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Thank you to our sponsors
PREMIERE SPONSORS
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Dear Filmmakers, We are pleased to welcome you to the third annual Filmmaker’s Summit and the ninth annual Berkshire International Film Festival! The BIFF aims to foster a community-wide attitude that will allow filmmakers, directors, writers and actors an encouraging environment to collaborate, present their work, and interact with each other and with film audiences. It is in support of this aim that the Filmmakers Summit was developed as a nurturing, creative space for filmmakers on both sides of the camera to come together in the spirit of collaboration, discussion, and continued growth.� We appreciate you taking time out of your busy lives to join us. Your participation, along with the diverse perspective each of you brings, will ensure success and another great year! We hope that in these few wonderful days in the bucolic and cultural surroundings of the Berkshire hills, you will find the Summit and the BIFF a place to collaborate, engage and be inspired. BIFF celebrates and congratulates you...thank you for participating! Cheers,
Kelley R. Vickery
BIFF Founder and Director
Carolyn Lancaster
CL Productions NYC Filmmakers Summit Producer
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Wednesday, May 28, 2014 11:30am Check-In 12:00pm-1:00pm Welcome Lunch at the Red Lion Inn 1:00pm-1:30pm Bus to Doug Trumbull’s house 1:30pm-3:00pm Special Presentation by Adademy Award winner and special effects pioneer, Douglas Trumbull, in his private, state-of-the-art studio in the Berkshires (Shuttle departs from the Red Lion Inn porch at 1:00pm. Approx 20 min ride.) 3:00pm-3:30pm Bus to Red Lion Inn
3:45pm-5:00pm Tackle Box–Choosing the right camera & format for your story Presented by Alex Kurze from AbelCine 5:00pm-6:00pm Going with the flow - Navigating the influences of different visions on a project Per Melita, John Inwood, Christopher White and Francisco Bello 6:30pm-10:00pm Cocktail and Dinner Party at Mary Mott and Gordon Simmering’s Home 28 Yale Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262 (Dinner shuttle departs from the Red Lion Inn porch at 6:15pm. Approx 5 min ride)
All Red Lion Inn events will be in the Hitchcock Room The Red Lion Inn: 30 main st, stockbridge, MA | Phone: 413-298-5545 | directions: www.redlioninn.coM
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Thursday, May 29, 2014 7:00am-8:00am Pilates offered by Karen Lee 9:00am-10:00am Breakfast 10:00am-11:15am Industry and Risk Management for Film Presented by Peter Marshall 11:15-11:30 Break 11:30am-12:30pm Berkshire Film Community - Big Fish in Small Pond The Decentralizations of the Industry Capitals Diane Pearlman, Craig Crawford and Carl Sprague
1:30pm-2:30pm Running a Multi-faceted Independent Company Presented by Nick Quested 2:30pm-2:45pm Break 2:45pm-3:45pm Sales, Distro and Marketing - Baiting the Hook Josh Braun, Richard Abramowitiz, Maureen Masters and Daniel Battsek 3:45pm-4:00pm Closing Remarks and a Toast to Opening Night 5:00pm Opening Night Celebration begins
12:30pm-1:30pm Lunch
All Red Lion Inn events will be in the Hitchcock Room The Red Lion Inn: 30 main st, stockbridge, MA | Phone: 413-298-5545 | directions: www.redlioninn.coM
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Marco Londoner Producer/PRINCIPAL Momentary Pictures
Marco Londoner has worked in film and television for over twentyfive years. As a Producer, Mr. Londoner most recently completed the production “On The Ice,” which was filmed entirely within the Arctic Circle. The film premiered in dramatic competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Best First Feature and Crystal Bear awards at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival. Prior to this, he produced the film “Lovely By Surprise” (New American Cinema Special Jury Prize) and was both a producer and AD on “The Photographer” (New York Film Festival Vision Award). His varied experience includes work as a 1st AD on such titles as the television series, “Blue Bloods,” “Person of Interest,” “Glee,” and “Damages.” In feature films Mr. Londoner has worked on titles such as the Academy Award nominated “The Contender,” as well as “Prozac=Nation,” and “The Wendell Baker Story.” In the reality television field, Mr. Londoner has worked as both Field Producer and Production Manager on such popular shows as “America’s Next Top Model” and “Project Runway”. Mr. Londoner continues to develop and produce both television and feature film projects and moderates The Filmmakers Summit at the Berkshire International Film Festival, Sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Zhana Londoner Producer/PRINCIPAL Momentary Pictures
Attending NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts gave Zhana her entry into film, television, and theatre performance and production. She started her career appearing on TV shows “LAW & ORDER”, “LAW & ORDER: SVU, “LAW & ORDER: CI” while working in the development office of Universal Pictures. After working for an entertainment law firm in Los Angeles, Zhana moved into production with the award winning films “THE STATION AGENT” and “LOVELY BY SURPRISE”, and show as NBC’s “THE APPRENTICE,” “THE RESTAURANT,” and MTV’s “BOILING POINTS” and “BATTLEGROUNDS: KING OF THE WORLD”, amongst others. She later opened and ran the production and development arm of Vanguard Management, a talent management company, where she also lead the east coast office. In 2010, Zhana started Momentary Pictures, a film and television production and finance company based in New York City. That same year, the company produced its first film “ON THE ICE”. The film premiered in Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival, won both the Best First Feature Prize and the Crystal Bear at Berlinale, the FIPRESCI Prize at the Seattle International Film Festival, and Best Narrative Film Award and Best Cinematography Award at the Woodstock Film Festival, amongst others. Currently, Momentary Pictures is in development for two feature films, a scripted television series, and an immersive, live theatre piece.
