Ep. 25 Goldie Tom and Ryan Begay
In this episode of Breaking Indie, we sit down with filmmakers Goldie Tom and Ryan Begay, who brought two powerful films to the Santa Fe Film Festival: the documentary Honor Song and the narrative short Cleaning Is a Cakewalk.
Ryan shares how his journey from serving five years in the U.S. Air Force to working as an engineer eventually led him into filmmaking—and how that path inspired Honor Song, a documentary exploring Native American veterans and the role culture, prayer, and song play in their lives before, during, and after military service. The conversation dives into how personal experiences, reconnecting with fellow veterans, and learning more about post-service struggles helped shape the film’s emotional core.
Goldie and Ryan also talk about collaborating on Cleaning Is a Cakewalk, a heartfelt short about a young boy tasked with cleaning his community’s chapter house before a cakewalk celebration. Featuring children speaking largely in the Navajo language, the film aims to inspire younger generations to embrace their language and culture while seeing themselves represented on screen.
Along the way, the discussion covers the realities of indie filmmaking—documentary vs. narrative production challenges, working with child actors, translating scripts into Navajo, and building creative partnerships within the Native filmmaking community. Goldie even shares stories from her days producing heavy metal shows in Gallup and how that DIY spirit carried over into producing films.
It’s a fun, insightful conversation about culture, collaboration, and carving out space for Native voices in cinema.
Follow the filmmakers:
* Instagram: @ryanbegay505
* Instagram: @missgoldenone
* Facebook: Goldie Tom
* Facebook: Ryan Begay
Breaking Indie is a podcast for filmmakers, by filmmakers—sharing real conversations from the trenches of independent film. 🎬
Ep.23 Alexandra Lexton & Oliver Dixon, Doc filmmakers
In this episode of Breaking Indie, we’re coming to you from the Santa Fe Film Festival with two powerful conversations about documentary filmmaking, balance, and finding your voice as an artist.
First, we sit down with filmmaker Alexandra Lexton, director of the feature-length documentary Fool’s Paradise Lost. Alex shares the deeply personal journey behind the film—an exploration of healing, reconnection to nature, and restoring both our inner and outer wilds. Shot across the United States and Tanzania, the film brings together environmental voices, indigenous wisdom, and spiritual reflection. Alex opens up about the five-year process of making the film through COVID, working as a small, often solo crew, and how personal crisis led her to one of her most meaningful projects yet.
Then, we’re joined by Oliver Dixon, a first-time filmmaker whose short documentary Sky is also screening at the festival. Oliver talks about making his very first film as a college student with limited resources, following his friend Sky as she navigates preserving her Indigenous identity while pursuing a Western education and career. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about access, storytelling, and learning to trust your voice behind the camera.
From seasoned filmmakers to first-timers, this episode is all about why we tell stories, how documentaries find us, and what it really takes to bring a film to life—no matter where you’re starting from.
🎬 Films discussed: Fool’s Paradise Lost & Sky 🎙 Recorded at the Santa Fe Film Festival 🎧 A program for filmmakers, by filmmakers
Ep.23 Alexandra Lexton & Oliver Dixon, Doc filmmakers
In this episode of Breaking Indie, we’re coming to you from the Santa Fe Film Festival with two powerful conversations about documentary filmmaking, balance, and finding your voice as an artist.
First, we sit down with filmmaker Alexandra Lexton, director of the feature-length documentary Fool’s Paradise Lost. Alex shares the deeply personal journey behind the film—an exploration of healing, reconnection to nature, and restoring both our inner and outer wilds. Shot across the United States and Tanzania, the film brings together environmental voices, indigenous wisdom, and spiritual reflection. Alex opens up about the five-year process of making the film through COVID, working as a small, often solo crew, and how personal crisis led her to one of her most meaningful projects yet.
Then, we’re joined by Oliver Dixon, a first-time filmmaker whose short documentary Sky is also screening at the festival. Oliver talks about making his very first film as a college student with limited resources, following his friend Sky as she navigates preserving her Indigenous identity while pursuing a Western education and career. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about access, storytelling, and learning to trust your voice behind the camera.
From seasoned filmmakers to first-timers, this episode is all about why we tell stories, how documentaries find us, and what it really takes to bring a film to life—no matter where you’re starting from.
🎬 Films discussed: Fool’s Paradise Lost & Sky 🎙 Recorded at the Santa Fe Film Festival 🎧 A program for filmmakers, by filmmakers
Ep. 22 Laurel Harris and Laurie Clemens Maier
In this episode of Breaking Indie, host Brenden Roberts sits down with filmmakers Laurie Clemens Maier and Laurel Harris, the creative team behind the short film 47. What begins as a lively, candid conversation quickly unfolds into a deeply personal and timely discussion about creativity, collaboration, and the realities many women face as they navigate career, identity, and the question of motherhood.
Laurie and Laurel share the real-life experiences that inspired 47, a narrative film exploring what happens when a woman who’s done “everything right” professionally is confronted with the possibility that she may never have children. The conversation dives into fertility, societal expectations, financial barriers like IVF, and the stigma surrounding women of a certain age—topics that are rarely discussed openly, but resonate deeply with many.
Along the way, the trio also talks indie filmmaking, wearing multiple hats on set, building long-term creative partnerships, and why telling honest stories matters. With humor, vulnerability, and insight, this episode is a reminder that independent film isn’t just about making movies—it’s about starting conversations.
🎬 Featured Film: 47 🌐 More info: 47themovie.com
IG: @laurelleafproductions 🎙️ Show: Breaking Indie
Ep. 21 Mark and Mike Chamberlain, “Gaijin”
Streaming now!! In this episode we talk about filming in Japan, manifesting your creation through faith, directing your twin, taking direction from your twin, and Yeti mugs. #Podcast #film #twins
