Filmmaker Forum Schedule

Filmmaker registration for Forum events will open on Monday, June 8. All events will be held via Zoom.  We recommend downloading Zoom before attending the first event.  Additional industry participants will be added as they are confirmed.

DOWNLOAD INDUSTRY CONTACT LIST HERE, note: not all Participating Industry info is available

WORKING WITH ACTORS
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION

Join this esteemed panel for a discussion on the art of working with actors - everything from auditions and casting through the martini shot. Moderated by:Jacqueline Coley, Rotten Tomatoes

Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Director
Deanna Brigidi, Casting Director, 5th House Casting
Colman Domingo, Actor
Craig Johnson, Director
Melora Walters, Actor
Sarah Steele, Actor
Leslie Wasserman, Casting Director, Richard Hicks Casting

THE CO-PRO
These days, co-productions are more and more common, and more and more essential to getting films made. Learn all about the perks, problems, and possibilities of setting up your next film as a co-production from these distinguished panelists.

Georgina Gonzalez, Director of Development, Cinepolis
Isabel Ivars, Festival Manger, Films Boutique

HOW TO ROCK THE DOC
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION

When documentary filmmakers commit to telling urgent, inspiring, and galvanizing stories, they are often doing so over a period of several years and with very little money. Hear from the experts about what it takes to succeed in this field and how to obtain the limited resources that are out there for support. Moderated by: Pat Saperstein, Variety

Andrew Houchens, Filmmaker & Festival Consultant
Rahdi Taylor, Executive Vice President, Concordia Studio
Clare Tucker, Head of Production, Superfilms!
Dyana Winkler, Director, United Skates

HOW TO PITCH LIKE A PRO
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
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, share stories and insights on the dos and don'ts, and then workshop some of your pitches. Moderated by: Emily Best, Seed&Spark

Dave Binegar, Director of Original Programming, Showtime
Sheri Bradford, Comedy Central
Jonathan Tolins, Writer, Nemorino Productions

THE PATH FROM SHORT TO FEATURE
Hear from this terrific panel as they share advice about what it takes to make the great leap from short film to feature film and warn of the pitfalls you may encounter on the way. Moderated by: Ryland Aldrich, Screen Anarchy 

Andrew Ahn, Writer/Director
Andrew Carlberg, Producer, Western Skies Productions, LLC
Aaron Moorhead, Writer/Director
Kim Sherman, Producer

MAKING A SPLASH: WORKING WITH PRESS & PR
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Films demand to be seen. Otherwise, why bother making one? Getting the word out about your work is an essential part of building your career and your audience. These panelists will discuss best practices for working with publicists and press to drive the visibility you need to stand out. Moderated by: Jude Dry, IndieWire

Meredith Alloway, Filmmaker & Journalist, ATW Productions
Jonathan Epstein, Vice President, Awards & National Publicity, Strategy PR
Guido Gotz, VP Film, TV & Live Entertainment, Slate PR
Steve Wilson, Scenario PR

ANATOMY OF A FIRST FEATURE
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
So you've made some great shorts, you've won some awards, you want to get a feature off the ground but how do you get that money, hunny? These folks are here to offer some guidance. Moderated by: Steven Gaydos, Variety

Andrew Carlberg, Producer, Western Skies Productions, LLC
Giulia Caruso, Nonetheless Productions
Craig Johnson, Director
Nick Ogiony, Media Finance Agent, CAA

ROUNDTABLE: LABS, GRANTS, AND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
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. Learn directly from the organizations offering artist development lab programs and/or grants about what to expect from a lab experience and the dos and don'ts of the application process. Be ready to listen and ask your burning questions. We'll rotate "virtual tables" every 15 minutes!