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RICHARD ABRAMOWITZ President of Abramorama
Richard Abramowitz is at the forefront of innovation in the world of distribution and marketing of independent films. His company, Abramorama, is an industry leader in the personalized, focused form of film marketing/distribution that bypasses traditional film studios and their methodology, providing invaluable distribution alternatives to current content makers and owners. He is also a founding partner in the new model distribution company, Area23a, which is devoted to the distribution of performance and social issue films, the distinguishing factor being a post-screening component of live music, a lecture or panel discussion. Initial releases from Area23a include REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR, Adrian Grenier’s Sundance entry TEENAGE PAPARAZZO, SOUNDTRACK FOR THE REVOLUTION, AMERICAN HARMONY, THEY CAME TO PLAY, and THE MIGHTY UKE.
As a marketing and distribution executive, Richard has been responsible for acquiring and releasing some of the most provocative and substantial films during the recent “golden years” of American independent cinema. Mr. Abramowitz has been involved with the release of five Academy Award Nominees in the Best Feature Documentary category: EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, 4 LITTLE GIRLS, MANDELA, SOUND AND FURY and THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND. Richard currently teaches at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Institute of Film and Television, is a frequent panelist and juror at film festivals around the world, serves on Advisory Boards to several major film festivals and film centers, and regularly lectures on film and the film industry.
Panelists
FRANCISCO BELLo Oscar and three time EMMY Nominated Filmmaker
DANIEL BATTSEK Mr. Battsek, a producer and distributor of some of the decade’s most honored independent films, joins Cohen Media Group as the Company continues to raise its profile and position as a major player in independent cinema. Battsek will play a key role in overseeing CMG’s production slate, which includes Double Cross, Operation Mincemeat and the remake of the French film You Will Be My Son. Daniel Battsek most recently was President of National Geographic Films, where he acquired projects for development/production, operated a boutique theatrical domestic distribution arm for arthouse titles and documentaries including the Oscar-nominated Restrepo, and oversaw National Geographic large-screen and IMAX projects. Prior to joining National Geographic, Mr. Battsek served at Miramax Films, where he was instrumental in acquiring, green-lighting or distributing such renowned and award winning films as Tsotsi (Best Foreign Language Oscar), The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Queen, Happy-Go-Lucky, No Country for Old Men (Best Feature Film Oscar) and There Will Be Blood.
Francisco is an OSCAR® and three time Emmy nominee. He launched Ropa Vieja Films in 2007 with SALIM BABA (HBO, Canal+, EBS), which he shot and produced in Kolkata, India. SALIM BABA has screened in over 100 festivals worldwide including Sundance, Telluride, IDFA, and Tribeca. In 2008 SALIM BABA was Nominated for a Best Short Documentary ACADEMY AWARD®, followed by a News & Documentary Emmy Nomination in 2009. His directorial debut commissioned by HBO Documentary Films was EL ESPÍRITU DE LA SALSA, which premiered at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Francisco produced and edited WAR DON DON, which won the Special Jury prize at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival and the first annual Karen Schmeer Award for Excellence in Documentary Editing. After airing on HBO, WAR DON DON received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Coverage of a News Story and Outstanding Editing. Most recently, he edited the films OUR NIXON (2013 Rotterdam, SXSW, New Directors New Films - released by CNN Films), BEST KEPT SECRET (IFFB - broadcast by POV), and is co-directing DREAMING AGAINST THE WORLD (formerly titled MU XIN: NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND), all due for release in 2013. Currently in development, his feature directorial debut is THE MURDER AND THE JOURNALISTS. He is represented as a commercial director by BaseCamp Entertainment.
Josh Braun
Founding Co-President of Submarine Entertainment Josh Braun is the co-president of Submarine, a hybrid sales and production company. Recent films sold by Submarine include DINOSAUR 13, THE ONE I LOVE, PING PONG SUMMER,, BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASEBALL, THE UNKNOWN KNOWN (Errol Morris), FINDING VIVIAN MAIER, BLACKFISH, DIRTY WARS, 20 FEET FROM STARDOM, THE SUMMIT, GOOD OL’ FREDA, ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME, GOD LOVES UGANDA, CUTIE AND THE BOXER, QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN, THE SHORT GAME, A PLACE AT THE TABLE, BLACK ROCK, CHASING ICE, MUSCLE SHOALS, NO PLACE ON EARTH, TABLOID, PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NY TIMES,
BUCK, PROJECT NIM, BULLY, YOUR SISTER’S SISTER, DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL, CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, BILL CUNNINGHAM NEW YORK, TINY FURNITURE, HERE COMES THE DEVIL, LORDS OF SALEM, CHEAP THRILLS, WINTER’S BONE, MAN ON WIRE, FOOD INC, JOAN RIVERS A PIECE OF WORK, VALENTINO THE LAST EMPEROR and many others. Documentaries exec produced by Mr. Braun include THE UNKNOWN KNOWN, PATROLMAN P, SEAMLESS, GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL, CAT DANCERS, BILLIONAIRE, EASY RIDERS RAGING BULLS, KILL YOUR IDOLS. Mr. Braun is a producer on IVORY TOWER directed by Andrew Rossi and was also a producer on Rossi’s Feature doc PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NY TIMES. Mr. Braun was an executive producer on David Cronenberg’s A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE and produced the cult horror hit HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.
