ACTRESS

Alicia Leeper is an actor, writer and acting coach who has appeared in dozens of plays as well and local films and commercials. She has studied acting with Bill Howey, DCPA, Bovine Metropolis, and received a minor in Theatre and Dance from the University of Northern Colorado. She studied directing with Visionbox Studios, and writing with Peter DeAnello, Joe Cacaci, Rick Ramage, and the Lighthouse Writers Workshops. She currently works as marketing director for Denver Health Plans, where she has written and produced commercials and oversees online marketing initiatives. She is the immediate past president of WIFMCO and the current president of Women in Film and Television-US.

SCENE LAB - 2 DAY

Saturday & Sunday | 10:30am - 12pm

Calling all writers, actors, and writer-actors! This a two day workshop about what makes a great scene from both a writing and performance standpoint. On the first day, we'll read some great scenes from movies and TV and talk about what makes them great, and work on cold-reading skills for actors. On the second day, writers will bring in their own scenes and we'll get them on their feet to see how they're working.

ACTING COACH & EDUCATOR

Amelia Morse (she/her) is an Acting Coach, Educator, Intimacy Choreographer (Theatre) and Intimacy Coordinator (Film) dedicated to creating brave, collaborative, and empowering spaces for performers. She is the founder of The Morse Actors Studio, where she works with actors of all experience levels, helping them build truthful, embodied performances and sustainable careers. In addition to her private studio, she serves on the Assistant Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, contributing to national training efforts that promote ethical and effective practices for staging intimacy.

Amelia has been recognized for Theatrical Excellence by OnStage Colorado for her work on Sarah Kane’s Blasted with Benchmark Theatre.

Past Select Theatre: Torch Song Trilogy (Vintage Theatre), Sarah Kane’s Blast (Benchmark Theatre), Seams (The Agenda Theatre), The Cottage (StageDoor Theatre), and The Baltimore Waltz (Upstart Crow Theatre).

Past Select Film Credits: The Man Who Changed the World, Pleasure Chest, Hunter’s Stew.

To work with Amelia or connect with her go to www.themorseactorsstudio.com OR www.ameliamorse.com.

BEST PRACTICES FOR AUDITIONS & CALLBACKS WITH INTIMACY

Sunday, Mar 1 | 2:30p - 4p

This workshop explores best practices for handling intimacy during auditions and callbacks. Designed for actors, producers, and directors, it provides practical tools and guidance for creating effective audition and callback environments when intimate moments are part of the process. The workshop emphasizes clear communication, informed consent, and professional boundaries, supporting actors to be able to participate confidently.

A graduate of USC’s acclaimed Film & TV Production program, Halberg produced more than 100 global commercial campaigns for clients including Facebook (with Michel Gondry), Marvel, Visa, Gap, American Express, and Chevrolet -- experience that honed her sharp visual style andproduction savvy.

Anna has also worked as a First Assistant Director on a range of television projects, including Going Commando for Cartoon Network and The Wanted for NBC.

She is repped by Scott Henderson, Bryant Barile, and Angela Dallas at CAA, and Jeremy Platt and Faisal Kanaan at Untitled.

BEING A TV SHOWRUNNER

Saturday, Feb 28 | 2 PM - 3PM

Multi-facted Anna Halberg sits down in conversation with Elizabeth Mihelich about her experience as a showrunner and her career in film and television.

WRITER & PRODUCER

Angel Williams is a U.S. Army veteran and award-winning writer/producer redefining inclusive storytelling in film and television. As co-founder of Soldier Up Productions, she brings strategic focus and creative clarity to delivering authentic, culture-shifting content.

Her scripts Stone Fate and Conversations with Mom landed on Coverfly’s Red List and were ScreenCraft Film Fund semifinalists. She co-wrote and produced on the award-winning PBS docuseries Renegades, spotlighting trailblazers with disabilities, and has produced projects ranging from breakout shorts to studio-caliber dramas including I Got Next and The Taking of Courtroom One, Two, Three in partnership with MACRO. She also served as script supervisor on Brand New, now streaming on ALLBLK.

Driven by purpose and a proven production track record, Angel amplifies underrepresented voices and connects deeply with underserved, highly engaged audiences—positioning her as a standout creative in today’s evolving film industry.

PANEL: Breaking In, Moderator

Saturday, Feb 28 | 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

PANELIST

A freelance creative who thrives behind the scenes, making sure the magic in front of the camera runs like clockwork. I specialize as a Production Manager, Production Coordinator, and Assistant Director in the film and television world, helping bring stories to life from script to screen.

