2023 ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL — Creative Conference
April 25th - April 28th, 2023
Welcome to the 13th Anniversary of the Atlanta Film Festival's Creative Conference
The educational workshops, panels, and conversations taking place virtually and in person from April 25 - April 28 will feature industry experts from across the country
ATLANTA, GA (April 4, 2023) — Today, the 47th annual Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) announced its lineup of Creative Conference panels, workshops, and conversations that will take place from April 25 - April 28, 2023, from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm each day. This will be the 13th year that ATLFF has curated a robust lineup of educational programming, known as the Creative Conference, as part of the annual film festival. This year, the Creative Conference will offer more than 25 in-person panel discussions, as well as 8 virtual panels and in-depth conversations with industry experts from Atlanta to Los Angeles.
The Creative Conference serves to educate, entertain, engage, and enlighten festival-goers by pulling back the curtain on film and television production, giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at how projects get made. While covering a wide range of topics, this year’s programming will focus on community, craft, and the future of filmmaking.
“We are so excited to bring the Creative Conference 100% back in person after 3 years primarily on Zoom,” said Linda Burns, a 30-year industry veteran and Creative Conference Director. “Although we loved the intimacy of Zoom conversations on the craft of filmmaking, we’ve really missed the connections made in person between our panelists and audience, and between audience members. We look forward to continuing to build community and craft, offer networking and educational events, and push forward the future of filmmaking together with our amazing panelists, filmmakers, and film lovers.”
As with the lineup of 155 selected works and Marquee screenings, the 2023 Creative Conference programming will highlight underrepresented filmmakers and stories. Panel topics that will explore Development and Pitching, Building an Audience and a Community, Screenwriting, Directing, Cinematography, Producing Using AI, Shooting in Virtual Worlds, Improv for Creatives, The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion, Tips & Resources for Emerging Filmmakers, Post-Production, Crowdfunding, and Roundtable Discussions with Georgia Filmmakers and Screenwriters in Competition.
All Creative Conference content, other than in-person panels, will be available for streaming worldwide during the entire 10 days of the festival. In-person panels will not be offered virtually. Festival badges are on sale now at www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com. Creative Conference individual virtual and in-person event tickets are currently $12-$15 or $85 for unlimited virtual access. Badge prices will increase on April 18, 2023.
The full list of programming for this year’s Creative Conference can be found below. As previously announced, ATLFF’s 2023 lineup of 155 selected works, presented in person or virtually, can be found on the festival’s website here.
Applications for press credentials for ATLFF 2023 are now open and can be submitted here. Press materials and assets, including past press releases, logos, and film stills can be found here.
2023 Creative Conference Lineup
25 IN PERSON PANELS
Building Your Own Industry with the Three C's: Craft, Community and Conversations - a Discussion with The Heartbeat Film Podcast
What are the 3 C's to help a community grow and build your industry along with it?
Craft: Developing your own unique voice through intentional, artistic practice.
Community: The art of cultivating your tribe of collaborators and supporters.
Conversation: Creating your own grassroots platforms for sharing and exhibiting your work while generating meaningful and continuous conversation within your community.
Whether you don’t know where to begin or are trying to decide the next move, the answer always comes back to leaning on your own industry. Sit down with writers, directors and producers Chris Anthony Hamilton, Janlatae' Mullins and Harim Leon as they discuss a topic near and dear to their heart - building your own table and cultivating a community to do it with.
Panelists:
Writer, Director, DP Chris Anthony Hamilton
Writer, Producer, Director Janlatae' Mullins
Executive Producer Harim Leon - Red Baron Digital LLC
Pilots and Shorts from Georgia in the Screenwriting Competition Finals
Join the Georgia shorts and pilots screenwriting finalists to learn about their projects, what drove them to tell these stories, their process as screenwriters, and what it means to be a finalist in the competition.