Panelists
CRAIG CRAWFORD Craig Crawford’s career has spanned the last 15 years. From a freelance digital artist animating, lighting and compositing his way through commercials for TBS, Sony and Disney to landing his first feature film (Looney Tunes) at Warner Bros. Animation. While at Warner Bros. Craig honed his compositing skill set on Scooby-Doo 2, Fat Albert, The Chronicles of Riddick and Sponge Bob Square Pants, becoming a sought after A-lister compositor, which led him to a very rare full time senior compositing position for CIS Hollywood. In the fall of 2008 Craig made the leap of faith in search of a better quality of life and a more meaningful environment for his family, Craig grabbed a one year contract with Sandbox F/X to work on the movie Surrogates. The Berkshires became home which led to the start of his own company, Cadence Effects. Some of Craig’s most recent screen credits are Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, Hunger Games, MIB 3, Game of Thrones Season 3 and 4.
JOHN INWOOD John Inwood is an Emmy nominated cinematographer based in New York and Los Angeles. With over 20 years as a cinematographer, Inwood has photographed a wide range of projects including documentaries, concert films, television promos, commercials, music videos, before moving on to television and feature films. He has worked in nearly all formats: super 16, 35mm, Super 8, The Red, The Arri Alexa, The Sony F65 and various video and HD mediums. His passion lies in the art of effective story telling in narrative films and television. He first made his mark in independent films in New York, on such films as: “The Daytrippers”, “Face” and “Six Ways to Sunday”. His most recent film, “The Best and the Brightest”, starring Neil Patrick Harris was released in 2011. Inwood has worked much of his career on television shows, especially notable comedies such as Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete and Pete”, NBC/ABCs “Scrubs”, where he spent
6 full season and parts of 2 others for a total of over 160 episodes, “Strangers with Candy” on Comedy Central, a full season of NBC’s “Parks and Recreation”, and most recently, 2 Pilots for Fox and a Fox show called “The Goodwin Games” with Beau Bridges, Becky Newton, Scott Foley, and T.J. Miller, and directed by Peyton Reed (Yes Man, Down with Love, Bring it On). The Goodwin Games will air starting May20th. After a dozen years shooting television shows in Los Angeles, Inwood returned to New Work to photograph the first season of “Michael J. Fox Show”. He is currently prepping Tina Fey’s new show “Tooken” for NBC. Inwood’s career to date includes nearly 250 episodes of television, 10 Pilots for most of the major networks, and 8 Feature Films. He was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for Best Cinematography for his work on “Scrubs” in 2008.
Alex Kurze
Abel Cine/New York Rental Agent Alex was born and raised in Germany until the age of 18 when he came over to New York City to study film at the School of Visual Arts. In his years working in NYC, Alex has produced numerous award winning films. Since joining the Abel Cine Rental team, he has provided the feature and commercial industry with all of their camera needs.
Panelists
Peter Marshall
MANAGING DIRECTOR DeWitt Stern Group Peter specializes in insurance programs and risk management for film and television productions as well as electronic games. He coordinates DeWitt Stern’s national practice in these media. Before joining DeWitt Stern in 2005, he produced feature films and television. During his many years of experience in the film industry, he was the Senior Vice President of Film Production at Lionsgate, head of television production at Trimark Pictures, and served as an executive at Warner Bros. as well as at several prominent independents. He started his career in the New York and LORT A theater worlds. Peter holds degrees from Yale University and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama. He is a licensed Property and Casualty Broker in New York, California, Louisiana, and Georgia where he oversees DeWitt Stern Film and TV offices in those states.
MAUREEN MASTERS
Magnolia Pictures/ Director of Regional Publicity & Film Festival Bookings Maureen is currently director of regional publicity and film festival bookings for Magnolia Pictures where she oversees regional marketing efforts for Magnolia’s theatrical slate. She began her film career in college writing indie film reviews, eventually earning a BA in Journalism from the University of North Texas. After graduation, she was hired by Moroch, Dallas, TX, doing film publicity. Continuing her career in film publicity, she moved to Philadelphia accepting a position with Allied Advertising and PR. While in Philadelphia, she earned her Masters in Communications from Villanova University. In 2010, Maureen moved to New York to work for Magnolia Pictures where she has overseen successful regional campaigns for Melancholia, Page One: Inside the New York Times, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Queen of Versailles and most recently Blackfish and Drinking Buddies.
PER MELITA PRODUCER
Mr. Melita has worked as an award winning Producer on over 15 feature films such films as “State Property II”, “The War Within” and “Anton Chekhov’s The Duel.” Most notable amongst his producing credits are“Roger Dodger”, (Jesse Eisneberg, Campbell Scott, Isabella Rossellini) which won best narrative feature at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2002, an award and a special recognition by the 2002 National Board of Review, an award by the 2002 New York Film Critics Circle, three awards at the 2002 Venice Film Festival and garnered three nominations for the 2003 Independent Spirit Awards.; “Padre Nuestro” aka “Sangre de mi Sangre” which won the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize and garnered two nomination for the 2009 Independent Spirit Awards; “Holy Rollers” (Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha) which won the Revelation Prize at the 2010 Dauville American Film Festival and the Breakthrough Director Award at the 2010 Gotham Awards; and “Certainty” (Adelaide Clemens, Giancarlo Esposito, Bobby Moynihan, Valerie Harper) which won 3 prizes for Best Screenplay, Best Ensemble Cast and Best Editing at the 2010 Boston International Film Festival. Mr. Melita most recent producing efforts are “El Cielo Es Azul” (Miguel Rodarte, Osvaldo Benavides, Stephanie SIgman and Barbara Sukowa) which is currently on the festival circuit; the adaptation of the Stephen King novella “A Good Marriage” (Joan Allen, Anthony Lapaglia) which is slated for release later this year; and “The Life” (Jerry Ferrera, Jessica Zsohr) which is in post production. Mr. Melita is currently in pre-production for his next feature film “Experimenter, The Stanley Milgram Sory” (Peter Saarsgard, Winona Ryder) written and directed by Michael Almereyda which is scheduled to shoot in New York this spring/summer.
