All panel discussions held at SDBFF Pavilion, Saturday, January 28th. Noon - 4:00p.m. Location: Lycecum Theatre, located at 79 Horton Plaza.
Don't miss our informative panel discussions. This year, we're happy to introduce a Pitch Panel where you, the filmmaker, will have an opportunity to learn how to pitch an idea or screenplay and close the deal. In addition, you'll have an opportunitiy to actually make a pitch at the 2012 SDBFF.
Trey Haley, along with Chief Executive Officer N.D. Brown formed Tri Destined Media Enterprises, Inc. in 1998 to fill the void of diversity in the entertainment industry; thus implementing Tri Destined’s motto ‘Destined to Change the Perception of the World’. Gregory Anderson, Creator of “Stomp The Yard”, is also one of the Partners of Tri Destined Studios. His upcoming Tri Destined Film projects include “Drill Team” with Universal/Rouge Pictures (Relativity Media), Morris Chestnut’s “Ring My Bell” and the highly anticipated Bev Kearney life story project currently entitled, “Walking on Water” which Tri Destined Studios is set to produce with Jason Blum of Blum House Productions (Producer of Paranormal Activity and the Tooth Fairy). Mr. Haley was a Co-Executive Producer on the indie film “Why Am I Doing This” and Co-Directed the feature film distributed by Warner Bros./ Asylum Records "American Dream". He directed the romantic comedy “Perfect Combination” and the faith based comedy “We Are Family” under Tri Destined’s Studios Independent label set to be released this year. Trey also was a Creative Consultant on BETJ’s The Best Short’s with host Hill Harper.
Karen Peterkin, VP, Dubose Entertainment (Tiny & Toya, Monica: Still Standing, Running Russell Simmons, Hell Date) Karen Peterkin brings over 20 years experience in feature film and television development and physical production. She holds a B.A. in Communication Arts from Villanova University. Karen has worked with some of Hollywood’s most successful producers of many well-known films: Robert Simonds, Gary Foster and Mark Steven Johnson. She joined Forest Whitaker’s Spirit Dance Entertainment, as Director of Development, where she set up a television pitch at HBO and was also involved in the development of several theatrically released feature films while at Spirit Dance: CHASING PAPI, FIRST DAUGHTER and AMERICAN GUN. During her stint as Vice President of Development for Russell Simmons and Stan Lathan’s Simmons-Lathan Media Group, Karen’s vast story knowledge and strong relationship base in Hollywood brought added value to the company. She was heavily involved in the development and production of both scripted and non-scripted television series. She sold the unscripted television pitch NE-YO’S THE GRIND to MTV while in the room. Karen also worked on Oxygen’s RUNNING RUSSELL SIMMONS, RUSSELL SIMMONS presents STAND UP AT THE EL REY for Comedy Central, FOODIES (ABC Family) and TOW (HBO). Currently, Karen serves as Vice President, Scripted & Alternative for DuBose Entertainment, owned by reality television producer extraordinaire, James DuBose. She is responsible for finding and developing projects in the scripted and unscripted television arenas, along with feature films.
Casting Director Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd has set her sights on Feature Films. And today, she is Notorious, bringing such talent as Jamal Woolard as Notorious B.I.G., Angela Basset, Derek Luke, Anthony Mackie to the Big Screen in the Fox Searchlight film “NOTORIOUS.” Whether populating commercials, music videos, TV series or feature films, Twinkie is all about finding the right fit to every role. And her passion for talent is only paralleled by her passion for life. From her first gig scouting dancers for Def Comedy Jam in New York, she went on to cast music videos for Brett Ratner and then hit Los Angeles to learn from commercial casting goddess Megan Foley. Her credits include "STOMP THE YARD & STOMP THE YARD 2: Homecoming,” "NOTORIOUS,” "THE BLIND SIDE”, and “JUMPING THE BROOM” starring Laz Alonso, Paula Patton & Angela Bassett. While some may dismiss the value in projects like commercials and music videos, Twinkie has kept her energy focused on the truth: TALENT IS TALENT. Anyone who has watched Twinkie work knows true talent, passion, and bliss for life itself. It’s why she’s been on the casting scene for over a decade and is still going strong as the FIRST casting director to make the leap from casting music videos to casting principals in major motion pictures!!!
Francesca began working in entertainment in 2003, as a production attorney for syndicated talk, reality and game shows produced by other divisions of Disney/ABC. Prior to moving into entertainment, Francesca was an associate with the law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich and Rosati in Silicon Valley where she specialized in corporate financing and securities transactions for biotech companies. Outside of work, Francesca serves on the Board of Directors of the Fort Greene Council, a nonprofit organization that operates senior citizens centers, child day care centers and a daily homebound food delivery program in her hometown, Brooklyn, New York. Francesca is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, has a B.A. in Psychology from Wesleyan University, a J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School and is a member of the New York and California Bars.
