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Astronaut Eileen Collins & SPACEWOMAN Director Hannah Berryman on THE SOUNDS OF FILM On the next episode of Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham speaks with director Hannah Berryman and trailblazing astronaut Eileen Collins about the powerful new documentary SPACEWOMAN. SPACEWOMAN tells the remarkable true story of Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft. From her working-class roots in Elmira, New York, to her groundbreaking career at NASA, the film traces a journey defined by perseverance, courage, and historic achievement. Through a blend of archival footage and personal insight, the documentary offers an intimate look at both the triumphs and challenges of life in space exploration. The film also revisits pivotal moments in NASA history, including Collins’ leadership of the return-to-flight mission following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. In doing so, it explores the risks inherent in human spaceflight and raises compelling questions about ambition, sacrifice, and

Eric Stoltz Talks Tarantino & More on a Classic Sounds of Film On this Classic Sounds of Film, veteran actor and director Eric Stoltz joins host Tom Needham to revisit his long and varied career in film and television, including his work as a director and the making of his feature Class Rank. Stoltz reflects on the many roles that have defined his journey—from breakthrough performances in dramatic films to memorable appearances in genre favorites—offering listeners a broad look at his evolution as an artist and collaborator in the industry. His career has spanned influential films and television series alike, with Stoltz navigating projects that showcase his range both in front of and behind the camera. Stoltz first gained widespread attention for his early work in Mask and continued to build his reputation with roles in films like Some Kind of Wonderful and Pulp Fiction, among many others. Over the

We’re honored to be voted Best Film Festival on Long Island! 🎬🏆

Thank you to everyone who voted and helped make our inaugural Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Music Documentary Film Festival such a success. We can’t wait to do it again.

🎥 We’re now accepting submissions for this year’s festival, happening September 25–27.

Visit the link below to learn more and submit your film.

Help us spread the word and make this year even bigger!

I’m really looking forward to this year’s Billy Joel Symposium and the induction of Dennis Arfa at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. It’s an honor to help bring this event together.

Wetiko: Kerry Mondragon’s Psychedelic Jungle Thriller on SOUNDS OF FILM Filmmaker Kerry Mondragon is the featured guest on an upcoming episode of the Sounds of Film podcast, hosted by Tom Needham. Mondragon’s work is marked by a fearless blend of cultural insight and cinematic daring, and his latest film Wetiko tells the story of a young Maya man drawn into the shadowy currents of a New Age ecovillage deep in the Yucatán jungle. The film moves between languages and worlds, weaving psychological tension and indigenous perspective into a gripping, genre‑defying narrative that reflects Mondragon’s distinctive creative sensibility. Wetiko follows its protagonist Aapo on a journey that begins with an errand and becomes an odyssey, revealing the seductive allure and deeper dangers of spiritual consumerism in a lush but unforgiving landscape. Mondragon’s approach to storytelling and his commitment to exploring identity, belief, and cultural collision have positioned him as a compelling

Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson on a CLASSIC SOUNDS OF FILM In memory of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who recently passed away, we are sharing this exclusive Sounds of Film interview. A towering figure in modern American public life, Jackson rose to national prominence as a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and went on to become one of the most recognizable voices for civil rights, economic justice, and political inclusion in the United States. Through his leadership of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and his historic presidential campaigns in the 1980s, he helped expand the national conversation about representation, opportunity, and the power of grassroots coalitions. For decades, Jackson’s work spanned ministry, activism, and international diplomacy, as he advocated for voting rights, workers, and underserved communities while also engaging in humanitarian efforts abroad. His influence reshaped both the civil rights movement’s next generation and the broader landscape of American political Follow THE

Marvel’s Black Widow director, Cate Shortland, Talks Somersault on SOUNDS OF FIlM Filmmaker Cate Shortland, known to many audiences for directing Marvel’s Black Widow, first drew international attention with her debut feature Somersault. In this episode of The Sounds of Film, host Tom Needham welcomes Shortland to discuss the newly restored 4K release of the film, a visually haunting and emotionally intimate coming-of-age story set in the snowy landscapes of Australia. The film stars Abbie Cornish in a breakthrough role as Heidi, a vulnerable teenager searching for connection and belonging, alongside Sam Worthington in one of his earliest major screen performances. Set in the resort town of Jindabyne, Somersault explores themes of loneliness, desire, and the complicated path toward self-understanding. The stark winter setting and naturalistic style helped establish Shortland as a filmmaker with a distinctive visual voice and a deep sensitivity to character. The film remains an important early

The Weather Underground’s Bill Ayers on a CLASSIC SOUNDS OF FILM Podcast!