September 18-20, 2026 | New York City
WEEKEND
BLACK FILM SPACE
Schedule & Panels
FRIDAY
September 18, 2026
3pm-10pm
Community and Industry Screening, Opening Night Party
SATURDAY
September 19, 2026
11am-8pm
Full Day BFS Conference
& pitch competition
SUNDAY
September 20, 2026
1pm-5pm
BFS Awards
Where
Craft Meets Community
There are film festivals.
There are networking events.
Then there’s BFS WEEKEND.
BFS Weekend 2026 is our 4th annual large-scale conference dedicated to helping Black filmmakers grow their craft, expand their networks, and explore bold new approaches to storytelling. This is a hands-on, skill-building experience designed for Black filmmakers at all levels.
Experience immersive workshops, panels led by industry experts, and community-driven discussions focused on the art and craft of storytelling. While many events offer exposure, ours is dedicated to providing opportunities for deep creative development outside of expensive academic programs.
Our 2026 theme IS FOCUSED ON CAREER SUSTAINABILITY. Our 2026 theme will center tools, strategies, and relationships to help Black creatives to sustain thriving careers in today’s industry climate. Attendees will walk away feeling empowered, innovative and ready to conquer the ever-changing world of film, television and content.
Tickets
Friday, September 18th
Late - $55
Saturday, September 19th
Late - $100
Sunday, September 20th
Late - $135
All ticket tiers include a Buy 4, Get 1 Free discount.
BFS Weekend Schedule
Friday, September 18
3:00 PM
Community Screening
Black Film Space Weekend kicks off with a full day of film, community, and celebration in partnership with BRIC Arts Media! We’ll open with a community screening featuring 10 dynamic short films at 3pm.
↘ Destinee Easley | Dear Life
↘ Jason Hightower | Blackberry Winter
↘ Mar'Shon Dalton | Forward
↘ Antwand Pearman | Juliette's Miracle on St. Nick
↘ Kerry Coddett | Zeke
↘ Shadrach Akoi | Tale of a...SUNDOWN Town
↘ Jasmine Lynea | The Love Machine
↘ Folajimi Olutiola | Kill
BRIC Arts Media
647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY
6:00 PM
Join us for a special screening of Hulu's film "They Fight", starring Wendell Pierce and Andre Holland, followed by an engaging conversation with the director Sheldon Candis. He will explore the creative vision, production journey, and cultural impact behind the project.
↘ Moderator: Lande Yoosuf
Industry Screening of Hulu's "They Fight" with Director Sheldon Candis
BRIC Arts Media
647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY
8:00 PM
oPENING niGHT MIXER
The screenings will be followed by our Opening Night Mixer, sponsored by Martingale Cognac—bringing filmmakers, creatives, industry professionals, and film lovers together to connect, celebrate, and toast to the start of an unforgettable weekend.
BRIC Arts Media
647 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY
Saturday, September 19
STAGE A
The Sheen Center, Loretto Theater
18 Bleecker Street New York, NY
11:00 AM
Preparing to Star and Direct Your First Feature Film
Ready to call the shots while commanding the screen? This fireside chat explores the exhilarating challenge of directing your first feature while also stepping into the starring role. From developing a clear creative vision and preparing for both performances to managing limited resources, building a trusted team, and knowing when to take off the director’s hat, attendees will gain candid insight into navigating this ambitious leap with confidence.
12:10 PM
In a world where audiences are flooded with content at every scroll, how do you create branded work that actually breaks through? This session explores the art and strategy of producing and directing branded content in an increasingly saturated media landscape. Industry professionals will unpack how to develop concepts that feel fresh, capture attention quickly, satisfy client goals without sacrificing creativity, and build authentic connections with audiences. Learn how to cut through the noise, create work that resonates, and turn standout branded storytelling into a sustainable part of your creative career.
Presented by Complex: Producing and Directing Effective Branded Content
1:20 PM
Film and Television Producing in 2026 and Beyond
The film and television industry is evolving faster than ever, and producers are being challenged to rethink how projects are developed, financed, packaged, and brought to audiences. In this candid conversation, with showrunner and producer Alliah Sophia Mourad, she will discuss the realities of creating content in today's marketplace. Attendees will gain practical insights into building sustainable careers, identifying opportunities in a changing industry, and producing projects that are both creatively fulfilling and commercially viable. Whether you're producing your first short film or your next feature or series, this session will provide the tools and perspective needed to thrive in the current entertainment landscape.
2:50 PM
Nobody builds a career in Hollywood alone. Inspired by the legacy of John Singleton and his commitment to opening doors for the next generation, this session explores how emerging filmmakers can seek out mentorship, build meaningful industry relationships, and turn guidance into real career momentum. Through candid conversation and firsthand insights, we’ll unpack what makes a great mentor-mentee relationship, how to show up ready for opportunity, and—most importantly—how to pay it forward as you rise.
Learning from John Singleton: Utilizing Mentorship as a Tool for Emerging Filmmakers
4:00 PM
BFS Weekend Pitch Contest
In Partnership with The Gotham, we’re giving one storyteller the chance to pitch live in New York City during BFS Weekend, win a $2,500 cash prize, and gain exclusive access to industry opportunities designed to move their career forward.
↘ Moderator: Danielle Bennett
↘ Judge: Sharese Bullock-Bailey
↘ Judge: Kia Brooks
↘ Judge: Shrihari Sathe
5:30 PM
Navigating Submissions for Festivals, Funding and Labs in 2026 and Beyond
The applications are endless, the competition is fierce, and the rejection emails can take a toll—but don’t count yourself out. This session gets candid about navigating festivals, grants, labs, and fellowships at a time when filmmaker morale is low and opportunities feel harder to secure. Industry insiders will break down what makes a submission stand out, common mistakes that can weaken a strong project, and how to strategically position your work without burning yourself out. Learn how to sharpen your materials, build a smarter submission strategy, handle the inevitable “no’s,” and keep showing up until the right yes finds you.
STAGE B
Studio A + studio B
18 Bleecker Street New York, NY
11:00 AM
Making Short Films for Social Media
This conversation explores the opportunities and challenges of releasing short films directly on social media—and what filmmakers can gain by bringing their work straight to audiences.