diane pearlman
Executive Director at Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative Diane is an independent entertainment producer, studio executive and business woman with over 25 years experience in media creation and production. Her specialty is digital film production, animation and feature film visual effects. Diane is currently serving as Executive Director of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, an economic initiative dedicated to promoting and facilitating film and media production in the Berkshire region of western Massachusetts (www.berkshirefilm. com). She is producing her first independent film, a screen adaptation of Edith Wharton’s novel, Summer, written and directed by feature film art director and production designer, Carl Sprague and executive producing a documentary currently in pre-production entitled, “Cowgirls Are Forever”.
Panelists
Nick Quested
Executive Director of Goldcrest Film Nick is Executive Director of Goldcrest Films, where he has been key to the financing of projects such as Twilight, Tropic Thunder, Eagle Eye, Revolutionary Road, 2012’s Academy Award winning, The Iron Lady, and Elvis & Anabelle (2007), starring Blake Lively, on which Nick also served as a producer. His most recent producing effort, Which Way is the Front Line From Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington premiered at Sundance this year and aired in April on HBO. Nick’s credits as an executive producer include, Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer (Sundance Special Jury Prize Documentary Winner, 2013), The Winning Season (starring Sam Rockwell and Emma Roberts, 2009); Restrepo (Sundance Grand Jury Documentary Winner, 2010); Homework (Sundance Narrative Selection 2011, starring Emma Roberts and Freddie Highmore); On The Ice (Berlinale Crystal Bear Generation 14Plus and Best First Feature Winner, 2011); Cheerful Weather for the Wedding (starring Felicity Jones and Elizabeth McGovern, 2012); The Girl (starring Abbie Cornish, 2011), and Dark Horse (starring Christopher Walken and Mia Farrow, 2011). Nick is currently directing Con Artistes, a documentary about the theatre program in Sing Sing Prison.
CARL SPRAGUE Carl Sprague has worked in the art department of more than 30 films, which between them have a combined total of 29 Oscar nominations, including this year’s best picture winner 12 Years a Slave. He has worked with Martin Scorsese (The Age of Innocence), Steven Spielberg (Amistad), and David Fincher (The Social Network), but the most enduring collaboration has been with Wes Anderson. Carl has been in the art department of three of Anderson’s best-reviewed films — this month’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (concept illustrator), 2012’s Moonrise Kingdom (assistant art director), and 2001’s cult classic The Royal Tenenbaums (art director, for which he was nominated for an Art Director’s Guild Award).
Douglas Trumbull
Academy Award winning, special effects icon and visionary Legendary filmmaker and visual effects pioneer, Douglas Trumbull, was one of the Special Photographic Effects Supervisors for 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). He went on to become the Visual Effects Supervisor for such classics as Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979), and Blade Runner (1982), each of which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. Mr. Trumbull directed Silent Running (1972), Brainstorm (1983), Back to the Future... The Ride (1991) and numerous other special format films. He is the recent recipient of an Academy Award in the area of Scientific and Technical Achievement as well as the International Monitor Award and American Society of Cinematographers’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions in the field of filmmaking. Douglas is currently involved in the evolution of visual effects using virtual digital sets and electronic cinematography.
CHRISTOPHER WHITE Editor/Producer/Director
Christopher White has been a documentary film editor, producer and director of numerous award winning films since 1995. His most recent project (as coproducer and editor) is Love Free or Die, which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Prize. Other films include The Killer Within (as editor and co-director) which premiered at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival and was nominated for a 2008 Best Documentary Emmy, and Hard Road Home, nominated for a Best Documentary Emmy in 2009. White also edited Waging A Living, which followed the struggle of four working Americans trying to make ends meet, and Critical Condition, a verité journey through America’s ailing health care system. Elevate, a cross-cultural, multinational journey of four particularly tall West African basketball-playing Muslim teenagers premiered at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival and won the Best Documentary Award at the 2011 Dallas International Film Festival. White is a partner in Reveal Productions with Producer Sandy Itkoff and Director Macky Alston. Currently, he is editing Oscar’s Comeback, a decade in the making documentary about two eclectic residents in Gregory, South Dakota and their struggles to put on the Oscar Micheaux Film Festival.
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JENNIFER GRAUSMAN Director/PRODUCER art and craft
Jennifer Grausman directed and produced the Emmy-nominated feature documentary, PRESSURE COOKER (2008). The film garnered awards from festivals across the country including a Special Jury Commendation at the 2008 Los Angeles Film Festival, Best Documentary at the 2009 Philadelphia Film Festival and the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the 2009 Berkshire International Film Festival. It opened theatrically before being broadcast on BET. Grausman also co-produced Eric Mendelsohn’s feature, 3 BACKYARDS (2009), which won Best Director at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Previously, she produced six short films, including Suzi Yoonessi’s DEAR LEMON LIMA (2007), and Joan Stein’s SOLIDARITY (2005). In addition to making films, Grausman was Co-Director of The Screenwriters Colony in Nantucket, MA from 2010 to 2012. A graduate of the MFA film program at Columbia University, Grausman was honored with the 2005 Best Producer Award. Prior to graduate school, she was the Manager of Exhibition and Film Funding at The Museum of Modern Art. She earned her BFA in Art History at Duke University.
