In this episode of the Big Apple Film Festival Podcast, Host Jonathan Lipp ( Big Apple Film Festival Founder/Director) chats with veteran filmmaker Bobby Roth on his career, insights on how the industry has changed over the years, as well as advice for aspiring filmmakers and writers. BOBBY ROTH grew up in Los Angeles, a block from where he lives t…

Host and Big Apple Film Founder/Director Jonathan Lipp speaks with acclaimed writer/director/producer Susanna Styron on adapting personal stories into a film. Susanna also discusses successes and challenges in her film career, as well as advice to aspiring writers and filmmakers. SUSANNA STYRON is a screenwriter, director and documentary filmmaker.…

In this episode of the BAFF Podcast, Host and Big Apple Film Festival Founder/Director Jonathan Lipp chats with Academy Award nominated indie filmmaker, animator and illustrator Bill Plympton about his career, the importance of remaining independent, his admiration of the great Walt Disney and inspirational words for aspiring filmmakers.…

The independent film landscape has changed drastically throughout the years, creating new opportunities, as well as new challenges for indie filmmakers. In this episode, Big Apple Film Festival Podcast host JONATHAN LIPP (BAFF Founder/Director) chats with filmmaker/actor/producer Michael McGlone on how the industry has changed in the last thirty ye…

BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL INDUSTRY NETWORKING AND MENTORSHIP Family and character driven films have long been a significant part of the movie industry in the United States and around the world. Creating these fun films for all age groups is a unique craft unto itself, and in many ways an industry of its own within the film and TV business.In the sess…

A pitch deck is possibly one of the most important tools in presenting your script or proof of concept to a studio, producer, agent, manager or potential investor. The goal of an effective pitch deck is to clearly communicate the creative elements, such as your story, key plot points, and character development, as well as the aspects of the project…

Aspiring creators often have unique and innovative concepts for new TV/streaming series, including scripted series, reality shows, or docuseries. However, the challenge is how to find the right financiers, TV/streaming networks, showrunners, producers, or studios who would be willing to take a chance on a new show.In this session, producer and dire…

Professional screenwriters share their career journey, and provide valuable advice to aspiring writers, at the Big Apple Film Festival Screenwriters Conference. Hosted by Big Apple Film Festival moderator, Craig Price. JOSE RIVERA José Rivera's screenplay The Motorcycle Diaries was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar— making him the first P…

Lovinder Gill moderates this conversation as part of the Big Apple Film Festival Producers Conference, featuring Reinaldo Marcus Green and Kent Sanderson. REINALDO MARCUS GREEN has been honored with the Breakout Director Award from the African-American Film Critics Association for his work on King Richard, starring Will Smith, which earned 6 Academ…

Agent Danny Alexander (APA Agency) provides career advice to aspiring filmmakers, screenwriter and series creators, at the Big Apple Film Festival Agents and Managers Conference. Danny Alexander works in the TV literary department at APA, working directly with writers such as John Carpenter (Halloween), Derek Kolstad (John Wick) and Mike Le (upcomi…

In this discussion, veteran producer and production manager Kwame Parker joins the Big Apple Film Festival Producers Conference to discuss the process of selling your film, series or script to Netflix and other major streaming platforms. Kwame Parker is an accomplished producer and production manager, currently developing various projects for Netfl…

Big Apple Film Festival Distribution Summit SPEAKERS: SAL SCAMARDO, FILMRISE, VICE PRESIDENT OF DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING, JOSH NADLER, SONY PICTURES/AFFIRM FILMS, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITIONS and GARY RUBIN (SALES AGENT) Jonathan Lipp (Moderator, Big Apple Film Festival Founder/Director) ​ SAL SCAMARDO is Vice President of Distributio…

(Moderator, Jonathan Lipp, Big Apple Film Festival Founder/Director) In this session, visual effects coordinator and supervisor Matthew Gratzner provides strategies on how to give your film the highest quality cinematic look, and some predictions on how the future of visual effects in film will look in the coming years. MATTHEW GRATZNER is seasoned…

BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL AGENTS AND MANAGERS CONFERENCE Agent, Co-Founder, CULTURE CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT Paul Weitzman Topics Include: Pitching Your Film, Script or Series to Agents, Producers, Showrunners and Streamers, Legal Rights and Clearances Paul Weitzman has been a literary agent for more than 20 years representing writers, directors and pr…

BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL AGENTS AND MANAGERS CONFERENCE Martin To (Agent, A3 Artists Agency) Big Apple Film Festival Moderator, Dianne Wieler ​ Topics Include: Maximizing Exposure For Your Film, Script or Series, Legal Rights and Clearances Martin To is currently an agent at A3 Artists Agency. He got his start at United Talent Agency, where he worke…

Big Apple Film Festival Industry Summit Moderator Jonathan Lipp (Big Apple Film Festival Founder/Director) Reinaldo Marcus Green is a writer, director, and producer. His first feature, Monsters and Men had its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. The film received a Special Jury Prize for Outstanding First Feature. Reinaldo directed t…

Director of Publicity at Magnolia Pictures discusses strategies for filmmakers to market and publicize their films, as well as film festival strategies and distribution. Moderated by Big Apple Film Festival Founder/Director Jonathan Lipp. Magnolia Pictures is a leading independent film distributor for nearly 20 years, Magnolia Pictures is the theat…

ADAM SOROTA is a senior director and production advisor at NBCUniversal Entertainment Division. Adam has launched a variety of network series and 5 major cable networks. His comedy short film "A Bathroom on Drake", featuring Jerry Springer, was awards Best Short Film at the Big Apple Film Festival. He has previously directed projects for FOX, ESPN,…

Strategies and advice on marketing yourself as a screenwriter (Big Apple Film Festival Networking Conference) BOB SAENZ Bob Saenz is a screenwriter and actor. He has his written and produced numerous works including Hallmark's "Help for the Holidays", "Rescuing Madison", "Sweet Surrender", On the 12th Day of Christmas", "Sound of Christmas", "The R…

A panel discussion on audience building and distribution for independent filmmakers. JONATHAN LIPP - Moderator/Big Apple Film Festival Founder and DirectorMARCIA MAYER - Producer and sales executive, Independent Spirit Award nominee and winner of the Los Angeles Film Festival Alfred P. Sloan Fast Track Grant. Producing credits include Song of Back …

Experienced producers and Tribeca Film Festival programmer discuss strategies for independent filmmakers to promote and market their films as they begin the process of entering the film festival circuit.DAN KARLOK - Dan Karlok is a two-time Emmy award winning and Grammy nominated director and cinematographer. Crappy Mother's Day is his first full l…

Information for filmmakers on obtaining all necessary Rights, Clearances and Legal Agreements when making and distributing an independent film, including music rights, archival footage, book adaptation rights, bio pic life rights, copyrights and more...Rosalind Richter (Entertainment Attorney and Producer, credits include "My Depression, the Up and…

The Filmmaking Process: Screenwriting, Casting, and Pre-ProductionNovember 20th, 2019Cinepolis Theater, NYCSal Scamardo (VP FilmRise, company credits include Oscar® nominee MEMENTO, directed by Christopher Nolan; MONSTER, which won a Best Actress Academy Award® for Charlize Theron; the Oscar®-nominated THE ILLUSIONIST, starring Edward Norton; Best …

A conversation with film distribution professionals on current trends and strategies for independent filmmakers as they begin the process of distributing their filmsRecorded November 18th, 2019 Cinepolis Theater, NYC FEATURING:Graham Fine (The Film Sales Company, sold over 200 films for domestic and international distribution and has raised financi…

An interview with Aaron Fisher, writer/director/star/editor of "Inside the Rain", opening night film of the Big Apple Film Festival. AARON FISHER is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He has written and directed the short films Love Out of Mind, and The Hospital Visit. Of his film The Hospital Visit, two-time Academy Award-wi…

