May 1 at 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
From Kit Williamson, creator of the Emmy-winning series EastSiders on Netflix, Unconventional follows two eccentric, queer siblings and their significant others, as they try to start an unconventional family, try to stay sane in an unstable world and, most importantly, try to hold onto the bonds they share.
In Attendance
Speaker
Kit
Williamson
Actor / Creator / Writer
Bio
Coming Soon!
Speaker
James
Bland
Actor, Writer, Director, Producer, Cold Iron Pictures
Bio
James Bland is a multi-hyphenate creative best known for creating and starring in the Emmy Award-winning drama series GIANTS. As a director, he helmed the HBO documentary special INSECURE: THE END. As a writer, he co-wrote the final episode of THE BEST MAN: THE FINAL CHAPTERS. Both projects received an NAACP Image Award nomination. James’ acting credits include INSECURE (HBO), ALWAYS A BRIDESMAID (NETFLIX), and UNSOLVED: THE MURDERS OF TUPAC & THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. (USA). He recently co-starred in the romance drama HIGHTIDE which made its world premiered at SXSW 2024.
Speaker
Aubrey
Shea
Actor
Bio
Aubrey Shea is a queer actor & electronic jazz musician from the swamps of Florida. They grew up working in professional theater by age ten. After deferring Harvard, they joined ABC’s Nashville, touring the country & performing at the Grand Ole Opry. They have since shot several indie films including their writing/directorial debut “Decadeless,” premiering at POWfest in 2019. Aubrey’s debut album “Happy Birthday” released November 26, 2021 under their musical alter ego “swampz.” While sonically referencing jazz, film score, & 80s synth pop, this album thematically focuses on mental health. They currently lead Kit Williamson’s new LGBTQIA+ tv series “Unconventional” as Margot.
Speaker
Miranda
Bailey
CEO, Cold Iron Pictures/The Film Arcade
Bio
Miranda Bailey is an award-winning writer and director. Her directorial debut GREENLIT premiered at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival to critical acclaim and was acquired by IFC International. For her second documentary, THE PATHOLOGICAL OPTIMIST, Bailey spent seven years following one of the world’s most controversial people, Dr. Andrew Wakefield.
Bailey’s directorial narrative feature debut BEING FRANK premiered in the Spotlight Section at the 2018 SXSW Film Festival, and was theatrically released June 2019. She assembled a decorated cast, including Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer and New York Times best-selling author Jim Gaffigan and two-time Emmy-winning actress Anna Gunn.
Moderator
Dino-Ray
Ramos
Entertainment Consultant, GLAAD
Bio
Dino-Ray Ramos is an award-winning journalist and podcast host. He currently works as a entertainment and media consultant for GLAAD. In 2021, he launched the media platform DIASPORA, spotlighting underrepresented voices in film and TV. His previous work can be seen in Deadline Hollywood, Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, Bustle, Paste Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, and Oakland Tribune. He has also consulted for Amazon Studios/MGM Studios, Hulu, Lionsgate, Film Independent, CAPE, CAAM and other companies.
