Host Kirk Nordenstrom welcomes one of his “maple syrup brothers,” Steve Nash, co-city producer of the Toronto 48 Hour Film Project. In this first half of a two-part conversation, Kirk and Steve reflect on the deep friendships forged through Filmapalooza, their experiences running 48HFP in Toronto and Seattle, and the challenges of judging and awards. The discussion ranges from wrap parties to recognition, from diversity in filmmaking to keeping the spirit of the 48 alive. This candid exchange is filled with honesty, humor, and heartfelt stories from two long-time producers who see themselves more as cheerleaders than critics.
Welcome to Episode 8 of 48 Hour Heroes: Origin Stories.
Guest: Steve Nash – filmmaker and co-city producer of the Toronto 48 Hour Film Project.
Highlights from this episode:
The origin of the “maple syrup brothers” friendship at Filmapalooza 2013 in Los Angeles.
The dynamic between Steve and his co-producer Christopher Cherry, and why balance makes teams stronger.
Lessons learned from Toronto’s growth from dozens to more than 120 teams.
Judging challenges: biases, fairness, and why audience reactions matter.
The importance of celebrating every team, not just the winners.
Creating inclusive awards and gender-neutral categories for acting.
Inspiring stories of perseverance, from teenage teams to filmmakers overcoming major setbacks.
Why being a city producer is more about encouragement and community than criticism.
This is part one of a two-part conversation. In the next episode, Kirk and Steve dig deeper into diversity, representation, and lessons learned from giving awards the wrong way—and how to make them right.