The 56th Chicago International Film Festival Presents: October 14-18, 2020
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The 56th Chicago International Film Festival Presents: October 14-18, 2020
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German Film Office · Sara Stevenson
30 Irving Place, 4th Floor · New York, NY 10003 · sara.stevenson@goethe.de
SLEEP © Junafilm · UNDINE © Christian Schulz/Schramm Film · AND TOMORROW THE ENTIRE WORLD © Seven Elephants/Oliver Wolf
The Chicago International Film Festival’s hub for filmmakers and
industry professionals to connect, share ideas and inspire each
other. Industry Days includes panels and workshops, as well
as one-on-one meetings, networking events, and a competitive
pitch session.
Since its inception in 2015, Industry Days has hosted an
impressive lineup of film executives, creatives, and entertainment
professionals, including Oscar®-winning director Steve McQueen
(12 Years a Slave), Michael Barker (Sony Pictures Classics) and
Charles D. King (Macro), Hollywood producers Gigi Pritzker,
James D. Stern, and Albert Berger, and award-winning and
celebrated independent filmmakers, including Stephen Cone,
Sam Pollard, and Joe Swanberg.
All events will take place virtually on Zoom.
All events are open to registered Industry Days passholders only
unless otherwise noted.
For full schedule information, registration, and other updates
visit: chicagofilmfestival.com/industrydays
Speakers are subject to change.
Welcome to Industry Days. Industry Days Team:
We’re very excited to be expanding the reach of Industry Days this year by
taking the conference online. Although the entertainment industry has been
hobbled by the pandemic, this is the perfect time to focus on artistic and JC Farris
professional development, which will be in no short supply during this year’s Industry Programs Manager
conference. And even though we’ll be joining together virtually, Industry Days
can still provide an important meeting place for our multiple entertainment
communities and film festival guests to come together with each other and
major decision-makers from around the world. See you on Zoom!
Anthony Kaufman Mikaela McParlan
Industry Days Programmer Industry Days Coordinator
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Thank You!
Industry Days are made possible by the help of our partners and supporters:
This project is supported in part This program partially This project is partially supported by a CityArts
by an award from the National supported by a grant from the Grant from the City of Chicago Department of
Endowment for the Arts. Illinois Arts Council Agency Cultural Affairs & Special Events
The Pitch Supporters
This project is partially supported by a CityArts
Grant from the City of Chicago Department of
Cultural Affairs & Special Events
Proceeds from the Chicago International Film Festival benefit Cinema/Chicago’s year-round programs including the CineYouth Festival, Summer Screenings, and the Education Program.
With over 100 features
and shorts, you’re closer
to a true film festival
experience than you think.
Film Can Take You There.
October 14 – 25, 2020
chicagofilmfestival.com
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Wednesday,
6:00pm - 7:00pm (CST)
Networking Hour with
October 14 Kartemquin Films
and IFA Chicago
5:00pm - 6:15pm (CST)
State of the Industry: The
Catastrophic Effects and
Potential Opportunities of
Making Media in a Pandemic
3:00pm - 4:15pm (CST) Friday,
The global pandemic has disrupted the
Screenwriting Master Class:
John Logan October 16
entertainment industry in unprecedented 11:00am - 12:00pm (CST)
Three-time Oscar® nominee and winner of
ways. Can independent films survive, Film is Global:
Golden Globe, BAFTA, and WGA awards,
and if so, how? Are streaming companies
the only ones who can save them, and
John Logan has written such films as Skyfall, Accessing International Sales
if not, who? What is our future and how
Spectre, Hugo, The Aviator, and Gladiator, in Uncertain Times
as well as created and produced the
can we make it better? Join this group of
television series Penny Dreadful and written How can U.S.-based filmmakers connect
seasoned experts as they sift through the
dozens of award-winning plays. Learn how with international sales agents, and what
current wreckage and reveal much-needed
to write scripts from a master, indeed. do they need in place before they can
answers and insights.
make those deals and harness distribution
Moderated by in foreign territories? Find out from these
Panelists:
Tim Grierson (Screen International) experienced sales agents about how they
Anthony Kaufman (moderator)
Mynette Louie (producer, The Tale) seek out films and how the pandemic is
Elsa Ramo (entertainment attorney) Tickets: $10 affecting foreign sales.
Eugene Hernandez (New York Film for non-Industry Days pass holders
Festival; co-founder Indiewire.com) Panelists:
Dori Begley (Magnolia Pictures) Betsy Steinberg (moderator)
Naima Abed (Memento International)
Edward Parodi (Film Constellation)
Joe Yanick (Yellow Veil Pictures)
Thursday, 2:00pm - 3:00pm (CST)
October 15 Making the Leap:
From Web Series to
12:00pm - 1:00pm (CST) 5:00pm - 6:15pm (CST) Studio Projects
How to Make a Good Movie and Keynote Conversation:
a Little Profit on a Low-Budget: At the Vanguard with More and more filmmakers are
Case Study on Saint Frances Dede Gardner, Producer of transitioning successfully from
Moonlight and The Big Short independent web series to episodic deals
Director Alex Thompson and writer-star at major entertainment companies. Join
Kelly O’Sullivan made last year’s Chicago Sam Bailey, co-creator of Brown Girls and
Two-time Academy Award-winning
hit film Saint Frances; the movie won producer of Netflix’s Dear White People);
producer and Co-President of Brad Pitt’s
multiple festival awards, was released by Deniese Davis, producer of Issa Rae’s “The
production company Plan B Entertainment,
Oscilloscope, received great reviews, but Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl”
Dede Gardner has produced such award-
earned just $200,000 at the box office. Get and HBO’s Insecure, and Makiah Green,
winning films as Moonlight, Vice, The Big
the nitty-gritty details on development, Manager of Original Series at Netflix, for
Short, Selma, 12 Years a Slave, and The Tree
financing, and distribution from the Saint this candid and informative discussion on
of Life. For TV, she recently produced Barry
Frances team, and what success really getting networks’ attention and navigating
Jenkins’ Underground Railroad and Dennis
means for a low-budget film. the studio world.
