4.7-Filmmaker Interview with Simon Panay

4.7-Filmmaker Interview with Simon Panay

Author: Jonathan Ytreberg January 20, 2026 Duration: 16:52
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Simon Panay, director of the short film "The Boy With White Skin." The film explores the world of artisanal gold mines in West Africa and the beliefs and superstitions the miners have. Listen to hear about the inspiration for the film in some of Simon's previous documentary work, the challenge of finding an albino child actor to fill the film's lead role, and choosing to shoot much of the film in almost complete darkness. Books mentioned in th...

There's a whole century of stories waiting in the Academy's archives, and The Oscar Project Podcast is digging through every single one. Instead of just focusing on the current awards season, this show takes the long view, working its way through every film ever nominated for an Oscar starting all the way back in 1929. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific year or a particular film, unpacking not just the cinematic craft on screen but the historical context that shaped it. You'll hear about forgotten gems, surprising snubs, and how the art of filmmaking has evolved over decades. Alongside these detailed reviews and discussions, the podcast regularly features conversations with filmmakers, historians, and authors who provide unique insights into the industry's past and present. It’s for anyone who loves film history as much as the movies themselves, offering a structured but fascinating journey through Hollywood's most celebrated-and sometimes controversial-moments. Tune in to this thoughtfully crafted podcast for a richer understanding of how the Oscars have reflected, and sometimes directed, the entire trajectory of modern cinema.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Oscar Project Podcast
Podcast Episodes
3.83-Filmmaker Interview with Daniel Persitz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:01
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Daniel Persitz, director of the short film "Key of Genius," a story of a young blind autistic savant and the teacher determined to unlock his genius through music. Listen…
3.82-Condemned with Luis Mendez [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:06
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Condemned. I'm joined by Luis Mendez from The Mendez Movie Report and we talk about whether or not it is smart for a prison warden to bring in a pri…
3.81-Filmmaker Interview with Sam Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:12
Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, I interview Sam Davis, director of the new short film "The Singers," a beautiful exploration of untapped talent and raw emotion. Listen to hear about the Russian short story that serv…
3.80-The Trespasser with Kevin Pettit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:03
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film The Trespasser. I'm joined by Kevin Pettit from the See You at the Movies newsletter and we talk about comparisons between relationships of the 1920…
3.78-Disraeli with Jeff Kramer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:53
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Disraeli. I'm joined by Jeff Kramer from The Death Star Human Resources Department Newsletter and we talk about British politics in the late 1800s,…
3.76-Hallelujah with Jonathan Hammond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:27
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is my conversation about the 1929 film Hallelujah. I'm joined by Jonathan Hammond, film director who has multiple shorts on the festival circuit this fall. We talk about many of the probl…
3.74-Bulldog Drummond with Gareth Bradwick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:00
Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is the first film discussion episode of the 3rd Academy Awards and my conversation about the 1929 film Bulldog Drummond. I'm joined by Gareth Bradwick from the "Popped" newsletter and we…