Toby Brooks, Manager, Sundance Ignite
Zandashé Brown, Artist Development Coordinator/Programming Manager, New Orleans Film Society
Sandrine Cassidy, Sr Director of Festivals, Distribution & Talent Development, USC
Megan Costello, Programmer & Program Manager, Hamptons Film Festival
Angela Lee, Associate Director, Artist Development, Film Independent
Rosa Morales, Artist Development Senior Coordinator, SFFILM
Linda Pianigiani, Industry Manager, Ghetto Film School
Christopher Racster, Film, Media, and Non-Profit Consulting
Sheryl Santacruz, Programmer, Outfest
Jenny Slattery, Grant Writer
Joan Wai, Senior Manager, Nicholl Fellowships, AMPAS

WORKING IN EPISODIC
In our ever-evolving industry, we're seeing more content produced for the small screen than ever before, and opportunities abound for both established auteurs and fresh voices. How can you break in? Executives and Creators discuss the current episodic landscape. Moderated by: Steve Greene, IndieWire

Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Director
David Binegar, Director of Original Programming, Showtime
Asher Landay, Director, Scripted Programming, Keshet Studios
Paige Murray, Exec in Charge of Production, YA Digital Originals + CBC Short Film Programmer
Jeremy Podeswa, Director, Rebelfilms Inc
Paige Simpson, Scrap Paper Pictures

DISTRIBUTION 10 
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
These panelists will break down the current landscape of distribution for independent features, shorts and TV, including the economics of different avenues to take, the right questions to ask potential partners, and other information to arm yourself with as you enter negotiations. Moderated by: Shelagh Rowan-Legg, Screen Anarchy

Aimee Lynne Barneburg, Producer, High Pony Pictures
Rebecca Green, Dear Producer
Christina Raia, Head of Education, Seed&Spark
Sabrina Spence, Interim General Manager, OUAT Media

ROUNDTABLE: AGENTS & MANAGERS
Mix and mingle with the Reps! Come hear directly from the dealmakers' mouths. Agents and managers discuss the current and future state of the business of filmmaking: from buying and selling, packaging a project, finding representation that works for you. Be ready to listen and ask your burning questions. We'll rotate "virtual tables" every 15 minutes!

Cullen Conly, Literary Manager, Mosaic
Lauren Dinely, Manager, Writ Large
Ruby Kaye, CAA 
Bob Sobhani, Authentic Talent
Mikey Schwartz-Wright, UTA
Lauren Williams, Echo Lake Management
Brandt Wrightsman, Producer, Anonymous Content

CREATING IMPACT WITH YOUR FILM
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Stories are vital catalysts for social change. Now more than ever, filmmakers have the opportunity to start social movements, change hearts and minds, and create lasting impact. But how? These folks will dive into the ins and outs of impact producing and distribution with films of all shapes and sizes.  

Shelby Know, Impact Producer
Liz Manashil, Picture Motion
Jared Milrad, Movikarma
Brandi Payne, Writer/Performer

CALL MY LAWYER: UNDERSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT LAW
If you've ever thought, "I should really get a lawyer to help with me this," now is your chance to hear from an entertainment lawyer about how to protect yourself and your work.

Erika Canchola, Partner, Ramo Law PC
Christopher Rodriguez, Chief Business Officer, Revry
Adrian Salpeter, Producer, Random Bench

CREATING WHILE QUARANTINED
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
This distinguished panel of writers and writer/directors will share with you some tips for keeping the creative juices flowing while stuck at home...as well as some much welcomed advice for if/when we return to business as usual. Moderated by: Malina Saval, Variety

Jeremy Podeswa, Writer/Director, Rebel Films Inc
Amy Seimetz, Writer/Director
Jonathan Tolins, Writer, Nemorino Productions
Ean Weslyn, Writer

ROUNDTABLE: SHORTS DISTRIBUTION
Whoever said that short form was ONLY 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. Be ready to listen and ask your burning questions. We'll rotate "virtual tables" every 15 minutes!

