Writer & Producer 

Adanne Ebo is an American-Nigerian writer and producer who works as a filmmaking duo with her identical twin sister Adamma Ebo. She produced the feature film HONK FOR JESUS. SAVE YOUR SOUL - written and directed by Adamma, and starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown which sold to Focus Features and Monkeypaw at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and had a wide theatrical release. Her TV writing credits include the Emmy-nominated Amazon series MR & MRS SMITH and BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER. Together with her sister, Adanne has set up their pilot spec SUPPLY, 404 with Gloria Sanchez Productions, and MRC, and recently entered into an overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. She is a graduate of Spelman College and Northwestern Law School. Adanne also loves video games, fashion, anime, and training to become the Avatar—master of all four elements.

CEO, FlynnPictureCo

With over 28 years in the industry, Beau Flynn has become a powerhouse in film and television, producing more than 35 films that have collectively grossed over $4 billion worldwide. As an active member of AMPAS and the PGA, Flynn leads FlynnPictureCo. (FPC), a production company that specializes in high-concept, tentpole films that captivate global audiences. For nearly two decades, FPC has thrived under an exclusive deal with New Line/Warner Bros.

Flynn kicked off his career by producing acclaimed indie hits like Requiem for a Dream (2000), Tigerland (2000), and The House of Yes (1998), before transitioning into blockbusters. He launched the Journey to the Center of the Earth franchise, which broke ground as the first film ever produced in HD3D, and struck gold with San Andreas, Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing film of 2015, with over $475 million worldwide.

In 2018, Flynn delivered two major hits—Rampage and Skyscraper, both starring Dwayne Johnson. Rampage earned $425 million globally, while Skyscraper brought in $300 million, cementing Flynn’s reputation for delivering blockbuster spectacles.

His success continued with Jungle Cruise and Netflix’s Red Notice, the most-watched movie in the platform’s history, starring Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot.

Expanding into superhero films, Flynn produced DC’s Black Adam, which earned $393 million globally, and is currently producing Disney’s live-action Moana, set for a 2026 release.

On the TV front, Flynn is producing Seven Wonders at Universal TV and Amazon, based on the Ben Mezrich novel, with Justin Lin directing and Simu Liu starring.

Flynn is also the founder of Producers United, launched in October 2023 to provide sustainability for career film and TV producers. With over 130 of the industry’s biggest producers involved, the collective is set to reshape the future for producers in a constantly evolving landscape.

With an ever-growing slate of high-profile projects, Beau Flynn continues to push the boundaries of global entertainment, redefining blockbuster filmmaking on every platform.

Founder & CEO, MACRO 

Charles D. King casts the overall vision, mission and strategic goals as Founder & CEO of MACRO, a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of people of color. The company’s  business verticals include MACRO Film Studios and MACRO Television Studios—that finance, develop and produce theatrical and streaming features and premium television, and Brand MACRO, an in-house  branding and creative agency. MACRO also has a majority interest in the company’s joint venture co-founded by King—M88, a talent management firm; and an affiliated venture capital firm, MaC Venture  Capital, where King is general partner. Formerly a partner/senior agent at William Morris Endeavor, King was the first Black partner in the company’s 100+ year history and the first Black partner at any major  talent agency. King made history again in 2021, when the Best Picture Oscar nomination for Judas And The Black Messiah made King, Ryan Coogler and Shaka King, the first all-Black team of nominated producers  for an Academy Award. The company’s film projects have garnered fifteen Oscar nominations and three wins. Its television projects have received nominations for a Peabody Award, two Primetime Emmys and  six Children’s and Family Emmy Awards. King is a dedicated philanthropist, member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and The Television Academy; and sits on the boards for The Sundance  Institute, College Track and The American Cinematheque. The Vanderbilt University and Howard University School of Law graduate resides in LA with his wife Stacey Walker King and their sons. 

Chairman & CEO, Motion Picture Association, Inc.

Charles H. Rivkin is Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the leading advocate of the global film, television, and streaming industry. The MPA’s members currently include Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Drawing on 30 years of experience as a media executive and a leading U.S. diplomat, Rivkin advocates for policies that drive investment in film and television production, protect creative content, and open markets. He champions the economic and cultural power of film and television to communities around the world.

