We’re excited to announce the first wave of judges for our 2023 Script Competitions! Here’s the list:
Abigail Palmer
Abigail started in Literary Management as an assistant at Epicenter supporting the careers of screenwriters and directors. She then moved to Intellectual Property Group as a Coordinator. In that role, she worked with a wide range of executives, screenwriters, and directors and also focused on IP representation. Abigail holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Master’s Degree in Creative Producing. She has a passion for script and story development and is dedicated to supporting underrepresented storytellers.
Christina Campagnola
Christina is a Manager and Producer with a focus on diverse, independent voices, and multi-hyphenates, across all platforms. Christina started her management career at Imagine Artist Management. Before management, Christina was an agent in the Motion Picture Literary Department at the Agency for the Performing Arts where she represented filmmakers. During her time at APA, she helped launch their Independent Film Packaging and Sales division where she sold dozens of independent features and consulted for film funds. She is the co-founder of the Untitled Ladies Script Club and serves on the Dean’s Council of the Florida State University Film School, where she received a BFA in Film Production.
Faisal Kanaan
Faisal Kanaan is a Literary Manager at leading LA-based management firm Grandview. He represents a wide array of writers, filmmakers and producers. Clients include William Nicholson (Gladiator), Alex Convery (Air), Leah Rachel (Chambers), Mishna Wolff (Werewolves Within), publishing imprint AWA (Chariot), among many others. Kanaan has also worked to transition a number of authors & playwrights into the Film/TV space.
Kanaan, a former football player at Bentley University, began his career as a Motion Picture Literary Agent Trainee at Paradigm Talent Agency.
Grandview’s roster of clients includes Joe Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs Kong), Ryan Condal (House of Dragons), Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), Justin Simien (Dear White People), Chris Mundy (Ozark), Michael Waldron (Loki), among many others.
Nadya Panfilov
Nadya was born in Uzbekistan and has spend the last twenty years trying to figure out how to fit into the microcosm of the United States. Her saving grace was film & television and when it came time to apply for colleges her immigrant parents “were very cool about film school.” She graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Screenwriting which is ironic because she actually hates writing. Like so much. Post college she got into TV development and went from intern to Coordinator at Parkes+MacDonald for their first look with Universal Studios. While at Parkes she helped sell two shows to NBC, one to STARZ and the last project she had the honor of working on is pending release from Amazon. After finally admitting to herself that she hated to write and that she loved to help people, she pivoted to representation and started at Writ-Large in January 2020 and quickly rose through the ranks. Now she spends her days grateful to be fulfilled in her career and not having to force herself to write. That can be left to people who actually enjoy it. But she is more than happy to share her opinions, of which she has a lot.
Nelson Cole
Nelson Cole worked for Energy Entertainment, Scott Budnick at 1Community LLC and Bellevue before becoming an independent manager. Nelson’s clients have projects with Shondaland, Llewellen, Silkmass, Sugar 23, Chronology and more. Nelson is excited to develop with new and diverse voices of all kinds.
Ray Utarnachitt
Ray Utarnachitt is a TV writer/producer. He is a Michigan native and like any good Asian student, was pre-med at the University of Michigan for 3 years. Much to his parents’ dismay, he switched tracks and graduated with a Film degree. Ray
broke into the business working in production on commercials, music videos, and features. He was a writer and Executive Producer on DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW. He’s also written for PERSON OF INTEREST, THE TOMORROW PEOPLE, THE FLASH, and SUPERGIRL. He is an alumnus of the Warner Bros. Writers Workshop.
Mike Vanderhei
Originally from Chicago, Mike Vanderhei is a literary manager & producer who started in original scripted programming at AMC where he harnessed his taste working on BREAKING BAD, MAD MEN, THE KILLING, and THE WALKING DEAD. After AMC, Mike assisted at Principato-Young Ent. and AEFH Talent Agency where he discovered his passion for working with storytellers and championing their careers leading to Avalon Management & TV where he started to develop a client roster while also working in development & production on their series WORKAHOLICS, LAST WEEK TONIGHT, and CATASTROPHE.
Vanderhei then took an opportunity to solely focus on his client roster at Protocol Ent. working alongside industry veteran John Ufland before moving to Rain in 2019. Mike’s client have written and produced shows including: WESTWORLD, SNOWPIERCER, THE BLACKLIST, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, BILLIONS, AEON FLUX, BLOODLINE, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED, DR. DEATH, LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, CHARMED, THE MORNING SHOW, and THE EQUALIZER among others.
Liz Kelly
Liz Kelly is Senior Manager of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion at Disney Entertainment. In this role, she works with the network and studio to staff writers and directors across ABC, ABC Signature, Freeform, Disney Channel, 20th TV, FX, Nat Geo, Disney+ and Hulu’s scripted television shows. She manages the industry-leading Disney Writing Program and Disney Directing Program. She has staffed talent on THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE ROOKIE, A MILLION LITTLE THINGS, 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.
