Recorded at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, Kayvan Mashayekh sits down with producer Derek Dienner for a conversation about perseverance, filmmaking, and the power of authentic relationships. Derek shares his journey from picking up a VHS camera as a child to building a production company with his family and overcoming a life-changing health challenge. The discussion explores the making and success of his first independent feature film, Brave the Dark, which was financed through a passionate group of local community investors, its path to Angel Studios, and how PWB connections helped open doors. Derek also discusses his latest film, Joy Will Prevail, which received support through PWB, reflecting on how community, shared success, and simply continuing to show up can create unexpected opportunities.

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From an Architectural Perspective.

This episode explores the parallels between filmmaking and architecture, focusing on how both rely on structure, problem solving, and collaboration. Hosted by Producers Without Borders (PWB) founder Kayvan Mashayekh, the conversation features PWB Advisory Board Member Arturo Chavez, who shares how architects approach complex projects by clearly defining problems, assembling expert teams, and building solutions step by step. The discussion highlights the role of producers as problem solvers who must align vision, timing, and execution. It also expands into the idea of building a broader ecosystem around films, emphasizing global collaboration, diverse expertise, and continuous learning. Ultimately, the episode centers on leadership, teamwork, and the importance of strong foundations in creating meaningful and successful projects.

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What filmmakers gain and risk at every level of production.

In this episode of Producers Without Borders, Kayvan Mashayekh speaks with Verena Wieditz, from the Apple TV Original Content Team, about the legal foundations that protect films from development through distribution. Drawing from her international background and experience in both independent and studio environments, Verena breaks down chain of title, music rights, streaming versus territory sales, union considerations, arbitration, and risk management. They explore the difference between studio precision and indie freedom, the rise of micro dramas, and why a strong legal strategy is essential to protecting creative work in today’s global film economy. The conversation continues as they both explore the future of filmmaking and it's potential impact on a variety of other interesting issues.

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A telemetry-based approach to maximizing efficiency in modern film production.

In this episode from January 2026 during the final Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, Producers Without Borders founder Kayvan Mashayekh sits down with John Corser, former Senior Vice President of Global Production and Production Technology at NBCUniversal to discuss John's new technology company, Film IQ, focused on bringing real-time intelligence to film and television production.

John compares Film IQ’s approach to the telemetry used by Formula One teams. Just as F1 engineers analyze live data to optimize performance on the track, Film IQ aggregates and analyzes the constant stream of production data to provide immediate feedback on schedule, efficiency, and resource allocation.

The conversation explores how small to large scale productions can use data-driven insights to stay on time, control costs, and ultimately put more value on screen without sacrificing creative intent.

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Recorded live at Focus London 2025, this episode captures a timely conversation at the intersection of creativity, technology, and storytelling. As Large Language Models like ChatGPT rapidly reshape creative workflows, many filmmakers are asking how much of the creative process should be handed over to machines.

Producers Without Borders founder Kayvan Mashayekh sits down with renowned mathematician and bestselling author Edward Frenkel, Ph.D. (Love and Math) to explore why human intelligence, intuition, and lived experience remain irreplaceable in film creation. They examine the limits of AI, the risks of relying on tools trained on the past, and the responsibility artists carry to push culture forward through original vision and emotional truth.

Rather than resisting technology, this conversation re-frames AI as a tool that must serve human creativity, not replace it. In an age of algorithms, this episode is a reminder that the future of cinema still depends on the courage, imagination, and intent of filmmakers.

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How charitable dollars from foundations and donor advised funds (DAFs) can open up the door to a wave of financing for your next creative project.

Rick Davis of LOHAS delivers a clear and disciplined breakdown of how filmmakers can tap into the power of charitable foundations and donor advised funds (DAFs). This conversation guides filmmakers, attorneys, and accountants through practical strategies for using charitable dollars to support projects stuck in development and to invest in the growing field of social impact entertainment. Davis explains how these funding sources can unlock meaningful capital for mission-driven films, helping creative projects move forward while aligning with the philanthropic goals of foundations and donors.

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Why Houston? Texas' New State Film Incentives.

Producers Without Borders is proud to present its Hometown Edition podcast with Houston Film Commissioner, Alfred Cervantes. Houston is the birthplace of the company that created the network that has gone global, rooted in the characteristics that define our DNA worldwide: Authenticity, Integrity and Loyalty.

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What makes a film production successful beyond the technical aspects and financing? Kayvan Mashayekh, founder of Producers Without Borders, reveals the human elements that truly drive exceptional filmmaking during this intimate conversation at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

Mashayekh offers rare candor about the unpredictable nature of film production, from development timelines that can span decades to the lightning-fast creation possibilities enabled by modern technology and AI. He addresses the perpetual tension between artistic vision and financial reality, acknowledging that even with perfect creative elements, countless variables can derail a project's potential success. "You never know," he admits when asked about predicting audience reception, highlighting how the most carefully planned productions remain vulnerable to external factors beyond a producer's control.

At the heart of Mashayekh's philosophy are three guiding principles that form the foundation of Producers Without Borders: maintaining an attitude of gratitude, being responsive to others, and paying it forward by helping fellow creatives achieve their dreams. Through a humorous anecdote about a production in Uzbekistan, where a perfect sunset shot was sacrificed when a camel handler stopped for prayer time, Mashayekh illustrates how cultural understanding and flexibility often matter more than technical perfection. His approach emphasizes authentic relationships that can withstand the industry's inevitable hardships and disappointments.

Discover why meaningful collaboration might be the most undervalued asset in filmmaking as Mashayekh shares insights from his extensive experience building teams across borders. Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker or industry veteran, these perspectives offer valuable guidance for navigating the complex intersection of creativity, commerce, and human connection that defines modern film production. Listen now and re-imagine what truly matters in bringing stories to life on screen.

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Produced by CA3 Media & Music by Matias Chavez