SOUK TALKS
Souk Talks is our top-level conference program offering essential insights into the Arab, African, and Asian film industries.
Open to all Red Sea International Film Festival badge holders and running throughout the Souk dates, these sessions will bring together some of the most influential and relevant voices from both the regional and international industry to discuss the issues impacting the markets of the region and their integration into the global industry.
More details to be announced soon.
Red Sea Souk Talks – Panels And Guest Speakers
Exploring TV Trends
Saturday Dec.7 / 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Venue: Cinema 1
TV production has moved through its recent boom times as the industry starts to contract — so what do series writers, directors and producers need to know about having the strongest chance of success in the TV landscape right now? What genres are working well, with which commissioners and networks, and what TV content is having an impact beyond its home territory?
Speakers
Nicholas Weinstock
Founder & President - Invention Studios
Nicholas Weinstock is the founder and president of Invention Studios. He has developed and produced movies including Bridesmaids, Alex Strangelove, Plus One, Dinner in America, Queenpins and Thelma, as well as television series including Escape at Dannemora on Showtime (nominated for 12 Emmy Awards); the four-season hit series In the Dark on Netflix; the Apple TV+ series High Desert; and the Emmy Award-winning Apple TV+ series Severance, which he continues to Executive Produce. Weinstock began his career as a book editor, journalist, and novelist in New York City. He is the author of the nonfiction book The Secret Love of Sons, the novels As Long as She Needs Me and The Golden Hour, and has written articles and essays for the New York Times Magazine, The Nation, National Public Radio, the Los Angeles Times, Variety, Vogue, and other national publications. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2004, Weinstock has run Apatow Productions with writer/director Judd Apatow; served as Senior Vice President of Chernin Entertainment; and headed Red Hour Films in partnership with actor/director Ben Stiller. Weinstock launched Invention in 2021 with a diverse and expansive slate of projects in Hollywood and across the globe. He is also the founder of Craft Services: an online support network and project incubator currently serving more than 800 emerging movie and TV writers across the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia, Africa and beyond. Weinstock serves on the executive council of the Authors Guild, based in New York City; on the board of the Africa International Film Festival, which takes place yearly in Lagos, Nigeria; on the board of Pavillon Afriques, the Cannes Film Festival’s platform devoted to pan-African cinema; and on the board of Get Lit, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles devoted to helping under-resourced students and communities through the power of poetry and spoken word. In 2022 he was elected to the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as a juror of the International Emmy Awards.
Tima Shomali
Creator, Director, Executive Producer Alrawabi School for Girls & CEO, Executive Producer for Filmizion Productions
Tima Shomali is an Arab Director, Producer, Writer and Actress. In 2013 Tima founded her own company “Filmizion Productions”, a Film and TV production company based in Amman – Jordan.
Through Filmizion Productions Tima has created multiple hit shows, including “FemaleShow” that was an instant regional success and was one of the most viewed shows in Jordan and the region at its time of release with 100+Million views up to date, The show has produced three seasons, the third and final season was released in 2016.
Tima’s most recent work is The Netflix Original “AlRawabi School for Girls”, Tima is the Producer, Creator, Showrunner and Director of the show. Season one was released in 2021 and Season two in February 2024. The series was in the top 10 TV shows on Netflix for more than three weeks in 43 countries around the world.
Tima has a BA in Business Administration and Finance and an MFA from The Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts – where she majored in screenwriting and producing. Tima was named as one of the most influential young Arabs in the world by Arabian Business Magazine for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Tima was on the Variety list of the Most Impactful women in Global entertainment in 2022.
Tima Shomali is an Arab Director, Producer, Writer and Actress. In 2013 Tima founded her own company “Filmizion Productions”, a Film and TV production company based in Amman – Jordan.
Through Filmizion Productions Tima has created multiple hit shows, including “FemaleShow” that was an instant regional success and was one of the most viewed shows in Jordan and the region at its time of release with 100+Million views up to date, The show has produced three seasons, the third and final season was released in 2016.
Tima’s most recent work is The Netflix Original “AlRawabi School for Girls”, Tima is the Producer, Creator, Showrunner and Director of the show. Season one was released in 2021 and Season two in February 2024. The series was in the top 10 TV shows on Netflix for more than three weeks in 43 countries around the world.
Tima has a BA in Business Administration and Finance and an MFA from The Red Sea Institute of Cinematic Arts – where she majored in screenwriting and producing. Tima was named as one of the most influential young Arabs in the world by Arabian Business Magazine for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. Tima was on the Variety list of the Most Impactful women in Global entertainment in 2022.
David Davoli
President of International - Anonymous Content
David Davoli is the President of International at Anonymous Content, where he oversees their international division. This includes its various global joint ventures – Anonymous Content Brazil, Anonymous Content España, France-based Anonymous/Federation, Anonymous Content Nordic, U.K.-based AC Chapter One, and Anonymous Content Australia, a new partnership with Brouhaha Entertainment. Only two years into his position, Davoli continues to build out the visionary media company’s international expansion as a key member of its senior leadership team.
Prior to joining Anonymous, Davoli was the President of Television at BRON Studios where he oversaw development, production, co-productions, financing, and sales, and was the key dealmaker across all television efforts. He pioneered BRON’s international television strategy, where he identified IP, cultivated key relationships with creators, production companies, and broadcasters around the world, generated and managed complex international co-productions, raised over $125M in production financing, built out and provided a full studio service to service and deliver those co-productions, and sold into territories across the world, including the key US market.
Projects produced during his time leading BRON Television include The Idol for HBO, created by Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim, and The Weeknd, who also starred alongside Lily-Rose Depp; two seasons of the Irish family crime drama, Kin, which aired on AMC+, RTÉ, BBC and Netflix, and starred Charlie Cox, Aidan Gillen, Ciaran Hinds and Clare Dunne; Ten Percent, the English-language remake to the hit French series, Call My Agent!, which aired on Amazon Prime in the UK, and AMC+, Sundance Now and BBC America in the US, and starred Jack Davenport, Lydia Leonard, Maggie Steed, Prasanna Puwanarajah, and Jim Broadbent; a genre-bending spaghetti western, That Dirty Black Bag, which aired on AMC+, Paramount+ and Netflix, and starred Douglas Booth, Dominic Cooper, Niv Sultan, Paterson Joseph, Aidan Gillen and Travis Fimmel; and the epic post-WWII crime thriller, The Defeated, starring Taylor Kitsch, Logan Marshall Green, Michael C. Hall and Nina Hoss, which aired on Netflix. Prior to joining the TV group, Davoli worked at BRON as the Senior Vice President of Business Affairs where he closed countless active feature film and television deals.
Before joining BRON, Davoli was in private practice for 13 years as an entertainment attorney where he worked as production, finance and distribution counsel on over 50 independent film, television and new media programs, and spent a decade developing a keen knowledge of the international marketplace.
Ritesh Sidhwani
Co-founder - Excel Entertainment
Ritesh Sidhwani stands as a pivotal force and co-founder of the groundbreaking film production house, aptly named Excel Entertainment. The debut film under his helm, Dil Chahta Hai, not only attained cult status for pioneering a new genre in Indian cinema but also secured a National Award in 2001. Sidhwani’s impact on the cinematic landscape is twofold; introducing global filmmaking techniques and perspectives to Indian audiences, while also ensuring the widespread appeal of Hindi films to international viewers. His professionalism and dedication were further recognized in 2008 when he won the National Award for the musical Rock On.
Recently, Ritesh was invited to join the prestigious Academy as a member of the Class of 2024, highlighting his influential contributions to the film industry.
