Film Festival Radio

 GUEST:  Director/Producer Mark Shapiro DOWNWIND is a documentary feature that explores the consequences of the 928 nuclear weapons that were detonated in the Nevada area between 1951-1992. While the film is narrated by actor Martin Sheen, renowned Oscar-winner Michael Douglas and political satirist Lewis Black also make appearances. Matthew Modine is the Executive Producer of the film. On August 18, DOWNWIND will be released in select theaters and on Video On Demand. For more information, follow the film on Instagram -- @Downwind_film                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Arushi Garg, a 38-year-old mother and social media creator from Houston, has secured the title of champion for NBC's new reality show "Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge" Season 1. As a reward for her victory, she has won $50,000 and a die-cast toy of her design, which is now exclusively available for purchase on Mattel Creations, Mattel's direct-to-consumer platform. Pre-sale orders can be placed from Aug. 8-Sept. 4.  Ms. Garg was given the iconic 1996 Nissan Skyline to transform into a life-size Hot Wheels showstopper. The car, dubbed “Rally Resilience” by Arushi, is a bright red creation with 24-inch wheels, extended fenders and beaming light bars representing power, bravery, kindness and courage.  Additionally, viewers can watch the full first season of "Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge" on Peacock, and it will re-air on USA Network starting Monday, Sept. 4 at 11 p.m. ET/PT. Follow Arushi on Instagram -- @thesnazzymom

GUEST:  ALAN TENTA -- ALONE show The Season 10 grand Finale of ALONE is August 17 at 9pm (ET/PT) on The History Channel. Initially, there 10 and now there are only 3 remaining contestants remaining, to see who will walk away with a $500,000 grand prize.  Contestant/Survivalist Alan Tenta is one of the last three standing. Alan, a school teacher from British Columbia, is a skilled all around outdoorsman. Listen in as he shares just a few of the ooky and altogether spooky activities he endured as a contestant on the hit show.

 With the Hollywood writers strike showing no signs of slowing down, many creative professionals have been forced to look for alternative sources of work. Zack Arnold is an award-winning Hollywood film & television editor and producer(Cobra Kai, Burn Notice, Empire, Shooter, Glee) and others. He is also the CEO of the Optimize Yourself podcast and program, which helps individuals directly affected by the strike, adjust to the situation by offering his insight and guidance to them and their careers. His interviews with outlets such as the Washington Post, The Hollywood Times, Evening Standard and Variety have enabled him to share his expertise with a wider audience.  The overwhelming response to his message has seen Zack field hundreds of calls over the past three months from creative professionals looking for new opportunities. Through his company, Optimize Yourself, he has been able to help these people find more balanced, sustainable and fulfilling careers. Visit ---  https://optimizeyourself.me/  

During the American Ninja Warrior Season 15 semi-finals, competitors Scott and Ben Behrends came out on top in their races, becoming the first father-son duo to advance to the national finals on American Ninja Warrior. They're headed to the hit show's national finals, which will begin August 21st on NBC.   

Aldis Amah Hamilton is the star and co-writer of the critically acclaimed Icelandic TV series BLACK SANDS. She’s making waves in her home country of Iceland, as the first person of color to star and co-write a TV series. For her work as an actress, Aldis was nominated for Actress of the Year at the Iceland Edda Awards, which is equivalent to The Emmy Awards. The 8-episodes, Black Sands drama series, features breathtaking cinematography around Iceland's iconic black sands area. The series is a dark noir crime drama, following a troubled police officer who is forced to return to her tight knit hometown, and that’s when the plot really begins to thicken. Aldis recently announced that season 2 of the show will begin shooting this month. The series has received praise in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The NY Post and others. Currently, Black Sands is available to stream on Viaplay.com, a Nordic streaming service that produces and distributes award-winning films, series, and documentaries to North America for the first time.  

Victory, the Grammy® Award winning artist signed to Roc Nation by Jay-Z, has finally released her highly anticipated sophomore album, "Glory Hour."  This 18-track collection of songs blends gospel, blues, folk, pop, and soul musical styles, and marks Victory's first official foray into gospel music. The Detroit native is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter/musician, playing multiple instruments and co-writing and co-producing with an ensemble of award-winning musicians and producers. Her musical talents have gained her entry into prestigious circles, performing private concerts for high-profile figures such as Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, Mellody Hobson from Ariel investments and her husband George Lucas, Robert Smith venture capitalist, Mike Novogratz, Tyler Perry, Kanye West, and more. Victory's work on Kanye West's album "Jesus Is King" earned her first Grammy® in 2019. She is currently preparing for a fall tour alongside recording artist Lauren Daigle. Get tour dates here:  http://victoryboyd.com/

American Ninja Warrior (Season 15) champion competitor Kaden Lebsack chats about his amazing run during the semi-finals this past Monday night (July 29th), competing against his buddy Kai Beckstrand. The two young teens are fast, quick, fierce and in a hurry competitors.  Their battle was clearly the run of the night on NBC's mega-hit obstacle course competition show. Kaden's been a champ on the show during Season 13, 14 and now 15. He's now moving on to the show's finals.

GUEST:  Bonnie Bowes MTV Documentary Films presents The Fire That Took Her. The documentary tells the startling tragedy of mother-of-two Judy Malinowski, who was doused in gasoline and set on fire by her crazed ex-boyfriend, becoming one of the first people to testify at their own murder trial. The Fire That Took Her goes inside the landmark case. The critically acclaimed MTV Documentary Film, has now been nominated in the News and Documentary category for an Emmy in the upcoming 44th Annual News and Documentary Emmy® Awards.  In addition, the doc's been a sensation at film festivals across the country including: Woodstock, Hamptons, Austin, Newport Beach, Heartland and more. It is directed by Patricia E. Gillespie, produced by Oscar-nominee and Emmy Award-winner Julie Goldman and Emmy-nominee, Chris Clements, and executive produced by Sheila Nevins. In this interview, the victim’s mother, Bonnie Bowes, speaks on this powerful film and her continued fight to raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence. The Fire That Took Her is currently streaming on Paramount+ Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paIqs0f3FAA

All – New series from the Discovery Channel -- “Naked and Afraid Castaways" Premieres Sunday, July 30th at 8PM ET/PT  Kerra Bennett and Andrew Shayde are two of the nine contestants featured in Discovery Channel's latest series, NAKED AND AFRAID CASTAWAYS. In this survivalist show, the challengers are abandoned on a remote tropical island, with no tools or maps, far from civilization. The brave cast members must attempt an almost impossible mission—to survive the island's dangers and outlast the other contestants. Kerra is an Army counterintelligence veteran and now works with bears in the Great Smoky Mountains. Andrew is an accomplished comic book author and outdoor enthusiast. The two of them are ready to prove they have the skills to endure the journey and be the last naked challenger standing. Naked and Afraid Castaways Premieres Sunday, July 30th at 8PM ET/PT on the Discovery Channel.