↘ Moderator: Reggie Williams
↘ Adrian Yang
12:15 PM
Social Impact Through Filmmaking
Join Ethiopian-American Filmmaker Herrana Addisu as she leads a session that explores how filmmakers can intentionally integrate impact into every stage of the creative process, from development and financing to partnerships, audience engagement, and distribution. She will share her journey of working across the nonprofit, advocacy, and film worlds, building campaigns and collaborations that extend the life of a film beyond the screen. Herrana will also include an interactive as a workshop so filmmakers can map out tactics for impact on their personal projects.
2:45 PM
Learn how to build productive relationships with casting directors and create a smoother casting process for independent projects. This session will offer filmmakers practical guidance on communicating their vision, preparing effective casting materials, navigating auditions and callbacks, and collaborating within limited budgets and timelines. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how casting directors work—and how to become the kind of creative partner they’re excited to work with.
Casting with Confidence: Building Strong Filmmaker–Casting Director Partnerships
4:00 PM
Actors Representative Toolkit
Representation shouldn’t just help you land your next opportunity—it should help you build a career that lasts. This session explores how actors, filmmakers and screenwriters can work strategically with agents, managers, and other industry advocates to navigate an unpredictable marketplace, position projects effectively, and create momentum beyond a single sale or job. Learn how to cultivate a strong creative identity, leverage your team and relationships, and make career choices that keep you working, evolving, and in the game for the long haul.
STAGE C
Studio C
18 Bleecker Street New York, NY
11:00 AM
Community Conversation:
How Do We Get Our Films Made—and Seen?
An open conversation for filmmakers to share their experiences, questions, and challenges around making independent work. The discussion can move organically between financing, production, editing, distribution, and finding an audience. Attendees are encouraged to exchange ideas, discuss what has and hasn’t worked for them, and learn from one another.
↘ Daron Jenkins
12:15 PM
Choosing the right the camera
A hands-on workshop exploring different cameras and how to choose the right one for your story, production needs, and budget.
2:45 PM
Filmmakers Indie Rountable with Attorney Janine Beach
Join an entertainment attorney Janine Beach for an open roundtable designed to help indie filmmakers better understand the legal side of bringing a project to life. From contracts and releases to intellectual property, business formation, and distribution, attendees will have the opportunity to ask general questions and gain practical insight into common legal considerations. Please note: This discussion is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship.
4:00 PM
Project Hot Seat
Each participant gets three minutes to describe a current challenge, followed by two minutes of suggestions from the group.
↘ Moderator: Melissa Quinones
5:15 PM
Speed Networking
Make meaningful connections through a series of quick, focused conversations with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals.
↘ Moderator: Melissa Quinones
Sunday, September 20
The BFS Awards
Black Film Space will honor filmmakers, creatives and industry leaders who are redefining what sustainable success looks like. Join us as we honor the visionaries proving that longevity, impact and community matter just as much as the spotlight to close out Black Film Space Weekend 2026. Check out more details on previous years.
Schedule
1–2 PM - Food & Cocktails Served
2–4 PM - BFS Awards Program
4–5 PM - Closing Reception
Unable to attend? Make a donation directly here.
Honorees
Day 1 Award
Okema T. Moore
Director / Producer
Winner 2025 ABFF Director's Showcase
EMMY Nominated, PGA Producer
2025 Black Magic Collective Episodic Directing Fellow
Advocate Award
Nikki Love
SVP Development & Production ALLBLK
The Oscars (BTS Segment)
G.R.I.T.S
Wild Rose
Visionary Award
Lisa Cortes
Director and Producer
Little Richard: I Am Everything
The Space Race
Precious
Powerhouse Award
Susan Fales-Hill
Producer, Writer, and Actress
A Different World
And Just Like That
Twenties
More Honorees to be announced soon
〰️
More Honorees to be announced soon 〰️
Maverick Award
Rashaad Ernesto Green
Writer / Director
Premature
Gun Hill Road
The Chi
the pitch competition
The Black Film Space Logline & Pitch Competition is back—and this year, it’s bigger than ever.
In Partnership with The Gotham, we’re giving one storyteller the chance to pitch live in New York City during BFS Weekend, win a $2,500 cash prize, and gain exclusive access to industry opportunities designed to move their career forward.
Prizes for the winning film maker
• $2,500
• A Gotham Pro Membership
• A one-on-one consultation with a Gotham team member to discuss their project’s future
HOW TO enTER
•Note: Submissions have been closed, thank you to all who submitted!
Finalists have all been notified, see them here.
Pitch Finalists
Tatiana Tift
Scratch-Off
At her grandfather's birthday party, an eleven-year-old girl battling chronic eczema develops an uncanny obsession with scratch-off lottery tickets, blurring the line between childhood wonder and a surreal transformation.
Mia Musa
The Billboards
Two friends on a roadtrip notice an eerie trend, every time they pass by urban areas, there's an abundance of billboards for injury law firms. This takes 1 of the friends on an investigative journey on what's behind the trend, uncovering a sinister plot.
JoiAshanti Watkis
Discount Tuesdays
Discount Tuesdays follows three women working at a beloved neighborhood movie theater, navigating their first Saturn Returns and supporting each other’s searches for new identity, real intimacy, and figuring out their “purpose” while barely keeping themselves - and the theater - from falling apart.
Jaeda Mason
Steep
Behind a respectable ladies tea party, a woman secretly runs an underground railroad sheltering women denied reproductive care, until her house comes under threat.
Samra Seifu
The Water Breathers
After a boating accident transforms a rookie New Orleans history professor into a mermaid, she discovers her bloodline’s transatlantic aquatic kingdom and grapples with her family’s dark secrets and impact on history, from the slave trade to Hurricane Katrina.
Judges
Kia Brooks
Managing Director of The Gotham Film and Media Institute
Sharese Bullock-Bailey
Chief Program Officer at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Emmy-nominated Producer and film industry strategic consultant.
Shrihari Sathe
New York-based director and producer, Assistant Professor and the Head of Producing in NYU's Graduate Film Department . Sathe is a member of Producers United, PGA, IMPPA and AMPAS.
2025 winner
Sekiya Dorsett won the 2025 competition with a sharp delivery and a powerful concept.
This year, it could be you.