Over the years, I’ve worked on a wide range of productions—from fast-paced commercial shoots to indie films and episodic television. Whether I’m building call sheets, managing schedules, wrangling departments, or keeping everything running smoothly on set, I bring a mix of precision, creativity, and calm under pressure to every project.

I believe great storytelling starts with great logistics—and I’m here to make sure the vision is supported by a solid foundation behind the scenes.

PANEL: Making a film in CO - The Man Who Changed the World

Saturday, Feb 28th 1PM - 2PM

Cheshire Li (they/them) is a skilled key grip and gaffer local to Denver. With decades of experience wrenching on diesel vans, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedicabs, they draw deeply from their mechanical background for specialty rigging and grip. They've spent time managing volunteer disaster relief kitchens, mountain biking in the Colorado backcountry, climbing 1200+ ft cliff faces in Mexico, motorcycle touring, building out vans, dabbling in metal fabrication and welding, and living on the road - naturally bringing a robust understanding of safety and a full gamut of creative problem solving skills to any set. Cheshire is a queer, non-binary, and first-gen Asian American filmmaker who is passionate about elevating underrepresented voices in film, both on the crew side and in front of the camera.

Instagram: @tongkatt

LIGHTING FOR INTERVIEWS

Saturday, Feb. 28th | 10a - 11:30a

In this simple doc-style interview lighting workshop for people new to lighting, Mary Jeanes and Chesire Li will go over some basic lighting concepts in a quick sit-down presentation followed by a hands -on workshop to follow.

FESTIVAL EXPERT

Eileen O’Brien has had over forty years of professional experience in film festivals as well as film and television production. She has directed, programmed, managed, coordinated and consulted on major film festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Savannah and Denver International. She has also written, directed and produced television pilots and programs, live events, theater productions and consulted on independent film marketing and distribution. Most recently she was the Director of Membership and Volunteers for the Denver Film Society (DFS), from 2006-16. She is currently a freelance consultant for festivals and productions. She is an Advisory Board member of WIFMCO and the official “wrangler” for the SeriesFest yearly Collegiate Fellows program. She was the recent subject of the short documentary film CUE CARD GIRL.

FESTIVAL 101

Saturday, Feb 28 | 2pm - 3:30pm

As a former Artistic Director and festival staffer for years…join me for an informative workshop, FESTIVAL 101.
My presentation includes a brief global history of film festivals. A comprehensive discussion of “festival etiquette”. Helpful hints about how to navigate the festival landscape, as just a guest or as an invited filmmaker. Finally, as a former programmer, I give clear and detailed information about the complicated universe of submissions and, finally, (fingers crossed!) how to navigate a festival when your film has been chosen to screen!

CASTING DIRECTOR

Jamie Castro is an Emmy-nominated casting director who has worked in film and television for nearly two decades. Her credits include Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, and Frost/Nixon, to name a few. She earned her Emmy nomination for her work on Netflix's Inventing Anna and has been collaborating with emerging directors and filmmakers on indie features. Her latest film, My Dead Friend Zoe, won the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW and premiered in theaters nationwide February 2025. @jamiecastro_casting

THE DIRECTOR / CASTING DIRECTOR RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIE FILMS (with NELL TEARE)

Saturday, Feb 28 | 3 PM - 4 PM

AUDITION TECHNIQUES FROM A TV & FILM CASTING DIRECTOR

Sunday, Mar 1 | 10 AM - 12 PM

Emmy-nominated casting director (Inventing Anna; Scandal; Grey’s Anatomy) shares what books—and why.

DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER

Jenna Avriel Rice is a multidisciplinary storyteller who’s work includes scripted series, documentary work, and multimedia-installations using photo and video elements.

The world events that Jenna documented in her early career as a photographer have influenced the type of stories she is inspired to tell. Time spent documenting the No DAPL pipeline protests in Standing Rock, ND on the great Sioux Nation, along with fighting coal companies occupation and continual harassment of Dine/Hopi tribes in the Black Mesa region of Arizona, helped inspire Jenna’s scripted limited series Oil & Water. The series pilot won the collegiate competition at the renowned Seriesfest festival, and received a live read with distinguished actors from ER, Reservation Dogs, Poker Face and HBO’s Perry Mason.

