Animated, Music Video, and Experimental Filmmaker Roundtable

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Hannah Patterson

Festival Filmmakers discuss their approach to these projects - the process, art, challenges, and joys of making these types of films. Hear from featured panelists: Texas Smith (Yes! Yes! A Thousand Times Yes!), Sebastien Abou-Chakra (VAINGLORIOUS), and Anna Winter (Islets of Langerhans)

Producing Low Budget Features

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Linda Burns

Indie producers, working in the under $1M budget range, share their struggles and tips for successfully developing, fundraising, producing, and distributing work with limited budgets. Learn from featured panelists: Luke Williams (Hold the Fort, The Murder Podcast, A Band of Rogues), Leanna Adams (Christmas with Jerks, The Worst Couple), Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log, Hold The Fort, Bad Blood), Michelle Riviera (Blurred Lines), and Diego Silva Acevedo: (Hunting Souls)

Casting Call

Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | Moderator: Tess Hammock

Join Fox 5’s Casting Call host Tess Hammock as she discusses all things casting from extra roles to guest starring, recurring, and series regular speaking parts with casting directors, an agent, and an extras casting company. The feature panelist for this session includes Jen Kelley and Rita Harrell of Big Picture Casting, Sam Ikhwan of People Store Talena Agency, and Rose Locke of Rose Locke Casting

The Future of Indie Film in ATL

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Camilo Diaz

Local filmmakers discuss the challenges of making art, paying the bills, and building the financial infrastructure in Georgia to keep indie filmmaking sustainable. The panelists for this session includes: Kristina Arjona (Christmas with Jerks, Mi Casa, Max), Glen Owen (Signing Day - State Line Films), Cash Robinson (Uncle Honker, Nobody Wants to Be Here, Nobody Wants to Leave), Molly Coffee (Come Correct, Jenna Gets an Abortion, Fear Haus)

Post Production In The Age of AI & Remote - Sponsored by Moonshine Post-Production

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Mike | Moderator: Drew Sawyer, Moonshine Post-Production

Join Moonshine Post as they discuss creative approaches and techniques across the full post pipelines of feature, series and advertising. Emerging technologies and the remote landscape demand that artists and producers embrace innovation, and upskill their collaboration tool kit to maintain the craftsmanship and apprenticeship that propels our industry. The panelists for this session are Gennifer Allen - Social Media Strategist, Kristina Kromer - Editor, Grant Reynolds - Colorist, Chris Nicholsen - Sound Mixer, and Caleb Wood - Post Producer.

The Art of the Pitch

Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | Moderator: Emily Best

Founder and CEO of Seed & Spark, Emily Best, shows you how to frame and pitch your story effectively and efficiently to showcase your project in a way that grabs attention.

At the Intersection of Race & Sexuality: Bringing Authenticity To Our Work

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Jazelle Foster

Exclusively featuring Black and Queer voices, this panel delves into the complexities of maintaining authenticity while working in commercial and industry spaces while navigating independent and personal projects. It explores the unique challenges and strategies for Black and Queer creatives to stay true to themselves in an industry that often demands conformity. The featured panelists of this discussion are transfemme filmmaker, Ava Davis (The Duchess of Grant Park, What is Art?, Holy Irresistable), and producer Onyx Keesha (Fatal Attraction, For My Man, The Calling)

Short Filmmaker Roundtable (1 of 3)

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Jonathan Banks

Festival Filmmakers discuss writing and directing shorts, and how they got their projects made. Panelists include: Neal Reddy (Barely Breathing), Dominick Cormier (Don't Wipe Your Tears), Thang Ho and Danielle Nebeliuk (The Last Black Dinosaur), Joshua C. Okwuosa (OKEM), A. Kate Espada (I Could Just Die, and That Would Be All Right)

Film Impact Georgia - Grant Winner Roundtable

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Melissa Simpson

Past grant winning short filmmakers discuss the submission process, the support the program provides, and how the grant helped push their project over the top to get made. The featured panelists are Sabrina Saleha, Erika Miranda, Ciera Thompson, Shandrea Evans, Jeremy Thao, Andrew J. Lee, and Hannah Patterson

Podcast to Film: How Podcasting is IP Gold for Hollywood

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Mykal Alder June

Three screenwriters / producers from the film world discuss their success in the podcasting realm, how they got started, and how they hope to or have converted that success into a big budget deal. The panel includes Jeff Keating (Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, PeeWee Gaskins Was Not My Friend), Dan Bush (Tomorrow’s Monsters, The Mantawauk Caves, The Passage), and Nick Tecosky (13 Days of Halloween, 12 Ghosts, The Mantawauk Caves)

Lenders, Investors and Other Financial Animals Sponsored by Fieldpoint Private

Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Location: The Lefont | Moderator: Linda Burns

Hang out with a panel of experts to explore the challenging world of film finance. Learn terminology, different ways to fund projects, what is needed for funding, and successful best practices. Panelists also discuss small business loans for anyone looking to purchase gear, vehicles or warehouse space.