Over slightly more than a decade, Ritesh has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent by providing a platform in Excel for debutant directors, writers, and actors, fostering creative filmmaking. His diverse body of work, spanning over a dozen feature films, encompasses themes ranging from “coming of age” to fast-paced action thrillers. The essence of Excel’s success lies in its seamless blend of artistic vision and commercial acumen, showcased by box office hits like Dil Dhadakne Do, Talaash, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and Gully Boy (India’s first hip-hop film). Its storytelling brilliance has also given rise to beloved franchises such as Don and Fukrey.
Ritesh has taken his innovative spirit a step further by establishing an exclusive division under Excel Media & Entertainment to create original content for various digital platforms, transcending geographical boundaries and reaching larger audiences. Excel Entertainment’s initial foray into the digital realm resulted in India’s first original series, “Inside Edge,” on Amazon Prime Video, nominated for the International Emmy Awards 2018 in the Best Drama Series category. Following the success of Inside Edge, Amazon commissioned two more shows, Mirzapur and Made In Heaven, both earning critical acclaim and high viewership. In 2023, the series, Dahaad and Bambai Meri Jaan premiered internationally in Berlin and London respectively.
In 2024, under Ritesh Sidhwani’s leadership, Excel Entertainment, in collaboration with Tiger Baby and Amazon MGM Studios, premiered Superboys of Malegaon at the Toronto International Film Festival and the British Film Institute London Film Festival. Additionally, Boong, a co-production by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Suitable Pictures, marked its debut at TIFF as the first fiction film from Manipur to be showcased there.
Ritesh has also been personally involved in the Dubai “Bollywood Parks” project, introducing experiential adventures featuring some of Excel’s film projects, allowing the audience to engage with larger-than-life moments. In his early years, Ritesh’s fascination with the film world clashed with his career at Marlex, his family’s home appliances company. After six years of enthusiastic learning and honing marketing and business development skills, he transitioned from marketing home appliances to establishing Excel Entertainment Private Limited in partnership with his long-time friend Farhan Akhtar, marking the beginning of a partnership that has consistently grown from strength to strength.
Moderator:
David Taghioff
Chief Executive Officer - Library Pictures International
David M. Taghioff is the Chief Executive Officer of Library Pictures International (Library), a Los Angeles-based global content financier. Under his leadership, Library focuses on supporting top-tier storytellers from around the world. Since its 2019 investment partnership with Legendary Entertainment, Library has become a premier independent film financier.
The company has co-financed and executive produced critically acclaimed films such as Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, winner of the Cannes Jury Prize and the Best Actress Award, awarded to the ensemble, as well as France’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards; Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here, which received the Best Screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival and will represent Brazil in the Best International Feature Film category; and Ron Howard’s Eden, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The company has also signed multi-year, multi-picture co-financing deals with CJ Entertainment and Next Entertainment World, aiming to produce local-language films in South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Turkey.
Prior to joining Library, Taghioff served as Co-Head of Global Client Strategy at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he played a pivotal role in identifying international business opportunities for the agency’s clients. His work involved advising major corporate clients such as Cirque du Soleil, Lionsgate, IMAX, and Reliance Entertainment on global initiatives. He also spearheaded cross-border film and television opportunities, architecting multiple local-language film slates for prominent clients of CAA, including Blumhouse Productions.
Earlier in his career, Taghioff held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Octagon, Inc., where he oversaw corporate operations, strategy, and finance for its entertainment division. Prior to Octagon, he was Co-Head of the William Morris Agency’s London office, where he managed corporate operations and spearheaded business development initiatives, particularly in digital media, international talent, and expansion into India and the Middle East.
Taghioff holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University. He is a member of the California State Bar
Finding The Next Big Thing
Saturday Dec.7th / 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
Where do producers find new stories, how do executives filter through all the ideas that cross their desks, and how can emerging actors get discovered – where is the industry finding the talent of the future and how are they nurturing those burgeoning careers? We ask producers, agents and executives how they use various talent development platforms and their own initiatives and networks to find unique voices and original projects to nurture.
Speakers
Antone Saliba
Principal and Talent Manager - 75East
Born and raised in Jordan, Antone started his career in the CAA Mailroom in Los Angeles, before moving to London to join Mister Smith Entertainment, where he became a Sales and Acquisitions Executive under industry veteran David Garrett. He just launched a talent management company that focuses on writers and directors from the SWANA region.
Glen Basner
CEO - FilmNation Entertainment
Glen Basner is founder and Chief Executive Officer of FilmNation Entertainment, a leading independent entertainment company that produces, finances and distributes award-winning films, television series, podcasts and theater productions that combine strong creative voices and global appeal. FilmNation productions currently in release are Sean Baker’s 2024 Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner ANORA and Edward Berger’s CONCLAVE, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. Coming soon is Pablo Larrain’s MARIA starring Angelina Jolie. The company produced award-winning box office hits that include PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, ARRIVAL, and THE BIG SICK. FilmNation is also the home of Infrared, a new film production label focused on films with franchise potential.
Since its founding in 2008, the company has expanded beyond its film roots. FilmNation launched its television division with I Know This Much is True for HBO, for which Mark Ruffalo earned the 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Coming soon is series Small Town, Big Story for Sky, from creator Chris O’Dowd and starring Christina Hendricks and Paddy Considine. With teams in both Los Angeles and London, FilmNation’s television division is currently developing multiple new projects with global appeal.
FilmNation’s theater investments include 2024 Best Play Tony winner Stereophonic, runaway West End and Broadway hit, Prima Facie, which earned Jodie Comer the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play and the Olivier Award for Best Actress; The Sound Inside, which earned Mary-Louise Parker the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play; and The Band’s Visit, one of four productions ever to win the ‘big six’ Tony awards including Best Musical. Other productions include The Pillowman, written by Martin McDonagh, which was recently revived for a West End run.
FilmNation’s podcasting division is the home of non-fiction storytelling for the company, featuring character-driven storytelling and original voices uniquely suited to the medium. Popular podcasts include SNAFU with Ed Helms for iHeartMedia, winner of the Signal Award for Best Writing – Limited Series and Specials and History – Limited Series and Specials and received a 2023 nomination for Best History Podcast for the Ambie Awards; the true crime podcast Murder on the Towpath for Luminary with host Soledad O’Brien; Torched for Stitcher with host Molly Bloom; and Hyper-thetical hosted by Kerry Bishé.
Prior to FilmNation, Basner was President, International for The Weinstein Company, where he oversaw all international operations, and Executive Vice President,
International Sales & Distribution at Focus Features. He started his career at the venerable New York based indie production and sales company Good Machine.
Seb Shorr
COO – Fremantle
Seb Shorr is Chief Operating Officer for Fremantle’s Global Drama and Film business. Reporting into Christian Vesper (CEO Global Drama), Seb supports the strategic and operational goals of the founder-led drama labels with the Fremantle Group. These include The Apartment, Dancing Ledge Productions, Element Pictures, Lux Vide, Miso Film, Passenger and Wildside. Seb also leads on managing talent partnerships and deals which include Kristen Stewart’s Nevermind Pictures, Pablo and Juan de Dios Larraín’s Fabula, Angelina Jolie, Rachel Weisz and Polly Stokes’ Astral Projection, Edward Berger and his label Nine Hours and Johan Renck and Michael Parets’ Sinestra.
Katie Irwin
Agent and the Co-Head of International at WME Independent
Katie Irwin is an Agent and the Co-Head of International at WME Independent, where in addition to handling sales and distribution, she advises on financing and packaging for a wide-ranging slate of films. With her expertise, she has strategically helped package and sell the upcoming films Nuremberg starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, The Death of Robin Hood starring Hugh Jackman and Jodie Comer, Normal starring Bob Odenkirk, Daddio starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson, Widow Clicquot starring Haley Bennett and Tom Sturridge, and The Weight with Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe.
