SeriesFest: Season 11 • April 30–May 4, 2025 • Denver, CO
SeriesFest
A Celebration of Episodic Storytelling
SeriesFest Team
Staff
Randi Kleiner
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Randi Kleiner is a producer and entrepreneur. Serving as co-Founder and CEO of SeriesFest, her interest and love for episodic storytelling was ignited and developed while working for the Public Theater and later producing events for the Film Society of Lincoln Center, including the renowned 17- day New York Film Festival, New Directors/New Films in collaboration with MoMA, and the prestigious Chaplin Award Gala. Randi also owns Trifecta Studios, an Event Production Agency that works with major brands, including Marc Jacobs, Macallan, WWD, Sephora, Godiva, and Pepsi, to produce experiential events around the world. Utilizing emerging trends, talents, and technologies, Trifecta Studios generates custom marketing campaigns that include creative brand integration and consumer activations. Recently, Randi teamed up with Vulcan Productions, Oceanic Preservation Society, and Obscura Digital to produce the first-ever projection events promoting climate change and endangered species on the Empire State Building and Vatican for the Racing Extinction Campaign. Randi is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Kaily Smith
Co-Founder
Originally from Colorado, Kaily received her BFA in Acting from USC. After graduating, Kaily’s love for storytelling bore life to her production company, Red Ladders Entertainment. Simultaneously with producing films and series, she acted in projects such as The Office, Gilmore Girls, and Broadway’s The Performers, among others. In 2009, Kaily created, wrote, and starred in the award-winning digital series MERRIme.com. Since then she has gone on to star in The Orchard’s, People You May Know, executive produce the Sundance Audience Award winning feature, Burden, and helm the short film, Just Between Us. Kaily is also proud to be the co-founder of SeriesFest, a non-profit organization and festival which champions artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling.
Claire Taylor
Chief Programming Officer
A local to the snowy slopes of Keystone, Colorado, Claire Taylor graduated from University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies with an emphasis on Acting and Education. After graduation, she said a teary goodbye to wide open spaces (insert The Chicks lyrics here) and moved to New York City (cue Sopranos theme song) where she focused on applying her passion for storytelling through producing theater and developing television for Triptyk Studios, who are best known for An American In Paris, You're Welcome America, Amelie: The Musical, and Xanadu. Thrilled to be back in her home state after 7 years in the Big Apple, Claire has been a proud member of the SeriesFest team since Season One where she oversees all festival and year-round programming. 
Lauren Grimshaw Sloan
Director of Artist Development
Lauren Grimshaw Sloan is an independent producer and former Deputy Film Commissioner of the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media where she was responsible for attracting film production to the state and administering Colorado's film incentive program. She worked to bring FURIOUS 7, COP CAR and Quentin Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT to Colorado along with numerous films. Prior to moving to Denver in 2013, she served as Production Executive at Red Crown Productions, a New York based independent film production company. Lauren’s credits include WHAT MAISIE KNEW (Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård), GOATS (David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga) and THE ROMANTICS (Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel), which all debuted at premiere festivals including the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. Originally from Chicago and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids.
Patrick O’Brien
Director of Partnerships
Patrick O’Brien is excited to join SeriesFest after watching it burst onto the scene in 2015 during his tenure as Development Director with Denver Film. Prior to moving to Colorado from Los Angeles in 2009, Patrick led agency teams’ efforts managing activation programs for Miller Brewing Company’s sports and entertainment sponsorships in major markets throughout the Western US, and later securing product placements in television and films for key clients HP, Sony PlayStation, and Allied Domecq. Having studied English and Public Relations at the University of Texas at Austin, he has spent the last seven years programming arts-focused events, which includes directing the Salida Film Festival, for the city of Salida, CO, where he lives with his husband and enjoys both the arts and outdoor recreation the mountain town offers.
Jacob Cummings
Marketing Manager
Jacob is a marketer & designer based in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Indiana, he graduated from IUPUI with a BFA focusing on visual communication and photography. In his spare time, he enjoys a healthy balance of binging TV and rolling around in a sunny park with friends and dogs. He has been attending the festival since Season 1, and is thrilled to have been a part of the SeriesFest team since Season 8!
Nicole Barker
Education and Programming Manager
Nicole is a Denver-based artist and storyteller. A graduate of the University of Denver with degrees in both Film and Environmental Science, she has always been passionate about using media to inspire positive collective change. Her drive to show the world through underrepresented perspectives led her down the path of programming. She is thrilled to be in her third festival year with SeriesFest. Outside of SeriesFest, she is the Assistant Producer on the Emmy award winning Denver-based documentary “The Holly”. 
Elise Dapper
Executive Assistant
Elise is a Denver native and a recent graduate of University of Colorado Boulder with a BA in Cinema Studies, focused on critical analysis. Her senior year she completed her honors thesis focusing on the way the Doppelganger genre explores identity, psychology, and relationships in female-centered film narratives. She has been passionate about film and writing since a young age, and is excited to start her journey at SeriesFest.
