Adam Leipzig has been a producer, distributor, or supervising executive on more than 30 films that have disrupted expectations, including A Plastic Ocean, March of the Penguins, God Grew Tired of Us, Amreeka, Kekexili: Mountain Patrol, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Dead Poets Society, and Titus. His movies have won or been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, 11 BAFTA Awards, 2 Golden Globes, 2 Emmys, 2 Directors Guild Awards, 4 Sundance Awards and 4 Independent Spirit Awards. He looks forward to working with you!
B.K. Fulton is founding chairman and CEO of Soulidifly Productions, LLC, a full feature film, stage and television investment and production company formed in 2017. With an unmatched output of four feature-length films produced in 2018, Soulidifly promotes a more inclusive narrative in major media. A charismatic intellectual and business savvy entrepreneur, B.K. is also an accomplished corporate executive and innovator with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. He also is chairman of Ario, LLC, an augmented reality productivity software company that increases safety and efficiency in industrial and manufacturing environments with their award-winning and patent-pending
Ario Platform. In 2016, B.K. led a team of developers that invented EZ Reader, the world's first ophthalmologist approved digital reading glasses app.
Ario Platform. In 2016, B.K. led a team of developers that invented EZ Reader, the world's first ophthalmologist approved digital reading glasses app.
Before becoming a fulltime writer, filmmaker and entrepreneur, B.K. held senior leadership roles in technology and policy development. He was vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Region for Verizon Communications, Inc. ($5.5B revenue), president of Verizon Virginia ($3.5B revenue) and president of Verizon West Virginia ($400M revenue). Prior to Verizon, he was in senior positions with the U.S. Department of Commerce, AOL Time Warner and the National Urban League.
B.K. has been recognized as one of the “50 Most Influential African-Americans in Technology”. He is a Sloan Fellow and Computerworld Smithsonian Awards International Technology Laureates Medal recipient, with influential papers on technology permanently archived at the Smithsonian Institute. He earned his Juris Doctorate in Intellectual Property, Electronic Commerce and Telecommunications Law from New York Law School; a Master of Science degree in Management and Policy Analysis at The New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy; a Professional Certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard
University (Harvard Kennedy School); and a bachelor's degree in Urban Affairs and Planning, with two years of computer engineering and architecture, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).
A belief exemplified in how B.K. lives life is, “God blesses us all to turn our dreams and ideas into their tangible equivalents; we must have the faith, be willing to do the work and expect the outcomes.” As a servant leader, he sits on the boards of Norfolk State University, Bon Secours Health System, TowneBank and numerous civic, social and business entities.
Fulton, a native of Hampton, Virginia, is the middle child of Bennie and Flora Fulton. He is most inspired by his sister, who has Rett syndrome, and authored a children’s book entitled, “Shauna,” lovingly portraying her influence on his life. He has twin sons, Joshua and Terrell. B.K. and his wife, Jacquelyn E. Stone, Esq. are community-minded residents of Richmond, Virginia.
Marcia is a master of persuasion and communication. Mixing time-tested principles with state-of-the-art instruction techniques, she won awards for her teaching on two continents, virtually, and in multilingual environments (Spanish, Chinese, and English). Along the way she worked for a startup, earned a fellowship in the Ivy League, spoke at The Mayo Clinic and UNESCO, and gave a piano recital at Carnegie Hall. As a full-time professor at the University of Southern California, she used her expertise to create two original courses, author three books, 10 articles, and 80+ op-eds. Her first book, Clearly Invisible, was nominated for the Grawemeyer Award. Her research has been recognized by the Social Science Research Council, the National Communication Association, the Eastern Communication Association, and the NAACP. Now a highly sought-after public speaker and media commentator, Marcia has appeared on BBC World, NPR, AOL Originals, ABC News, HuffPo Live, and a number of podcasts. Her CV includes being: corporate educator for Performance Learning Concepts, columnist for Truthdig, communication manager at FutureBrand, co-founder of app development firm Mix Mesh Blend, visiting scholar at Vanderbilt University Law School, and visiting scholar at Brown University. Marcia is most passionate about “talentism;” mentoring her students, who have gone on to thrive professionally at places like Google and Harvard, to run for office in Los Angeles County, and to make the world more beautiful through their work in education, law, industrial design, stand-up comedy, dance, and documentary filmmaking. She lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and son.
