If you’re an emerging filmmaker, this episode is for you! IN PROXIMITY host and first-time filmmaker Paola Mardo sits down with Proximity Media founder Sev Ohanian and Chief Marketing & Operations Officer Terra Potts to answer your questions about navigating film festivals. Before he was a producer on SINNERS, Sev co-wrote and produced the award-winning film SEARCHING, which premiered at Sundance and was the subject of a bidding war. Other films he has produced and sold at festivals include Ryan Coogler’s FRUITVALE STATION, RESULTS, and THE INTERVENTION. Terra is a veteran film marketing executive with indie and studio film experience, leading campaigns for movies like JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH and CRAZY RICH ASIANS before coming to Proximity Media. Paola shares her learnings from her film “tour” with her debut short film VETERANO, a proof-of-concept for a crime thriller feature which she co-produced along with director/writer Patrick Epino. Together, Sev, Terra, and Paola give their take on film festival submission, strategy, networking, and selling, plus how to handle both acceptance and rejection while keeping your moviemaking dreams alive.
INSIDE PROXIMITY: Film Festival How-To with Sev Ohanian, Terra Potts & Paola Mardo
June 22, 2026
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