Kelly has been a judge, script reader, or panelist for numerous film and TV festivals across the country, including the Tribeca Film Festival, New York Television Festival, Austin Film Festival, ATX Television Festival, SeriesFest Denver, CAAMFest San Francisco, San Diego Latino Film Festival, NALIP Media Summit, LA Skins Fest, Outfest, BlackStar Philadelphia Film Festival, and Humanitas New Voices. In 2017, she was invited to be part of Creative Artists Agency’s “Amplify: Next Gen” group of up-and-coming entertainment artists, agents, and executives.
Kelly is a member of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society. She has a BA from UCLA and is a graduate of UCLA School of Theater Film & Television’s graduate-level Professional Program in Screenwriting.
Gabriel Mena
After nearly a decade working as an agent, Gaby made the move to management and spearheaded the creation of MACRO Management in 2019, which quickly evolved into the inception of M88. Gaby’s ongoing mission is to discover and support the careers of innovative global voices to ensure their stories are justly told. He represents a range of acclaimed filmmakers including Blitz Bazawule, Jayro Bustamante, Anthony Hemingway, Nikyatu Jusu, Issa López, Carlos López Estrada, and Tina Mabry.
Sandra Avila
A 23 yr. veteran in the entertainment industry, Avila has an established track record as and executive, producer and literary manager. For the past five years, she has been a Partner and literary manager at Inclusion; a management company focused on elevating diverse storytellers. Prior to that and through her banner, Avila Entertainment she produced ENDGAME starring Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) and Rico Rodriguez (Modern Family), and the indie pilot, TABLE MANNERS starting Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick). She also oversaw development at Maya Entertainment (Moctesuma Esparza), where she served as Co-EP on the Lifetime movie, ONE HOT SUMMER starring Jon Seda and Vanessa Marcil). Prior to that, Sandra worked at Showtime Network for seven years where she ran the Latino Filmmaker Showcase and worked on shows including, DEXTER, BARBERSHOP, RESURRECTION BLVD AND QUEER AS FOLK.
Adam Koser
Adam Koser is a Coordinator at UTA. He works in the Heartland department focusing on the representation of writers, producers, and IP from the noncoastal regions of the United States. Raised in South Carolina, Adam is well tuned to the Heartland market and opportunities available for creators from the region. Prior to joining UTA, Adam worked in production for small independent films and several virtual reality projects. He graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, with degrees in Film and Economics.
Alex Leeming
Alex has been a part of the Wonder Street team since 2022. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Alex attended the University of Toronto specializing in Cinema Studies. With a background in sketch comedy, she is very passionate about funny people and funny stories.
Andrea Dimity
Andrea Dimity is a highly accomplished producer and literary manager renowned for her expertise in the film industry. She notably served as executive producer on “Kandahar,” a groundbreaking high-budget US feature shot in Saudi Arabia and starring the esteemed Gerard Butler. Produced by Thunder Road Pictures, this captivating film marked a significant milestone in cinematic history. Andrea’s impressive portfolio also includes producing the Amazon Prime feature “Viral Viral.” As a literary manager, she represents the talented screenwriter Pete Barry, who is behind the highly anticipated action-adventure film “Marian,” featuring an all-star production team comprising Amy Pascal, Donald DeLine, and Margot Robbie. Additionally, Andrea manages the best-selling novelist Sara de Waard (White Lies), whose second novel is eagerly awaited by fans and scheduled for release in 2024. With her discerning eye for storytelling and unwavering commitment, Andrea Dimity brings a valuable contribution to shaping the realms of film and literature.
Angelina Chen
Angelina Chen is a literary manager at Energy Entertainment, Brooklyn Weaver’s company. Energy Entertainment represents screenwriters, directors and book authors. Some of their company’s credits include RUN ALL NIGHT, OUT OF THE FURNACE and the TV show EXTANT. Being a minority, Angelina’s focus is particularly on minority and LGBTQIA+ writers/directors, with an emphasis on AAPI clients.
Prior to Energy Entertainment, Angelina was an asst. at Management 360. Before Management 360, Angelina was at an asst at CAA in the talent and literary departments. She graduated from UCLA with an undergraduate degree in political science and also attended USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program for graduate school in producing.
Alex Pelham
Alex is a literary and talent manager at 831 Entertainment who represents a diverse group of writers, directors and actors based in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Canada. His literary clients have staffed on Stephen Colbert’s TOONING OUT THE NEWS on Paramount+ and SOFT FOCUS WITH JENNA FRIEDMAN on Adult Swim, while his talent clients have appeared in Amazon Prime’s WITH LOVE, NBC’s YOUNG ROCK and CW’s WALKER.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Radio/Television/Film, Alex previously interned with the Austin Film Society, as well as the development departments of Cross Creek Pictures and Ghost House Pictures.
Audrey Knox
Audrey Knox is a literary manager at Cartel, with clients in film and television, among whom are writers staffed on REASONABLE DOUBT and SINGLE DRUNK FEMALE and writing for Disney, Netflix, Nickelodeon, and Hallmark. She is Associate Producer of the Tubi feature film CRUSHED, written by her client Heidi Lux. Her client Alanna Francis’ feature ALICE, DARLING starring Anna Kendrick was released theatrically to critical acclaim in 2022. Audrey worked her way up from Receptionist in 2016 to Manager in 2018.
