Realscreen Summit 2026 Agenda - Print Version

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Monday, January 23

10:00 AM	MASTERCLASS: PITCH LIKE A PRO Salon 5 10:00 AM-11:00 AM 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! Speaking Dave Noll Co President Keller/Noll
11:10 AM	OPENING REMARKS Salon 6-8 11:10 AM-11:15 AM 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. Speaking Barry Walsh Editor-in-Chief & Content Director Realscreen Magazine Claire Macdonald EVP, Executive Director, NATPE REALSCREEN
11:15 AM	KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: KATHLEEN FINCH Salon 6-8 11:15 AM-12:15 PM 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. Speaking Kathleen Finch Chairman & CEO, US Networks Warner Bros. Discovery Interviewer Peter White Executive Editor, Television Deadline Hollywood
2:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: ALISON BARRAT, LOVE NATURE Room 403 2:00 PM-2:30 PM 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. Speaking Alison Barrat enior Vice President and Head, Content Love Nature 30 MINUTES WITH: JENNA ROSA, NBCU - LIFESTYLE & DOCUSERIES Room 402 2:00 PM-2:30 PM 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. Speaking Jenna Rosa SVP, Unscripted Development NBCUniversal SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW UNSCRIPTED? Salon 5 2:00 PM-2:45 PM 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! Speaking Eric Schotz CEO Anvil 1893 CJ Yu Founder Amazon Studios \| The Culver Studios J.C. Mills President and Head of Content Cineflix Productions Phil Fairclough Executive Producer, Managing Director Two Wise Monkeys Entertainment Kim Bondi Senior Vice-President, Content and Development, Unscripted and Factual Sphere Media Toronto Jenny Daly President Critical Content
3:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: LAURA CROWSON, DISCOVERY Room 403 3:00 PM-3:30 PM 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. Speaking Laura Crowson Senior Vice President, Global Development Warner Bros. Discovery 30 MINUTES WITH: MAX MICALLEF, HISTORY Room 402 3:00 PM-3:30 PM 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. Speaking Max Micallef VP, Head of West Coast Development History CASE STUDY: INSIDE THE ‘REAL HOUSEWIVES’ PHENOMENON Salon 5 3:00 PM-3:45 PM 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. Speaking Evan Real Senior TV Reporter, Page Six New York Post Kathleen French SVP, Current Production NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Lorraine Haughton Lawson SVP, Programming Truly Original Alex Baskin Executive Producer & CEO 32 Flavors Entertainment Pamela Gimenez VP, Unscripted Current Production NBCUniversal Television and Streaming
4:00 PM	GENRE JAMS - TRUE CRIME Room 402 4:00 PM-4:45 PM 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. Speaking Tom Brisley CEO Arrow Media Justin Anderson Sr. Staff Writer Realscreen Magazine Sean Gottlieb VP, Head of Development A&E Network Blake Levin VP, Unscripted Development NBCU Erica Diaz-Gant VP, Development ID, Warner Bros. Discovery THE RETURN OF THE AGENTS ROUNDTABLE Salon 5 4:00 PM-4:45 PM 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. Speaking Julie Choi Head, Unscripted Talent & Content Buchwald Leslie Greif President Big Dreams Entertainment Hayden K. Meyer Agency Partner, EVP, Senior Agent - Alternative & Factual Programming Dep't APA Neil A. Cohen Agent United Talent Agency Company Danielle Hammer Agent, WME, Non-Scripted TV WME Jacy Schleier Agent, Non-Fiction CAA Creative Artists Agency Marc Kamler Co-Head, Unscripted & Documentary A3 Artists Agency

