OM DENNE EPISODE
Kate Cobb is one of the most dynamic filmmakers working right now, and it's because she's willing to be an actress, an editor, a writer, a director, as well as empower everyone else on set to make the film happen. Her feature debut, OKIE (2024), was a revelation for its authenticity and heart, so it's no surprise that the filmmaker behind it is, too.
Her new film, BRB (2026), premiered at Slamdance 2026 to fantastic reviews. It's a "love letter to early Internet girlhood", and I'm so thrilled to see Kate's ambition expand to such a well-written, personal film.
As she talks about in pod, she already has a third film in the can -- this is the story of a person fully taking the reins of her career and making great art. I'm absolutely here for it.
Kate and I talk about:
- what is BRB, her stunning second film that premiered at Slamdance 2026;
- her takeaways after her first film, OKIE (2024);
- the journey from acting at DePaul University to directing;
- the wisdom of making a proof of concept short before making OKIE;
- how we should talk about -- and rate -- first features without being condescending;
- why she directs films that other people wrote;
- casting people with large social media followers, and finding someone like that who can truly act in Zoe Colletti;
- distribution for the film and what she learned from OKIE;
- how being an actor informs how she runs a set;
- what it's like working with a business partner who is also a life partner;
- what's next for this astonishingly creative filmmaker and is there a job on set she *hasn't* done?!
Kate's Indie Film Highlights: GUACAMOLE YESTERDAYS (2024) dir. by Jordan Noel; EDGE OF EVERYTHING (2023) dir. by Pablo Feldman and Sophia Sabella
Memorable Quotes:
"I think I learned that the festival part is such a joyful experience and to treat it as such."
"When I turned towards directing and when I did...it was like putting on the right size shoes for the first time in my life. All of a sudden I was like, oh, wow, I'm using my artist heart, but I'm also using my like corporate shill brain."
"If you learn every single job, no one can stop you from making a movie."
"Your first feature is precious. It's precious because you, yes, you're not the best filmmaker in the world and no, you're gonna mess up and you don't have the luxury of a huge budget or a bunch of time or even a bunch of experience, but that's what makes it amazing, because you're finding that person while you do it."
"I want my audience to be able to see themselves within it. And in order to do that, it has to start with me seeing myself within it."
"I was an actor for so many years and I've been on so many different types of sets, and let me tell you, most of them are run by men. I had a lot of thoughts on that as far as basically it gave me a map. Not all men, obviously there are incredible male directors and filmmakers."
"The absolute enemy of creativity is when people cannot feel vulnerable."
"Make a seat for fear."
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