Prior to WME Independent, she was part of the film group at Endeavor Content where she managed titles such as the Oscar® nominated The Lost Daughter, the critically acclaimed PIG, Tin Soldier starring Jaimee Foxx and Scott Eastwood, and audience favorite The Peanut Butter Falcon.
As a consultant, Irwin has provided services for companies including GoldCrest, AMBI Distribution and a Chinese distribution company for which she was based in Beijing. Before this, she was Vice President at Fortitude International handling films such as Sundance Film Festival Official Selection The End of the Tour, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segal.
During her time at Myriad Pictures, Irwin negotiated international distribution deals for films like Academy Award® nominated Margin Call and the two-part love story The Disappearance of Elenor Rigby starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Viola Davis.
Irwin has taken several hiatuses from the entertainment industry to work with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), leading field logistics for projects in South Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Moreover, as part of an MSF COVID-19 response team in the early days of the pandemic, she was stationed in Immokalee, FL to support the migrant farmworker population. She is filled with gratitude for her colleagues and friends in the industry who have supported her in this endeavor over the years.
Fluent in French and conversational in Mandarin, Irwin began her career in film and TV production in Chicago, relocating to Los Angeles in 2007 to work for Gianni Nunnari’s Hollywood Gang Productions. She received her undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Chicago, and after graduating moved to Jilin City in China to teach media studies at Dongbei Dianli University.
Zeinab Abul Al Samh
General Manager of MBC Studios - MBC group
Zeinab Abu Alsamh is the General Manager of MBC STUDIOS KSA, the in-house premium content production arm of MBC GROUP. Abu Alsamh oversees all local production and development projects at MBC STUDIOS KSA, with a particular focus on working on the development and expansion of the content production industry in the Kingdom. As the CEO of MBC ACADEMY, Abu Alsamh’s focuses on developing the next generation of content creators and media professionals via various educational and training programmes that leverages on the Group’s infrastructure. Prior to joining MBC GROUP, Abu Alsamh served as Chief Commercial Officer of the Saudi Broadcasting Authority (SBA).
Moderator:
Sarah Schweitzman
CAA
Schweitzman has been involved in the sales and financing of such films as MAY DECEMBER, CONCLAVE, HIT MAN, HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, CODA, A MAN CALLED OTTO, FIREBRAND, and BABES, among others.
Schweitzman also represents filmmakers, helping to package, source financing for, and/or sell distribution rights to their films, including Academy Award-nominee Nadine Labaki (CAPERNAUM); Jennifer Kent (THE BABADOOK); Pamela Adlon (BABES, BETTER THINGS); Rebecca Zlotowski (OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN); Dakota Johnson’s TeaTime Pictures (DADDIO); Academy Award-nominee Ladj Ly (LES MISÉRABLES); and Karim Aïnouz (INVISIBLE LIFE), plus more.
Schweitzman began her career at CAA as an assistant and rejoined the agency in 2017 as an Agent after working for client Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout. She previously held executive positions at 21st Century Fox and Vendôme Pictures, where she worked on such films as KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE and SPY.
Schweitzman graduated from Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and French Literature.
Can AI be a creative partner?
Sunday Dec.8th / 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
This panel will explore the idea of creative AI partners in the cinema industry, the challenges of AI taking creative jobs, the programs and tools currently used in the industry, and the implications for the industry, consumers, and the economy as a whole. Speakers will delve into these considerations when developing and deploying more AI in the future.
Speakers
Chris Jacquemin
Head of Digital Strategy – WME Agency
Chris Jacquemin began his career as a media analyst working with the Walt Disney Company. He joined the Endeavor Agency in 2000 to start the Research division for the company, advising agents and clients on media trends.
In 2004, Jacquemin formed the Digital Media division for the Endeavor Agency, where he is currently a partner, and has worked across numerous aspects of direct-to-consumer and creator economy oriented businesses within video content, podcasts, gaming and brand partnerships.
In 2020, he assumed a new role as head of digital strategy and is responsible for identifying new opportunities in frontier tech including AI and web3, while also establishing new business models within video games and the creator economy.
Diana Williams
CEO and Co-Founder - Kinetic Energy Entertainment
Diana Williams is the CEO & Co-founder of Kinetic Energy Entertainment. She has a wide range of experience in the entertainment industry, developing IP and producing creative content for distribution across all media. Throughout her career she has been at the forefront of working with emerging and established creators to ensure a diversity of voices and talent are included in an ever-evolving industry.
Kinetic Energy Entertainment is a multi-platform venture studio specializing in building businesses around the development, production and marketing of IP that is entertaining, culturally impactful, and accessible across all media. Kinetic’s slate includes a TV series in development at HBO set in the world of K-Pop, TV series adaptation of The Gatecrashers comic, political sim videogame Political Arena, podcast series Founder Hustle inspired by venture fund 1863 Ventures’ focus on entrepreneurs of color, Crimson an epic fantasy/thriller take on Alice in Wonderland, YA sci-fi adventure Space Hoppers, recipe-memoir Adventures in Starry Kitchen, creative studio and publisher Shifting Tides, and a documentary feature film in post-production with Apple+. Kinetic is also an advisor to companies that are utilizing cutting-edge technologies to innovate in traditional entertainment categories.
Prior to Kinetic, Diana was the Creative Development and Franchise Producer for Star Wars at Lucasfilm, where she developed film and tv (including Star Wars Rebels, Rogue One), mobile and console videogames (including 2015’s Battlefront), and publishing (Marvel’s Star Wars comics and novel expansions). While at Lucasfilm she was on the founding team that launched start-up ILMxLAB, an immersive entertainment and VR/AR/mixed reality lab, with projects including Vader Immortal for Oculus/Meta, Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire for The Void, and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Academy Award© winning VR experience Carne y Arena. Diana has also worked with BET Networks as a production consultant on Let the Church Say Amen, Gun Hill Road, and The Kenya Barris Project. Diana produced the critically acclaimed feature film Our Song, which earned her a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award in the Producer category. Other credits include documentaries Room 237, the Emmy© award-winning Sylvia Drew Ivie, Student Academy Award©-nominated Another First Step, Industrial Light & Magic: Creating the Impossible, Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis, and Dear Mom Love Cher.
Previously the Chair of the Peabody Interactive Board of Jurors for digital and immersive storytelling for the Peabody Award, Diana is on the Strategic Planning Committee of The National Academy of Sciences’ Science and Entertainment Exchange; the advisory committee for the Royal Shakespeare Company/Digital development; the advisory board for UK-based Future of Film; and on the boards of Diverso (a non-profit organization by students for students, dedicated to empowering the under-represented storytellers of the next generation), The Overlook Film Festival (genre festival), and The Immersive Experience Institute for interactive and immersive events, theater, and creators. Diana began her career in production as an Assistant Director and is a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Jennifer Howell
Chief Creative Officer - Deep Voodoo
Jennifer Howell has had a distinguished career in the entertainment industry, spanning multiple leadership roles in film, television and technology. Currently, she serves as the Chief Creative Officer (CCO) at Deep Voodoo, where she oversees the creative direction for the innovative synthetic media and entertainment company co-founded by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Prior to Deep Voodoo, Howell was the Head of Feature Film Development at DreamWorks Animation, where she managed a development slate of 30 plus films including How to Train Your Dragon, Boss Baby and Trolls. In addition she has held key roles at Paramount Television, as Head of Comedy, launching several successful TV shows, as well as the animation division at 20th Century Fox Animation overseeing shows like; Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy and Futurama. Howell’s career began with Stone and Parker as the Supervising Producer on South Park for the first 12 years of the show. Her career reflects a deep expertise in creative leadership, content development, and talent cultivation across various entertainment mediums.