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No. It's open for all lengths, formats and genres of scripted/narrative films.
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Unfortunately, no. It's open for scripted projects.
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Your name, e-mail address, logline, basic details about the project and quality photo of yourself (for promotional purposes)
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We are open to all experience levels. We are choosing the finalists based on the most clear, concise, unique, well written loglines.
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You are required to use the prize money on the project you are pitching.
You will be provided specific instruction on how to report the use of the funds.
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Yes, only two team members from each project can pitch at a time.
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To get a feel for how a logline should read, start with a basic structure.
When [INCITING INCIDENT OCCURS]...
A [CHARACTER TYPE]...
Must [OBJECTIVE]...
Before [STAKES]
Keep your logline between 25 to 50 words or one to two sentences.
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Unfortunately, no. You can only submit one logline per filmmaker.
SPONSORED BY
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Speaker Details
Alliah Sophia Mourad
Armani Ortiz
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Armani Jay Ortiz is an American director, writer, actor, and producer. Known for his work at Tyler Perry Studios, Ortiz directed over 100 episodes of television series. He directed the 2023 documentary Maxine's Baby: The Tyler Perry Story and, in 2024, created and produced the BET+ drama series Perimeter.
Azzie Scott
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Azzie Scott is an American director, writer, cinematographer, and editor known for his cinematic visual style and multidisciplinary approach to filmmaking. His work spans feature films, narrative shorts, music videos, documentaries, and branded content, bridging commercial entertainment and narrative storytelling. Azzie first established himself directing music videos for a diverse range of artists, including NEYO, Chloe Bailey, Nicki Minaj, Teddy Swims, Moliy, Jagged Edge, Davido, Wiz Khalifa, Jack Harlow, PNB Rock, and Queen Naija. His visual approach combines stylized imagery, strong character presence, and emotionally driven storytelling. In addition to directing, Azzie frequently serves as a cinematographer and editor on his projects, allowing him to maintain a cohesive creative vision from concept through final delivery. His narrative work includes the short films Jack × Jill, Gallo Legend of the Cockblocker, and segments of Slick Rick’s Victory film. Azzie directed, co-wrote, and served as director of photography on the episodic series Alone Isn't the Worst Part, while also serving as director of photography on the feature film Fifteen Wives which was shot on location in Cameroon, Africa. His continued transition into long-form narrative filmmaking reflects a commitment to creating character-driven stories with a distinctive visual identity. Across every project, his creative philosophy remains the same: “Telling stories with emotion, through motion.”
Carolyn Pride
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Carolyn Pride is a New York-based producer and media professional with experience in music, branded content, and creative production. She has worked with companies including Complex NTWRK and Def Jam Recordings. With a background in economics and business, Carolyn combines creative production with her business skills. She is also committed to mentorship and supporting emerging talent in the creative industry through her fellowship program, Through Our Lens.
Casey Baron
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Casey is a Programmer focusing on US Narratives, Indie Episodics, and Games at Tribeca Festival. With a decades' worth of experience in the industry, further efforts supporting the filmmaking community includes stints as a Jury member for film competitions across the World.
He has been an advisory board member on various funds and grants including currently the NYU Game Center Incubator.
Born and raised in Dominica in the West Indies, Casey now resides in New York City, NY..
ChiChi Anyanwu
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ChiChi Anyanwu founded CHI Talent Management in 2020, after an extensive work history spanning more than 15 years in talent representation, casting and producing in New York. Her experiences in casting made her discover that her true passion was nurturing and developing aspiring talent. Her clients have been seen on Broadway/National Tours: MJ The Musical, Hadestown, The Outsiders, TINA–The Tina Turner Musical, Wicked, Sister Act and Jesus Christ Superstar. Films: Insidious: The Red Door, Vacation Friends 2, Mean Girls, Standing Up, Falling Down, Boogie, Vampires vs. the Bronx, Master, Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, Too Many Christmases, Queens of Christmas. Television: Daredevil: Born Again, The Equalizer, Blue Bloods, Everything's Trash, Bad Monkey, We Own the City, Alma's Way, And Just Like That, Full Circle, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Godfather of Harlem, Dying for Sex, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Organized Crime, Evil, Snowfall, FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, Only Murders in the Building to name a few. ChiChi teaches at Stonestreet Studios, The New School of Drama, Actors Studio Drama School and serves as a diversity audience consultant for Broadway and Off-Broadway productions. She is the founder of Black Creatives Connect. Awards/Honors: 2020 grant recipient of the American Express IFundWomen of color 100 for 100 program. Diverse Representation "The Ten to Watch in 2021" list.
Danielle BenneTt
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Danielle is the founder of cliveRd. an agile studio focused on advising and investing in deeptech ideas/companies in technology and the arts. At cliveRd., we believe creatives are a synonym for Founders. We seek to maximize the synergy between filmmakers and technologists, as we need both to build a more compassionate future.
Destiny Lilly
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Destiny Lilly, CSA is a four-time Emmy nominee for her casting work on ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING. Her film credits include the Oscar-nominated musical feature film THE COLOR PURPLE. Broadway: A STRANGE LOOP, PURLIE VICTORIOUS, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, CLYDE'S, EVERY BRILLIANT THING (replacements) Broadway replacements & National tour: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Off-Broadway: MCC Theater, Atlantic Theater Company, The Shed, New York Theater Workshop, Colt Coeur, WP Theater, Classic Stage Company, Ars Nova, The New Group, PAC NYC, Second Stage, Lincoln Center Theater, The Vineyard, National Black Theatre, City Center: Encores!. Regional: New York Stage & Film, Berkeley Rep, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Chautauqua Theatre Center, Westport Country Playhouse, the MUNY, McCarter Theatre, Center Theatre Group, American Conservatory Theater. Destiny received the 2026 Trailblazer Award from Black Women on Broadway, and she currently serves as the President of Casting Society (CSA).
Dometi Pongo
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Dometi Pongo [dō-meh-TEE] is a media veteran and compelling storyteller, best known for his work across multiple brands at Paramount including MTV. Music enthusiasts across various genres commend his engaging yet incisive interview style, showcased in his viral red carpet segments with top-charting artists and in-depth conversations on the network’s digital platforms (including conversations musicians like Tyla, Phoebe Bridgers, 5SOS, Julia Michaels, Hitboy, and Charlie Puth).
