8:30 AM | Doors Open & Registration 
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9:00 - 9:30 AM | Opening Remarks

 

9:30 - 10:00 AM | IN CONVERSATION WITH... PAUL FEIG

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Speakers: 

• Paul Feig, Filmmaker & Actor (The Housemaid, A Simple Favor, Bridesmaids, Spy, The Heat, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call)

• Moderator: Erika Anderson, Senior Media & Partnerships Leader

 
10:05 - 10:50 AM | BREAKING THE COMEDIC CEILING: HOW WOMEN ARE TRANSFORMING COMEDY

Join a powerhouse lineup of actors, studio executives, writers, and creators for an inspiring conversation celebrating the women who are redefining comedy today. Hear directly from the innovators building authentic comedic voices, greenlighting bold projects, creating hit series, and fostering high-impact writers’ rooms, all in service of delivering top-tier comedy that brings laughter and connection to audiences everywhere.

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Speakers: 

• Li Jun Li, Actor (Spider Noir/Sinners)

• Hannah Pillemer, Executive Vice President & Head of Scripted Entertainment, FOX Entertainment Studios

• Sherry Cola, Actor, Writer & Producer (Shrinking, Nobody Wants This)

• Leah McKendrick, Director, Writer & Actor (Voicemails for Isabelle, Scrambled)

• Taylor Tomlinson, Writer, Producer, Comedian (Taylor Tomlinson: Prodigal Daughter - Netflix Special; After Midnight)

• Anna Konkle, Actor, Writer, Showrunner (Hacks, Pen15), Author (The Sane One)

• Moderator: Erika Anderson, Senior Media & Partnerships Leader

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10:55 - 11:20 AM | ​INVESTING IN YOURSELF: BUILDING WEALTH, POWER, AND LONGEVITY

Presented by Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management | Global Sports & Entertainment

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Speakers: 

• Rachel Gottlieb, CFP, CDFA; Managing Director, Morgan Stanley; Private Wealth Advisor, Global Sports and Entertainment Director

• Dina Lapolt, Entertainment Lawyer; Founder, Lapolt Law, LLC

• Ana Valencia, CPA; Senior Business Manager, NKSFB, CPA

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11:25 - 12:05 PM​ | CREATIVE CONVERGENCE, THE TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

This conversation will explore how forward-thinking creators, studios, and technologists are harnessing evolving capabilities to accelerate production, unlock new forms of narrative innovation, and deliver immersive content that adapts to viewers in real time. We’ll examine the opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations shaping the next era of entertainment, where technology and human creativity converge to produce experiences once confined to imagination.

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Speakers: 

• Kristyna Archer, Creative Director, Wonder Studios

• Marisa X. Castro, Producer, Asteria Film Co.

• Moderator: Dana Block, Founder & CEO, Buzzer

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12:05 - 12:50 PM | Lunch 

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12:55 - 1:25 PM | IN CONVERSATION WITH... WOMEN OF THE TAYLOR SHERIDAN UNIVERSE ​

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Speakers: 

• Elle Chapman, Actor (The Madison)

• Natalie Alyn Lind, Actor, Producer (Dutton Ranch, Halloween Store)

• Amiah Miller, Actor (The Madison)

• Moderator: Linda Grasso, Writer, Journalist & Producer 

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1:30 - 2:10 PM​ | VERTICAL VISION: MASTERING HOLLYWOOD'S FASTEST-GROWING FORMAT

Vertical micro-dramas are exploding — an $11B+ industry with explosive revenue growth as traditional production slows. This panel reveals how to break in, write, direct, produce, and monetize high-volume smartphone-first storytelling. Learn the workflows, coin-purchase economics, scaling strategies, and lucrative opportunities in Hollywood’s hottest new format.

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Speakers: 

• Erin McFarlane, Head of Vertical Content, Dhar Mann Studios

• Wendy Calhoun, Writer, Producer, Showrunner & Director (Empire, Justified, Nashville)

• Stacy Howard, Executive Producer, Second Rodeo Productions

• Moderator: Dana Block, Founder & CEO of Buzzer

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2:15-2:40 PM ​| BODY REPRESENTATION IN CHILDREN'S TELEVISION

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Speakers: 

• Thy Than, Producer & Director (Phoebe & Jay)

• Moderator: Madeline Di Nonno, President & CEO, Geena Davis Institute

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2:45 - 3:25 PM ​| THE NEW PLAYBOOK FOR DEAL SURVIVAL 

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In Hollywood today, owning your IP, securing fair pay, building agile business models and protecting your rights is everything. This high-stakes panel delivers essential intel from top entertainment attorneys, executives and finance pros. Learn how to safeguard your work, negotiate smarter compensation, retain rights through festivals and beyond, and build lasting value in an increasingly volatile industry.

 

Speakers: 

• Kristina Royce, Co-Chair of the Matrimonial & Family Law Practice, Blank Rome

• Karen Segall, A24 General Counsel

• Tamara Rothenberg, Head of Talent and Creator Partnerships at Samsung TV Plus

• Todd Weinstein, Owner and Founding Partner, Weinstein Senior, LLP

• Moderator: Erika Anderson, Senior Media & Partnerships Leader

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3:30 - 4:10 PM​ | BREAKING THROUGH IN HOLLYWOOD'S HYBRID ERA

Hollywood is entering its next chapter, a true hybrid era that blends theatrical exhibition, premium streaming, and global direct-to-consumer platforms. This panel dives into how creators and executives are cutting through the chaos: greenlighting projects, forging innovative distribution strategies, and building real audiences in a fragmented, noisy marketplace.

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Speakers: 

• Anna Berthold-Zuk, Executive Vice President, HappyNest Entertainment

• Justyna Gawlik, VP, Overheard

• Gina Mingacci, Executive Producer (The Audacity, Killing Eve)

• Eva Anderson, Executive Producer (Margot’s Got Money Troubles)

• Tessa Coates, Creator, Writer (Ride or Die)

• Moderator: Sharon Lawrence, screen and stage for 40 years, multiple EMMY nominations and SAG-AFTRA Award winner, VP of SAG-AFTRA Foundation, upcoming at the Wallis Theatre in THE SHOT solo play as famed Washington Post publisher, Katherine Graham 

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4:15 - 5:00 PM​ | INSIDE SHONDALAND: THE ANATOMY OF A HIT 

Join members from the Shondaland creative team for an inside look at how they approach creating content that both entertains and moves culture. From world-building to creating iconic characters whom fans have enjoyed for over 20 years, this panel will take an in-depth look at how Shondaland turns bold ideas into entertainment for a global audience.

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Speakers: 

• Sandie Bailey, Co-President, Shondaland

• Betsy Beers, Creative Partner & Executive Producer, Shondaland

• Linda Lowy, Casting Director (Hacks, Imperfect Women, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, Friday Night Lights)

• Lyn Paolo, Costume Designer (The Pitt, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Scandal)

• Alex Patsavas, Netflix’s Senior Director of Music

• Moderator: Katie Lowes, Actor & Producer (The Hunting Wives, Inventing Anna, Scandal, Katie’s Crib, Unpacking the Toolbox)

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5:00 - 6:00 PM | Closing Remarks & Cocktail Hour 

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