Home › 2019 ShortFest Archive › Forum

Forum

The ShortFest Forum includes 3 days of roundtables, interactive events, panels, classes and pitching opportunities for attending filmmakers and public audience. Over 75 industry professionals lend their knowledge and expertise at these unique events. Topics cover emerging trends, industry best practices and technical know-how from leading producers, creative execs, agents, actors, press and more.

All Forum events are held at the Riviera Hotel, Royal Ballrooms | 1600 N Indian Cayon Dr

Forum access and tickets
All-Access and Market filmmaker passes grant access to all Forum events
Industry, Media, Chairman's, Insider, Sponsor, and Student passes accepted for entry to panels only
Individual tickets may be purchased for panels beginning May 31

Tuesday, June 18 | Free Public Forum

In collaboration with the University of California Riverside, ShortFest will offer one free day of panels and presentations to the public on June 18. The event will begin at 11:00a.m. with an opening reception followed by three presentations.

All are welcome, no pass or ticket needed.

11:00 a.m. Opening Reception
11:30 a.m. From ShortFest to Feature Premiere at Sundance: Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe
12:45pm Documentary Masterclass: Scott Hamilton Kennedy
2:00pm The Art of Make-Up in Film Over the Last 40 Years: Greg Cannom

More Info

Thursday, June 20

10:30am - 11:30am
Roundtable | The Market for Short Form: Curators & Programmers
Whoever said that short form was just a stepping stone to long form is just wrong! Talk with a wide range of curators, programmers, and platform execs about the many opportunities that exist for short form content.

Kate Bolger | Producer of Scripted Projects, Refinery29
Nick Borenstein | Head of Scripted, Topic.com
Sandrine Cassidy | Sr Director of Festivals and Distribution, USC School of Cinematic Arts
Fiona Hillery | Director, Video Marketing, Refinery29
Josiah Johnson | Senior Producer, ATTN:
Clementine Leger | Festival Coordinator, USC School of Cinematic Arts
LaShawn McGhee | Co-Founder & CPO, Revry
Linda Olszewski | Acquisitions Consultant, ShortsTV, Oscar Shorts & Movies That Matter
Ina Pira | Curator, Vimeo
Céline Roustan | Festival Coordinator, Short of the Week
Bojana Sandic | Programming Director, New Filmmakers Los Angeles
Monika Skerbelis | Programming Director, American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes
Breven Warren | Senior Manager, Partner Experience, Breaker

12:00pm - 1:15pm
Roundtable | You've Got Production Questions, We've Got Answers!
Due to a high turnout of filmmakers this year, we have changed the format of this session from a one-on-one to roundtable format. We will have producers, financiers, distributors, crowdfunding specialists, editors, union reps, casting directors, line producers, and more all answering your questions about all things production from pre to post. After 10 minutes it's musical chairs, so be ready with questions in hand.

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Class | How to Pitch Like a Pro #1
We know you have another idea or script you're ready to pitch - feature, episodic, VR or short form, all are welcome! Our industry guests will show you the ropes to a successful pitch, and share stories on the dos and don'ts. They will share some insights and then workshop some of your pitches.

Dave Binegar | Manager of Original Programming, Showtime
Lauren Dineley | Coordinator, Writ Large
Emily Kelleher-Best | Founder and CEO, Seed&Spark
Paige Murray | Development Manager and Shorts Programmer, CBC
Clare Tucker | Head of Production, SuperFilms!

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Panel | The Indie Episodic Landscape: Triumphs, Trials & Trends
Executives and Indie Creators discuss the current landscape for indie episodic projects. With more content than ever being produced for the small screen, and opportunities for both established auteurs and fresh voices. In these ever-changing times in entertainment, how can you break into the episodic medium? Purchase Tickets

Dave Binegar | Manager of Original Programming, Showtime
Barbara Crawford | VP of Current Series, FX Networks
Asher Landay | Manager, Scripted Programming, Keshet Studios
Anne Thompson | Journalist, IndieWire

Friday, June 21

10:30am - 11:30am
Roundtable | Big Business: Agents, Managers & Acquisitions
Come hear directly from the dealmakers' mouths. Agents, managers, and acquisitions execs discuss the current and future state of the business of filmmaking: from buying and selling, packaging a project, finding representation that works for you, and how to set up a project for distribution success before it's even made. Be ready to listen and ask your burning questions.

