Agenda

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Panels and Keynote Conversations

Sunday, June 11

3:00 PM

BANFF opening session (3:00pm - 3:30pm)

Cascade

Join us for a lineup of special guests who will help open the 2023 edition of the Banff World Media Festival.

3:30 PM

Defining Canadian Content: The future of the industry (3:30pm - 4:30pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

PARTNER PRESENTATION: Join the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and a cross-section of Canadian industry voices for a first look at preliminary insights from the CMF’s #CanConDef research initiative, which includes a national survey, detailed ethnographic interviews, and a series of workshops on how the definition of Canadian content could evolve with the new Broadcasting Act. With specifics on how to implement the modernized Act still to come, this is an imperative conversation about the future of the industry. Don’t miss this opening session to set the stage for BANFF 2023.


Moderating:


Valerie Creighton

President & CEO

Canada Media Fund

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Featuring:

Stacey Aglok MacDonald

Co-Creator, Executive Producer and Writer, upcoming Arctic comedy series for CBC, Netflix and APTN

Red Marrow Media

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Catalina Briceno

Partner

La société des demains

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Tom Hastings

Head of Original Programming in Canada, Paramount+

Paramount

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Sasha Leigh Henry

Showrunner, Director

Admiral Productions + Sunflower Studios

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Christina Jennings

Chairman & President

Shaftesbury

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Philippe Lamarre

President

URBANIA

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4:45 PM

Int’l Media Leaders: big bang theories (4:45pm - 5:30pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

The techtonic plates of the international media industry continue to shift amid seismic change in the business, morphing content trends, social and political upheaval, economic factors and unstoppable technological advancements. From strategic M&A to running a global streamer to creating mega-hits, each of these media leaders, an innovator in their own right, is charting a bold path. Join us for this exclusive discussion revealing views on the latest trends, current challenges and what it takes to navigate what’s next in media.


Moderating:


Elaine Low

Staff Writer

The Ankler

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Featuring:

Antony Fraser

Managing Director

ACF Investment Bank

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Kevin Johnson

CEO

GroupM Canada

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Juan Ponce

SVP & General Manager for Telemundo Streaming Studios

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

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Patrick Vien

Group Managing Director, International

A+E Networks

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Odetta Watkins

Head, Drama Series

Amazon Studios

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Monday, June 12

9:00 AM

An address from the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage (9:00am - 9:25am)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Kick off the first full day of BANFF 2023 with a keynote address from the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Quebec Lieutenant.


Featuring:

Pablo Rodriguez

Minister of Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage

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9:25 AM

Keynote speech: Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and CEO, CRTC (9:25am - 9:45am)

In Partnership With

Cascade

In one of her first addresses to the Canadian film and TV industry, the CRTC’s new Chairperson and CEO will speak to the work currently underway to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system.

Featuring:

Vicky Eatrides

Chairperson and CEO

CRTC Canadian Radio Television & Telecommunications Commissions

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10:00 AM

Canada: state of the nation (10:00am - 10:45am)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Expectations are high as our industry is on the precipice of even more dramatic change. Join us for one of the most hotly anticipated sessions each year where leaders at some of the biggest media companies operating in Canada reveal their vision for the future and address pressing questions about what it will take to ensure a thriving domestic media sector.


Moderating:


Victoria Ahearn

n/a

Playback

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Featuring:

Brad Danks

CEO

OUTtv Network Inc

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Hayden Mindell

Senior Vice President of Television

Rogers Sports & Media

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Andrew Peterson

Head of Canada

YouTube

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Troy Reeb

Co-CEO

Corus Entertainment Inc

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Jamie Schouela

President, Global Channels and Media

Blue Ant Media Inc

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Barbara Williams

Executive Vice-President

CBC

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11:00 AM

Maximize the Value of Your IP on YouTube (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

Mount Stephen Hall

PARTNER PRESENTATION: Creators, producers and directors have similar goals: to share their stories with the world while maximizing the full value of their IP. This panel will cover ways to extend the value of your content long after it’s been ‘shelved’, develop an engaged fanbase who are hungry for more from your library and launch new programming to audiences worldwide. Networks, producers, and creators will hear from industry leaders on tried and tested approaches, and the various opportunities that YouTube can offer for global content distribution.


