Reel/Forward Production & Sustainability Conference

Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Reel/Forward Production & Sustainability Conference

Sep 6 | 10:00 am Sep 7 | 6:00 pm PDT

Reel/Forward was a two-day Pre-CAMERAderie conference open to everyone in the entertainment industry. A vibrant community of creators, investors, and innovators networked with producers looking to fund original projects. Filmmakers connected with those seeking to incubate and launch new work—and met the crews ready to bring those visions to life. This must-attend event was for filmmakers, sustainability advocates, and department keys looking to connect and learn how sustainability can boost budgets and improve working conditions.

Panels, hands-on seminars, networking, a vendor expo, and a showcase of shorts, music videos, and sizzles were enjoyed by all.

Saturday, September 6th

10:00 AM REGISTRATION, BREAKFAST, NETWORKING

11:00 AM -12:15 PM GREENING THE SCREEN: WHY ECO-CONSCIOUS SETS PAY OFF

Sustainable productions aren’t just good for the planet, they’re also smart business. By reducing waste, optimizing energy use, and choosing reusable or digital alternatives, productions can lower costs without compromising quality. Eco-friendly sets often lead to cleaner, more organized workspaces, which can be cost-effective, improve safety for cast and crew. Our panel will offer sensible, tested solutions, paving the way for a more responsible and efficient industry standards.

Adrienne Pfeiffer Production Sustainability for Disney Studios
Alex de Valera Sustainability Strategist & Impact Producer, Director of Ecoscope Ltd., a Film Ireland sustainability partner
Audrey Gelb, Sustainable Production Consultant (Former VP of Production, Disney TV Studios)
Moderated by: Paige Blankenship, Producer, Blank Paige Films, LLC. and WiM Events Chair

Thanks to Women in Cleantech & Sustainability and Blank Paige Films

12:30 PM STRATEGIC PACKAGING & HONING THE PERFECT PITCH

Producer Evette Vargas, will guide participants through the art of building a strategic packaging plan that aligns creative, commercial, and cultural elements to maximize a project’s value and appeal. This seminar covers how to secure the right talent, partners, and develop a cohesive packaging strategy that speaks directly to target buyers. 

She will break down how to craft a compelling pitch and how to tailor the material for studios and streamers. Using real-world examples, Evette breaks down the anatomy of a winning pitch meeting, reveals what decision-makers truly listen for, and shares proven techniques to ignite interest, drive momentum, and close the deal.

Evette Vargas is the award-winning writer, director, producer and co-founder of Indigo Reign Films, a full service production company. In addition to being a full time producer, she is a professor and guest lecturer at UCLA, AFM, LMU, and AFI.

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM LUNCH

Presented by Raul’s Catering

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM SCRIPTING SUSTAINABILITY: CLIMATE STORIES ARE EVERYONE’S STORIES

 From adult animation and comedy shorts, to prestige dramas and “Cli Fi”, the impacts of climate change are being written across all genres. Our panelists will discuss compelling ways to talk about tough topics, from the devastation caused by extreme weather events to hopeful technologies and positive culture shifts.

Eco-conscious writers and showrunners share their pursuit of sustainable storytelling onscreen, while ensuring climate friendly practices behind the camera. This panel shows that sustainability can be included in the stories we tell (and even in dirty jokes).

Elijah Aron is a television writer and executive producer whose credits include It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Better Off Ted, Raising Hope, Son of Zorn, Life in Pieces, BoJack Horseman, Undone, and Long Story Short (premiering August 22 on Netflix). He has been nominated for an Emmy and three Writers Guild Awards, winning the WGA Award in 2023 for Undone. His BoJack Horseman episode “Fish Out of Water” was named the best television episode of the year by both Time and Variety. A part-time environmental activist, Elijah is currently producing a series of animated comedy shorts about climate change for Now What?! Productions and Yellow Dot Studios.