Instagram: @redrice_creative

SHORT DOCS, START TO FINISH

Sunday, Mar 1 | 10:30a - 12pm

Making a Short Documentary & Screening of “Into The Chutes” invites you inside the creative process with Jenna Rice. Watch the film, then stick around as Jenna breaks down how it came to life—from finding the story and earning trust to shaping the final cut—plus practical takeaways you can use on your own short doc.

LINE PRODUCER

Jenny Napier is a producer and a DGA Unit Production Manager who has produced a variety of features domestically and internationally. She started her career in Hollywood working on large scale studio productions, and worked full-time at Sony Pictures Animation. She then moved over to feature film development working for a variety of independent production companies in LA where she Associate Produced her first feature, The Divide. Jenny produced the Slamdance accepted feature, Savage Youth, Unit Production Managed the SXSW accepted feature, I Used To Go Here. Her other film credits since include Red Winter, Zero Road, Good Side of Bad, Manifest Evil, The Old Way, and the Discovery+ doc feature, Scream: The True Story, American Schemers, and a children's show titled Fluff Piece. She has made three films in Colorado, the most recent being The Man Who Changed the World, and just wrapped a stunt heavy feature in Chicago called Godshot.

PANEL: Making a film in CO - The Man Who Changed the World

Saturday, Feb 28th 1PM - 2PM

FOUNDER & CEO OF COLLECTIVE MOXIE

Julie Ann Crommett (she/her/ella) has spent over sixteen years proving that authentic, globally resonant storytelling is both a cultural necessity and a powerful driver of business success. By leading and implementing industry-wide strategies, she has driven some of the most visible and impactful advancements in media representation, resulting in projects that have generated billions in revenue. As the Founder and CEO of Collective Moxie, Julie Ann partners with leading organizations and artists to transform their creative processes and business strategies, using proven inclusive storytelling frameworks to drive innovation and impact. Collective Moxie has forged impactful partnerships with organizations like Sony, Condé Nast, Trilith Studios, Hollywood Commission, MPA, and Droga5. Additionally, Julie Ann serves as an emissary to the Georgia entertainment industry for the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase as well as programming the prestigious State of the Industry conference at Trilith Studios. Most recently, in collaboration with The Black List, Julie Ann spearheaded the first-ever GA List to amplify writers from and with strong ties to Georgia.

Prior to founding Collective Moxie, she served as Vice President of Multicultural Audience
Engagement at The Walt Disney Studios, where she led efforts to diversify talent both in front of and behind the camera, ensure creative projects resonated with the communities they represented, and foster a more inclusive internal culture. Her team’s contributions included projects like Encanto, Soul, Coco, Black Panther, Raya and the Last Dragon, and West Side Story, in addition to launching the acclaimed Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator, a program that provides underrepresented directors the chance to produce films for Disney+. Julie Ann also played a key role in Disney’s library review process and co-chaired the first-ever Creative Inclusion Council alongside Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Before her time at Disney, Julie Ann was Google’s Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief and led DEI initiatives in Latin America. Her career in DEI began at NBCUniversal, where she managed diversity programs focused on behind-the-camera talent. Widely regarded as a thought leader, Julie Ann has received numerous accolades for her work, with her DEI framework contributing to creative projects that have collectively generated over $3 billion at the box office. As the host of the You Got Moxie! podcast, she engages with thought leaders and creatives who share innovative best practices on how to make sustainable, positive change. She is also a member of BAFTA, the Producers Guild of America, and serves on several boards, including Women in Animation (WIA), Hispanic Federation, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and Issue One.

In academia, Julie Ann is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice at Georgia Tech, where she pioneered the university’s first seminar on inclusive storytelling. She previously co-created a mandatory inclusive storytelling course for Columbia University’s MFA film program. A proud Puerto Rican and Cuban American, Julie Ann was raised in Atlanta, GA, and earned her BA in English from Harvard University. A trivia enthusiast, she even competed on Jeopardy!

ENTREPRENEURSHIP in MEDIA & CULTURE

Saturday, Feb 28th | 11am - 12pm

Building purpose driven ventures from the group up while balancing creativity, strategy and impact.

