David Stem is a screenwriter and producer whose films have grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide. He is best known for shaping iconic family franchises like Shrek 2, The Smurfs, Rugrats, The Rugrats Movie, and Disney’s Disenchanted. His work blends heart, humor, and high-concept storytelling that resonates with global audiences.
A veteran of both studio blockbusters and original animation, David co-founded The Writer’s Forge, a creative training platform for emerging screenwriters. Through workshops and mentorship, he helps writers develop strong narrative structure, compelling voice, and real-world industry skills.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and an active member of the Writers Guild of America, David continues to create film and television across genres while championing the next generation of storytellers.

Diane Drake is a screenwriter, story consultant, and former Vice President of Creative Affairs for director Sydney Pollack. She is the writer of ONLY YOU (starring Robert Downey Jr. and Marisa Tomei), which sold for $1 million, and WHAT WOMEN WANT (starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt), the second highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time. Both films have been remade internationally, including major Chinese-language adaptations and WHAT MEN WANT starring Taraji P. Henson.

Diane is a member of the Writers Guild of America and the author of Get Your Story Straight, a guide to mastering screenwriting fundamentals. She teaches in the UCLA Extension Writers Program and mentors writers globally through the Rocaberti Retreats. Diane also speaks internationally and has judged for major industry awards including the WGA Awards and the Humanitas Prize.

Zack Bornstein is an Emmy-losing, Peabody Award-winning, and WGA Award-winning writer-director from Shrinking (Apple), Saturday Night Live (NBC), Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC), Strange Planet (Apple), Alternatino (Comedy Central), The Good Cop (Netflix), Game On (CBS), Red Nose Day (NBC), The New Yorker, and more. He’s sold and developed 12 series and features for Hulu, Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Dreamworks, Quibi (RIP), Imagine, etc. The New Zealand gossip tabloid Women’s Day once reported that he was dating Emma Stone, which was flattering, but later issued a “corrections,” which was devastating.

JAMES V. HART (J.V.) was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up in Ft. Worth Texas on Drive-In Movies and Saturday Matinees.

His writing/producing credits include; Hook, directed by Steven Spielberg based on an idea by Hart’s then 6 year old son, Jake, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Muppet Treasure Island, directed by Brian Henson, and Contact, directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Other writing/producing credits include: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Tuck Everlasting, Jack And The Beanstalk: The Real Story. Sahara, Lara Croft: Tombraider – The Cradle Of Life, August Rush, Epic, and the TV series, Crossbones.

The Hot Zone, the acclaimed series for Nat Geo based on Richard Preston’s best-selling book, was created by Hart, who also shared writing and story credits on each episode and served as an Executive Producer.

Hart is a co-founder of the Peter Pan Children’s Fund, a non-profit that fosters youth philanthropy supporting Children’s Hospitals, has served on the Meadows School of the Arts board at SMU, is a founding member of the Writer’s Guild Initiative board, and founder of Lionfish University, a non-profit dedicated to reef preservation and conservation.

His renowned story mapping tool app, TheHartChart, and the HartChart toolkit, were launched online and in print at the 2015 Austin Film Festival. The Story Compass is the newest addition to the Hart Chart writing tools.

“Go with Gravity” is Hart’s primary mantra for the writing life.

Pen Densham is the co-founder of Trilogy Entertainment Group, a Hollywood-based production company whose films and television series have grossed over $1 billion worldwide. A prolific writer, producer, and director, Pen is best known for co-writing and producing the blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, as well as reviving iconic series The Outer Limits and The Twilight Zone. His film credits include Moll Flanders (which he wrote and directed), Blown Away, Tank Girl, The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, and Phantom. He also executive produced the Oscar-nominated Harriet, starring Cynthia Erivo.

Originally from Canada, Pen began his career working with media visionary Marshall McLuhan and co-founded the Oscar-nominated Insight Productions. Mentored by Norman Jewison, Pen has taught master classes at USC and other top film schools, inspiring his bestselling screenwriting guide Riding the Alligator. His fine art photography and film archives are now being preserved by the University of Toronto.