Paige Miltenberger
Marketing Coordinator
Paige is an LA local new to Denver with 6 years of experience in film and TV development (Broadway Video, Paramount Players) and production (Westworld, American Horror Story) and 3 years in impact marketing with various non-profits. She graduated from Chapman University with a bachelor’s degree in film production and emphasis in directing. She’s directed two of her own sci-fi films, which has played at festivals all over the country. She’s excited to work as a Marketing Coordinator for her second year at SeriesFest: Season 11 to combine her love of storytelling with her passion for non-profits that affect meaningful change. 
Brian Brooks
Director of Special Projects & Talent
Brian Brooks co-produces several programs at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, including its popular year-round talk series with filmmakers and talent, and oversees the organization’s industry outreach and special. He also spearheads specialty box office coverage for Deadline Hollywood with twice weekly columns. Brian has regularly attended film festivals throughout North America, Europe, and Korea since serving in his former position as managing editor of Indiewire, where he wrote daily interviews, news stories, event coverage and photography throughout the 2000s in addition to guiding the daily content of the site. A native of California, Brian spent a year-and-a-half living in Japan following graduation from UCLA in the late '90s. He has served on festival juries at SXSW, Seattle, Denver, Sarasota, Cleveland and Florida film festivals.
Jenna Curtis
Special Events Manager
Julia Grinberg
Guest Relations Manager
SeriesFest: Season 9 marks Julia Grinberg's second year as the festival's Guest Relations Manager. She has also held the position with the Tribeca Film Festival, Philadelphia Film Festival, and the Mill Valley Film Festival. Prior to immersing herself in the world of festivals, Julia worked in different corners of the industry including talent management, development, production, and distribution. 
Jack Heggi
Credentials Manager
Bita Khorrami
Music Producer
A graduate of the University of Texas, Bita Khorrami is the CEO of BK Consulting, a management consulting firm that contracts with entertainers, athletes, and non-profit organizations, effectively managing complex client needs with ever-changing priorities. With over 10 years of industry experience, Bita specializes in project management, event planning, and acting as key contact and liaison with A-List celebrities and brands. Bita is thrilled to have been on the SeriesFest Team since Season One!
Katy King
Operations Manager
Katy is a recent Denver transplant, who moved her husband and daughter from South Carolina to follow her dreams in the entertainment festival world. She started her journey by producing parties and events for Regal Cinemas, making her Operational debut at Sundance in 2023, then moving to Denver to work at venues such as Red Rocks, Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Fiddlers Green, Ball Arena, and the Chautauqua Auditorium (in Boulder). After returning to Sundance in 2024 as the Operations Manager for the Institute, Katy has decided to concentrate more on the film and television industry and is very excited to join SeriesFest as Operations Manager for its 10th Season!
Sergio Andrés Lobo-Navia
Technical Director
Sergio is a filmworker and filmmaker whose first documentary feature George Dureau: New Orleans Artist premiered at the 2023 New Orleans Film Festival.
Alex Mitchell
Storyteller's Program Manager
Alexandra “Alex” Mitchell was born, raised, and found her love of festivals in St. Louis, Missouri. After advancing vertically at Austin Film Festival and contributing across various roles and departments, Alex served as the Short Film Programmer and Interim Film Competition Director. A detour to learn about farming surprisingly landed Alex a position with SeriesFest as the Programming Manager for Season 7 and served as a Programmer for Season 8. Alex is excited to be back again, now as the Storytellers Program Manager to continue her love of the medium and celebrate writers. Outside of SeriesFest, Alex works in Production Management for Animated Films in Los Angeles, CA.
Kristen Pettit
Head of Special Events
Caleb Ward
Late Night Programmer
Caleb Ward has been part of SeriesFest since its inaugural season in 2015 and since has become the Late Night Program Manager. He also assists with the Independent Pilot Competition along with Rose McGowan’s Women’s Initiative. When not SeriesFesting his full time role is with Gravitas Ventures as both the Marketing and Theatrical Booking Coordinator as well as programming for the Cucalorus Film Festival. Caleb is based in Los Angeles, CA.
Evan Cannon
Mobile Cinema Lab Manager and Educator
A film and video director / producer, Evan has been working in production in Denver for over ten years. From working as a P.A. to writing to editing and finally directing and producing, Evan has developed a skill set across nearly all areas of creative video. Professionally, Evan has a deep background in educational video producing all kinds of video classes, How-Tos, and even children's educational content. In 2023, Evan co-directed an anthology of short films, "I Will Not Take Care of You," which was recently acquired by Gravitas Ventures and is his first film to receive distribution. Evan is currently in post-production on his first documentary, "Spectacular By Comparison." 