SCREENWRITER

Kathryn is a produced screenwriter represented by Verve Talent Agency and Kinetic Media Talent Management. She has developed projects with Axis Studios (Love, Death and Robots; Scrooge: A Christmas Carol), director Alex Orrelle (The Incredibles, Space Jam 2, Klaus), Barajoun Entertainment in Dubai, Filmallee Studios in Munich, and Snowball Studios in Canada. She co-wrote the Denver-made feature film Apartment 212, starring Penelope Miller and Kyle Gass. She is currently developing an animated feature based on Slavic folklore with Jose Ucha and Alan Schmuckler, director and composer of Netflix’s My Little Pony: A New Generation. Kathryn has a degree in English and Psychology from Stanford and a Master’s in Family and Child Studies from Northern Illinois. She was the founding president of WIFMCO.

SCENE LAB - 2 DAYS

Saturday & Sunday | 10:30am - 12pm

Calling all writers, actors, and writer-actors! This a two day workshop about what makes a great scene from both a writing and performance standpoint. On the first day, we'll read some great scenes from movies and TV and talk about what makes them great, and work on cold-reading skills for actors. On the second day, writers will bring in their own scenes and we'll get them on their feet to see how they're working.

PANEL: FILMMAKING & THE CANCER JOURNEY

Sunday, Mar 1 - 1pm - 2pm

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, COLORADO OFFICE OF FILM, TV & MEDIA

Kelly Baug is the Senior Program Manager with the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (a division of OEDIT). As Senior PM, Kelly manages the front-end of the film incentive program, including budgeting, marketing, application and review processes, and data reporting. Prior to her work with the Film Office, Kelly freelanced in the Colorado film industry as a production coordinator, production assistant, and writer. Kelly has a BA in Public Policy from Syracuse University.

Colorado Refundable Tax Credit Film Incentive

Saturday, Feb 28th 2pm -3pm

A deep dive into the global and nationwide incentive landscape; the evolution of the Colorado film incentive program; and the current refundable tax credit program.

ACTRESS, WRITER & PRODUCER

Keonia “Ke-Ke” Williams is an actress, writer, and producer driven by character-first storytelling and honest representation. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised across the U.S. in a military family, she grew up with a wide-lens view of people and place—an experience that now fuels the empathy and range in her work. Keonia began acting at nine in theater before transitioning to film and television, with screen credits including, Netflix’s Amateur, and the series Daybreak.

Behind the camera, she co-founded Soldier Up Productions alongside her mother and discovered her voice as a screenwriter during the COVID-19 pandemic. She co-produced the documentary Barriers Included, produced her first short I Got Next , and is currently completing her debut feature screenplay, Rare. A current fellow of the Disability Belongs Entertainment Lab, Keonia champions inclusive, emotionally resonant stories that reflect the world as it is—and as it should be.

PANEL: FILMMAKING & THE CANCER JOURNEY

Sunday, Mar 1 - 1pm - 2pm

FILMMAKER & PHILANTHROPIST

Mary Beth Eversole is a dynamic actress, filmmaker, voiceover artist, musician and philanthropist whose talents span a variety of creative disciplines. Amidst fight breast cancer last year, she reprised her role as the lead antagonist, Dr. Truman, in the indie feature Sirona: Valkyrie’s Shadow, the sequel to the original “Sirona” film that still maintains a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As an actress she has worked with directors such as George Clooney, Clint Eastwood, and multiple indie filmmakers, and booked roles in numerous films and TV shows, including Lifetime Movie Network’s “My Crazy Ex”. She is also a steadily working commercial actress in the state of Colorado. As a filmmaker, Mary Beth directs and writes thought-provoking projects like “You Never Text Me Back” and the anthology series “Invisible Wounds”, which have gained recognition in film festivals nationwide. She has also made her mark as the creator and host of the YouTube series “Allergy Actress Cooking”, blending entertainment with food allergy advocacy.

In addition to her work on screen, Mary Beth has performed opera and musical theater across the U.S. and Europe, is a voiceover artist who has lent her voice to audiobooks, films, radio commercials, and animated projects, and is a published author. Her dedication to her craft is reflected in her ongoing training with esteemed acting and voiceover coaches.

Passionate about giving back, she champions causes like food allergy awareness, animal rights, and trauma healing. When not performing or creating, she teaches voice, piano, acting, and voiceover at her home studio, The Eversole Music & Acting Studio. Mary Beth also enjoys cooking, spending time with her husband and kitties at home, hiking, and spending time outdoors.

