If you have a project you love, getting it made requires knowing what you need and a strategy for how to get it. Experts discuss the elements of an effective pitch and putting together unforgettable materials. They share their successes and failures and the valuable lessons learned along the way.
Industry experts Nina Yang Bongiovi (Producer, Fruitvale Station), Jim Cummings (Writer/Director, Thunder Road), Julie Goldman (Producer, Life Animated), Jordana Mollick (Producer, The Lovebirds), David Ortiz (Head of Development, Mitú Network), Dawn Porter (Documentary filmmaker, Gideon’s Army), discuss the elements of an effective pitch.
Producer, Fruitvale Station
Producing partners, Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker have gained a stellar reputation for having in-depth knowledge of film financing, creative and physical producing, and a knack for discovering talent, like that of Ryan Coogler (Marvel’s BLACK PANTHER), whose first film, FRUITVALE STATION (2013) was produced by Forest and Nina. more...
Writer/Director, Thunder Road
Jim Cummings is a writer/director/producer/actor whose work is funny and heart-breaking. He made Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film in 2012. His feature film THUNDER ROAD won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW in 2018. The short film THUNDER ROAD won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. Jim has also written and directed the Original Topic series STILL LIFE (episodes of which have been Vimeo Staff-Picks) and the Fullscreen Original series THE MINUTES COLLECTION (episodes of which have screened at Sundance and SXSW). He lives in Los Angeles. more...
Producer, Life Animated
Julie Goldman founded Motto Pictures in 2009. She is an Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning producer and executive producer of documentary feature films and series. She produced Steve James’ Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, which was nominated for the 2018 Best Documentary Feature Academy Award, and The Final Year, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, was released by Magnolia Pictures and broadcast on HBO. She also produced Life, Animated and executive produced Weiner, both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. more...
Producer, Hello My Name is Doris
Jordana Mollick is a Los Angeles-based producer. She has been a partner at Haven Entertainment since 2013, but has most recently joined forces with Michael Showalter to form Semi-Formal Productions. At Haven Entertainment, Jordana produced HELLO MY NAME IS DORIS starring Sally Field and directed by Michael Showalter. She Executive Produced NIGHT OWLS, starring Adam Pally and Rosa Salazar. Jordana also produced LIFE PARTNERS, directed by Susanna Fogel and starring Leighton Meester & Gillian Jacobs. more...
Documentary Filmmaker, Gideon's Army
Dawn Porter is a documentary filmmaker whose first feature, GIDEON'S ARMY, won the Sundance Film Festival Editing Award in 2013 and later broadcast on HBO. The film was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and an Emmy, and received numerous awards including the Nation Institute’s Ridenhour prize for best documentary film. Dawn’s other films have appeared on PBS, OWN, Fusion, The New York Times, Amazon and the Discovery Channel. more...