Moderator: Screenwriter & Atlanta Film Chat Podcast Producer Chuck Thomas
Panelists:
Screenwriter Faith Dismuke - I See You - Short
Screenwriter Michael Mau - Left & Leaving - Short
Screenwriter Jon Carr - Black Nerd - Pilot
Screenwriter Landon Ashworth - The Space Suits - Pilot
Sex, Guns, and Kids: How Not to Get Shut Down - Sponsored by SAGIndie.org and IATSE 479
Indie filmmakers using SAG-AFTRA talent for the first time or for the first time with sex, guns, or kids may not know all the rules, and then get themselves into trouble with the unions. Learn how intimacy coordinators can help your sex scenes stay steamy while keeping everyone safe, the importance of armorers and the rules around gun safety on set, and the hours children of all ages are allowed to work, take breaks, and get an education.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director & PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
Actress, Intimacy Coordinator Kristina Arjona - SAG-AFTRA
Armorer, Special Effects Coordinator Lisa Reynolds - IATSE 479 & Bob Shelleys' Special Effects
Sr. Regional Set Relations Representative Susan Moss - SAG-AFTRA
Studio Teacher Tanya Powell
Features from Georgia in the Screenwriting Competition Finals
Join the Georgia feature screenwriting finalists to learn about their projects, what drove them to tell these stories, their process as screenwriters, and what it means to be a finalist in the competition.
Moderator: Writer, Producer, Director Carrie Schrader
Panelists:
Screenwriters Brendan Vogel & Ruth Sabin - The Shimmers
Screenwriter Dmani Williams - Chance by Unfathomable Fate
Screenwriter Jon Vaude - Freaknik
Screenwriter Nathan Cabaniss - Shooting
Development, the Pitch, and the Package with Crazy Legs Productions
Executives at Crazy Legs Productions dive into the development process and pitch packages for projects at networks, studios, and streamers. Whether you’re pitching reality TV, docu-series, or feature films, this discussion will educate you on the process of developing your ideas into the perfect pitch, what to expect when pitching your ideas, and how to pivot when your pitch doesn’t land.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director & PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
CEO & Executive Producer Tom Cappello
VP of Development Alana Goldstein
Director of Feature Development Marie Halliday
Georgia Narrative Shorts Roundtable - 1 of 3
First of three short film panels featuring the directors of these Georgia-tied short films playing in the festival. See their trailers, hear their production stories, what led them to tell this story, and their journeys as filmmakers.
Moderator: Writer, Director, Actor Robyn Hicks
Panelists:
Director Ivan Rome - TikTok Challenged - Narrative
Director Juanita Umaña - One Yes the Other No - Narrative
Director Hannah Patterson - Late to the Party - Narrative
Director Evelyn Lorena - Gabriela - Narrative
Director Shaun Maclean - Chipper - Narrative
The Virtual Production Pipeline & the Future of Content Production
Virtual production from start to finish. Nick, Joshua, and Justin provide a comprehensive overview of the virtual production pipeline: From creating 3D virtual locations to technical components involved to capturing live-action footage on an LED Volume - in this talk, you’ll learn about the best ways of incorporating this innovative technology into your filmmaking toolkit.
Panelists:
Co-Founder Nick Rivero - Meptik
Senior Interactive Designer Joshua Eason - Meptik
Technical Director Justin Wylie - Arc Studios
On Screenwriting
Whether you’re writing shorts, features, or TV shows, on spec as indie filmmakers, paid screenwriters, or in a writer’s rooms, this panel will share their expertise and passion for screenwriting, along with tips for emerging filmmakers.