Pongo's sincere approach to storytelling takes center stage in MTV's acclaimed docuseries, "True Life Crime." Additionally, he spearheads “The Exhibit,” a compelling series where seven artists compete for a $100,000 prize and the prestigious opportunity to showcase their work at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
The influence of Dometi’s efforts extends as widely as his passions. In addition to hosting Paramount’s flagship activations (e.g. Video Music Awards, Grammys, Top Gun World Premiere, and MTV Movie & TV Awards), the Chicago-born journalist led numerous Smithsonian Channel programs delving into subjects ranging from hip-hop’s cultural footprint to an American history retrospective alongside Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch III.
He has hosted, produced and contributed to multiple Paramount franchises including MTV News’ former flagship program, “Need to Know,” which provided award-winning analysis of trending news stories. For BET’s “America In Black,” Dometi walked viewers through the global rise of Afrobeats music and its impact in galvanizing the African diaspora. And for VH1’s “Lineage to Legacy,” Dometi guided the cast of Love and HipHop through an exploration of their ancestral lineage culminating in tattoos by the Black Ink Crew in a one-of-a-kind, two-part special.
His cultural commentary has been heard on CNN’s Flash Docs, Entertainment Tonight/ ET Live, and Sirius XM’s Karen Hunter Show to name a few.
Dometi lives by the personal mantra, “Bring everything you are to everything you do.” True to form, the first-generation Ghanaian-American hosts annual group tours of Ghana affording American travelers from the African diaspora an opportunity to explore their ancestral lineage in a program led by Pongo Strategy Group and Sankofa Ventures.
Erica A Hart
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Erica A. Hart is an Artios Award–winning casting director whose work spans film, television, theatre, commercials, and live performance. A Washington, DC native and NYU Tisch Film/TV alum, she began her career at ABC Primetime Casting before transitioning to independent casting, with credits including Black Mirror, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Survival of the Thickest, Death of a Salesman, Jaja's African Hairbraiding, Chicken & Biscuits, Fucktoys, and We Strangers, to name a few. She has also cast music videos, commercials, and projects for acclaimed visual artists, including Amy Sherald. Named a 2025 Woman to Watch on Broadway, Erica is a Board Member of the Casting Society, a member of the Television Academy, Teamsters Local 817, and Black Theatre United's Collective, and she teaches at Yale University, NYU, and institutions across the country.
Erica Jensen
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Erica Jensen is a casting director at and co-owner of Calleri Jensen Davis. Her 20-year plus career with partners James Calleri and Paul Davis spans film, television, regional, off Broadway and Broadway theater. Casting credits include: Broadway Purpose (Tony Winner, and Artios Nominee); Topdog/Underdog (Tony Winner and Artios Nominee); For Colored Girls..., Thoughts of A Colored Man, and The Piano Lesson (w/Samuel L. Jackson) Past B'way credits: Fool For Love, Hughie, A Raisin In The Sun, Of Mice and Men, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. TV credits include Queens, Love Life, Dickinson, Lipstick Jungle, and The Path. Downtown and Regional Theater: Yale Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Actors Theater of Louisville, Classic Stage Company, Rattlestick Theater, City Theater, McCarter Theatre, People's Light and Theatre, Hartford Stage, LaJolla Playhouse, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and The Flea Theater.
Erica is also a playwright. Her play Black Friends was selected for Fault Line Theatre's Irons In the Fire in 2025. She is a marathon runner, co-owner of She-Collective, and on the board of The Make Good Project. And she is a proud mom of a teenager.
Francesca Francois
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Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Strong professional skills in the representation of creative artists in film and television. An inner city kid from south London, England, Francesca carried her Caribbean heritage with her to the US. She joined prominent representation company Fifi Oscard Agency where she was franchised as an Agent within a year of joining. Later, she moved to International Creative Management (ICM), where she went through the famed agent training program and spent several years in the Motion Pictures department. Francesca joined Reuters, which later became Thomson Reuters. She spent several years in sales and editorial departments. Francesca is a founding partner of Crystal Ship Artists Talent and Literary Agency, and is the co-founding member of the Crystal Ship Filmmakers (a free, vetted program created for filmmakers, television and digital content creators). She continues to support diversity at all levels in the entertainment industry, especially at the highly coveted showrunner levels. She is a Dance Theatre of Harlem alum, a member of African American Women in Cinema (AAWIC) and the New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT).
Herrana Addisu
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Herrana Addisu is an award-winning Ethiopian American filmmaker, social impact strategist, and founder of Chucha Studios, a creative production company that develops films and campaigns at the intersection of cinema, culture, and social change.Raised in Ethiopia and the United States, Herrana's work explores memory, migration, identity, and belonging through poetic, visually driven storytelling. Her films center communities that have historically been overlooked, using cinema to spark dialogue, shift narratives, and inspire collective action.Before transitioning into filmmaking, Herrana spent nearly a decade working across the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, and leading human rights organizations, advancing campaigns to address child trafficking, forced labor, forced marriage, and gender inequality. This background continues to shape her approach to storytelling, grounding each project in authenticity, dignity, and community collaboration.Her directorial debut, The River, has screened internationally and received multiple awards, establishing her as a distinctive new voice in contemporary cinema. She recently directed In the Same Light, a film created with Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP) highlighting the experiences of Temporary Protected Status holders, and is currently completing PROOF, an experimental short set in Jamestown, Accra, that serves as the proof of concept for her debut feature film, The Fifth Child.Herrana was named a Dazed 100 Honoree, and her work has been featured in Forbes, Essence, Teen Vogue, The Cut, and i-D. Through both her films and strategic campaigns, she continues to build projects that bridge art, advocacy, and community, demonstrating the power of storytelling to create meaningful cultural and social impact.
Jackie Soto
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For over 15 years, Jackie Soto, of Zanee Entertainment LLC—a full-function talent management company—has been a leader in the entertainment industry. Coming from the world of casting into management; she was the casting associate for the groundbreaking film Precious under the tutelage of Winsome Sinclair & Associates, and for the Oliver Stone film Pinkville. Her impressive roster of clients covers the entire spectrum of show business: Theatre, Films, On-Camera Commercials, Television series, Commercial print, and Voiceovers.