Carmiel Banasky‘s career spans novels, television, film, and audio, and she is a leader in climate storytelling. Since staffing on the Amazon show Undone, for which she wrote a climate-related episode, she created a two-season, climate-centered sci-fi podcast for Wondery, The Last City, starring Rhea Seehorn, which reached #1 in fiction. She also co-wrote a short film starring Margaret Cho, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, and which she’s developing into a feature. She’s the author of the critically-acclaimed novel The Suicide of Claire Bishop. She was a Film Independent Fellow, and Unreasonable Conversation Climate Storytelling Fellow. She spent four years on the road at writing fellowships, including time on a ship in the Arctic, studying and writing about the climate crisis. As VP of Editorial for the nonprofit Good Energy, she co-led the development of the Playbook for Screenwriting in the Age of Climate Change.

Noah Griffith and Daniel Stewart are Emmy-nominated writers and producers. Together, they have worked on Sweet Tooth, Swamp Thing, and Stephen King’s The Mist. They have also sold television and feature projects to Netflix, Sony/Columbia, Screen Gems, Lionsgate, Atomic Monster, The Safran Company, and more. 

Lynn Renee Maxcy is a screenwriter, storyteller and social justice advocate. She is most known for writing on Seasons 1-3 of Hulu’s Emmy-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale and the branching narrative feature The Complexavailable on all major gaming platforms. She has written projects for Amazon, Syfy and Paramount+, Imagine and more.

Lynn’s advocacy work includes being Chair of the Board for Miry’s List, a Los Angeles-based non-profit providing practical, individualized support to new arrival refugee families. She joined Good Energy‘s Advisory Council in 2025, supporting tv and film creators in telling wildly entertaining stories honestly reflecting the climate crisis world we live in. She is the former Governor of the Writers Peer Group for the Television Academy / Emmys. She splits her time between Los Angeles and London.

Moderated by: Kathy Nicholas, conservation & sustainability communicator, and WiM VP of Programs.

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM SPEED PITCHING

These special sessions were designed to connect those with projects to people looking for properties to invest in or distribute. These sessions put investors, sales agents, and others looking for projects in the room with producers, directors, and writers with projects to pitch.

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM AFTER PARTY + Sip N Swap

Sip N Swap brought together powerhouse women from all areas of entertainment for high-energy networking. Both established pros and emerging filmmakers connected across departments.

This quarterly event isn’t your typical mixer. It’s a bold, welcoming space where real conversations happen, ideas flow, and authentic connections form. No matter your career stage, this was your chance to grow your network and spark new opportunities—without the pressure.

Sunday, September 7th

10:00 AM REGISTRATION, BREAKFAST, NETWORKING

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM  FIX IT IN PREP: SAVE MONEY, HEARTACHE, AND THE PLANET

This conversation was about how smart planning can transform your creative projects. Fixing issues in prep saves time, cuts costs, and reduces waste. Learn how better budgeting, material choices, and sustainable practices lead to smoother workflows and greener results. Good prep means less stress, lower costs, and a smaller environmental impact.

Kathleen Widomski is a Production Designer/Art Director who’s career highlights include multiple collaborations with Mindy Kaling, including Never Have I Ever and The Mindy Project. Other designs include The Rookie, Medium, Rutherford Falls, and Grown•ish. Kathleen won an ADG award for her work on Ugly Betty. She has also designed for Disneyland’s Entertainment Art Department and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Kathleen represented the U.S. State Department as a Production Design Envoy during the American Film Showcase in Saudi Arabia.

Brigitte Bourque is a Visual Effects Supervisor with over 25 years of experience working in the film and television industry. She is currently Manager of VFX: UCAN Studio and Specialty Series at Netflix. Her recent credits include Monsters S2, Empire, 9-1-1 and 9-1-1 Lone Star. She has been nominated for two HPA awards for Outstanding Visual Effects and a VES award for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects for her work on 9-1-1 and 9-1-1 Lone Star.

Laura Stewart has over 29 years in the lighting department. She is a member of IATSE Local 728 as an Assistant Chief Lighting Technician. Her projects range from films such as End of Days, Armageddon, and Horrible Bosses to television shows such as Bosch, Extant, and Bob Hearts Abishola. She graduated with honors from UCSD with a BA in Visual Arts/Media, where she got a taste for filmmaking working on San Diego’s homegrown franchise Killer Tomatoes Eat France! 

