Panels & Events

Tuesday, Oct. 7th at 11:30am
Producer Selina Ringel leads a hands-on workshop on launching your first feature, finding your audience, and building partnerships without waiting for permission.

Tuesday, Oct. 7th at 12:30am
Writers and storytellers share how to craft compelling scripts and navigate Hollywood’s shifting landscape. Join screenwriters Rick Najera and John Posey as they share stories and insight writing – from Broadway to major studios! Also featuring Martin Gooch, Tim Donner and Jesse Posey.

Tuesday, Oct. 7th at 12:30am
Practical strategies to grow communities, drive engagement, and promote indie films with limited budgets. Kevin Winston of Digital LA shares how how indie filmmakers can leverage social media to build buzz.

Tuesday, Oct. 7th at 2:00pm
Top entertainment lawyers and insiders reveal how deals get made, rights are protected, and filmmakers can navigate Hollywood’s legal maze. A discussion with Clif Lo (former in-house at Disney), Pejman Partiyeli (packed over 70 indie films), Bruce Nahin (300+ IMDB credits), Ernest Goodman, Esq. (UCLA professor) and more guests.

Tuesday, Oct. 7th at 2:45pm
Experts explore how AI is transforming everything from pre-visualization to VFX and distribution. A discussion led by Kevin Winston (@DigitalLA) and Deborah M. Pratt (Executive Producer of Quantum Leap), and Jethro Rothe-Kushel (AI investor and entrepreneur)

Wednesday, Oct. 8th at 11:00am

The Art of the Stunt — Join top stunt professionals for an inside look at the artistry, skill, and innovation behind today’s most unforgettable action scenes.

Moderated by Larry Rosenthal. Featuring Angela Meryl (World Stunt Award honoree for Overall Stunt by a Woman), Eddie Perez (3-Time Emmy Award Winner), Cory DeMeyers (2025 Emmy Award Winner), and Guy Fernandez Jr. (SAG Award-winning stunt performer)

Wednesday, Oct. 8th at 11:30am
Insights from Hollywood CPR, Urban Scholar Academy, Whittier College, and the DGA’s Assistant Director Training Program on breaking into the industry. Featuring Sophie Emma Wells, Kate Berezo, Imhotep Coleman, Patti McCarthy and Lila Mayes

Wednesday, Oct. 8th at 12:30pm
Music Meets AI, Tech & New Genres – Composers and innovators explore the future of film and TV music. Come hear from world-renowned agent, Darrell Alexander (Alien: Romulus, Downton Abbey), Film & TV composer Ian Arber (Paris Has Fallen, The Capture), Emmy-Award Winning music supervisor Ciara Elwis (Bad Sisters, I May Destroy You), music producer/mixer Jason Soudah (Wicked), and Kofi Mensah!

Wednesday, Oct. 8th at 12:45pm
A candid conversation on representation, challenges, and cultural impact. Moderated by Mandahla Rose. Featured panelists include Jorge Xolalpa, Lissa Forehan, Alex Vasquez, Ed King III, Ica’ Iuori and Amanda Aoki Rak. Sponsored by @TelloFilms.

Thursday, Oct. 9th at 11:00am
Developing, Financing & Distributing Films – A powerhouse panel on the complete filmmaking journey.
Featuring Jiari Guo (Executive Producer of The Brutalist), and Alesia Abatie (Independence Day), Franny Baldwin (Murderville), Martine Melloul (Screamboat), James Cullen Bressack (produced over 136 feature films and directed 25 features)

Thursday, Oct. 9th at 11:00am
Tools That Save Time, Not Creativity. Sponsered by UXD Academy

Thursday, Oct. 9th at 12:15pm
Disability Inclusion in Film & Media – Practical tools for creating accessible productions and screenings. Presented by Carl Hensen (VP of Production Fox Sports Original Programming)

Thursday, Oct. 9th at 1:00pm
Distribution executives and thought leaders discuss strategies to cut through today’s crowded market. Bryan Duran (Disney, Starz, Universal, and Warner Bros. as an attorney and financial analyst), Griffin Gmelich (senior leadership roles across Warner Bros., Vivendi Universal, and Hulu), Jerome Courshon (The Secrets to Film Distribution), James Cullen Bressack (produced over 136 feature films and directed 25 features) and Natalia Velez (Disrupt3rs)

Thursday, Oct. 9th at 3:00pm
Honest conversations about progress and challenges in representation. Lets hear from Vienamese Director Kevin Boston (colabs with Pink, and Post Malone), Rick Najera (Broadway play Latinologues), “the King of Rom Coms,” Patrick Perez, April Mendoza, and Cassandra Cooper.

Friday, Oct. 10th at 11:00am

Nailing Auditions in the Age of Self-Tapes – Casting pros share how to stand out in today’s audition process.

Moderated by producer and actor David Bianchi, featuring Amy Lyndon (Celebrity Master Acting Coach), Angela Marie Hutchinson (Head of IP & Talent Ventures at RPM Talent Agency), Ofelia Habelt (casting agent with Johnson Talent Agency), Berenice Molina Valle (casting director), Manny Jimenez Sr. (Suspect Entertainment) and actors / producers Carlos Ayala and Fabian Alomar.

Friday, Oct. 10th at 11:15am
Celebrating women redefining Hollywood’s future.
Featuring Diana Keeler (talent agent and owner at Pandium Fusion), Belinda Salazar (producer of American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos), Trace De La Torre-Pidoux, Martine Melloul, April Mendoza, Dré Lamparello, and Amanda Aoki Rak

Friday, Oct. 10th at 1:00pm
How Filmmakers Fund Their Vision – Independent filmmakers break down creative funding strategies. Moderated by David Bianchi featuring Susannah C. d’Arcy, Derek Johnson II, Nicholas Killian, Selina Ringel, and Martine Melloul.

Friday, Oct. 10th at 2:45pm
Why Vertical is Hollywood’s Hottest Trend – Exploring vertical storytelling and its explosive impact on the industry.
Panelists include Dana Protsyshak (LA Vertical Drama Market), Jay Blumenfield, Judah Ray, Roberta Sparta, Chris Trull, April Mendoza, Dre’ Lamparello, Gabriel Giovanni and Kristine Larsen