Sponsored by

Lone Star Ballroom D-H

Salon 5

Salon 1-2, Salon 3-4, Salon 6-8, Salon ABC, Room 402, Room 403, Room 407, Room 408, Room 409

Salon 3-4

These networking sessions are designed for you to meet many like-minded potential partners in a short time period, speed-dating style. Speed Networking is open to all Realscreen Summit delegates and is NOT a pitch session.

Access to Speed Networking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is filled.

Salon 5

Welcome to Realscreen! You've made it. But are you ready to pitch like a pro? Dave Noll has sold 200+ original shows to just about every major network in the past 20 years. More than 60 have made it to series, including the Chopped franchise, relationship shows, doc series, talk shows, creative competitions, and game shows including the hit America Says. In this hour, you'll hear every single pitching secret he can cram into the talk. From the perfect title to the perfect two-liner, to the perfect way to start and close a pitch. You’ll walk away with all the elements of the perfect 25 minute pitch. Not to be missed!

Featuring:

Dave Noll

Co President

Keller/Noll

Salon 6-8

Join Realscreen’s SVP/Publisher and Content Director/Editor-in-Chief as they welcome guests to Realscreen Summit and kick-off the 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Featuring:

Claire Macdonald

SVP, Executive Director

REALSCREEN

Barry Walsh

Editor-in-Chief & Content Director

Realscreen Magazine

Sponsored by

Salon 6-8

At her opening keynote session at the Realscreen Summit, Kathleen Finch will discuss what the unscripted strategy looks like for WBD, and her thoughts on the current state of the unscripted business, and the television and streaming ecosystem at large.

Featuring:

Kathleen Finch

Chairman & CEO, US Networks

Warner Bros. Discovery

Interviewer

Peter White

Executive Editor, Television

Deadline Hollywood

Room 407, Room 408, Room 409

An informal networking opportunity for delegates to meet with commissioning and development execs over lunch.  These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may submit for one (1) Lunch With host, which will be available through our lottery-style selection process.

• Information on how to sign up will be emailed to registered delegates prior to the opening date.

Lottery opens on Wednesday January 11th  at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Monday, January 16th at 5:00 PM EST.

Lottery results will be emailed to participants on Wednesday, January 18th by 2:00 PM EST.
General sign-ups open Wednesday, January 18th at 5:00 PM EST, and close on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Table host

Betsy Ayala

Head of Content, Food Network, Interim Head of Content, HGTV

Food Network

Table host

Nancy-Wren Bradshaw

Manager of Development & Production, Magnolia Network

Magnolia Network

Table host

Kim Chessler

VP, Unscripted Programming

Lifetime Television

Table host

Christine Diakos

Vice President, Development, Television – Unscripted

eOne Television

Table host

Havva Eisenbaum

VP, Development, Unscripted

OWN

Table host

Zara Frankel

Senior Director, Programming & Development

PBS

Table host

Nikolas Huelbusch

Director, Unscripted

ZDF Studios GmbH

Table host

Joseph Maxwell

Head of Unscripted

SBS

Table host

Alejandro Melendez

Vice President, Unscripted Development

BBC Studios, Los Angeles Productions

Table host

Kyle Moffatt

Senior Director of Development

Nickelodeon

Table host

Jon Sechrist

Production & Development Consultant

Blue Ant Media / Cortés Filmworks

Table host

Michael Winter

SVP, Programming & Development

Chicken Soup for the Soul Studios (Crackle)

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Alison Barrat

enior Vice President and Head, Content

Love Nature

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Jenna Rosa

SVP, Unscripted Development

NBCUniversal

Salon 5

What better way to celebrate 25 years of bringing the international non-fiction and unscripted screen content community together, than to test the knowledge of top execs in the industry about the business itself? Join our brave participants in this fun and informative game show-style session, as they take on skill-testing questions while weighing in on hot topics impacting the unscripted and non-fiction world today… and maybe you’ll get the chance to stump them!