Hanah Chang
Educator
Hanah Chang is a Korean-American actor and writer splitting time between Denver, Colorado, and Chicago, Illinois. Like many other Asian-Americans in the entertainment industry, she hesitated for years before giving herself permission to pursue a non-traditional career. Now, she’s having the time of her life acting, writing, and filmmaking. Hanah played the lead in ‘Don’t Worry About It,’ which screened at Slamdance and Micheaux, and is now streaming on Omeleto. She wrote, directed, and acted in ‘I Wish I Were Pretty,’ which is currently in post-production. Hearing how her appearance in the Netflix karaoke reality show, ‘Sing On!’, influenced a family friend to pursue his own career in film has cemented her goal in increasing representation for Asian-Americans on either side of the camera. For more information, please check out www.hanahchang.com.
Marteene Diaz
Educator
Marteene is an experienced editor, director, and producer whose work spans documentaries, narratives, and commercials.
Frequently sought as an editor, Marteene has worked on a number of episodic shows, including an upcoming 10-part series on PBS. She has also cut numerous promotional spots for major networks like Starz and NBCUniversal.
As a director and producer, she has made commercials for clients both large and small.
Whatever the project, Marteene loves finding the heart of the story and making it sing. And as a queer woman of Chilean and Italian parents, she's especially passionate about stories that elevate diverse and marginalized voices.
When she's not immersed in work, you'll likely find Marteene catching up on the latest shows (and usually studying how they did it).
Davis Mawer
Educator
Davis has vast experience with all areas of video, film, and content creation - with his main focus on the editing and post production process. Davis has been devoted to his passion of story telling through editing since high school, whether it's through narrative projects, documentary stories, or short form social media content. His work has been recognized worldwide - with multiple short films he's worked on being selected into festivals across the globe. He was awarded a Student Production Award from the Heartland Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Marin Lepore
Educator
Marin is a Denver-based screenwriter, director, and activist who grew up in Colorado, and lived in Beijing from age ten to sixteen. Falling within these groups herself, Marin is passionate about creating inclusive films that celebrate women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ people. She graduated with a BFA in Film & Television from the University of Colorado Denver, where she also sat on the College of Arts and Media’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force. Marin loves her Colorado film community dearly— she previously served as a board member for Women in Film and Media Colorado, she was one of five chosen filmmakers in Cine Fe’s 2022 Fellowship program, and she currently serves on the film committee for the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival. Besides film, Marin enjoys juggling, board games, and collecting turtle figurines. For more information, see her website: marinlepore.com 
David Painter
Educator
David Painter is a young, creative, and ambitious Denver-based writer/director creating stories that ask different questions.
With over 10+ years of filmmaking experience, David has worked in the industry producing smaller scale videos for local clients, all the way up to working on large commercial sets with the likes of Peyton Manning, Deion Sanders, Russell Wilson, Jamal Murray and more. His work as a writer & director has been recognized around the country, and the world. From international film festivals, to official Heartland EMMY recognition and as a Student Production Award Winner from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
For more information on his creative work, visit his website at davidpainterfilm.comBoard of Directors
Jim Janicek
President & CEO of Janicek Media Creative, Inc.
Janicek Media Creative is a Colorado company founded in 1990. The firm has produced over 3500 hours of original programming and promotion for major networks and studios, including Comcast, NBC, Hallmark, Disney, and ABC. Jim is the creative and collaborative force behind five nine-figure brands with five to 18-year runs, including being the creator of ABC’s massive comedy series franchise "TGIF.”
From 1986-1990 At age 24, Jim served as one of the youngest Writer / Producers ever hired at ABC Entertainment Network in Los Angeles. There, he crafted on-air advertising and short-form programming for many of ABC’s favorite primetime shows, including Moonlighting, Full House, Perfect Strangers, Step By Step, Head Of The Class, Spenser: For Hire, and many others.
From 1988 to 2000, while at ABC, Jim became the creator and executive producer of ABC’s $450 million TGIF comedy franchise. Jim then went on to produce ABC Saturday Night Laughs and multiple ABC Primetime Specials. In 1990, at the encouragement of his boss and Bob Iger, Jim started his own production company with a 10-year production deal with ABC Cap Cities. In 2001, after becoming the proud father of twins, he was asked to create 13 new titles for Disney’s newly acquired Baby Einstein series, which helped grow US/UK sales to over $100 million per year.
Jim’s history also includes leading promotional launches of the Hallmark Channel, Starz/Encore, and programming specials for The Muppets, NBC “Must See TV” Primetime, FOX Kids, and Warner Bros. International.
From 2012 to 2020, Jim and his company spotted an opportunity in interactive television utilizing a new technology cable MSOs were experimenting with on addressable set-top boxes. Joining forces with Comcast, Jim’s company developed and produced the Xfinity Latino Channel. The channel broadcasts 24/7 to 23 million homes nationwide on linear cable, web, and mobile. The channel generated a 600% increase in viewer engagement for Comcast’s multicultural brand over a 24-month span from 2016 to 2018.