Kelly’s Third Day. Gardner will discuss her
process for cultivating new talents and
Panelists: Panelists:
developing and producing great works of
Scott Macaulay (moderator) Aymar Jean Christian (moderator)
topical and artistic cinema and television.
Kelly O’Sullivan Sam Bailey (Brown Girls)
Alex Thompson Deniese Davis (Insecure)
Moderated by
Nate Hurtsellers Makiah Green (Netflix)
Gil Robertson
Ian Keiser (African American Film Critics Association)
Tickets: $10
for non-Industry Days pass holders
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Saturday,
6:00pm - 7:30pm (CST)
Networking Hour with Illinois
October 17 Film Office
12:00pm - 1:00pm (CST)
Don’t Panic I: How to
Make Films in the Pandemic
Sunday,
October 18
5:00pm - 6:15pm (CST):
What are the protocols, precautions,
Game Changer: and costs, and technical, practical and
A Conversation with ethical issues involved in making media
Effie Brown now. Filmmakers on the frontlines break
down the details.
CEO of Gamechanger Films, which is
the first film financing fund by and for Panelists
women, people of color, LGBTQ+ and Erica Duffy (moderator)
people with disabilities, Brown is also Garrett Bates (producer)
an award-winning film, television, and Nausheen Dadabhoy (cinematographer)
digital producer as well as a champion
for inclusion and diversity in Hollywood. 2:00pm - 3:00pm (CST)
1:00pm - 2:15pm (CST)
Producer of such award-winning projects Don’t Panic II: How to Fund
Master Class with
as Real Women Have Curves and Dear Films in the Pandemic
White People, Brown will discuss her Terence Blanchard
work as a creative executive, advocate, With economic uncertainty and
and celebrating our differences while insurance issues unresolved, what are Oscar® nominated and six-time
bringing us closer together. the ways that filmmakers can fund Grammy-winning trumpeter/composer
movies now? From grants to private Terence Blanchard has been a
Moderated by equity to branded content, these consistent artistic force for three
Leonardo Nam (Westworld) experts offer some options that may decades. From his expansive work
still be available. composing the scores for Spike Lee’s
films, ranging from Jungle Fever and
6:00pm - 7:30pm (CST) Panelists: Malcolm X to BlacKkKlansman and Da
Networking Hour with Nicole Bernardi-Reis (moderator) 5 Bloods, along with his memorable
music for such films as Kasi Lemmons’
Full Spectrum Features and Yvonne Welbon (Chicken & Egg
Pictures, Sisters in Cinema) Harriet and Regina King’s upcoming
Chicago Film Office One Night in Miami, Blanchard
Brenda Robinson (GameChanger)
Brian Newman (Sub-Genre) creates and amplifies stories with
Josh Foster (Cinetic Media) sound in mesmerizing and powerfully
emotionally ways. Blanchard will offer
5:00pm - 6:00pm (CST) inspiration and insight into his work.
Don’t Panic III: Moderated by
How to Release Films in the Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune)
Pandemic, from Festivals to
Platforms to Theaters Tickets: $10
for non-Industry Days pass holders
The coronavirus has completely 3:00pm - 5:00pm (CST)
upended the standard pipeline for
releasing movies. With the future of
theatrical moviegoing still uncertain and
U.S. film festivals pivoting to streaming,
how can filmmakers be strategic and
effective in getting their films out to
their audiences.
Panelists:
Dan Rybicky (moderator)
Tilane Jones (Array Now)
Aijah Keith (IFC Films)
Liesl Copland (Endeavor Content)
3:00pm - 5:00pm (CST)
Darcy Heusel (Neon)
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The Pitch
2020 Pitch Projects
A curated selection of filmmakers with new narrative projects
in active development will take part in a competitive pitch
session. The winning project will receive an awards package
of in-kind services from Chicago-area production facilities and
organizations—to include consultation, production, and post-
production services.
The Pitch Jury: Anchor Baby
Ilyse McKimmie (Sundance Institute) After witnessing his father nearly beat a Mexican immigrant to
Bronwyn Cornelius (producer, Clemency) death while patrolling the desert border, a thirteen-year-old boy
Yvonne Huff Lee (Co-CEO, Lagralane Group) growing up in the Arizona Border Militia finds solace in an unlikely
place — the arms of the new undocumented migrant girl in town.
5:00pm - 7:00pm (CST) Screenwriter: Anna Hozian
Director: Danny Mooney
Post-Pitch Networking Hour Producer: Dale Armin Johnson
with Mezcla Media Collective
and OTV
Go to the Body
After Sanaa, a rising racial justice
organizer, is sexually assaulted by a
fellow activist, she tries to push past
her trauma and return to her normal life.
The only thing standing in the way is
The Pitch Selection Committee
her fiance, Kendrick, an overprotective
Angie Gaffney boxer who has his own idea of justice.
Jonah Zeiger
Anthony Kaufman Writer/Director: Kyra Jones
JC Farris Producer: Angellic Ross
The Pitch Mentors
Mary Kay Cook
James Choi
Bri Castellini
Wendy Roderweiss
The Pitch Host
Invasion of the Housewives
Angie Gaffney In order to survive the night, a group of suburban housewives
attempt to sort rumor from reality when their girls’ night is
interrupted by an alien invasion.