Moderating:

Phil Fairclough

Executive Producer

Two Wise Monkeys Entertainment

Featuring:

Kim Bondi

Senior Vice-President, Content and Development, Unscripted and Factual

Sphere Media Toronto

Jenny Daly

President

Critical Content

J.C. Mills

President and Head of Content

Cineflix Productions

Eric Schotz

CEO

Anvil 1893

CJ Yu

Founder

Amazon Studios | The Culver Studios

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Laura Crowson

VP, Development

Warner Bros. Discovery

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Max Micallef

VP, Head of West Coast Development

History

Salon 5

Since its debut in 2006 with The Real Housewives of Orange County, the Real Housewives franchise has become something of an unscripted empire unto itself, with 11 American editions, 19 international versions (and growing) and multiple spin-offs. And more than 15 years after that first series hit pop culture via Bravo, the Housewives train shows no sign of slowing down. In this special case study, you’ll hear from some of the main figures behind the phenomenon and learn the inside story behind how the franchise evolved and turned into the reality juggernaut it is today.

Moderating:

Evan Real

Senior TV Reporter, Page Six

New York Post

Featuring:

Alex Baskin

Executive Producer & CEO

32 Flavors Entertainment

Kathleen French

SVP, Current Production

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

Pamela Gimenez

VP, Unscripted Current Production

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

Lorraine Haughton Lawson

SVP, Programming

Truly Original

Salon ABC

Programming execs, each at their own table, will take one-on-one, eight minute pitches. Get coveted one-on-one time with executives who have the power to steer your project to a greenlight.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may submit for up to one (1) Slow Pitching host, which will be available through our lottery-style selection process.

• Information on how to sign up will be emailed to registered delegates prior to the opening date.

Lottery opens on Wednesday, January 11 at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Monday, January 16 at 5:00 PM EST

Lottery results will be emailed to participants on Wednesday, January 18th by 2:00 PM EST.
General sign-ups open Wednesday, January 18th at 5:00 PM EST, and close on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Anna Bloomfield

VP, Development & Production

HGTV

Roger Henry

VP, Programming

MotorTrend Network

Nicole Kaye

Sr. Manager, Development

TBS, TNT & Discovery

Sierra London McDonald

Manager of Development and Original Programming

WE TV

Patty Suh

VP, Programming & Development - Food Network & Cooking Channel

Food Network

Philip Webb

COO

OUTtv Network Inc

Jessica Winchell

VP, Content & Development - Magnolia Network

Magnolia Network

Michael Winter

SVP, Programming & Development

Chicken Soup for the Soul Studios (Crackle)

Room 409

Chat over drinks with leading unscripted and non-fiction execs in this format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections.
These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Space is limited to 25 delegates

• No sign-up required, spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Andrew Lessner

Sr. Manager, Development and Production Tentpoles, Events and Live Discovery, TBS, TNT, SCI, APL, Tru

TBS, TNT, SCI, APL, Tru

Room 408

Chat over drinks with leading unscripted and non-fiction execs in this format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections.
These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Space is limited to 25 delegates

• No sign-up required, spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Angela Molloy

SVP, Development & Original Production AllBlk & WEtv, Unscripted

WE TV

Room 402

Learn what's on the horizon for some of the hottest unscripted genres. Hear about future plans and priorities from a mini panel of production & network execs and then participate in some Q&A.

No sign-up required. We'll fill space on a first-come, first-seated basis until we reach room capacity. Inclusion in your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Moderating:

Justin Anderson

Sr. Staff Writer

Realscreen Magazine

Featuring:

Tom Brisley

CEO

Arrow Media

Erica Diaz-Gant

VP, Development

ID, Warner Bros. Discovery

Sean Gottlieb

VP, Head of Development

A&E Network

Blake Levin

VP, Entertainment Unscripted Development

NBCU

Salon 5

The world of screen entertainment is yet again undergoing a substantial metamorphosis as major media companies of various stripes merge, and the content production business is bracing for the impact of all of the changes afoot. The agency world is also experiencing its own transformation, with agents on the hunt for rapidly developing new opportunities while also helping their clients navigate the challenging climate. Here, we bring back one of our more popular sessions from over the history of the Summit, with a roster of top unscripted agents who will fearlessly weigh in on the big, burning questions facing sellers and buyers today, while also maybe sharing a juicy anecdote or two.