You have seen her clients over the course of her career in highly recognizable TV shows and films such as Blue Bloods, The Black List, Blindspot, Boardwalk Empire, Bull, Crashing, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Daredevil, For Life, The Good Wife, Girls, Gossip Girl, Gotham, Jessica Jones, The Last OG, Luke Cage, Madam Secretary, Manifest, Nurse Jackie, One Life To Live, Orange is the New Black, Person of Interest, Power, Raising Kanan, Sesame Street, She’s Gotta Have It, Snowfall, Law & Order SVU, 30 Rock, and many more. The most notable & significant project was booking Quinton Aaron in the Oscar nominated film “The Blindside” where he starred alongside Sandra Bullock. Clients have screen tested in Los Angeles for Glee, X-Men First Class, The Gambler with Mark Wahlberg, Power Rangers, and Straight Outta Compton with F. Gary Gray. Clients have secured holding deals with ABC. Her ever-evolving business also includes a commercial, voiceover, and print department working with top advertising clients for such companies as Verizon, Crest, Cheerios, Google, Metro PCS, Coca-Cola, Bud Light, Intel, Elizabeth Arden, Target, and T-Mobile to name a few.
In most recent years, impressive projects for her clients have included: Jermel Howard in BMF, The First Purge, Power, All Eyez On Me (Tupac biopic). Moises Acevedo in The First Purge, Netflix’s Daredevil, Gotham, Orange is the New Black, How to Make it in America, and Louie. Child stars whose careers she launched include Disney’s Kayla Maisonet, Uilesses Silguero, star of various Nickelodeon projects and Nicole Berger in The Longest Week as the young Olivia Wilde.
As a personal manager she encompasses the word "proactive," in that she guides and provides consultation for her clients in every area of their lives. Mrs. Jackie steers her talent on how to deliver what the casting director is seeking. I advise on image branding, technique classes, auditioning, and professionalism, by drawing on my experience and expertise from casting to lead them on the road to success. Mrs. Jackie holds a BFA from Howard University in Theatre Arts and is an advocate for all artists and is committed to diversity & inclusion and moving the culture forward.
Janine Beach
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Janine is an entertainment attorney and the founder of Phoenix Entertainment Law. She is called to the bar in three major entertainment industry markets - New York, California and Ontario. Her background in media strategy gives her a deep understanding of clients’ business challenges. As a classically trained pianist, she has a unique empathy for artists’ needs. Janine’s combination of legal expertise, business insight, and artistic perspective makes her an exceptional advocate for creatives and businesses alike.
Karen McMullen
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Karen McMullen is the Festival Director/Head of Programming at Urbanworld and Senior Programmer at DOC NYC film festivals. Formally, she was Lead Curator for New Voices in Black Cinema and Head of Programming for TIDE Film Festival, a Features Programmer at Tribeca Festival and a screener at Sundance Film Festival. She has been a juror at Pan African, Trinidad + Tobago, Thessaloniki International Documentary, Cleveland International, and Bentonville film festivals, and on the nominating committees for Gotham Awards, Carey Institute, Black Public Media, Film Independent Spirit Awards and Cinema Eye Honors. Karen conducts panels and interviews for HBO, Netflix, Apple, NY African Film Festival, and others. She has editing credits on features and short films, and was a professor of film post-production at Long Island University. Karen graduated from Brown University with concentrations in French Studies and International Relations.
- IMDb mini biography by: Karen McMullen
Kia Brooks
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Kia Brooks is the Managing Director of The Gotham Film and Media Institute. Kia's experience in strategic communications (including PR and Marketing) and events spans almost 20 years. She enjoys supporting and advising creators and entrepreneurs in taking the next steps in their projects and careers. At The Gotham, she oversees the organization's programming, communications and supports the organization's development and strategic planning efforts.Kia is the founder of The Gotham's Owning It program that supports women and non-binary media makers and entrepreneurs who break boundaries in the media and entertainment industry. She also developed the Expanding Communities program, which provides resources, a community space, and industry access to film and media creators across film, TV, and audio industries. The program works with over 30 non-profit partners in the film and media space who share the common goal to advance creators' projects and careers. Before working at the Gotham, Kia worked in film publicity for companies such as Focus Features, Oscilloscope Laboratories and Tribeca Film Festival. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Communication from American University and has a Certificate in Fundraising from New York University.
Lamonia Brown
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Lamonia Deanne Brown is a Creative Executive and Film Festival Specialist. As founder of The Gilchrist Group LLC., she consults entertainment companies in the areas of content development, strategy and communications, and live events. She specializes in film festival production and programming, sponsorship management/activations, and content innovation.
Lamonia is the Festival Director for the Essence Film Festival, which launched in 2022 as part of the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans (after being delayed due to the COVID pandemic) with great success, high engagement, and impressive numbers. She continues to produce, lead, and grow the film festival with the goal of building the largest Black global film and arts gathering in the world.
Previously as a Consulting Content Strategist at WarnerMedia OneFifty (a Warner Bros. Discovery brand under the Corporate Social Responsibility department), Lamonia managed the content development and strategy, plus communications for a slate of 22 projects in the pre-development phase, as well as managing sponsorships and activations for over 40 identity-based film festivals that are supported by various entities in the company. As part of the CSR department, she was instrumental in recommending and securing corporate donations to arts & cultural organizations on behalf of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Lamonia currently serves as the co-chair of the Women of Color Caucus for the Writers Guild of America East, and on the board for the Washington D.C.-based Multicultural Media Correspondents Association.
Her television projects include the two unscripted series (THE RIGHT RECIPE and THAT WORD); and the scripted pilot BLACK ROSE, which won the NY Television Festival. She is also in pre-production on the documentary feature BLACK IVY and is finalizing the screenplay for her narrative feature WILLIE-B: WORKS IN PROGRESS, which peels back the cultural layers of a multidimensional love story set in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn where she grew up and still lives.
Previous professional positions include Head of Programming & Production for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF); Director of Programming and Events at New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT); and freelance work with various festivals including the PGA’s Produced By: NY, the Hamptons Film Festival, LatinBeat, Montclair Film Festival, African American Women in Cinema, and others.
