This week, we sit down with writer-director Coby Friesen to talk about his haunting and provocative new short film, Cruising Gamorah — a bold exploration of faith, repression, and desire set against the eerie calm of a reportedly haunted creek. Childhood friends Chris and Alex reunite for a camping trip that spirals into tension, temptation, and truth as their worldviews — and hidden feelings — collide under a dark, watching presence.
We dig into the film’s origins, the creative balance between spirituality and sexuality, and how Colby crafted such an emotionally charged story within Winnipeg’s thriving indie scene.
*We got new mics, so we're working out the tiny hum you hear in this one, apologies from the kitchen*
Host: Michael Petrow
Guest: Coby Friesen
Executive Producer: Michael Petrow
Editing & Mixing: Michael Petrow
Recorded at: Sick Bad Panda Podcast Studios, Winnipeg
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Links & Mentions:
Coby Friesen Wins 13th Annual RBC $10,000 Emerging Filmmaker Pitch Competition
Merch Tent
Upcoming Events:
🎃 “Do you like scary movies?”
Then come play a killer game of Halloween Movie Trivia with The Reel Debaters Podcast at Little Brown Jug,
🗓️ October 17th | Doors 6:45 PM | $15
Because on this night… “we all float down here.” 💀
🧠 5 rounds of fright-filled movie trivia
🎭 Costume Competition — come dressed to slay (literally)
🩸 Horror-Themed Adult Colouring Contest — because even monsters need to stay inside the lines
🍺 Blood-curdling brews on tap
🏆 Sinister prizes for the trivia champs, best costume, and creepiest colouring
So grab your ghoul squad, summon your knowledge, and prepare for a night where only the smartest survive the slaughter.
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