Cindy Cowan is an Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated producer who co-founded Initial Entertainment Group (IEG) in 1995. From its conception to its sale in 2000, IEG became a leading film production and foreign sales company. IEG had many successes, including an Emmy nomination for Rent-A-Kid; Emmy, Golden Globe, and People’s Choice nominations for If These Walls Could Talk; the coveted United Nations Award for Savior; and four Oscar wins for Traffic. Since forming Cindy Cowan Entertainment (CCE), Cowan has produced films with various A-list talent, including Woody Harrelson, Robert DeNiro, Sir Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, and Cillian Murphy. In 2020, Cindy won an Emmy with her documentary Miracle on 42nd Street. Her latest film, CLEANER, Directed by Martin Campbell, starring Clive Owen and Daisy Ridley was just released theatrically. Before that, she produced The Haunting in Wicker Park for Sony starring Jamie Campbell Bower and Erin Moriarty. Cindy was recently presented with the Woman of the Year award by WIN (Woman’s Image Network), as well as Humanitarian of the Year by the Hollywood Film Festival.

MICHAEL HAUGE is the bestselling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Storytelling Made Easy, and has made in-person and online presentations to more than 600,000 participants worldwide.

He has been one of Hollywood’s top story experts and script consultants for more than 4 decades. While on retainer for Overbrook Entertainment, he consulted on the scripts for (among many others) I AM LEGEND, HANCOCK, THE KARATE KID, SUICIDE SQUAD and BRIGHT.

By employing those same Hollywood story principles, Michael has helped business leaders, consultants, authors, professional speakers and Internet marketers generate millions of dollars in revenue, grow their brands and change people’s lives.

In the words of Will Smith, “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.”

Felicity Wren is a powerhouse of creative development and an award-winning performer who bridges continents and mediums. As VP of Development at both the International Screenwriters’ Association and Creative Screenwriter Productions, she plays a pivotal role in launching new voices and shepherding bold ideas to screen.

A classically trained actress from London with Honors and Masters degrees in Performance, Felicity co-founded Unrestricted View—a production company that runs one of the UK’s most vibrant comedy and new writing theatres, now celebrating 25 years, and curates three BIFA-accredited film festivals.

Since relocating to Los Angeles, she has earned five performance awards, produced 18 films, and mentored hundreds of screenwriters through the ISA’s Development Slate and Top 25 Writers to Watch. Her fingerprints are on countless success stories—from scripts optioned to writers signed.

She recently launched A Wren Bird Company, a collective dedicated to cinematic storytelling, and is currently producing a film adaptation of A Thousand Paper Birds. Whether on stage, on set, or in a development room, Felicity is a relentless champion of visionary storytelling and artistic excellence.

Steve Kaplan is one of the industry’s most sought-after experts on comedy. In addition to having taught at UCLA, NYU, Yale and other top universities, Steve Kaplan created the HBO Workspace, the HBO New Writers Program and was co-founder and Artistic Director of Manhattan Punch Line Theatre. He has served as a consultant to such companies and organizations as Dreamworks, Disney Animation, HBO, Film Victoria, Screen Australia, Aardman Animation, and others. His book, The Hidden Tools of Comedy and The Comic Hero’s Journey have been best sellers on Amazon and Kindle, and have been translated into Russian, Chinese, and French. He is currently working on a new book on wrting comedy for TV.

Shayna Weber is a genre-bending screenwriter, producer, and director with a fierce voice and a love for characters who refuse to play by the rules. Her debut horror feature, Bruha, is currently in post-production, and her cult-hit short Lunch Ladies—which she produced—has racked up 46 awards across 100+ festivals worldwide. She also directed its darkly hilarious follow-up, VIF (Very Important Film).

With two decades of production experience under her belt, Shayna has worked behind the scenes on top-tier unscripted hits like RuPaul’s Drag Race, So You Think You Can Dance, and VH1’s Bands Reunited. This hands-on experience sharpened her problem-solving instincts and filled her creative toolbox with an encyclopedia of offbeat insights.

Now a Creative Executive at the International Screenwriters’ Association, Shayna nurtures new screenwriting talent while continuing to develop original projects.