From 2020 forward, Jim joined producer Myrrha Satow to help her produce the family film Adeline. Together with ABC vet partner Rebecca Daugherty, he produced multiple ABC specials, including the launch of the Academy of Motion Picture Museum with Tom Hanks. In partnership with Brian Bird (Creator of Hallmarks When Calls The Heart), he produced two romantic comedies now streaming worldwide via UpTV and Daro Int’l Entertainment. Jim continues to develop TV series and movies with his next film starting production in January 2025.
In collaboration with the state of Colorado, Jim’s lead production and creative work on multiple video projects including campaigns for Colorado’s dynamic new Quantum Front Range for Governor Polis. In June of 2024, this effort became a key part of Colorado’s effort to successfully land 70M in federal funding, officially designating Colorado a US Quantum Tech Hub.
Finally, Jim has also dedicated time addressing youth mental health and how to stem the tide of suicide that seems to be plaguing our nation. He has worked directly with Colorado Attorney General Phil Wiser, the Office Of Behavioral Health, Safe To Tell, and national mental health experts to understand and engage teens and caregivers with multiple media campaigns aimed at bringing this issue to the forefront.
Jim is a voting member of the DGA (Directors Guild of America) and the WGA (Writers Guild of America). He lives in Denver, CO, and San Clemente, CA.
Betsy LeightonBoard Co-Chair
Producer / Writer, Call to Adventure Media
Robert LeightonBoard Co-Chair
SVP, Liberty Global
Britta EricksonBoard Secretary
Producer, Listen Productions
Steve SwobodaBoard Treasurer
Founder and Former COO/CFO, SpotX
Jonathan Alpert
Partner, Westfield Development Co.
Cheri Barner
Principal, Cheri Barner Management
Jenny Bloom
EVP, Jive PR + Digital
Tully Bragg
EVP, Hothouse Media
Tom Cunha
Partner, Brigade Marketing
Yvette Frampton
Board of Directors
"Yvette is an award-winning independent filmmaker whose work has screened at SXSW, the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, the HBO Urbanworld Film Festival, and the New York International Latino Film Festival, among others. She has taught film theory, writing, editing, and production at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, CU Denver College of Arts and Media, and the Colorado Film Video Institute at the Community College of Aurora.
As a community leader, she has served as a board member for the Denver Health Foundation Board, the Level One Society, the Davidson College Alumni Association Board, and the Documentary Cinema Institute. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Davidson College in North Carolina, Graland Country Day School in Denver, CO, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, the Cuba Study Group, the Cuba Emprende Foundation, and the Advisory Board for the Gates Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO. She has also been an active volunteer with Project C.U.R.E. She and her husband, Chris, have three children.
Yvette holds a B.A. in English from Davidson College and an M.F.A. in Film Directing from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts."
Jim Janicek
President & CEO of Janicek Media Creative, Inc.
Jim Janicek, President & CEO of Janicek Media Creative, Inc.
Janicek Media Creative is a Colorado company founded in 1990. The firm has produced over 3500 hours of original programming and promotion for major networks and studios, including Comcast, NBC, Hallmark, Disney, and ABC. Jim is the creative and collaborative force behind five nine-figure brands with five to 18-year runs, including being the creator of ABC’s massive comedy series franchise "TGIF.”
From 1986-1990 At age 24, Jim served as one of the youngest Writer / Producers ever hired at ABC Entertainment Network in Los Angeles. There, he crafted on-air advertising and short-form programming for many of ABC’s favorite primetime shows, including Moonlighting, Full House, Perfect Strangers, Step By Step, Head Of The Class, Spenser: For Hire, and many others.
From 1988 to 2000, while at ABC, Jim became the creator and executive producer of ABC’s $450 million TGIF comedy franchise. Jim then went on to produce ABC Saturday Night Laughs and multiple ABC Primetime Specials. In 1990, at the encouragement of his boss and Bob Iger, Jim started his own production company with a 10-year production deal with ABC Cap Cities. In 2001, after becoming the proud father of twins, he was asked to create 13 new titles for Disney’s newly acquired Baby Einstein series, which helped grow US/UK sales to over $100 million per year.
Jim’s history also includes leading promotional launches of the Hallmark Channel, Starz/Encore, and programming specials for The Muppets, NBC “Must See TV” Primetime, FOX Kids, and Warner Bros. International.
From 2012 to 2020, Jim and his company spotted an opportunity in interactive television utilizing a new technology cable MSOs were experimenting with on addressable set-top boxes. Joining forces with Comcast, Jim’s company developed and produced the Xfinity Latino Channel. The channel broadcasts 24/7 to 23 million homes nationwide on linear cable, web, and mobile. The channel generated a 600% increase in viewer engagement for Comcast’s multicultural brand over a 24-month span from 2016 to 2018.