Moderator:
Dr. Fatmah Baothman
Saudi AI Expert
Fatmah Baothman is a pioneering figure in artificial intelligence and a prominent Saudi businesswoman. She is a member of the Global Future Council on the Future of Artificial Intelligence by the World Economic Forum. Baothman has established herself as a national AI advisor & AI Business Developer. She represented Saudi women in several high-profile events, including the UN-CSW67, where she represented the Saudi NGOs sector. She is also a member of the G20-S20 Task Force and working group G20 Digital Agenda Presidency Transfer. Baothman’s contributions to the field of AI are extensive. She founded the computer science department, the Saudi Engineering Committee for Women, and the IEEE Chapter for Women. Recently, she established the AI Society and serves as its board president. Her expertise has been recognized internationally, with numerous awards and accolades. MIT Technology Review lists her among the AI GCC & Arab experts. Baothman has also played a crucial role in the entry of major tech companies like Apple and CISCO into the Saudi market. Throughout her career, Baothman has supervised hundreds of students in scientific and AI business projects, published quality AI research, and translated an AI book into Arabic, coining several AI terms in the process. Her work continues to inspire and pave the way for aspiring AI professionals, especially women in the region.
The Korean Content Boom
Sunday Dec 8 / 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
South Korean cinema has gained international acclaim for its unique storytelling, vibrant cinematography, and cultural richness. As appetite for Korean content remains high in the MENA region and around the globe, this session gathers expert industry voices from Korea to look at the country’s unique selling points and cultural touchstones, and talk about how the international industry can develop smarter collaborations with Korea.
Speakers
Hyoun-soo Kim
Kofic
Korean Film Council (KOFIC) is an institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea (ROK). It establishes policies and supports the entire value chain of the industry, including film production, distribution, education/training programs, overseas exchanges, and more. With its wide array of policies and initiatives, KOFIC bolsters a strong foundation for the sustainable growth of Korean films.
For more than 25 years since joining KOFIC in 1999, KIM Hyoun-soo has been in charge of various tasks, the most prominent being the introduction of real-time box-office information system called KOBIS (Korea Box-office Information System). He has also worked for the support of various sector within the industry; arthouse cinema, equity investment funds for the production, training program of KAFA (Korean Academy of Film Arts; training institution under KOFIC), and international promotion for the Korean cinema, etc. Lastly, he served as the director of Film Policy department and currently working as the director of Funding and Support department from 2022 to the present.
Um Tae-hwa
Director, Concrete Utopia
Um Tae-hwa is a South Korean filmmaker celebrated for his innovative storytelling and genre-blending works. A graduate of KAFA’s 28th class, he debuted with Ingtoogi (2013), a feature developed during KAFA’s feature film course, and gained acclaim with Vanishing Time (2016) for its emotional and imaginative narrative. His latest film, Concrete Utopia (2023), set in a post-disaster apartment complex, explores themes of class and community. It achieved critical and commercial success and was selected as South Korea’s official entry for Best International Feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
Woo-Sik Seo
CEO - Barunson C&C.
Woo-Sik Seo is one of the most prolific film producers in Korea. He has produced some of the most iconic Korean movies and TV series, including “Mother” (2009) and “Okja” (2017) by Bong Joon-ho, “The Good, The Bad, The Weird” (2008) by Kim Jee-woon, and the hit TV series “Descendants of the Sun” (2016). His most recent production is “Strong Girl Nam-Soon” (2023), currently airing on JTBC in Korea and Netflix worldwide. He was the CEO of Barunson and Contents W, and is now the CEO of Barunson C&C.
Yeon-Jung Kim
Director – Somebody (2024)
Kim Yeo-jung graduated from Musashino Art University in Japan with a degree in Film Studies and later earned a master′s degree from the School of Film, TV & Multimedia, at the Korea National University of Arts. She worked as a script supervisor for the feature film Love And… (2014) and as an assistant director for Our Body (2017). Somebody(2024) is her directorial debut and premiered at Busan IFF.
Moderator:
Masha Magonova
CAA
Masha Magonova is the Director of Finance and Operations at Library Pictures International (Library), a Los Angeles-based company specializing in global content financing. Library focuses on supporting top-tier storytellers from around the world as a premier independent film financier.
The company has co-financed and executive produced critically acclaimed films such as Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez, winner of the Cannes Jury Prize and the Best Actress Award, awarded to the ensemble, as well as France’s submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards; Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here, which received the Best Screenplay award at the Venice Film Festival and will represent Brazil in the Best International Feature Film category; and Ron Howard’s Eden, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The company has also signed multi-year, multi-picture co-financing deals with CJ Entertainment and Next Entertainment World, aiming to produce local-language films in South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Turkey.
Before joining Library, Masha served as Chief of Staff at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she spearheaded strategic initiatives in Corporate Development and Finance to drive both organic and inorganic growth. Masha earned her Master of Business Administration from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Building French Connections
Monday Dec 9 / 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
France continues to be a strong supporter of MENA projects and talent but what are the real intricacies of these working relationships? We hear the experiences from filmmakers and the executives to look at best practices for the global industry to connect with French financing and creativity.
Speakers
Aurélien Dirler
Advisor for International and Digital Strategy - CNC
Aurélien Dirler is Advisor for International and Digital Strategy within the International Policy Unit of the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée (CNC).
Before joining the CNC, he served as Advisor to the Chairperson of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) from 2020 to 2024, where he played a key role in fostering international cooperation and shaping policies to support Taiwan’s creative content industries.
Between 2016 and 2024, Aurélien was deeply involved in bridging the French and Taiwanese XR ecosystems, contributing to industry-defining developments and fostering key collaborations in digital content.
His extensive background in the film industry also includes roles such as Film Programmer at the Paris International Film Festival, Audiovisual Attaché at the French Office in Taipei, Audiovisual Attaché at the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong, and Project Manager (International Affairs) at France’s national film school, La Fémis.
Lotfi Achour
Director/Producer RED PATH
Born in Tunis, Lotfi Achour is an author, director, and producer. After his baccalauréat, he enrolled at the Faculty of Law and Economics in Tunis, where he studied economics. After a family tragedy, he realized that he wanted to become an actor and, at the age of 21, began his training at the Grenoble Conservatory and studied theater and cinema at the Sorbonne Institute of Theatrical Studies.
Lofti Achour has produced over 25 theatrical works. His latest show was co-produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company for the London 2012 Olympic Games. In the cinema, he has directed 3 short films that have won dozens of awards, including La laine sur le dos, which was nominated in the short film category at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.
Cecile Gaget
CEO – Carrousel Studios
CEO of Carrousel Studios, Gaget has been a key member of French film studio Gaumont serving as its Head of international production and distribution. In 2020, Gaget joined the euro producer and financier Anton to ramp up the production slate and contributed to create a studio. She is now CEO of Carrousel, the company founded by Omar Sy, Louis Leterrier and Thomas Benski.
Vincent Maraval
CEO - Goodfellas
Vincent Maraval joined the international sales team of StudioCanal in 1996 after working several years for the French studio UGC. In 2002, he co-founded Wild Bunch where he produced and executive produced over 50 feature films including City of God (Fernando Meirelles), The Wrestler (Darren Aronofsky), Wind River (Taylor Sheridan) and Palme d’Orwinner Blue is the Warmest Color (Abdellatif Kechiche).