Dee Austin Robertson is a writer, filmmaker, and creative executive shaping the future of digital storytelling. As VP of Digital Studio at Trusted Media Brands, he oversees creative video across The Pet Collective, FailArmy, Taste of Home, and Reader’s Digest. His work includes viral hits like Dear Kitten and Puppyhood and the feature film The Happytime Murders. An Emmy, Digiday, and Adweek award winner, Dee continues to bridge creativity and innovation across entertainment and branded content.

Alison Dumbell is a Beverly Hills–based talent and literary manager at Marilyn Atlas Management and the founder of Upstage Entertainment. Her work centers on helping actors and writers bridge the gap between their unique creative voices and the practical realities of the U.S. entertainment industry. With a global background spanning the U.S., England, Ukraine, and India, Alison brings an international perspective to career development and storytelling. She champions a collaborative, strategy-driven approach to representation and is deeply invested in supporting bold, authentic voices as they build sustainable creative careers.

Dallaslyn Lamb is an independent literary manager at King Lamb Entertainment, representing writers, directors, and producers. KLE’s clients are award-winning writers and directors in TV and Features across genres in the United States and Canada. Credits for clients include Law & Order: SVU, The Hunting Party, Haunted Hotel, Cake, All Eyes On Me, and more. At KLE, Dallaslyn also works with authors with the goal of adapting their material or transitioning into a film/tv career. Dallaslyn’s sole objective as a manager is to help creatives achieve their goals and passions without being a roadblock to creativity.

Originally from Kentucky, Abigail received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, followed by a Master’s Degree in Creative Producing. Abigail’s professional experience in entertainment has covered a range of arenas, including post-production and professional sports, but early on, she developed a love for representation, which led to the start of her career in Literary Management at Epicenter, focused on the careers of screenwriters and directors. She then moved to the Intellectual Property Group, and in that role, she worked with a wide range of Screenwriters, Directors, Authors, Playwrights, and Journalists. During her time at IPG, Abigail learned the ins and outs of dealing with high-profile IP, high-profile buyers, and the intricacies and nuances of adaptation within that space. The first employee of Navigation Media Group, Abigail, was integral to the creation, implementation, and execution of the company’s systems and business structures and developed and nurtured the company culture from the ground floor. During her tenure at Navigation, Abigail built a client list of Queer, Female, and Underrepresented voices across mediums. She has a passion for script and story development and is dedicated to supporting underrepresented stories and perspectives.

James Moorer is an accomplished entrepreneur, filmmaker, literary manager, screenwriter, producer, and best-selling author with over 20 years of experience. He began his career in the early 2000s directing, acting, and doing voice-overs for indie films. He’s produced independent films that received critical acclaim. James is a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences with his innovative perspective and career journey. In 2024, James launched One Moorer Media & Management, representing authors and screenwriters. He helms imprints Dark Anthem Press, One Anthem Press, and Hammerjaxx Films. James is a member of the Authors Guild, the Organization of Black Screenwriters, and serves as Co-Chair on the Independent Writers Caucus.

Carolyn J Carpenter is a story analyst, writer, and producer. She recently co-wrote the Lionsgate film, YOU CAN’T RUN FOREVER, starring Oscar-winner JK Simmons and Downton Abbey’s Allen Leech. She is currently developing an
animated rock opera, co-written with Adam Watts, composer of High School Musical and Camp Rock.  

Carolyn is also the Founder/CEO of Hollywood Gatekeepers and has served as a founding producer of Neo Ensemble Theatre, Associate Producer of Alternative Repertory Theatre, and the founder/creator of the award-winning mega-hit MOTEL 6 Feet Under Nonprofit Haunted House.

