Panel Discussion "Creating 21st Century Audio Fiction" Brings Together Voices Behind Some of Podcasting's Most Celebrated Productions
LOS ANGELES, CA — April 30, 2026 — The LA Web Festival (LA Webfest), the world's premier festival dedicated to independent digital content, will host a landmark roundtable panel discussion, Creating 21st Century Audio Fiction, on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 3:00 PM PDT. The panel brings together six of the most innovative and decorated creators working in audio drama and podcast storytelling today for an in-depth conversation about how the industry has evolved and where it's headed.
Now in its celebrated run as one of the most important curators of web-native content on the global stage, LA Webfest has long served as a launching pad and recognition platform for creators pushing the boundaries of digital storytelling across web series, short films, animation, and audio fiction. The festival's commitment to championing independent voices and emerging formats has made it an essential destination for both established professionals and rising talent navigating the modern creator economy.
This year's audio fiction panel reflects the festival's growing recognition of podcasting and audio drama as a mature, culturally significant medium, one that has moved well beyond its hobbyist origins to command audiences in the hundreds of millions and attract collaborations with major industry players, including Audible, iHeartRadio, Disney, and Fox.
About the Panel
Creating 21st Century Audio Fiction brings together five award-winning creators whose collective body of work spans science fiction, supernatural drama, family storytelling, immersive world-building, and high-concept narrative podcasting. Together, they represent hundreds of millions of downloads and a shared commitment to elevating the craft of audio-first storytelling.
The discussion will explore emerging trends, creative opportunities, and the evolving challenges facing independent audio creators within today's dynamic creator economy, from production and distribution to discoverability, monetization, and audience engagement.
The Panelists
Stephanie Elie is an award-winning African American screenwriter and audio drama producer based in Los Angeles. She is the creator and producer of Alpha 8, an acclaimed independent audio drama centered on a Black blended family navigating identity and modern life, and the writer of The Last Uprising.
Joe Fisher is the creator, writer, and co-producer of Midnight Burger, a beloved audio drama now in its fifth season with over 12 million downloads. A former Walt Disney Studios screenwriting fellow, Fisher has found his creative home in audio fiction, co-producing the series alongside his wife and collaborator Finlay Stevenson from their base in Los Angeles.
Christof Laputka is the founder of Leviathan Audio Productions and the creator of The Leviathan Chronicles, one of podcasting’s most ambitious and cinematic audio franchises. Drawing from real-world science, ancient mythology, and blockbuster storytelling, he crafts immersive narratives featuring full-cast performances, original scores, and rich world-building.
Jonathan Pezza is a Los Angeles-based multi-award-winning podcaster, filmmaker, and self-published author and editor recognized internationally for his audio-first storytelling philosophy. His work is defined by richly layered soundscapes and fully immersive narrative experiences, transporting listeners to worlds limited only by the scope of imagination.
Hannah "H.M." Radcliff (she/her) brings over 15 years of commercial and independent video production experience to her award-winning work in audio drama. Through her production company Packhowl Media, she applies cinematic precision to projects like The Madness of Chartrulean, overseeing everything from writing to immersive sound design.
KC Wayland is an award-winning writer, director, and sound designer, and a U.S. Army veteran. He is the creator of We’re Alive, one of the most downloaded audio dramas in history. He has worked with Audible, iHeartRadio, Disney, and Fox, with award nominations including the NAACP Image Awards, BBC Audio Drama Awards, and the Audie Awards.
About LA Webfest
The Los Angeles Web Festival (LA WEBFEST), the world’s longest-running and most prestigious festival dedicated to digital-first content, proudly announces a new panel focused on the rapidly growing field of audio fiction.
Since its founding in 2009, LA WEBFEST has served as a vital curatorial force within the independent digital content community. The festival has consistently provided a global platform for web series, podcasts, short-form digital narratives, animation, and emerging storytelling formats that continue to redefine how audiences experience content worldwide.
With programming that includes screenings, competitions, workshops, and industry panels, LA WEBFEST remains an essential gathering for creators, industry professionals, and digital media innovators across genres and disciplines.
As part of its 2026 edition, the festival introduces a special panel on audio fiction — one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic storytelling mediums today. The panel will bring together leading creators to discuss the evolution, opportunities, and future of audio storytelling in the modern media landscape.
Festival Director Young Man Kang shared his vision for this expansion:
“We are very excited to introduce this incredible panel on audio series. As one of the newest and fastest-growing media platforms, audio fiction has become extremely popular in the United States and is rapidly expanding worldwide. Just as we helped pioneer the web series movement through LA WEBFEST, we aim to support and elevate this new wave of storytelling.”
By continuing to embrace innovation and emerging formats, LA WEBFEST reinforces its role as a pioneer in digital entertainment — championing creators and shaping the future of global storytelling.
Event Details
Panel: Creating 21st Century Audio Fiction
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM PDT
Location: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, LA. CA 90027
Festival Info: lawebfest.net
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