Azadeh Moaveni is a journalist, writer and associate professor at New York University, where she directs the Global Journalism Program. Her books and articles explore the interaction between gender and armed conflict, and how women’s rights, security and political participation are impacted by war and authoritarianism. Her recent research has focused on women’s recruitment to…
Michael Solomon is a Brooklyn-born sustainability consultant. He has seen first-hand many of the exciting advances in the film and TV industry’s transition to cleaner technology and sustainable production. A writer, former producer, and longtime PGA member, his credits include How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It) and Constantine’s Sword, among…
Emmy-nominated Executive Producer Christina Delfico garnered over 40 awards in children’s media. As The Producers Guild’s Green Committee Co-Chair, she supported the Mayor’s launch of NYC’s 1st television and film sustainability initiative. During her United Nations sustainability panel she asked the public to RETHINK EVERYTHING they use. A decades-long career with Sesame Workshop sparked an…
Laura Aguinaga is an actress, writer, and author based in New York City. A proud SAG-AFTRA member, she has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including FBI, New Amsterdam, and Shades of Blue. She also starred in the independent feature film Qiya, written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Alba Garcia. Her work spans drama,…
Aadil Cheema has worked in short film, commercial, and music video production for several years in different departments, mostly camera and sound. He studied journalism, sociology, and cinema studies in undergrad and wrote articles on the film industry for a school publication. His ultimate goal is to make films and write criticism.
Judith B. Balkin is a graduate of NYU Tisch School Of the Arts. She has worked in various media outlets, most notably for WCBS TV news. She is an independent producer and a member of BAFTA, NYWIFT., and HRTS. Currently, she is the Chairwoman for the NYU Women’s Initiative which has 73,000 women members, and…
Shira Gans is the Senior Executive Director of Policy + Programs at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment, where she directs NYC Film Green Office Hours, a virtual discussion series that helps promote and create a sustainable blueprint for Film and Television productions in New York City. She also leads the city’s strategy…
Marc Pollak teaches English and math in Manhattan. Originally from New York, he earned academic degrees in Philadelphia and Washington, DC. While working in DC, he began to tutor part-time, and he started his own tutoring business when he returned to New York in 2012. He has written and served as an editor for academic…
Nyhle Wilson is a recently graduated film student from Dillard University. She is currently working as a production assistant for the New Orleans Film Festival and has worked on productions for indie films. Nyhle made her own short film within the last year as well.
Nilufer Ozmekik is a screenwriter, critic, and cultural obsessive with 20 years in film and television. Her credits span Turkish primetime hits, Netflix collaborations, and award-winning indie features. Since 2017, she’s been a judge at New York’s Winter Film Festival and has built a Goodreads community of 60,000+ readers who actually argue with her in…
Kavery Kaul is an award-winning director-producer-writer whose films boundlessly straddle many worlds. From brain injury to vibrant music and art to compelling coming of age stories, Kavery’s array of subjects introduces viewers to people they may never have met. Working in the US and internationally, Kavery brings to her projects an understanding of the challenges…
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 HEAVENLY CITY was selected in the 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival, nominated for NETPAC Award, and received positive reviews from The Guardian, MovieWeb.com and Asia…
Producer/Director Joanne Friedland Roberts, has created TV pilots, series, documentaries and digital media for companies and institutions like CBS, PBS, NBC, ABC/Disney, HBO, AOL, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, The Smithsonian, Sesame Workshop and the Brennan Center of Justice. An internet pioneer, Joanne has led 3 start-ups. creating some of the earliest web communities, games and videos for…
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 (WFF, Cinequest, RIFF, Sedona) and winning 17 awards (incl. Best Actress -Michal, Best of Fest, Best Ensemble, Audience Choice, Rising Star Director). Her second feature…
Kevan 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 serves as Chief Creative Ambassador for the Sparta, New Jersey Film Commission, focusing on directing feature films and television while connecting Hollywood creatives with New…