Moderating:

Leslie Greif

President

Big Dreams Entertainment

Featuring:

Julie Choi

Head, Unscripted Talent & Content

Buchwald

Neil A. Cohen

Agent

United Talent Agency Company

Danielle Hammer

Agent, WME, Non-Scripted TV

WME

Marc Kamler

Head of Unscripted Packaging

A3 Artists Agency

Hayden K. Meyer

Agency Partner, EVP, Head of Alternative & Factual Programming, Senior Agent

APA

Jacy Schleier

Agent, Non-Fiction

CAA Creative Artists Agency

Salon 6-8

Sponsored by

Lone Star Ballroom D-H

Room 408, Room 409

An informal networking opportunity for delegates to meet with commissioning and development execs over continental breakfast & coffee.  These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may submit for one (1) Breakfast With host, which will be available first-come, first-serve through our regular sign-up process on realXchange.

Sign-up opens on Wednesday January 4th  at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Brandy Crawford-Uriu

Head, Unscripted & Formats

History

Roger Henry

VP, Programming

MotorTrend Network

Nikolas Huelbusch

Director, Unscripted

ZDF Studios GmbH

Ross Mason

VP of Content

EarthxTV

Angela Molloy

SVP, Development & Original Production AllBlk & WEtv, Unscripted

WE TV

Joel Morgan

VP Unscripted, Programming and Development

BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions

Abigail Neugebauer

Senior Director and Executive Producer of Content

Magnolia Network

Ia Ayame Robinson

Senior Director, Unscripted Programming & Development

BET Networks

Loren Ruch

Head of Content HGTV

HGTV

Marissa Thompson

Sr. Unscripted Creative Executive

Amazon Studios

Lauren Whitelaw

Head of Programming

OUTtv Network Inc

Salon 6-8

In a one-on-one keynote conversation, award-winning Director & Realscreen Hall of Fame 2023 inductee, Alex Gibney, will discuss his career to date, his approach to documentary filmmaking and his ambitions for his future work.

Featuring:

Alex Gibney

President

Jigsaw Productions

Interviewer

Peter White

Executive Editor, Television

Deadline Hollywood

Room 403

Learn what's on the horizon for some of the hottest unscripted genres. Hear about future plans and priorities from a mini panel of production & network execs and then participate in some Q&A.

No sign-up required. We'll fill space on a first-come, first-seated basis until we reach room capacity. Inclusion in your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Moderating:

Andrew Jeffrey

n/a

Brunico Communications Ltd.

Featuring:

Anna Bloomfield

VP, Development & Production

HGTV

Sarah Kuban

SVP, Content & Special Projects, Magnolia Network

Magnolia Network

Dave Noll

Co President

Keller/Noll

David Rocco

Celebrity Chef | Television Host | Bestselling Author

Rockhead Entertainment

Room 402

Gain rare access to top producers in unscripted programming. Similar to the "30 Minutes With…" series, delegates attending "Meet a Mentor" sessions will be able to glean valuable information in an intimate, off-the-record setting, and have the opportunity to ask questions that will help guide you in your career.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may sign up for a maximum of two (2) Meet a Mentor sessions.

Sign-up opens on Wednesday December 14th  at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Mentor

Patrick Reardon

President

Jupiter Entertainment

Salon 5

With the arrival of deep-pocketed streamers upon the buying and commissioning landscape, the market for premium doc projects – limited series and features – rocketed skyward, resulting in what some pundits called “the golden age of documentary.” But what goes up must come down, and as media companies face an economic reckoning that is already resulting in considerable belt-tightening, what’s the prognosis for premium doc content going forward? And how can producers and buyers meet the demand for premium content while keeping an eye on costs?