MARK BECKER CO-Director/editor art and craft
Mark Becker produced, directed and edited the documentary Romantico (2005), which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and received two Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best Documentary. Romantico was released theatrically by Kino International. Becker directed and edited the film Pressure Cooker (2008), which was nominated for an Emmy for Nonfiction Filmmaking and won awards at several film festivals before opening theatrically. Becker produced and edited the documentary Elevate (2011) and edited the film Circo (2010) as well. He was one of two editors on the acclaimed Lost Boys of Sudan (2003), winner of an Independent Spirit Award.
FILMMAKERS
SAM CULLMAN
Director/ Producer/Cinematographer art and craft Sam Cullman is a cinematographer, producer and director of documentaries with well over a decade of experience. He partnered with director Marshall Curry to co-direct, shoot and produce If a Tree Falls(2011) which won the U.S. Documentary Editing Award at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and later received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Documentary Feature. More recently, Cullman produced and shot the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning The House I live In (2012), directed by Eugene Jarecki. Cullman’s cinematography has appeared in dozens of documentaries including King Corn(2006), Why We Fight (2005), and most recently in Black Cherokee (2012), a documentary short that he also directed, produced and edited with Benjamin Rosen. A graduate of Brown University (1999) with Honors in Visual Art and a second major in Urban Studies, Cullman currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
AARON ROSENBLOOM FILMMAKER bananas
Aaron Rosenbloom is a filmmaker in Brooklyn, NY. He was born in Sacramento, CA and went to college in Boulder, CO. He won his first advertising award while still in college and has had music videos play in festivals all over the world. He produces and directs commercials and his first short film, Bananas, had it’s world premiere at the 2013 Seattle International Film Festival.
CHRISTIAN D. BRUUN Director/producer BLUE GOLD
Christian is an international film director and producer, architect, and curator with over 15 years of experience. His films have had international theatrical and television distribution and been in official selection at Sundance, Tribeca, Berlin, and HotDocs film festivals. Christian produced the first Real-D 3D feature film in 2006; a film that was the #1 at the box office in several countries. 2014 marks Christian’s feature Directorial debut with “BLUE GOLD: AMERICAN JEANS”. This film explores the journey of how American miners’ pants became the world’s single most important article of clothing and a worldwide symbol of Americana. Bruun, wrote, directed, filmed, and produced BLUE GOLD over the last 40 months in over 4 continents. He is the Executive Producer of the Danish non-fiction drama entitled “THE MAN WHO SAVED THE WORLD” also set to premiere in 2014. Mr. Bruun’s video work has been shown at – among other places – MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and the Venice Biennale. He has directed and produced national commercial campaigns. In 2004 and 2006 Christian curated and designed the US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and he is a board member of the A+D Museum in Los Angeles. Christian studied at SCI-Arc in California and holds a Master of Architecture from AAA in Denmark.
MARK ROMEO
Producer/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BLUE GOLD Mark is marketing and media executive with over 20 years of experience in profitably building brands and entertainment properties. Mark started his career at Nabisco in consumer promotion and branded entertainment. He is credited with developing the organizations first branded entertainment strategy for feature films (“The Natural”, “Caddy Shack” and “The Goonies) and television (Bart Simpson spokesperson for Butterfinger Candy Bar). A consulting assignment with National Geographic Films inspired Mark to become full time producer of film and television. Blue Gold is his first feature film producing credit. Mark is an Executive Producer of “THE MAN WHO SAVED THE WORLD” which will also premiere in 2014. Mark has been a frequent national speaker on marketing, media and technology. He has lectured at Columbia University Graduate School of Business, The Wharton School and at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University. He holds an MBA from The Babcock School of Management at Wake Forest University.
FILMMAKERS
BREAN CUNNINGTON CO-DIRECTOR DOGS ON THE INSIDE
Brean Cunningham is a documentary filmmaker currently directing Dogs on the Inside and producing Cheer, the new documentary feature film from Emmy-award winning director, Mary Olive Smith, about a youth cheerleading team with developmental disabilities. In 2011, Brean co-founded Expect Miracles Productions to ‘tell stories people can believe in.’ Brean recently returned from West Africa after working on a web advocacy video about the positive effects of combating neglected tropical diseases in Ghana. Brean also was a Cinematographer on Crystal Lake Memories, a behind-the-scenes documentary anthology about the making of the Friday the 13th films as well as a Field Producer on a short documentary about Churchill, Manitoba aka “The Polar Bear Capital of the World” and the people who live there. He got his start working on the set of the ABC TV series Desperate Housewives in LA. Brean graduated with a B.A. in Government from Georgetown University.
DOUG SEIRUP CO-DIRECTOR/EDITOR DOGS ON THE INSIDE
Douglas Seirup is a documentary filmmaker currently in the final stages of post-production on the film he co-directed and edited, Dogs on the Inside. Doug discovered his deep passion for making documentary films when he co-founded Expect Miracles Productions, as he directed and edited his first documentary film, Expect Miracles; a story out of central Appalachia about a family in need and a group of people ready to help. As a Production Manager for both Bret Stern Productions and Sono Studios in Connecticut, Doug wore various hats in the productions of several commercials. In 2011, Doug moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he took on the role of Director of Photography and Editor for the creative agency, Gitwit Creative. Doug has also worked as a Production Manager on films such as 3 Weeks to Daytona along with working in the Editing Department on Righteous Kill. Doug graduated from Hunter College where he received a B.A. in Media Studies, along with graduating from the SAE Institute of Technology.