As chief executive, Rivkin is also responsible for the MPA’s iconic movie ratings system, which has served parents and moviegoers for more than 50 years. He also serves as Chairman of the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), the world’s largest content protection coalition dedicated to combatting digital piracy. In 2021, Rivkin received the Spanish National Police Merit Cross — with distinction for content protection efforts — the highest law enforcement decoration bestowed on a civilian.

Prior to joining the MPA, Rivkin served for more than seven years at the highest levels of the U.S. government’s diplomatic corps. He was the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs from 2014 to 2017. He led the State Department Bureau responsible for managing international trade negotiations, intellectual property rights protection, and global internet policy, among other major policy issues. While conducting economic diplomacy for the United States, he visited more than 40 countries and 70 cities around the world.

From 2009 to 2013, Rivkin was the United States Ambassador to France and Monaco. In this role, he guided America’s oldest and one of its largest diplomatic missions, with six constituent posts throughout France and representing more than 50 U.S. government agencies. During his posting, Rivkin was personally awarded the Légion d’honneur with the rank of Commander by the President of France as well as la Grande Médaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris by the Mayor of Paris. He was also presented with the U.S. Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award by the Secretary of the Navy.

Before his government service, Rivkin worked in the media and entertainment sector for more than 20 years. During that period, he served as President and CEO of Jim Henson Company, home to The Muppets and other award-winning film and television franchises and beloved characters. He also served as CEO of WildBrain, where he won a BAFTA Award as an Executive Producer of the hit children’s television series Yo Gabba Gabba!, and Fast Company named him one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business.

Rivkin is a Board member of the American Academy of Diplomacy, the American Film Institute, and Via Transportation Inc. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He received his bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 1984, graduating with distinction in political science and international relations. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard University in 1988.

CEO, Bankable Consulting

Adjunct Professor- Film Finance, GSU College of Law

As CEO/Owner of BANKABLE CONSULTING, INC., Chiquita supports content creators,  with a focus on filmmakers of color, and advises on options to finance the creator’s projects.  Specifically, she consults on project’s global incentive alternatives and is “the plug” connecting  filmmakers to companies that lend against production incentives, distribution agreements and  other production collateral. 

Prior to starting Bankable and after a short stint in private capital, Ms. Banks served as  Sr. Advisor, Production & Investment Planning at The Walt Disney Company. At Disney, she  specialized in helping the Company’s brands realize a reduction in the cost of production  through the use of global film and television tax incentives. Her practice also included  government relations where Chiquita interacted with international, federal, state and local  legislators, film commissioners and other industry influencers for the purpose of maintaining  and increasing production incentives in relevant jurisdictions. Before Disney, Chiquita served as  Director, Tax Counsel at Viacom in New York, NY and SALT Senior Manager at Bennett  Thrasher in Atlanta, GA.  

Chiquita currently serves as a Professor of Law teaching film finance and production  incentives law at Georgia State University College of Law, is a current board member of the  Black Entertainment & Sports Lawyers Association, Inc. (BESLA), and is a board member of the  Black Girls Film Camp (BGFC). Furthermore, she contributes as a member and leader in several  other non-profit organizations such as Women in Film & Television (WIFT), the Council on  State Taxation (COST) and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA). 

Executive Director, Atlanta Film Society, AFF

Serving since 2011, Christopher Escobar is the longest-serving and first minority executive director of the 48-year-old Atlanta Film Society, the nonprofit that produces the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival. He purchased the historic Plaza Theatre in 2017 followed by the Tara Theatre in 2023. Escobar earned a master’s in moving image production from Georgia State University.

Co-Founder, Crafty Ape

Founder, Lumalogic

Chris LeDoux is a Visual Effects Supervisor and Director with over two decades of experience in the film and television industry. As co-founder of Crafty Apes, a leading visual effects company, Chris has contributed to numerous high-profile projects including "La La Land," "Pan's Labyrinth," and "Super 8." His work spans both blockbuster films and critically acclaimed series such as "Stranger Things" and "Better Call Saul."

Chris recently founded Lumalogic, a production company that is reimagining the future of content creation through innovative AI tools and systems. By leveraging his extensive experience in visual effects and his keen interest in emerging technologies, Chris is pioneering new approaches to storytelling and production processes. His work aims to push the boundaries of what's possible in filmmaking, combining cutting-edge AI technology with traditional creative expertise.