Industry Days Advisory Committee
Aira Alcantara Writer/Director: Zach Lorkiewicz
Kwame Amoaku Producer: Grace Hahn
Aymar Jean Christian
Louis Ferrara
Peter Hawley Izza
Tim Horsburgh An outsider to her Iraqi/American family,
Thavary Krouch runaway Izza Bet’Yusuf, returns home
Jason Matsumoto fifteen years later and reconnects to her
Betsy Steinberg estranged roots by impersonating her
Eugene Sun Park freshly dead father.
Kubi Uner
Yvonne Welbon Writer/Lead Actor: Atra Asdou
Producer: Karla Huffman
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Panelist Bios
Naima Abed joined Memento to include the management of strategic Broke, about Blanchard’s hometown of
and La Cinéfacture in 2013, partnerships and oversight of theatrical New Orleans during the devastation from
after ten years in the film marketing and distribution strategies. Hurricane Katrina to the epic Malcolm
industry in Paris, Toronto and Notable recent releases include the X; and the latest Lee film, Da 5 Bloods
London. She focuses on Oscar®-nominated documentary RBG; which was released by Netflix, Blanchard
expanding and developing the companies’ Oscar®-nominated and Palme d’Or winning has interwoven melodies that created
activities in the English-speaking world. SHOPLIFTERS; Oscar®-nominated strong backdrops to human stories. Other
Over the years, she has designed the documentary I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, projects include One Night in Miami which
acquisition and investment strategy for an and Dawn Porter’s JOHN LEWIS: GOOD marks Regina King’s feature directorial
ambitious slates of English-language TROUBLE and Elyse Steinberg, Josh debut and the feature film Bruised which
projects, shifting the company’s role from Kriegman, and Eli Despres’ ACLU is the directorial debut for Halle Berry who
traditional sales agent to a more innovative documentary THE FIGHT. Begley began also stars.
and effective role as executive producer. her career in 2000 with Sony Pictures
She is also responsible for building and Classics working on an eclectic slate of Tiffany Boyle is the President
overseeing the development slate in award-winning titles from renowned of Packaging & Sales at Ramo
London, building director/producers filmmakers around the globe. She is an Law PC, joining in 2009. She
relationships as well as providing input and Executive Branch member of The Academy is an adviser to foreign
supervision of the creative process for all of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, production companies all over
Memento properties. Vassar College graduate and resident of Ft. the world, such as Backup Media (France),
Greene, Brooklyn. Upper Street (UK), and Media Fund
Sam Bailey is a writer and Management (Australia). She has been a
director from Chicago, Nicole Bernardi-Reis A successful financial consultant, bringing in
currently residing in Los producer and director, Nicole financing or leading foreign sales, on films
Angeles. She is the creator of Bernardi-Reis’s work spans such as Ashes in the Snow, which
the Gotham-nominated narrative shorts and feature premiered at the 2018 LA Film Festival;
webseries You’re So Talented and film, documentary features, upcoming The Card Counter, from writer/
co-creator of the Emmy-nominated and television series. She has produced director Paul Schrader, starring Oscar
webseries Brown Girls. two documentaries that screened at the Isaac and Tiffany Haddish with EPs
Chicago International Film Festival: including Tiffany Boyle and Martin
Sam is currently developing the film Michael Caplan’s Algren (2014) and Radical Scorsese; and Die in a Gunfight, in post.
Sabrina with Bron Studios and is a Grace (2015). Under her leadership at IFP Tiffany also is a partner with production
producer on Netflix’s Dear White People. Chicago, the organization launched company Vested Interest, and has served
Sam directed the Powderkeg digital series innovative artists services and as an EP for films including Better Start
East of La Brea and has directed episodes development programs. She is a co- Running, which premiered at the 2018
of television including Grown-ish, Loosely creator of The Pitch at Industry Days. Newport Beach Film Festival; After
Exactly Nicole, Mixed-ish, The Chi, and Midnight, which premiered at Tribeca in
Dear White People. She is the Digital Art Terence Blanchard Oscar® 2019; Line of Duty, starring Aaron Eckhart;
Director of VAM STUDIO. nominee, six-time Grammy- Arkansas, starring Liam Hemsworth, which
winner and 2018 USA Fellow recently released on VOD as the top new
Garrett Bates is an NYC trumpeter/composer Terence movie of the week; Rollers, currently in
based Producer. He received Blanchard has been a post; and Chick Fight, starring Malin
his first “break” as Production consistent artistic force for making powerful Akerman, Alec Baldwin, and Bella Thorne,
Coordinator for Netflix’s Emmy musical statements concerning painful currently in post.
nominated series It’s Bruno American tragedies – past and present.
and started to UPM shortly thereafter. Effie T. Brown is the CEO of
Blanchard received an Oscar® nomination Gamechanger, which
Dori Begley currently serves for his original score for Spike Lee’s launched in 2013 as the first
as the Executive Vice BlacKkKlansman. He was also BAFTA film financing fund by and for
President of Magnolia nominated for his original music for the film. women and now under
Pictures. Joining the company He won a Grammy for Best Instrumental Brown’s leadership includes projects by
as Director of Acquisitions in Composition for writing “Blut Und Boden and about people of color, LGBTQ+ and
2007, she has overseen more than a (Blood and Soil)” a track from BlacKkKlansman. people with disabilities as well as its
decade of buys for Magnolia Pictures, expansion into television and digital
Magnet Releasing, Magnolia Home From his expansive work composing content. Brown is also an award-winning
Entertainment and Magnolia International the scores for Spike Lee films ranging film, television, and digital producer known
Sales. Begley’s current role was expanded from the documentary When the Levees for her highly acclaimed, multi-platform
9
repertoire as well as championing inclusion creative R&D (research and development). industry experience includes years as an
and diversity in Hollywood, both behind Currently an associate professor of independent producer as well as posts at
and in front of the camera. Brown has communication at Northwestern University, the Tribeca Film Festival and IFP. Across
produced several critically acclaimed films Dr. Christian uses artistic development as a her entire career, Liesl has built in a double
and award-winning projects including Real tool for community-building, cultural bottom line approach to her practice and
Women Have Curves (directed by Patricia critique and experimentation. has a deeper focus on social justice reform
Cardosa) Dear White People(2015 and impact focused content.