RJ Millard(Obscured Pictures, formerly VP Publicity Focus Features, SVP Marketing and Publicity at Samuel Goldwyn Films/Roadside Attractions/IDP Distribution) and Celeste Erlander(VICE Media, formerly Amazon Studios) discuss strategies for filmmakers to build an audience and market their films. Includes strategies for indie film publicity, promotio…

2019 BAFF Summer Edition Conference "Casting Your Indie Film" August 27th, Cinepolis Theater, NYCCeline Held and Logan George(Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Film")Daniel Schechter(writer/director, "Life of Crime" starring Jennifer Aniston, "Safe Spaces" starring Justin Long and Fran Drescher)Adrienne Stern(casting director, ​credi…

A conversation with filmmaker, screenwriter and professor Claude Kerven on the current state and future of the screenwriting and filmmaking industry. Claude Kerven’s career began with the debut of his short film "Candy Store," which won an Academy Award for Best Dramatic Student Film. In 1982, he directed a series of Afterschool Specials for ABC-TV…

A conversation with screenwriter and story analyst Staton Rabin. Ms. Rabin has worked as a script reader for Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, and the former William Morris Agency, and has taught screenwriting for Cunard aboard the Queen Mary 2. Staton has been a frequent guest speaker at New York University. Her unique approach to script ana…

A discussion on strategies for online indie film distribution with former Vimeo GM of Entertainment, Peter Gerard.

An interview with Loretta Harms, producer of Lambert and Stamp(Sundance Film Festival), distributed by Sony Picture Classics, as well as the documentary Gibtown. Loretta is also an Award-winning, internationally shown Multi-Media and Installation Artist, and founder of Motocinema. To view the trailer for Lambert and Stamp visit http://www.sonyclass…

Filmmaker David Allensworth discusses making his first feature film “Soul to Keep”, as well as how he secured distribution. David is a writer/director/producer in both scripted and unscripted content.David utilizes his strength in story development, production resources, and connections to financing to establish his company, Shady Tree Films, as an…

A conversation with Francisco Solorzano on acting and building a business around your craft. Francisco is an award winning filmmaker, actor who most notably wrote, directed and starred in the critically acclaimed/sold-out, first ever stage adaptation of DOG DAY AFTERNOON (Theatre Row Theatres). He's also known for his leading role in the two-act dr…

Producer Josh Folan discusses building your audience and distributing your indie film. Josh Folan is a writer/director/editor/producer/actor that began making films in 2005, prior to which he studied finance at The Ohio State University. Filmmaking highlights since founding NYEH Entertainment in 2008 include 2018 Hamptons/Woodstock/Napa selection a…

Big Apple Film Festival chats with screenwriter, producer and founder of Virtual PitchFest, David Kohner Zuckerman. David Kohner Zuckerman is a Hollywood Producer whose credits include “A Perfect Christmas,” “The Fourth Noble Truth,” “Strictly Sexual,” “All I Want for Christmas,” “Chump Change” & “Caught in the Act.” Before heading DKZ Films, David…

Interview with Emily Kassie, whose new feature documentary “A Girl Named C” is screening at the 2019 Big Apple Film Festival (winter edition). Emily Kassie is an award-winning investigative journalist and filmmaker.She is currently the Director of Visual Projects at The Marshall Project.Her work focuses on human rights, corruption and violence, rep…

An interview with writer, producer, director and actress Marianne Hettinger. Marianne Hettinger has always been fascinated by movement, absurdity and complexities of human relationships. This was already apparent in her first short film, "Shenanigans Point" in 2001. Budget: $6.95. She sees Woody Allen, Mike Leigh and Pedro Almodovar as her greatest…

Alyssa Rallo Bennett has developed and directed high-concept features alongside her partner Gary O. Bennett: ReRun, starring Christopher Lloyd(NYC premiere Big Apple Film Festival), Rain Without Thunder starring Jeff Daniels, Linda Hunt and The Pack(Tribeca Film Festival), which stars Lucie Arnaz, Elisabeth Moss, Zach Galligan. Rain was theatricall…

A discussion with filmmaker Harry Greenberger about his award winning film "Staring at the Sun", as well as his new project. Topics include casting, budgeting, festivals and distribution.