Moderator: Writer, Producer, Director Carrie Schrader
Panelists:
Screenwriter, Producer, Director Lane Skye
Screenwriter, Producer, Director Ruckus Skye
Screenwriter, Producer, Director Casper Kelly
Screenwriter, Producer Katiedid Langrock
Screenwriter, Producer, Director Bomani J. Story
Improv Reshapes Your Creativity
Improv is not just about funny shows or jokes in the moment. It can completely reshape your approach to your creative projects. This panel discussion brings together incredible film and television actors to talk about how their improv background has translated to the professional projects they are currently working on. Applying the principles of improv at the beginning of any creative project or using it as the foundation for how your creative team works together will allow you to develop truly unique work that feels like something your entire team has created together. This is the perfect panel for anyone looking to find a new approach to writing, acting, and directing.
Moderator: Jon Carr - Vaguely Specific Productions
Panelists:
Actress, Producer Amber Nash
Actress, Producer, Writer Karen Ceesay
Actor, Producer Atkins Estimond
AI for Producing
The rise of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry is not just a story about technological progress – it's a story about power. Artificial Intelligence is the single biggest thing to happen to the entertainment industry since the invention of the camera. No, it will not take your job, but the people who know how to use it will. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the filmmaking process, those who hold the keys to its operation will have an unparalleled advantage in creating movies that capture audiences' imaginations. Producer Harim Leon will explore the implications of this power shift - the future of filmmaking - showing how professional and aspiring filmmakers can leverage AI to bring their visions to life and how AI will reshape the way we create and consume movies.
Panelist:
Executive Producer Harim Leon - Red Baron Digital LLC
Streamlining Post: What Indie Filmmakers Need to Know
Join different members of a post production process to learn what indie filmmakers need to know as they move from editing their own projects to needing an editor, sound editor, post sup, music, and more.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director & PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
Post Supervisor Travis Preston - Moonshine Post
Editor Patrick Perry - Moonshine Post
Audio Editor Chris Nicholson - BOOM Post
Composer Evan Hodges
Jumpstarting Your Career: Tips and Resources for Emerging Filmmakers
Join us for an in-depth conversation with RE:IMAGINE, student filmmakers, and industry partners about the many opportunities to jumpstart an early filmmakers' journey and career and how you can prepare while still in high school or as a recent graduate. We will discuss finding and getting connected to local artist opportunities, preparing for future film production experiences, understanding the industry at large for minors, networking and more.
RE:IMAGINE trains, equips, and inspires Generation Z (ages 11 - 24) to build careers in the creative and digital media industries.
Moderator: Education Director Lizette London - RE:IMAGINE
Panelists:
Student Filmmaker Sway Powers - The Brink of Hell
Student Filmmaker Nora Barksdale - Friendship
Student Filmmaker Hannah Patterson - Late to the Party
Georgia Narrative Shorts Roundtable - 2 of 3
Second of the three short film panels featuring the directors of these Georgia-tied short films. See their trailers, hear their production stories, what led them to tell this story, and their journeys as filmmakers.
Moderator: Actress & Producer Viviana Chavez
Panelists:
Director Adam Rioux - Roaming Dawn - Narrative
Director David Nixon Jr. - Lumps - Narrative
Director Rozalyn Mattocks - Kid Free Weekend - Narrative
Director Brandi Stevens - Impression - Narrative
Director Kelvin Summerhill - Black Butterfly - Narrative
The Business Side of Filmmaking
The terminology of the business side of filmmaking can be confusing and misleading. Join us for a conversation about the process and definitions involved with debt financing, development and creative services, and post and distribution. Learn what Buffalo 8 and their parent company offer, and why they opened shop in Georgia.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director & PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelist:
Head of Production & Services - Adam Harris Englehard - Buffalo 8
Georgia Narrative and Documentary Shorts Roundtable - 3 of 3
Third of the three short film panels featuring the directors/producers of these Georgia-tied short films. See their trailers, hear their production stories, what led them to tell this story, and their journeys as filmmakers.