Independent Spirit Awards Best First Dr. Christian started OTV | Open Television,
Screenplay), HBO’s Project Greenlight a platform Chicago-based intersectional Nausheen Dadabhoy is a
(Executive Produced by Matt Damon & Ben television. OTV produces and exhibits Pakistani-American director
Affleck), among several others. Brown also indie TV and video art both online and and cinematographer from
served as an executive producer on Lee in Chicago. OTV advances organic, California. As a
Daniels’ STAR o n FOX and Disney sustainable, local, digital, artist- and cinematographer Nausheen
Channel’s Zombies. Prior to Gamechanger, community-driven TV through research has lensed a number of narrative and
Brown founded Duly Noted Inc., a company and development. documentary films: The Remix: Hip Hop X
dedicated to ground-breaking narratives Fashion (2019), which premiered at the
that use genre to challenge and advance Dr. Christian has served as a curator Tribeca Film Festival and is currently
our culture in a disruptive way. Brown’s and judge of leading award shows and streaming on Netflix; La Femme et Le TGV
dream is to change the world through film festivals, including the Peabody Awards, (2016), a live-action short Oscar® nominee;
and TV – celebrating our differences while Gotham Awards, Project Greenlight Digital the Emmy Award winning Armed with Faith
bringing us all closer together. Studios, Tribeca Film Festival, Outfest, (2018, additional cinematographer); Girl
Streamy Awards, IAWTV Awards, and Unbound: War to Be Her (2016), which
Bronwyn Cornelius is a Satellite Awards. During his doctoral premiered at TIFF and aired on POV;
Sundance and SXSW Grand studies Christian worked as an education Conscience Point (2019), which aired on
Jury Award-winning producer, fellow for the Philadelphia Museum of Independent Lens, and J’adore Nawal a
and Independent Spirit Award Art, running the Film@Perelman short film short for HBO Documentaries (2018),
nominee for Best Feature. Her series and lecturing on film as part of its which premiered at Sundance.
independently produced features include education programming.
awards’ contender and 2019 Sundance The Ground Beneath Their Feet
Grand Jury Prize winner Clemency (NEON/ Liesl Copland is a Partner at (2014)—her directorial debut following
Focus), SXSW Grand Jury Award winner Endeavor Content where she two Pakistani women after the 2005
Made In China (IFC), festival winner heads up the Non-Scripted earthquake—premiered at IDFA in the first
Greencard Warriors (AMC/HBO + over 3 Advisory practice, overseeing appearance competition. She is currently
million online views), as well as other feature documentaries and directing her second feature film, An Act of
narrative features, shorts, and socially- premium non-fiction series and providing Worship, about the last 20 years of Muslim
minded documentaries. strategic advice to the studio’s growing life in America.
production partners. A 20-year
An ardent supporter of female content entertainment industry veteran, Copland In addition to her work as a filmmaker
creators, and empowering diverse has worked in the specialty film sector for Nausheen also works as an educator. She
voices behind and in front of the camera, most of her career with the goal of is currently a lecturer at the University
Bronwyn is currently developing a slate democratizing distribution for unique, of California Berkeley Graduate School
of female-driven film and television independently produced projects. of Journalism. Recently she’s been a
projects. Bronwyn remains an advisor for cinematography mentor for the Re-Present
US and international media entities and Prior to joining Endeavor in 2008, Liesl Media and Chicken & Egg Pictures. She
entertainment financiers, is Board Chair acted as the Head of Red Envelope received her MFA in Cinematography from
Emerita and remains actively involved Entertainment, the former original content the American Film Institute Conservatory.
with the international non-profit GlobalGirl division of Netflix, where she oversaw the
Media, and is a member of BAFTA, acquisition, marketing and distribution Deniese Davis is a Television
SAG-AFTRA and the Producers Guild of close to 100 films a year during their and Film Producer who got
of America. three years in existence. Prior to Red her start in the industry as a
Envelope, Liesl worked at New York-based line producer for indie
Aymar Jean “AJ” Christian is film financing and sales consultancy firm low-budget projects including
a scholar, media producer, Cinetic Media, where she concentrated music videos, short films and digital
and social practice artist primarily on film and documentary sales content. In the web-series realm she is
exploring the convergence of and the launch of their US ancillary best known for producing Issa Rae’s
television, video art, and business. Her previous entertainment award-winning web series The Mis-
10Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. She is Angie Gaffney, Executive feature Blonde, Jon Stewart’s feature
currently a Supervising Producer on the Director, IFA Chicago, Irresistible, and Miranda July’s Kajillionaire
HBO critically acclaimed and Emmy Producer + Life Coach Angie which premiered at Sundance.
nominated comedy series Insecure and a champions leadership and
Producer on Robin Thede’s Emmy well-being in creatives, artists, Makiah Green is a life-loving
nominated HBO series A Black Lady and entrepreneurs. entrepreneur and
Sketch Show. In addition to producing entertainment activist. Makiah
projects for Issa Rae Productions, she also As a community leader, Angie’s latest currently works creatively as a
serves as COO of the management initiative is The Independent Film Alliance Manager of Original Series at
company ColorCreative which provides Chicago, a result of the recent merger Netflix, where she has worked on a number
access and opportunities for diverse and between IFP Chicago and Stage 18 of hit shows including Dead to Me, Master
emerging writers. Originally from Las Chicago. As a life and leadership coach, of None, Dear White People and Gentefied.