Lamonia attended Fordham University where she majored in Film, with a Creative Writing minor. She holds firm to the belief that all storytellers must be heard in order to create the paradigm shift necessary to bring about true equity.
She takes great interest in shepherding the career trajectory for Black people and women entering the film business by spearheading key pipeline opportunities including intern/mentor programs, student academies designed to provide access to corporate entertainment positions, training mid-career people in transition, and working on the development of indie creators’ projects.
LANDE YOOSUF
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A Nigerian-American novelist, screenwriter and filmmaker with 15 years of production experience across MTV, A&E Networks, NBC, WEtv and Bravo. A Brooklyn College graduate, Lande develops film and TV projects through her production company, One Scribe Media, and has spoken for ARRAY, HBO, ABFF and BAM. Her latest short, "White Agbádá," is now screening at Oscar-qualifying festivals; prior work has screened on Revolt TV and Kweli TV and was featured in a 2021 Sundance Film Festival case study.
Lisa Cortés
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Lisa Cortés is a two-time Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated director and producer known for creating bold, transformative stories. Two films executive-produced by Cortés have won Academy Awards®, most recently All The Empty Rooms, which won Best Documentary Short Film in 2026. A champion of the underrepresented and an instigator of cultural change, Cortés is renowned for discovering unique voices and stories, guiding projects through development and production, and bringing them successfully to market.In 2025, Hulu’s monthly Top Ten Most Watched Series featured Murder Has Two Faces, produced and directed by Cortés. Hosted by Robin Roberts, the series explores the impact of race on how true crime stories are investigated by police and covered by the media. In 2026, the series was recognized as Best Documentary at the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Awards.Her 2023 film Little Richard: I Am Everything (CNN Films) premiered as the opening-night selection of the U.S. Documentary Competition at Sundance. The film earned 26 award nominations, including a Grammy nomination for Best Music Film, and was acclaimed for its unfiltered portrayal of the rock ’n’ roll legend. Also premiering at Sundance was Invisible Beauty (Magnolia Pictures), a documentary about fashion pioneer Bethann Hardison that Cortés produced and which won the NAACP Award for Outstanding Documentary Film.Cortés’s acclaimed documentaries also include The Space Race (National Geographic Documentary Films), an exploration of African American astronauts at NASA and in space that won the prestigious duPont-Columbia Award; All In: The Fight for Democracy (Amazon), which traces the ongoing struggle for voting rights; and the Emmy-winning The Apollo (HBO), chronicling the historic theater’s role in African American culture.Cortés first gained global recognition in 2009 as executive producer of Precious, which received six Academy Award® nominations and won two, as well as the Sundance Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for Best Drama.Through her New York-based multimedia production company, Cortés Filmworks, she produces scripted and unscripted projects. A graduate of Yale University, Cortés is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Directors Guild of America. She serves on the boards of Film at Lincoln Center, Independent Television Service (ITVS), and Women Make Movies. In 2025, she received the prestigious Muse Award from New York Women in Film & Television and the DGA She Persisted Award.
Lorelle Lynch
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Lorelle Lynch is a seasoned development and production executive specializing in international production and financing, with producing credits including Woman of the Hour (2024), Jacob Beats Up Nate (2026), Drivers Ed (2026) and Fleur (2027). Her industry background spans roles at Cox Media Group, Vox Media, Range Media Partners, and AGC Studios, and she has set up projects at Netflix, BET Studios, and Amazon. In 2025, she founded Lincoln Motion Pictures — named after the first Black-owned company to produce and finance race films in America — committed to creating meaningful and equitable opportunities for creatives in the global entertainment landscape.
Nia Fraser
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Nia Fraser is a Talent Coordinator at DGRW, a leading New York talent agency representing actors across theater, television, and film. She works alongside agents, casting professionals, and creatives to help guide artists through every stage of their careers. Passionate about discovering and championing emerging talent, Nia is dedicated to helping artists build sustainable, meaningful careers in the entertainment industry.
Nikki Love
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Nikki Love is Senior Vice President of Development and Production for ALLBLK, a premier streaming service for Black television and film. In this role, she serves as the primary liaison between ALLBLK and content partners across all phases of scripted development, production, and post-production, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, premium programming. She also acts as the on-set executive for all scripted original series.
ALLBLK’s expanding slate of scripted originals under Love’s leadership includes the highly successful series G.R.I.T.S., Double Cross, and A La Carte, as well as the Daytime Emmy-nominated series A House Divided. Most recently, the network’s hit series Wicked City received a GLAAD Award nomination.
Beyond her programming responsibilities, Love is the co-chair of VIBE, an AMC Networks Employee Resource Group, and the founding member of the DEI Future of Film Committee. The committee was recognized by Cablefax in 2025 as a leading employee-led initiative. Through the Future of Film initiative, Love has helped establish partnerships with film festivals nationwide, providing sponsorship opportunities, mentorship programs, pitch panel participation, and facilitating the acquisition of curated short-film collections for AMC+ heritage month programming.
Love’s work as a production executive has been widely recognized. Her honors include the 2021 NAMIC Luminary Award, the 2022 Top Women in Film & Television Award (Production Pacesetter), the 2022 Wonder Women Award, and the 2025 Cynopsis MVP Award. She remains a dedicated advocate for underserved filmmakers and storytellers across film and television.
Okema T. Moore
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Okema T. Moore is a PGA producer, award-winning director, actress, and writer committed to bold, emotionally resonant storytelling across platforms. A Brooklyn native and proud Caribbean multi-hyphenate, she began her career in front of the camera before evolving into a dynamic creative force across branded, narrative, and unscripted work. Her films have screened at Tribeca, Outfest, and Reel Sisters, reflecting a voice that is both culturally grounded and visually distinct.
In 2024 and 2025, Okema wrote and produced the EBONY Power 100 Awards and served as lead producer on the Oscar-qualified, NAACP Image Award–nominated short Chocolate with Sprinkles. She also directed Ally Bank’s Money Roots campaign and earned her first directing award at the American Black Film Festival for her short Laundry, which she also produced. She continued her momentum by directing and producing multiple short films, a pilot, and starring in a vertical series.
