Episode 24

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Published on:

27th Jun 2025

Jason Mills: The Ultimate Micro-Budget Filmmaker Behind 18 DIY Features

This week, we sit down with Vancouver indie legend Jason Mills—the one-man movie machine behind 18 feature films, including They Came From the Attic (picked up by Lionsgate UK). Jason talks about his DIY filmmaking roots, how he turns micro-budgets into maximum impact, and why passion beats permission every time.

He breaks down:

  • How to shoot a feature film in 5 days
  • Why AI shouldn't replace you, but can empower you
  • The myth of waiting for the perfect budget
  • Why YouTube is his ultimate distribution platform
  • The one piece of advice he'd give his younger self

💸 This episode is sponsored by Peliplat — where filmmakers and writers battle it out in monthly screenwriting challenges. Submit your work for a chance to win up to $2400 USD in cash prizes!

✍️ Join today: www.peliplat.com/offthelot

👇 If you're an indie filmmaker, this one’s for you. Like, comment, and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly conversations with the boldest voices in independent film.

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About the Podcast

Off The Lot | indie film success on your own terms
an indie film podcast hosted by Ken Kabatoff & Anthony Epp
Off The Lot is where indie filmmakers get real. Hosted by Ken Kabatoff and Anthony Epp, the show digs into the grind, craft, and business of independent filmmaking—featuring directors, producers, writers, and industry pros who’ve built their careers outside the studio system. No fluff. Just practical insights from people who’ve done the work.
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About your hosts

Ken Kabatoff

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Ken Kabatoff is an accomplished writer and director with over fifteen years of experience in the film industry, delivering high-quality stories to millions of viewers.

Starting in 2016, Ken wrote for the critically acclaimed sci-fi Netflix series, Travelers, where he became co-producer. In 2020, he was nominated for the “Best Drama” Writers Guild of Canada Award for his final episode.

After directing multiple short films that have screened for tens of thousands of people around the world, Ken was awarded the prestigious Directors Guild of Canada BC Emerging Greenlight award to direct a deeply personal short film titled, The Doukhobor. The film is now on the festival circuit, allowing Ken to focus on his feature directorial debut, Remnant.

Anthony Epp

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Anthony Epp is a filmmaker, producer, and director with experience in both independent and studio filmmaking in Vancouver. His passion for high-stakes storytelling and hands-on production expertise has made him a driving force in indie cinema.

He began his career with the documentary Unspoken Rules (2009) and later directed 13 Miles, a character-driven sports drama. Currently, he’s developing The Quiet Canadians, an espionage thriller blending real-world intrigue with grounded action.

Anthony has worked as an Assistant Director on award-winning films like Seagrass (2023) and The Island Between Tides (2024) and served as Production Manager on Ruthless Bastards, starring Sean Patrick Flanery. His background in entertainment law gives him a strategic edge in film production.

As co-host of Off The Lot, Anthony shares industry insights, practical advice, and real-world experiences from the world of indie filmmaking.