The 25th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival is proud to host several educational panel discussions led by reputable and experienced members of the Beverly Hills Film Festival 2025 Grand Jury and the film industry.
Thursday, April 3rd 2025 –11:00am
Film Distribution and the Rise of Streaming Cinemas: A New Frontier
Length:1 Hour
Panelists:Top experts in the fields of AI, image/likeness licensing and Virtual Production (LED Wall, VR)
Frederico Lapenda
- Moderator
Roberta Augusto
Amanda Sthers
Thursday, April 3rd 2025 – 2:00pm
Power Panel: “Screenwriters & The Business of Story: Branding, Representation & New Distribution Models”
Length:1 Hour
Description:
This panel will dive into how screenwriters can build their personal brands, secure representation, and navigate evolving distribution models to get their work seen. Literary managers will discuss what they look for in clients and how they help writers establish themselves in the industry. Experts in niche distribution and virtual cinema will explore new opportunities for writers to get their stories produced and distributed outside traditional Hollywood pipelines. Attendees will learn practical strategies for positioning themselves in a crowded market, leveraging digital platforms, and connecting with the right industry players to bring their scripts to life.
- Loren Albento, Literary Manager, LBI Entertainment
- Anthony Francisco, Creative Executive, Dolphin Entertainment/Former Marvel Senior Artist
- Josh Nadler, Director of Acquisitions & Development, Sony Entertainment/Affirm Films
- Sophi Shi, Acquisition & Production Executive, EST N8
- Divya Shahani, Executive Producer/Entertainment Lawyer
Thursday, April 3rd 2025 – 4:00pm
Traditional vs. Modern film financing and what is a film fund?
Length:1 Hour
Description:
Traditional film financing typically involves securing funds from studios, private investors, or pre-sales, where distribution rights are sold before the film is made. This method gives studios creative control but ensures financial backing. Modern film financing, on the other hand, includes crowdfunding, streaming platform investments, and decentralized financing such as blockchain-based models, giving filmmakers more autonomy but often requiring extensive audience engagement. A film fund is a pool of capital dedicated to financing multiple film projects, reducing risk by diversifying investments across various productions. It can be private, public, or government-backed and is often used to support independent films.
Frederico Lapenda
- Moderator
Andre Relis
Saturday, April 5th – 11:00AM
Ai – What does it really mean and impact today?
Length:1 Hour
Description:
AI is revolutionizing various aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and visual effects to marketing and audience analysis. AI-driven tools streamline post-production workflows, enhance CGI realism, and even generate deepfake technology for de-aging or character replication. While AI increases efficiency and reduces costs, it also raises ethical concerns regarding job displacement, originality, and copyright issues. As AI’s role in filmmaking expands, the industry must navigate its benefits and challenges to ensure creative integrity and responsible use.
Rob Minkoff
