AJ Lambert Joins IndieX Film Fest 2025 Q&A Panel as Guest Speaker

Musician and filmmaker AJ Lambert, granddaughter of legendary Frank Sinatra and performer of his haunting “suicide songs,” brings her deeply personal, genre-blending short film The Junction—a gripping story of family, loss, and haunting memories—to IndieX Film Fest 2025, where she will also join the Q&A panel as a guest speaker.

IndieX Film Fest is thrilled to announce that AJ Lambert will be joining the 2025 Q&A panel as a guest speaker, scheduled to take place June 7, 4:45 PM, in Cinema #14 at Regal LA Live—a must-attend event for anyone passionate about independent filmmaking.

Her participation in the panel follows the screening of her 40-minute film, The Junction, scheduled for Block 9: Sci-Fi & Other Stories at Cinema #14 from 11:00 AM to 12:35 PM. The film is nominated for Best Thriller Short and Best Ensemble Cast of 2025.

About AJ Lambert

^{AJ Lambert, director of “The Junction.” Photo by Elisabeth Caren.}

Though AJ Lambert has made her name as a musician, film has long been intertwined with her artistry. She has directed multiple music videos as a solo artist and worked as a music supervisor for acclaimed directors like Lee Daniels and Bob Gale.

Today, AJ performs the “suicide songs” of her grandfather, legendary Frank Sinatra, in piano lounges worldwide, while continuing to create experimental music and video projects. Her multidisciplinary background informs the unique emotional tone of The Junction.

About The Junction

At its heart, The Junction explores the complex relationship between a mother and daughter as they struggle to reconcile their past while fleeing a haunting presence that follows them relentlessly. The film features powerful performances from Alicia Blasingame, Emily Gateley, Frania Del Carmen, and Matthew Marzo, bringing depth and nuance to this haunting story.

Alicia Blasingame and Emily Gateley in *The Junction*

The film’s origins trace back to a song AJ wrote, Staff of the Flag, inspired by a memorial in Central California dedicated to James Dean—a shrine that overshadows other quieter tragedies nearby. Reflecting on the story, AJ shares:

“I imagined a mother placing flowers at a site where her child was killed, right across from the movie star’s shrine. After someone dear to me suffered a breakdown, I started to see that location as a symbol for the pain of being unable to give someone your love. It’s like being haunted if you feel powerless, or possessed if you’re trapped in your own torment.”

The script came together quickly with collaborators Ryan Orozco, Zach Passero, and Andrew Smetek from El Paso, TX. Having worked with filmmaker Lucky McKee, this team brought the story vividly to life on screen.

IndieX Film Fest 2025 Q&A Panel

Joining AJ Lambert on the panel will be Carmine Carpenito, whose extensive background in film journalism and recent directing work bring a rich perspective, along with film investor Anthony Young, who will share expertise on financing and producing independent films.

IndieX Film Fest Q&A panel aims to offer attendees insight into the creative process behind independent films and the experiences of emerging industry voices.

Don’t miss the screening of The Junction earlier in the day, followed by the Q&A panel where you can connect directly with the filmmakers and industry experts.

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