joined by director Wregas Bhanuteja, and stars Anggun and Maudy Ayunda, to discuss the historical roots of trance parties in Indonesia, why Wregas was inspired to write this story, the creative way that Anggun channelled the sounds of an ant, and how Maudy choreographed her own trance dance moves.Bedford Park is the beautiful tale of two lost souls colliding, a Korean American woman struggling with family expectations and her own aspirations, and an ex-wrestler haunted by his past. We sat down with director Stephanie Ahn to discuss her years long process in casting, why becoming a mother helped her make this film, and the contradictory love languages between eastern culture and western culture.Jaripeo is a documentary about the queer desires that come to the surface on the sidelines of Michoacán’s hyper-masculine rodeos. We were joined by co-directors Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig to share why they wanted to make this film, how they decided that Efraín needed to be on camera, and why the queer community in Michoacán gives them hope.Follow Levitating (Para Perasuk) on IGFollow Wregas Bhanuteja on IGFollow Anggun on IGFollow Maudy Ayunda on IGFollow Bedford Park on IGFollow Stephanie Ahn on IGFollow Jaripeo on IGFollow Rebecca Zweig on IGSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textToday we're bringing you three Sundance Film Festival short film narratives that explore the darker side of life.Crisis Actor follows an impulsive actress as she reaches a breaking point in her addiction to drama. We sit down with director/writer Lily Platt and actor Sarah Steele to talk victimhood, privilege, and why everyone could use a little therapy. Congrats to Crisis Actor for winning the Short Film Jury Award for US Fiction!Taga follows a Filipino American as she travels to the Philippines to reconnect to her roots, but encounters a group of eco-volunteers who disturb the village and awaken ancient monsters. Director/writer Jill Marie Sachs and producer Louise Barretto join us to discuss the wealth of monsters and folklore in Filipino culture, why they prepared an offering for the land before filming in a remote village of the Philippines, and how "woke backpackers" can sometimes turn toxic.In Prime, a trauma victim joins a utopian farm and realizes she's bitten off more than she can chew. Director/writer Meagan Coyle joins us to discuss why people are drawn to cults, the art of pacing in a short film, and how she went from make-up artist to director.Follow director Lily Platt on IGFollow actor Sarah Steele on IGFollow Taga on IGFollow director Jill Marie Sachs on IGFollow producer Louise Barretto on IGFollow director Meagan Coyle on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textQueen of Chess is a documentary about Judit Polgár, a Hungarian girl who revolutionized the sport's patriarchal culture to become the greatest woman chess player of all time.We sit down with Judit Polgár and director Rory Kennedy to discuss how Judit knew Rory was the right person to tell her story, Rory's arduous hunt for archival footage, Judit's special bond with her sisters, playing chess blindfolded against Alec Baldwin, and the connection between punk music and chess.Watch Queen of Chess right now on Netflix!Follow Queen of Chess Judit Polgár on IGFollow director Rory Kennedy on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textWe're excited to share this conversation with our new best friend, Rosanna Arquette! She stars in The Moment alongside Charli XCX, a mockumentary about a rising pop star navigating fame and industry pressure while preparing for her debut arena tour. We become fast friends about our mutual love for the Bay, the importance of art and activism, and our collective hate for ai. Then Rosanna shares her thoughts on Taylor Swift, her family's legacy in the entertainment industry (including her daughter starring most recently in Dracula: A Love Tale), and which director she would love to collaborate with in the future. Our thanks to Rosanna for being lovely AF, and for this beautiful, honest conversation.Click here to watch The Moment in theaters right now!Follow Rosanna Arquette on IG and BlueSkySupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textHoly shit, it's finally here, our 900th episode! And there was no better way to celebrate than with friends of the show Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal. We sit down in Park City to talk getting older (and being afraid of hurting ourselves), Sundance highlights throughout the years, red carpet anxiety, and exciting new projects on the horizon. Then Erin and Ange challenge Daveed and Rafa to a "Friend Versus Friend" game to see which group knows each other better. Place your bets now and have a listen, we're off to celebrate being 900 episodes old! special shoutout to Liza Mandelup (director of the Sundance short film Luigi) who makes a background cameo in this episodeFollow Daveed Diggs on IGFollow Rafael Casal on IGThank you to our sponsor, Standard Deviant BrewingSupport the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM

Send a textWe are taking you behind the scenes at Sundance 2026 where we reunite with friends (looking at you, cousin Kamau!), celebrate Little Miss Sunshine's 20th anniversary (#TeamDano), shout "Cheers, Queers" with our friends from Frameline, discuss what makes Ethan Hawke's boots sexy, watch Alec Baldwin play chess in a mansion, stood on the red carpet with the icon/hero/original bad bitch BILLIE JEAN KING, and sooo much more. We cap it off with our "official" Bitch Talk Sundance Awards Ceremony, and give you a tease of what's to come in our 900th episode with friends of the show (and best friends in real life) Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal!Support the showThanks for listening and for your support! We couldn't have won Best of the Bay Best Podcast in 2022 , 2023 , and 2024 without you! -- Fight fascism. Shop small. Use cash. Fuck ice. -- Support Bitch Talk here! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for behind the scenes footage! Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts! Visit our website! www.bitchtalkpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Substack Listen every Monday at 7 am on BFF.FM