Managing Director, Bay Point Advisors

Don is a graduate of The Ohio State University and The Georgia State University College of Law. Upon graduating from Georgia State, Don went on to build out a large firm practice representing a wide array of clients involved in all facets of entertainment content production and finance. Don also represented numerous production companies in their usage of the production tax incentives provided by the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, ranging from small independent film and television production companies to many of the major studios.

In 2008, Don left the practice of law to form Georgia Production Finance, LLC, a boutique entertainment production and financing advisory firm that advises content production companies with respect to project and company financing strategies. Further, as a Co-Founder of the Georgia Film Tax Credit Fund, Don oversaw the financing and monetization of a significant percentage of the entertainment tax credits earned by many of the major studios currently operating in Georgia.

Don was a founding member of the Georgia-based Committee on Entertainment, Capital, Investment, & Legislation (CECIL), as well as the Georgia-based Entertainment Production Industry Coalition (EPIC). These organizations are comprised of many of the leading members of the Georgia film, TV, digital media, and game development communities, and are tasked with improving the entertainment investment climate in Georgia, as well as obtaining improved entertainment tax incentive legislation in Georgia.

In early 2019, Don partnered with the owner and leadership team of Pinewood Atlanta Studios, now Trilith Studios, to launch The Green Honey Factory, LLC, an entertainment venture fund that invests in established entertainment content companies. Also in early 2019, Don assembled the financing for the launch of Brand New Story, LLC, a joint venture between Rough House Pictures and Cinetic Media. BNS works with top brands and Hollywood storytellers to finance, develop and distribute long-form content that finds ways to integrate brand ethos into entertainment properties.

In June of 2024, Don joined Atlanta-based Bay Point Advisors to be the Managing Director of Bay Point’s media division. In this role, Don oversees the firm’s media investment activities.

On the production front, Don advises dozens of production companies across various production verticals and has acted as a producer or executive producer on multiple Georgia-produced feature films.

Founder, Garibay Institute

Fernando Garibay is a Polymath, record producer, songwriter, artist, entrepreneur, and academic. He was the Musical Director of Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball and Executive Producer of her Born This Way album.  Fernando has written, produced and creatively directed a multitude of artists, including Lady Gaga, U2, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Bruno Mars, Sia, Kylie Minogue, Shakira, Paris Hilton, and many more.

Fernando, a former executive at Interscope Records, is a visiting lecturer at Harvard University, Harvard Business School, Harvard Medical School and at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and California Western School of Law. Fernando has also participated with the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders as a keynote speaker, served as a salon contributor, served as Keynote Speaker for the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai in mid-October 2023; as well as the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to the UNFCCC. 

Fernando is currently on a global lecturing tour speaking on human creativity and artificial intelligence; which include keynotes at England’s prestigious Royal Society (the oldest scientific academy in continuous existence), Oxford University, Israel’s Tel Aviv University, as well as the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament.

Fernando Garibay is the founder of the Garibay Institute, the first and only research and development center focused on art, creativity, entertainment, film, gaming, and music as an instrument for soft power, cultural identity and patrimony, intellectual renaissance, sustainable economic growth, and public diplomacy. The Garibay Institute unites global leaders, best in-class universities, financial institutions, and influencers/key opinion leaders with elite members of the creative class to catalyze innovation, empower dialogue, and cultivate engaged and inspiring icons of the future.

President & CEO, Trilith Studios 

Frank Patterson is a studio executive, entrepreneur and higher education thought leader. He serves as president and CEO of Trilith Studios, the largest purpose-built film studio in North America, where projects from Avengers: Endgame to Judge Steve Harvey were produced. He also serves as the Managing Director of Trilith Ventures, a fund that invests in early-stage content and technology companies that create value for Trilith Studios and its business ecosystem. Prior to Trilith, Patterson co-founded and served as the CEO of Pulse Evolution Corporation, a technology company that produces hyper-realistic digital humans for live and virtual reality applications. 

Director

Greg Jardin’s work is marked by a keen eye for detail and a gift for creating unique cinematic visions. His talent was recognized early on when he was awarded the SXSW Grand Jury Prize for best music video. Since then, he has gone on to direct more music videos, commercials and short films, including being a go-to artist for Netflix’s marketing team. He is the director behind some of the most original promotional shorts for popular Netflix shows such as COWBOY BEBOP, WHEN THEY SEE US, 13 REASONS WHY, CURSED, HOLLYWOOD and many others. He has worked with A-list talent such as Hilary Swank, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington and John Cho. Greg's work has earned him numerous Clio Awards, establishing him as one of the most promising young directors in the industry. IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE is his feature directorial debut.