Fernando Ferro is an Emmy-nominated Venezuelan Film and Television Producer. At 24 he became show runner to the first bilingual political satire show, ``Rick Sanchez``. Since then, he has produced ``telenovelas``, alternative programming, and in 2016 - 2017 produced his first film, ``Vandal``. In late 2016 he formed his own banner ``LA Familia Productions``, with the main focus to finance, develop, and produce content for the Hispanic voices in the United States and abroad. He is currently directing his first film, with the entire process being documented for MediaU. Fernando is represented by Paradigm Agency.
Jordan Ancel is an award-winning writer & director, serial entrepreneur, author, and artist with strong leadership skills and a commitment to inspiring success in others by providing CEOs, entrepreneurs, and artists with his unique brand of coaching and problem solving.
With over 20 years experience in the entertainment industry, startups, internet advertising, marketing, and branding, his profound understanding of these industries give him the tools to conceive and execute high-concept ideas with great success.
He currently sits on the advisory boards of the startup education platform MediaU.com, and developing theme park, Game Nation, Inc.
Jordan consults CEOs entrepreneurs, and artists on creative direction, growth, product development, cause-based partnering, and Social Media Marketing. A partial list of clients include The Actors Green Room, Smart Women Rising, Blu Jam Caf? Restaurant Group, True Remedies Beauty, Le French Butcher, Kettlebell Concepts, Inc., Adam Leipzig, among many others.
Previously, Jordan was integral in launching Amp?d Mobile, a cutting-edge multi-million dollar mobile entertainment company/MVNO/world-class e-commerce mobile media portal. He oversaw multiple teams, plus outside vendors, to produce the multi-million dollar website, including front-end design, back-end CMS, and original content by joint partners such as MTV, Warner Music, Sony Music, College Humor, Break. com, and BMI.
From Amp?d, Jordan joined 30sixty Advertising Director of New Media, a department he started, where he oversaw the production of online advertising campaigns for Paramount Pictures, Sony, Warner Bros., and HBO. He was also responsible for the creation and deployment of interactive games and websites to coincide with theatrical and DVD releases of feature films.
Ulli K. Ryder is a higher education professional with more than two decades of experience leading students, faculty, and staff to successful academic outcomes. Currently serving as Director of Intercultural Student Engagement at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), she is committed to creating a community in which everyone is valued, supported, and empowered. Dr. Ryder holds an MA in African American Studies (UCLA), and an MPW, MA in American Studies & Ethnicity, and Ph.D. in American Studies and Ethnicity (USC). She is also the co-editor, with Dr. Marcia A. Dawkins, of Mixed Race 3.0: Race and Reward in the Digital Age (Annenberg, 2015).
Tiska has a Master’s Degree in Education in online learning. Tiska has had a 15-year career working with international management professionals, designing and delivering cross-cultural training at corporations and universities worldwide. In 2011, Tiska joined independent filmmaker service organization Raindance Toronto as Creative Director, overseeing the growth of Raindance across Canada, developing strategic alliances and helping emerging filmmakers learn, connect and navigate a breakthrough career into the independent film industry. She then became the worldwide Postgraduate Programme Director, where she worked with London-based and international students to develop a globally-acclaimed master’s program in partnership with Staffordshire University. Tiska’s other interests include testing and documenting new ways to finance, market, and distribute films. She recently executive produced a Canadian feature documentary on Canadian indigenous music, financed through brand integration. It was the 2017 opening gala feature screening at the Calgary International Film Festival, and has festival screenings and educational distribution across North America.
Brianna Ancel's 16 years of experience representing talent is rooted in her own career in the world of entertainment. She began as a dancer at the age of five in her hometown in Northern California. By eighteen, she was performing, teaching, and choreographing across the United States. After earning her Bachelor?s in Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine, Brianna worked as an Assistant Director for a major talent competition.
In 1998, she joined Kazarian/Spencer & Associates as an assistant agent and was promoted to Assistant Director of the Dance Department in 2000. Equipped with several years? experience and a life-long passion for the fine arts, Brianna launched the Theatrical Department at Clear Talent Group in 2003.
