Show notes
The Tribeca Film Festival helped organize this tremendous in-person panel with two New York filmmakers: Lily Weisberg, dir of RARE BIRDS (2026) and Maria Sofia Hernandez, dir of LA LUCHA DE LUCÍA (2026).
Recorded on June 9th at Spring Studios, we talk about their incredible films; the challenges of writing different types of characters; what BACKROOMS (2026) and OBSESSION (2025) mean for independent filmmakers; and more.
In this episode, we talk about:
- the creation stories of LA LUCHA DE LUCIA and RARE BIRDS;
- casting for the films and the role of social media;
- how she was able to achieve such well-drawn out characters in RARE BIRDS and her advice for other filmmakers;
- the challenges of writing both males and female characters;
- what does a bad short film look like?
- why Tribeca for their films?
- what to do with their films now after a premiere at Tribeca (shout out to NoBudge!);
- BACKROOMS and OBSESSION -- what does that mean for independent filmmakers?
- how her experience as a director helps her as an actor;
- what's next for them.
Lily's Indie Film Highlight: CAITY (2026), dir. by Lindsay Calleran
Maria's Indie Film Highlight: DADDY'S LITTLE MEATBALL (2026), dir. by Yael Grunseit
Links:
Follow Soonest Mended Productions, Lily's Production Company, On Instagram