The Film Finance Segment panelists are:

Russell Holland - President & Chief Executive Office (Fieldpoint Private),

Charles Andros - Founding Partner, President & Chief Investment Officer, Producer (Bay Point Advisors)

Andrew Kotliar - Partner, Producer (MEP Capital)

Deborah Moore - Freelance Film Production Executive, Producer

The Personal and Small Business Bootcamp Segment panelists are:

Russell Holland - President & Chief Executive Office (Fieldpoint Private)

Neill Kelly - Consumer Lending Manager (Fieldpoint Private),

Amanda Price - Chief Risk Manager (Fieldpoint Private)

Derek Grayson - Managing Director, Banking Advisor (Fieldpoint Private)

Improv: Learning to Pivot while Producing

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Jon Carr

Producers constantly have to shift their plans and mindset while putting out fires and solving problems. The only sure thing on set is that something will go wrong. Improv is all about turning problems and mistakes into something wonderful if you're willing to roll with whatever is thrown at you. Members of Dad’s Garage teach you how to use improv skills to seamlessly pivot while producing. The panel includes Kevin Gillese (How to Ruin The Holidays), Ron Emile - former Dad's Garage Artistic Director (My Spirit Told Me), Megan Dahl (Lily’s Mirror, The Arbalest)

Comics to Film: How Graphic Fiction Is Shaping Hollywood

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Nathan Cabaniss

Comics have taken Hollywood by storm. Panelists discuss seeing their work adapted for the screen, making the jump from the comics to the world of film and TV, the differences between the two mediums, and the challenges the writers have faced when writing a film and TV script as opposed to a comic book. The panel includes Van Jensen, Paul Jenkins, and Robert Venditti

Crowdfunding to Build Independence

Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | Moderator: Emily Best

Seed & Spark has the highest crowdfunding campaign success rate of any funding platform in the world. They share 100% of the information you need to build a successful campaign, as well as a career-long action plan most likely to create a lasting, flourishing, direct relationship with your audience. You’ll learn how to find and activate your audience, structure your crowdfunding campaign and pitch video, pick the right goal and incentives, and much more beyond marketing the campaign itself. Because after all, it isn’t just about crowdfunding: it’s about career building.

Short Filmmaker Roundtable (2 of 3)

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Seth Adam Wilder

Festival Filmmakers discuss writing and directing shorts, and how they got their projects made. The panel includes: Moon Lee Ferguson (Skettel), Paras Chaudhari (the girl with the om tattoo), Jenna D’Angelo (I Didn't Mean To Say I Love You), Carlos Aviles (Rainbow Sun), Brea Angelo (DEFINITELY NOT A MONSTER), and Giovanni Tortorici (Buster's Onion)

CineCampATL: Meet the 2023 Class of Youth Filmmakers

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Melissa Simpson

ATLFS CineCampATL program breaks students into small groups, and with guided instruction and collaboration, they complete a 1-5 minute film. Former students talk about the program and what they learned from the process of creating their film “Squeaky Clean”. The panel includes Jaira Wingfield-Green (12th grade, Druid Hills High School), Keatin Monaghan (11th Grade, North Atlanta High School), Micah J. Gary (12th Grade, School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett HS) and Pre-production Instructor, Madison Hatfield.

ATLFS Filmmaker-in-Residence Program

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Melissa Simpson

Learn about the Atlanta Film Society’s Filmmaker in Residence Program and meet this year’s filmmakers. Learn about the projects they hope to accomplish and how the program hopes to help them succeed. Panelists include Crystal Jin Kim and Jonathan Banks

Documentary Filmmaker Roundtable (1 of 2)

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Jazmine Hudson

Documentary Directors discuss their projects, their process for documenting their stories, and the challenges and joys of shooting documentaries. The panel includes Caroline Josey K (Seven Acres and a Church), Demetrius Lewis (Map to the Sirens), and Lev Omelchenko (Olive).