Beth Bruckner O’Brien
Beth Bruckner O’Brien is currently the VP, development in the Creative Affairs department at MarVista Entertainment. She has 15 years of experience as a film and television producer – her most recent credits include executive producing HYPNOTIC starring Ben Affleck and directed by Robert Rodriguez, co-producing UNHINGED starring Russell Crowe, executive producing BULLET HEAD starring Adrien Brody and John Malkovich, and executive producing LEATHERFACE, a prequel to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Beth worked as a development executive at Millennium Films from 2011-2016, developing films such as THE HITMAN’S BODYGUARD franchise, the OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN franchise, THE EXPENDABLES franchise, THE MECHANIC franchise, and the following films: BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, THE ICEMAN, HOMEFRONT, LOVELACE, THE PAPERBOY, STONEHEARST ASYLUM, and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3D. Prior to that, Beth worked at A Bigger Boat and GreeneStreet Films developing genre films FROZEN directed by Adam Green, THE WARD directed by John Carpenter, SAW 6 & SAW 3D, and HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET starring Jennifer Lawrence.
Chayah Masters
Executive Producer of the Sundance world premiere, AFTER THE WEDDING, Masters began her career in production working for Miramax and Dreamworks Animation in Los Angeles. She relocated to “Hollywood South” in Atlanta to work on films and television projects for major studios and independent financiers, to streamers, and is the Executive Audio Producer for BOOM post audio in Atlanta. She is in active development on her next feature film production, The Undertaker’s Children, slated to shoot in Europe in early 2024 and has a full slate of projects in development with creatives around the world.
Chris Bellant
Chris Bellant is a Literary Manager and Producer at Zero Gravity Management. Zero Gravity is one of the leading management companies in the industry and has also produced features and shows including OZARK, SELF MADE: INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF MADAM CJ WALKER, THE ACCOUNTANT starring Ben Affleck and HONEST THIEF starring Liam Neeson. Bellant was previously a manager at Established Artists, and before that ran the production/management company Waldorf Entertainment. His clients have past and current projects with companies including Netflix, Warner Bros, Paramount+, IFC, 101 Studios and Freeform, among others. He is currently producing a limited series adaptation of Anna Clark’s book, The Poisoned City, which chronicles the events of the Flint Water Crisis, as well as a series adaptation of Sara Foster’s novel The Hush with producer Clark Peterson (Monster, Rampart). In features, Chris is currently producing Nowhere Men alongside Vince Jolivette (Zola) for director Duncan Skiles (The Clovehitch Killer). Previous films include Loserville, which was released theatrically by MarVista Entertainment and starred Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Matt McGorry and Darby Stanchfield, The Lost Weekend with Tony-winner Reed Birney and Gracie Gillam, Light with Will Pullen (winner of Best LGBTQ Film at the Venice Film Awards), and Living with the Dead (winner of Best Feature at the Aberdeen Film Festival).
Chris Cook
Chris Cook is a literary manager and producer at Skyway Entertainment, representing screenwriters in film and television. While finishing his studies in TV / Film and English at Cal State Fullerton, Chris interned for Harold Ramis’s Ocean Pictures, and then started his career working in development at Bob Zemeckis’s ImageMovers. He then transitioned into management, working at Kustom Entertainment and then Madhouse Entertainment, before opening his own shop, Skyway Entertainment in 2016.
Gus Corwin
Gus Corwin is an executive and producer at Silent R Management. As an executive with a focus on rising auteur filmmakers, Corwin has brought directors and screenwriters from around the world to Silent R Management and Los Angeles. As a producer for Silent R, he has focused on clients’ first features. He currently has two films in post-production and most recently received Associate Producer credit on Bruiser (2022).
Craig Brody
Craig Brody is the founder of Map Point Management, a boutique literary management and production company.
Brody began his career in New York City as a lawyer, specializing in intellectual property law at a large corporate law firm before making his move to Hollywood. He wanted to continue representing clients, but was more passionate about advocating for creators than large corporations. Brody’s first stop was at CAA, where he spent 11 years in the motion picture literary department. As an agent, he loved discovering emerging talent and breaking writers and directors from television and theater into film. As the TV renaissance continued, and more of his clients had an interest in working in TV, Brody decided that he would be most valuable in building his clients’ careers if he could work with them in all areas. In 2016, he made the jump to become a manager at The Shuman Company. In 2019, Brody started Map Point Management to further nurture the creative visions of his clients and elevate previously underrepresented voices.
Craig’s clients include writers, directors, and playwrights, such as: Academy Award-nominated writer Virgil Williams (Mudbound, upcoming The Piano Lesson), two-time WGA Award-winning writer Debora Cahn (creator of The Diplomat, Homeland, The West Wing), writer/director Ben Younger (Snowfall, Bleed for This, Boiler Room, Prime), writer/director Stephen Scaia (Tulsa King, co-creator of Blood & Treasure, Limitless), playwright/writer Zakiyyah Alexander (co-showrunner of Grown-ish, Russian Doll), playwright/writer Lauren Yee (Pachinko, Billions, upcoming Interior Chinatown, upcoming The Sterling Affairs), author/writer Sandra Chwialkowska (Alaska Daily), author/writer Sarah Cornwell (Mayfair Witches) writer/director Sherif Alabede (upcoming The Craving, Perry Mason).