Kora Christensen | Manager of Development, Odenkirk Provissiero
Cullen Conly | Literary Manager, Mosaic
Jeff Deutchman | SVP Acquisitions & Production, NEON
Lauren Dineley | Coordinator, Writ Large
Daniela Gonzalez | Literary Manager, Circle of Confusion
Marc Mounier | Literary Coordinator, Management 360
Amanda Richards | Casting Executive, Sony Pictures Television
Sabrina Spence | Interim General Manager, OUAT Media
Peter Van Steemburg | VP of Production and Acquisitions, Universal Content Group
Oliver Wheeler | Agent, ICM Partners
Brandt Wrightsman | Producer, Anonymous Content

12:00pm - 1:15pm
Interactive | Speed Pitching #1
It's time to test out those pro pitching skills! Our diverse group of industry professionals - agents, studio executives, financiers, producers and filmmakers - are ready to meet with you one-on-one. You pitch. They respond. Make sure you leave some time for valuable feedback. After 10 minutes it's musical chairs.
*Note: You will need to have attended the How to Pitch Like a Pro #1 on Thursday to participate in this session.

Justin Benson | Writer/Director/Producer, Rustic Films
Sheri Bradford | Production Coordinator & Independent Producer, DreamWorks Animation
Giulia Caruso | Producer, Spa Night; Columbus
Alia J. Daniels | Co-Founder | COO, Revry
Rona Edwards | Producer, Rona Edwards Productions
Daniela Gonzalez | Literary Manager, Circle of Confusion
Josiah Johnson | Senior Producer, ATTN:
Emily Kelleher-Best | Founder and CEO, Seed&Spark
Asher Landay | Manager, Scripted Programming, Keshet Studios
Carly Lassegard | Coordinator, Original Documentaries, Netflix
Bryan Leder | Manager / Producer, Authentic Talent
Aaron Moorhead | Director/Producer, Rustic Films
Sam Morrill | Head of Management, Animal Kingdom Films
Mette Norkjaer | Creative Executive, BOOM! Studios
Nick Ogiony | Media Finance Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Chris Oroza | Producer, Director, Costume Designer
Zahra Phillips | Director of Development, Franklin Entertainment
Brandt Wrightsman | Producer, Anonymous Content

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Class | How to Pitch Like a Pro #2
We know you have another idea or script you're ready to pitch - feature, episodic, VR or short form, all are welcome! Our industry guests will show you the ropes to a successful pitch, and share stories on the dos and don'ts. They will share some insights and then workshop some of your pitches.

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Panel | Best Foot Forward: Labs & Grants & How to Get Them
You've made your calling card short film, now you're ready to take things to the next level with funding your next project and/or participating in artist development labs. Hear directly from the source about what to expect from a lab experience and the dos and don'ts of the application process for labs and grants. Purchase Tickets

Toby Brooks | Manager of Sundance Ignite, Sundance Institute
Megan Costello | Programmer & Program Manager, Hamptons Film Festival
Michelle Hamada | Manager, Documentary and Scripted Programs, Tribeca Film Institue
Angela Lee | Senior Manager, Artist Development, Film Independent
Rahdi Taylor | SVP Artists in Residence, Concordia

Saturday, June 22

10:00am - 11:00am
Roundtable | Meet & Greet: Labs & Grants
A follow-up to Friday's panel, this is a chance to connect directly with the organizations offering artist development lab programs and/or grants. Our industry guests will lay out their opportunities and have an open discussion with you about what might make sense for your next project and the career you're working to build.