The Directing Challenge

Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | Moderator: Linda Burns

Using the same actors, but different props, wardrobe, and back stories, see how uniquely each director in the challenge can offer you completely dissimilar versions of the same screenplay. The panelists are: Directors Janlatae’ Mullins, Lou Simon, and Carrie Schrader, and Actresses Rose Bianco and Suehyla El-Attar with screenwriter, Nick Tecosky

Content Creation & Filmmaking: Blurring Lines, Shaping Futures

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Jazelle Foster

Content creators and filmmakers, who either specialize in one field or straddle both, focus on the evolving landscape of content creation, its impact on the traditional film and television industry, and what this shift means for actors, directors, and filmmakers. They address the changing perceptions around content creation and its role in shaping the future of entertainment and storytelling. The panelists are Tony Talks - Content Creator, Elisee Junior St Preux - Filmmaker & Community Artist (Sour Peaches, Before We Had Insomnia, Lorikeet), Shayla Racquel - Director / Writer (Keke Palmer's KeyTV Series Heaux & Tell, The Cuzzin M Show, The Off-Brands), Raquel M R Thomas - Creator / Director / Producer /Writer (TRANSworld Atlanta, Below the Rim), and Kristina Arjona - Director / Producer (Christmas with Jerks, Mi Casa, Rumspringa)

Documentary Filmmaker Roundtable (2 of 2)

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Robyn Hicks

Documentary Directors discuss their projects, their process for documenting their stories, and the challenges and joys of shooting documentaries. The panelists include Majiye Uchibeke (I Am More Dangerous Dead), Kasey L. Martin (A Synonym for Art: Rodgric J.), Ashley Salman (Prelude of a Story), and Conner Hall - Editor (Citizen Sleuth)

Developing Features and TV Shows in Georgia

Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | Moderator: Linda Burns

Panelists explore how to develop, pitch, raise funds and sell original stories that will shoot in Georgia. They'll showcase projects they have in development as well as the features and TV shows they’ve successfully produced. The panel includes Nikka Duarte, Glen Owen (Signing Day - State Line Films), and more TBD

Latinas in Media ATL: Keeping the Conversation Moving Forward in Film & TV

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Daniela Cintron - Journalist, Editor, and Producer highlighting underrepresented communities

Journalists, Actors, and Executives discuss how to expand representation and inclusion in the media, film and television landscape, the importance of cultural storytelling, and how to overcome typecasting. The panel includes: Rose Bianco - Actress (Cobra Kai, Minx, The Sandman), Lina Ramirez Mills - Head of Commercial Department at People Store, Erik Francisco Medina - Moxie Collective, Operations and Marketing Lead, Roger Payano - Actor (Manhunt, Celia, P-Valley), and Richard Perez - Director and Screenwriter (It Stays With Us)

Key Elements of Impact Campaigns

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderators: Hannah Hearn - Impact Coordinator and Fellowships Lead, and Anna Lee - Director of Learning and Development

This interactive workshop will glean from 25 years of learning and innovation from Working Films, one of the very first organizations created to connect documentaries and social change. The session will cover key elements of impact campaigns.

Meet the ATLFF Programmers

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Linda Burns

Come meet the ATLFF film and screenplay competition programmers to learn a little about them as fellow humans, what they love about their jobs, common mistakes filmmakers make when submitting, and what they look for when screening films and reading screenplays. The panel includes Jon Kieran, Jennica Carmona, Astin Rocks and Melissa Simpson

Writing Character Driven Films

Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderators: Lane and Ruckus Skye

Writers / Directors Lane and Ruckus Skye discuss how they develop and write story through character.

Acting for a Living

Time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | Moderator: Linda Burns

Actors with over 2 decades of experience with starring, recurring, and special guest credits will discuss where they started, how they developed their craft, and how to build relationships with directors, producers, and casting directors with panelists Nelson Bonilla (Sacrifice, Ozark, Buried in Barstow), Mike Pniewski (Hightown, The Good Fight, Madam Secretary), Sharon Conley (Perimeter, NCIS: New Orleans, Rectify), Christina Kari (Law & Order: Organized Crime, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Queen Sugar), Kurt Yue (Will Trent, Haunted Mansion, General Hospital), and Donielle Hansley (Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter is Dead, BMF, Terror Lake Drive)

Film Festival Strategy

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Melissa Simpson

Film festival strategy is integral to your success on the festival circuit. From choosing which larger, local, and smaller festivals to apply to, to researching what those festivals have played before, from marketing your screening when not traveling to the festival to how to make boots on the ground matter, this conversation will cover all this and more.