Craig lives in Los Angeles with his wife, their two children, and their pet turtle, Jerry.
Creston Whittington
Creston Whittington is a senior creative executive at Fremantle in the Scripted Programming division (American Gods, Mosquito Coast, Fellow Travelers) – developing and producing hour-long drama series for premium-cable and streaming platforms. Prior to working at Fremantle, Creston worked in development, production and acquisitions at both Broad Green Pictures and Participant Media. Creston Whittington is also a black list screenwriter, having been featured on the 2020 black list.
Daniel Seco
A former sports journalist covering U.S. Soccer, MLB, and the NBA, Seco began his Hollywood career in 2013 at Resolution. He later joined CAA where he worked in the motion picture literary department before venturing into literary management on the feature side at Writ Large as a coordinator/junior manager. A series of consulting jobs including a stop at Netflix in its Original Film department gave way to Seco joining Schemers Entertainment as a literary manager. Currently, Seco is a literary manager and partner at Empirical Evidence, a literary creative company founded by Derrick Eppich. Seco is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland and the University of Florida as well as a cancer survivor.
David Laffey
David Laffey is a talent manager and producer at Wonder Street, representing actors, writers, and comics. He studied business at the University of Delaware, earned his MFA in screenwriting from the University of Miami, is a member of the American Cinematique, and a national voting member of the Television Academy of Arts & Sciences. He loves working with creative people and helping guide their careers.
Elissa Friedman
Elissa Friedman is a manager, producer, and former development executive with over fifteen years of industry experience. Before becoming a literary manager at Zero Gravity Management, Elissa ran production and development at Covert Media and QED International, the company behind such as films as “Fury”, starring Brad Pitt, ‘Dirty Grandpa” starring Zac Efron and Robert DeNiro and Peter Jackson’s “District 9.” She produced such films as Ophelia starring Naomi Watts and Clive Owens, Rock the Kasbah starring Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Zooey Deschanel and Kate Hudson and The Secret: Dare to Dream starring Katie Holmes and Josh Lucas. She has an MBA from USC and was named one of Variety Magazine’s New Leaders in Film. Elissa is based in New York.
Erwin More
Erwin More is currently a founding partner of More/Medavoy Management. As a partner at More/Medavoy he manages a wide array of talents focusing on clients who have multiple platforms in acting, writing, directing, and content creation. More has a passion for representing and inspiring talent. “Pushing the boundaries of what is attainable is my primary goal in the representation business”, says More. More co-ran the talent department at the famed William Morris Agency for seven years where he also focused on television packaging. He also spent five years at the premier talent agency, Paradigm. He got his start working for Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin’s legendary television companies T.A.T and Tandem Productions where he watched television history being made in the company that produced iconic programs such as “All In The Family”, “One Day At A Time”, “Maude”, and “The Jeffersons” to name a few. More has produced such successful series as “Dharma and Greg”, “Just Shoot Me”, “Sweet Justice” and receive an Emmy for one of the first network docu-series, “American High”.
Erwin served on the Board Of Directors and served as Board Chair for the academic institution, The Willows” He is currently the Co-Chair of the Board of Governors for The Willows. “Finding inspiration through educating children has been a rewarding experience”, says More.
Glenn Cockburn
Glenn Cockburn is the founder of Meridian Artists. Along with the rest of the Meridian Artists team, Glenn currently represents a select roster of some of Canada’s most talented writers, directors and producers.
Glenn’s career started in 1996 when he began working as script reader for New Line Cinema and Innovative Artists Agency. From 1997 through 1999, Glenn worked as a Creative Executive at Templeton Production’s first look deal with New Line Cinema. In 1999, Glenn returned to Toronto and joined The Characters Talent Agency where he ran the Packaging Department. Glenn also acted as Executive Producer on the feature film, Young People Fucking, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2007 and became one of the most successful and highest grossing Canadian comedies of all time.
Glenn’s other professional activities include teaching the course, The Business of Film and Television, at Sheridan College as well as being a board member for the Humber Comedy program. Glenn has a B.F.A. Honours in Film and Television Production, from York University and a M.B.A. from the Ivey School of Business.
James Engle
James Engle has been a Literary Manager representing television and film directors and writers for over a decade. James spent the last nine years at Echo Lake Entertainment where he helped guide and shape countless projects for his clients and extended the company’s foray into new mediums. Additionally, he began producing film and television projects, most recently the film OXYGEN for Netflix. He joined Echo Lake Entertainment in 2013 after stints at ICM, Benderspink and Artist International, and left to co-found Navigation Media Group in 2022.
Jared Negrón
Veteran development executive Jared Negrón is the founder of Writers Management, a literary management company focused on representing diverse creators from a variety of backgrounds.
Negrón, who himself identifies as Queer, Latinx, and Jewish, previously served as a member of the cable development team at CBS Television Studios before joining the television division at Scott Free Productions, and ultimately running U.S. scripted television development for Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment. He then went on to work as a programming manager for Disney Parks, Entertainment and Products before founding Writers Management. Negrón began his career with an apprenticeship at FX networks.