Clint Bowie | Artistic Director, New Orleans Film Society
Toby Brooks | Manager of Sundance Ignite, Sundance Institute
Michael Carter | Marketing Executive, Panavision
Megan Costello | Programmer & Program Manager, Hamptons Film Festival
Mike Dougherty | Director of Festival Programming, Outfest
Amy Halpin | Deputy Director, IDA
Michelle Hamada | Manager, Documentary and Scripted Programs, Tribeca Film Institue
Angela Lee | Senior Manager, Artist Development, Film Independent
Liz Manashil | Manager, Sundance Creative Distribution
Jenny Slattery | Independent Consultant, SFFILM
Rahdi Taylor | SVP Artists in Residence, Concordia
Joan Wai | Senior Manager, Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

11:30am - 12:45pm
Interactive | Speed Pitching #2
It's time to test out those pro pitching skills! Our diverse group of industry professionals - agents, studio executives, financiers, producers and filmmakers - are ready to meet with you one-on-one. You pitch. They respond. Make sure you leave some time for valuable feedback. After 10 minutes it's musical chairs.
*Note: You will need to have attended the How to Pitch Like a Pro #1 or #2 on Thursday or Friday to participate in this session.

Andrew Carlberg | Producer, Oscar-winning short Skin
Kora Christensen | Manager of Development, Odenkirk Provissiero
Cullen Conly | Manager, Literary, Mosaic
Kate Hurwitz | Manager, CINETIC MEDIA
Craig Johnson | Director, The Skeleton Twins; Wilson; Alex Strangelove
Kristen Konvitz | Agent - International and Independent Film, ICM Partners
Ari Lubet | Manager & Producer, 3 Arts
Gerry Maravilla | Filmmaker & Crowdfunding Specialist
Marc Mounier | Literary Coordinator, Management 360
Mette Norkjaer | Creative Executive, BOOM! Studios
Sarah North | Head of TV, SoulPancake
Amanda Richards | Casting Executive, Sony Pictures Television
Adrian Salpeter | Producer, Random Bench
Sabrina Spence | Interim General Manager, OUAT Media
Peter Van Steemburg | VP of Production and Acquisitions, Universal Content Group

1:15pm - 2:15pm
Class | How to Ruin a Film in 10 Ways
Unnecessary violence or nudity, shooting with the first draft of your script, deciding the crew can feed themselves - whether it's a writing trope or a mistake during production, we're all aware of the things that can ruin a film. These industry professionals drill down on the things you should avoid with your future projects before addressing specific challenges you're facing as a filmmaker.

Meredith Alloway | Filmmaker and Journalist
Craig Johnson | Director, The Skeleton Twins; Wilson; Alex Strangelove
Sam Morrill | Head of Management, Animal Kingdom Films
Zahra Phillips | Director of Development, Franklin Entertainment
Ana Souza | Manager & Associate Programmer, Sundance Film Festival

2:45pm - 3:45pm
Panel | Building Momentum: Festivals, Audience & Awards Strategy
Learn the ropes of audience building and awards strategy with your most recent short film or for your future projects. What choices and opportunities might present themselves and where? How can filmmakers best capitalize on these? Planning for the release of your film is imperative for the best return on these opportunities. Our panelists will discuss steps for releasing your film from planning to distribution! Purchase Tickets

Dilcia Barrera | Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
Andrew Carlberg | Producer, Oscar-winning short Skin
Jonathan Epstein | Director, Awards & National Publicity, Strategy PR
Tom Oyer | Associate Director, Membership & Awards Manager, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
Malina Saval | Journalist, Variety

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Panel | Meet the Programmers
Let's take a quick trip to top festivals and meet their programmers. Our panelists will provide candid insights into the programming process, deciding which festivals are best for your project, and making sure you make the most of your festival experience. Purchase Tickets

Claudette Godfrey | Senior Film Programmer, SXSW
Clint Bowie | Artistic Director, New Orleans Film Society
Mike Dougherty | Director of Festival Programming, Outfest
Ina Pira | Curator, Vimeo
Paul Sloop | Short Films Programming Manager, Cleveland International Film Festival
Anne Thompson | Journalist, IndieWire