Her unscripted work includes projects with Netflix, OWN, BET, Marvel/Disney, and STARZ, where she developed and produced the Humanitas-nominated Down in the Valley. A member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and a 2025 GLAAD Black Queer Creative Fellow, Okema serves on the board of New York Women in Film & Television and remains committed to advancing equity and access across the industry.
Portia Black
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Portia Black is a New York City-based Casting Professional working in film and television, with credits including And Just Like That (Season 3), The Black Phone, East New York, The Chair Company (Season 1), One Night Only, and Love Life (Season 2). An alumna of the VCUarts Cinema Program and the Casting Society Cares Training & Education Program, Portia currently serves as New York Administrative Coordinator for the Casting Society (CSA). She is a proud member of Teamsters Local 817.
Adrian Yang
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Adrian Yang is a New York-based writer and director whose work focuses on love, loss, relationships, and human connection. His short films PASSING and GOOD TO SEE YOU went viral, surpassing 16 million views across Instagram and YouTube and introducing his character-driven storytelling to a global audience. Yang is a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory’s directing program. His original screenplay MY NAME IS TERRY was highlighted by The Black List as a “must-read” and praised as “powerful” and “arresting.”
PASSING became a breakout online short for Yang. Within the first week of its release on Instagram, it gained one million views, and continued to climb with an average of one million views per week. Together with GOOD TO SEE YOU, a short film he completed in London, Yang’s short films have surpassed 16 million views across Instagram and YouTube. The response to PASSING led to broader industry attention, representation, and meetings with film and television companies.
Raven Irabor
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Raven Irabor is a Director, Creative Director, and Artist whose work captures the beauty, depth, and nuance of culture. Born in the Bronx to Trinidadian and Nigerian parents, she weaves narratives that unite diasporic identities through shared cultural expressions—from the elegance of adornment to the influence of folklore. With a distinctively feminine and stylized approach, her work spans the commercial, fashion, art, beauty, lifestyle, and culture industries, characterized by portraiture, collage, and magical realism. She has directed and curated for brands including Meta, Walmart, InStyle Magazine, Roc Nation, and Paramount Studios, with work featured by Vogue UK, Hypebae, and ARTSY Magazine. Her exhibitions, such as Last Night I Cried… Unveiling Liminal Spaces and Black in Every Color, alongside screenings at festivals like the Los Angeles Fashion Film Festival and Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, reflect a growing presence within the creative community. She has also received support from the Bronx Council on the Arts, Adolescent Content, and Black Film Space.
As the founder of RAE Studios, Raven champions culturally authentic storytelling. With over a decade of experience in media and advertising, she brings a collaborative, strategy-minded approach to projects, bridging creative vision with production expertise across brand, editorial, and artistic contexts.
Rashaad Ernesto Green
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Graduate of Dartmouth College and NYU Graduate Film School, recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation Award and Spike Lee Fellowship, New York native Rashaad Ernesto Green was included on the 2010 edition of Filmmaker Magazine's elite 25 New Faces of Independent Film list as well as indieWIRE's 2009 Ten New Voices in Cinema. He won the 2011 Horizon Award at the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts. His short films have screened on HBO, BET, at the Sundance Film Festival, and have won accolades at festivals internationally. Mr. Green has been supported by HBO, Time Warner, Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute, the HUMANITAS Foundation, NALIP and IFP. Rashaad's first feature and thesis film "Gun Hill Road," starring Esai Morales and Judy Reyes, premiered in the 2011 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Competition and opened #1 for Independent films at the box office last summer. Please visit www.gunhillroad.com & www.mialmafilms.com for further details.
REGGIE WILLIAMS
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A comedic screenwriter and director turned nonprofit executive, Reggie is an Emerson College graduate who wrote for Comedy Central and performed at top New England comedy clubs. He wrote and directed an anomalous love (Urbanworld, Pan African, Roxbury film festivals) and Regular Negroes, winner of Best Comedic Web Series at Black Web Fest.
Ronald "Wink" Woodall
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Ronald "Wink" Woodall is a Talent Manager and member of the Talent Managers Association (TMA), recognized for developing actors and creatives across television and film. His clients have appeared on major platforms including, but not limited to, NBC, ABC, Netflix, and Apple TV+, with credits spanning hit productions such as Law & Order, All American, The Best Man: Final Chapters, and Why Did I Get Married Again?, to name a few.
As a former child actor, Wink transitioned into athletics, playing high school and collegiate football before earning a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling. Since 2001, he has guided students and families while building the careers of Creatives in the television and film industry.
For the past decade, Wink has built a unique career at the intersection of education and entertainment. He is the Founder and CEO of The Talent Connect (est. 2015), a talent management company committed to guiding Creatives through the complexities of the industry. Drawing on his background as a school counselor, he has become known for helping talent navigate both the personal and professional challenges of the business—a role that has led some to refer to him as the "Industry Guidance Counselor." The company is known for empowering talent with tools rooted in self-motivation and mindset development.
Wink is the author of The Pocket Book of Quotes: An Actor's Guide to Motivation and an award-winning film producer focused on social impact storytelling. Since 2023, he has been developing and producing projects that address real-world issues through compelling narratives. In 2025, he co-founded The Production Wellness House, an organization dedicated to normalizing mental wellness within the entertainment industry.
Saba Kinfe
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Saba Kinfe is a film and television development executive and producer based in Los Angeles. Currently, she is the Director of Film & TV Development at SunHaus, Arthur Jafa’s production company. She's worked on the television teams at A24 and Broadway Video, contributing to projects including Beef, Ziwe, and Bust Down.
Sean Charles
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Sean Charles is a Scripted/Unscripted Development & Production Manager at ALLBLK and WE tv an AMC Global Media property as well as an Award-Winning Producer. He is not only responsible for producing and developing original content for the streaming service and linear broadcaster but also assisting in acquisitions and scheduling. Having worked on unscripted series such as Deb’s House that aired across, WE tv, ALLBLK and Peacock to scripted projects like Wicked City selected as a 2025 GLAAD Media Award nominee for Outstanding Drama Series. Sean has had a range of experience in executing and delivering content for various audiences. He is also a 2024 Cynopsis Rising Star recipient. Formed and led the inaugural Black employee resource group, Vested Interest in Black Employees (V.I.B.E) from 2018 through 2021, as Co-Chair at AMC. He also independently produced feature 93 ’Til that world premiered at the 2026 American Black Film Festival, selected at Essence Film Festival and Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, and selected as Best Feature Film at the People’s Film Festival just to name a few. He also received his B.A in Media Communications from Queens College, CUNY and holds an M.B.A from Mercy College.