From 2020 forward, Jim joined producer Myrrha Satow to help her produce the family film Adeline. Together with ABC vet partner Rebecca Daugherty, he produced multiple ABC specials, including the launch of the Academy of Motion Picture Museum with Tom Hanks. In partnership with Brian Bird (Creator of Hallmarks When Calls The Heart), he produced two romantic comedies now streaming worldwide via UpTV and Daro Int’l Entertainment. Jim continues to develop TV series and movies with his next film starting production in January 2025.
In collaboration with the state of Colorado, Jim’s lead production and creative work on multiple video projects including campaigns for Colorado’s dynamic new Quantum Front Range for Governor Polis. In June of 2024, this effort became a key part of Colorado’s effort to successfully land 70M in federal funding, officially designating Colorado a US Quantum Tech Hub.
Finally, Jim has also dedicated time addressing youth mental health and how to stem the tide of suicide that seems to be plaguing our nation. He has worked directly with Colorado Attorney General Phil Wiser, the Office Of Behavioral Health, Safe To Tell, and national mental health experts to understand and engage teens and caregivers with multiple media campaigns aimed at bringing this issue to the forefront.
Jim is a voting member of the DGA (Directors Guild of America) and the WGA (Writers Guild of America). He lives in Denver, CO, and San Clemente, CA.
James Lindsay
Co-Head of LT Growth, Liontree
Mark Lohmann
Senior Banker, Bank of America
Caz Matthews
Philanthropist
Allison Millice
Grant Writer
Ken Rothstein
"While a student at Brown University, Ken established film and television as a major and was the first to graduate with that degree. He also studied film production at NYU under Haig Manoogian.
After college, Ken spent several years in film, television and TV commercial production in New York (mostly uncredited) doing location scouting and management for Woody Allen and other production companies. This was followed by two years as an advertising executive for Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. Ken served on the host committee for the Grammy Awards in New York, where, as Director of Marketing, he arranged corporate sponsorships for the award show, among other responsibilities. Ken was then recruited by Shorewood, the leading creator and designer of innovative packaging for the entertainment industry, to become their first Director of Marketing, a position he held for over eight years. Among numerous side projects, he was a music consultant on the 23-episode PBS series, “The History of Us.”
As an entrepreneur, Ken created a successful business, The Drop Of A Hat, which provides private/custom concierge consulting services to high-net-worth clients and partners of private banks and wealth management firms.
Ken has been an investor in various Broadway productions, including the hit musical Spamalot. He has done voice-overs for commercials and industrials, and was also a regular stand-up performer at the original Catch A Rising Star in New York for several years.
Ken is currently developing multiple scripted television series and is also a co-producer of a new Broadway musical now in development. He divides his time between Los Angeles and Denver."
Krista Smith
Director, Global Editorial and Publishing, Netflix
Natalie West
Of Counsel, Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell LLP
Advisory Board
Roy Ashton
Partner, The Gersh Agency
Roy Ashton is a Partner at The Gersh Agency with offices in Beverly Hills and New York. He has been at Gersh for 11 years, and prior to that spent 14 years at CAA. Specializing in Television, Roy works with writers, directors, producers, and actors in all aspects of the television industry.
Karen Bailey
Executive Vice President of Original Programming, Starz
Karen Bailey is Executive Vice President of Original Programming for Starz.
Based in the company’s Santa Monica office, Bailey oversees creative development and production on a number of programs for the network including the critically-acclaimed “Outlander” and “P-Valley,” and the upcoming series “Dangerous Liaisons” and “The Venery of Samantha Bird.”
Bailey joined Starz in 2006 as an executive producer, overseeing development, production, and post-production for the company’s studio slate of television movies and mini-series. She was promoted to Vice President of Production in 2007, overseeing the physical production for the company’s newly launched original programming department. Bailey spent the next few years building the internal production department and focusing on the networks’ new slate of original series, including fan-favorite “Party Down,” “Crash,” “Boss” and Starz's first international series “Spartacus” and “Camelot.”
In 2011 she transitioned to creative development and was promoted to Senior Vice President of Original Programming in 2012. Since then, she has worked on a number of international co-productions including Golden Globe® and Emmy®-nominated STARZ Original Miniseries “The White Queen” and the critically acclaimed STARZ Original Limited Series “The White Princess.” Golden Globe® and Emmy®-nominated limited series “The Missing” and its sequel; “Howard’s End,” a 4-part TV adaptation written by Academy Award® winner Kenneth Lonergan and Starz’s first movie for television, “The Dresser” starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins.
Bailey has been a featured panelist at a number of events and international conferences including BAFTA Women Director’s Panel in London, Create and Cultivate Panel in Los Angeles, the College TV Summit at the Television Academy of Arts and Science, C21 London Drama Summit, and most recently has been an invited speaker at both Stanford University and Harvard Business School.