She was nominated 3 consecutive years (2010, 2011 & 2012) by the Talent Manager?s Association for a Seymour Heller Award for Adult Theatrical Agent of the Year.
She is currently Vice President of Clear Talent Group as well as the Director of the Theatrical Department.
Adam Fratto is a seasoned producer and creative executive with proven track records in TV development & programming, production, and features. With a specialty in genre storytelling, he is experienced in crafting international business models and launching creative strategies. Adam recently joined international mini-studio Reel One Entertainment with the mission of launching a division that will develop, produce and distribute high-quality, globally commercial TV series. Before that, he was Head of Drama for Pukeko Pictures, affiliate of New Zealand's Weta (LORD OF THE RINGS, AVATAR, DISTRICT 9). The first of these, the award-winning CLEVERMAN, airs on Netflix, SundanceTV, BBC3, and Australia's ABC.
As an independent producer and consultant, Adam consulted with clients from tech startups to established networks. He Executive Produced YA movie SEA CHANGE for Lifetime TV and was co-EP of HAVEN, a hit supernatural drama based on Stephen King?s ?The Colorado Kid,`` for Syfy and NBCU Global Channels.
Originally from New York, Adam is a graduate of Harvard College and USC?s graduate program in Film & TV Production, where he produced Emmy-winning documentary WALKING WITH GIANTS.
After starting his exec career at Michael Douglas's Furthur Films (WONDER BOYS, SWIMFAN), Adam joined Piller/Segan as V.P. in 2002, working on hit series THE DEAD ZONE, WILDFIRE, GREEK, and indie feature BICKFORD SHMECKLER?S COOL IDEAS. From 2008 to 2011, Adam helped launch Atticus Entertainment, managing sports icon Jim Lampley?s HBO-based operation.
He is a member of the TV Academy, HRTS, and the Producers? Guild. He is also co-Founder of Harvardwood, a group of 7,000+ alums in arts, media and entertainment (harvardwood.org). A lifelong sinophile, he has lived in Beijing, Taipei and Hong Kong.
Peter is a filmmaker and film directing coach originally from Vancouver, Canada. He has worked in the Film and Television Industry for over 40 years as a Film Director, Television Producer, First Assistant Director and TV Series Creative Consultant on both large budget Hollywood films and independent films. He is a graduate of Ryerson University in Toronto, the author of Making the Magic Happen: The Art and Craft of Film Directing (2017) and two other published works on film. Peter publishes a monthly blog, The Director's Chair, and delivers training seminars in the art and craft of directing around the world.
Richard Abramowitz, founder and CEO of Abramorama, is an innovative leader in the distribution and marketing of independent films. His company?s focus is on music-themed and social impact film. Recent distribution projects include Ron Howard?s The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years; the 50th anniversary re-release of The Beatles Yellow Submarine;Mitangi/Maya/M.I.A.; Pearl Jam: Let?s Play Two; National Geographic?s Jane; Banksy?s Academy Award nominee Exit Through the Gift Shop, and Spirit Award?winning music documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil!
Abramowitz?s extensive work in music film also includes a 16-year relationship with Neil Young and projects with Stevie Nicks, John (Johnny Rotten) Lydon, Tony Bennett and Bob Dylan.
Abramowitz was a co-founder of Stratosphere Entertainment, the independent distribution and production company financed by Carl Icahn. Stratosphere?s releases included The Thief, Hideous Kinky, and Xiu-Xiu: The Sent Down Girl.
While President/COO of RKO Pictures Distribution, he handled the Shooting Gallery?s acclaimed first feature, Laws of Gravity, directed by SUNY Purchase alumnus Nick Gomez and starring SUNY Purchase alumna Edie Falco. Previously, as a senior executive at Cinecom Entertainment, he distributed John Sayles? The Brother from Another Planet and Matewan, Jonathan Demme?s Stop Making Sense and Swimming to Cambodia, Tom Stoppard?s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, and Merchant Ivory?s A Room with a View, among many others.
Abramowitz is a frequent panelist and juror at film festivals around the world, is on the Board of Directors of the Jacob Burns Film Center and the Advisory Boards of the SXSW Film Festival and The Hamptons International Film Festival.