During his time in development, Negrón contributed to such notable series as Common Law, Power, Man in the High Castle, The Terror, and Jean-Claude Van Johnson. Under his tenure at Syco, the company saw several high-profile pilot sales including the adaptation of the Emma Sayle novel Behind the Mask to Fremantle and Dead Pop Star to Fox.
The mission of Writers Management is to amplify unheard voices and tell entertaining and impactful stories on any screen.
The roster at Writers Management includes Humanitas playwright and screenwriter Jami Brandli, UCB writer and Tonya Harding the Musical star Heather Woodward, novelist and Bread Loaf alumnus Will Clarke, and novelist and Atlantic contributor Jon Methven. In addition to established writers, the firm represents fresh voices such as up-and-coming indie Queer Armenian American filmmaker Dave Sarrafian.
Jason Lubin
Jason Lubin is a manager-producer and the principal at First Story Entertainment, which he founded in 2018. The lit management company represents a diverse roster of talented writers and directors with fresh voices in all genres for Film and TV. The company’s clients have been staffed on shows on multiple networks including Showtime, CW, Apple+ and Netflix and have sold series to Disney and HBO Max. In 2021, two of the nine participants selected for the highly competitive WBTV Writers Workshop were clients. In the feature space, First Story clients have written films starring Robert De Niro and John Malkovich, sold specs to financiers including Searchlight Pictures and Sony International, and directed projects selected by the Cannes Film Festival. Jason also develops both feature film and television projects under the company’s banner. Prior to starting First Story, Jason was a seasoned development executive. He worked at Lynda Obst Productions as the Head of Development & Production and at Lionsgate, where he rose to Story Editor in the Motion Picture Group. Jason cut his teeth as the assistant to CEO Jon Feltheimer and was named one of Variety’s Ten Assistants to Watch in 2013. A graduate of USC, Jason currently sits on the university’s Board of Governors as the School of Cinematic Arts’ representative and is a former President of the Trojan Entertainment Network.
Maddy Weese
Maddy Weese is a Junior Literary Manager at Bellevue Productions. Prior to literary representation, she worked as a Creative Executive at Beacon Pictures overseeing development of both film and television. She has worked as an independent producer and has been a writers’ assistant and script consultant on many projects. She got her start in the industry working on the original TV series CSI: LAS VEGAS and also worked as a writer for two of the CSI Video Games. She was raised in Southern California and she attended Loyola Marymount University.
Jennifer Aurianne DaRe
Jennifer Aurianne DaRe is the founder and CEO of ATN Entertainment, a premiere talent management company in Los Angeles that specializes in the representation of artists in entertainment from film, television, music, literature and more. Since founding ATN in 2015, DaRe has grown the roster to over 100 clients under her leadership, including a strong presence of women and the LGBTQ community. In her role, she is responsible for evaluating talent, building client teams with industry connections, overseeing day-to-day business affairs including advising and counseling talent, creating marketing strategies for promotion and working across the entire value chain from producers, agents and studios. Her accomplishments led to the launch of the production and development division of the company, ATN Productions.
John K.D. Graham
John K.D. Graham is an auteur filmmaker whose diverse body of work can be found on major distribution platforms across the world on major platforms including Netflid, Walmart, Tubi, Pureflix and in a variety of project types. He is an accomplished Director, Writer, Producer, Editor, who attributes the success of his projects, including seven feature films, miniseries, music videos and travel docs, to his ability to navigate all aspects of a film’s creation.
Growing up in the wild Chihuahuan deserts of New Mexico, John K.D. Graham’s love for the natural world turned into a discovery that everything around tells a story. His fascination with storytelling, collaboration and technology led to the Savannah College of Art and Design where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Film and Television. John began his career shooting music videos and working as a member of IATSE Local 480 as set electrician, craft service and video assist in New Mexico. John soon gained recognition in the film industry for his ability to plan, film and deliver cinema consistently and began his career as an independent filmmaker.
John K.D. Graham is an award-winning filmmaker; including Best Screen Play in the Kairos Pro Awards for his script, “Switched” and most recently a bronze Telly Award for his mini-series, “Unstained”.
To find out more visit: www.johnkdgraham.com
John Zaozirny
John Zaozirny oversees feature film production for Bellevue and the Literary Management Team.
His clients’ writing and directing credits include INFINITE, PARALLEL, ELI, BAD MATCH, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (2022), HEAVY TRIP, OFFICE UPRISING, JOLT, and SPLINTER amongst others. His clients have written feature scripts that are set up at Warner Bros, Paramount, Fox, Lionsgate, New Line, Focus Features, Fox 2000, Sony, Universal, amongst others. As well, his clients have had 30 scripts on the last 8 Black Lists, the annual list of the best unproduced feature scripts, including BLONDE AMBITION, the number one script on the 2016 Black List, HEADHUNTER, the number one script on the 2020 Black List, and CAULIFLOWER, the number one script on the 2021 Black List.
His clients have also written on TV shows such as SHANTARAM, FBI INTERNATIONAL, BOSCH: LEGACY, MR ROBOT, TRAINING DAY, TINY PRETTY THINGS, HAWAII FIVE-O, THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE and HAND OF GOD, amongst others. He also reps the writer of the Eisner nominated comic book LITTLE BIRD.