Featuring:

Morgan Greco

Senior Vice President, Digital Business Development

A+E Networks

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Steven He

Comedian, Actor, Producer and YouTuber

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Stephanie Wilson Chapin

Strategic Partner Lead for TV, Sports, News, YouTube Canada

YouTube

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12:00 PM

Writer Superpanel: strike edition (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

A discussion on the current WGA strike and issues facing the future of the creative side of the business with some of the industry’s top showrunners and writers.


Moderating:


Manori Ravindran

London Correspondent

Variety

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Featuring:

Kara Brown

Writer, Executive Producer

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Adele Lim

Writer-Producer and Director

Writer, Director

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Elan Mastai

Writer

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YouTube Presents: A Masterclass in Monetization (Ivor Petrak) (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

As producers and content creators determine the best global strategy to distribute their projects, it’s important to consider every distribution avenue, so that no one is leaving money on the table. This hands-on workshop will cover various monetization strategies and tangible tactics available on YouTube for everyone from media conglomerates to local creators. Advance registration is required as spots are limited.

Featuring:

Pat Atkins

Strategic Partner Lead, TV & Film, YouTube US

YouTube

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Stephanie Wilson Chapin

Strategic Partner Lead for TV, Sports, News, YouTube Canada

YouTube

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CREATOR CONNECTIONS WITH WILLIAM F. WHITE INT’L (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

In Partnership With

Calling all creatives, grab your lunch and network with diverse talent from around the globe. The team from WFW will be there to answer any questions you may have regarding production and how it relates to your creative journey.


* There are two places to buy your Grab & Go lunches: in the Oval Room beside the Crave Riverview Lounge and in the Alberta/New Brunswick Meeting Space. Available Monday & Tuesday 11:00AM - 2:00PM.

1:00 PM

Moving the dial forward for underrepresented communities in entertainment - successes and continued growth (1:00pm - 1:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Real progress is more than just a seat at the table. Leaders and program participants from the Black Screen Office, NBCU Launch and Reelworld Screen Institute sit down to weigh in on how organizations can truly make an impact for underrepresented communities in the industry today and what needs to be done to create lasting change for future generations.

Moderating:


Kathleen Newman-Bremang

Deputy Editor - Global of Refinery29 Unbothered

Refinery29 Unbothered

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Featuring:

Tayo Amos

Filmmaker

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Robert Baltazar

Vice President, TV Programming DEI, NBCU Launch

NBCUniversal

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Joan Jenkinson

Co-Founder and CEO

Black Screen Office

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Kelly-Ann Jones

Senior Manager, Audience Research

Canada Media Fund

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Thea Loo

Producer

No More Productions Inc

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Alexis McLaren

Development Executive, Original Programming, Scripted & Unscripted

Bell Media

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Sina Sultani

Writer | Director | Producer (p.g.a.)

Photocell Productions

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Tonya Williams

Founder & Executive Director

Reelworld Screen Institute

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1:30 PM

Home reno-ssance: what’s hot in property (1:30pm - 2:15pm)

In Partnership With

Mount Stephen Hall

What is it about renovation shows that we love so much? Join top property series buyers and producers as they discuss what it takes to “build” a home reno hit in today’s landscape, where the genre is headed, and why getting a sneak peek into people’s homes is so captivating.


