An FYC Event Hosted by Thom Powers
Documentary Spotlight (TV Edition) will host a spectacular line-up of creators for an afternoon of powerful discussions about the significance of documentary storytelling.
The event will feature an all-star list of panelists and keynote speakers - and present clips and conversations with leading filmmakers and executives illuminating their craft, their FYC projects in contention and discuss the state of the industry.
The event will feature an all-star list of panelists and keynote speakers - and present clips and conversations with leading filmmakers and executives illuminating their craft, their FYC projects in contention and discuss the state of the industry.
Location
NeueHouse Hollywood
Studio A
6121 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Studio A
6121 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Date & Time
June 9, 2024
12:30 PM - Doors Open
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Event*
4:30 - 6 PM Reception
*Food & Refreshments provided
12:30 PM - Doors Open
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM Event*
4:30 - 6 PM Reception
*Food & Refreshments provided
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Andrew Jarecki
director and producer
The Jinx II, HBO Documentary Films
James Carville
political strategist
Strategist, Commentator and Documentarian
Matt Tyrnauer
filmmaker
Documentary in Progress
Erika Dilday
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
American Documentary
Carolyn Bernstein
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
National Geographic Documentary Films
Brianna Oh
HEAD OF DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
Amazon MGM Studios
FEATURED DOCUMENTARIES
& PANELISTS
& PANELISTS
STORMY
PEACOCK PRESENTS
The film shares Stormy Daniels' story and follows Daniels reinventing herself while grappling with events from 5 years earlier that made her an unlikely American icon and part of American history.
Panelist:
Sarah Gibson
DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
—
Drawn to stories about popular social issues featuring complex characters, Emmy- nominated filmmaker Sarah Gibson has produced a library of feature docs and series on topics from gay rights and the economy to climate crisis and the conservatorship of Britney Spears. Most recently, she Directed and Produced “Stormy” for Peacock with producers Erin Lee Carr and Emelia Brown and Executive Producers Judd Apatow and Sara Bernstein. “Stormy” was an opening night film at SXSW 2024. Credits include "LA92", "At The Heart of Gold", and "Britney vs Spears". Her directorial debut was "Orgasm, Inc."
Sarah Gibson
DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
—
Drawn to stories about popular social issues featuring complex characters, Emmy- nominated filmmaker Sarah Gibson has produced a library of feature docs and series on topics from gay rights and the economy to climate crisis and the conservatorship of Britney Spears. Most recently, she Directed and Produced “Stormy” for Peacock with producers Erin Lee Carr and Emelia Brown and Executive Producers Judd Apatow and Sara Bernstein. “Stormy” was an opening night film at SXSW 2024. Credits include "LA92", "At The Heart of Gold", and "Britney vs Spears". Her directorial debut was "Orgasm, Inc."
Panelist:
Erin Lee Carr
PRODUCER
—
Erin Lee Carr is a two-time Emmy nominated filmmaker who has directed 10 documentary films and television shows. Notable films include her break-out hit “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” the tragic tale of “I Love You: Now Die,” and her most-watched film “Britney Vs. Spears.” Most recently, she produced Peacock's “Stormy” with director Sarah Gibson and executive Producer Judd Apatow, and has two more projects premiering on Hulu in 2024. Erin is a recovery and LGBTQ+ advocate and lives a bicoastal adventure with her dog, Bonnie.
Erin Lee Carr
PRODUCER
—
Erin Lee Carr is a two-time Emmy nominated filmmaker who has directed 10 documentary films and television shows. Notable films include her break-out hit “Mommy Dead and Dearest,” the tragic tale of “I Love You: Now Die,” and her most-watched film “Britney Vs. Spears.” Most recently, she produced Peacock's “Stormy” with director Sarah Gibson and executive Producer Judd Apatow, and has two more projects premiering on Hulu in 2024. Erin is a recovery and LGBTQ+ advocate and lives a bicoastal adventure with her dog, Bonnie.
