First Time Go
A weekly podcast highlighting the creators of independent film and the business behind it. Hosted by Ben Duchek.
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 22 minutes
- Episodes
- 115
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Indie Film Highlight: 5 YEARS APART (2019)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: FIVE YEARS APART (2019).
Director: Joe Angelo Menconi
Wr…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Tanner Christensen
There's not a person alive who won't be moved by STANDOUT: THE BEN KJAR STORY (2025) -- it's a story of overcoming expectations and spreading kindness into the world. It's also an extraordinary achie…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Camilla Jämting
I don't say this lightly: you've never seen a film like PROJECT DAD. It's a Slamdance original from an artist that is making waves throughout Europe and now looking forward to a North American run: C…
Indie Film Highlight: HANK AND ASHA (2013)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: HANK AND ASHA (2013).
Director: James E. Duff
Written By…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Alex Dvorak
One of one. One of one. One of one. It kept coming back to me that every significant avenue filmmaker Alex Dvorak went into, she was the only one with that path.
And that …
Indie Film Highlight: BROKEN ENGLISH (2007)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BROKEN ENGLISH (2007).
Director: Zoe Cassavetes
Written …
Special Slamdance Coverage: Dave Markey
I never met or even heard of Bill Bartell before watching this documentary, but darn if filmmaker Dave Markey doesn't bring him to life in his brilliant film, THE SECRET LIVES OF BILL BARTELL. The fi…
Indie Film Highlight: SAY YOU WILL (2017)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: SAY YOU WILL (2017)
Director: Nick Naveda
Written By: Nick Naveda
Cast: Travis Tope; K…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Case Jernigan
Case Jernigan wins at so many things -- animation, gamemaking, filmmaking, and having without a doubt the best setting for recording a podcast episode. Normally, I edit o…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Portlynn Tagavi
Jump into the mosh pit with filmmaker Portlynn Tagavi. We talk about her stunning filmmaking career, animation, Film Independent’s Project Involve, and her brilliant shor…
Indie Film Highlight: CASHBACK (2006)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: CASHBACK (2006).
Director: Sean Ellis
Written By: Sean Ellis
Cast: Sean Biggerstaff; E…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine is an accomplished actor, director, and documentary filmmaker, and so it's no surprise that his film, MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED (2024), is a love l…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Aisha Amin
I couldn't have loved CONTOURS (2025) more, Aisha Amin's film which screened at Slamdance, and that bled through into the conversation. The story is brilliantly written, …
Special Slamdance Coverage: Nick Beaulieu
The needle-threading to make a great political documentary, a brilliant social commentary about a Midwestern city, and a deeply personal story is truly breathtaking. But …
Special Slamdance Coverage: Birdy Wei-Ting Hung
This is as close as I've ever been to going Joe Rogan style, four hour interview.
I've never talked with someone so willing to discuss the history of cinema (in this case,…
Special Slamdance Coverage: Woody Bess
My guest, Woody Bess, makes it sound happenstance, but don't kid yourself: Keith David and Richard Kind aren't signing up for just any independent film. But if you've extremely ta…
Hello, Slamdance!
Hello, Slamdance!
Be on the lookout for episodes coming out every day for the next few weeks. with 2025 Slamdance directors.
It is one of the most diverse lineups with often debut filmmakers so of cou…
Indie Film Highlight: THE NATURE OF LOVE (2023)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE NATURE OF LOVE (2023).
Director: Monia Chokri
Written By: Mo…
Kyle Henry
What do you get by matching "a former Marine Corps drill instructor and an elementary arts educator"? A fantastic filmmaker in Kyle Henry. Kyle teaches film production at…
Indie Film Highlight: BROADCAST NEWS (1987)
Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: BROADCAST NEWS (1987).
Director: James L Brooks
Screenplay: Jame…