In her personal life, Laura was an early adopter of sustainable practices, putting solar panels on her home 20 years ago and driving a fully electric car in 2015.

Sumin Sohn As the Senior Director of Sustainable Production at the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, Sumin leads the Energy & Climate Working Group and the Materials Working Group to achieve greater decarbonization and promote circularity in the entertainment industry.

MELISSA GREGO, CEO, Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS) 

Melissa Grego is an accomplished writer, non-profit executive, connector/influencer and longtime television business journalist who is now the passionate chief executive of The Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS). 

Upon her appointment as CEO of HRTS in October 2017, she became the first female to lead the non-profit membership association in its nearly 80-year history. In the face of massive change in the global entertainment landscape, she has raised the profile and relevance of the networking, mentorship and education organization. She also spearheaded the launch of The HRTS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation dedicated to education and creating paths for new, unique and underrepresented voices in entertainment.

Prior to HRTS, Grego established a consulting practice, Melinc, where she launched and executive produced TV and media industry conferences, including the Keynotes & Cocktails: Women of the West and Women of NY conferences, which she founded. Among her journalism roles, Grego was the first female Editor-in-Chief of Broadcasting & Cable magazine. Grego also covered TV as a staff reporter at Variety and held editorial leadership positions at The Hollywood Reporter and TelevisionWeek

12:30 PM NAVIGATING SALES AND DISTRIBUTION

In today’s rapidly evolving media and content landscape, the rules of distribution are in constant flux. From streaming platforms and social media channels to direct-to-consumer models and emerging technologies, creators and distributors alike face new opportunities—and new challenges. This panel explored how to adapt to shifting consumption habits, identify global audiences, tailor content for different markets, and navigate the complexities of cross-border distribution in a hyperconnected world.

Itzchak Maghen With several years of experience in global film and television, Itzchak has developed a deep understanding of how to connect ambitious productions with audiences worldwide. He joined Quantify in a consulting role as Vice President of Worldwide Sales (PR below), and continues to advise independent teams selectively. 

Previously, he handled sales at The Exchange, working on projects such as The Absence of Eden (starring Zoë Saldaña and Adria Arjona), Dreamin’ Wild (with Casey Affleck and Zooey Deschanel), and The Cut (featuring Orlando Bloom and John Turturro). Most recently, he consulted for Arclight Films on Maserati: The Brothers (starring Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Alba, and Michele Morrone) and Ice Fall (starring Joel Kinnaman).

Charlotte Mott is the Director of Worldwide Sales at Film Mode Entertainment, a global sales agent for commercially driven independent films. She oversees international sales and business affairs, and also participates in the company’s acquisitions and marketing efforts.

Prior to joining Film Mode Entertainment, Charlotte was on the sales planning and administration team within Global Distribution at NBCUniversal. During her time at the studio, she worked on a wide range of Global SVOD licensing deals, including feature output, first and second run current series and library packages. Before transitioning to distribution, Charlotte worked in sales at the data division of Variety, where she licensed entertainment data and sold Variety’s suite of research products. She started her career at a product placement agency, carrying out production resourcing for feature films and TV series.

Alexia Melocchi is a seasoned Hollywood producer, international distributor, and the co-founder of Little Studio Films. She has acquired films such as La La Land, Peppermint, Hunger Games, Twilight, Teen Spirit, A Hidden Life, and Shaun the Sheep to name a few. She has sold content in every major territory in the world, to such notable companies as Eagle Pictures in Italy, Spenzos in Greece, Jaguar Films in the Middle East, and Pioner in Russia. With over 30 years of experience in the global entertainment industry, she is a member of the Producers Guild of America, and is fluent in six languages. Alexia is also the host of the 5-star rated podcast The Heart of Show Business and the author of An Insider’s Secret: Mastering the Hollywood Path.

Natalie Ballesteros Cuban American Casting Director and Producer Natalie Ballis a partner and founding member of Adams, Ballesteros, Luna Casting (ABL). This partnership was launched with the intent of focusing on authentic and inclusive representation in both film and television. The trio has worked on various projects for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Branded Television, Max, and also cast the inaugural presentation of the Warner Bros. Discovery Access Talent Spotlight.