Sharese Bullock-Bailey
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Sharese Bullock-Bailey is the Chief Program Officer at Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN). She is an Emmy-nominated producer, strategic consultant and leader in social impact storytelling. Recently, Sharese served as the Festival Director/Chief Innovation Officer at Urbanworld Foundation, Chief Partnership and Strategy Officer at GFS and Director of Education Programs at Tribeca Film Institute. Sharese has funded, distributed, and curated independent media globally for over 20 years, leading creative service and education programs in over 20 countries. She serves as Board Vice Chair at Independent Television Service (ITVS) and a Board Member for CreativeTypes.
Sharon Perker-Frazier
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A native New Yorker, born and raised on Manhattan’s Upper West side and a UCLA graduate who got her start with NBC Television as a production associate for The Cosby Show, A Different World, and The Cosby Mysteries. Other production credits include Dick Wolf’s New York Under Cover, NBA Inside Sports, Showtime at The Apollo Theater and films Above the Rim, Die Hard 2. She has taught television and cinema studies in the NYC Public High Schools and curated for many film festivals.
Sheldon Candis
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Sheldon Candis is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director whose work spans film, television, documentaries, and commercial campaigns. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Candis directed the feature film LUV, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, as well as projects for Netflix, ESPN, and major brands including Amazon, Ford, Microsoft, and Under Armour.
Shrihari Sathe
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Shrihari Sathe is a New York-based director and producer. Sathe won the 2019 Independent Spirit Award - Producers Award and the 2016 Cinereach Producer Award.
His credits as producer/co-producer include Jamie Sisley’s Stay Awake (2022), Francisca Alegria’s The Cow Who Sang a Song Into The Future (2022), Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s No Land’s Man (2021), Eliza Hittman’s It Felt Like Love (2013) and Beach Rats (2017), Partho Sen-gupta’s Sunrise (2014), Afia Nathaniel’s Dukhtar (2014), Bassam Jarbawi's Screwdriver (2018), Ritu Sarin & Tenzing Sonam's The Sweet Requiem (2018) amongst others. Sathe’s feature directorial debut – 1000 Rupee Note (2014) has received over 30 awards.
Sathe has received fellowships from Trans Atlantic Partners (2013), Cannes Producers Network (2014, 2015, 2016), Film Independent Producing Lab (2011) and Sundance Institute Creative Producing Lab (2013). Sathe has taught at various universities over the last decade. He is currently an Assistant Professor and the Head of Producing in NYU's Graduate Film Department . Sathe is a member of Producers United, PGA, IMPPA and AMPAS.
Susan Fales-Hill
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Susan Fales is a television writer, producer, and author born in Rome, Italy, and raised in New York City. Fales began her television career on The Cosby Show before joining A Different World, where she became Co-Executive Producer and Head Writer. She later worked as an Executive Producer on Can't Hurry Love and Kirk, a Consulting Producer on Suddenly Susan, and co-created the Showtime series Linc's. Her work has received multiple honors, including the Producers Guild of America's Nova Award.
In addition to television, Fales has written for publications including Vogue, Ebony, and Essence. Her memoir, Always Wear Joy, about her mother Josephine Premice, was critically acclaimed and nominated for major literary awards.
She has also held leadership roles with organizations including the Studio Museum of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, and the Harvard Alumni Association.
Thomas Golianopoulos
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Thomas Golianopoulos is a writer and editor based in New York City. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Grantland, Vibe, The Ringer, and many other publications. He is the author of The Life of Singleton: From Boyz N the Hood to Snowfall, a biography of the writer/director John Singleton (2025, Andscape Books). Though he is a generalist, most of his work—or at least the best of it—is about the ugly and the absurd. Thomas graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and history. He lives in The Bronx with his wife and children.
Traci Luthy
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Traci Luthy is the Founder and President of Bonafide & Emerging Artists (BEA), a boutique agency in NYC representing talent across TV/film, theater, commercials, print, VO, hosting, and social media. BEA regularly books talent with top networks and platforms including NBC, HBO, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and FOX, and in theatrical productions from Broadway and Off-Broadway to regional and national tours. They also partner with leading commercial brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Delta, Google, Verizon, American Express, McDonald's, and Nike, to name a few.BEA is redefining "representation" as an equitable collaboration with diverse talent, amplifying their individuality and fueling extraordinary growth and success. With more than two decades of experience as an agent, Traci is the biggest fan of the talent she represents, driven by a spirit of collaboration, creativity, and a shared passion for breaking down traditional industry barriers.
Ty Gabriel Jones
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Ty-Gabriel Jones (they/them) is the Talent Manager and Owner of Stalwart Talent Management in NYC, representing both developmental and established actors across theatre, television, film, commercial and print. Before founding Stalwart, Ty was the first Casting Apprentice for Casting by ARC, supporting casting for Broadway, National Tours, and regional theatre. Previously, Ty assisted TMT Models & Talent, supporting a roster for commercial and print. Ty guides and develops clients with an emphasis on authenticity, collaboration, and transparency.
PAST BFS WEEKEND CONFERENCES
Our conference is growing! Here are highlights from the three prior years.
2023
On a cold, September Weekend, Black Film Space held its inaugural three day conference to see if there is interest in our vision to convene Black Filmmakers. Despite the weather and us doing this for the first time, the event was a well-attended success. We had amazing guests such as actor William Jackson Harper, TV Director Ne and veteran Director of Photography Cliff Charles.
2024
We expanded into a bigger space, partnered with Afrofuture Festival for our party and a panel and incorporated our cliveRd. supported grant for our pitch competition, and focused on genres as our theme.
2025
The world traveled beyond the NYC area and a significant portion of our 300+ attendees flew in from all over the United States. Aside from our main stage, we included additional workshop rooms that featured AI experts, attorneys, agents, casting directors and more!
Black Film Space is committed to ensuring our events are accessible to all attendees. If you have any accessibility needs, require accommodations to fully participate,
or have general questions about the event, please contact us in advance at info@blackfilmspace.com.