Carolyn has served as a story analyst/reader for filmmakers and companies producing iconic films such as JOKER, GAME OF THRONES, WALKING DEAD, GRAN TORINO, GET SMART, SHERLOCK HOLMES, AMERICAN SNIPER, BLACK SWAN, YOUNG GUNS, TRAFFIC, LOST IN SPACE, SKULL ISLAND, TAMMY, AVATAR, OCEANS 8, ZODIAC, THE THIN RED LINE, LIFE OF PI, XMEN, PEOPLE VS LARRY FLINT, SULLY, GREAT GATSBY, MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS, BABE, QUIZ SHOW, FOOTLOOSE, NIXON & KISSINGER, as well as for agencies such as Innovative Artists, and contests including the Sundance Institute, the Scriptwriter’s Network, and the CBS Diversity Program, among others.

Jeff Bushell is a writer, producer, and showrunner with credits spanning hit television series and studio features. His film work includes Ricky Stanicky and Beverly Hills Chihuahua, where he served as writer and executive producer, as well as the upcoming feature Open House. On television, he was the showrunner of Bella and the Bulldogs and held staff writer positions on acclaimed and iconic series including The Bernie Mac Show, MADtv, and Zoey 101. His career reflects a deep command of comedy across both television and feature film.

Michael Schilf is an award-winning filmmaker and the co-founder of Lunar Door, an independent production company. His work has earned over 90 international awards and 41 nominations, including 13 Best Director honors. He is the producer of the sports adventure documentary Tracing the Divide, the coming-of-age drama The Fall, and the writer-director of the upcoming horror mystery thriller The Wolf and the Lamb.

Michael is currently attached to direct three action thrillers: Ashes, Confession, and The Artisan. Known for his sharp visual storytelling and genre versatility, he continues to develop bold, original narratives for film and television.

Jon has twenty-five years of experience in the independent film, festival and streaming communities, a rare leader with a unique combination of leadership, filmmaking and curation skills. He has led divisions for a number of successful start-ups and founded several that served as curated internet portals. As a filmmaker with impact driven Cause Pictures, he has produced a number of award-winning documentaries; and as a consultant, he has guided many independent film projects through the maze of festivals and distribution models. As a co-founder of the Slamdance Film Festival (1995), he led the event the next two seasons before being named the Festival Director for the prestigious AFI Film Festival in 1997. After running AFI Fest for three years (1997- 1999), he created a consulting business, guiding the launch of numerous film festivals (Bahamas, Lone Star, Orlando), directing several others (Santa Barbara, Topanga and Naples), and consulting to dozens more, while sharing insights, articles and videos through On the Circuit. In October of 2012, Jon authored his first book, entitled Filmmaking for Change: Make Films That Transform the World. He has also created numerous podcasts, blogs and courses, serving as guest, host and author as appropriate.

Gary Goldstein is an award-winning writer whose work spans film, television, theater, and novels. He has written more than fifteen produced TV movies, including The Wish List, Lights, Camera, Christmas!, and the Flower Shop Mystery franchise, as well as the feature films Politics of Love and If You Only Knew. His recent TV movie Friends & Family Christmas earned a 2024 GLAAD Award nomination. A produced playwright with acclaimed Los Angeles stage credits, Gary is also a four-time novelist, including the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award-winning The Last Birthday Party and the Amazon #1 debut Please Come to Boston. He has been a regular contributing film reviewer and arts writer for the Los Angeles Times since 2007.

Melessa Y. Sargent is the President and CEO of The Scriptwriters Network Foundation, Inc., a leading nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering writers across the entertainment industry. Under her leadership, the organization has strengthened its role as a premier resource for both emerging and established screenwriters, connecting creative talent with industry professionals and production companies. Melessa is passionate about fostering growth, collaboration, and opportunity for storytellers at every stage of their careers.

Craig Fernandez is a veteran screenwriter with a 28-year career spanning film, television, and animation. He has sold 22 feature films, two mini-series, a network pilot, and multiple children’s projects, working across every major genre. Craig began his career in development at Michael Mann’s production company, Forward Pass, before launching as a full-time writer. His projects have been produced or developed by major studios including Disney, 20th Century Fox, Universal, Sony, DreamWorks, and Warner Bros., with credits ranging from political thrillers and romantic comedies to comic book adaptations, animation, and literary reimaginings. Known for his versatility and longevity, Craig continues to champion the craft with his guiding principle: Always Be Writing.