Moderator: Director, Writer, Producer Jen West
Panelists:
Co-Directors Jonathan Banks & Dr. Arshley Emile - Young Kings - Documentary
Writer/Producer Alexandra Petkus - Would You Still Love Me - Narrative (Director Ramsey Telhami not in attendance)
Tri-Directors Sean Famoso, Dennis Williams & Gladimir Gelin - RACE - Narrative
Co-Directors Linnea Frye & Adam Pinney - Lily's Mirror - Narrative
Director Brian Lonano CONTENT: The Lo-Fi Man - Narrative (Co-Director Blake Myers not in attendance)
On Directing - Sponsored by the MPAA
Directors from three different career paths share their experiences directing indies, documentary and narrative features, and television shows, and how the experiences differ. They’ll share their knowledge and expertise working in the different mediums, providing tips for surviving working with studios, networks, and streamers.
Moderator: Actor, Writer, Director Asad Farooqui
Panelists:
Director, Writer, Producer Angela Barnes
Director, Writer, Producer Takashi Doscher
Director, Writer, Producer Carrie Schrader
Making It and Keepin’ It Real with Ideas United
An in-depth conversation with filmmakers who have “made it”, and the foundational lessons they’ve learned along the way through pivotal career-changing decisions. From learning to take advantage of opportunities when they come, making authentic connections, and staying humble as you grow. Audience members will be tasked with making their own “next big decision”: share that script, increase your rates, call that person. Whatever that next big move is in their career, attendees will leave this session invigorated.
Moderator: Community Lead at Ideas United, Vi Andrews
Panelists:
Writer, Director, Set Dresser Sedrick Lakpa
Editor Kristina Kromer - Moonshine Post-Production
Director & CEO Valerie Hinkle - Prominence Films
VP of Production Abe Mohammadione - Ideas United
Film Impact Georgia’s Filmmaker Grant Winners
Recipients talk about their projects, winning the filmmaker grant, and how that propelled their projects forward. Since 2019, Film Impact Georgia has awarded $35,000 in grants across 7 cycles. Working with partners and board members, FIG has connected the winning filmmakers with mentors that could assist with film festival strategy, marketing, post-production, securing locations and more.
Moderator: Executive Director Melissa Simpson - Film Impact Georgia
Panelists:
Ines Michelena - ANGIE - Fall 2019
Lev Omelchenko - A Song for Echo - Spring 2020
Andrew J. Lee - A Sparrow Cries At Night - Fall 2020
Jeremy Thao - Woman - Spring 2021
Shandrea Evans - Bloom - Fall 2021
Hannah Patterson - Late to the Party - Spring 2022
Erika Miranda - Trailer Trash Magic - Fall 2022
Development, the Pitch and the Package with Pictures Window Productions and Doghouse Pictures
Executives at Picture Window Productions and Doghouse Pictures dive into the development process and pitch packages for projects at networks, studios, and podcasting companies. From environmental docuseries and podcasts to feature films and television shows, this discussion will educate you on the process of developing your ideas into the perfect pitch, and how to think outside the box when your IP falls into development hell.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director and PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
Producer, Director, Writer Suzan Satterfield
Producer, Writer Jeff Keating
Creating Opportunities for Creators in Georgia - Sponsored by People Store
For years, the only representation you could get in Georgia was for actors. But things are finally starting to change…meet literary and crew talent agency reps who will break down what they look for, how to find representation, what you need to bring to the table, what you can expect, and what agents do for you.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director and PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
Head of Development Tara Ochs - Dagger Originals
Manager, Producer Jermaine Johnson - 3 Arts Entertainment
President & Founder Jeffrey Stepakoff - Content Talent South
Seed&Spark - Crowdfunding to Build Independence
Seed&Spark has the highest crowdfunding campaign success rate of any funding platform in the world, and they will 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. Your career starts here!
Panelist:
Founder & CEO - Emily Best - Seed&Spark
Feature Filmmakers from Georgia-tied Films in the ATLFF - Sponsored by Popflick
Lead Programmer Jon Kieran sits down with the directors of the Georgia-tied feature films playing in the festival to discuss their process, their stories, and their journey to directing.
