In this episode, Brighid Wheeler discusses her great affinity for Southern culture, how the film 'Memento' opened her eyes to the potential of storytelling, and the importance of being intentional about choosing your tribe. Her conversation with podcast host, Christopher Barkley is warm, open, honest, and truly endearing. It's an important listen for filmmakers, festival staff, and anyone with a creative spirit.
"Brighid Wheeler, Programming Director at the Atlanta Film Society, has been in the indie film world, specifically the film festival world, for most of her adult life. Having run the gamut from shift volunteer to THE ‘Queen B’ (a fabulous nickname earned early in her festival career), she recently served as the Senior Programmer for Indie Memphis where she has called home for close to 14 years. Outside of the festival, you’ll most likely find her mentoring, guiding, and encouraging the filmmakers in Memphis, TN. She attributes this as her main source of drive and inspiration both personally and professionally. Brighid has served on countless juries at festivals across the country (including the Atlanta Film Festival) and considers each experience an honor as it allows her the opportunity to support the current and next-generation storytellers. She also has years of management experience in-store operations for Apple as well as account management in ad agency work. Wheeler has also been active in volunteering including with the Sidewalk + SHOUT LGBTQ Film Festival, Queering the Cinema and Alliance for Action. She has a Bachelor’s in Film from the University of Alabama. "
Links:
About the MAKE IT Podcast The MAKE IT podcast is a platform for the voice of independent filmmaker. We offer a variety of educational, aspirational, and entertaining content that promotes the success of creatives across the filmmaking community and the film industry. Our Conversations with filmmaking professionals are dedicated to sharing the advice, knowledge, and insights of experienced filmmakers while exploring what it truly means to be an independent creative in the highly competitive world of filmmaking. Each filmmaker conversation is backed by thoughtful research that allows us to uncover the raw, authentic truths behind each filmmaker's journey. Through our Indie Talks, we share our thoughts and perspectives on navigating independent film from the perspective of Advisory and Executive Producers. We discuss topics that are relevant to filmmakers across a wide spectrum of filmmaking perspectives, and we do our best to uncover hidden truths and new developments in the film industry. Our goal is to help filmmakers avoid the pitfalls and obstacles on the business side of film so that their filmmaking creativity can thrive. Our Industry Insights provide bite-sized actionable advice that filmmaking professionals and creatives of all kinds can use to keep their heads up as they continue their filmmaking journeys. With advice sourced from the filmmaking community, we build upon the wisdom of our filmmaking guests to provide our audience with truly aspirational and inspirational content. The Mistakes in the Making series gives our filmmaking friends an opportunity to speak directly to our filmmaking audience to share a specific lesson they've learned through a mistake they've made. We are firm believers that mistakes can be the gateway to success when we open our hearts and minds to learning from them, sharing them, and using them to Be Better.
