Into the Mothlight

During a two-week visit to Hawick, Scotland—where she presented the 56th Ann Arbor Film Festival’s touring program of 16mm film to the Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival—AAFF executive director Leslie Raymond took a moment to talk with host Jason Moyes for Episode 5 of his podcast Into the Mothlight.

In a wide-ranging conversation—covering topics from Muppets puppeteer Jim Henson’s prior career as a film artist to filmmaker David Lynch’s potential influence on Raymond’s career path (as well as on her friend circle while earning a degree in film production at the Rhode Island School of Design)—Raymond offers advice to film artists on submitting their work to a film festival and discusses the importance of encouraging early-career makers.

Raymond also shares what inspired her to shift from filmmaking and teaching to serving as executive director of North America’s longest-running experimental film festival. “I really felt like it was an opportunity for me to give back to this organization that had impacted me so much as a young artist,” Raymond said. “I mean, it really did change the way that I think about art and the way I create as an artist.”

Tune in for the full interview with AAFF Executive Director Leslie Raymond