BLACK TWITTER: A PEOPLE'S HISTORY
ONYX MEDIA
PRODUCED BY A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS,
WIRED STUDIOS AND CULTURE HOUSE MEDIA
PRODUCED BY A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS,
WIRED STUDIOS AND CULTURE HOUSE MEDIA
Based on Jason Parham’s WIRED cover story “A People’s History of Black Twitter,” this three- part docuseries charts the rise, the movements, the voices and the memes that made Black Twitter an influential and dominant force in nearly every aspect of American political and cultural life.
Panelist:
Prentice Penny
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR
—
Emmy nominated, Peabody, and Golden Globe winning writer-director-producer who has brought his unique voice and sensibilities today’s most beloved film and tv projects. Penny and his multi-media production company, A Penny For Your Thoughts Entertainment, have dedicated creative efforts towards telling stories that offer fresh perspectives.
Prentice Penny
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR
—
Emmy nominated, Peabody, and Golden Globe winning writer-director-producer who has brought his unique voice and sensibilities today’s most beloved film and tv projects. Penny and his multi-media production company, A Penny For Your Thoughts Entertainment, have dedicated creative efforts towards telling stories that offer fresh perspectives.
SPERMWORLD
FX PRESENTS
A NEW YORK TIMES PRODUCTION, AN EDGELINE FILMS PRODUCTION, IN ASSOCIATION WITH TO BE FORMED
A NEW YORK TIMES PRODUCTION, AN EDGELINE FILMS PRODUCTION, IN ASSOCIATION WITH TO BE FORMED
A road movie set inside the new wild west of baby making – online forums where sperm donors connect with hopeful parents. Against the landscape of roadside motels, abandoned shopping malls and suburban bathrooms, the film follows intimate encounters between donors and recipients as they exchange more than just genetic material. SPERMWORLD examines how our fantasies about partnership and parenthood shape our deepest desires. What emerges in this new feature-length documentary directed by Lance Oppenheim is an incisive portrait of the search for human connection in an increasingly alienating world.
Panelist:
Lance Oppenheim
DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
—
Acclaimed filmmaker Lance Oppenheim is known for blending nonfiction storytelling with heightened, cinematic formalism and flourishes of the surreal. Oppenheim’s first critically acclaimed documentary feature, “Some Kind of Heaven,” premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was produced by Darren Aronofsky & The New York Times (one of the paper’s first feature film productions). Oppenheim’s sophomore feature documentary, “SPERMWORLD,” recently premiered on FX and now available on Hulu.
Lance Oppenheim
DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
—
Acclaimed filmmaker Lance Oppenheim is known for blending nonfiction storytelling with heightened, cinematic formalism and flourishes of the surreal. Oppenheim’s first critically acclaimed documentary feature, “Some Kind of Heaven,” premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and was produced by Darren Aronofsky & The New York Times (one of the paper’s first feature film productions). Oppenheim’s sophomore feature documentary, “SPERMWORLD,” recently premiered on FX and now available on Hulu.
Panelist:
Kathleen Lingo
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
—
Kathleen Lingo, now an independent producer, is known for her work at The New York Times. During her tenure at The New York Times Op-Docs, the series published over 250 documentaries that garnered three Oscar nominations, three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and two IDA Awards. In 2018, she became the first editorial director of film and television at NYT and spearheaded the adaptation of NYT journalism into films and series including the Oscar nominated Time (Amazon Studios), SPERMWORLD (FX), Some Kind of Heaven (Magnolia Pictures), Father Soldier Son (Netflix), and the Emmy-winning The 1619 Project.
Kathleen Lingo
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
—
Kathleen Lingo, now an independent producer, is known for her work at The New York Times. During her tenure at The New York Times Op-Docs, the series published over 250 documentaries that garnered three Oscar nominations, three Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, and two IDA Awards. In 2018, she became the first editorial director of film and television at NYT and spearheaded the adaptation of NYT journalism into films and series including the Oscar nominated Time (Amazon Studios), SPERMWORLD (FX), Some Kind of Heaven (Magnolia Pictures), Father Soldier Son (Netflix), and the Emmy-winning The 1619 Project.