Kyle Castellanet
Vice President, Development and Production, Echo Lake Entertainment
Kyle Castellanet is the VP of Development and Production at Echo Lake Entertainment. Kyle manages Echo Lake’s film and television slate which includes both domestic and international co-productions. A Colorado native, Kyle began his career at Paradigm Talent Agency after receiving his BFA in Film Production from Chapman University. In 2022, Kyle was honored on Coverfly’s Industry Next List for his work to support emerging filmmakers.
Milan Chakraborty
Head of Film, Marginal Mediaworks
Milan Chakraborty, Head of Film at Marginal MediaWorks, oversees the company’s independent, studio, and streaming film & TV efforts. He is an 18-year veteran of the film/tv industry. He has produced and executive produced over 22+ films including ASSASSINATION NATION, MY FRIEND DAHMER, KILLING OF KENNETH CHAMBERLAIN, and FOUR SAMOSAS.
Brent Emery
Partner & Co-Founder, Resonate Entertainment
Jeremy Gold
President of Production, Blumhouse Television
Eugene Hernandez
Director, Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming
Alexa Junge
Writer
Credits: Bosch, Grace and Frankie, Big Love, The United States of Tara, West Wing, Sex and the City, Friends and many more. Screenwriter/Lyricist “Lilo & Stitch II,” Lyricist, “Mulan II.”(both with Jeanine Tesori) Writer/Contributor to NPR’s “This American Life” and live performer for TAL’s “What I Learned From Television” tour.
Awards and Honors: Three Emmy and Writers Guild of America Award nominations for “Friends”: (Best Comedy Series (twice) and Best Writing for a Comedy Series; “The One Where Everyone Finds Out.”) Two Emmy and WGA nominations for “The West Wing,” (Best Drama Series and Best Writing for a Drama Series; “Disaster Relief.”) ASCAP Popular Music Award. Her Friends episode “The One with The Prom Video” won a national AOL poll for “all-time favorite episode” and “The One Where Everyone Finds Out” was recently used in a scientific study and cited in Atlantic Magazine as a proven “mood booster.”
Theater: Her plays and musicals have been produced at the American Repertory Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Goodspeed Opera House, Studio Arena Theater, Playwrights Horizons Theater Lab and Depot Theater among others. New work developed at the Goodman Theater, New York Theater Workshop, New York Stage and Film, Hedgebrook Women Playwright’s Festival, the Public Theater Lab/Ars Nova, Djerassi and MacDowell Colonies.
Amanda Krentzman
Principal & Founder, Show Pony Entertainment
Eric Kuhn
Producer / Entrepreneur
Katie Lowes
Actor
Patrick Macmanus
Showrunner
Under his overall deal with UCP (Universal Content Productions), a division of Universal Studio Group, Patrick Macmanus serves as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner, alongside Liz Hannah, on Hulu’s ‘The Girl From Plainville’ starring Elle Fanning. Macmanus recently served as writer, executive producer, and showrunner on the Critic’s Choice nominated ‘Dr. Death,’ for NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock. Macmanus has developed series at AMC, Starz, ABC, Sony Pictures Television, Fox Television Studios, NBC, Tribeca, CBS, Amazon, Netflix, and more. He previously worked on SYFY’s ‘Happy!,’ starring Chris Meloni. In 2021, Macmanus expanded his production company, Littleton Road Productions, and formed Littleton Road Philanthropy with the goal of telling responsible stories and providing a call to action on culturally significant issues.
Macmanus was born in Ohio, raised in New Jersey, and lives in Paris with his wife and two sons.
Chiké Okwonko
Actor / Director
Angela Peluso
Talent, Casting, Producer, Executive
David Person
Producer, Writer
David Person (he/him) co-oversaw IFC TV’s linear originals ("Sherman's Showcase," "Documentary Now!," "Year of the Rabbit," "Baroness Von Sketch," and “The Independent Spirit Awards”) and executive produced for AMC Studios. David produced documentary feature films, including "Beer Wars," several award-winning narrative feature films, and animation projects for Brain Zoo Studios like Microsoft Screensavers and LEGO Star Wars commercials.
Alysia Reiner
Actor
"Alysia Reiner is best known as SAG award winning ""FIG"" on 7 seasons of Orange Is the New Black, and for originating Agent Sadie Deever in 2023 Emmy Award nominated Ms. Marvel. She just finished her 5th season as Sunny on Better Things, her second seasonas Kathryn in STARZ’s Shining Vale starring alongside Courtney Cox and Greg Kinnear, and before that two seasons as KIKI on THE DEUCE. She starred in a slew of films currently making the festival circuit, including: The Feeling That The Time for Doing Something Has Passed (CANNES,TIFF, NYFF 2023), Stampede Ventures' feature film, Going Places (CINEQUEST 2023), & Ramona At Midlife (BFF 2023). A few other filmed adventures include getting married in the Oscar winning film Sideways, getting naked in an Emmy Award winning episode of Broad City, and going head to head against Viola Davis on How To Get Away with Murder, and she just starred in O HORIZON with David Strathairn and Maria Bakalova.