Moderating:


Vibika Bianchi

Executive Producer

Catalyst

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Featuring:

Josie Crimi

EVP Development and Production

Scott Brothers Entertainment

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Lauren Frasca

SVP, Content

Magnolia Network - Warner Bros. Discovery

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Scott McGillivray

CEO

MEM Inc

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J.C. Mills

President and Head of Content

Cineflix Productions

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CJ Yu

Founder

Amazon Studios

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2:00 PM

Summit Series: Jennifer Mullin, CEO, Fremantle (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

One of the most powerful women in global content, Jennifer Mullin oversees a business that achieved revenues of €2.3 billion (US$2.44 billion) in 2022. Fremantle (part of the RTL Group), is one of the biggest production companies in the world, the creative engine behind iconic entertainment franchises such as Idol, Got Talent, and Family Feud as well as high-end global drama and film output, producing the likes of Bones and All, My Brilliant Friend, The Responder and Academy-award nominated The Hand of God. Fremantle has grown its global footprint through strategic M&A activity and high-profile creative talent partnerships with the likes of Angelina Jolie, Edward Berger, Paolo Sorrentino and Michael Winterbottom, and under Mullin’s leadership as Fremantle’s first American head, ambitious plans are also afoot to continue growth in the documentary space. 

Moderating:


Jenn Kuzmyk

Executive Director - BANFF, Publisher - Playback

Brunico Communications Ltd.

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Featuring:

Jennifer Mullin

Chief Executive Officer

Fremantle

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3:00 PM

Trends in scripted programming (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

In a world of nonstop premieres and ever-increasing competition, how do you produce a show that creates a cult following and sets up for a second season? Hear from major producers, studios, streamers and agents on how they are strategizing to navigate change, how to get noticed in an era of great series, and where the opportunities lie for new stories, new approaches and new IP that has the capacity to break out.

Moderating:


John Elmes

Deputy News Editor & International Editor

Broadcast

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Featuring:

Chris Fry

Joint Creative Director of Scripted

Sister Pictures

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Barry Jossen

President, A+E Studios

A+E Studios

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Teza Lawrence

Executive Producer/Co-Owner

Amaze

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Jacqueline Sacerio

Executive Vice President & Co-Head, Development, Scripted Television, U.S.

Entertainment One Television

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Bryan Seabury

EVP, Drama Development

CBS Studios

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4:00 PM

In Conversation With: Killing It’s Craig Robinson and Claudia O'Doherty (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Join this year’s Rockie Awards Gala Host Craig Robinson to discuss all things comedy with his castmate Claudia O’Doherty from Peacock’s hit comedy series, Killing It.

From the creative minds behind Brooklyn Nine-Nine Dan Goor and Luke Del Tredici, Killing It is a comedy about class, capitalism, and one man’s quest to achieve the American Dream. But first he has to overcome vicious criminals, nature run wild, and worst of all, corporate America.

Moderating:


John Elmes

Deputy News Editor & International Editor

Broadcast

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Featuring:

Claudia O'Doherty

Actress and Comedian

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Craig Robinson

Star and Executive Producer, Killing It

Universal Studio Group

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Global partnerships: we’re all in this together (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

In Partnership With

Mount Stephen Hall

Hits spanning a global scale are at an all-time high. But how do you strategize financing and creative development to achieve success?  These leading producers and distributors from around the world reveal their take on creating innovative and productive international partnerships. How have approaches evolved to meet current market realities?


Moderating:


Richard Middleton

Editor

TBI Magazine

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Featuring:

Elise Cousineau

VP Development, Scripted English Content

Sphere Media Toronto

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Simon Cox

EVP Content & Acquisitions

Banijay Rights

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Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO

Reform Media Group

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Nua Finau

Co-Founder, Executive Producer and Showrunner

Tavake Ltd

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Carlyn Klebuc

General Manager, Original Programming

Bell Media

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Tuesday, June 13

10:00 AM

In Conversation With: Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, Co-Founders, World of Wonder (10:00am - 10:45am)

In Partnership With

Cascade

World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato sit down to talk about the enormous, international success of Drag Race, WOW’s award-winning subversive documentaries including projects such as The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster, and Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, and their owned-and-operated SVOD WOW Presents Plus. They will also discuss the cultural importance of drag and giving a platform to marginalized voices, and how World of Wonder is continuing toward total “world” domination.

