Event Details:
Join us during the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 21st for a thought leadership panel, Q & A session, and a social networking mixer and cocktail reception at the “Indie Film Showcase at Park City.”
The panel discussion will focus on the entertainment industry for the independent filmmaking community. It will highlight the creative work of the panelists as they discuss some of the projects they have recently worked on, the challenges they have overcome, share some low effort/high return solutions that have worked for them, and what’s next on the horizon for the indie film industry. Monica Morrison of ientertainmentnews.com | Indie Entertainment Podcast, part of B Team Media Group will be moderating this discussion.
Panelists:
Larry Namer
Co-founder, E! Entertainment Television Larry Namer is the president/CEO of Metan Global Entertainment Group, a multi-media company focused on delivering Western entertainment content to China, and conversely, producing and exporting high-quality content in China to be sold and distributed internationally. The company recently launched the MGEG Film Fund I, of which it serves as managing partner. MGEG FILM FUND I provides loans against tax credits and incentives and other forms of secured financing to film and content companies around the world for projects in the $500K to $20 million budget range.
David Raynor
Australian filmmaker and president of Bad Hat Films, David Raynor will present his latest work ‘We Need To Talk’, a 42 minute short film about youth suicide prevention, a sensitive topic that he has handled with thoughtfulness and integrity. The film is being developed into a feature film in 2018, with an accompanying book and music video. His other notable, award-winning works include “Hello Tom Sullivan,” “Karlisha and Morgan” and “So This Is It Then.” In 2018, he also plans to produce “Ubiquitous” a feature with a French film noir overtone. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Raynor was one of the top names in the global beauty industry.
Sue Vicory
Three time Telly Award-winning filmmaker, Sue Vicory has been creating community-based films and projects within her not for profit production company, Heartland Films, Inc. since 2003. Her works include “Homelessness & the Power of One,” feature documentaries “One” and “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future” and short films “Absent” and “1898, The W.F. Norman Story. In 2015, she founded Team XX, an all female team of 25 filmmakers that created the award-winning film “Down Stage.” Vicory is a member of the LA based Alliance of Women Directors and creator of the website Women Documentary Filmmakers to increase visibility for female filmmakers.
Jeff Witzeman
Filmmaker Jeff Witzeman is the writer/producer/director of the controversial documentary “Cancer Can Be Killed” that currently is on the festival circuit and available worldwide on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Google Play. Witzeman was inspired to make the film after his wife Kerry was cured and cancer free after receiving non-traditional treatments in Europe, instead of opting for the often aggressive treatment methods promoted by the U.S. medical community. Previously he worked as an actor, writer and musician. In the 90’s, he starred in such shows as “Frazier,” “Webster” and a Miller Genuine Draft Super Bowl commercial. In 2000, Jeff Witzeman & The Jealous Housewives became the most radio played unsigned band in America.
Allison Melody
Allison Melody is an eco-entrepreneur with a passion for film, fitness and food. Her endeavors include podcast-hosting, filmmaking and motivational speaking. Melody hosts the top ranked Food Heals Podcast (www.foodhealsnation.com), owns the film production company Melody Productions (www.melodyproductions.com) and speaks at events across the USA and Europe.
For the past twelve years, Melody has also directed, produced and edited documentary films, PSAs, commercials and viral videos on the topics of social justice, human rights and public health. She is currently directing Food Heals(www.foodheals.tv), a documentary that follows several inspiring individuals who have used nutrition and alternative medicine to heal themselves of chronic, degenerative and terminal disease.
Monica Morrison (Moderator)
Principal of I Entertainment News will moderate the hour long panel, which will also be podcast. Morrison is the CEO of B Team Media Group and founder of Indie Entertainment Magazine. She produces several podcast shows, including Indie Entertainment Podcast. An advocate for children and filmmakers, she recently launched FundIndies.org, a “pay it forward” niche crowd funding site for independent filmmakers and musicians. A portion of the proceeds go to the “Gracie-Maeve Institute for the Creative Arts,” a creative institute that promotes health and well-being for young adults who have been abandoned or neglected as children or who have grown up in the foster care system.
The event is open for all invitees. Seating is limited, RSVP is mandatory and does not guarantee entry. Entry to the event is on a first come, first served basis.
Guests are suggested to arrive by 1.45 pm. Panel discussions will begin at 2 pm sharp.
