This episode of Big Conversations, Little Bar with Patrick Evans & Randy Florence dives into how passion, persistence, and service shape a life in film and community. Our guest Teddy Grouya—founder of the AmDocs Film Festival—traces a path from UCLA film studies and foreign-exchange days in Denmark to a State Department posting in Australia, then back to Hollywood and ultimately to creating a globally respected documentary and animation showcase. He explains how AmDocs curates 200+ films, hosts meaningful industry events, and consistently earns top marks from filmmakers. We explore why strong documentaries need more than talking heads, the surge of docuseries on streamers, and the hunt for that elusive story “hook.” He shares personal projects—from a Vivaldi passion piece to the heartfelt short Memory Collector—and his work restoring Palm Springs’ Plaza Theatre. Plus: volunteer opportunities, premieres, and how great festivals are built like great films—one dedicated department at a time.

Takeaways:

• A global path: Denmark exchange student → UCLA → State Department in Australia.
• AmDocs screens 200+ titles and prioritizes real industry networking.
• Festival success = curation, community, and nightly experiences beyond theaters.
• Submissions: generally completed within three years; 70-mile premiere radius.
• Docs should avoid “talking heads” fatigue—use dynamic visuals and archives.
• Memory Collector spotlights returning lost VHS memories to families.
• Vivaldi project began with curiosity and became a documentary narrative.
• Call for volunteers: drivers, theatre teams, and social media helpers.