Brandy is a comedy writer and producer working across feature films and television. She has sold two features to Paramount and Blumhouse, three feature pitches to Paramount Players, Hulu, and Sony, and television projects to FX and Freeform. Her staffing credits include CHELSEA (Netflix), CRANK YANKERS (Comedy Central), and CROSSING SWORDS (Hulu). Known for turning dark, personal material into sharp comedy, Brandy broke out with a viral Comedy Central sketch and continues to develop bold, character-driven projects. She currently has 3 features in development, including projects with Tiffany Haddish, Judy Greer, Patrick Wilson, and Elizabeth Debicki attached.

Kevin is a television writer currently writing on the reboot of GOOD TIME (Netflix). His career spans comedy and drama, with staffing credits including LIE TO ME (Fox), as well as extensive experience in development and writers’ rooms. Kevin has also written and co-written multiple comic books for Zenescope Entertainment, one of which is being adapted into a feature film. Before breaking in as a writer, he worked as an assistant at MiddKid Productions, learning showrunning firsthand while supporting projects such as THE SHIELD, TERRIERS, and THE UNIT. Known for his versatility and curiosity, Kevin brings a global perspective to his storytelling, shaped by living and traveling across more than two dozen countries.

Isabel Dréan is a screenwriter, director, and producer working at the forefront of the global vertical series movement. A five-time produced Christmas movie writer, she transitioned into micro-drama and has since sold multiple vertical series, with several produced and distributed across leading apps. Her breakout hit The Blind Bride of the Scarred Mafia Boss reached #1 on Vigloo, and she is currently developing new projects including The Royal Wedding Planner. Isabel is the Amazon #1 bestselling author of How to Write a Vertical Series in 10 Days and the founder of The HUB, an international network connecting writers, producers, and financiers in the vertical space. Through her Vertical Series Incubator and first-look partnership with Embr Entertainment, she continues building a direct pipeline from emerging writers to active production.

Sadie Dean is the Editor of Script Magazine and co-host of the Reckless Creatives podcast. For nearly a decade, she has championed screenwriters around the world through education, consulting, and industry events. A filmmaker herself, Sadie has written, produced, and directed independent features, commercials, shorts, and music videos for major brands and studios including Warner Bros., TBS, and AwesomenessTV. Her work continues to bridge creativity and community, empowering writers to develop their craft and careers.

Danny Manus is a former development executive, screenwriter, and the founder of No BullScript Consulting, where he has worked with thousands of writers to develop scripts and navigate the entertainment industry. His clients have gone on to sell projects, secure representation, land writing fellowships, and appear on prestigious lists such as the Black List and Stunt List. Danny has consulted on produced films including Strangerland, King of Killers, I, Frankenstein, and Satanic Panic. Previously Director of Development for Clifford Werber Productions and Sandstorm Films, Danny has taken thousands of pitches and regularly speaks at film festivals, universities, and writing conferences across North America.

Jim Cirile is a writer, producer, and founder of Coverage Ink, a leading story analysis and development company serving writers and production studios worldwide for over 23 years. A graduate of SUNY Purchase and UCLA’s Screenwriting Program, Jim’s produced credits include Bounty Hunters and Hawk’s Vengeance (CFP/Lionsgate) and the acclaimed animated feature To Your Last Death, one of the most award-winning horror films of 2020. A veteran voice in the screenwriting community, he spent a decade writing the “Agent’s Hot Sheet” column for Creative Screenwriting magazine and has contributed to Script, The Wrap, and Weekly World News. Through Coverage Ink, Jim has championed emerging writers for over two decades, shaping stories from concept to production.

Tanya is a writer and director with an extensive career spanning theater and film. In New York City, her work appeared Off-Broadway and at international festivals such as FringeNYC, and she spent a decade as Artistic Director of an Off-Off-Broadway company where she produced or directed nearly one hundred productions and led writing and directing labs. In features, she is the co-writer of the award-winning horror film To Your Last Death, starring William Shatner, Morena Baccarin, and Ray Wise, which earned 35 festival awards. She also co-wrote the upcoming features My Scare Lady and Psychopathy, continuing her work in genre storytelling.

