Industry Seminars
Getting Your Film Distributed and Sold
2 established professionals and one filmmaker with 35 years experience, let you know all about film distribution and answer your questions.
Location: Monaco Hotel (Athens Room)
Time: Saturday, March 5th – 11:00am
(March 5) – $15 (+ Eventbrite fee) HERE or AT THE DOOR
Join Sana Soni, Director of Sales at 1091 Pictures, Brian Newman, Founder of Sub-Genre Media and Phil Grabsky, producer and director at Seventh Art Productions (UK) for deep discussion about film distribution, sales and associated strategies and realities.
Sana Soni is a sales and distribution executive specializing in independent film at 1091 Pictures. She has an extensive background in film and TV sales from multiple studios and independents in both Los Angeles and London, including Signature Entertainment, Discovery, Warner Bros, NBC Universal, National Geographic, and Walden Media. A UCLA and New York Film Academy graduate, she brings market expertise to features in development and those looking for distribution.
Brian Newman, founder of Sub-Genre, consults on content strategy, development, distribution and marketing for some of the top brands in the world. Current and former clients include: The Climate Pledge (Amazon), IBM, Keen, Merck KGaA, New York Times, Oatly, Patagonia, REI, Shopify Studios, Sonos, Stripe, Sundance, Unilever, Vulcan Productions, Yeti Coolers, and Zero Point Zero. Brian is also an independent film producer and has served as CEO of the Tribeca Film Institute, president of Renew Media (known for the Rockefeller Fellowships) and executive director of IMAGE Film & Video (producers of the Atlanta Film Festival & Out on Film).
Phil Grabsky: Seventh Art Productions was founded in 1984 by award-winning British filmmaker Phil Grabsky, who continues to write, direct and produce many of its films today. Seventh Art Productions is one of the UK’s leading independent producers of films for cinema, TV and digital platforms. Over the past 35 years it has worked with major British and international broadcasters and shown films in almost 100 countries, specialising in creating top-quality documentaries on art, history, social issues and classical music.
Marketing w/ Influencers & Content: Tools and Trends for Filmmakers and Artists
Maryann Lombardi and Lauren “Bobby Pen” Williams lead a discussion on marketing for creatives and how it all really works
Location: Monaco Hotel (Athens Room)
Time: Saturday, March 5th – 12:45pm
(March 5) – $15 (+ Eventbrite fee) HERE or AT THE DOOR
Maryann is the author of the book “It’s Your Story to Tell: Essays on Identity from a Messy Life Well Lived” published by New Degree Press. The book is about how identities are formed, who has the power to form them and why it is important to be the designer of your identity as well as the one who tells the story of who you are.
Bobby Pen has established a space in print, digital and broadcast media serving as Radio One Digital Content Manager and producing local and nationally syndicated radio shows on Hot 97, WBLS and WLIB in New York City. Currently, Bobby Pen is a freelance reporter for P. Diddy’s cable network REVOLT, theGrio, and HELLOBEAUTIFUL.
As an entrepreneur and executive coach, Maryann Lombardi works with impact entrepreneurs and change makers to clarify and simplify so they can take bold action to solve big problems without all the noise. Building on her 20 years of experience working with government, institutions and community – her practice also works with cities to build policy, programs and resources to attract, retain, and empower a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial workforce. Maryann has a specific expertise in marketing and branding and has helped to build brands, develop marketing partnerships, and work with entrepreneurs and institutions to boost their visibility in their market.
Lauren “Bobby Pen” Williams first established herself professionally as the Founding Editor of award-winning Lifestyle & Entertainment website TheBobbyPen.com, which has been documenting Black American lifestyle contributions to entertainment, business, and culture since 2010. With dozens of national television appearances on TMZ, Cheddar News, ESSENCE, BBC NEWS, and ABC 20/20, Bobby Pen has become a go-to culture commentator. She has garnered millions of views and viral moments on social media from her in-the-field interviews with entertainers, athletes, business moguls and political figures like Angela Bassett, Snoop Dogg, Carmen Electra, Diddy, Cardi B, NBA Legend Dirk Nowitzki, Kirk Franklin, and CNN reporter Don Lemon.
Film Producers Share What They Do vs. What We Think They Do
Join Seasoned Film & TV Producers in an Informal Discussion to Really Understand The Scope of a Producer’s Work in Film/TV/Web Series
Location: Teaism Penn Quarter
Time: Sunday, March 6th – 11:30am
(March 6) – FREE (+ RSVP) HERE or AT THE DOOR
Join Melissa Jo Peltier and Ryan Richter who will lead an informal discussion about working as a producer with directors Joe Eddy and John Gray as accompanying directors.
Melissa Jo Peltier is a producer and writer, known for Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan (2004), White Irish Drinkers (2010) and Titanic: Death of a Dream (1994). She produces with director John Gray.
Ryan Richter is the producer of the Steve McQueen biopic Chasing Bullitt and the new feature mockumentary Bootyology. He produces regularly with director Joe Eddy.