Agent, UTA

Jake Carter is an agent at UTA in the independent film group where he specializes in global film finance, distribution and marketing strategies for independent and co-financed features, helping the world’s most acclaimed independent filmmakers see their work reach global audiences. Carter comes to UTA from 30WEST, where he started the company’s New York office and oversaw production and distribution on critically acclaimed films including The Mauritanian, Destroyer, Late Night, Ben is Back, and The Contractor and documentaries including Tiger King, Some Kind of Heaven and Wildcat. Prior to 30WEST, Carter worked at Black Bear Pictures, having begun his career at Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo and at Cinetic Media and FilmBuff—the indie sales and distribution company that’s now part of Gunpowder & Sky.

President, Trilith Institute

Seasoned storyteller, creative leader, and visionary Jeffrey Stepakoff has dedicated his career to shaping narratives that resonate deeply with audiences and fostering the talent that will define the future of entertainment. With a profound passion for storytelling, Jeffrey has worked across multiple facets of the industry, including screenwriting, producing, and leading transformative educational initiatives that bridge creativity with opportunity. 

As President of Trilith Institute, he is pioneering a groundbreaking model for educating and developing emerging writers, directors, and other creatives within Georgia’s flourishing film and television industry. The Institute’s mission is to cultivate, retain, and empower the next generation of creators through innovative offerings such as professional education courses, the Emerging Creative Residency, Writers Room of Georgia, and Script to Screen Summer Camp. By building a dynamic creative ecosystem, Trilith Institute aims to keep talent in Georgia, solidifying the state’s role as a leader in the entertainment world.

VP, External and Multicultural Affairs, MPA

John Gibson is a prominent inclusion and social impact change agent. In 2012, he established the Motion Picture Association’s Inclusion, Community & Belonging (ICB) program – working simultaneously to promote and highlight the association’s member studios’ (Walt Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros.) multicultural initiatives - while also managing the MPA’s partnerships with national civil rights, non-profits, and multicultural groups as part of the association’s outreach to leading third-party organizations.  

Since creating the MPA’s ICB program, John has cultivated key partnerships with over 60 leading organizations throughout the United States and Canada such as the American Black Film Festival, Atlanta Film Festival and Society, Georgia Latino International Film Festival, New York Latino Film Festival, Toronto’s Black Screen Office and the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (HBCUs IN LA/Atlanta/New York), of whose advisory boards he serves on; the National Urban League, previously serving on its Urban Solutions Council; National Association of Latino Independent Producers, Women in Animation, Center for Asian American Media, Native American Media Alliance, Urbanworld and many other groups working tirelessly to promote gender equality, inclusivity and belonging, and ‘authentic’ cultural representation in film, television and streaming. 

John has been featured in Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, LA Times, Black Enterprise, The Washingtonian and many other publications. He has received numerous awards recognitions by organizations including African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), National Urban League’s Washington Bureau, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, STARZ Network’s #TakeTheLead Initiative, Santo Domingo Global Film Festival, ICON Talks, National Black Movie Association and more. 

Founder & CEO, Collective Moxie

Julie Ann Crommett (she/her/ella) has been working in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space for fifteen years leading disruptive, systemic change across media and tech. As Founder and CEO of Collective Moxie, Julie Ann works with organizations and individual artists to revolutionize their DEI creative and business strategies. Most recently, in partnership with The Black List, Julie Ann spearheaded the creation of the first-ever GA List to amplify writers from and with strong affiliation to the state of Georgia.

Previously, she was Vice President of Multicultural Audience Engagement at The Walt Disney Studios, spearheading efforts to diversify talent in front of and behind the camera, connect creative projects more closely to the communities they touch, and build a more inclusive culture within the Studios. Her team contributed to many projects, including ENCANTO, SOUL, COCO, BLACK PANTHER, RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON, and WEST SIDE STORY, as well as launching the critically acclaimed Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator, an industry-leading program guaranteeing up to six directors from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to produce a short film for Disney+. Julie Ann was also instrumental in Disney's library review process, and, in partnership with Disney CEO Bob Iger, she launched and co-chaired the company's first-ever Creative Inclusion Council.

Before Disney, she was Google’s Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief, as well as having led Google’s DEI efforts in Latin America. She started her DEI career at NBCUniversal managing behind-the-camera diversity programs.