Moderating:

Tony Tackaberry

CEO + Founder

Station 6 Productions

Featuring:

Solange Attwood

CEO & Co-Founder

Blue Ant Media Inc

Ethan Goldman

Founder & CEO

Anchor Entertainment

Eli Lehrer

Executive Vice President and Head, Programming Genres & Music Services

History

Dawn Porter

Founder & Director

Trilogy Films

Adaora Udoji

Vice President, Programming & Operations

PBS

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Meghan Cassin

VP Content

Magnolia Network

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Sam Linton

VP, Production and Development, Global Media

Blue Ant Media

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Erica Diaz-Gant

VP, Development

ID, Warner Bros. Discovery

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Jessie Springer

Manager of Development, Nat Geo WILD

National Geographic Channel

Sponsored by

Salon 5

Media Cartographer Evan Shapiro will lead a thought provoking conversation with insights from across the universe and from his exclusive research inside the mind of the modern viewer. Shapiro will look forward and with predictions for the shape of media; and advice on how to prep for the next era?

Featuring:

Evan Shapiro

Producer/Owner

ESHAP

Room 407, Room 408, Room 409

We’ve assembled some of the top distributors in unscripted and non-fiction entertainment and made them available for you to meet with. Sign up to find out what these industry experts can offer you and your production.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• During this session you have the opportunity to meet and chat with up to three (3) table hosts (*please note; delegates will be asked to rotate in 20-minute increments).

Sign-up opens on Wednesday December 14th  at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Bryan Gabourie

SVP, International Sales & Partnerships

Blue Ant Media

Laetitia Giansily-Doyle

Development, Sales & Strategic Partnerships, North America

Terranoa-US Office & GDMC

Paul Heaney

CEO

BossaNova Media

David Hooper

Managing Director

Espresso Media

Gerrit Kemming

Owner

Quintus Media GmbH

Lucy Le Gruiec

Head of Distribution

ZED

Richard Life

SVP Acquisitions and Co-Productions

Cineflix Rights

Poppy McAlister

Division Head of TVF International

TVF International

Greg Rubidge

President

Syndicado

Natalie Vinet

SVP, Global Distribution

Boat Rocker Media

Justina Wójtowicz

EVP, Acquisitions Co-Productions & Sales

Rive Gauche Television

Salon 5

Over the course of its 25-year history, untold numbers of projects have been born at the Realscreen Summit. One such project is the self-shot survivalist competition series, Alone, which has been a critical and ratings success for A+E Network’s The HISTORY Channel since its debut in 2015, and has since aired in multiple territories with local adaptations. Here, you’ll hear from production and network executives who will take us behind the scenes of how this unscripted hit evolved from development to pitch to production, to multi-territory sensation.

Featuring:

Zachary Behr

VP Programming

History

David George

CEO

ITV America

Russ McCarroll

Executive Producer

Pocket Square Productions

Nikki Van Schyndel

Adventurer / Survival Expert

Legal name - Melva van Schyndel

Shawn Witt

President

Leftfield Pictures

Room 402

Gain rare access to top producers in unscripted programming. Similar to the "30 Minutes With…" series, delegates attending "Meet a Mentor" sessions will be able to glean valuable information in an intimate, off-the-record setting, and have the opportunity to ask questions that will help guide you in your career.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may sign up for a maximum of two (2) Meet a Mentor sessions.

Sign-up opens on Wednesday December 14th  at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Mentor

Ashleigh DiTonto

SVP, Development

Trailblazer Studios

Salon ABC

Programming execs, each at their own table, will take one-on-one, three minute pitches. Get coveted one-on-one time with executives who have the power to steer your project to a greenlight.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may submit for up to two (2) Speed Pitching hosts, which will be available through our lottery-style selection process.

• Information on how to sign up will be emailed to registered delegates prior to the opening date.

