In Advisor Studio sessions, film and television industry professionals share field experiences and insights into their specific areas of craft, including writing, directing and producing for TV and film.
Are you looking to break into television directing or writing—but not sure where to start? Many studios are actively scouting fresh talent through pipeline programs designed to launch the next wave of storytellers. Join Sundance Collab for an exclusive, behind the scenes session with Grace Moss, (VP of Inclusion for Warner Bros. Discovery) and Liz Kelly, (Director of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at Disney Entertainment Television).
In this interactive 60-minute session moderated by Jandiz Estrada Cardoso (Director of the Episodic Program at the Sundance Institute), you will learn the criteria needed to apply to the Warner Bros. Discovery Access Programs and the Disney Entertainment Television Writing and Directing Programs as well as what makes a strong candidate ready for hire on their next hit series. A Q&A session will allow you to mine exclusive 2025 application tips directly from the executives who shape studio pipeline programs.
Topics covered include:
- What each program offers—and how they differ
- Application criteria, selection process, and what makes a standout candidate
- Identifying the right time in your career to apply
- Evaluating if your pilot or directing sample is ready
- Standing out in the interview and in the field
Whether you’re just starting out, pivoting into scripted TV, or highly experienced and looking for new ways to break into the U.S. television industry, don’t miss the chance to get an insider view of these career making programs.
If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.
Live event registration for Sundance Collab Advisor Studios is free of charge. A recording of this event will be posted to our Video Library the next business day following the event. All registered attendees can watch the recording for two business days after it is posted. After that, on-demand access to the recording can be purchased for $10.
Liz Kelly is Director of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at Disney Entertainment Television. In this role, she works with the network and studio to staff writers and directors across ABC, 20th TV, Hulu, FX, Disney+ and Disney Channel’s scripted television shows. She runs the industry-leading Disney Writing Program and Disney Directing Program. She has staffed talent on THE ROOKIE, WILL TRENT, HIGH POTENTIAL, TELL ME LIES, NOBODY WANTS THIS, DELI BOYS, DAVE, HOW I MET YOUR FATHER, SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE, THE GOLDBERGS, STATION 19, RAVEN’S HOME, and BLACK-ISH, among other scripted series. Prior to Disney, Kelly worked for 6 years at Fox, most recently as Associate Director of Production and Development Labs – Film & TV, for 21CF Global Inclusion. Kelly staffed writers and directors on FOX's scripted television shows, including THE GIFTED, THE COOL KIDS, LUCIFER, LAST MAN ON EARTH, THE EXORCIST, THE RESIDENT, and LETHAL WEAPON, among others. She managed the Fox Writers Lab, Fox Directors Lab, Fox DP Lab, and Fox Filmmakers Lab, tracked and maintained network diversity statistics regarding on-air and behind-the-camera creative talent, and managed the department’s partnerships and sponsorships with non- profits and film and TV festivals.
more...Grace Moss is the Vice President of Inclusion for Warner Bros. Discovery. In this role, she helps oversee the enterprise’s efforts to expand the pool of talent and create pathways so they have access to creative careers within WBD. Through a comprehensive suite of pipeline programs and extensive engagements with prestigious film festivals and creative conferences, her team discovers exceptional artists, hones their craft and connects them to opportunities across the portfolio.
Prior to Warner Bros. Discovery, Grace served as the Head of Talent Development & Inclusion for NBC Entertainment, where she spearheaded multiple programs that focused on cultivating and showcasing talented writers and directors of diverse backgrounds. She was tapped to be a part of NBCUniversal’s first Global Advisory Committee for its Asian American employee Resource Group, which drove key strategies and oversaw messaging on a national scale. Before coming to NBC, Grace was a Development Executive at the Style Network, where she shepherded new series, from initial pitch to production. Prior to her stint at the Style Network, she worked as a freelance reality Producer and Director on a plethora of unscripted shows on a variety of networks, including MTV, VH1, TLC and NBC. Her leadership training includes the Johnson & Johnson Corporate Athlete Training Program, Comcast’s Know Your Value initiative, Harvard Business School’s Leadership Consortium and WICT’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute. Grace graduated from UCLA with a BA English and Minor in Asian American Studies. In her spare time, Grace enjoys playing tennis, wine tasting and baking with her son.
more...Director, Sundance Institute Episodic Program
Jandiz Estrada Cardoso is the Director of the Sundance Institute Episodic Program. Previously, she was the Sr. Director of Global Talent Development & Inclusion for film, TV and streaming at NBCUniversal for a decade. Jandiz spearheaded the bicoastal NBCUniversal Short Film Festival, The YA TU SABES Monologue Slam, and the national tour of StandUp NBC. In her freelance career, she has worked on dozens of pilots and features for studios including Disney, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal, New Line, AMC, ABC, CBS, Starz, and NBC (notably on their Emmy-winning series 30 ROCK). As an instructor, she has led master classes across the US and Brazil. She is a recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for Diversity Impact in Television.
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