A thought leader in this space, Julie Ann has won numerous awards and been featured in leading publications, and creative projects using her DEI framework have conservatively garnered over $3B at the box office. She is a member of BAFTA, the Producers Guild of America, and several for-profit and non-profit boards, including WIA (Women in Animation), Hispanic Federation, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Issue One, and the Woodruff Arts Center. 

In academia, Julie Ann is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice at Georgia Tech, where she originated the first university-wide seminar course on inclusive storytelling. Previously, she served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Columbia University’s MFA film program and co-created a now mandatory course with her producing partner on inclusive storytelling. 

A proud Puerto Rican and Cuban American, Julie Ann was raised in Atlanta, GA, and earned her BA in English at Harvard University. A true trivia nerd, she also competed on Jeopardy!

Founder & CEO, FilmBook Media

Julie Feagin is a pioneering executive in digital rights and content creation, working at the intersection of the film, entertainment, and sports industries. As the founder and CEO of FilmBook Media, Julie collaborates with major studios and independent creators to streamline the licensing of real property and digital assets, enabling productions to move more efficiently from concept to completion. In response to the SAG strikes, she launched VIPrights.ai, an innovative platform that reduces production costs by licensing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and reusing 3D scans and digital twins. The platform ensures that talent maintains full control and consent over the use of their digital likeness, voice, and digital twin, while receiving fair compensation.

Julie’s expertise spans digital asset creation, responsible NIL licensing, and both real and virtual location services. Having testified before Senators on critical issues like AI, deepfakes, and rights of publicity, she is a leading advocate for protecting talent and creators. Her commitment to legal and ethical integrity is matched by her ability to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and digital rights, empowering studios, talent agents, and creators to thrive in this new era of content production.

Executive Producer, BronzeLens Film Festival

Kathleen Bertrand is known for her multi-faceted career path.  With a 30+ year career full of accolades for creating events and platforms that promote Atlanta as a diverse destination, it was no surprise to many when she began talking in 2009 about a new film festival to attract people of color to Atlanta’s growing film industry. From a discussion with her then CEO William Pate at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, to talks with film enthusiasts and potential film partners, Bertrand began to assemble the team and resources needed to launch what was to become BronzeLens Film Festival, a non-profit organization. While everybody knew about Tyler Perry’s Atlanta-based empire, Bertrand and her colleagues created a stage for broader engagement in the industry for people of color and did so in a way that showcased Atlanta and its history and culture.

Under Bertrand’s visionary leadership as executive producer, BronzeLens, now celebrating its 15th Anniversary, has grown to receive attention and accolades from across the country and around the world. It is a charter member of ARRAY (formerly AFFRM), the film distribution network founded by producer/director Ava DuVernay in 2011. BronzeLens has been mentioned in articles about film diversity in publications such as the New York Times, the LA Times, and Ebony Magazine.  In late 2016, the festival was named as an Academy Award Qualifying Film Festival for the Short Film Award. This tremendous honor is one of only three in the state of Georgia, and one of only 5 such designations in the country for film festivals that support the work of people of color. In its most recent film season, the festival received film submissions from 59 countries around the world. BronzeLens received two “Best of Atlanta Magazine” Awards from Atlanta Magazine: “Best Showcase for New Filmmakers,” and “Best Place to Break into the Film Industry.”  

Kathleen has received numerous awards for her work with BronzeLens. In 2016, she was given the Georgia Highlight Award, as part of the annual Georgia Film Gala. In 2018, she received the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from her alma mater Spelman College, which honored her careers in both hospitality and the film industry. Additionally, in 2018, she was inducted into the Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame, which also honored her dual careers in film and in hospitality. Early in 2019 she was honored at PNC Bank Celebrates Atlanta's African American Creative Community in February 2019.  Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms honored Bertrand in 2019 with the City’s highest honor, the Phoenix Award for visionary leadership of BronzeLens Film Festival. Earlier this month she was named as one of the 200 Most Influential in Georgia’s Creative Industries by the Georgia Entertainment Journal.

Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs, MPA

Kathy Bañuelos is the Senior Vice President of State Government Affairs at the Motion Picture Association. With over a decade of experience advocating on behalf of the entertainment industry during a significant evolution for producing and distributing creative content, Ms. Bañuelos has amassed a wide breadth of policy expertise and experience working successfully with broad coalitions on complex policy matters. At the MPA, she oversees all state and local government relations, advocacy, and regulatory functions of the association.