Instagram: @marybetheversole

PANEL: FILMMAKING & THE CANCER JOURNEY

Sunday, Mar 1 - 1pm - 2pm

GAFFER

Mary Jeanes makes her living as a documentary and commercial gaffer based in Denver, Colorado. She received her MFA in Film Production from FSU in 2016 and moved to Colorado shortly thereafter, beginning her career working on rock climbing documentaries. Mary's debut as a documentary director and cinematographer in 2024 with her film "Black Outside", available to watch now on Amazon Prime.

LIGHTING FOR INTERVIEWS

Saturday, Feb. 28th - 10am - 11:30 am

In this simple doc-style interview lighting workshop for people new to lighting, Mary Jeanes and Chesire Li will go over some basic lighting concepts in a quick sit-down presentation followed by a hands -on workshop to follow.

MULTI-HYPHENATE CREATIVE

Maya (she/her) is a multi-hyphenate creative relatively new to the filmmaking space, bringing knowledge and expertise from an extensive background in project management, organizational development to productions in many and varied capacities on set.

She also has a background in JEDI, and aims to bring that ethos to every space she enters and every project she is involved in. Having entered the production-side of filmmaking through her acting career, Maya found an increase in opportunities and collaborations necessitated forming her own production company in 2025.

Looking forward to 2026, Maya has over 20 film projects on the horizon and currently in development and/or pre-production, many of which have a focus on underrepresented and marginalized stories. IMDb page

PANEL: FILMMAKING & THE CANCER JOURNEY, Moderator

Sunday, Mar 1 | 1 PM - 2PM

What does it mean to keep showing up as a filmmaker while navigating diagnosis, treatment, and everything that comes after? This panel brings together cancer survivors working across film who aren’t necessarily making “cancer films”—they’re storytellers living with and through the cancer journey, as it changes how you move through the world, your work, and your identity. Together, they’ll share insights on how we can build an industry culture where people going through cancer—or who might someday—feel seen, heard, and better prepared to keep creating. Expect real talk, actionable takeaways, and a little hope-fueled perspective for anyone who wants their set to be a place people can thrive, not just survive.

MAKEUP ARTIST

My name is Michelle Knoebel and I have been a licensed and insured cosmetologist and special effects makeup artist since 2009. That same year, I established MK Beauty LLC. This allowed me to further pursue my career in freelance artistry. I have worked on various fashion shows, editorial shoots, film and photography sets. I thrive in a fast paced environment like the world of commercial, features & general production. Collaborating with artists and clients from around the country and feeding in their energy is intoxicating and inspiring to me. No two days are ever the same, which is a wonderful challenge. It’s so rewarding when the efforts of the entire team come together into a finished product.

@michkbeauty

SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP

Saturday, Feb 28 | 3PM - 4:30 PM

Step right up for the grossly delightful art of movie magic. Stephanie Lane and Michelle Knoebel will turn fresh faces into fresh injuries—think bruises, cuts, scrapes, and “wow, are you okay?” realism that’s 100% camera-safe (and 0% HR incident).

You’ll see how pros build believable effects that read on set and on screen—what to use, how to layer it, and the little cheat codes that make blood look right under different lighting. Come for the craft, stay for the satisfying squish factor… and leave ready to make your next scene look like it really happened (without anyone actually having to file a report).

MAKEUP FOR ANY LIGHTING

Sunday, Mar 1 | 2 PM - 4 PM

Special effects makeup artists Stephanie Lane and Michelle Knoebel break down how makeup reads under every kind of lighting—from soft beauty light to harsh top-light to mixed-color chaos—so your work holds up on camera. Special guests Cheshire Li & Mary Jeanes.

FILM & VOICE OVER DIRECTOR

Nell Teare is an award-winning director, writer, producer, and actress. She is a native Texan and graduate of Houston's The High School for Performing and Visual Arts and then of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Trained as a stage actor, Nell was a member of

the original cast of Memphis, which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2010. In 2012, Nell began her career as a director and has since completed over 150 projects, including more than twenty foreign language dubs for Netflix, Amazon and Disney, feature and short films, commercials, live stage performances, pilot presentations, web series and music videos. Her feature film, Bolivar, is available on all cable, satellite, and digital platforms through Freestyle Media. Her current project, go-LOVE-go, is in production in Los Angeles. Nell is also the founder of Harmon Creek Press, through which she published her children's book, Celia and the Witches, and is dedicated to mentoring teens and young people.