Moderator: Programming Director Jon Kieran
Panelists:
Director Kayla Johnson - Fenom
Director Lev Omelchenko - Twenty
Director Bryan Tan - She Watches Blindly
Co-Directors Jordan Bellamy & Josh Gilligan - Ship Happens
Director Geoff Marslett - Quantum Cowboys
Changing the Climate: How to Weave Cultural, Social, and Environmental Narratives into Your Storytelling: A Conversation with Lydia Dean Pilcher
Lydia Dean Pilcher is a two time Emmy® winning, Oscar® nominated producer and founder of NYC production company Cine Mosaic. Focusing on global culture and multicultural storytelling, Pilcher has produced over 40 feature films for auteur directors including “Queen of Katwe,” “Cutie & The Boxer,” and “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” Her director credits include WWII spy thriller, A CALL TO SPY, the climate narratives RADIUM GIRLS and the science fiction film, HOMING INSTINCT. She has been an ambassador for sustainability in entertainment for more than 15 years and is one of the founding members of the Producers Guild of America’s Green initiative. As a member of the Guild, she works with studios and streamers on GreenProductionGuide.com. Lydia also co-leads the WGA/PGA Climate Storytelling group and Co-Chairs the Directors Guild of America Sustainable Future Committee. This session is presented in collaboration with the Producers Guild of America.
Moderator: Producer, Director, Writer - Suzan Satterfield
Panelist:
Producer, Director, Writer - Lydia Dean Pilcher
Meet the Atlanta Film Festival Programmers - Sponsored by Popflick
Meet our Programming Director Jon Kieran, Programmers Astin Rocks and Jennica Carmona, and Senior Programmer for the Screenplay Competition Brian Grady. They’ll share the process for entry, their process for choosing films, what they love about their jobs, and tips for filmmakers looking to submit next year.
Moderator: Creative Conference Director and PGA Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
Programming Director Jon Kieran
Programmers Astin Rocks and Jennica Carmona
Sr. Screenplay Programmer Brian Grady
Building a Thriving Georgia Film Community
Artists and activists discuss how we can work together across disciplines to build sustainable and lasting careers individually and collectively.
Moderator: Founder & CEO Emily Best - Seed&Spark
Panelists:
Culture Curator & Co-Founder Bem Joiner - Atlanta Influences Everything
Actress Bethany Ann Lind - SAG-AFTRA
Creative Director Charles Judson - Film Impact Georgia
Producer Terrence Battle
9 VIRTUAL PANELS
On Producing & Directing - A Conversation with Roger Bobb
Roger Bobb is the President and CEO of BobbCat Films, a film and television production company based in Atlanta. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President of Tyler Perry Studios for 8 years. He's a former DGA trainee, was the youngest African-American 1st AD in New York, has won 8 NAACP Image Awards and is the only 2 time Best Picture winner at the ABFF (American Black Film Festival). His producing credits include “For Colored Girls”, “Why Did I Get Married II’, “Madea’s Big Happy Family” and seven other Tyler Perry films for a combined gross of over half a billion dollars. His television films include “Same Time Next Christmas” (ABC), “Life Size-2” (Freeform), “Bad Dad Rehab (TV One)”, “Let The Church Say Amen” (BET) to name a few. Bobb also works as a director, with over 15 television movie credits in the last 3 years.
Moderator: Director, Producer Rob Hardy
Panelist:
Producer, Director Roger Bobb
The Director - Cinematographer Relationship
Writer, Producer, Director Craig Zobel discusses the relationship between the Director and Director of Photography with his long-time collaborator Cinematographer Darran Tiernan. They’re currently in pre-production for The Penguin starring Colin Farrell for HBO, but worked together on The Hunt, One Dollar, and Westworld, after meeting on American Gods.