Previously, Ms. Bañuelos served as Vice President of Government Affairs for NBCUniversal, where she was responsible for state and local lobbying on public policy issues impacting the company across the country. In addition to providing legal analysis and policy recommendations, Ms. Bañuelos also engaged with NBCUniversal’s outside trade associations, including the Motion Picture Association, broadcast associations, and various Chambers of Commerce, to advocate for and promote the media and entertainment industries. Before joining NBCUniversal, Ms. Bañuelos was a consultant for the California Senate Judiciary Committee, where she provided legal analysis on a wide breadth of state policy issues with an emphasis on the First Amendment and other constitutional issues.

Ms. Bañuelos earned her Juris Doctor at Columbia University School of Law and a Bachelor of

Executive Director, Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition

Kelsey is the Executive Director of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition, the leading advocacy organization for the film, television and digital entertainment industry in Georgia. She’s been with the organization since its founding in 2018, and has driven GSEC’s mission to protect, promote and advance the industry in our state. 

Previously, Kelsey was the Director of Economic Development & Special Projects for the Georgia Chamber. In that role, she focused on strengthening the Chamber’s influence statewide through Georgia Chamber Federation, a grassroots network she expanded to represent 147 community partners and 45,000+ small businesses across Georgia. She joined the Georgia Chamber in 2012, and was instrumental in the significant expansion of the Chamber’s revenue streams, and its investor benefit products, programs, and educational offerings. She holds a B.A. in Communication Media from North Carolina State University, and in 2016 earned her IOM designation for studies in nonprofit organizational management.

Executive and Artistic Director, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Kenny Blank is the Executive Director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, the city's largest film festival and the world's preeminent Jewish film festival, drawing thousands of attendees annually for an exhibition of newly released international cinema and curated conversations. Prior to his current role, Kenny was the Executive Producer of morning news at NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, where he earned an Emmy Award for his leadership in breaking news coverage. He also served as a producer at Savannah's NBC affiliate WSAV-TV, where he received an Associated Press award for special coverage. Kenny has further experience as a communications specialist, having worked for two Atlanta mayors, Maynard Jackson and Bill Campbell.

A graduate of New York University, Kenny holds a BFA in Film and Television from the Tisch School of the Arts and a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication. His work has been recognized with several honors, including the IMAGE Film Award and Atlanta Contemporary's Nexus Award. Kenny has also contributed to the arts and philanthropic community, chairing the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund for the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and currently serving on the boards of the Alliance Theatre and Woodward Academy. He and his wife Nancy are actively involved in The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s philanthropic efforts. Together, they are the proud parents of two children, Emily and Oliver.

Actor/Host/Producer

Keri Maletto is a versatile actress, producer, and television host with a vibrant presence in the entertainment industry. Since 2010, she has been a key figure on the Home Shopping Network (HSN), specializing in kitchen and culinary segments where she has broken sales records and amassed a following with her energetic style. Her acting credits include So Dark, Devious Maids, American Crime Story: Versace, and Midnight Texas. Keri has also hosted various television shows, including cooking programs, infomercials, and remodeling shows, and has emceed notable red carpets and galas. As a producer, Keri has worked on feature films, short films, and TV series, showcasing her creativity and innovation across different formats. Her dynamic contributions across all her roles make her a prominent and influential figure in both entertainment and culinary fields.

Professor, Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing and Associate Director, Georgia Tech Machine Learning Center

Dr. Mark Riedl is a Professor in the Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing and Associate Director of the Georgia Tech Machine Learning Center. Dr. Riedl’s research focuses on human-centered artificial intelligence—the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that understand and interact with human users in more natural ways. Dr. Riedl’s recent work has focused on story understanding and generation, computational creativity, explainable AI, and teaching virtual agents to behave safely. His research is supported by the NSF, DARPA, ONR, the U.S. Army, U.S. Health and Human Services, Disney, Google, Meta, and Amazon. He is the recipient of a DARPA Young Faculty Award and an NSF CAREER Award.

Managing Director, Domain Capital

Mr. Chiappetta is a Managing Director responsible for Domain’s Media, Entertainment, and Technology investment vertical. In this role, he provides strategic and managerial oversight for the platform and has originated over $5 billion of Media & Entertainment transaction volume. Mr. Chiappetta is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and has been actively involved in various capacities across a wide variety of asset classes and investment structures, including private credit and Media and Entertainment investments. 