Tuesday, January 24

9:30 AM	KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: ALEX GIBNEY Salon 6-8 9:30 AM-10:30 AM 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. Speaking Interviewer Peter White Executive Editor, Television Deadline Hollywood Alex Gibney President Jigsaw Productions
10:45 AM	GENRE JAMS - LIFESTYLE Room 403 10:45 AM-11:30 AM 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. Speaking Dave Noll Co President Keller/Noll David Rocco Celebrity Chef \| Television Host \| Bestselling Author Rockhead Entertainment Anna Bloomfield VP, Development & Production HGTV Sarah Kuban SVP, Content & Special Projects, Magnolia Network Magnolia Network Andrew Jeffrey n/a Brunico Communications Ltd. MEET A MENTOR: PATRICK REARDON, JUPITER Room 402 10:45 AM-11:30 AM 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. Speaking Mentor Patrick Reardon President Jupiter Entertainment
11:30 AM	THE PROGNOSIS FOR PREMIUM DOCS Salon 5 11:30 AM-12:15 PM 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? Speaking Dawn Porter Founder & Director Trilogy Films Ethan Goldman Founder & CEO Anchor Entertainment Eli Lehrer Executive Vice President and Head, Programming Genres & Music Services History Adaora Udoji Vice President, Programming & Operations PBS Solange Attwood CEO & Co-Founder Blue Ant Media Inc Tony Tackaberry CEO + Founder Station 6 Productions
12:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: MEGHAN CASSIN, MAGNOLIA Room 402 12:00 PM-12:30 PM 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. Speaking Meghan Cassin VP Content Magnolia Network 30 MINUTES WITH: SAM LINTON, BLUE ANT MEDIA Room 403 12:00 PM-12:30 PM 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. Speaking Sam Linton VP, Production and Development, Global Media Blue Ant Media
2:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: ERICA DIAZ-GANT, INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY Room 403 2:00 PM-2:30 PM 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. Speaking Erica Diaz-Gant VP, Development ID, Warner Bros. Discovery 30 MINUTES WITH: JESSIE SPRINGER, NAT GEO WILD Room 402 2:00 PM-2:30 PM 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. Speaking Jessie Springer Manager of Development, Nat Geo WILD National Geographic Channel MEDIA'S NEW ABNORMAL Salon 5 2:00 PM-2:45 PM 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? Speaking Evan Shapiro Producer/Owner/Media Cartographer ESHAP
3:00 PM	BORN AT REALSCREEN: THE STORY OF ‘ALONE’ Salon 5 3:00 PM-3:45 PM 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. Speaking Russ McCarroll Executive Producer Pocket Square Productions Nikki Van Schyndel Adventurer / Survival Expert Legal name - Melva van Schyndel David George CEO ITV America Shawn Witt President Leftfield Pictures Zachary Behr VP Programming History MEET A MENTOR: ASHLEIGH DITONTO, TRAILBLAZER Room 402 3:00 PM-3:45 PM 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. Speaking Mentor Ashleigh DiTonto SVP, Development Trailblazer Studios
4:00 PM	GENRE JAMS - PREMIUM DOCS Room 402 4:00 PM-4:45 PM 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. Speaking Peter Gaffney President Vice TV VICE TV Rachel Job SVP, Unscripted Content All3Media International Andrew Tracy Associate Editor Brunico - PB Pub marketing Geno McDermott CCO Blackfin Entertainment One Rebecca Evans EVP, Non-Fiction Content Campfire Studios SUCCESS 2.0: WHAT IS A HIT IN A MULTI-PLATFORM WORLD? Salon 5 4:00 PM-4:45 PM 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. Speaking Luke Kelly-Clyne Head of Studio Hartbeat Independent Studios Nancy Glass CEO Glass Entertainment Group Chachi Senior Head of Development Truly Original Alex Piper Executive Producer, Sports & Creator Content Night, Inc Joseph Schneier SVP, Production & Development, Discovery Channel Warner Bros. Discovery Noah Pollack VP, Original Content, Unscripted Tubi

