E70 • Build It Small, Release It Smart • GILLE KLABIN, dir. of ‘Weekend at the End of the World’

Gille Klabin discusses Weekend at the End of the World, his follow-up to The Wave, and the deliberate choice to build a second feature that didn’t require waiting for studio permission. Shot in 12 days on a sub-$300K budget, the film was designed around creative, logistical, and financial control. Gille reflects on the lessons he learned from The Wave’s release, where traditional distribution left him frustrated by opaque marketing spends and limited transparency, and how that experience reshaped his approach to ownership, equity, and rollout strategy the second time around.Gille discusses the current indie landscape not as a lament, but as a tactical puzzle, and breaks down the realities of aggregators versus distributors, the economics of digital-first releases, and why he chose to prioritize transparency and direct recoupment over a conventional deal. Drawing comparisons to films like Shaun of the Dead, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, and The Cabin in the Woods, he discusses the balance of tone, heart, and genre - and how surprise and emotional whiplash can be a strategic storytelling tool.He also outlines a 50/50 equity split between investors and cast/crew, a flat-rate pay structure on set, and a belief that if independent filmmakers want a more just system, they have to build it at their own scale first. The conversation closes on preparation, resilience, and the long game: make the movie you can actually control, learn the business as deeply as the craft, and let your specific weirdness become the thing that carries you forward.What Movies Are You Watching?Introducing the Past Present Feature Film Festival, a new showcase celebrating cinematic storytelling across time. From bold proof of concept shorts to stand out new films lighting up the circuit, to overlooked features that deserve another look. Sponsored by the Past Present Feature podcast and Leica Camera. Submit now at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature Revival Hub is your guide to specialty screenings in Los Angeles - classics on 35mm, director Q&As, rare restorations, and indie gems you won't find on streaming. We connect moviegoers with over 200 venues across LA, from the major revival houses to the 20-seat microcinemas and more.Visit revivalhub.com to see what's playing this week. Support the showListen to all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more, as well as at www.pastpresentfeature.com. Like, subscribe, and follow us on our socials @pastpresentfeatureThe Past Present Feature Film Festival - Nov. 21, 2026 in Hollywood, CA - Submit at filmfreeway.com/PastPresentFeature