Iva Radivojevic DIRECTOR EVAPORATING BORDERS
Iva Radivojevic spent her early years in Yugoslavia and Cyprus before settling in NYC to pursue her artistic goals over a decade ago. Her films explore the theme of identity, migration and immigrants. The people she portrays tend to live in multiple worlds that allow for a form of hybridity. Iva’s films have screened at various film festivals including SXSW Film Festival,Rotterdam IFF, Human Rights Watch, HotDocs Film Festival, PBS, The Documentary Channel as well as the New York Times Op-Docs. Her collaborative film Matthew 24:14 won the 2011 International Documentary Challenge competition for Best Director, Best Film and Best Use of Genre. She is the recipient of 2011 Princess Grace Film Fellowship, 2012 Princess Grace Special Project Award and a participating talent at the 2012 Berlinale Talent Campus. Iva was named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film of 2013 by Filmmaker Magazine. Her first feature length documentary“Evaporating Borders,” was a selected project at IFP Film Week,Spotlight on Documentaries and is currently touring the world. Follow what she’s up to at www.ivaasks.com.
FILMMAKERS
James E. Duff
Director/producer/WRITER HANK AND ASHA James E. Duff crossed the country on a scooter directing his first documentary, “The Cycle Also Rises,” which was broadcast nationally on PBS. He then spent two years in West Africa directing development and human rights documentaries for several NGOs. In 2000, he returned to the States and earned his MFA in directing from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he won a fellowship for excellence in directing actors. His award-winning short film, “Life is a Sweet,” screened at over 40 festivals worldwide from 2001- 2002. In 2002, James moved from LA to NYC to broaden his directing experience by working in the theater. From 2002-2010, James worked with theater companies such as Ensemble Studio Theatre,
and directed more than twenty productions at venues such as The Cherry Lane Theatre and SoHo Playhouse, as well directing and developing a new production, 36-24-36, for the NYC International Fringe Festival. James teaches film production, directing the actor, and documentary production workshops internationally. In 2007, he taught a directing workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, funded by UNESCO, with the goal to lay a new foundation for the East African film industry. In 2010, he traveled to the middle of the Sahara Desert to teach a directing workshop to Saharawi refugees who have been living in camps for 35 years. From 2010-2012, James joined the faculty of the Prague Film School in the Czech Republic, as the Directing Instructor. “Hank and Asha” is James’ feature film writing and directorial debut.
JULIA MORRISON
PRODUCER/EDITOR/CO-WRITER HANK AND ASHA Julia Morrison began her career in documentary television in 2001 as an Associate Producer on the Emmy-award winning PBS mini-series, “Benjamin Franklin,” with Middlemarch Films. From 20022006, she continued to produce current affairs documentaries for New York Times Television, including the award-winning “MLK Boulevard” with director Marco Williams, and “China Rises: Getting Rich,” a co- production of New York Times Television, CBC, and ZDF. Julia then returned to Middlemarch Films as Coordinating Producer of “Alexander Hamilton” in 2006 starring Brian O’Byrne, and Producer of “Dolley Madison” in 2009, starring Eve Best – both of which aired on the PBS series, American Experience. In addition to developing a niche set of skills producing historical reenactments, Julia also made her on- screen debut in period costume playing Hamilton’s doting admirer. While teaching Documentary Production to international students at Prague Film School in the Czech Republic from 2010-2012, Julia changed course and returned to the 21st century. “Hank and Asha” marks Julia’s debut as a feature film producer, writer, and editor. Julia studied film at Wesleyan University.
RICHARD ANDERSON SCREENWRITER/CO-PRODUCER IF I TELL YOU
Richard Anderson grew up in New York City and attended Marist College (BA); Queen Mary College, London University; St. John’s University (MA), and City University Los Angeles (Ed.D. In addition to teaching high school English “forever,” he has pursued his lifelong passion for writing. He has edited two books on the Cuban Revolution, writes stage plays and short stories, and is putting together a memoir, Anecdotal Evidence Or, You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up. If I Tell You began as an assignment for a creative writing course (similar to Malcolm in his film) that turned into a produced short film, a feature-length screenplay, and scripts for an episodic television series. He has written two other full-length screenplays, Prey for Us and Plague of Lies, the former a detective thriller, the latter a twist on the JFK assassination. He lives in Connecticut.
FILMMAKERS
JESSE KREITZER DIRECTOR/WRITER LOMAX
Jesse Kreitzer is a Boston/NE Emmy® award-winning filmmaker from southern Vermont, whose creative interests include rural storytelling, ancestry and acts of compassion. A graduate of Emerson College’s Department of Visual and Media Arts, Kreitzer received the Graduate Award for Outstanding Achievement in Photography for his frame-by-frame restoration of a decaying 8mm film of his father, as well a Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellowship Grant in Film/Video. He is currently an MFA candidate and primary instructor at the University of Iowa, and also serves as the Executive Director of the Bijou Film Board, a 43-year-old non-profit cinema dedicated to showcasing independent, foreign, and documentary cinema. He is currently developing Black Canaries, a 1920’s coal mining folktale inspired by his maternal ancestors.