Lottery opens on Wednesday, January 11 at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Monday, January 16 at 5:00 PM EST

Lottery results will be emailed to participants on Wednesday, January 18th by 2:00 PM EST.
General sign-ups open Wednesday, January 18th at 5:00 PM EST, and close on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Mallory Arkin

Senior Manager, Unscripted Development

Nickelodeon

Anna Bloomfield

VP, Development & Production

HGTV

Havva Eisenbaum

VP, Development, Unscripted

OWN

Sara Helman

VP, Production & Development, TLC

TLC

Marcie Hume

VP, Programming

A&E Network

Nicole Kaye

Sr. Manager, Development

TBS, TNT & Discovery

Andrew Lessner

Sr. Manager, Development and Production Tentpoles, Events and Live Discovery, TBS, TNT, SCI, APL, Tru

TBS, TNT, SCI, APL, Tru

James Manfull

Commissioning Editor

Love Nature

Stephen Mann

Senior Director Unscripted Formats Television & Streaming

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

Sierra London McDonald

Manager of Development and Original Programming

WE TV

Max Micallef

VP, Head of West Coast Development

History

Jon Sechrist

Production & Development Consultant

Blue Ant Media / Cortés Filmworks

Patty Suh

VP, Programming & Development - Food Network & Cooking Channel

Food Network

Room 408

Chat over drinks with leading unscripted and non-fiction execs in this format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections.
These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Space is limited to 25 delegates

• No sign-up required, spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Kyle Moffatt

Senior Director of Development

Nickelodeon

Room 409

Chat over drinks with leading unscripted and non-fiction execs in this format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections.
These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Space is limited to 25 delegates

• No sign-up required, spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Rob Swartz

SVP, Development & Production

REELZ Channel

Room 402

Learn what's on the horizon for some of the hottest unscripted genres. Hear about future plans and priorities from a mini panel of production & network execs and then participate in some Q&A.

No sign-up required. We'll fill space on a first-come, first-seated basis until we reach room capacity. Inclusion in your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Moderating:

Andrew Tracy

Associate Editor

Brunico - PB Pub marketing

Featuring:

Rebecca Evans

Executive Vice President, Non-Fiction Content

Campfire Studios

Peter Gaffney

President Vice TV

VICE TV

Rachel Job

SVP, Unscripted Content

All3Media International

Geno McDermott

President, US Alternative Programming, Unscripted Television

Entertainment One

Sponsored by

Salon 5

It was so much simpler way back when (like, say, two years ago), when the old maxim “You live and die by the ratings” still held a kernel of truth, and those series that racked up good numbers were often rewarded with renewals. Now, the lines between linear and streaming are blurring, and a series can live – and die – on multiple platforms at practically a moment’s notice. What does success look like in this new paradigm, and what role can new platforms and methods of distribution play in creating a brand? Hear from execs who have navigated the many emerging paths towards success in today’s entertainment ecosystem, and learn how you can do the same.

Moderating:

Joseph Schneier

SVP, Production & Development, Discovery Channel

Warner Bros. Discovery

Featuring:

Nancy Glass

CEO

Glass Entertainment Group

Luke Kelly-Clyne

Head of Production and Independent Film

Hartbeat Independent Studios

Alex Piper

Head, Night Studios

Night, Inc

Noah Pollack

VP, Original Content, Unscripted

Tubi

Chachi Senior

Head of Development

Truly Original

Sponsored by

Salon 6-8

Join us as we pay tribute to outstanding content from around the world at the industry’s global celebration of excellence in non-fiction and unscripted entertainment.

Cocktails & hors d'oeuvres will be provided during the show courtesy of  Vista Studios

Featuring:

Host

Ann Pornel

Actress & Television Host

Sponsored by

Salon 6-8

Join us as we raise a glass to all of the nominees, winners & honorees in a special post-awards celebration. Brought to you by Vista Studios.

Sponsored by

Lone Star Ballroom D-H

Sponsored by

Salon 6-8

In this special keynote conversation, Chip and Joanna Gaines and Allison Page will discuss their careers to date, the evolution of the joint-venture between Warner Bros. Discovery and Magnolia, and plans for expanding the range of content featured on the network across its platforms.