ABL Casting recently cast the features The Long Game, the Jenni Rivera Biopic, Jenni and the new horror/thriller feature Rosario. They most recently worked on the U.S. casting of the Netflix series One Hundred Years of Solitude: Part II and the feature film 52nd State and are currently casting the independent feature, Pedro Pan.

As the former Director of Talent and Casting for CBS Network TV, Natalie covered series NCIS, NCIS LA, NCIS New Orleans, Blue Bloods, Bull, The Equalizer, Bob Hearts Abishola, United States of Al, B Positive, and Mom, among several other pilots and projects.

Prior to CBS, Natalie worked on several notable projects, including the Academy Award-winning Coco for Walt Disney Films/Pixar, Narcos: Mexico for Netflix, East Los High – The Movie and the series for Hulu, and Los Espookys and Icebox, both for HBO. Additionally, she cast the Amazon series Soldados o Zombies series for Amazon International. Natalie holds a BFA in Performance from the University of Miami and worked as a professional singer/actress in New York before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the film industry. Her performing background is instrumental in her approach as a casting director.

Moderated by Evette Vargas

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM LUNCH

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM MONETIZING NEW MEDIA AND BUILDING INFLUENCE

This panel of forward-thinking creators, producers, and below the line crew to explored how emerging platforms and technologies are reshaping revenue models. As new media continues to blur the lines between content, commerce, and community, panelists examined innovative approaches to monetization and career advancement. From ad-supported content and brand partnerships to direct-to-fan strategies and subscription-based models as well as upward mobility. This forward-looking conversation addressed both the challenges and opportunities in building sustainable careers in today’s dynamic on-line landscape.

Ashley J. Woods is a producer and content strategist specializing in digital storytelling across YouTube, podcasts, and branded content. She has worked with top creators like MrBeast, Michelle Khare, and The Editing Podcast, helping to launch new media formats that reached Spotify’s Top 10 and attracted millions of views online. As co-founder of the post-production studio HillierSmith, Ashley secured major brand partnerships, built monetization systems, and developed an online course that earned six figures in its first week.

Ashleigh Coffelt is a Filipina American writer, director, and cinematographer. She serves as Narrative Innovation Director and Multimedia Visionary Partner of CA in LA, the multimedia company she co-founded with Courtney Birk in 2016, where she pushes creative boundaries across broadcast, film, music, education, and fine art. As founder of Miss Ash Productions since 2013, her impressive portfolio includes over 150 productions spanning diverse genres, earning her numerous cinematography, directing, and best film awards globally. Industry leaders, including Adobe, Blackmagic, and Twitch, trust her distinctive creative vision that combines technical mastery with deep storytelling.

Courtney Birk serves as Creative Imagery Director & Multimedia Visionary Partner of the dynamic multimedia company, CA in LA including an established Twitch channel, Youtube channel and music presence. As a key creative force behind Miss Ash Productions, she embraces their collaborative “sandbox approach” to filmmaking while contributing to all aspects of production. She has collaborated with Ashleigh on over 150 diverse projects spanning film, broadcast, and fine art.

Stacy Howard is an executive producer and early architect of Second Rodeo Productions, a company breaking ground in both the space of premium YouTube content for brands and the biggest creators in the world, and the emerging market of vertical microdrama storytelling. With deep experience across both studio systems and digital-first platforms, Stacy brings a cinematic eye and a sharp creative instinct to a rapidly evolving medium. She’s passionate about elevating short-form, serialized storytelling, demonstrated by the success of her vertical series “The Diamond Rose” streaming on MyDrama. By crafting content that’s fast, addictive, and emotionally resonant, without compromising on quality, she is helping shape the next wave of narrative entertainment, proving that bite-size doesn’t have to mean lowbrow.

YB Chang Biste is senior video editor and a cast member at the Try Guys and a YouTuber with her own lifestyle channel @YBChangOfficial. She is former video editor & talent at BuzzFeed Video editing their biggest shows (Try Guys, Worth It, Ladylike, etc.). Biste graduated from USC School of Cinematic Arts. She has spoken at various events such as VidSummit and Vidcon, and makes behind the scenes editing videos on YouTube and TikTok to educate people about editing in a digital space.

