Welcome to Episode 70 of Raising Cinephiles! This week, Jessica Kantor sits down with a truly unique guest: 10-year-old Jack Michalski, the son of frequent guest Lily Vonnegut. Jack shares his deep passion for cinema, his early memories of watching iconic films, and his exciting journey into screenwriting. In this episode, you'll hear about:🎥 Jack’s First Movie Memory: Watching E.T. at age six and how it sparked his love for movies and Steven Spielberg.🦈 Jaws and Spielberg Films: Why Jaws...

Episode Description:In this episode, Jessica Kantor speaks with the dynamic producer-director / wife-husband duo Joni Levin and Keith Clarke, renowned for their work on the documentary Call Me Ted. Together, they delve into their personal journeys with cinema, the universal power of movies to connect, inspire and share early memories that shaped their love for storytelling. They discuss their latest project on the life of Ted Turner and the invaluable life lessons that movies can teach both...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.raisingcinephiles.com In this insightful episode of Raising Cinephiles, host Jessica Kantor sits down with award-winning actor John Lawson, who earned Best Actor at Slamdance for his role in the independent film Daruma. Together, they discuss John’s journey into acting, his influential family movie experiences, and the path that led him to star in Daruma, a film about a man …

Episode Description: In this episode of Raising Cinephiles, host Jessica Kantor dives into the return of smoking on-screen. From the nostalgia-fueled imagery in shows like Stranger Things and The Queen’s Gambit to the resurgence of smoking in real life, we explore the cyclical relationship between Hollywood and cultural trends. Is smoking on-screen driving a real-world comeback, or is it reflecting a rebellion against wellness culture already underway? Join us as we question the allure of...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.raisingcinephiles.com Episode Description:In this episode of Raising Cinephiles, host Jessica Kantor delves into the world of children’s movies and how they shape parenting experiences. Jessica shares her personal journey watching beloved films like Curious George, Finding Nemo, and Luca with her son. These iconic movies not only entertain but also teach valuable life lesson…

Hi. Curious what I look like? Well, I am trying to do a video podcast for the first time. This might never happen again. I need positive encouragement. Also, I need to fix that eye-line when I read the teleprompter. (Oh - and if you’re listening on a podcast platform, you can watch on raisingcinephiles.com) So, this episode is inspired by the screening of Modern Times I hosted for American Cinematheque’s Friend of the Fest. It was such a fun matinee, and there were A LOT of kids in the...

In this special re-edit of the Thomas Ian Nicholas episode, we dive into his deep-rooted passion for cinema, which blossomed while he was making movies himself. Thomas reflects on his early movie memories, including the lasting impact of classics like Star Wars and The Shawshank Redemption. He opens up about how he shares his love for film with his kids, navigating the challenges of selecting age-appropriate content and the joy of introducing his son to the magic of cinema. We also explore...

In this episode, Julie Cavaliere takes us on a journey through her first movie memory and her deep affection for classic cinema. As the conversation unfolds, Julie and Jessica tackle the complexities of managing screen time for children, emphasizing the need to curate quality content for young minds. Julie opens up about her career path in the film industry, from studying film and TV production to her roles in development, acting, and writing. She also bravely shares her battle with...

Tosca Musk, CEO of Passion Flix, discusses her love for romance novels and her passion for creating positive stories about love and relationships. In this conversation, Tosca Musk and Jessica Kantor discuss their favorite movies and the influence of cinema on their lives. They talk about the films that have inspired them, such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Strictly Ballroom. They also share their love for filmmakers like Baz Luhrmann, Nora Ephron, and Nancy Meyers. The conversation touches on...

In this episode, actress Esther Moon joins Jessica Kantor to talk about Esther's journey as an actress and the importance of pursuing a passion. They share their experiences of introducing their children to movies and the impact of cinema on their lives. In this conversation, Esther Moon and Jessica Kantor discuss their experiences with introducing movies and traditions to their children. They talk about the challenges of finding kid-friendly movies in different cultures and the importance...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.raisingcinephiles.com It was such an honor to talk to Denise Di Novi. She’s a prolific producer, director, and fine artist who has made films such as HEATHERS, EDWARD SCISSOR HANDS, and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE - all three movies had a profound effect on me both in life and as a filmmaker. Denise shares her first movie memory and the joy of watching films with her mother. She dis…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.raisingcinephiles.com In this episode, Jessica Kantor interviews Camille Guaty about their first movie memories and the impact of movies on their lives. They discuss the power of music in movies and the importance of introducing children to the story world before watching a movie. They also talk about the role of movies in teaching children about real-life topics like mortal…

Despite doing this interview with Larengytus, it remains one of my favorite conversations. We discuss some incredible filmmaking and parenting topics, from films that play with their genre to guns on-screen and our mutual adoration of watching movies on 35 mm. I hope you enjoy this new 22-minute edit of this inspiring conversation! The entire hour-long conversation is available to paid subscribers if you want to hear more. Raising Cinephiles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new...