Vegas NV, Deniese is an alum of CUNY- Angie specializes in working with creatives, Through her work, she aims to inform and
Brooklyn College and the American Film leaders, executives, and organizations to empower communities through media, tech,
Institute Conservatory. help them channel their power, manifest and community organizing. She previously
financial stability, and take their future into worked as a Creative Executive at MACRO,
Erica Duffy Since moving to their own hands. where she developed films including Judas
Chicago six years ago, and the Black Messiah, Sorry to Bother You
entrepreneur and production As a producer, Angie develops authentic and Really Love. She is also the Founder of
powerhouse, Erica Duffy has independent film and television content, Black Book LA, a thriving community of
founded and grown Camera and is an expert on the growing Chicago over 20,000 people that connects Black
Ambassador. They are known for being film scene. Her production company, Black millennials to the best events and Black-
one of the most reliable and artist-friendly Apple Media, has been active since 2010. owned businesses in the Greater Los
camera, grip, and electric rental companies Angeles area. Makiah is a double graduate
in the country. Operating out of a self build, Angie was born and raised in Boulder, of the University of Southern California with
6,000sq ft industrial loft space adjacent to Colorado and is a proud graduate a Master’s degree in Professional Writing
CineSpace that features automated prep of DePaul University, and an adjunct and a B.A. in English-Creative Writing.
bays, a client snack bar, a podcast booth, professor at The Harold Ramis Film
video editing suites, an event space, and School. Shout outs go to her family, Eugene Hernandez is
co-working offices. Erica also keeps her man, her dog, and her high school Director of the New York Film
herself busy producing for clients that softball coach. Festival and Publisher of Film
range from independent artists in music Comment at Film at Lincoln
and film to global advertisements and Dede Gardner is an Academy Center where he serves as
commercials. Her newest passion is Award-winning producer and Deputy Executive Director. His duties
leading as the executive director of the Co-President of Brad Pitt’s include strategic leadership, programming
Midwest Film Festival. She has a strong production company, Plan B special events, and managing emerging
adoration for growing and supporting the Entertainment. Throughout her artist, industry, and education initiatives.
local film community and feels fortunate to career, she has produced many Academy He joined Film at Lincoln Center in 2010 as
be able to immerse herself in this everyday. Award and Golden Globe-nominated and Director of Digital Strategy to develop
winning films including: Barry Jenkins’ If digital platforms and content. In 1996,
Joshua A. Foster is a Beale Street Could Talk and Moonlight, Hernandez co-founded IndieWire, which he
graduate of the prestigious Adam McKay’s The Big Short and Vice, built over 15 years as it became the
NYU Tisch MFA graduate film Ava DuVernay’s Selma, Steve McQueen’s leading editorial publication for
program. Joshua produced or 12 Years a Slave and Terrence Malick’s independent and international films,
directed sixteen short films Palme d’Or-winning The Tree of Life. filmmakers, industry, and audiences. He
while at NYU Tisch. He has over twenty was named on Out magazine’s OUT100 list
years of experience in the financial sector Recently, she released James Gray’s Ad in 2015 and has served as a juror at
trading futures contracts, M&A and Astra and David Michôd’s The King - Plan Sundance, SXSW, and the Film
managing high net worth clients’ assets. B’s second feature with both directors. In Independent Spirit Awards. He has also
Currently, he resides in New York City TV, she is in production on Barry Jenkins’ worked extensively as a consultant for
working as an executive for Cinetic Media Underground Railroad, Dennis Kelly’s Third several nonprofits, including the Creative
in the film finance and production Day starring Jude Law and Naomie Harris, Capital Foundation; written for major print
department. He most recently represented Americanah created by Danai Gurira and online publications; serves on the board
Cinetic Media on the Ethan Hawke directed and starring Lupita Nyong’o, and Lego of advisors for SXSW, SeriesFest, and Art
film, Blaze, and he was the UPM for the Masters hosted by Will Arnett. She is also House Convergence; and is a programming
feature, Lost Holiday. producing Andrew Dominik’s upcoming consultant for the Key West Film Festival.
11Darcy Heusel is VP of Array Releasing has distributed feature founding member of the Los Angeles-
Audience Engagement and films since 2011 including Andrew based Lower Depth Theatre and has
Impact at NEON. She also Dosunmu’s Restless City and Haile appeared on stage in both LA and
co-heads SUPER LTD, Gerima’s Ashes and Embers. Working Chicago. Her film and television credits
NEON’s boutique distribution as Manager of Production for Forward include G.O.D. (Best Screenplay at ABFF),
division. She has worked on the Movement, Jones served as a producer Lucky, Beyond the Pretty Door, Barry
acquisitions, distribution, and traditional for all of the company’s visual product. Her Munday, NCIS: Los Angeles, Rake,
and social impact marketing for film credits include: Oscar® nominated and Parenthood, Bones, Strong Medicine, Eli
independent films across the last decade. four-time EMMY winner 13th, Middle of Stone, Without a Trace, The Young and The
Before joining NEON, Darcy was Senior Nowhere, This is Life, I Will Follow, August Restless, Monk and Boston Legal.