GREG VANDER VEER
Director Miss Hill: Making Dance Matter Greg Vander Veer’s award winning film Keep Dancing was an official selection at over 25 international film festivals and was nominated for IDA’s 2010 Distinguished Documentary Award. In 2012, Greg was 1 of 12 filmmakers chosen as IFP’s Emerging Vision Fellow and was also selected to participate in the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Artists Academy. His film Miss Hill premiered Opening Night of the 2014 Dance on Camera at Lincoln Center. He also serves as president of the board of directors for Dance Films Association.
David Michael Friend DIRECTOR/DESIGNER MOON FISHING
Besides producing and performing puppet theater, Friend works as a freelance art director and illustrator in the television and film industry, creating for such companies as Sesame Workshop, Nickelodeon, Simon & Schuster and Saturday Night Live. He has also illustrated several books, including “Clemency Pogue: The Scrivener Bees”, “The Squampkin Patch: A Nasselrogt Adventure” and the graphic novel “Daniel and the Great Bearded One”. Recently he has been creating worlds for children’s animated television; art directing for Space Racers and Sesame Street’s Abby’s Flying Fairy School - www.dmfriend.com
KATE GEIS
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER/EDITOR paul taylor: creative domain An Emmy-award-winning documentary producer, she began her career in New York producing programs for WNET, Channel Thirteen, History Channel, A&E, and Metro TV. Over the past 20 years her subject matter has been a diverse exploration of people’s lives: Saturday Night Live’s set design team, the last checker cab driver in New York, public school principals, Eric Carle, and Paul Taylor. She was introduced to ballet as a child going to the Kirov in St. Petersburg, Russia with her foreign-service parents. She grew up in New York City and graduated from Northwestern University. Previous dance projects include profiles of Miranda Weese, Albert Evans, Patrick Corbin, Terry Dean Bartlett, and Taylor 2.
FILMMAKERS
KENNETH F. MURPHY producer/writer REACHING HOME
Ken combines unique experience as a senior corporate executive with a growing creative resume focused on screenwriting, directing and producing. Ken’s feature screenplay, FIRE ON THE BEACH, was awarded Faculty Honors at the 2012 Columbia University Film Festival, one of eleven scripts selected for that distinction. Ken produced the award-winning short film FIRST MATCH, for which he received the 2010 HBO Young Producer’s Development Award, premiering the film at the 2011 New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center. Screening at over thirty festivals, FIRST MATCH was awarded Best Student Film at the Aspen Shortsfest and will air nationally on PBS stations this spring. Ken’s most recent film is REACHING HOME featuring Debra Monk, which he both wrote and directed.
SUNDAY BANKS
Ken serves on the Board of Overseers of the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, the Human Resources Board Committee for Mystic Seaport Museum, and also served as a former Board Member of the Roundabout Theatre Company in New York. He has a BS degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and an MFA in Film with Columbia University’s School of the Arts in New York.
Sunday Banks (Associate Producer) is from Philadelphia, but moved to NYC to focus on filmmaking. As a writer, producer, editor, and big dreamer, she’s worked on and at numerous films and film festivals. She’s very proud to have BIFF as her first official festival attended as a contributer. She’s also a huge fan of falafel.
ASSOCIATE producer REFLECTION
Hazuki Aikawa
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER REFLECTION Hazuki has worked in multiple aspects of filmmaking including production, directing, editing, and screenwriting. With a background in science journalism and documentary production, she is accomplished in research and development for science/ medicine-related programs and is well versed in converting concept to visuals for various audiences. Born and raised in Japan with an American education, she is bilingual and frequently works with both Japanese and US productions. Hazuki has collaborated with NHK, BBC, PBS, Fuji Television, Kyodo Television, and Team Okuyama for Kazuyoshi Okuyama. Her works include feature documentary “YANCHA” for Fuji Television and short films “Gone” and “Upgrade” with Andrey Alistratov.
ANDREY ALISTRATOV producer REFLECTION
As a cinematographer and director, Andrey has worked on various facets of the filmmaking process from pre- to postproduction. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, and having moved to New York City at an early age, Andrey’s work took him from finance, music, and finally to film and video production. Andrey was the head of cinematography for DIG Films, specializing in film production for the music industry including live concert films, documentaries, and music videos. With more than 80 projects to his credit, Andrey has worked with clients such as PBS, MTV, Universal Music and Atlantic Records. His films include “Aftertaste” and short film “Upgrade” with Hazuki Aikawa.
FILMMAKERS
ABBY GINZBERG soft vengence
Abby Ginzberg has been producing award-winning documentaries for the past 30 years. Her current documentary, Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa premiered at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in April, 2014 and will be featured at the Durban International Film Festival in July. Her work as a documentary filmmaker has taken her to the Academy Awards in 2012 with a short documentary film, The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement, for which she was the Consulting Producer. Her documentaries, Soul of Justice: Thelton Henderson’s American Journey and Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice have aired on public television and been screened at film festivals across the United States and abroad and won numerous awards, including a CINE Golden Eagle, Accolade and Silver Gavel.
Her work has been critical in helping to document model programs for both adult and juvenile drug courts, as well as other successful programs for at-risk youth. In addition, she has documented the innovative work of cities in combatting the HIV epidemic with films about Oakland, Miami and the Bronx. She produced Turning the Tide Together for the Opening Session of the AIDS 2012 conference in Washington, DC. Her film, Agents of Change: Black Students and the Transformation of the American University, is being co-produced with Frank Dawson and looks at the challenges faced by black college students in the late 1960’s and the subsequent demands for black and ethnic studies programs in light of the current attacks on affirmative action programs across the country. She is the President of the Berkeley Film Foundation, which awards small grants to documentary filmmakers; is on the Boards of the Thelton Henderson Center for Social Justice at UC Berkeley Law School, The Impact Fund and the Yale Law School Visual Advocacy Project.