*Join us in the CRAVE Lounge for a special book signing with Fenton Bailey immediately after the session. The first 100 people get a copy of his book ‘Screen Age’ How TV shaped our reality, from Tammy Faye to RuPaul's Drag Race.


Moderating:


Nekesa Mumbi Moody

Editorial Director

The Hollywood Reporter

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Featuring:

Fenton Bailey

Co-Founder & Executive Producer

World of Wonder

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Randy Barbato

Co-Founder and Executive Producer

World of Wonder

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11:00 AM

The power of music: in conversation with Nora Felder (11:00am - 11:45am)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Stranger Things, Yellowjackets, What We Do In The Shadows, Californication, Better Things… get inside the brilliant mind behind the music that helped make these and so many more mega hits.  

We’ll sit down with four-time Emmy & Grammy nominated Music Supervisor and 2022 Emmy winner, Nora Felder for a talk on inspiration and collaboration, and her incredible career spanning from booking showcases and events for the Cure and INXS, to being VP of production for legendary music producer, Phil Ramone, where she worked on recording projects for artists ranging from Paul Simon, Sinead O'Connor, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Malcolm McLaren, and Iggy Pop.


Moderating:


Matt Cansick

Senior Director, Creative Licensing – TV North America

BMG Production Music

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Featuring:

Nora Felder

Music Supervisor/Executive Music Producer/Producer

Picture Music Company

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12:00 PM

Get in the sandbox with kids-biz experts (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Kids TV is one of the fastest-changing areas in entertainment. How kids play and use media is evolving at an unprecedented pace while digital migration continues to reshape the business. So where are the best and brightest opportunities for kid-facing IPs right now? How do you shape and launch new content in a way that grabs kids’ nano-sized attention spans? Grab a shovel and a bucket and join our industry experts for this can’t-miss discussion.

Featuring:

Aubrey Clarke

Commissioning Executive | BBC Children’s 7+

BBC

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Sara DeWitt

SVP & General Manager

PBS

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC

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Kate Sanagan

Head of Sales & Distribution

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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Partner Presentation: Telefilm - The Climate Cost of Production: Charting the Sustainability Path for the Screen Industry (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

Mount Stephen Hall

Building on Telefilm Canada’s Action Plan on Eco Responsibility and the findings from a soon-to-be launched study charting the greenhouse gas emissions of film and television productions across Canada, this conversation will explore key findings from the study and explore best practices for productions to reduce their negative climate impact. Green storytelling is also a growing industry priority with more outlets calling for eco-friendly practices incorporated into worldbuilding, character and script development. The panelists will unpack the challenges and opportunities in going green on set and on screen.


Moderating:


Cyle Zezo

President

Solarpunk Village

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Featuring:

Lisa Clarkson

Executive Director, Business & Rights and Production Sustainability

CBC

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Tyler Hagan

Producer

Experimental Forest Films

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Andrew Robinson

Principal, Sustainability Strategy and Engagement

Green Spark Group

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CREATOR CONNECTIONS WITH WILLIAM F. WHITE INT'L (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

In Partnership With

Calling all creatives, grab your lunch and network with diverse talent from around the globe. The team from WFW will be there to answer any questions you may have regarding production and how it relates to your creative journey.


* There are two places to buy your Grab & Go lunches: in the Oval Room beside the Crave Riverview Lounge and in the Alberta/New Brunswick Meeting Space. Available Monday & Tuesday 11:00AM - 2:00PM.

1:00 PM

Summit Series: George Cheeks, President and CEO, CBS and CCO, News and Sports, Paramount+ (1:00pm - 1:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

Sit down with a titan of the industry for an engaging, future-forward conversation spanning what it takes to lead a vast international powerhouse. With a focus on championing collaboration, ensure diverse casting and address work-life balance, George Cheeks leads all CBS-branded assets within Paramount Global: CBS Television Network, encompassing CBS Entertainment, CBS News and CBS Sports, as well as CBS Studios, CBS Stations, CBS Media Ventures and CBS-branded digital assets. His global remit also includes extending the world-class content from CBS News and CBS Sports to the Paramount+ streaming super service, responsibility for BET, Paramount Television Studios and the company’s free-to-air networks in the UK, Australia, Argentina and Chile. 