Prior to joining Domain, Mr. Chiappetta worked for PwC’s Financial Instruments, Structured Products, and Real Estate group. There he performed valuations across a wide range of assets, evaluating complex ABS waterfalls and modeling esoteric credit investments and supported new ABS issuances, evaluating collateral quality and credit. 

Pete began his career working in Warner Music Group’s Sync division and then in various roles in the television industry. Mr. Chiappetta has his B.S. in Communications with a specialization in Entertainment from Emerson College and his M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.

Creative Director, Rome International Film Festival

Seth Ingram is a dynamic and influential figure in the entertainment industry, excelling as a writer, producer, and director. With a career distinguished by a diverse body of work, Seth currently serves as the Creative Director of the Rome International Film Festival and holds the role of Division Chair for Film, Theatre, and Digital Entertainment at Georgia Highlands College.

Seth has been instrumental in establishing international partnerships, most notably with Israel and the Bahamas, fostering cultural exchange programs that enrich the academic experience. These partnerships include Sapir University and the Cinema South Film Festival in southern Israel, as well as the Bahamas Artist Movement, both in collaboration with the Rome International Film Festival.

A significant highlight of Seth’s work at the Rome International Film Festival is the creation of the Flannery O'Connor Award for Storytelling, developed in conjunction with Andalusia and the Flannery O'Connor Foundation. The award has honored notable figures such as Billy Bob Thornton, Maya, and Ethan Hawke. This year, at the 21st edition of the Rome International Film Festival, the award will be presented to actor and filmmaker Tim Blake Nelson.

As a Georgia native, Seth’s deep connection to the state’s Creative and Entertainment Industries is both personal and professional. His passion for Georgia goes beyond geography—it reflects his commitment to nurturing the local industry and fostering its growth.

Seth’s producing background further enriches his multifaceted career. He recently collaborated with Champ Bailey, Glen Owen, and Storyboard Entertainment on the soon-to-be-released film Signing Day, a project entirely created, financed, and produced in Georgia, underscoring Seth’s dedication to supporting homegrown talent and the local economy.

With credits spanning a wide array of genres and formats, Seth’s ability to bring stories to life behind the scenes has been instrumental in the success of numerous productions. His dedication to recognizing and developing talent while pushing creative boundaries has left a lasting imprint on the independent filmmaking landscape. Seth’s work not only entertains but also inspires a thriving community of artists ready for success.

Seth envisions Georgia as a hub for creativity and innovation in the entertainment industry. He remains steadfast in his mission to ensure that the state continues to be a cornerstone for artistic expression and production. His goal is to see more film projects originating from Georgia—from intellectual property creation to financing, production, and post-production. As Seth puts it, "It's wonderful to work in Georgia, but our goal is to keep as much of the investment as possible within our local economy and have control over the films we produce." He and his partners are launching a film fund to do this in 2025. 

President and CEO, EICOP

Stacy Milner is an entertainment industry veteran who began her career working as the executive assistant to the chairmen of NBC and Paramount Pictures. She is the Founder and CEO of Executive Temps, a premiere employment agency that has exclusively served the entertainment industry for over 30 years. Her latest venture, the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP), is designed to meet the industry’s need and desire to educate, recruit and develop a culturally and ethnically diverse workforce. This innovative pipeline development program brings some of the world’s leading media, entertainment and communications companies to the campuses of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and other minority serving institutions across the country with the goal of equipping students with the tools needed to successfully navigate careers across all aspects of the entertainment industry. Stacy Milner is a passionate supporter of diversity and inclusion with a strong desire to educate and develop future industry leaders, Stacy devotes her time to training college students, recent graduates and new industry hopefuls on how to successfully enter and thrive inside of what she calls Hollywood’s coveted inner circle. Her passion for training and equipping the next generation is the driving force behind EICOP and its internship program, HBCU IN LA®. This innovative educational arts workforce development program gives HBCU students and other underrepresented talent the opportunity to gain hands-on real-world work experience working with some of the industry’s top entertainment organizations. Stacy has been recognized and honored among some of Hollywood’s most influential women for this important work by being selected as one of Variety’s 2021 Women of Impact honorees.

Stacy is a visionary, entrepreneur and highly sought-after speaker, career strategist and diversity and inclusion leader in the entertainment and staffing industries.