The Business Behind the Scenes for Freelance Filmmakers
Feb 20, 2:15 PM-3:30 PM: The Business Behind the Scenes for Freelance Filmmakers (LOOK Cinemas Theater 4)
Navigating Film Fundraising with NYWIFT
Feb 21, 3:45 PM-5:00 PM: Navigating Film Fundraising with NYWIFT (LOOK Cinemas Theater 5, 657 W 57th St, New York NY 10019)
The Secret Bloody Truths – Get Your Indie Horror Film Made!
Feb 20, 12:45 PM-2:00 PM: The Secret Bloody Truths – Get Your Indie Horror Film Made! (LOOK Cinemas Theater 4, 657 W 57th St, New York NY 10019)
Distribution Strategies for Independent Filmmakers
Feb 21, 2:15 PM-3:30 PM: All About Distribution with Dan Gurlitz (LOOK Cinemas Theater 5, 657 W 57th St, New York NY 10019)
Harnessing Flexibility in your Acting & Filmmaking – with IMPROV!
Feb 20, 3:45 PM-5:00 PM: Harnessing Flexibility in your Acting & Filmmaking – with IMPROV! (LOOK Cinemas Theater 4, 657 W 57th St, New York NY 10019)
Festival Formula – Here To Tell You Some Festival Truths (and be honest)
Feb 21, 12:45 PM-2:00 PM: Festival Formula: Here To Tell You Some Festival Truths (LOOK Cinemas Theater 5, 657 W 57th St, New York NY 10019)
Joanna Rudolph
Joanna Rudolph is a producer of several short films and is an executive producer of the indie feature film “Burning Annie,” which was acquired by Lightyear Entertainment for distribution, and later self-released on TVOD platforms via Sundance Institute’s Creative Distribution Initiative. A member of New York Women in Film and Television and The D-Word, Joanna…
Jalen Vasquez
Jalen Vasquez serves as the Director of Freelancers Hub, a coworking space operated by Freelancers Union in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. In this role, he coordinates workshops, programming, and actively engages with community members. Beyond his responsibilities at Freelancers Hub, Jalen is a dedicated freelance multidisciplinary designer specializing in illustrations,…
Rafael Espinal
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rafael Espinal became New York’s youngest elected official at age 26 when he joined the State Assembly. The son of Dominican immigrant union members and freelancers, Rafael has dedicated his career to advocating for workers, small businesses, artists, low-income communities, and the environment. In 2013, he was elected to the…
Jim Thalman
Jim Thalman is the Managing Director of i*Deal Films, a film finance fund that provides first monies to curated high concept independent feature films. i*Deal’s current slate of films include “MISERIA” (“The Mummy” meets “Murder on the Orient Express”) and “Psychopathy” (“Dinner at Andre’s” with serial killers.) In addition, Jim is overseeing the development of…
Ian Holt
A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Ian Holt studied under the late great Stella Adler and Beatrice Straight. Ian is the co-author, with Dacre Stoker, of the international best seller, Dracula The Un-Dead, the official sequel to Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 novel, Dracula. Ian wrote the cult classic slasher, Dr….
Easmanie Michel
Easmanie Michel manages NYWIFT’s fiscal sponsorship program; works closely with NYWIFT’s CEO and treasurer on the monthly profit and loss statement and annual budget; handles the day-to-day tasks of recording financial transactions; works with the Finance Controller on reconciliations and the yearly audit; co-produces the Muse Awards and Designing Women; coordinates the Animation Series; and…
Ian Bignell
Ian Bignell is a Film Festival Strategist at Festival Formula. As one of the lead Strategists at Festival Formula, Ian watches films that come into the company, providing impartial feedback on how they best fit into the worldwide film festival circuit. Drawing on his wisdom as the companies previous Submissions Coordinator, he has expert insight…
Katie Bignell
Katie Bignell is Film Festival Strategist & Founder at Festival Formula. Katie graduated from Bournemouth Media School with a degree in Scriptwriting for Film & TV. She is also a graduate of the Royal Court Young Writer’s and Invitation Only groups. While pursuing a career in writing upon graduation, she received funding from Arvon Foundation…
Mike Brown
Mike has been teaching improv since 2011. Before the pandemic, he taught at The People’s Improv Theater for 3 years before going on tour with BeerProv, a Short Form Improv show (much like ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’) performing shows nightly aboard the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship. He developed his own signature style of improvisation…