Wednesday, January 25

9:30 AM	KEYNOTE CONVERSATION WITH CHIP & JOANNA GAINES Salon 6-8 9:30 AM-10:30 AM 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. Speaking Simone Boyce Journalist & Host Journalist & Host Chip Gaines Chief Creative Officer Magnolia Network Joanna Gaines Chief Creative Officer Magnolia Network Allison Page Global President, Magnolia Network Warner Bros. Discovery
10:45 AM	GENRE JAMS - NATURAL HISTORY Room 403 10:45 AM-11:30 AM 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. Speaking Ashley Hoppin Head of Content & Owner Red Rock Films Justin Anderson Sr. Staff Writer Realscreen Magazine Cecilia Shakerley VP, Development for BBC Studios – Natural History Unit. BBC Studios Alison Barrat enior Vice President and Head, Content Love Nature Alan Eyres Head of Plimsoll, USA Plimsoll Productions MEET A MENTOR: MELANIE CAPACIA JOHNSON, NEO STUDIOS Room 402 10:45 AM-11:30 AM 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. Speaking Mentor Melanie Capacia Johnson President NEO Studios Pathways Mentor
11:30 AM	THE BUYERS’ VIEW: NAVIGATING THE ROAD AHEAD Salon 5 11:30 AM-12:15 PM 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. Speaking Joe Livecchi Chief Executive Officer Right On Content Brian Tannenbaum Head of Originals Roku Tiffany Williams EVP, Unscripted Programming & Development BET Networks Cori Abraham SVP, Development, Unscripted Content NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Cyle Zezo President The CW Television Network
12:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: JENNIFER GORDON, TLC Room 403 12:00 PM-12:30 PM 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. Speaking Jennifer Gordon VP, Development TLC 30 MINUTES WITH: LOREN RUCH, HGTV Room 402 12:00 PM-12:30 PM 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. Speaking Loren Ruch HGTV
2:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: BETSY AYALA, FOOD NETWORK Room 402 2:00 PM-2:30 PM 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. Speaking Betsy Ayala Head of Content, Food Food Network 30 MINUTES WITH: MARCIE HUME, A&E NETWORKS Room 403 2:00 PM-2:30 PM 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. Speaking Marcie Hume VP, Programming A&E Network FORMAT FOCUS: IT’S ALL ABOUT IP Salon 5 2:00 PM-2:45 PM 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? Speaking Beatrice Rossmanith Managing Director TAPE Consultancy Jin Woo Hwang Executive Producer & President Something Special James Townley Chief Content Officer, Development Banijay Group Monica Rodman EVP, Alternative Development Universal Television Alternative Studio Nicholas Oakley SVP of Development BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions Avi Armoza CEO Armoza Formats
3:00 PM	30 MINUTES WITH: BETSY SLENZAK & STEPHEN MANN (NBCU - GAME SHOW & COMPETITION) Room 402 3:00 PM-3:30 PM 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. Speaking Betsy Slenzak VP, Unscripted Programming NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Stephen Mann VP, Unscripted Programming & Development NBCUniversal Television and Streaming 30 MINUTES WITH: JESSICA SCHMIEDCHEN, CBC Room 403 3:00 PM-3:30 PM 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. Speaking Jessica Schmiedchen Director of Development, Unscripted Content CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation AFTER GEORGE FLOYD: THE POWER OF BLACK CONTENT IN UNSCRIPTED Salon 5 3:00 PM-3:45 PM 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. Speaking Angela Rye Award-Winning Host, Social Justice Advocate, Lawyer, Commentator, and Self-Described Empowermenteur Aneka Hylton-Donelson Co-Founder, Media Entertainment Executive Consultant National Geographic Partners Donny Jackson Executive Producer This Machine Filmworks Valerie Idehen Creator, Executive Producer & Development Consultant Hot Snakes Media Dane Joseph VP, Unscripted Series Hulu
4:00 PM	GENRE JAMS - SPORTS DOC Room 403 4:00 PM-4:45 PM 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. Speaking Ameeth Sankaran CEO Religion of Sports Melanie Capacia Johnson President NEO Studios Pathways Mentor FredAnthony Smith VP, Non-Scripted Development SMAC Entertainment Nate Houghteling Co-Founder & Executive Producer Portal A UNLOCKING AUDIENCE: DELIVERING CONTENT FOR, AND WITH, EVERYONE Salon 5 4:00 PM-4:45 PM 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. Speaking Amanda Upson Interim Director, Producer FWD-Doc Alison Smith Artistic Producer/Programmer Pesky People Deborah Williams OBE Chief Executive Creative Diversity Network

Thursday, January 26

9:45 AM

BUCKLE UP! WEATHERING THE STORM
Salon 5
9:45 AM-10:30 AM

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.

Speaking

Julie Bristow

Founder

Catalyst

Laura Palumbo Johnson

Owner & Executive Producer

Magilla Entertainment, LLC

Scott Sternberg

President

Scott Sternberg Productions

Cameron Stracher

Owner

Cameron Stracher - Media & Entertainment Law

D'Angela Proctor

Owner/Founder

Undaunted Content

11:00 AM

SURVIVORS AND THRIVERS
Salon 5
11:00 AM-11:45 AM

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.