Moderator
Roe Moore has directed award-winning shorts, sketch comedy, and branded content for Paramount+. She has worked on livestreams like the Dodgers + HoloLive VTuber event that drew 200,000 viewers. Her films—including Undercover Wrestler, Breakfast Salad, and How We Met have screened at 40+ festivals, earning honors like Best Comedy and Best Director. She’s also worked on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Love is Blind, and Disney+ shows as an associate director and script supervisor. She was selected for the Centerframe UK’s Director Program and the BlackMagic Collective’s Future Women of TV Initiative. Roe also mentors emerging filmmakers through the Plenty of Pie Incubator.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM SPEED PITCHING

This special session was designed to connect those with projects to people looking for properties to invest in or distribute. These sessions paired investors, sales agents, and others looking for projects with producers, directors, and writers with projects to pitch.

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM INTRO TO SPEC ~ SEMINAR AND CERTIFICATION

About SPEC:
The entertainment industry now has a worker-centered sustainability certification: SPEC, developed by USGBC California, in partnership with Green Spark GroupEreth Environmental, and advisors across film, TV, music, and live sports. This first-of-its-kind certification empowers professionals at all levels, from executives to crew, producers to engineers, and designers to event staff, with the tools to lead sustainable change across productions.

This 1-hour overview session highlighted key concepts from the full 5-hour course. Additionally, the session offered actionable insights to start using right away. The seminar showed how sustainable practices align with creative and business goals.

Taught by Adam Ereth, Ph.D. for The Green Spark Group, this dynamic introduction to the Sustainable Production for Entertainment Certification. SPEC is a groundbreaking training by USGBC California. It was designed to empower film, TV, and new media makers with the tools to integrate sustainability into every stage of production.

Adam C. Ereth, Ph.D Principal, Ereth Environmental LLC and Executive Director of Someone Cares.

As the owner and principal researcher of Ereth Environmental, LLC, an environmental consulting firm, Adam has provided professional environmental management, research, and consulting services, specializing in land use policy, environmental program development, and strategic planning.

His leadership extends to public works projects, sustainable infrastructure, and the entertainment industry, where he advises on sustainable production practices in Film/TV, Music and Sports. He was the flagship Director of Sustainability and Engagement for the Producers Guild of America

Adam earned his PhD in Public Health with a focus on Environmental Health Sciences from the University of South Carolina, complementing his extensive academic background with a Master of Arts in Geography from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from San Diego State University. Adam also holds an Associate of Arts degree from Orange Coast College.

In his free time, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and new baby, Greyson, born in April of this year. He also enjoys rock climbing, camping, hiking, scuba diving and competitive sailing.

This seminar was open to all Reel/Forward attendees with a ticket for Sept. 7, 2025. Participants had he option for Women In Media Sustainability Certification sponsored by Wilhelm Family Foundation. Special pricing was offered during this session to access the full SPEC training and certification in Sept and December 2025.

4:15 PM – 6:00 PM After Party

Attendees joined us for drinks and networking.

September 6th and 7th

Short films, reels, sizzles, music videos, webisodes, verticals, and other projects.

Start times are approximate.  Come a little early.

12:00 PM: MONSTER SLAYER (21:00 min)
Director: Catie Skipp
WIM Short Film Finishing Fund Grantee

12:21 PM: TRAILER FOR MIRA CHAI: THE GODMOTHER OF MALE GROOMING (2:33 min)
Director, Producer, and Writer: Nadia Voukitchevitch

12:24 PM: GREEN SUPERHEROES 2030 SIZZLE REEL (3:00 min)
Producer, Director, Writer: Los Angeles Barea

12:27 PM: ALTADENA: RISING FROM THE ASHES SIZZLE REEL (3:58 min)
Producer, Writer, Director: Judi JP Price

12:31 PM: ANDRESSA CORDEIRO CINEMATOGRAPHER REEL (2:09 min)
Cinematographer: Andressa Cordeiro