PANEL 2 All Things Digital: Filmmakers learn how to leverage the digital space to your advantage 1:30pm-2:30pm Capitalize on the growing digital space to enhance your filmmaking career by learning how to create and market projects in the digital space, and how to use digital tools to support and promote your film. From fundraising, to casting, to promoting, and selling yourself and your film, the All Things Digital panel will help you learn everything about reaching new audiences. Moderator: Amie Mays, Independent Digital Producer formerly MTV Digital
Most recently, as a Manager, Digital Programming Amie was responsible for soliciting and evaluating submissions, researching and developing new ideas, translating existing shows for the digital space and overseeing the production and development of digital content. Here she launched and developed the music social network, soundtrack.mtv.com and re-tooled MTV's style and fashion presence style.mtv.com. In 2004, Amie joined MTV Networks International's programming team, where she was responsible for working with Nickelodeon and VH1 channels in Europe, Asia, and Latin America to acquire, and develop programming. She later joined the launch team for MTV's Caribbean channel, TEMPO where she was responsible for the channels digital strategy and execution and developed and produced the multi-platform series Choices: Roots, Reality, and Culture. Born and raised in New York City, Amie attended Pace University and NYU, graduating with a B.A.in Communications. Amie currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
In 2007, he founded ValDean Entertainment, a production company dedicated to creating high-quality and original content that resonates across multiple entertainment platforms. Through ValDean Entertainment, Thompson pays homage to the popular television programming of the late 80's/early 90's he enjoyed as a child. He creates content that contemporizes the traditional television sitcom rather than simply remaking it. This year, Al Thompson & ValDean Entertainment will be rolling out a slate of Web series that are already garnering a buzz in the industry. This includes the premiere of Lenox Avenue, a compelling drama that follows three friends navigating through the rough terrain of love and relationships while living in Harlem, NYC. Lenox Avenue stars such actors as Jamie Hector (The Wire) and Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire), and Victor Williams (The King of Queens). Thompson launched the award-winning comedy series Johnny B. Homeless, which received rave reviews at the New York Television Festival, winning the "People's Choice Award" and premiered on Comedy Central's Atom.com. Both Johnny B. Homeless and Lenox Avenue been featured in major publications such as Wall Street Journal, Fast Company and Variety. Al Thompson enlists rising stars and high-caliber talent in current and upcoming projects, including actors Kenan Thompson (SNL), Quentin Aaron (The Blind Side) and Dorian Missick (Luck Number Slevin, TNT's Southland). As an actor, Thompson has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including The Royal Tenenbaums, A Walk to Remember, Love Don't Cost a Thing, ESPN's A Season on the Brink, and Sidney Lumet's 100 Centre Street. Al also won acclaim for his performance as Derrick, the troubled protagonist of Larry Fessedan's Liberty Kid.
He currently has a development deal with the SyFy Channel. Recently Al won the Best Actor award at the New York Television Festival, Best Actor at San Diego Black Film Festival 2011 and was a finalist in the NBC-Universal Diversity Program with his new Sci-Fi series ODESSA starring Skai Jackson (Disney Channels's "Jessie").
He was determined to become a director and after spending most of his life traveling back and forth in and out of the country, he decided to stay in America with his mother for good. R.L. spent his years in high school and ultimately attended the "School of Cinematic Arts" at USC, earning a film degree and learning all that he could about motion pictures. R.L. Founded his own production company, "Shadow Motion Pictures" in 1998 along with his two partners "Shaun Mixon" and "Monyque Thompson Scott". They have to date, produced over forty short films, two feature films and a nine episode online series (Touye Pwen). He operates in many capacities including writing, directing, fight choreography, producing and editing, which allows him to create high end products cost effectively while paying attention to detail. In 2007 R.L. wrote, directed, produced and Choreographed the action for his first feature film "Champion Road", which has seen great success on DVD. It's sequel "Champion Road: Arena" was completed in 2009 and broke the world record for the largest amount of fight sequences in a film (24). R.L. has a profound dedication to quality, integrity and efficient results. The success of his online series "Touye Pwen" gained him a budget for his third feature film based on his online series. He is currently writing the script and will begin production in January of 2012.