Film producer known for Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013), Only God Forgives (2013) and Wind River (2017).
Moderator:
Nancy Tartaglione
International Editor - Deadline
Nancy joined Deadline in 2011. She covers the global film, television and media business, with a particular focus on international box office as well as major festivals and awards shows. She has been based in Europe for more than 30 years.
Transcending Borders
Monday Dec 9 / 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
How can writers, producers and directors develop locally authentic films and series that might also have international appeal — how local can you go, and is “glocal” success the best plan for every project — or is it better to sometimes just focus on your country’s own audience? We hear from recent examples of successful local stories that have had an impact on the international stage, and expert advice about how international experts scout and champion local stories.
Speakers
Alaa Fadan
Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman - Telfaz 11
Alaa Fadan is the Co-Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Telfaz11, a leading force in the Middle East’s media and entertainment landscape. He has driven Telfaz11’s growth, making it a pioneer in the region’s entertainment industry and a prominent voice in Saudi Arabia’s pop culture. Alaa’s passion for unconventional storytelling and entrepreneurship has led to innovative and impactful entertainment in the region. He was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business alongside his co-founders. As an executive producer, he worked on three highly acclaimed films including the comedy film “Sattar,” the biggest blockbuster in Saudi Arabia to date, “Raven Song”, and “AlKhallat+”. With his diverse background, Alaa expertly navigates the intersection of technology, business and the creative world of entertainment. Committed to unlocking Saudi Arabia’s creative economy, he propels Telfaz11 forward.
Barbara Teixera
CEO and Executive Producer - Anonymous Content Brazil
Barbara Teixeira is CEO and Executive Producer at Anonymous Content Brazil, the Latin American joint venture of Anonymous Content, with an investment from CAA. She oversees development and production of all company projects, including recent projects in post production for Globoplay – a documentary series directed by Walter Salles about the life of Brazilian footballer Socrates and the adaptation of the Raphael Montes thriller book Perfect Days.
Barbara has worked in the audiovisual market in Brazil for almost two decades. Prior to joining Anonymous Content Brazil, she was Director of Originals at Sony Brasil, where she was responsible for production and acquisitions of local shows for Sony Networks (AXN, Sony, Crackle). Before this, Barbara worked at multiple pay TV channels such as NBC Universal Networks, Canal Brasil and Multishow (Globosat), holding various positions in development, production and programming strategy.
Barbara holds a Masters in Broadcasting and Electronic Communication Arts from San Francisco State University and a BA in Communication and English from Lewis and Clark College in Oregon.
Lorenzo De Maio
President - De Maio Entertainment
Lorenzo De Maio is President of De Maio Entertainment, an independent premium content company specializing in production, sales, and strategic advisory, partnered with Fremantle.
Prior to starting DME, Lorenzo De Maio was Partner and EVP at Endeavor Content (now Fifth Season) where he was instrumental in the launch and success of the company, working on multiple award-winning shows including KILLING EVE, THE NIGHT MANAGER, and NORMAL PEOPLE.
De Maio has spearheaded several recent partnerships including deals with Me + You Productions (I AM RUTH), Element Pictures (POOR THINGS), Edward Berger (CONCLAVE, ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT), and Angelina Jolie.
The company works across the US and international eco-system and most recently worked on Pablo Larraín’s MARIA, starring Angelina Jolie, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival; the series ALICE & JACK, starring Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival; WITHOUT BLOOD, directed by Angelina Jolie and starring Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir; THE NEW BOY, directed by Warwick Thornton with Cate Blanchett starring, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival; and Luca Guadagnino’s BONES AND ALL, which won two major awards at the Venice Film Festival.
Meg Thomson
EVP of Worldwide Content – Globalgate
Meg is currently EVP of Worldwide Content for Globalgate Entertainment, a consortium of companies including Lionsgate, Rai Cinema, Nordisk, TF1, Lotte, Tobis, Rakuten, Televisa and other international distributors and producers to create commercial local-language films. Most recently, she executive produced the French film START ME UP (2024), Mexican film SIN HIJOS (2021, Netflix), the Filipino drama WEDDING DRESS (2022, Amazon) and the Vietnamese LOVED CHILD (2022, Lotte), one of the highest grossing movies in Vietnam that year.
Prior to joining Globalgate, Meg was Managing Director of Eccho Remakes, a company which represented the remake rights to international hit movies.
As a producer, Meg recently produced FREUD’S LAST SESSION an Irish-UK co-production starring Anthony Hopkins, and her next project is the UK-German co-production VIRGINIA WOOLF’S NIGHT & DAY. Her additional producing credits include Dominique Deruddere’s FLYING HOME starring Jamie Dornan (Belgium, 2015, Universal), Jesse Peyronel’s SIREN (USA, 2014, Austin FF), Matthew Parkhill’s DOT THE I, starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Tom Hardy (UK/Spain, 2005, Sundance), Rupert Murray’s documentary WILD ART: OLLY & SUZI (UK, 2009, BBC Storyville), William Brookfield’s MILK with Dawn French (UK, 2001, London FF) and Galt Niederhoffer’s MYTH AMERICA starring Rashida Jones (USA, 1999).
Outside of the entertainment business, Meg produces for HUB CULTURE where she frequently attends the WEF in Davos and COP climate conferences around the world, and where she co-founded the Ordinary Club of Extraordinary Women. Meg graduated in Fine Arts from Harvard, where she was business manager at the Harvard Lampoon.
Moderator:
Roeg Sutherland
Co-Head of the Media Finance department and Co-Head of the International Film Group at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
Co-Head of the Media Finance department and Co-Head of the International Film Group, Roeg Sutherland also serves on the Board at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Based in Los Angeles, Sutherland specializes in the packaging and representation of independently financed film, television, and digital content. In addition, he consults with select class-leading producers and financiers on their media investments. In just the past 5 years, films packaged and/or sold by CAA Media Finance have generated approximately $5 billion at the worldwide box office.
Sutherland also represents a global roster of filmmakers, helping to package, source financing for, and/or sell distribution rights to their films, both English and local language releases. Clients include Ladj Ly
(LES MISÉRABLES); Sam Mendes (1917); Rian Johnson (KNIVES OUT); Walter Salles (I’M STILL HERE); Justine Triet (ANATOMY OF A FALL); Jacques Audiard (EMILIA PEREZ); Roland Emmerich (MIDWAY); Martin McDonagh (BANSHEES OF INISHERIN); Alejandro González Iñárritu (THE REVENANT, BIRDMAN); Ana Lily Amirpour (BAD BATCH); James Gray (AD ASTRA, LOST CITY OF Z); Nadine Labaki (CAPERNAUM); Juan Antonio Bayona (A MONSTER CALLS); Claire Denis (HIGH LIFE); Dan Gilroy (ROMAN J. ISRAEL, NIGHTCRAWLER); Paul Thomas Anderson (LICORICE PIZZA); Kathryn Bigelow (THE HURT LOCKER, ZERO DARK THIRTY); Darren Aronofsky (THE WRESTLER, BLACK SWAN); Gaspar Noé (CLIMAX); Terrence Malick (A HIDDEN LIFE), Yann Demange (’71);
Karim Aïnouz (INVISIBLE); Julian Schnabel (IN THE HAND OF DANTE); Joe Talbot (THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO); Khalil Joseph (BLKNWS); and Steve McQueen (12 YEARS A SLAVE), plus Arthur Jafa and Morten Tyldum among others.