12:33 PM: ANNA EICHENAUER COMPOSER REEL (4:33 min)
Composer: Anna Eichenauer

12:38 PM: ALLY MAY DIRECTOR REEL (2:23 min)
Director: Ally May

12:41 PM: MAEGAN PHILMORE DIRECTOR REEL (2:41 min)
Director: Maegan Philmore

12:44 PM: DEDI FELMAN DIRECTOR REEL (2:25 min)
Director: Dedi Felman

12:47 PM: AMERICAN HOLLER SIZZLE REEL (2:08 min)
Director: Dedi Felman

12:49 PM: EXQUISITE CORPSE SHORT FILM (2:46 min)
Cinematographer & Co-Director: Genevieve Agar

12:52 PM: KRISEL MAGAÑA STEADICAM REEL (2:51 min)
Steadicam Operator: Krisel Magaña

Start times are approximate.  Come a little early.

1:00 PM: BUZZKILL (8:30 min)
Director: Amanda Griswold

1:09 PM: USELESS (4:55 min)
Co-Writer and Co-Producer: Chloe Caudillo

1:14 PM: SCENE HOUSE (13:09 min)
Writer, Director: Annabella Fazio
WIM Film Finishing Fund Grantee

1:28 PM: THE ABIDING (10:50 min)
Director, Producer, Writer: Ally May

1:39 PM: FIRST COMES LOVE (9:35 min)
Writer, Director: Sayla Whalen
WIM Developing Filmmaker Fellow

1:49 PM: WALKIES (10:00 min)
Director, Producer: Roe Moore

2:00 PM: CONSTRAINTS (5:04 min)
Director, Writer, DP: Hannah Hoang

2:06 PM: CHASERS (31:00 min)
Director: Erin Thomas Brown
WIM Short Film Finishing Fund Grantee

2:37 PM: CONFESSIONS (21:37 min)
Writer, Director: Evette Vargas

Start times are approximate.  Come a little early.

3:00 PM VAMPIRES ALWAYS KNOCK TWICE (6:30 min)
Writer: Dena Dizdar Plumer
Director: Laura Jean Bransky

3:07 PM BLOOD AND GLORY (12:01 min)
Writer, Director: Satinder Kaur
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

3:19 PM MOON (10:20 min)
Writer, Director: Toy Lei
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

3:30 PM NOOR (17:44 min)
Director: Lidya Korotko
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

3:48 PM CHERRY LEMONADE (10:52 min)
Writer, Director: Aisha Ford
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

4:00 PM THE EYEIRE (19:59 min)
Writer, Director: Jiacheng Wang
WIM Short Film Finishing Fund Grantee

4:20 CHARLIE AND THE HUNT (14:32 min)
Writer, Director: Jenn Shaw
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

4:35 PM ILLIPINO (7:32 min)
Writer, Director: Maritte Go
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

4:43 PM Never Too Late (4:08 min)
Composer: Becca Shack
Director: Alesia “Z” Glidewell
WIM New Tech Initiative Music Video

4:48 PM SMASHED (13:31 min)
Writer, Director: Dawn Spinella
WIM CAMERAderie Short Film

These special pitch sessions were designed to connect those with projects to people looking for properties to invest in. These sessions connected investors and sales agents with producers, directors, and writers pitching projects.

This space connected creators and funders, helping turn passion projects into greenlit productions. Whether a filmmaker, producer, or investor, it was a relaxed, focused place to network, pitch, and collaborate.

Each ticket included delicious, plant forward meals ~ breakfast, lunch, and after hours mixer.

Please be advised that all events hosted by Women in Media may be recorded and distributed for promotional purposes. Your voluntary participation in such events authorizes and acknowledges Women in Media and their event partner’s exclusive rights of ownership and use of all recordings.

Emerson College LA

5960 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028 United States

Tickets

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking “Get Tickets” will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
Tickets are no longer available

By Claudia Hoag


Photos by Danna Kinsky


Photos by Kat Lester


Thank you to our event partners




My’s Crafty Services



Film Fatales

Shopping Cart