Barri Evins is a veteran producer and story strategist with decades of experience developing and packaging projects for major studios including Warner Bros., Universal, Disney, New Line, Nickelodeon, and HBO. Rising through the executive ranks under Bruce Evans and Ray Gideon and later serving as President of Debra Hill Productions, she has sold specs, pitches, articles, and books across the industry. Barri is known for discovering emerging voices, including helping launch early work from the Wachowskis and screenwriter David Berenbaum. Today, she mentors writers worldwide, combining sharp story insight with career strategy, and authors the long-running “Breaking & Entering” column for Script Magazine.

Fred Song is a film producer and entertainment executive known for his work on genre features, including The Prince, Please Don’t Feed The Children (Destry Spielberg’s directorial debut), and several more projects currently in development. With a career that bridges production and strategic leadership, Fred is a member of the Producers Council, Producers Guild of America. His expertise spans creative development and production execution across independent and genre cinema, underscoring his role as a trusted industry voice.

Niall is an Irish-born screenwriter based in Los Angeles whose credits include the 2022 features Mister Mayfair, Spice of Life, and A Song to Kill For. He was part of the writing team behind The History Channel’s acclaimed docu-series Colosseum, which was on the 2023 Emmy ballot for Outstanding Limited Series. His upcoming thriller And Still Smiling, starring Billy Zane and Peter Facinelli, is slated for release in 2025.
Prior to his screenwriting career, Niall worked on over 30 film and television productions, serving as a personal assistant to producer Scott Bernstein and actor Jodie Comer. His production experience includes major titles like Deadpool, War for the Planet of the Apes, Power Rangers, Supernatural, and Riverdale. He is currently developing an original action-adventure feature for a global streaming platform.

Hilliard Guess is a writer/producer/director/podcaster whose credits include SYFY’s Deadly Class (Russo Bros), serving as EP/Showrunner of the award-winning series Ticker (Best Series, 2021 World International Film Festival), Executive Producer of Amazon’s Cross: After Hours, and Producer of the Deadline-announced coming-of-age feature Mermaid!. Named one of The Top 100 Indie Writers in the World (iTunes), he’s also revered as the longtime host of the Screenwriters’ Rant Room and WGAW’s 3rd & Fairfax podcasts. As a gay, Black artist, Hilliard is a fierce advocate for inclusion and has spent over a decade as Co-Chair of the WGAW Committee of Black Writers, championing diverse voices while carving his own path through underdog stories across film, TV, and digital.

Brian Herskowitz is a veteran writer, producer, and director with more than four decades of experience across film, television, theater, and publishing. His feature credits include Tio Papi, Musical Chairs, Captivated, and Robber’s Roost, and he directed Odessa or Bust and the short-form series Murray Ghost. A member of the Writers Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, and SAG-AFTRA, Brian has also taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension and led Boston University’s Writer in Hollywood Program for over two decades. In addition to his filmmaking career, he is the author of the screenwriting textbook Process to Product and the award-winning novel Conceptus.

Sharon Lopez is a Los Angeles–based Producer whose career spans award-winning films, television, and innovative formats like virtual reality. With over two decades of global production experience, she has contributed to major studio projects including The Morning Show, Dora and the Search for El Dorado, F8: The Fate of the Furious. A bilingual and bicultural professional, Sharon has worked across the U.S., Latin America, Oceania, Europe, and the Middle East, mastering the complexities of budgets, locations, and multinational teams. Her expertise bridges conception to completion, making her a trusted asset in both American and international markets.

David began as a working screenwriter, selling and optioning scripts and stories to Sony, Columbia Pictures, Paramount, MGM, Atlas Entertainment, Buena Vista Television (Disney), and others. Disappointed that most screenwriting teachers only taught theory (many of which had never had a sale), David crisscrossed the world teaching advanced story and character techniques in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, Scotland, and beyond, with many of his students going on to win top awards. He later became the official screenwriting instructor for the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), then served as Executive Vice President at Fox (and later Disney) from 2016–2020, training executives and writers in the craft of story. Today, he’s exploring the strange new frontier of AI and storytelling.