ALL ABOUT THE DUB(BING)

Sunday, Mar 1 - 3pm - 4pm

Learn how they select and direct actors to recreate foreign content for the large studio platforms in America. Disney/HULU, Netflix, Amazon

SENIOR AGENT, AEVITAS CREATIVE MANAGEMENT

Sarah Bowlin is a senior agent at Aevitas Creative Management which she joined in 2017. Before becoming an agent, she was an editor of literary fiction and nonfiction at Riverhead Books and Henry Holt & Company where she edited the acclaimed writers Juan Gabriel Vásquez, Sheila Heti, Rachel Khong, and Helen Phillips, among others. As an agent she has worked with emerging and award-winning voices including the National Book award-winning translator and novelist, Bruna Dantas Lobato; NBA long-listed novelist Vanessa Veselka; Giller Prize-winning writer, Souvankham Thammavongsa; 2023 5 Under 35 honoree from the National Book Foundation, Jenny Xie; The 2024 Asian/Pacific American Award-winner in Adult Fiction, Janika Oza; the Jewish Book Award-winning memoirist Sabrinah Orah Mark, as well as acclaimed writers Lynn Steger Strong, Ayşegül Savaş, Gene Kwak, Ashley Nelson Levy, Jasmin ‘Iolani Hakes, R.K. Russell, Elisa Albert, and Ismail Muhammad. She is interested in bold voices and experiments in form—specifically stories of strong or difficult women and unexpected narratives of place, identity, and the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other. Originally from the South, she now lives in Los Angeles.

Instagram: @svbowlin

FROM MANUSCRIPT TO BOOK TO FILM & BEYOND

Sunday, Mar 1 | 3p - 4p

A broad discussion from a seasoned literary agent's point of view about the many forms stories can take--from book to film and back.

PERFORMER, FILMMAKER, NINJA MASTER & HUMAN

Sara Salazar has worked for over 15 years in film & TV, she is an SAG/AFTRA Actress, Stuntwoman, Stunt Coordinator and practical effects expert. Her expertise spans fight choreography, wire effects, and falls, she trains diligently with the Rocky Mountain Stunt team and also specializes in mentoring the next generation of stunt talent. She loves storytelling in all forms and sharing the excitement for her craft.

I aim to help people move through the world with confidence and a little whimsy. @actionsarasalazar

ACTION IN MEDIA

Sunday, Mar 1 - 2:30p - 3:30p

Join Sara Salazar for a behind-the-scenes look at how jaw-dropping action gets built safely—and made to look huge on camera. From fight choreography and precision driving to rigs, wires, and practical effects, they’ll share the pro workflow that turns bold ideas into clean, shootable, director-friendly stunts.

TELEVISION DIRECTOR

Sarah Adina Smith is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director whose work spans HBO, Amazon, Netflix, and beyond.

She wrote and directed the feature films The Midnight Swim, Birds of Paradise, and Buster’s Mal Heart (starring Rami Malek in his first lead role), and has directed episodes of acclaimed series including Legion, Hanna, Lessons in Chemistry, Little House on the Prairie, and most recently HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. She splits her time between Salt Spring Island and Los Angeles.

PREPPING AN ACTION SEQUENCE

Sun, March 1 | 2:15p - 3:15p

Using real life examples from HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdom, Sarah will lead you through how she preps for big action sequences as a director.

ENTERTAINMENT EXEC, WRITER, PRODUCER & ACTOR

Shayla Riggle is an entertainment executive, writer, producer, and actor with over two decades of experience across creative development, sales, and distribution. She began her career in network television, working with BET, NBCUniversal, Oxygen, UPN, and The CW. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she trained in classical theater and later performed internationally.

Shayla is the creator of Gods of Empires, an Afrofuturistic sci-fi fantasy universe spanning graphic novels, stage productions, and film. She expanded the universe with additional high-concept projects including REYVN 6 and Dragon in the West. Her work has earned screenwriting awards from the California Women’s Film Festival and the Marina del Rey Film Festival.

On the business side, Shayla transitioned into sales and acquisitions, later founding The Hudson Sterling Firm, where she helped sell over 8,000 films across 80 countries, managed a Roku channel, and raised over $7 million in independent film financing. She is also the founder of Riggle Me That Production, a 501(c)(3) arts organization serving youth in Colorado, and co-founder of Tenth Wonder Studios, focused on immersive technology and exhibitions.