I’m excited to share this recent re-edit and rerelease of one of our MOST popular episodes. We discuss how cinema influences our lives and kids and discuss one of my top movies, CLUELESS. Please enjoy the episode, available here and on your favorite podcasting platform. (And if you want the full-hour-long discussion, paid subscribers can access it in the archive!) Gif credit. This...

This week, I had such an exciting and, dare I say, profound conversation with Joshua Triplett. We found common ground in the movies we love, how we approach our respective craft, and how we both take great pride in parenting. It’s always interesting to speak with the parents of child actors, and hearing how the Triplett Family bonds through sharing their work with one another is a refreshing take on something that can often feel misguided. I especially loved how Joshua discussed not letting...

In this part of the conversation, the guests discuss their first movie memories and their favorite films growing up. They also touch on the topic of unreliable Wi-Fi and the importance of having a landline. John shares his experience of going to boarding school and the freedom he had as a child. He emphasizes the importance of being open to different types of movies and discovering hidden gems. John Farley and Grant Garry discuss their taste in movies and the role of comedy in their lives....

Jennifer Warren, a former actress turned director, shares her journey in the film industry and the challenges she faced as a working parent. She discusses her early movie memories, growing up in a family of actors, and the influence of her famous Yiddish actor uncle. Jennifer also talks about her transition from acting to directing and the importance of having a support system while balancing work and family life. She emphasizes the changing landscape of the industry and the need for more...

Laura Morton, the co-director, producer, writer, and creator of the documentary 'Anxious Nation,' discusses her journey in making the film and her love for cinema. She shares her first movie memory of watching 'Fiddler on the Roof' and how it sparked her love for going to the movies. Laura and Jessica Kantor, the host, discuss the emotional impact of films and how they provide an escape and a safe space to feel different emotions. They also talk about the importance of storytelling and the...

In this episode, host Jessica Kantor interviews Lucy Lawless about her career in acting and her directorial debut. They discuss Lawless' first movie memory, her love for horror films, and her journey in the entertainment industry. Lawless shares her experiences as an actress and the inspiration she finds in other actors and films. She also talks about her desire to entertain and create a somatic experience for the audience as a director. Lucy Lawless discusses her children's taste in movies...

Alex Lebovici shares his first movie memory and discusses his love for cinema. He talks about going to the theater with his parents and how they would watch movies at home almost every night. Alex also talks about his experience with different movie theater formats, such as drive-ins and 4D theaters. He discusses how his taste in movies evolved over time and how he started choosing his own movies as a teenager. He shares how the movie 'Bowfinger' inspired him to pursue a career in filmmaking...

In this episode, Jessica Kantor talks through highlights of the previous 48 Raising Cinephiles Interviews. She discusses how movies can create conversation starters and shared memories between parents and children. She also explores the topic of when to show kids certain films and the impact of cinema on a child's perspective. Additionally, she highlights the spark of curiosity that movies can ignite in children and how cinema can open up their point of view to the world. Finally, she...

In this episode, Stephen Moyer, an actor, director, and producer, shares his early movie memories and influences. As a child, he recalls attending Saturday morning pictures and being captivated by Laurel, Hardy, and The Lone Ranger. Stephen also discusses the sentimental value of his childhood toys and the importance of preserving memories. He then delves into his journey into filmmaking, from discovering his passion for acting to realizing the possibility of a career in film. Stephen...

In this episode, Jessica Kantor interviews Christina Ybarra, the Director of education and Public Engagement at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. They discuss their first movie memories and their movie experiences growing up. They also explore the challenges and strategies of getting younger generations to sit through longer films and engage with cinema. Christina shares insights from her work with the museum's teen council and the interest young people have in the craft of filmmaking....

In this episode, actress and producer Shanti Lowry discusses her passion for cinema and the impact of movies on her life. She shares her first movie memory and its profound effect on her. Shanti also talks about her moviegoing experiences with her family and the conversations that followed. She reflects on the role of movies in shaping her desire to become an actor and the importance of representation on screen. Finally, she discusses her film 'Persona' and the challenges of finding the right...