As we prepare to head to the Austin Film Festival, I spent some time with actor Olivia Simmons, the star of 190 Billion Followers. The movie premieres at the festival on Halloween, and I'm thrilled to attend. Olivia stars in the movie with her father, Oscar-winner JK Simmons.

If you're going to the festival, be sure to attend the screening, as we will all be there!

This is a very special interview because I have known Olivia for her entire life, and I couldn't be more excited to see her star in this film. Olivia is extremely talented and about as down-to-earth as they come.

Enjoy this intimate interview and check out 109 Billion Followers.

CLICK HERE to see information about the film at the Austin Film Festival.

Presented by the Independent Film School

If you are interested in learning about the careers you can create as a story analyst, take our free Workshop at https://HollywoodGatekeepers.com/Action

If you're attending the festival (or any live events), be sure to grab my Navigating Live Events Minicourse, where you will also receive a free download Reader Pet Peeves, to see why a reader might pass on your screenplay. https://HollywoodGatekeepers.com/LiveEvents

I'm heading to the Austin Film Festival later this month.

Live events are one of the best ways to start or scale a career.

In fact, I got my start as a reader at a writer's conference. That's the thing about live events. Things happen there that don't happen anywhere else. I walk through all of this in this episode, and it's full of links to festivals, guests, and resources that can help your career, so it's worth a listen.

I've also created a mini course on navigating live events that I think makes a great refresher before any festival. You can access it at: https://HollywoodGatekeepers.com/LiveEvents

Learn more about the Austin Film Festival: https://AustinFilmFestival.com

I will be attending the screening of 109 Billion Followers: CLICK HERE

I started my career as a story analyst by attending a live event, and it continues to grow as I attend more events. For example, last year in Austin, I met Travis Hodgkins and Rashaana Shah, the writer-director and producer of Line of Control. I ended up at the premiere a couple of months later, and now Rashaana and I are working on projects together. Both were guests on our program, and my interview with Rashaana was last week's episode.

Here are additional links to things I mention in this episode:

Line of Control, the Movie Trailer: https://youtu.be/WqUXf9FGyWg?si=mK37dbd7KcdnoYX7

Inside Pitch Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/theinsidepitch

Allegory Live https://allegory.live/

Hollywood Speakeasy https://hollywoodspeakeasy.org/

Coverage Ink https://coverageink.com/

Sadie Dean Reckless Creatives Podcast https://www.recklesscreativespodcast.com/

Glendale International Film Festival https://glendaleiff.org/

If you are interested in learning about the careers you can create as a story analyst, take our free Workshop at https://HollywoodGatekeepers.com/Action

Enjoy this episode and use the key takeaways to manage any event that you happen to attend!

Here is a link to my Navigating Live Events Minicourse where you will also receive a free download. https://HollywoodGatekeepers.com/LiveEvents

I am so thrilled to introduce you to Rashaana Shah. She is the producer of the new, beautiful film LINE OF CONTROL.

I met Rashaana at the Austin Film Festival. We are now collaborating, which has resulted in her visiting our Insider Track Membership as a guest speaker. Within the Insider Track, members were able to ask her questions.

Enjoy this authentic, interesting, and informative session!

And be sure to check out Line of Control. Leave a review and spread the word!

Now Available to Rent or Buy

🎬 Movie: Amazon | Apple TV | Fandango at Home

🎞 Trailer: Watch here

✍️ Please Like and write a Review on Letterboxd

🎶 Soundtrack: Spotify | Amazon Music | iTunes

About the Film:
Set in the shadow of one of the world's longest-running conflicts, Line of Control follows a teenage boy living in a small village along the militarized Line of Control in 1990s Kashmir. When he's forced to identify the bodies of young militants — some of whom may be childhood friends — his world begins to fracture. Caught between grief, guilt, and survival, he confronts the moral cost of war in a place where neutrality is impossible.

If you want to learn more about creating a career in the film industry, take a free workshop at HollywoodGatekeepers.com/Action.