Moderator: Writer, Producer, Director Craig Zobel
Panelist: Director of Photography Darran Tiernan
Directing for Television
This panel features directors with credits on Atlanta, Blindspotting, Teenage Bounty Hunters, Loot, Killing It, Mythic Quest, So Help Me Todd, The Blacklist, The Watchful Eye, Big Shot, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Gray’s Anatomy, Queen Sugar, Solace, Cherish the Day, The Recruit, The Midnight Club, In the Dark, and This is Us. That’s a lot of experience and knowledge to share. Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation on all things directing for television.
Moderator: Director, Writer, Producer Angela Barnes
Panelists:
Director, Writer, Producer Daniel Willis
Director, Producer Tchaiko Omawale
Director, Writer, Producer Kay Oyegun
Director, Writer, Editor Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour
Creating Character Driven Stories - A Conversation with Screenwriter Scott Myers
A member of the Writers’ Guild of America West since 1987, Scott Myers has written over 30 movie and TV projects at every major Hollywood studio and broadcast network. He was an executive producer at Trailblazer Studios, overseeing the company’s original content development for TV including the Scripps and Discovery networks. He has taught in the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, receiving its Outstanding Instructor Award in 2005, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and since 2008 has hosted GoIntoTheStory.com, the official screenwriting blog of the Black List. He joined the faculty at DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts in the fall 2016. Scott graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree (with Honors) in Religious Studies and Yale University, where he received a Masters of Divinity degree cum laude.
Moderators: Co-Writers Lane Skye and Ruckus Skye
Panelist:
Screenwriter and Assistant Professor of Screenwriting Scott Myers
Cinematography and Zeiss Lenses
Join Zeiss rep Tony Wisniewski as he discussed all things lenses with working professionals in the camera department from Photographers to Steadi-cam Ops to Directors of Photography for commercials, television, and film.
Moderator: Tony Wisniewski - Zeiss
Panelists:
Photographer Tracy Page
Cinematographer Cliff Charles
Cinematographer Hilda Mercado
Cinematographer, Steadi-Cam Op Alfeo Dixon
Cinematographer Jose Alejandro Acosta
Representation in the Latinx Community
Join Latinas in Media Atlanta for a panel discussion on the importance of representation in media - where inclusion stands now, what we can do to improve it, and what the future holds.
Moderator: Producer, Actress Denise Santos
Panelists:
Producer, Actress Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett
Producer, Actress Erika Miranda
Writer, Director, Producer Erik Francisco Medina
Producer, Director, Actress Caitlin Hargraves
Screenwriting with Mavro and Harrison, The Rockstar Brothers
Mavro and Harrison, the screenwriting duo known as The Rockstar Brothers, cover a wide range of topics to help aspiring screenwriters understand the process and the art of the craft, as well as the collaborative nature of writing a screenplay.
Panelists:
Producer, Actor, Writer Mavro Diamonti
Producer, Director, Actor, Writer Harrison Ellis
Screenwriting, The Writers Room, and the Script Doctor
Looking for a script consult or help with pitching your idea? Interested in working as a writers assistant but unsure what that or working in a writers rooms looks like? These panelists share their experience on what it takes to work in the writers room and what to expect when hiring someone for feedback on your screenplay and pitch.
Panelists:
CEO & Head Consultant Shannan E Johnson - The Professional Pen
Producer, Screenwriter Maggie Bush - Maggie B. Writing
Prepping Your Project
Tune into this powerhouse panel to learn how much work is involved to get a job as a department head. And once you get the job, what each department does in prep and why, along with how proper preparation translates to a better production. And yes, it’s really 2.5 hours long. There was a lot to discuss!
Moderator: Creative Conference Director & Producer Linda Burns
Panelists:
1st AD Jerry Pece - DGA
Location Manager David Luse - IATSE
Cinematographer, Camera Operator Angelica Perez-Castro - IATSE 600
Production Designer Ina Mayhew - Production Designers Guild
Director Lauren Petzke - DGA