Your Burning Questions Answered: From Indie Film Funding To On-Set Disasters

Ever wondered what happens when a plane literally crashes into your film set? Or how filmmakers actually find money to make their movies? Ken and Anthony rip open the vault in this no-holds-barred Q&A episode, answering the questions that keep indie filmmakers up at night.

From the "friends and family" funding reality check to the technical skills that actually matter (spoiler: it's not what film school taught you), this episode is packed with battle-tested wisdom from directors who are making it happen right now. Whether you're debating shorts vs. features or just trying to survive your first production, prepare for the advice you wish someone had given you years ago.

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About the Podcast

Off The Lot | where indie filmmakers thrive

an indie filmmaking podcast

Making movies isn’t just for Hollywood—it’s for anyone with a vision and the drive to make it happen. Hosted by Ken Kabatoff & Anthony Epp, Off The Lot dives into the hustle, techniques, and real-world challenges of indie filmmaking with directors, producers, writers, and industry pros who’ve done it themselves. Subscribe now and start making your film!

About your hosts

Ken Kabatoff

Ken Kabatoff is an accomplished writer and director with over fifteen years of experience in the film industry, delivering high-quality stories to millions of viewers.

Starting in 2016, Ken wrote for the critically acclaimed sci-fi Netflix series, Travelers, where he became co-producer. In 2020, he was nominated for the “Best Drama” Writers Guild of Canada Award for his final episode.

After directing multiple short films that have screened for tens of thousands of people around the world, Ken was awarded the prestigious Directors Guild of Canada BC Emerging Greenlight award to direct a deeply personal short film titled, The Doukhobor. The film is now on the festival circuit, allowing Ken to focus on his feature directorial debut, Remnant.

Anthony Epp

Anthony Epp is a filmmaker, producer, and director with experience in both independent and studio filmmaking in Vancouver. His passion for high-stakes storytelling and hands-on production expertise has made him a driving force in indie cinema.

He began his career with the documentary Unspoken Rules (2009) and later directed 13 Miles, a character-driven sports drama. Currently, he’s developing The Quiet Canadians, an espionage thriller blending real-world intrigue with grounded action.

Anthony has worked as an Assistant Director on award-winning films like Seagrass (2023) and The Island Between Tides (2024) and served as Production Manager on Ruthless Bastards, starring Sean Patrick Flanery. His background in entertainment law gives him a strategic edge in film production.

As co-host of Off The Lot, Anthony shares industry insights, practical advice, and real-world experiences from the world of indie filmmaking.