JIM HENSON IDEA MAN
DISNEY+
DISNEY BRANDED TELEVISION
DISNEY BRANDED TELEVISION
Takes us into the mind of this singular creative visionary, from his early years puppeteering on local television to the worldwide success of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and beyond. Featuring unprecedented access to Jim’s personal archives, filmmaker Ron Howard brings us a fascinating and insightful look at a complex man whose boundless imagination inspired the world.
Panelist:
Brian Henson
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
—
An award-winning director, producer, and writer for film and television. He is also a technological innovator and skilled puppeteer. Brian regularly joined his father Jim Henson on set and by the time he was 17, he worked on projects like the marionettes in the complicated bicycle scene in The Great Muppet Caper. Henson has also led the creative and technological innovations of the company, overseeing the groundbreaking work at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Brian Henson
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
—
An award-winning director, producer, and writer for film and television. He is also a technological innovator and skilled puppeteer. Brian regularly joined his father Jim Henson on set and by the time he was 17, he worked on projects like the marionettes in the complicated bicycle scene in The Great Muppet Caper. Henson has also led the creative and technological innovations of the company, overseeing the groundbreaking work at Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
Panelist:
Lisa Henson
CEO, THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
—
Oversees television and feature film production at The Jim Henson Company. She produced the critically acclaimed, Oscar®-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix and executive produced the feature film The Portable Door for MGM+, and the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and Harriet the Spy, both for Apple TV+. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Folklore and Mythology from Harvard University, where she served as the first female president of The Harvard Lampoon.
Lisa Henson
CEO, THE JIM HENSON COMPANY
—
Oversees television and feature film production at The Jim Henson Company. She produced the critically acclaimed, Oscar®-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix and executive produced the feature film The Portable Door for MGM+, and the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and Harriet the Spy, both for Apple TV+. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Folklore and Mythology from Harvard University, where she served as the first female president of The Harvard Lampoon.
Panelist:
Justin Wilkes
PRESIDENT, IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT
—
Oversees and facilitates the creative output and artistic strategy of Imagine Entertainment, working across divisions to create, enable, and foster creative opportunities. As an Academy Award and BAFTA nominated, Emmy and Peabody-winning producer, Wilkes has produced Emmy-winning films Lucy and Desi (Amazon), Ron Howard’s We Feed People (Disney+), Emmy-nominated Judy Blume Forever (Amazon), Frida (Amazon), and The Dynasty (Apple TV+).
Justin Wilkes
PRESIDENT, IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT
—
Oversees and facilitates the creative output and artistic strategy of Imagine Entertainment, working across divisions to create, enable, and foster creative opportunities. As an Academy Award and BAFTA nominated, Emmy and Peabody-winning producer, Wilkes has produced Emmy-winning films Lucy and Desi (Amazon), Ron Howard’s We Feed People (Disney+), Emmy-nominated Judy Blume Forever (Amazon), Frida (Amazon), and The Dynasty (Apple TV+).
BECKHAM
NETFLIX
IN PRODUCTION WITH STUDIO 99 IN ASSOCIATION WITH VENTURELAND
IN PRODUCTION WITH STUDIO 99 IN ASSOCIATION WITH VENTURELAND
A four-part documentary series, tells the inside story of a global football star and cultural icon. David Beckham is one of the most known names on the planet, yet few people know who he really is. From his humble working-class beginnings in east London, his drive and determination to win, and the battle to find balance between ambition, love and family, David’s story is one of immense ups and downs. The series takes you on that rollercoaster and builds a surprising, personal and definitive story of one of the most recognisable and scrutinized athletes of all time.
Panelist:
Fisher Stevens
DIRECTOR
—
An Academy Award-winning filmmaker who has been recognized for his work as an actor, director, producer, and activist. Having been in the entertainment industry for almost 40 years, his versatility speaks for itself with over 100 acting, 45 producing, and 25 directing credits from feature films to documentaries and from television to theatre. In 2010, he won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for The Cove.
