I'm a Struggling Filmmaker. But Also Lit. Both Things Can Be True. | Nyala Moon | Film Festival Friends

In this episode of Film Festival Friends, Brandon Nick sits down with writer-director-actress and all-around creative force Nyala Moon for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey as an artist. Unlike most episodes, this one isn't about a single project — it's about the full picture: how Nyala developed her signature style at the intersection of comedy and education, why she refuses to separate her identity from her craft, and what it actually feels like to be a festival darling while still calling yourself a struggling filmmaker. Both things can be true.They get into the making of her breakout shorts How Not to Date While Trans and Dilating for Maximum Results, the pressure of following up a beloved project, and the very real emotional experience of hiding in the back of your own screening. Nyala also opens up about taking the leap into her first feature film — a comedy mockumentary made on a $12K budget — and why she decided it was time to poop or get off the pot.Then, Nyala pitches an animated spy caper starring Vivica A. Fox and Scarlett Johansson are fighting over a Telfar bag full of money in her 60-Second Pitch — because Vivica needs her lick back and nobody is doing anything about it.Film Festival Friends is a podcast about queer cinema, craft, and culture. Hosted by Brandon Nick. Full show notes and transcript available on our website: www.brandonnick.com/filmfestivalfriendsFOLLOW + CONNECTPodcast IG: @filmfestivalfriendsHost IG (Brandon R. Nicholas): @brand0nnickWATCH / LISTENWatch the full episodes (video): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-N87lnMjPV2yRkXz5uO9eIdJSZfzRh83Listen on Spotify (video): https://open.spotify.com/show/4QXQgQGdDoE627BJmW82l0?si=a1f3bb9c437645dcListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/film-festival-friends/id1875343325SUPPORT THE SHOW If you want to help keep the cameras rolling and the conversations flowing:Patreon: www.patreon.com/cw/brand0nnick or make a one-time donation via CashApp/Venmo @brand0nnickShare Film Festival Friends with your friends!Take the conversation to social media using #FilmFestivalFriendsCHAPTERS00:00:00 — Cold open: "Am I lit? Wait, I'm a struggling filmmaker. Both things can be true."00:00:20 — Introducing Nyala Moon & what makes this episode different00:01:17 — How Brandon and Nyala met through GLAAD's EMEI filmmakers cohort00:02:59 — And Then There Was Her: how a kiki became a film after a surprise pitch competition00:09:40 — How Nyala developed her voice at the intersection of comedy and education00:13:18 — Easter eggs for the Dolls: the multilayer cultural language inside her work00:14:34 — "Of course I'm a Black trans filmmaker. That doesn't dilute the work."00:26:59 — Film school, building a crew, and doing it all yourself00:32:24 — Hating your own screenings & never sitting in the reserved seat00:37:55 — The pressure of following up a beloved project & navigating doubt00:41:57 — Keep making work. It's a marathon, not a sprint.00:42:27 — Being a festival darling: what the recognition actually means and how she got there00:46:54 — The leap into features: a $12K comedy mockumentary and why it was time00:53:14 — 60-second pitch: Vivica A. Fox vs. Scarlett Johansson in an animated spy caper over a Telfar bag00:55:31 — Closing words: "We need more Black, queer, trans art on this raggedy floating rock."