She is the Director, Co-Writer and Co-Producer of the award-winning webseries The Brown Betties Guide: How to Look for Love in All the Wrong Places with her production partner Peppur Chambers. The series, which debuted at the 2011 LA WebFest was a festival hit, festival winning awards including Outstanding Directing, Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Producing, and Outstanding Comedy Series. From producing the classic music show Rap City on BET to covering breaking news in music, film and fashion for MTV News, E! , the Style Network, and NBC’s Miss USA Pageant, she has always had her finger on the pulse of pop culture. Most recently, Morenike produced the BET series Lens On Talent, helping it earn the highest ratings for that show in three years. She also Directed and Produced Wendy Williams in an African Music Special for BET International that was nominated for a 2011 NAMIC award. A versatile director, she’s frequently called to direct the International promo campaign for Disney Channel. Morenike directs and produces television, films, webseries and music videos independently, through her company, Black Pearl Filmworks, LLC. She is set to direct her first feature, Reality Check in 2012.
She grew up on the Southside of Chicago and graduated from Columbia College in 2006, where she got her Bachelors Degree in TV Writing & Producing. In her last year at Columbia she attended the Semester in LA program, receiving accolades from Joel Madison (Creator of Malcolm & Eddie) after he read her spec scripts for Girlfriends and Everybody Hates Chris. Upon graduation she began interning for Tracey Edmonds (Soul Food, Hav Plenty). Waithe then went on to become an assistant story-editor at Bunim-Murray Productions where she worked on The Real World: Denver and The Real World: Australia. She then landed a job working on the final season of Girlfriends for the executive Showrunners. Once that job ended she became writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s (Love & Basketball) assistant during post-production on her latest film, The Secret Life of Bees. Soon after, she was hired to be a writer’s assistant on the film Notorious by Gina’s husband, Reggie Rock Bythewood (Get On The Bus, Dancing in September).
PANEL 3 The Pitch Panel: Crafting the most effect pitch & mini-pitchathon Learn how to put together a 30-second elevator pitch in order to make your case that your story is worth investing in. Mastering the skill of pitching will increase your chances of getting your screenplay read and ultimately, sold. This session features a panel of seasoned producers and executives who discuss how to craft a compelling pitch in 30-60 seconds, what techniques you can use to be “good in the room,” how to excite and entice your listener in order to get them to want to read your script, and more. Then, at the end of the session, PITCH-A-THON REGISTRANTS will have the opportunity to pitch a project and get feedback from the panel on how to make that pitch sellable. Advance sign up required for the pitch panel.
Richard is recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts fellowship in Playwriting/Screenwriting, grand prize winner of the National Association of Television Programming Executives “Pitch Me!”competition, and listed in WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA. Mozell! manages music artist REYN; Actor & Model Isaac J. Sullivan; Choreographer & Actor Lancelot E. Theobald. Jr. Richard is Writer/Co-Executive Producer of the new movie AT THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID featuring Steve Guttenberg, Dean Cain and a slate of hot, young newcomers. The film had its world premiere in 2011 and is slated for release in 2012. Mozell! is executive producer of the soundtrack. Richard is currently completing several writing/producing/directing projects including BAILEY’S CROSSING and THINGS SAID ON A THURSDAY NIGHT. Richard was Writer/Project Consultant on MARTIN SCORSESE’S PRESENTS THE BLUES; Writer/Consultant on PBS’ THE RISE AND FALL OF JIM CROW; (Peabody) Writer/Director of the play MIDDLE CLASS BLACK FOLK IN THE CLAIR DE LUNE (National Tour); Writer of WASPS IN THE BED (Ran Off-Broadway); Repped by ICM, Richard’s recent development deal was at 20th Century FOX.
Glendon began his career at Savoy Pictures, before transitioning into a position at the management company, Handprint Entertainment. From there he segued into a development position at Overbrook Entertainment, which had a first-look deal with Universal Pictures. Prior to joining Our Stories Films, Glendon worked as an independent producer.
Palmer appreciates his path in Hollywood: “It has taught me that if you want to do it you have to stick with it and weather the highs and the lows.”
The Sony Pictures Feature “Jumping the Broom,” is a passion project of Glendon and Producer/Writer Elizabeth Hunter, both of whom developed the idea almost a decade ago. It will be released on The diversity of this film is a crowning achievement for Palmer in that it also touches on a myriad of issues including class and how it affects our outlook on the world. Palmer stated, “This is a film that I can claim responsibility for from beginning to end. I wanted to have that type of experience and now I have done it.”
During her tenure she oversaw day-to-day operations and production elements of JUST A DREAM (Showtime), FENCES (Canadian Production), SAW, DREAMGIRLS, and THE SHAGGY DOG. Karen began working as a producer in local theatres in San Diego, California. She helmed her own theatre company, The Human “I”, producing several critically acclaimed plays. In Los Angeles, she co-produced the award-winning plays “Culture Shock” and “Vanities,” directed by Kim Fields (“Living Single”). She tours annually with the critically acclaimed play she co-produces, "Sistah, Girl"; a one woman show on breast cancer. In addition to the Giving Back Corporation, she also devotes time to Break The Cycle, a charitable organization which gives legal aid to children, teens and young adults.