He was an executive producer on the feature films ALWAYS WATCHING and PARALLEL and produced ELI, which was released by Netflix. He most recently produced INFINITE, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Dylan O’Brien, which was released by Paramount Plus.
Raised in Vancouver, Canada, John is a graduate of the Tisch Film and Television program at New York University.
Katie Cates
Katie Cates has spent over a decade working in the talent management and agency business. She is currently a manager based in the Los Angeles office of Artists First, a premiere management/production company and partnership led by Peter Principato. Previously, Katie spent 12 years as a television literary and packaging agent, most recently at ICM Partners, where she worked with leading writers, directors, actors, comedians, musicians, authors, playwrights and on-air personalities to bring their scripted work to the screen. As a manager Katie now focuses primarily on representing writers, directors and multi-hyphenate talent, from creators and emerging voices to critically acclaimed filmmakers and showrunners. A great joy and priority for Katie has been not only elevating female and underrepresented artists, but also working with talent to expand their vision and artistry beyond their “core” area of expertise.
Katie views the future of representation as a true partnership where she is excited to not only work “for,” but most importantly “with,” clients building a relationship based on values of mutual integrity, transparency and the relentless pursuit of art across all platforms. She relishes her role as an innovative strategist, career architect and creative collaborator to all of her clients. Katie is a graduate of Ohio University’s Honor Tutorial College.
Katie Zipkin-Leed
Katie Zipkin-Leed is an LA native whose journey in the industry began with internships at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and United Talent Agency (UTA). After graduating from Tulane University, she returned to the mailroom at UTA, eventually landing a role in the TV talent department. In the midst of the pandemic, Katie transitioned over to the management company Artists First where she currently serves as their literary coordinator. Katie is dedicated to working with diverse, queer, and female creators across both Television and Features. Zipkin-Leed’s clients have projects in development with Pacific Electric Picture Company, Original Film, Room 101, and Broken Road, amongst others. Katie is also on the board of the Junior Hollywood Radio and Television Society (JHRTS).
Junior Hollywood Radio and Television Society (JHRTS).
Lee Stobby
Lee Stobby has over 15 years of management and producing experience, and focuses on championing strong independent voices and quality cinema and television. He is a literary manager, producer and principal of 2B CONT’D. His success can be attributed to his passion, extensive knowledge, and enthusiasm for films. This has enabled him to, on numerous occasions, discover raw, exciting new talent and build them into juggernauts in Hollywood.
Some of his client highlights include: Shay Hatten (JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3, JOHN WICK 4, ARMY OF THE DEAD, ARMY OF THIEVES, DAY SHIFT), Kate Trefry (STRANGER THINGS), Isaac Adamson (#1 Black List script BUBBLES), Rodney Ascher (ROOM 237, THE NIGHTMARE, A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX), and Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy (Cannes winner THE TRIBE and upcoming THE TIGER starring Alexander Skarsgård and Dane DeHaan).
Recently, he produced dark comedy feature FOIBLES, a dark comedy starring John Karna, Carina Conti, and Deborah Wilson, which is currently in post and is the Fantasia alum Ryan Oksenberg’s feature film debut. Stobby’s other Producing highlights and credits include SISTER AIMEE, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was released by 1091; WILDLING starring Bel Powley, Liv Tyler and Brad Dourif and which sold to IFC and premiered at the 2017 SXSW; HOW TO BE ALONE staring Maika Monroe and Joe Keery; PEOPLING, starring Kimmy Robertson and Josh Fadem which played at Fantasia, Fantasic Fest, and Sitges and has over 30 million online views; MUNCHAUSEN written and directed by Ari Aster; PLAY ME, a new horror short by Caleb Phillips (SXSW winning filmmaker behind THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOX, which has over 10 million views online).
As for development, Stobby has a horror satire from Sundance and Cannes Auteur filmmaker Rodney Ascher with Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures producing alongside Stobby, as well as feature development set up with Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho, Charlize Theron’s Denver and Delilah, Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa, Universal, Timur Bekmambetov’s Bazelevs, and Netflix.
Lindsay Goffman
Lindsay is the founder of Gratitude Production, with projects in collaboration with major companies such as Apple, FX, Amazon Freevee, Perfect Storm, The Roots, Day Zero, Get Lifted, Jon M. Chu, MGM, and Universal Television. Her recent accomplishment includes producing “THE COMPANY YOU KEEP,” a series based on a Korean format, which premiered to rave reviews and is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Previously, Lindsay championed the hit series THE GOOD DOCTOR after discovering the Korean format early on. The show became ABC’s #1 new series and was awarded the Humanitas Prize.
Lindsay actively contributes to various arts and entertainment organizations, mentors the Hollywood Radio and Television Society, serves on the board of the Creative Coalition and participates in the Media Xchange. Lindsay’s advisory roles include One Hope Wine, a purpose-driven community, and she judges at renowned events like the Austin Film Festival and the UCLA Screenwriter Showcase. Her work has been recognized with awards, including the 2022 Anthem Award, and she was nominated for the LA Business Journal’s Women Leadership Award in 2023.