Vice President of Impact at Picture Motion, 28: A Day in the Life of a People, Family
a marketing and advocacy firm for social Feud and Oscar® nominated Selma as well John Logan received the
issue films. In this role, she built and as acclaimed fashion and beauty films for Tony, Drama Desk, Outer
executed national social action campaigns Prada and Fashion Fair, The Door and Say Critic Circle and Drama
for narrative and documentary projects Yes, respectively. Her television credits League awards for his play
including Lion, America Divided, Fed Up, include: BET’s Black Girls Rock, My Mic Red. This play has had more
Fruitvale Station, and Bully. Prior to Picture Sounds Nice, John Legend Interludes Live, than 400 productions across the US and
Motion, Darcy served as the Director of Essence Music Festival 2010, and ESPN over 160 foreign productions in 25
Programming and Marketing at Films’ Venus Vs. languages. He is the author of more than a
Constellation.tv and the Director of dozen other plays including Peter and
Acquisitions and Marketing at Screen Ian Keiser began his career in Alice, I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue
Media Films. film at 18 when he cast a Mengers and Never the Sinner. Musical
young Jack McBrayer (Emmy theatre work includes Moulin Rouge, The
Nate Hurtsellers is a Nominated) in his first feature Last Ship, Superhero and Swept Away. He
commercial and narrative role. Since then he has is the proud recipient of the O’Neill Theater
cinematographer based in produced movies starring such talent as Center’s 2019 Monte Cristo award. As a
NYC. He received his Ruby Dee (Oscar® Nominated) and screenwriter, Logan has been three times
Bachelor’s degree from New Christopher Lloyd (Emmy Winner). He has nominated for the Oscar® and has received
York University and his Masters in produced films that won audience and jury Golden Globe, BAFTA, WGA, Edgar, and
Cinematography at the American Film awards at festivals such as SXSW and PEN Center awards. His film work includes
Institute. His work has played at festivals Tribeca. Those films have gone on to find Skyfall, Spectre, Hugo, The Aviator,
around the world, including Camerimage, success showing on platforms like Gladiator, Rango, Alien: Covenant, Genius,
Tribeca, SXSW, Cannes and Sundance. Showtime and Netflix. Coriolanus, Sweeney Todd, The Last
Samurai, Any Given Sunday and RKO 281.
Tilane Jones has worked Aijah Keith serves as the He created and produced the television
with award-winning filmmaker Acquisitions Manager at IFC series Penny Dreadful and Penny Dreadful:
Ava DuVernay for over ten Films. During her tenure, she City of Angels for Showtime.
years. Beginning with the has aided in securing over 180
public relations and titles for the company’s three Mynette Louie is an Emmy-
promotional company, The DuVernay film labels: IFC Films, Sundance Selects nominated, Spirit Award-
Agency as well as production entity and IFC Midnight. winning producer. Credits
Forward Movement, then leading include I Carry You with Me
DuVernay’s grass-roots film distribution Yvonne Huff Lee is Co-CEO (Sundance 2020, Sony
collective ARRAY Releasing as Vice of Lagralane Group. She is a Pictures Classics), Swallow (Tribeca 2019,
President. In 2019, she was appointed producer, actor, philanthropist IFC Films), The Tale (Sundance 2018,
President of ARRAY. Jones now leads and mother to three with her HBO), Gemini (SXSW 2017, NEON/Sony),
Array Alliance, the non-profit dedicated to husband and co-founder, The Invitation (SXSW 2015, Drafthouse/
social impact and education, as well as Jason Delane Lee. Yvonne is inspired by Netflix), Land Ho! (Sundance 2014, Sony
The Array Creative Campus, a three- the female experience and seeks to elevate Pictures Classics), Children of Invention
building compound for production and both female-driven narratives and women’s (Sundance 2009), and Mutual Appreciation
public programming focused on perspectives. Recent producing credits (SXSW 2006). Mynette is on Film
marginalized filmmakers. She will continue include EP G.O.D., EP The Blood Is At The Independent’s Board of Directors and
to oversee Array Releasing, the company’s Doorstep, EP The Body Remembers When advises Sundance Institute, SXSW,
film distribution arm, where she has been the World Broke Open, Co-EP Icarus, Tribeca, and IFP. She was named one of
responsible for the acquisition, booking Co-EP This is Home, AP Night Comes On, Business Insider’s “12 Movie Producers at
and marketing of the collective 25+ films. AP Unrest, EP Served Like a Girl. She is a the Top of Their Game to Watch in 2020
12and Beyond,” Ted Hope’s “21 Brave series Swamp Thing, Amazon’s Sneaky Kelly O’Sullivan is a writer
Thinkers of Truly Free Film,” and Indiewire’s Pete, and the Arthouse film Hummingbird. and actor originally from North
“100 Filmmakers to Follow on Twitter.” She He has also recurred on titles such as the Little Rock, Arkansas. Her first
won the 2013 Independent Spirit Piaget Amazon series Betas, and has appeared feature screenplay, Saint
Producers Award and is a member of the on The Flash, Disjointed, Hawaii 5-0, Royal Frances premiered at South
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Pains, Bones, Franklin & Bash, and Stalker. by Southwest, where it won a Special Jury
Sciences. A native New Yorker, Mynette Recognition for “Breakthrough Voice” and
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard, Brian Newman, founder of the Audience Award for Narrative Feature.
concentrating in Chinese literature and film. Sub-Genre, consults on The film was released theatrically by
content development, Oscilloscope Laboratories in 2020. Kelly
Scott Macaulay is the distribution and marketing to was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s
co-founder and Editor-in-Chief help connect brands with “25 New Faces of Independent Film” and
of Filmmaker Magazine as filmmakers with audiences. Clients include: was a member of Film at Lincoln Center’s
well as an independent film Patagonia, REI, IBM, Yeti Coolers, New 2019 Artist Academy. She is proudly
producer who heads the New York Times, Shopify Studios, Stripe, represented by William Morris Endeavor
York-based company Forensic Films. Unilever, and Zero Point Zero. Brian is the and currently resides in Chicago.