Moderating:


Peter White

Executive Editor, Television

Deadline Hollywood

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Featuring:

George Cheeks

President and CEO, CBS and Chief Content Officer, News and Sports, Paramount+

CBS Entertainment

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3:00 PM

Comedies that travel (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Cascade

Leading comedy execs and producers discuss the business of making local laughs explode globally. 

Moderating:


Bill Lundy

SVP Comedy

New Metric Media

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Featuring:

Kate Adler

Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, CBS Studios

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Rob Aslett

Company Director, Artist Manager and Executive Producer

Avalon Television

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Deniese Davis

Founder and CEO

Reform Media Group

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Marina Di Pancrazio

Chief Content Revenue Officer

Just For Laughs Group

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Stan Pham

Current Programming, CBS Studios

CBS Studios

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4:00 PM

An Inside Look at 10 years of Netflix Originals (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

Cascade

A discussion featuring Bobby Berk (Queer Eye, Blown Away: Christmas) and Noah Centineo (The Recruit, To All The Boys trilogy) looking at how groundbreaking Netflix series and stars changed the way people watched TV.

Moderating:


Peter Friedlander

Head of Scripted Series, U.S. and Canada

Netflix

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Featuring:

Bobby Berk

(Queer Eye, Blown Away: Christmas)

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Noah Centineo

(The Recruit, To All The Boys trilogy)

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Wednesday, June 14

9:30 AM

Summit Series: Sharon Horgan, award-winning actress, writer, producer, director; co-founder, Merman (9:30am - 10:15am)

In Partnership With

Mount Stephen Hall

Moderating:


Nekesa Mumbi Moody

Editorial Director

The Hollywood Reporter

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Featuring:

Sharon Horgan

Co-Founder

Merman

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10:30 AM

Closing Bubbles & Bites - Launching “The Knix Catalyst Docs for Change Project.” (10:30am - 12:00pm)

In Partnership With

Mount Stephen Hall

Join Joanna Griffiths, Founder and President of Knix and Julie Bristow, Founder of Catalyst as they launch the “The Knix Catalyst Docs for Change Project.” By partnering with women-identifying filmmakers, this initiative will fully fund eye-opening feature documentaries about issues and stories that matter and speak to women, to ignite meaningful dialogue, break historical barriers, end stigma, and mobilize change.

*Bubbles and bites to be served while networking with the Knix and Catalyst teams celebrating a successful festival over Mimosas and breakfast hors d'oeuvres.


Moderating:


Hannah Sung

Co founder, Media Girlfriends

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Featuring:

Julie Bristow

Founder

Catalyst

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Joanna Griffiths

Founder & President

Knix

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12:00 PM

*PRIVATE* Co-Production Deep Dive: international financing and content trends (Diversity of Voices Program) (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

In Partnership With

Cascade

PRIVATE SESSION: As distributors are increasingly looking for content and formats with global appeal - how can local stories reach global audiences? Our panel of top international producers offer their insights on the innovative co-production and distribution trends that are shaping our industry.

Please note that this session is open only to invited guests.

Please note that this session is open only to Diversity of Voices participants.

Moderating:


Mark Johnston

President

RiverRock Real

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Featuring:

Brenda Gilbert

Co-Founder

BRON Media Corporation

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Gwenllian Gravelle

Head of Scripted International

S4C International

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Cher Hawrysh

SVP Production

Walden Media

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Jennifer Liang

Head of Acquisitions

Topic

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Adam Steinman

Production and Development

Walt Disney Television Alternative

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Michele Zatta

Commissioning Editor in Charge of International Co-productions

RAI Fiction - RAI - Radiotelevisione Italiana

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