Monique Nash
MONIQUE NASH is an award-winning producer and Head of Creative Affairs of Kronicle Media, the entertainment industry’s first Black female led production & literary management company which she co-founded in 2017 with Korin D. Williams. Kronicle Media’s mission is to produce content for and about women from diverse perspectives and champion inclusion and representation, both in front of and behind the camera.
Currently, Nash has a number of projects in various stages of development, including a drama series for Peacock, inspired by the founding of the iconic Black women’s magazine, Essence; a romantic comedy for Netflix, a series adaptation of the book, Shakespeare’s Conspirator, which centers on the life of Emilia Bassano Lanier, a biracial ingenue who many believe was the enigmatic “Dark Lady” in Shakespeare’s works, written by the legendary Tom Fontana & playwright Gabrielle Fulton-Ponder for Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios; and a family drama series inspired by the women behind the Bill Pickett Invitation Rodeo, a real-life all-Black rodeo.
Most recently, Nash executive produced Hallmark Media’s first movie under its newly created Mahogany banner, UNTHINKABLY GOOD THINGS, shot entirely on location in Rome, Italy in partnership with ITV Studios’ Cattleya Productions. The film, starring Karen Pitman, Erica Ash, Joyful Drake and Lance Gross, premiered in August 2022 and was recognized with a 2023 Gracie Award for Best Movie for Television.
In 2021, she developed and produced a psychological thriller, SINGLE BLACK FEMALE starring Amber Riley, Raven Goodwin and K. Michelle for Lifetime. The movie ranked as television’s top entertainment telecast across all key demographics when it premiered in February 2022, leading immediately to talks of a sequel, becoming the second movie franchise she helped create for the network.
The first franchise being, MERRY LIDDLE CHRISTMAS, which she developed and produced in 2019, starring Kelly Rowland, Bresha Webb & the legendary Debbi Morgan. The film was beloved by audiences and was Lifetime’s highest rated Christmas movie of the season and the network’s most socially buzzed about movie of all time, prompting the network to order its first-ever sequel to a holiday movie. The sequel, MERRY LIDDLE CHRISTMAS WEDDING premiered in 2020, delivering the highest ratings in the key demo of any holiday movie on Lifetime in 3 years.
In addition to producing, Nash is also a literary manager who represents screenwriters and directors through Kronicle Media’s management division which supports and advocates for some of the most talented diverse voices in the business. Her clients are currently working on a variety of popular series including A MILLION LITTLE THINGS (ABC), THE WONDER YEARS (ABC), THE NEIGHBORHOOD (CBS), GRAND CREW (NBC), A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW (HBOmax), FAMILY REUNION (Netflix) and SOUTH SIDE (HBOmax), as well as films for studios and networks including Sony/Tristar, Paramount, Lifetime, Hallmark and Netflix.
Previously, Nash served as Director of Current Programming & Development at Will Packer Productions, working on the hit BET drama, BEING MARY JANE, starring Gabrielle Union, the ABC comedy, UNCLE BUCK, starring Mike Epps and Nia Long, as well as the Emmy®-nominated remake of the ROOTS miniseries for History Channel, Lifetime and A+E Networks. She has also served as Manager, Current Programming at Fox Broadcast Company, where she oversaw series including BONES, THE SIMPSONS, BACK TO YOU, THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and THE WAR AT HOME. She has also consulted for the National Association of Television Program Executives’ (NATPE) Navigator Program and for the Walter Kaitz Foundation to help promote diversity in cable television. During a stint working outside of the entertainment industry, Nash served as Director of Development & Project Management for American Gonzo Food Corp, where she was a member of the 5-person executive leadership team operating the $35 million restaurant company, contributing to the exponential expansion of the Los Angeles-based company from nearly 150 employees to over 600, growing the Pitfire Artisan Pizza concept from 4 units to 9 and developing & launching several other restaurant concepts, including the Superba brand (Superba Snack Bar, Superba Food + Bread and Superba Snacks + Coffee), ultimately leading to the sale of the 3-unit concept for $12 million in less than 3 years.
Nash currently serves on the board of directors for The Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, which produces world-class Shakespeare-inspired plays and offers arts education & award-winning arts-based workforce development programs targeting under-served youth and veterans. A graduate of University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Nash began her television career at Creative Artists Agency. She lives in Los Angeles with her two dogs, Clyde & Pearl.
Sean Dubravac
Sean Dubravac is a Talent and Literary Manager and the Co-founder of Entertainment Lab.
Entertainment Lab is a bicoastal Talent & Literary Management company, with locations in Beverly Hills, CA and Manhattan, NY. The company guides and develops careers of established actors, writers and directors in film, TV, theater, commercial, print and voice over work. The roster has included Academy Award, Emmy Award, WGA Award, SAG Awards, BAFTA, GLAAD, AFI, Sundance, SXSW, Kids’ Choice Award and other festival and award contenders, nominees and winners. Additionally, the company’s literary department collaborates with studios, networks, streamers and independent production companies on the packaging and development of film and TV projects.