Moderating:

Simone Boyce

Journalist & Host

Journalist & Host

Featuring:

Chip Gaines

Chief Creative Officer

Magnolia Network

Joanna Gaines

Chief Creative Officer

Magnolia Network

Allison Page

Global President, Magnolia Network

Warner Bros. Discovery

Room 403

Learn what's on the horizon for some of the hottest unscripted genres. Hear about future plans and priorities from a mini panel of production & network execs and then participate in some Q&A.

No sign-up required. We'll fill space on a first-come, first-seated basis until we reach room capacity. Inclusion in your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Moderating:

Justin Anderson

Sr. Staff Writer

Realscreen Magazine

Featuring:

Alison Barrat

enior Vice President and Head, Content

Love Nature

Alan Eyres

Head of Plimsoll, USA

Plimsoll Productions Ltd

Ashley Hoppin

Head of Content & Owner

Red Rock Films

Cecilia Shakerley

VP, Development for BBC Studios – Natural History Unit.

BBC Studios

Room 402

Gain rare access to top producers in unscripted programming. Similar to the "30 Minutes With…" series, delegates attending "Meet a Mentor" sessions will be able to glean valuable information in an intimate, off-the-record setting, and have the opportunity to ask questions that will help guide you in your career.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may sign up for a maximum of two (2) Meet a Mentor sessions.

Sign-up opens on Wednesday December 14th  at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Mentor

Melanie Capacia Johnson

President

NEO Studios

Pathways Mentor

Salon ABC

Production execs, each at their own tables, will take one-on-one, three-minute pitches from potential production partners.

• Advance sign-up is required. 

• You may submit for one (1) Pitching Partners session, which will be available through our lottery-style selection process.

• Information on how to sign up will be emailed to registered delegates prior to the opening date.

Lottery opens on Wednesday, January 11 at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Monday, January 16 at 5:00 PM EST

Lottery results will be emailed to participants on Wednesday, January 18.
General sign-ups open Wednesday January 18th and close on Friday January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Table host

Scott Boyd

Vice President, Development, Television – Unscripted

eOne Television

Table host

Allison Brough

VP, Unscripted Development

Blink49 Studios

Table host

Kelsey Espensen

Senior Director of Unscripted Entertainment

marblemedia

Table host

Alana Goldstein

VP of Development

Crazy Legs Productions

Table host

Francesca Johnson

Development Executive & Executive Producer

Anyway Content

Table host

Liza Keckler

SVP Alternative & Unscripted

Archer Gray

Table host

Casey Kelly

VP of Development, Unscripted Development

Blue Ant Media

Table host

Michael Krupat

EVP, Development & Production

Beyond Productions

Table host

B.J. Levin

EVP, Non-Fiction Content

AGC Studios

Table host

Liz Tang

Executive Director, Acquisitions

Fifth Season

Table host

Benjamin Thornton

Development Executive

Warner Bros. Discovery

Salon 5

We’ve all seen the headlines: for myriad reasons, the entertainment industry is enduring a bumpy ride, and the sailing might not be smooth for a while yet. But there are some possible silver linings, particularly for the unscripted business, which saw formidable gains during the last significant economic downturn approximately 15 years ago. Here, several top buyers will discuss content trends and strategies that they expect to see rise to the top, and shed light on the unscripted and non-fiction programming genres they expect audiences to gravitate towards in the months ahead.

Moderating:

Joe Livecchi

Chief Executive Officer

Right On Content

Featuring:

Cori Abraham

SVP, Development, Documentary & Crime

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

Brian Tannenbaum

Head, Roku Originals

Roku

Tiffany Williams

EVP, Unscripted Programming & Development

BET Networks

Cyle Zezo

President

The CW Television Network

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Jennifer Gordon

VP, Development

TLC

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Loren Ruch

Head of Content HGTV

HGTV

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Betsy Ayala

Head of Content, Food Network, Interim Head of Content, HGTV

Food Network

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Marcie Hume

VP, Programming

A&E Network

Salon 5

In the formats business, the idea is everything. With the right IP, you can have a format that travels the world. But just as important as having that idea is protecting it and exploiting it, and in a world where global platforms are hungry for content that can travel (and for the rights to that content), how can you make sure you get the most visibility for your format, and the most return?