As a producer, Alysia currently has an exciting slate of both film and TV in development. Her past ventures include conceiving of, developing, producing, and starring in the feature film EQUITY - which was bought and distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures Classics at Sundance, and producing/starring in EGG - which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival & is rated 100% FRESH on Rotten Tomatoes ( both now available on iTunes!).
Alysia loves working as a change maker, is on the board of the Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media and Earth Day Initiative, she is a member of Resistance Revival Chorus, a volunteer firefighter ( yes really), The face & eco-emissary for IZZY ZERO WASTE BEAUTY, and received the Acclaimed Collaborator Award from Women in Arts and Media, a MUSE “MADE IN NY” AWARD from The Mayor’s office and New York Women in Film and Television, SARAH POWELL HUNTINGTON LEADERSHIP AWARD, VOICE OF A WOMAN AWARD, the PIONEER IN FILMMAKING AWARD, and the FOUNDERS AWARD FOR SUPPORT."
Michael Rucker
Executive Producer / Director
Michael Rucker is a Peabody Award-winning Executive Producer and Director in the Unscripted television landscape for over 15 years. Credit highlights include Project Runway, Work of Art, Fast Foodies, 101 Places to Party Before You Die, and heading, developing, and showrunning the most successful and viewed division of Fullscreen's SVOD.
ADAM SHAPIRO
Actor / Writer
Adam Shapiro is a TV/Film and Theatre actor known for his roles in Never Have I Ever, Kingdom, The Affair, in the films She Said, Steve Jobs, and Now You See Me, and in Broadway’s Waitress. Adam is a co-founder of IAMA Theatre Company in Los Angeles and owner of Shappy Pretzel Co. And most importantly husband to Katie Lowes and father to Albee and Vera.
Jocko Sims
Actor / Creator
Jocko Sims is best known as an actor, and stars as Dr. Floyd Reynolds on the NBC drama, “New Amsterdam.” Sims is also a writer, producer and director, and has been hitting the festival circuit with his award winning short film/tv pilot, “Grown” a coming of age story of a young man grappling with the recent loss of his father. “Grown” recently took home the jury prize at SXSW in their annual Independent TV Pilot Competition.
As an actor, Jocko is currently in production in a comedy series for Hulu called “How To Die Alone,” created by and starring Emmy Nominee, Natasha Rothwell.
Through his acting career, Jocko has had roles in numerous film and television projects, including “Dreamgirls,” “Jarhead” and 2014’s summer box office hit “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.”
On television, Sims had his first lead role opposite Dennis Hopper in the Starz original series, “Crash,” and his following lead role was as Lt. Carlton Burk in the TNT network hit, “The Last Ship,” which lasted for 5 seasons. In between seasons of “The Last Ship,” he portrayed Robert Franklin on the second season of Showtime’s “Masters of Sex.” Other television credits include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Franklin & Bash,” “Castle,” “NCIS,” “Burn Notice,” “CSI,” “Bones” and Showtime’s “I’m Dying Up Here.”
Valerie Stadler
Producer and Founding Partner, Big Swing Productions
Valerie Stadler is a producer, filmmaker, and executive whose films have
screened at Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, MOCA and the Whitney Museum.
Driven by a strong sense of storytelling and understanding of the industry,
Valerie navigates the line between business and creative, infusing intention
and strategy into her work.
Valerie is a Co-Founder of Big Swing Productions with longtime friend and
collaborator Kyra Sedgwick and Meredith Bagby. There she has developed a
slate of projects across film and television, with an emphasis on stories with
heart and purpose. Under the Big Swing banner Valerie has produced SPACE
ODDITY, starring Kyle Allen and Alexandra Shipp, and ARISTOTLE AND DANTE
DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE, starring Eugenio Derbez and
Eva Longoria, produced in partnership with Lin-Manuel Miranda, which
screened at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
Prior to that, Valerie was the head of Production and Development for Fluency, a multi-platform studio under NBC Universal, handling both day-to-day
operations and development of the slate, as well as fostering partnerships
both inside and outside of the studio.
Valerie is a 2019 Sundance Episodic lab fellow, the Co-President of the
Outfest Board of Directors, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her
husband and one too many cats.
Tom Verica
Executive Producer / Director
Tom has an illustrious career that spans thirty years in the entertainment industry. A gifted director, actor, and producer, he is a true multi-hyphenate.
He has helmed over 100 episodes of television which recently include INVENTING ANNA, BRIDGERTON, and THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY. A veteran actor with a distinguished career on stage and screen, he co-starred opposite Viola Davis as her husband, Sam Keating, on the ABC hit, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. Shonda Rhimes has brought Tom in-house at Shondaland to serve as the company's head of creative production. In the newly created advisory role, Verica helps to translate Rhimes' creative vision across all Shondaland productions.
