The +Reel Podcast Episode 4 with Luisa Thiel: From Surfing to Filmmaking and Ocean Activism
How do you balance making art with making a difference? In this episode, filmmaker Luisa Thiel shares her journey of blending storytelling with activism, showing how film can inspire change without losing its heart.
If you’re a filmmaker preparing for your first feature, a sales agent scouting fresh talent, or a distribution company looking for powerful documentaries with impact, Episode 4 of The +Reel Podcast is essential listening. In this conversation with director Luisa Thiel, we dive into the challenges of turning activism into cinema, navigating film festivals like Sheffield DocFest, and finding the right production and distribution partners.
Luisa’s journey is a reminder that passion projects can become festival-ready films, even without a traditional film school background. Keep reading if you want insights into independent documentary filmmaking, distribution strategy for first-time directors, and the realities of sustaining a project across five years of production.
Highlights from Episode 4: Luisa Thiel on Making Her First Feature Documentary
- Transition from activist and surfer to filmmaker.
- How Sheffield DocFest opened doors to industry support.
- Developing her debut feature documentary Wasting Waves (working title).
- The balance between art, activism, and storytelling.
- Five years of production challenges: funding, editing, and staying motivated.
- Why finding the right distribution partners is crucial for impact.
- Advice for filmmakers attending their first film festival.
Key Quotes from Luisa Thiel
On her unconventional journey into film:
““Initially I was just an activist and I became a filmmaker to tell this story.””
On why she chose filmmaking as her medium:
““I think it’s just an art form that combines so many things… a beautiful way of telling stories, of letting people into your thoughts.””
On tackling environmental issues through film:
““I think it’s our responsibility to fight for the stuff that we believe in… I want to be on the right side of history.””
On the challenges of first-time filmmaking:
““I wish I would have had like a two-page manual with some basics… a bunch of the stuff I didn’t shoot in 4K, I didn’t shoot in RAW. Looking back I’m like, ah Luisa, what were you thinking?””
On balancing activism and artistry:
““Combining those things and staying soft in your persona and your messaging is the way to draw people in and make them understand tough topics.””
On finding industry support at Sheffield DocFest:
““It was my first film festival ever and my first time meeting the industry… I’ve been blown away by all the love and support I’ve gotten for the film.””
Why This Episode Matters for Filmmakers
If you’re working on your first documentary film, wondering how to navigate the film festival circuit, or struggling to secure completion funding and distribution, this episode provides practical lessons. Luisa’s story shows how persistence, authenticity, and a strong mission can carry a project forward—even when the technical and financial hurdles seem overwhelming.
For filmmakers heading to festivals like Sheffield DocFest, IDFA, or Cannes, her experience highlights the importance of networking, asking for support, and building relationships with sales agents and distributors early on.
👉 You can listen to the full episode of The +Reel Podcast with Luisa Thiel on YouTube.
💡 Ready to take your own project further? Sign up to +Reel for free today and connect with filmmakers, distributors, and sales agents across the industry. Whether you’re looking to showcase your film, discover new projects, or build partnerships, +Reel is where the global film community meets.