Curating Classics

Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Greg Bishop

There's never been a better time for repertory programming and Atlanta's film audiences are enjoying a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the communal experience of watching films together. Join local experts who are part of the growth of classic programming happening locally to hear about the resurgence and importance of classic and niche programming. The panel for this session includes: Rocco Shapiro and Sean Valdivieso - Wax & Wane, Matthew Booth & John Robinson - Videodrome, and Richard Martin - Programming Manager, The Plaza Theater

Write Club: Festival Edition

Time: 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Location: The Lefont (Downstairs) | VICEROY: Nick Tecosky

High Octane Brain Boxing at its Finest. WRITE CLUB is the world's greatest combative philanthropic literary bloodsport, featuring only the most audacious and fearsome of writers and performers. Started in 2010 at the Hideout in Chicago by Our Illustrious Overlord Ian Belknap, WRITE CLUB has been operating in Atlanta since 2011. WRITE CLUB is: 3 bouts of 2 opposing writers arguing 2 opposing ideas for 7 minutes apiece. Audience picks a winner. Combatants are TBD

Narrative Feature and TV Pilot Festival Filmmaker Roundtable

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Rej (Upstairs) | Moderator: Crystal Jin Kim

Festival Filmmakers discuss their projects, how they were able to get them made, their experience while making them, and their hopes for the future. The panel includes Don-Dimitri Joseph (Last Option), Christian Meier (The Murder On Cape Melancholy), Win Marks (Do You Say What You Mean?), and Jenna Kanell (Faceless After Dark)

Short Filmmaker Roundtable (3 of 3)

Time: 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Location: The Mike (Upstairs) | Moderator: Vivi Chavez

Festival Filmmakers discuss writing and directing shorts, and how they got their projects made. The panel includes Sam Hahn (Billy & Mac), Melissa Bayer (The G-Spot), Samuel Laine (Free Lunch), Alice Barros (A Forgotten Place), and Matthew S. Alaniz (Ten To One)

Moderator: Erin Bernhardt - Dir. of Common Pictures, The Edward E. Haddock Jr. Family Foundation

Being a parent is hard enough, but being a parent and a filmmaker is a huge challenge. Panelists discuss how they strive for a work life balance, share resources for support, and explore ways to keep their mental health in check as filmmaking parents. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

Elizabeth Lodge Stepp - Creative Producer, Curious Stepp Studios

Keoni TeTawa Bowthorpe - Director / DP, Aloha Cinema

Tchaiko Omawale - Tchaiko of House Omawale, Second of Her Name, Mother of Flame, Seeker of Truth, Breaker of Chains, Nomadic Fairy Inc.

Amanda Edwards - Mental Health Coordinator and Intimacy Coordinator

Moderator: Jazelle Foster

This panel showcases the diverse and innovative perspectives of Black and Queer artists across different mediums. It emphasizes the richness and originality within the Black and Queer community, often the unsung inspirations in mainstream culture. Panelists will discuss their unique paths in the industry, the challenges of intersectionality, and their vision for a more inclusive and evolving creative landscape. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

Raquel M R Thomas - Creator / Director / Producer / Writer (TRANSworld Atlanta, Below the Rim),

Tony Talks - Content Creator

Adrianna Cherelle - Screenwriter, Reality TV Producer (10 Years in 40 Seconds, Black Ink Crew)

Tery Wilson - DP / Editor (Push, New Gotham)

Moderator: Creative Conference Director Linda Burns

Do you love documentaries? Are you interested in learning about how documentaries are produced? Join Royd Chung, Vice President of Production of ITVS, to learn more about documentary funding and production. ITVS is the largest co-producer of independent documentaries in the United States. RSVP HERE

Panelist: Royd Chung - Vice President of Production of ITVS

Moderator: Creative Conference Director Linda Burns

Casting can make or break your production. Join members of the Casting Society to learn about the fascinating Art of Casting and how you can make choices that are the best fit for your next production. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

Erica A. Hart (We Strangers, A Black Lady Sketch Show, That Damn Michael Che)

Kate Geller (Bob Trevino Likes It, Molly and Max, Shiva Baby)

Rori Bergman (Powerbook III: Raising Kanan, Rabbit Hole, Retribution)

Moderator: Creative Conference Director Linda Burns

Working as an Extra is a great way to start your acting career, learn about how a film set works while getting paid, or to make a little extra money as a retiree. Learn about what makes a great extra, how to find work, what is expected of you, and how to get hired back. RSVP HERE