Moderating:

Beatrice Rossmanith

Managing Director

TAPE Consultancy

Featuring:

Avi Armoza

CEO

Armoza Formats

Nicholas Oakley

Senior Vice President, Unscripted Development

BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions

Monica Rodman

EVP, Alternative Development

Universal Television Alternative Studio

James Townley

Chief Content Officer, Development

Banijay Group

Jin Woo Hwang

Executive Producer & President

Something Special

Room 402

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Stephen Mann

Senior Director Unscripted Formats Television & Streaming

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

Betsy Slenzak

VP, Unscripted Programming

NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

Room 403

Hear from some of the most in-demand unscripted buyers and commissioners talking candidly about their programming strategies, future plans and priorities in an intimate & interactive (and off the record) session.

• Seating is limited to 50 delegates

• No sign-up required, seats are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Jessica Schmiedchen

Director of Development, Unscripted Content

CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Salon 5

In this special panel, we will have a transparent discussion about the state of affairs in the unscripted business since the racial and cultural reckoning emerging after George Floyd’s death. The goal of this conversation is to discuss where we are, what the future holds, and to equip industry colleagues with fresh ideas and perspectives to continue creating and developing spaces for Black voices. Panelists will consist of Black unscripted executives across the industry ranging from networks and platforms to production companies and agencies.

Moderating:

Angela Rye

Award-Winning Host, Social Justice Advocate, Lawyer, Commentator, and Self-Described Empowermenteur

Featuring:

Aneka Hylton-Donelson

Director of Development

National Geographic Partners

Valerie Idehen

Creator, Executive Producer & Development Consultant

Hot Snakes Media

Donny Jackson

Executive Producer

This Machine Filmworks

Dane Joseph

VP, Unscripted Series

Hulu

Salon ABC

Programming execs, each at their own table, will take one-on-one, three minute pitches. Get coveted one-on-one time with executives who have the power to steer your project to a greenlight.

• Advance sign-up is required.

• You may submit for up to two (2) Speed Pitching hosts, which will be available through our lottery-style selection process.

• Information on how to sign up will be emailed to registered delegates prior to the opening date.

Lottery opens on Wednesday, January 11 at 11:00 AM EST, and closes on Monday, January 16 at 5:00 PM EST

Lottery results will be emailed to participants on Wednesday, January 18th by 2:00 PM EST.
General sign-ups open Wednesday, January 18th at 5:00 PM EST, and close on Friday, January 20th at 5:00 PM EST.

Featuring:

Erica Diaz-Gant

VP, Development

ID, Warner Bros. Discovery

Shane Ertter

Manager of Development, VICE TV

VICE

Zara Frankel

Senior Director, Programming & Development

PBS

Joseph Maxwell

Head of Unscripted

SBS

Rob Swartz

SVP, Development & Production

REELZ Channel

Jessica Winchell

VP, Content & Development - Magnolia Network

Magnolia Network

Keith Wooten

Director, Creative Development

Audible

Room 408

Chat over drinks with leading unscripted and non-fiction execs in this format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections.
These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Space is limited to 25 delegates

• No sign-up required, spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Jordan Rosenblum

SVP, Nonfiction Series & Documentaries

eOne Television

Room 409

Chat over drinks with leading unscripted and non-fiction execs in this format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections.
These are NOT pitch sessions — just a fantastic networking opportunity.

• Space is limited to 25 delegates

• No sign-up required, spots are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis until we reach room capacity.

Adding this session to your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Andrew Rezin

Director on Content

Warner Bros. Discovery

Room 403

Learn what's on the horizon for some of the hottest unscripted genres. Hear about future plans and priorities from a mini panel of production & network execs and then participate in some Q&A.

