Window Zebra and MAX sat down with some of the most talented and inspiring filmmakers for a real, unfiltered conversation, in collaboration with with BFI.

Joined by the brilliant directors Sarah Friedland, Lana Wilson, Sandhya Suri, Jane Mingay, and Victoria Mapplebeck, we dove deep into their creative processes, the inspirations behind their latest films, and the challenges they’ve faced along the way.

It was a rare chance to hear first-hand about the highs and lows of their journeys—how they brought their stories to life and what it really takes to stand out in today’s industry.

Filmmaking is more competitive than ever, especially for emerging directors trying to break through the noise. From securing funding to navigating the evolving cinematic landscape, the struggle is real.

But conversations like this remind us that every filmmaker, no matter how successful, has faced obstacles—and there’s always something to learn from their experiences.