Sean graduated from UCLA in International Development Studies. He has served as a screenwriting judge at the UCLA MFA Screenwriting Program, AFI Screenwriting Showcase, Austin Film Festival… Completed UCLA Extension Course in Writing Coverage: Story Analysis for Film & TV. Completed I. Studienabschnitt at The Vienna University of Economics & Business, in Vienna, Austria. Fluent in Serbian, German, Russian and English.
Raquelle David
Raquelle David is a Lebanese-Australian producer and literary manager at Lit Entertainment Group based in Los Angeles, California. With a fifteen-year career spanning both television and feature production, Raquelle has held positions at Goalpost Pictures, Screen New South Wales, the Seven Network and Rhombus Media in Canada. In 2015 Raquelle produced the short film THE GUESTS written and directed by Shane Danielsen which was nominated for a Palme d’Or Best Short Film at the Cannes Film Festival and has played at countless festivals around the world. The same year REG MAKES CONTACT garnered her a Screen Producers Australia nomination for Best Short Film and was also nominated for a 2015 Australian Academy Cinema and Television Arts Award (AACTA). In 2016 she Executive Produced Joseph Sims-Dennett’s horror feature film OBSERVANCE which was hailed “One of the Most Chilling Experiences” by The Hollywood Reporter and has sold to numerous territories including US, Australia and UK. Her clients have worked for Netflix, Amazon, HBO and FX, including Jenny Yang (The Gordita Chronicles), Amos Mac (Gossip Girl), Dani Parker (Midnight Mass), Sean King O’Grady (We Need To Do Something), Perry Blackshear (They Look Like People), Aisling Chin-Yee (The Rest of Us) Johnny Ma (To Live To Sing) Jovanka Vuckovic (Riot Girls).
Nick Oleksiw
Nick Oleksiw is an independent producer partnering with various production companies around town. He recently set up a comedy remake called ‘Doble’ along with Davis Entertainment and Sony. He is working with producers Jon Glickman and Dan Farah on genre projects, along with actor/producers Andre Holland and Andrew Bachelor on a documentary and comedy, respectively. He has additional thrillers being packaged with Anonymous and The Solution. Nick executive produced the 2018 thriller ‘Welcome to Mercy’ distributed by IFC Midnight.
Meredith Riley Stewart
Meredith Riley Stewart is an actor, producer, and a founding partner of Aegis Creative Media. Born and raised in Alabama, Meredith has spent the past two decades living in 3 of the 5 largest cities in America, now calling Los Angeles home. Her first feature film, The Greatest Inheritance, starring Mena Suvari and Jaleel White, was distributed by Vertical Entertainment, premiered in spring 2022 and is currently available on Amazon.
Her award-winning short, American Dream, is wrapping up its successful festival run, after a premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Her most recent feature to produce, For When You Get Lost, is ramping up for a late 2023 festival premiere.
As a multimedia producer, Meredith has created multiple digital series (Women In Film’s Flip The Script, AutocorrectFU, Shaping Our State), short films (Orphan is the New Orange, Miss Underwater, No Backsies) and a virtual reality experience (See Me).
Meredith is a Film Independent fellow (with fiscal sponsorship for the upcoming project Parent-Teacher) and recently served as a Women In Film Peer Mentor. She has served as a script judge for the Austin Film Festival for the past two years. Above all, Meredith is passionate about using media as a platform for social change.
Tom Carter
Tom Carter is a literary manager and film and television producer living in Los Angeles. He is the founder of Artillery Creative, a multimedia development, production, and literary management company, and co-founder of film and
television development fund, Oil & Cattle.
In 2006, Carter co-founded Station3, a talent management and production company. Within a few years Station3 became one of the most sought-after boutique representation and independent film production companies in Hollywood, representing lead actors in nearly every Broadway show, and 20+ series regulars on primetime and premium series television. Carter’s first film, GARDENS OF THE NIGHT, opened the Berlinale International Film Festival in 2008, in main competition, alongside Martin Scorsese’s SHINE A LIGHT, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
In 2009, Carter founded Artillery Creative Collective, a literary management focusing on identifying, developing and supporting the careers of both emerging and established writers and filmmakers. ACC is committed to creating a landscape of storytelling that is both authentic and representative of the diverse global community in which we all live. ACC’s clients are currently writing and producing film and television projects across current and emerging digital platforms including HBO, Amazon, FX, Netflix, Starz, Freeform, FOX, ABC, Hulu.
In 2016, Carter co-founded Oil & Cattle, an entertainment acquisition and development fund focused on identifying unique and commercially viable stories for a global audience. O&C has optioned properties such as Octavia Butler’s “Dawn” (Macro/Ava Duvernay/Amazon), Sean Flynn’s GQ article “Murder in the
Meth Lab,” and David Kushner’s Rolling Stone article “The Rise and Fall of a Bitcoin Kingpin” (Jon Chu directing), Kirk Wallace Johnson’s Edgar-nominated “The Feather Thief” (Amazon).
Carter and O&C are developing stories around several sensitive subjects such as a premium series with the presidential detail of the Secret Service, the first and only company ever to have access. They continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and regularly work with high-end journalists such as Patrick Radden Keefe, Sean Flynn, Josh Dean and many others, often before their stories even go to print.
Carter and O&C currently have film projects and premium series set up at Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and FX. For more information, visit: https://oilandcattle.com.