Terry Washington
Owner & CEO - Zane Ryder Management
Having grown up in the industry Washington inherently has a passion for music and entertainment. That passion has led him to manage and oversee tours around the world with platinum recording artists like Chris Brown, Eric Benét, and The Fugees. He has produced films in remote locations and managed the legacy of many music artists and the late fashion icon André Leon Talley.
As the industry evolves Washington has expanded his focus to producing original content and curating special projects. He is known for his creative visualization, ability to stay connected to trending media platforms, and a rolodex for which CEOs would pay millions. His skill set has translated into lasting management in the entertainment industry for over 20 years.
Geneva Wasserman
EVP, Head of Film & TV for The Story Lab
Geneva is EVP, Head of Film & TV for The Story Lab with experience spanning over 20 years in roles including intellectual property attorney, creative development, marketing, and all aspects of film and television production and distribution.
Previously, as SVP of Development & Production for Conde Nast Entertainment, Geneva was the Executive in charge of production for 22 films and 9 scripted series in various stages of development and production, including the recent Netflix Original film Spiderhead starring Chris Hemsworth, Jurnee Smollett, and Miles Teller, directed by Joe Kosinski and The Great Chinese Art Heist for Warner Bros to be directed by Jon M. Chu.
Prior to Conde Nast, Geneva led the entry of ad-tech digital media company Optimad into the entertainment space, ran a film financing company (Whitener Entertainment Group), and ran a celebrity-led Hispanic-focused production company (WVE with Wilmer Valderrama).
She holds a B.A. with distinction from UC San Diego and a JD with Honors from UC Hastings College of Law.
Talitha Watkins
President and Head of ColorCreative Management
Talitha Watkins is President and Head of ColorCreative Management – a management and production company. ColorCreative was founded by Issa Rae and Deniese Davis with the mission of delivering women and people-of-color creators best-in-class representation to build career-defining brands through ownership, commercial success, artistic fulfillment, and visibility amongst the multicultural community and industry at large.
Formerly a Motion Picture Agent and Cultural Executive at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Watkins is based in Los Angeles and represents producers, writers, directors and actors. In addition, Watkins helps build out CAA’s multicultural business and capabilities including the multicultural leadership event CAAAmplify.
Previous to CAA, Watkins spent six years as Vice President of Multicultural Marketing at Universal Pictures, where she worked across all marketing divisions, including publicity, media, digital, creative, research, and partnerships, to maximize the studio’s outreach efforts to African American audiences. While at Universal, she worked on numerous films, including the multicultural blockbusters FAST & FURIOUS 6, FURIOUS 7, and the record-breaking STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON. She was also instrumental in supporting the success of African American films, such as the box-office hits THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY and RIDE ALONG.
Prior to Universal Pictures, Watkins was an Assistant General Manager with Telepictures Productions, Inc. and oversaw operations, sales, and marketing for five female-focused digital properties in the Warner Bros. portfolio, including Ellentv.com, Extratv.com, and TyraShow.com, as well as worked in a development capacity for Essence.com.
Watkins is a board member of the WIF, Saturday Morning, and Made in Her Image organizations.
Denzel Whitaker
Actor / Filmmaker
Born in Torrance, California, Denzel Whitaker is best known for his award-winning role in THE GREAT DEBATERS, performing opposite of his two namesakes, Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker. Numerous film and television shows list Denzel's name including fan favorites: BLACK PANTHER, CUT THROAT CITY, THE PURGE TV series, WARRIOR, U SHOOT VIDEOS?, ALL THAT and TRAINING DAY.
In 2011, Denzel simultaneously began developing his skillset behind the camera as a filmmaker. His latest film '5150', has received two Audience Awards from SeriesFest and the FilmGood Festival, alongside being selected for Tribeca’s Creators Market. Co-written and directed by Denzel, starring Jovan Adepo and executive produced by David Oyelowo, the film is currently being developed into a TV series.
Aaliyah Williams
Manager & Producer
Peabody Award-nominated television & film producer Aaliyah Williams’ credits include the series Gentefied & film Really Love (Netflix). Williams launched Just A Rebel to create signature content that centers Black women and people of color—shifting the culture forward. The company’s first-look deal at CBS Television Studios has been renewed for a third year where Williams has several series in development.
Just A Rebel’s feature film slate includes Tiffany Johnson’s (Mike, Black Monday) feature directorial debut THE LAST CLASS starring Marsai Martin based on the incredible true story of writer Kimberly Nicole Walker’s survival of a very special senior year of high school. Williams is currently in post on BLACK BARBIE: A DOCUMENTARY directed by Lagueria Davis and financed by LinLay Productions.
Separately, Aaliyah is also a founding partner of Adventure Media, a management and production company launched by Chris von Goetz and James Robins Early. Originally from Arkansas and Oklahoma, Williams graduated from Harvard and is a 2023 UCLA School of Law MLS candidate. She is an active alum of Film Independent’s Project:Involve, Sundance, and the Ron Brown Scholar Program.
Kendall Wright
Development Executive