Among his feature producing credits are producer of The Outside Story (Tribeca
Kitty Green’s The Assistant and Casting Film Festival, 2020), and Love & Ross Putnam After
JonBenet, Elisabeth Subrin’s A Woman, A Taxes, and executive producer of Shored graduating from USC’s School
Part, Peter Sollett’s Raising Victor Vargas, Up. Brian has served as CEO of the of Cinematic Arts, Ross
Harmony Korine’s julien donkey-boy and Tribeca Film Institute, and is the founder of Putman started his career as a
Tom Noonan’s What Happened Was... the Brand/Foundation Alliance. development executive before
transitioning to independent film
Ilyse McKimmie is the Deputy Ryan Oestreich is a veteran production. The company he co-founded,
Director for Sundance of film exhibition. For the past PSH Collective, went on to produce the
Institute’s Feature Film 15 years, Ryan has worked in Sundance award winning drama First Girl I
Program. She oversees the not-for-profit film societies, Loved and the Emma Roberts rom-com In
Directors and Screenwriters large-scale movies, theater a Relationship. His latest film, Plus One
Labs and the Screenwriters Intensive, chains, nationally and internationally won the audience award at the Tribeca
provides year-round creative and strategic known film festivals, as well as Film Festival. Ross recently transitioned to
support to alumni filmmakers, and plays a independently-owned movie houses. Ryan a job at the literary and talent agency
key role in the Creative Producing Program is currently the General Manager of the Verve, working in their independent film
and Episodic Labs. Films developed at the historic Music Box Theatre. Ryan also sales and finance division.
Labs during her tenure include The works with Music Box Films distribution
40-Year-Old Version, Miss Juneteenth, The company on a number of film releases, as Elsa Ramo, Managing
Last Black Man in San Francisco, The well as other business management needs Partner, Ramo Law PC.
Farewell, Sorry to Bother You, We the for the company. Recently named to Variety’s
Animals, Beach Rats, Swiss Army Man, “2020 Legal Impact Report”
Diary of a Teenage Girl, Fruitvale Station, Nick Ogiony is a CAA Media and 2019 “Dealmakers List,”
Beasts of the Southern Wild, Pariah, Sin Finance Agent at leading Elsa Ramo represented over 100 films and
Nombre, Red Road, Me and You and entertainment and sports 50 television scripted and unscripted series
Everyone We Know, Paradise Now, and agency Creative Artists in 2019 alone, providing comprehensive
Maria Full of Grace, among many others. Agency (CAA). Ogiony is legal services to producers, financiers,
Before joining Sundance over 20 years ago, based in the Los Angeles office and creators and owners of film, television and
she held positions at ICM and Red Wagon represents many of the world’s leading digital content and projects across a range
Entertainment. She is a graduate of UCLA’s producers, directors, and independent of budgets and production levels.
School of Theater, Film and Television. films. Following his passion for
independent and international cinema, he Her clients include Imagine Entertainment,
Leonardo Nam Award- became the assistant for the co-heads of Fox, Balboa Productions (Sylvester
nominated actor Leonardo William Morris Independent, Cassian Elwes Stallone’s production company), Scout
Nam can currently be seen and Rena Ronson. He joined CAA in 2009. Productions (creators and EPs of Queer
reprising his fan-favorite role Ogiony graduated from Boston University Eye), Boardwalk Pictures (EPs for Chefs
as Felix Lutz for season three with a degree in Film. Table), LOL (Kevin Hart’s production
of the critically acclaimed, award-winning company), The Jim Henson Company,
HBO series Westworld. Recent notable and Skydance.
credits for Nam include the DC Universe
LEONARDO NAM
1
13Elsa dedicates substantial time to Pennsylvania Law School. Brenda is a Betsy Steinberg is a media
mentoring women through various partner in Gamechanger Films, an equity consultant advising
organizations; and she has become a go-to fund that finances feature films and organizations and film projects
commentator and instructor on legal issues television series by women and diverse on fundraising, financing,
related to film financing and on the future storytellers. She is also active in the marketing and creative
of the industry. Sundance Institute as a member of the development. She was instrumental in the
Women at Sundance Leadership Council creation of the Independent Film Alliance,
Gil L. Robertson IV knows and separately serves as an advisor to The Chicago, where she serves as Director of
firsthand how words and Redford Center. As a dedicated Strategic Initiatives. From 2015-2018, she
images enlighten, uplift and philanthropist in the arts and entertainment was Executive Director of Kartemquin
empower. As an entertainment community and advocate on behalf of Films, where she served as executive
journalist, the one-time creative artists, Brenda currently serves on producer on Academy Award nominated
political organizer excelled, penning over the boards of Film Independent, The documentaries Abacus: Small Enough to
50 national magazine covers, contributing Representation Project and the International Jail, Edith+Eddie, and Minding the Gap as
bylines to a wide range of publications, Documentary Association (IDA). She is a well as nine other projects including Steve
including the Los Angeles Times, Atlanta founding advisory board member of the James’ epic series America to Me. Prior to
Journal-Constitution, Billboard, Fortune, USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. She is her time at Kartemquin, Steinberg was the
Essence and Ebony, as well as launching also a proud board member of Cinema/ Director of the Illinois Film office from
his own nationally syndicated arts and Chicago and the Chicago International Film 2007-2015, where she was integral to
lifestyle column, The Robertson Treatment, Festival and currently serves as legal unprecedented growth for Chicago’s film
with a reach of nearly two million. His many counsel to the festival, known as the longest industry by launching the state’s 30% film
books, including the resource guide Writing running international competitive film tax credit and helping to guide the
As A Tool of Empowerment, the festival in North America. Brenda was most development of Cinespace Chicago Film