Penelope Bartlett, Programmer, The Criterion Collection  
Nick Borenstein, Head of Scripted, Topic.com
Florian Fernandez, Industry Coordinator, Cannes Court Métrage / Short Film Corner
Martina Fiorellino, Short films acquisitions and sales, Premium Films
Sydney Neter, SND Films
Linda O. Olszewski, Vice President Acquisitions, ShortsTV - TV Cortos, Oscar Shorts
Derry O'Brien, Network Ireland Television  
Ina Pira, Curator, Vimeo
Christopher Rodriguez, Chief Business Officer, Revry
Jason Sondhi, Co-Founder, Short of the Week
Sabrina Spence, Interim General Manager, OUAT Media
Jason Todd, Distributor, H264 Distribution
Enrico Vannucci, Short Film Advisor, Venice Film Festival

MEET THE PROGRAMMERS
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Programmers from top festivals will provide candid insights into the programming process, deciding which festivals are the right fit for your film, and how to make the most of the festival experience. Moderated by: Carlos Aguilar, LA Times

Clint Bowie, Artistic Director, New Orleans Film Festival
Laurent Crouzeix, General Delegate, Short Film Market Clermont-Ferrand
Amanda Salazar, Programmer, SFFILM
Paul Sloop, Short Films Programming Manager, Cleveland International Film Festival
Ana Souza, Associate Programmer & Manager, Sundance Institute

PRODUCER'S PARADISE
Can we get a round of applause for the producers, please? This session is for the folks that make the magic happen on time and under budget. Tune in for some tips and tricks from experienced industry veterans. Moderated by: James Sweeney, Filmmaker

Rona Edwards, Rona Edwards Productions
Darrien Gibson, SAGIndie
Pin-Chun Liu, Producer, 120E Films
Lauren McBride, Novel Pictures
Trenton Waterson, Line Producer & Producer, The Collaborate

OFFICIAL SELECTION: SMART FESTIVAL STRATEGY
WATCH RECORDED SESSION
With thousands (yes, thousands) of film festivals out there, how do you navigate which are worthy of your submission fee and, more importantly, which are going to be a good fit for your film? Festival strategy is often addressed too late in the game and not taken as seriously as it should be. Hence the formation of this panel. Moderated by: Anne Thompson, IndieWire

Dilcia Barrera, Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
Stephanie Owens, Programmer, PSISF/Sundance
Christopher Racster, Christopher Racster Film and Non-Profit Consulting
Bojana Sandic, Programming Director, New Filmmakers Los Angeles
Diana Ward, Prodcuer, Darley Street Disco
Breven Warren, Founder/Director, Angaelica

CEL-ING OUT: WORKING IN ANIMATION
WATCH RECORDED SESSION
Excellence in animation is at an all time high. With so much astounding work being produced (even in quarantine), animation has entered a new golden age. This is an opportunity to hear from professionals working in the field about where they see animation going and how best to set yourself up for a successful career in the medium. Moderated by: Rahim Zahed, Animation Magazine

Erica Chon, Director of Marketing, GKIDS!
Monique Henry-Hudson, Founder, Simply Robotix
Whitney Loveall, Producer, Titmouse
Alex Myung, Animator
Mette Norkjaer, Creative Executive, BOOM! Studios
Siqi Song, Filmmaker
Taneka Stotts, Staff Writer, Hasbro

CROWDFUNDING TO BUILD INDEPENDENCE
The Crowdfunding to Build Independence course teaches you the essentials for engaging your audience at every stage of your project, and how to leverage that for distribution and your next project. Christina has taught this class at hundreds of film festivals, organizations and schools for a reason: class attendees have a 80% success rate funding on Seed&Spark.

Christina Raia, Head of Education, Seed&Spark

PUMP UP THE JAMS!
Music has the power to transform and elevate a scene or an entire film. Take advice from and learn the best practices of working with music supervisors, licensors, and composers. Moderated by: Patrick Gomez, The A.V. CLub

Nathan Barr, Composer
James Cartwright, Music Supervisor, Sneakers
Frank Garcia, Director of Music, DreamWorks TV
Abbey Hendrix, Executive Producer, Walker
Chief Wakil, Composer
Catherine Wharton, Creative Music & Licensing, ViacomCBS

BRINGING ART TO THE BRANDS
Taking on commercial or branded content work is a vital opportunity for filmmakers to stretch their creative instincts, innovate within boundaries, and make a little dough while they're at it. This discussion will provide insight into how filmmakers might get started and find success working with brands. 

Aimee Lynne Barneburg, Producer, High Pony Pictures
Constanza Castro, Executive Producer, 271 Pictures
Domenica Castro, Executive Producer, 271 Pictures
Alex Hughes, Head of Prodcution, Smuggler