Under Sutherland’s leadership CAA Media Finance has become one of the largest suppliers of feature films into the U.S. theatrical marketplace, brokering more than 100 distribution deals per year for films with budgets ranging from $100K to more than $150M. In addition the films noted above, He has led the packaging, financing and sales of such projects as the Best Picture Academy Award-winning CODA, CONCLAVE, HIT MAN, MAY DECEMBER, THE HOLDOVERS, LONGLEGS, THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO SEVEN, BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM, PIECES OF A WOMAN, and THE FATHER, plus GREYHOUND, MALCOLM & MARIE, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, HER, SICARIO, NOCTURNAL ANIMALS, and YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE; plus many others.
In addition, Media Finance’s long-standing work across the global entertainment arena includes extensive experience in architecting financing and distribution entities such as Elevation (Canada), Library Pictures International, Goodfellas (France), NEON (U.S.), FilmNation Entertainment (U.S.), AC Brazil, Elysian Film Group Distribution (UK), Wild West (France), UMA (Indonesia and Southeast Asia), and Asbury Park Pictures (U.S.).
He joined CAA in 2001.
Sutherland received his B.A. from Princeton University.
Producing a Sustainable Career
Tuesday Dec.10th / 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Venue: Cinema 1
Producers and other film executives share their insights and best practices into how independent producers can take an entrepreneurial approach to building their own production companies that are sustainable for the long term. Insights will include how to attract project, slate and company finance; planning ahead with a diverse slate across film or TV; and trying to retain intellectual property rights (IP).
Speakers
Dede Nickerson
Strategic Advisor, Producer - DLN Media
A pioneer in the Asian media space, is a Beijing-based producer and advisor with over 25 years working with U.S. and Asian Studios, talent and financiers with deep experience across the APAC content space.
For the past several years Dede has been working with several clients – producing, creating strategies and problem-solving for several organizations including: NBA, Netflix, Huanxi Media, Conde Nast, Toei Studios, and TSG. Working with leading talents in Japan and China, Dede has is producing and developing several films and series, with the film Evacuate from the 21st Century scheduled to release this summer.
Dede was the Head of Production and Strategic Development at Sony Pictures China, where she produced Jiang Wen’s Gone with the Bullets, Chen Kaige’s Monk Comes down the Mountain, and the Chinese remake of My Best Friend’s Wedding. Dede was overseeing strategy across several divisions for Sony: she established sales relationships with the digital platforms opening a lucrative new revenue stream for the studio’s content in China; leveraged relationships with government entities including the Film Bureau to increase the number of Sony Pictures released in China; and sourced financing for Sony’s studio slate from China Film and Wanda.
Before joining Sony Pictures, Dede produced the Chinese remake of What Women Want starring Andy Lau and Gong Li; served as an advisor to Dune Entertainment; and consulted for Paramount Pictures and Paramount Digital Entertainment where she introduced the company to CJ launching their partnership in Korea and developed the company’s digital strategy in China.
From 2000-2005, Dede ran co-productions and acquisitions for Miramax Films in Asia: Dede oversaw the production of Zhang Yimou’s HERO, Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILLand Stephen Chow’s SHAOLIN SOCCER among other titles. Dede also oversaw licensing of libraries, remakes and new films from across Asia for global distribution. Dede oversaw the distribution and sales of Miramax Films into China and other Asian territories.
From 1995-2000 Dede lead Warner Bros. initial efforts in China, key achievements include: an 18 picture output deal with Beijing Film Studio; acquisition of the Golden Harvest Library; and overseeing theatrical business and strategy across divisions. Prior to WB, Dede worked in corporate finance with S.G. Warburg in Hong Kong working on the early H-share offerings.
In addition to her career in film and investment, Dede has devoted significant time to addressing education, development and healthcare issues in China. Dede serves on the advisory board of Duke Kunshan University. Before that she also served on the board of Teach for China and was a founder of Dandelion School for migrant worker children. Dede helped with the initial establishment and program development for the Special Olympics with the China Disabled Persons’ Federation.
Dede graduated with a double major in Political Science and Chinese Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and was a Princeton in Asia fellow at the People’s University in Beijing.
Steven Markovitz
Co-founder of the non-profit organisations Electric South, DocA and the Encounters Documentary Festival
Steven Markovitz has 30 years experience in producing feature films and documentaries through his production company, Big World Cinema. He has worked with over 150 directors from more than 30 African countries on films that have screened at festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, Toronto and Venice and one Oscar nomination. His films have sold to platforms and broadcasters worldwide and many have been theatrically released in numerous territories including Brazil, USA, UK, Japan, Russia, France and Germany. He is a co-founder of the non-profit organisations Electric South, DocA and the Encounters Documentary Festival. Steven was knighted for his contribution to African cinema by the government of Burkino Faso and the Republic of France. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences.
Toni Kamau
Founder - We Are Not the Machine Ltd
Kenyan-based Toni Kamau is the 2024 Sundance Amazon MGM Non-Fiction Producer Prize winner, a Producers Guild of America, Peabody and News Emmy-nominated producer, and the founder of We Are Not the Machine Ltd, a service production and original content company.
Toni has worked on commissioned TV documentaries that have aired on BBC Storyville, PBS, Showmax, Zuku, and Al Jazeera. She has earned global recognition as an independent creative producer for several documentary features, including the Dupont Award-winning Softie (Sundance 2020), I Am Samuel (Hot Docs 2020), and The Battle for Laikipia (Sundance 2024). The Battle for Laikipia recently won the Land, Sky, and Sea Award at Canada’s Hot Docs Film Festival, a Special Award at Filmambiente, the Best Socio-Environmental Award at the Guadalajara Film Festival, and the Asja Award for Best Documentary in the International Section at Cinemambiente.
In narrative production, Toni is developing a slate of projects, including Neon Tilapia, a climate change comedy feature by Tony Koros, where she serves as a co-producer, and High Altitude, a sports drama written by Jennifer Gatero, where she is attached as a co-creator and creative producer. High Altitude was recently selected for the inaugural edition of the African Creative TV program, run by the American Film Showcase in partnership with the U.S. State Department.
Beyond production, Toni is passionate about contributing to the Kenyan and global film industries. She holds memberships in several industry associations, including the Documentary Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where she serves on the International Engagement Committee; the Producers Guild of America, where she volunteers as an arbiter; and the Kenya Film and TV Professionals Association, where she is a committee member.
Anna Katchko
Founder – Tandem Production
Anna Katchko is the founder of Tandem Production and has produced more than 30 international co-productions, mostly by debut directors, which went on to win at Berlinale, Venice, Locarno, APSA etc. She is producing out of Europe, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Russia and the US.
Anna has also founded and curated a big variety of yearly international film-business/training events, festivals and mentorship programs in Kazakhstan, Germany and Russia, and serves as jury on pitching events and festivals around the world.
Member of European Film Academy, Asian Pacific Screen Academy, Anna speaks fluent German, English, French and Russian.
Moderator:
Wendy Mitchell
Journalist, moderator and film festival consultant
Wendy Mitchell is a journalist, moderator and film festival consultant. She is a contributing editor at Screen International, a delegate and conference curator for San Sebastian International Film Festival, consultant for Cannes Marche and Berlinale EFM, and the host of the podcasts Nordic Film Talks and Adventures in Producing.
Audience Insights
Tuesday Dec 10 / 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
How can filmmakers, distributors, exhibitors and marketing professionals use new sources of data to help address the challenges of the film distribution landscape and move past the limitations of traditional marketing campaign planning. This session will address some common reasons behind film release failures and explore how adapting to the digital marketplace can help films find their audience.