Panelist: Patrick Ingram - Extras Casting Atlanta

Moderator: Molly Coffee

Molly Coffee interviews Production Designer Christopher Glass about his career, where he got his start, his process, and how he gets the look that defines his movies, TV shows, and commercials. RSVP HERE

Panelist: Christopher Glass (Ms Marvel, Amazing Stories, The Jungle Book)

Moderator: Jen West

Senior film festival representatives as well as southern funders will converse on nurturing Southern filmmaking talent. They’ll discuss the spectrum of opportunities and challenges in the SE, and speak on fostering creative environments where artists can excel and go to the next level. RSVP HERE

Panelists

Chris Escobar - ED, Atlanta Film Society

Dan Brawley - ED, Cucalorus Film Festival

Jessica Chriesman - Education Director for Sidewalk Film Festival

Kimel Fryer - ED, Indie Memphis Film Festival

Clint Bowie - Artistic Director, New Orleans Film Society

Patricia Ferguson - ED, A Pecan Pickling Short Film Festival

Molly Coffee - Production Designer and Co-Founder / Past Creative Director, Film Impact Georgia

Christopher Everett - Artistic Director, Southern Documentary Fund

Moderator: James ‘JD the AD’ Taylor, DGA 1st AD (Candy Cane Lane, American Underdog, Teen Wolf)

DGA Assistant Directors discuss how they got their start, how they transitioned upward, the demands and joys of the job, what makes a great assistant director, and all the fun that comes with being an AD for film and television. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

Matt Rawls - 1st & 2nd AD (Abbott Elementary, Westworld, The Morning Show)

Christophe Le Chanu - 2nd AD (Candy Cane Lane, Hawkeye, Coming 2 America)

John Bonaccorse - 2nd AD (Flaming Hot, Tulsa King, Stranger Things), Ben White - 2nd AD (Blue Beetle, The Staircase, Red Notice)

Jessie Sasser White - 2nd AD (They/Them, Safety, Watchmen),

Steve Windle - 2nd 2nd AD (Barbie, Teen Wolf: The Movie, Rise)

Nate Patterson - 2nd 2nd AD (The Color Purple, Doom Patrol, Swagger)

Nate Galesic - 2nd 2nd AD (Pain Hustlers, Blue Beetle, Ghosted)

Moderator: Sue-Ellen Chitunya, Producer

Join us for an exceptional conversation with the Annie award-winning filmmakers of Kazazi Moto: Generation Fire, a Disney+ animated shorts anthology. This action-packed sci-fi anthology presents 10 futuristic visions from Africa inspired by the continent's diverse histories and cultures. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

Tendayi Nyeke - Executive Producer

Ng'endo Mukii - Writer / Director (Enkai)

Shofela Coker - Writer / Director (Moremi)

Moderator: Sue-Ellen Chatuyna, Producer

Join a group of emerging and mid-career black women filmmakers for a candid conversation sharing their respective journeys in an industry that often isn't easily welcoming to them. They'll share their experiences of how they have fiercely navigated the industry to champion stories that are dear to them while also maintaining their integrity. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

B. Monét - Director, Producer, Writer (Black Girls, Ballet After Dark, Phases of the Moon)

Idil Ibrahim - Producer, Director, Writer (The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu, In Her Element, Little America)

Jamila Jordan-Theus - Producer (Fantasy Football, Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts, Dreamland: The Burning of Black Wall Street)

Moderators: Laila Harrison - Experimental Filmmaker and Harim Leon - Producer

Join us for a groundbreaking panel discussion that delves into the dynamic intersection of generative AI and the cinematic world. This panel will explore how emerging AI technologies are reshaping filmmaking, from scriptwriting to post-production, and will address the profound ethical questions they raise. We will start with a look at historical milestones of AI in cinema, such as the early days of CGI in films like 'Tron' and 'Jurassic Park,' and progress to current innovations like deepfake technology and real-time CGI generation. RSVP HERE

Moderator: Sue-Ellen Chatuyna, Producer

The Atlanta Hometown team of writer/director David Fortune and producer Kiah Clingman competed amongst four other finalists to win the highly competitive 2023 AT&T Untold Stories Award worth $1 million dollars and year-round mentorship to produce their feature film. They share their production journey and the story of a devoted father learning to raise his son — who has Down Syndrome — following the passing of the family matriarch. The Atlanta-set picture is like Fortune’s prior films in that it finds power in normalizing the themes of compassion and intimacy set in inner-city communities. RSVP HERE

Panelists:

David Fortune, Director

Kiah Clingman, Producer