- 2026 Education Session
Date: February 20, 2026
Time: 12:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Cost: FREE
Location:
Regal Union Square Theater 2
850 Broadway
New York, New York 10023
Shooting your first feature film is an enormous and sometimes terrifying undertaking! We’ve assembled a team of first time directors with feature films in the fest to talk about their experience and what they learned about the process, including fundraising, casting, the advice they wish they had taken (and what they wish they’d ignored), building a rational film festival strategy and so much more! Moderated by Kevan Ali.
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE
About The Speakers
Sen-I YuDirector – My Heavenly City
Sen-I Yu is a New York based filmmaker originally from Taiwan. She has directed a wide range of productions including short films, documentaries and commercials. Her feature directorial debut MY…- Michal Sinnott
Director – Unpacking
Michal Sinnott is a classically trained storyteller. Her first narrative feature, UNPACKING, as co/writer-director-producer-actor now streams Amazon Prime as 100% Popcorn Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes after screening in 25 fests… - Kevan AliKevan Ali is a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, and the Founder of the North Jersey Film Industry Conference (NJFIC). He is known for directing Emerald Ties (2024) and the upcoming experimental short film Subversion (2026). Ali…
- Marko Novakovic
Director – Accomplices
Marko Novakovic was born in Belgrade and graduated in Direction from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad (Serbia). He is known for his feature films NEKO ME IPAK CEKA… - Sunny Liu
Director – Pianoman
Sunny Liu, a versatile filmmaker, pianist, and animator based in NY, champions marginalized voices through compelling storytelling. With degrees from Emerson College, The New School and the School of Visual… - J.R. Stokes
Director – Beautiful, Pam
J.R. “Sid” Stokes is a filmmaker and photographer from New York. From a very young age, J.R. has taken a strong interest in the art of storytelling, and hopes to… - Jacqueline Christy
Director – Magic Hour
Jacqueline Christy is an award-winning writer, director, and founder of Access Theater. She directed the short films REHEARSAL (Austin Film Festival) and OTHER PEOPLE (St Louis International Film Festival). Christy…