Fisher Stevens
DIRECTOR
—
An Academy Award-winning filmmaker who has been recognized for his work as an actor, director, producer, and activist. Having been in the entertainment industry for almost 40 years, his versatility speaks for itself with over 100 acting, 45 producing, and 25 directing credits from feature films to documentaries and from television to theatre. In 2010, he won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for The Cove.
TELEMARKETERS
HBO DOCUMENTARY FILMS
A PRODUCTION OF ELARA PICTURES AND ALL FACTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROUGH HOUSE PICTURES
A PRODUCTION OF ELARA PICTURES AND ALL FACTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH ROUGH HOUSE PICTURES
TELEMARKETERS chronicles the darkly comedic, unexpected 20-year journey of two unlikely office buddies, who stumble upon the murky truth behind the work they’ve been doing – persuading people to give money to charities – and vow to expose the crooked industry from within. As amateur sleuths looking to shine a light on the billion-dollar scam, with raucous insider access and raw eyewitness footage, the film is a madcap story of an unruly, low-wage environment and two long-time office buddies who find themselves hot on the trail of a sobering look at the dark side of American capitalism and the misuse of consumer trust.
Panelist:
Adam Bhala Lough
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
—
A Punjabi-American film director, producer and writer. His award-winning film and videos include Bomb The System, Weapons, The Carter, The New Radical and Alt-Right: Age of Rage. Adam is a graduate of NYU’s film school, a mentor at the Sundance Native and Latino screenwriter’s labs and served on Sundance’s Diversity Outreach Committee.
Adam Bhala Lough
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
—
A Punjabi-American film director, producer and writer. His award-winning film and videos include Bomb The System, Weapons, The Carter, The New Radical and Alt-Right: Age of Rage. Adam is a graduate of NYU’s film school, a mentor at the Sundance Native and Latino screenwriter’s labs and served on Sundance’s Diversity Outreach Committee.
Panelist:
Sam Lipman-Stern
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
—
After crafting videos for legendary graffiti writers and underground hip-hop artists, Lipman-Stern became Director/Producer at VICE then Rolling Stone Magazine. His current client roster includes HBO, Forbes, NBC, Esquire, MTV, PBS, Apple, Complex, Conde Nast, Adidas and more.
Sam Lipman-Stern
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
—
After crafting videos for legendary graffiti writers and underground hip-hop artists, Lipman-Stern became Director/Producer at VICE then Rolling Stone Magazine. His current client roster includes HBO, Forbes, NBC, Esquire, MTV, PBS, Apple, Complex, Conde Nast, Adidas and more.
OUR PLANET II
NETFLIX
A SILVERBACK FILMS PRODUCTION
A SILVERBACK FILMS PRODUCTION
From the Emmy® Award-winning team behind Planet Earth and Our Planet comes Our Planet II. At any given moment on planet Earth, billions of animals are on the move. Captured with spectacular and innovative cinematography, Our Planet II unravels the mysteries of how and why animals migrate to reveal some of the most dramatic and compelling stories in the natural world. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Panelist:
Jasha Klebe
COMPOSER
—
Jasha Klebe is a composer known for emotive melodies and conceptually unique scores. He co-scored the BAFTA and Emmy nominated music of BBC’s Planet Earth II (alongside Hans Zimmer & Jacob Shea) and provided music to Blue Planet II, ITV’s A Year On Planet Earth, Netflix’s Animal, Fox’s Malika the Lion Queen, Plimsoll’s Queer Planet, to most recently co-scoring Netflix’s highly acclaimed blue-chip series, Our Planet II.
Jasha Klebe
COMPOSER
—
Jasha Klebe is a composer known for emotive melodies and conceptually unique scores. He co-scored the BAFTA and Emmy nominated music of BBC’s Planet Earth II (alongside Hans Zimmer & Jacob Shea) and provided music to Blue Planet II, ITV’s A Year On Planet Earth, Netflix’s Animal, Fox’s Malika the Lion Queen, Plimsoll’s Queer Planet, to most recently co-scoring Netflix’s highly acclaimed blue-chip series, Our Planet II.
THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP
NETFLIX
AN MRC FILM, A DOROTHY ST PICTURES PRODUCTION, IN ASSOCIATION WITH MAKEMAKE ENTERTAINMENT
AN MRC FILM, A DOROTHY ST PICTURES PRODUCTION, IN ASSOCIATION WITH MAKEMAKE ENTERTAINMENT
In 1985, 46 music icons, including Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder, came together for the most star-studded recording session in history. This is the untold story of the legendary global pop song “We Are the World” — which nearly didn’t happen.
Panelist:
Bao Nguyen
DIRECTOR
—
Emmy-nominated Vietnamese American filmmaker. His feature directorial debut, LIVE FROM NEW YORK!, celebrating 40 years of Saturday Night Live, opened the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. His 2nd feature documentary, BE WATER competed in the U.S. Documentary Competition category at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. It broadcast nationally on ESPN and is the most watched ESPN 30 for 30 film ever. His latest film, THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP, had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and launched globally on Netflix.
Bao Nguyen
DIRECTOR
—
Emmy-nominated Vietnamese American filmmaker. His feature directorial debut, LIVE FROM NEW YORK!, celebrating 40 years of Saturday Night Live, opened the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. His 2nd feature documentary, BE WATER competed in the U.S. Documentary Competition category at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. It broadcast nationally on ESPN and is the most watched ESPN 30 for 30 film ever. His latest film, THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP, had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and launched globally on Netflix.
IN RESTLESS DREAMS: THE MUSIC OF PAUL SIMON
MGM+
PRODUCED BY JIGSAW PRODUCTIONS, CLOSER MEDIA, AND ANONYMOUS CONTENT
PRODUCED BY JIGSAW PRODUCTIONS, CLOSER MEDIA, AND ANONYMOUS CONTENT
The definitive musical biography of Paul Simon, one of the greatest songwriters (and performers) in the history of rock ‘n roll. Granted unprecedented access to the making of a new album, the filmmakers also show never-before-seen footage of Simon’s extraordinary career, from Simon & Garfunkel to the phenomenal global success of Simon’s solo album “Graceland.”
Panelist:
Alex Gibney
DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
—
Known for his deeply insightful documentaries, and unique cinematic style has been honored with an Academy Award, Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, Peabody Awards, the DuPont-Columbia Award, The Independent Spirit Award, and The Writers Guild Awards. Notable films include, Oscar-nominated Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Oscar-winning Taxi to the Darkside, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prism of Belief, The Inventor, Agents of Chaos, Totally Under Control, The Crime of the Century, The Forever Prisoner, and Boom! Boom!
Alex Gibney
DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER
—
Known for his deeply insightful documentaries, and unique cinematic style has been honored with an Academy Award, Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, Peabody Awards, the DuPont-Columbia Award, The Independent Spirit Award, and The Writers Guild Awards. Notable films include, Oscar-nominated Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, Oscar-winning Taxi to the Darkside, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prism of Belief, The Inventor, Agents of Chaos, Totally Under Control, The Crime of the Century, The Forever Prisoner, and Boom! Boom!
Doors open at 12:30PM
Guild members will be prioritized.
Seating:
Friendly reminder that seating is limited; first come, first served.
Parking:
FREE Valet Parking is available for the first 100 guests with validation.
There is also Free street parking on Sunday, June 9th.
Guild members will be prioritized.
Seating:
Friendly reminder that seating is limited; first come, first served.
Parking:
FREE Valet Parking is available for the first 100 guests with validation.
There is also Free street parking on Sunday, June 9th.
“For anyone who loves nonfiction storytelling, this event has it
all - criminals, influencers,
puppeteers, athletes, pop stars,
and more - capped off by maverick political pundit James Carville.
If you want to understand
what’s breaking through indocumentary,
this is the place to be.”
- Thom Powers
all - criminals, influencers,
puppeteers, athletes, pop stars,
and more - capped off by maverick political pundit James Carville.
If you want to understand
what’s breaking through indocumentary,
this is the place to be.”
- Thom Powers