NOAH LANG PRODUCER THE WHEATFIELD
JOSH de SOL
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER TAKE BACK YOUR POWER Josh del Sol is the Director and Producer of Take Back Your Power, his first feature film, winner of the AwareGuide Transformational Film Of The Year (2013) and the Indie Fest Annual Humanitarian Award (2013). Born and raised near Vancouver BC, Josh is passionate about the growing movement of social awakening. He has a vision for a more equitable social structure, with decentralized energy production and foundational values which honor the sanctity of life and human rights. Josh finds inspiration in those of courage who speak truth to power, from a place of non-violence and vision, laying the foundation for necessary solutions. Previous to his film-making career, Josh owned a small marketing and website development business. His hobbies include hiking, research, travel and meditation.
Noah is a producer and writer based out of New York. He got his start working in production on commercials and music videos as well as through internships with Focus Features International and The Jacob Burns Film Center. He recently worked in single picture finance and advisory services at Cinetic Media. While at Cinetic, Noah worked on a slate of independent films, co-productions, and development properties as well as on consulting projects for Big Beach Films and No Mystery Studios. He also facilitated the signing of several titles for FilmBuff. Noah has a BA in Film and Media from Swarthmore College and has done additional coursework through the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand where he did a work study program with Weta Digital. He is currently producing independently as well as through his company Young Gunner Films, one of eight teams in the inaugural Dogfish Accelerator Program. His producing credits include the motion capture animated short film THE WHEATFIELD which is touring festivals this spring, SUN BELT EXPRESS which took the top prize at the US in Progress sidebar competition at AFF, HEAVEN ADORES YOU which will premiere at SIFF this summer, THE MONKEY’S PAW for Chiller Films, and the upcoming cerebral sci-fi thriller DIVERGE from award winning filmmaker James Morrison. This summer he will be producing the horror film WILLA in upstate New York.
FILMMAKERS
Complimentary Pilates offered to all Filmmaker Summit attendees with Pilates Specialist, Karen Lee. Thursday, May 29th at 7:00am sharp in the Hitchcock room of the Red Lion Inn. All levels are welcome!
JUSTIN LIBERMAN
KAREN LEE
Justin Liberman was a directing fellow at Columbia University Film School where he earned his MFA in film directing. He spent three years working under Michael Mann and David Mamet and was a shadow director for Allen Coulter on “Boardwalk Empire”. His narrative films have screened in many international film festivals, museums, and galleries. Liberman is part of the directing team, Tank +Bunker which is represented by Greenpoint Pictures. His commercials have brought him around the world, for clients such as ESPN, P&G, American Express and Macy’s. As an educator, Liberman is a Visiting Professor at Sacred Heart University’s graduate film school. In 2014, Liberman will release two films, the character driven NYPD drama, “Broken Badge,” and the American slave narrative, “Tobacco Burn.”
Karen Lee began her quest for bliss at the age of 14 training at Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival to begin a professional career in musical theater and continued with a 10 year run as a Broadway gypsy in NYC while also attaining a degree from Hunter College as a double major in jazz dance and sociology. She was the #1 rated instructor/trainer at Canyon Ranch for over a decade before opening her own business and continues to teach after 12 years in private practice. She is a Pilates specialist, choreographer, movement therapist, burlesque dancer, published writer, artist, and mother of two rising stars. K.Lee was named Best Actress 2013 in the Berkshire Eagle for her performance in the world premiere of Joan Ackermann’s “ QWERTY: Typewriter Plays”. She is now a Bi-Commonwealth citizen spending half the week on Nantucket Island where she is Pilates Director at the Westmoor Club and part-time mermaid.
DIRECTOR TOBACCO BURNS
celebrating 9 years .O. Box 237 | 40 railroad st | Great Barrington, MA 01230 | 413.528.8030 | BIFFMA.ORG
A very special thanks and acknowledgement goes out to our generous underwriters The Red Lion Inn for hosting the Filmmakers Summit and for the wonderful hospitality to our Filmmakers and Panelists Douglas and Julia Trumbull for opening up his magical state-of-the-art home studio and for generously donating his time to the Filmmakers Summit Mary Mott and Gordon Simmering for graciously opening their home to host the Filmmakers Summit cocktail and dinner party
Tommy Leveque for the wonderful Filmmaker shirts The Berkshire Film and Media Commission for their support and participation Seth Nash and Blue Q for the great Filmmaker bags Bittersweet for providing delicious truffles and treats KIND bars for donating a variety of delicious bars for all to enjoy
Kate Baldwin for generously underwriting the celebratory Summit cocktail and dinner party
Ame & Lulu for the awesome bags
The Fairfield Inn and Suites for their wonderful hospitality accommodating our Filmmakers
Steve Vilot and Sims Salon & Barbershop for the Blow Dry Bar and Hot Towel Shave to pamper our filmmakers.
Cascina delle Pertiche for the generous donation of Moscato wine
Joshua Needleman and Chocolate Springs for his wonderful gift of exquisite handmade chocolates.
Stella Artois and Girardi Distributors for their continued support and donation
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tact n o
Karen Lee for the rocking Pilates class
Should you need anything throughout the Filmmakers Summit or Festival, please contact the BIFF office directly at 413.528.8030. The festival web address is www.biffma.org. Thank you!