In this episode of No Film School, GG Hawkins and Ryan Koo bring you a special live report from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. They explore the energy of the festival, highlight standout films, and dive into the journey of filmmakers who have pushed through industry challenges to bring their visions to the screen. Joining the conversation are the creators behind Didn't Die, a unique take on the zombie apocalypse that blends horror, dark humor, and indie filmmaking ingenuity.

In this episode, No Film School’s GG Hawkins, NFS Founder Ryan Koo, and guests discuss:

The evolving landscape of independent cinema at Sundance and what trends are emerging in 2025
How Didn't Die offers a fresh, meta take on the zombie apocalypse through the lens of a struggling podcast host
The challenges of making an indie film with a limited budget, including DIY visual effects and multi-hat roles
Reflections on how filmmakers navigate festival submissions and distribution
The broader state of the film industry and the importance of resilience as an independent filmmaker

Memorable Quotes:

“I mean, definitely story-wise, what inspired me about working on The Walking Dead was like, my episode had a couple of different storylines that I thought were really sweet… And I think this idea of like a zombie movie that was more about finding meaning through the devastation and darkness was compelling to me.”
“It’s a zombie apocalypse, and our protagonist is still recording a podcast. It’s about holding onto what you love, even when the world is falling apart.”
“You pull favors, you adapt, and you embrace the chaos. That’s how we made this movie happen.”

Guests:

Meera Menon – Co-writer and Director of Didn't Die
Erica Fishman – Producer of Didn't Die
Paul Gleason – Co-writer and Cinematographer of Didn't Die

Resources:

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AW: Isabel Allende, "My Name Is Emilia del Valle"