anthologies Not In My Family: AIDS in the recently a financier on the Academy Studios. Earlier in her career, Steinberg
African American Community, Family Affair: Award-winning documentary Icarus as well developed, produced, directed and wrote
What It Means to Be African American as Won’t You Be My Neighbor and Step. television projects for History, A&E,
Today and Where Did Our Love Go: Love She is an executive producer on numerous National Geographic and the Discovery
and Relationships in the African American projects including United Skates, alongside Networks. She was named Chicagoan of
Community and Book of Black Heroes: executive producer John Legend; The Great the Year in Film by the Chicago Tribune in
Political Leaders Past & Present, raise American Lie by director Jennifer Siebel 2015 and has served on the boards of the
issues of critical importance to the Black Newsom; Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Chicago Media Project, Free Spirit Media
community. In his critical role leading the Story, alongside executive producer Steph and The Midwest Independent Film
African American Film Critics Association Curry and Marian Anderson: The Whole Festival. She has been a member of World
(AAFCA), the largest collection of Black film World In Her Hands for PBS’ American Business Chicago’s ChicagoMade
critics in North America known for its Masters series. Advisory Committee, The Chicago
diversity and inclusion advocacy work Community Trust’s Collaboratory, and the
within the industry as well as the AAFCA Dan Rybicky is a filmmaker Governor’s Roundtable on the Creative
Awards and other programs celebrating and professor at Columbia Arts. She is passionate about independent
Black excellence, the Cal State alum College Chicago whose short storytelling originating in her adopted
continues his successful track record as documentary about healthcare hometown, Chicago.
both a change agent and thought leader. Accident, MD won Vimeo’s
As a public ambassador for diversity within “Best of the Year” Award in January 2020 Alex Thompson is a
the industry, Robertson appears on after receiving a favorable review in The Chicago-based director
television regularly and lectures nationally New Yorker and being broadcast nationally whose debut feature, Saint
on such issues as fostering diverse on PBS/Independent Lens in 2019. Dan Frances, won the Audience
representation in the entertainment industry. produced and co-directed Kartemquin Award and the Special Jury
Films’ critically-acclaimed feature Prize for Breakthrough Voice at the 2019
Brenda Robinson is an documentary Almost There, which was SXSW Film Festival. It’s currently being
entertainment attorney whose distributed theatrically, digitally, and on distributed domestically by Oscilloscope
law practice focuses on public television in 2016. Be on the lookout Laboratories and opened in the UK this
intellectual property and for his latest short documentaries Larry from month with Vertigo Releasing. He is one of
entertainment matters on Gary (about a dedicated dance teacher in Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of
behalf of clients in the film, television and Gary, Indiana) and Stormy and the Admirals Independent Film” and teaches at DePaul
music industries. She is a graduate of the (about a group of elderly feminists in and DePauw University.
University of Michigan and obtained her Chicago who go see Stormy Daniels strip) in
law degree from the University of 2020-2021. danrybicky.com
14Lisa Trifone A Chicago native, Yvonne Welbon is a Senior Ariane Wu is an Executive for
Trifone has always known Creative Consultant at Original Documentary
she’d work in movies. To date, Chicken & Egg Pictures. She Features and Limited Series at
that work includes film festival is an award-winning filmmaker Netflix. She also leads
management, programming and founder and CEO of the programming for their
and marketing (Heartland Film; Indy Film Chicago-based non-profit Sisters in documentary shorts.
Fest); publicity management and logistics Cinema. She has produced and distributed
(Sundance Film Festival); arthouse dozens of films including Living With Pride: Joe Yanick is a film
distribution strategy, marketing and Ruth Ellis @100, winner of ten best professional specializing in
national publicity (Film Movement; Music documentary awards and Sisters in sales, distribution, production,
Box Films) and now several years at the Cinema, a documentary on the history of and film festivals. In 2018 he
helm of the agency she founded in 2017. black women feature film directors. Her co-founded Yellow Veil
work has been broadcast on PBS, Starz/ Pictures, a worldwide sales company
Notable and recent clients include Encore, TV-ONE, IFC, Bravo, the Sundance focusing on boundary-pushing genre
Flannery, the first ever winner of the Channel, BET, HBO, Netflix, iTunes and cinema, with Hugues Barbier and
Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns screened in over one hundred film festivals Justin Timms.
Prize for Film; Working Man (Brainstorm around the world. Projects in development
Media), starring Peter Gerety, Talia Shire include The Spies Who Loved Me, a
and Billy Brown; and Once Upon a River thrilling exposé on surveillance which
(Film Movement), the critically acclaimed focuses on the six-years she lived in Taipei,
adaptation of the popular young adult Taiwan and American Pride, a Black
novel. Trifone has worked with some of the lesbian coming-of-age series set on the
most acclaimed arthouse distributors in the south-side of Chicago. She has taught at
industry, including Music Box Films, Cohen the University of Chicago, Northwestern
Media Group, American Masters and University and chaired the Journalism &
IFC Films. Media Studies Department at Bennett
College. Raised in an Afro-Latinx Honduran
In addition to her agency work, household on the South Side of Chicago,
Trifone is a member of the Chicago Welbon holds a B.A from Vassar College, a
Film Critics Association and serves as a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of
project & program consultant with Full Chicago, a Ph.D. from Northwestern
Spectrum Features. University, and is a graduate of the
American Film Institute’s Directing
Workshop for Women. In 2020 she became
a member of the Documentary branch
of the Academy of Motion Pictures
and Sciences.
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