Ashley is a Los Angeles–based actress best known as a series regular on the #1 scripted YouTube show Dhar Mann, which reaches over 25 million subscribers worldwide. She has also starred in more than 30 vertical micro-dramas for rapidly growing digital platforms including ReelShort, Dramawave, DramaBox, and NetShort. As the vertical storytelling space continues to expand, Ashley remains at the forefront of this new wave of short-form, mobile-first entertainment.

Brooks Elms is a WGA screenwriter with 45+ scripts, 2 indie features directed, and 1,000+ students taught at UCLA Extension. He’s also a life coach for writers, drawing on 30 years of personal growth work—exploring everything from a hero’s deepest fear to your deepest fear. Today, Brooks is focused on bringing his own IP directly to audiences online and helping other writers do the same—so every client can build 10,000 raving fans and a lifelong revenue source.

Joe began in the industry crafting rarely-praised interpretations of western classics starring his action figures when he was 5 years old. (He stands by that G.I. Joe is still to this day the most professional actor he has ever worked with, and even did his own stunts). With over a decade of experience, Joe has worked as a producer and executive with some of the biggest names in the business, such as Mark Wahlberg, Michael Bay, MrBeast, and Peter Berg, and alongside some of the biggest brands and organizations on the planet including Nike, the NFL, the MLB, the PGA, Hasbro and Caesar’s Entertainment Group. His latest project, RED SONJA, based on the pulp comic book character, is being theatrically released in Q4 2025.

Adam Bussel is the Executive Producer and Head of Production at DYNMC Creative, where he oversees the development and execution of high-impact film and digital projects. A SAG-AFTRA actor as well, Adam brings a unique dual perspective to production, bridging creative performance and behind-the-camera leadership. His work centers on building compelling stories with strong visual execution and streamlined production strategy.

Alicia Herder is an award-winning writer–director and Spirit Award and GLAAD Media Award–nominated producer whose work blends emotional depth with bold visual storytelling. Her directing credits include the short films Good Girl (recipient of the James Bridges Award for Directing) and Diego on My Mind, as well as digital series work for JellySmack that has generated millions of views. As a producer, she brought the Sundance-premiered feature La Leyenda Negra to audiences through HBO Films and produced the Netflix-streaming short The Blue Drum. A graduate of UCLA’s MFA Directing program, Alicia continues developing character-driven stories centered on women, outsiders, and themes of mental health, grief, and transformation.

Patrick Boyd is a Los Angeles–based writer and UCLA MFA graduate whose work spans short film and high-performing vertical series. He wrote Married at First Sight for the platform ReelShort, which amassed over 158 million views, and has contributed to numerous viral verticals for Dramabox, Dramawave, and GoodShort. As a filmmaker, he produced and acted in the award-winning short Foreign Uncle, now streaming on The New Yorker, and his short You and Me and Him and Him and Him screened at NewFest and the Melbourne International Queer Film Festival. Patrick’s work bridges festival storytelling and the fast-paced world of mobile-first entertainment.

Reece Lax is a Los Angeles–based filmmaker and cinematographer whose work spans feature films, music videos, and digital projects. A graduate of The Los Angeles Film School, Reece has built a strong presence in the rapidly growing vertical drama space, where much of his recent production experience is centered. His visual approach blends traditional film craftsmanship with the fast-paced demands of mobile-first storytelling.

Dave Peniuk has been in over 35 TV Series, Feature Films, Short Films, and Digital Series including the award winning feature “Sorry about the Demo” in the horror comedy spoof, CBC award winning intense spy-thriller “The Romeo Section”, and the latest horror feature film by Sandcastle Pictures “Funhouse” released in 2019. Dave has also Written, Directed and Produced several short films and digital web series including the recent thriller “psychikill”, and the award winning TV Pilot “The High Five”. When not acting or auditioning, he can be found in Acting classes with Margie Haber, Jim Nieb, Diane Charles, and Stuart Aikins or learning Improv as an Advanced student at The Groundlings theater and school.