Formerly, he was the owner of ETC entertainment: a talent management firm representing clients of both technical and artistic pursuits. He is continually involved in film pitches for current clients and also coaches writers, producers and creators in the art of the pitch. Currently, his focus is "Simultaneous Brand Proliferation" for original literary IP's and to that end is interested in literary projects that are naturally given to film, t.v, animation, graphic novel or digital adaptation. He attended The University of British Columbia and The College of Charleston and is an avid fan of 70's singer songwriters, Asian martial arts films and cheese.
Nikita S. Adams received her Bachelors degree from Howard University where she studied Television and Film Production. After graduating, she began work as a producer in the Creative Services department of Black Entertainment Television (BET) where she was responsible for producing and designing on-air promotions, commercials, and interstitials. Adams left BET to pursue her dream of filmmaking which resulted in a feature film that she produced, several short films, music videos, and plays. In 2002, still producing independent projects, Adams entered the Hollywood system as a development assistant at New Line Cinema. She went on to hold various positions at Touch Stone Television and Fox Studios. In 2005, Adams went to work for Oscar Award winning Jamie Foxx as Creative Executive for his Foxx/King Entertainment banner. She would later become Director of Development for that company’s film and television projects and leave the company in 2011. Currently, Adams is back to her first love, developing and producing independent films.
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Trey Haley (Moderator), President of Tri-Destined Studios is responsible for overseeing the implementation of all Tri Destined Studios productions and events, including their production service division Tri Destined VIP. Mr. Haley's responsibilities also include creating diverse venture partnerships.
Casting Director, Tracy "Twinkie" Byrd of In the Twink of an Eye Casting (“Sparkle,” Jumping the Broom”, “Notorious”)
After having cast music videos for John Mayer, Blink 182, Outkast, Madonna, Dwight Yoakum,
Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Black Eyed Peas.
Francesca Harewood, Director of Business Affairs for Disney/ABC Daytime, as a longtime fan of ABC’s One Life to Live, was thrilled to accept her current position as Director of Business Affairs for Disney/ABC Daytime. Initially her job focused on soap opera talent deals, but as Daytime programming changed, her responsibilities expanded to include deals for new program development, production company services and format licenses. 
Amie Mays is television producer with experience in development, production, international acquisitions, and digital media. As a development producer she creates, pitches, and develops content for independent production companies and talent. In varied roles at MTV Networks Amie has beenresponsible for programming strategy, acquisitions, and development. 
Al Thompson is a Jack of all trades, Al Thompson wears the hats of actor, writer, producer, and director in his projects. Since entering the entertainment industry, Thompson has worked hard to experience success not only in film, but also in television and online media.
Director R.L. Scott was born in America and raised in Salvador Bahia Brazil. Being the only child of an African American mother and an Afro-Brazilian father gave him a unique perspective on art, culture and shaped the way that he views film making as a whole. R.L. began studying martial arts at the age of six, gained and interest in writing at the age of sixteen and one year later, shot his first short film on a beta cam while using two VCRs to edit.
Morenike Efuntade Evans is an award-winning director, writer and producer who has become highly sought-after for her creativity, passion and ability to create highly entertaining and successful shows for a variety of audiences and platforms. 
Lena Waite is currently working as a staff writer on a new half-hour sitcom for Nickelodeon called, How To Rock, produced by Alloy Entertainment (Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle.) Most recently, Lena conceived and wrote the spoof "Sh*t That Black Girls Say" which turned into a viral hit on youtube, reaching one million views in a week!
Richard Willis is a Peabody Award Winner, Emmy Nominated (as part of production teams) Writer/Producer/Director Richard Willis, Jr., is CEO & Executive producer of Mozell Entertainment Group. Mozell! is a creative and business entity experienced in conceiving, developing, pitching and producing projects for television, film, theatre and music. 
Glendon Palmer joined Our Stories Films upon its inception in 2006 and is now the Vice President of Development, bringing with him a vast range of experience in Television and Feature Film development. Our Stories Films just released “Jumping the Broom” through Sony Pictures.
Karen T. Bolt, Executive for Danny Glover’s, Carrie Productions
Karen T. Bolt recently produced the film AT THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID, featuring Steve Guttenberg and Dean Cain. For the past five years was Development Executive for renowned actor Danny Glover’s Carrie Productions. 
Dallas Miller,Co-Owner and Senior Agent at Killing the Grizzly Literary Agency & Transmedia Firm
Dallas Miller is Co-Owner and Senior Agent at Killing the Grizzly Literary Agency and Transmedia Firm based in Hollywood CA. Prior to launching the Agency, his specialty was Equity Acquisition for independent projects. 
Nikita S. Adams, Independent producer formally of Jaime Foxx’s Foxx/King Productions.