Instagram: @theeiiofficia

WORKSHOP: THE STRUCTURAL ADVANTAGE: DISTRIBUTION & SALES

Sunday, Mar 1 | 11am - 12pm

Most films fail at distribution because they were never developed with sales in mind. This session teaches you how to build your project around market viability, revenue pathways, and deal leverage-long before cameras roll.

CO-FOUNDER and CEO of MASS FX

Shawna Schultz is the co-founder and CEO of Mass FX Media and 38th & Post. As a Colorado native, she's been working in the industry and bringing work to Colorado for over 15 years. Specializing in documentary and visual effects, she supports brands and filmmakers as they bring their stories to life on the screen. She's a founding member of WIFMCO, and the founder of the FAMCO Initiative that she has brought into the Colorado Film and Video Association as vice president.

BECOME OUR FAVORITE FREELANCER

Saturday, Feb 28 | 10:45am - 12pm

Getting consistent freelance work is so much more than your reel. Learn how to stay in the black book and off the black list. Mass FX Media is the Denver-based motion design and post shop with work on every major streamer and four Sundance premieres. Join Shawna Schultz (CEO) for a workshop on how to contract with a studio. She'll talk about what you need in place from a business perspective, what it's like working on large scale film projects, and explain how studio relationships with freelance talent can be most successful.

MAKEUP ARTISTS

I am a hair and makeup artist that specializes in clean beauty. In 2006 I got my start in the beauty industry and from the very beginning I have been on a mission to provide loving services and to help empower people to feel gorgeous in their own skin. In 2013 I began Be Love Cosmetics which grew into Be Love Beauty LLC in 2019. I am passionate about healthy hair, clean cosmetics, and making the beauty industry better. I believe every human is beautiful and I believe my services create a ripple effect of love out into the world that helps to heal our planet. Each guest in my chair is an opportunity for me to drop pebbles of love into the global pond that will radiate across our community.  When I’m not behind the chair you’ll find me creating handmade crafts to sell in my Etsy shop, doing yoga, or hiking with my family in the wild blue yonder!

@ingenuehmucru

SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP

Saturday, Feb 28 | 3PM - 4:30 PM

Step right up for the grossly delightful art of movie magic. Stephanie Lane and Michelle Knoebel will turn fresh faces into fresh injuries—think bruises, cuts, scrapes, and “wow, are you okay?” realism that’s 100% camera-safe (and 0% HR incident).

You’ll see how pros build believable effects that read on set and on screen—what to use, how to layer it, and the little cheat codes that make blood look right under different lighting. Come for the craft, stay for the satisfying squish factor… and leave ready to make your next scene look like it really happened (without anyone actually having to file a report).

MAKEUP FOR ANY LIGHTING

Sunday, Mar 1 | 2 PM - 4 PM

Special effects makeup artists Stephanie Lane and Michelle Knoebel break down how makeup reads under every kind of lighting—from soft beauty light to harsh top-light to mixed-color chaos—so your work holds up on camera. Special guests Cheshire Li & Mary Jeanes.

CREATIVE WRITING SPECIALIST

TRAI CARTWRIGHT, MFA, is a 30-year entertainment industry veteran and creative writing specialist. While in Los Angeles, she was a screenwriter, independent film producer, and story consultant and development executive for HBO, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, and New Line Cinema. Trai currently teaches film, screenwriting, and creative entrepreneurship for UMKC and University of Denver’s low-residency master’s program, writers groups, conferences, and one-on-one as a development and story editor. She’s produced 4 features and multiple short form projects and is currently involved as either a writer or producer on 7 projects across a range of mediums. www.craftwrite.com

DEVELOPING AND MARKETING THE DIGITAL SERIES

Saturday, Feb 28 - 10am - 12pm

Movies are forever and TV is golden, but the real action is in the digital realm — and it’s very easy to break in! You’ve got lots to say, so say it with a digital series featuring short bursts of storytelling, education, or inspiration. Whether for your YouTube channel or a vertical series platform, learn the basic principles of content development and production, and best yet, learn how to launch it…for very little money or experience!

PRINCIPLES OF FILM ADAPTATION

Sunday, Mar 1 - 10am - 12pm

80% of what Hollywood produces and tons of successfully distributed indie films are an adaptation from an intellectual property, but how to make the leap from to film/TV successfully? It doesn’t matter what the IP is—books, articles, TikToks, or even songs—this class will give into the principle adaptation development elements, including how to narrow (or widen) the story and the cast, how to zero in on the all-important theme, how to think visually for the screen, and of course what “kind” of adaptation is right for your property.