No sign-up required. We'll fill space on a first-come, first-seated basis until we reach room capacity. Inclusion in your personal agenda does NOT guarantee your spot, so be sure to show up a bit early.

Featuring:

Nate Houghteling

Co-Founder & Executive Producer

Portal A

Melanie Capacia Johnson

President

NEO Studios

Pathways Mentor

Ameeth Sankaran

CEO

Religion of Sports

FredAnthony Smith

VP, Non-Scripted Development

SMAC Entertainment

Salon 5

TV needs diversity at its very core, not as a box-ticking exercise, but as part of a strategy to reflect audiences, enhance creativity and increase world-class programming. Working with broadcasters, researchers, production and other stakeholders, the Creative Diversity Network (CDN) has worked for three and a half years on delivery of an evidence-led, action-driven analysis of work across UK broadcasters. 

CDN chief executive Deborah Williams will share insight from this work, including case studies, data evidence and evaluation of the process, and provide perspective on what the industry should do next.

Also in this session, FWD-Doc, one of the Oscar-nominated companies behind the feature doc Crip Camp and the creators of the new industry access scorecard. Interim director Amanda Upson will talk about how the scorecard came about, who’s using it and how the information gathered will be used to make festivals and entertainment industry events more accessible.

Scotland has been undergoing its own accessible revolution over the last 5 years.  Alison Smith (Accessibility Coordinator and Consultant) will join Deborah and Amanda to fill us in on what of the tools already out there have been adapted and are working across production, investment, marketing and festivals.

Featuring:

Alison Smith

Artistic Producer/Programmer

Pesky People

Amanda Upson

Interim Director, Producer

FWD-Doc

Deborah Williams OBE

Chief Executive

Creative Diversity Network

Salon 6-8

Realscreen Summit's annual international pitch competition is back. Watch this year’s six finalists battle it out on stage for the chance to walk away with one of two $20,000 development deals from either A&E or The Food Network.

Featuring:

Judge

Betsy Ayala

Head of Content, Food Network, Interim Head of Content, HGTV

Food Network

Judge

Sean Gottlieb

VP, Head of Development

A&E Network

Judge

Marcie Hume

VP, Programming

A&E Network

Host

Carson Kressley

TV personality, style expert, fashion designer and New York Times best-selling author

Judge

Patty Suh

VP, Programming & Development - Food Network & Cooking Channel

Food Network

Sponsored by

Lone Star Ballroom D-H

Salon 5

All the signs are pointing towards a bumpy ride for the global economy in the year ahead. How will that impact the unscripted content business as a whole, and your corner of it? This session will provide myriad perspectives regarding how to navigate the challenges ahead – from recession-proofing your business to capitalizing on content trends that might emerge during an economic downturn.

Moderating:

D'Angela Proctor

Owner/Founder

Undaunted Content

Featuring:

Julie Bristow

Founder

Catalyst

Laura Palumbo Johnson

Co-Founder and Executive Producer

Magilla Entertainment, LLC

Scott Sternberg

President

Scott Sternberg Productions

Cameron Stracher

Owner

Cameron Stracher - Media & Entertainment Law

Salon 5

Like anything in life, careers can take twists and turns, and what might’ve seemed like a surefire success out of the gate can sometimes take a while to find its feet. Patience and perseverance are key. In this inspiring session, you’ll hear from executives who stayed the course – whether it was with passion projects that took years to lift off, or diligently doing the work to turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ – and who will offer insights on how to not only survive in this business, but to thrive.

Moderating:

Simone Boyce

Journalist & Host

Journalist & Host

Featuring:

Kate Harrison

President

Cream Productions Inc.

Naimah Holmes

President

Hot Snakes Media

Robyn Lattaker-Johnson

Agent, Media Consultant

A3 Artists Agency

Anne Morrison

CEO & Creative Director

Nevision

Amy Winter

EVP, Head of Programming

Lifetime Television