Speakers
Ben Johnson
CEO – Gruvi
the founder and Head of Strategy and Audience Technology at Gruvi, stands at the forefront of the entertainment industry’s evolution. His dynamic career, which commenced in 2007 in film marketing, has propelled Gruvi into a cutting-edge media agency specialising in technology-driven solutions for film distributors seeking to connect with and captivate online audiences. Ben has orchestrated over 300 movie campaigns for major players like Warner Bros., Disney, and Sony, as well as independent studios including Wild Bunch, Scanbox, and Dogwoof.
Ben’s educational background includes an MBA in Technology Management and a foundation in Marine Ecology. Since the early days of online advertising and social media, he has been a pioneer, driven by an unwavering fascination with the potential to reach and engage audiences at scale. Rooted in his scientific background, this passion has become a driving force behind his commitment to understanding and leveraging the dynamics of online populations.
Georges Asmar
Marketing Manager - Four Star Films
Georges Jihad Asmar is a seasoned cinema and film distribution expert who began his career as a projectionist, eventually rising to the role of Operations and Cinema Manager at Cinemall (Lebanon) and Marketing Director at ECS Films Distribution (Middle East).
With over ten years of experience at Cinemall Cinemas and ECS Films Distribution, Georges transitioned to Four Star Films Gulf as a Marketing Manager back in 2021, where he now oversees Paramount Pictures’ marketing and operations efforts across Saudi Arabia. Alongside his theatrical expertise, he has a strong background in digital marketing, and is the co-founder of Moviegoers, Lebanon’s leading app for cinema showtimes.
Nguyet Robbins
Distribution/Exhibition Partners - Gruvi
With a decade of experience in digital marketing and data insights for the film industry, Nguyet has advised distributors, studios, and cinemas globally, helping films like Parasite, Plane, Top Gun and Voy Voy Voy connect with audiences on a large scale. At Gruvi, she works with distribution/exhibition partners to deep dive customer insights, optimize digital strategies and drive strong returns through ticket sales. Nguyet’s expertise is valuable to anyone interested in learning more about audience development and marketing effectiveness in today’s digital landscape.
Championing Underserved Voices
Tuesday Dec.10th / 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Venue: Souk Forum Room
Producers and other film executives share their insights and best practices into how independent producers can take an entrepreneurial approach to building their own production companies that are sustainable for the long term. Insights will include how to attract project, slate and company finance; planning ahead with a diverse slate across film or TV; and trying to retain intellectual property rights (IP).
Speakers
Eriq La Salle
Actor, Director, Writer, Producer
Actor/director/producer Eriq La Salle is best known to worldwide television audiences for his award-winning portrayal of the commanding Dr. Peter Benton on the critically acclaimed and history-making medical drama ER. Educated at Juilliard and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, his credits range from Broadway to film roles opposite Eddie Murphy in Coming to America and Robin Williams in One Hour Photo and Hugh Jackman in Logan. La Salle has maintained a prolific acting career while at the same time working steadily as a director, taking the helm for HBO, Showtime, NBC, Fox and CBS. He remains a valued member of the Dick Wolf Entertainment camp after 4 years as Executive Producer and director on Chicago PD in addition to directing episodes of Law & Order, and Law and Order Organized Crime. As a writer, La Salle is the author of several critically acclaimed thrillers published in 2022 and 2023-Laws of Depravity, Laws of Wrath, and Laws of Annihilation. He has also written an episode of The Twilight Zone which made WGA’s list of 101 Best Written TV Series. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Julius Tennon
JVL Media
Julius Tennon leads a double threat career in the entertainment industry as a film producer and actor. He has acted in television, films and theatre. Julius is an accomplished film, television, and theatre producer and actor with over thirty years of experience. A native of Austin, Texas, he began as both a thespian and a star linebacker. Growing up he was passionate about theater and acted in several plays during his school days. In addition to his love of art, Tennon was also an athlete at school. He played soccer for his varsity team as a linebacker. Tennon was so successful in football that he received a scholarship that allowed him to enter the University of Tulsa. In Tulsa, Tennon would go on to make history as the first black graduate from the theater department. Julius Tennon had started his acting career in the mid-1980s.Amongthe films he has acted in is the 1987 film The Man Who Broke 1000alongside other notable actors such as Val Kilmer, Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Durning, James Keach, Clancy Brown, Sonia Braga and Elisha Cook Jr Tennon the role of Nub. The Man Who Broke 1000Chains was based on the Georgia chain gang prisoner and his attempts to escape prison.In1990 he played the role of Tony Marx in The Bend of the River. His football knowledge came into play in the 1992film.Hard Promises where he portrayed a soccer coach.1995 brought him the role of Sealy Petit in Lonely Justice2He ended his 90s playing the role of Toy World Supervisor in the film Little Soldiers(1998).Also in 2004, Julius Tennon drew on his experience as an athlete to portray Coach James on Friday Night Lights Tennon’s other films include Architect(2006),Fame(2009) to name a few. His roles on the television show include the role of Doctor James Holly in City of Angels He portrayed Detective Louden in 2003‘s The Exercise(Victim Rights).Other TV shows that Tennon has had roles include The Story of Fantasia Barrino: Life Is No Fairy Tale and a 2013 episode of Criminal Minds(Recovery). As an actor, Julius Tennon has appeared in a number of films, among others; River Bend, Tough Promises, Lonely Justice 2,LittleSoldiers,Friday Night Lights, The Architect among others. He has a number of TV credits to his name, including the hugely successful Getting Away With Murder which starred his wife Viola.
Lavaille Lavette
JVL Media
Lavaille Lavette: New York Times Best Selling Editor/Author/ Publisher, Educator, Producer, and Social
Entrepreneur. Lavaille is a distinguished producer, publisher, author and editor with a remarkable career in education,
radio/film production, and social
entrepreneurship. Her recent publishing triumphs include the NY Times Best Seller
“Finding Me” by Viola Davis and “Shut Up And Listen” by Tilman Fertitta. As the Publisher and Managing Partner at One Street Books, Joyful Pen and JVL Media, she continues to shape the media, literary and entertainment landscape.
With a Master’s in Education, Lavaille’s diverse professional journey has seen her as an investment broker, radio host,
producer, school teacher, school district administrator, speechwriter, marketing executive, and special advisor to
former US Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige (US Department of Education 2001
– 2005). Over the past 15 years, Lavaille has harnessed her branding, merchandising, and sales expertise to successfully manage numerous business ventures in partnership with renowned celebrities and athletes across various industries, including TV/Film,
publishing, aviation, food, retail, and sports. Lavaille is a current board member of the Houston Monrovia Sister Cities Committee. She is also a founding Board Member of the Luanda Africa Sister City Association and served as the first President of the association. (Currently President Emeritus). Her focus in the business sector in Africa is agriculture with projects in several countries including Kenya, South Africa and Angola. Lavaille is involved in a number of international charitable initiatives.
Alongside her business partners, Lavaille pioneered the first ever convenience store/gas station with a literacy
purpose, based on the Roopster Roux Book Series, at Therouxstore.com and Roopsterroux.com. (Film and Television
is currently in development for the series). Beyond her influential presence in publishing, production, community
engagement, nonprofits, and marketing, Lavaille co-founded “Every Child An Author” (ECAA), a visionary initiative
on a mission to empower every child in America to become a published author, one grade level at a time
(everychildanauthor.com). In her leisure time, Lavaille enjoys skateboarding, indulging in culinary pursuits, and
cherishing moments with her husband John, family, and friends.
Rikki Hughes
Producer/Showrunner, Magic Lemonade Productions
Rikki Hughes is a multi-Grammy and multi-Emmy award-winning producer and showrunner of comedy
specials, award shows, television series, independent features and docs. She is currently the Principal
and Executive Producer at MAGIC LEMONADE PRODUCTIONS.
Since 2018, Hughes has won two Emmy Awards and five Grammy Awards for producing Dave
Chappelle: The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas, Dave Chappelle: Equanimity/ The Bird
Revelation, Dave Chappelle: Sticks and Stones, Dave Chappelle: The Closer on Netflix.
Hughes is the first African-American woman in Emmy history to win in the category of Outstanding
Variety Special (Pre-Recorded). Beginning her career in the music business, Hughes segued into television by producing awards shows
and comedy specials such as The BET 25th Anniversary Special, The BET Comedy Awards, the TVOne
series Who Got Jokes? starring Bill Bellamy, and the Katt Williams special It’s Pimpin Pimpin. Starting in
2006 and for the next decade, Hughes became BET’s go-to producer for their specials Rip the Runway,
BET Hip-Hop Awards and BET Honors.
Additional productions include, Dear Mama, a Mother’s Day special for VH1, The ABFF Honors: A
Celebration of Hollywood and All Def Comedy for HBO. Hughes was the showrunner and Executive
Producer of Hood Adjacent for Comedy Central, while also producing music docs such as A Hustlers
Ambition: Young Jeezy.
In 2020 Rikki executive produced ABC’s Vote or Miss Out with Michelle Obama, hosted by Kevin Hart,
the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion for HBO Max and Oprah Winfrey Network’s very first music specials,
Our OWN Christmas and Our OWN Easter.
Her Magic Lemonade production company produced the annual Trumpet Awards, a recognition of
social justice champions for Bounce TV and the CW’s Christmas and Juneteenth music specials titled
The Black Pack starring Taye Diggs, Neyo, Eric Bellinger.
In 2021, she executive produced About Last Night, an innovative docu-game show starring Stephen and
Ayesha Curry along with two seasons of The Hype, both for HBO Max. She also currently produces the
special Living Black! for iHeart Radio – an annual celebration of black culture.
Ms. Hughes executive produced the touring Dave Chappelle Documentary This Time, This Place which
originally debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. She also executive produced the Netflix comedy specials
Indiana Mike for Mike Epps, Legendary starring Earthquake, Town Business starring Luenell, plus three
Netflix #1 specials, including Dave Chappelle’s Grammy award winning stand up special, The Closer, 85
South: Ghetto Legends and Dave Chappelle’s The Dreamer.
She made her directorial debut in July 2022 featuring Dave Chappelle at his high school alma mater in
Grammy winning “What’s In A Name” also on Netflix.
Moderator:
Rasha AlEmam
Founder, CEO, Producer - Yellow Camel Studios
Founder and CEO of Yellow Camel KSA, Saudi film and TV producer, Rasha Al Emam, is a leading production veteran in the world of film and television production in Saudi Arabia and has an extensive career in the entertainment industry with a history of more than 21 years of experience in management, media and production. Rasha is the Saudi producer of the international film “Desert Warrior”, in addition to a large number of other international productions. Rasha was the Head of Productions at MBC Studios and moved on to establish Yellow Camel Co. to be the leading Saudi production company specialized in international co-productions with the largest international studios.
New Horizons: Collaborating with the Saudi Film Industry - Sponsored by Visit Saudi
Wednesday Dec 11 / 12.30pm – 1.30 pm
Learn the details of what different locations, facilities, and enablement solutions Saudi Arabia has to offer to local and international productions and filmmakers. Experts and leading figures will discuss case studies, lessons learned, and solutions from recent international shoots across Saudi Arabia, and what new developments are on the horizon for the country’s booming film industry landscape.
Speakers
Rasha AlEmam
Founder, CEO, Producer - Yellow Camel Studios
Founder and CEO of Yellow Camel KSA, Saudi film and TV producer, Rasha Al Emam, is a leading production veteran in the world of film and television production in Saudi Arabia and has an extensive career in the entertainment industry with a history of more than 21 years of experience in management, media and production. Rasha is the Saudi producer of the international film “Desert Warrior”, in addition to a large number of other international productions. Rasha was the Head of Productions at MBC Studios and moved on to establish Yellow Camel Co. to be the leading Saudi production company specialized in international co-productions with the largest international studios.
Neil Peplow
Director of Industry Learning - NEOM Media
Neil Peplow, Director of Industry Learning at NEOM Media, has over 30 years of experience in the film and TV industry, during which he produced 15 films and TV series. Formerly the CEO of the London Film School and AFTRS, he played a key role in shaping their strategic and academic success. At the BFI, he led industry growth initiatives, including the UK Government’s Skills Review and the £35m Global Screen Fund. Neil is committed to advancing creative talent and innovation in the screen industries, with a current focus on AI.
Zaid Shaker
Acting Executive Director at Film AlUla - The Royal Commission for AlUla
Zaid Shaker, Acting Executive Director of Film AlUla under the Royal Commission for AlUla, has over 20 years of experience in film, tourism, and creative industries. His leadership is central to positioning AlUla as a global film hub. Previously, he led strategy and performance management for Film AlUla, enhancing operational efficiency and aligning with industry trends. His career spans strategic roles in organizations like PwC and the Royal Film Commission of Jordan. A passionate cinephile, cyclist, and reader, Zaid combines his love for cinema with professional expertise to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the creative sector.
Emad Eskandar
Head of Red Sea Fund - Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation
Emad Eskander is a Saudi storyteller/filmmaker. A marketing graduate from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals and started his professional career as a creative conceptualizer in ad agencies. He then gained valuable experience in multiple multinational companies such as Unilever and P&G. His passion for films in Saudi and the region prompted him to leave the corporate world for a more creative role in local up-and-coming film agencies. In 2019, he founded his own conceptualizing and writing studio “Blue Bus Entertainment”, in his first year the studio was able to make huge strides in the local and regional film industry. Currently working as The Head of Red Sea Fund.
Faisal Alaseeri
Director of Financing Programs Development - The Cultural Development Fund
Director, Financing Programs Development (Cultural Development Fund)
Faisal Abdullah Alaseeri currently serves as Director of Financing Programs Development at the Cultural Development Fund. In this dynamic position, Mr. Alaseeri is responsible for the development of various financing programs and products to address the needs of entrepreneurs and businesses in the Saudi cultural sector, with the goal of filling the gaps in the sector, and providing financial solutions that complement other government and non-government offerings.
Mr. Alaseeri joined the Cultural Development Fund from The Royal Commission for AlUla where he worked on the launch of various cultural activities including the annual Winter at Tantora Festival. Additionally, he has worked with other large organizations in Saudi Arabia, including the Ministry of Culture’s Film Commission, the General Entertainment Authority and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
Mr. Alaseeri obtained his bachelor’s degree in supply chain operations management and marketing from John Molson School of Business and a master’s degree in logistics and supply chain management from Lancaster University Management School in the United Kingdom.
Moderator:
Nadine Kirresh
Head of Program Administration - Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation
A creative media and production specialist with over 20 years of experience in TV, Radio and Film
including 8 years as the producer and host of the weekly movie review show Al-Shasha Al-Kabeera, which was broadcast on Alarabiya News Channel to a weekly audience of approximately 20 million viewers.
Nadine’s love for film, in addition to her insider access to the world of entertainment, made her one of the Middle East’s premier entertainment reporters, but her passion lies in promoting Arab Cinema and the young Arab film makers and actors who are pushing boundaries and putting Arab film on the map.
Nadine is currently Head of Program Administration at the Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation.
