NashFilm’s 2022 Creators Conference connects filmmakers, industry trailblazers, tastemakers and thought leaders with a mix of in-person and online panels exploring the current industry trends in the film and music industries while also focusing on important topical cultural issues.
In-person panels / events: Thursday, September 29 – Saturday, October 1.
Livestream and Recorded Panels will be available for viewing through Oct. 5, 2022.
**please note, all times listed are Central Time zone
2022 Creators Conference events will be hosted at several Nashville venues as listed per each panel below:
- National Museum of African American Music – 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
- Virgin Hotel Nashville (Maybelle) – 1 Music Square W, Nashville, TN 37203
- United Talent Agency (UTA) – 225 Polk Ave Suite 130, Nashville, TN 37203
The Case Study: Music Sync for Ads & Games
Thursday, Sept. 29
2 PM – 3 PM @ National Museum of African American Music
An in-depth behind the scenes look at the decisions that are made when selecting a song for a sync placement by dissecting specific examples of work by top music supervisors and music producers. We break down ‘the brief’, discuss how tempo, tone/feeling, and theme play a role, examine the reason(s) a song gets selected or not selected, and the importance of context in a song. This is an advanced look at sync placements in Marketing & Games.
Moderator: Heather Cook, peermusic
Panelists: Ben Werdegar EA
Chip Herter, Deutsch LA
David Fisher, Songs for Film & TV
JT Griffith, Nike/Liminal Music
Music Sync For Film
Thursday, Sept. 29
3 PM – 4 PM @ National Museum of African American Music – Nashville
An in-depth behind the scenes look at the decisions that are made when selecting a song for a sync placement by dissecting specific examples of work by top music supervisors and music producers. We break down ‘the brief’, discuss how tempo, tone/feeling, and theme play a role, examine the reason(s) a song gets selected or not selected, and the importance of context in a song. This is an advanced look at sync placements in TV.
Moderator: Jen Wolczyk, Whizbang
Panelists: Ann Kline, Casa Kline
Russell Ziecker, Lionsgate
Whitney Pilzer, Black and White
Create In Tennessee
Friday, Sept. 30
10:30 AM – 12 noon @ Virgin Maybelle
Hear from leading content creators and executives from the Volunteer state as they discuss producing film, television and media-based projects here at home. They will share their insights on how to leverage resources, workforce, and incentives to create in Tennessee.
Moderator: Phillip Cordell, HiPhi Productions
Panelists: Bob Raines, Executive Director, Tennessee Entertainment Commission
Curt Willis, Knoxville Film Office
Danny Dones, Nashville Dads Club, Old Henry
Defining Women In Film & TV
Friday, Sept. 30
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM @ Virgin Maybelle
This panel will examine the difficulties in making it in show business – typically a male centric industry. What makes the female gaze important? Why is it necessary to ensure there is equal and appropriate gender representation behind the camera? This panel will delve into the important issues.
Moderator: Bears Rebecca Fonte, Director, aGLIFF
Panelists: Kd Amond, Writer/Director
Sarah Zanotti, Actress/Screenwriter/Producer
Edina Kishonthy, Alliance of Women Directors
Music Sync for TV
Friday, Sept. 30
2 PM – 3 PM @ Virgin Maybelle
An in-depth behind the scenes look at the decisions that are made when selecting a song for a sync placement by dissecting specific examples of work by top music supervisors and music producers. We break down ‘the brief’, discuss how tempo, tone/feeling, and theme play a role, examine the reason(s) a song gets selected or not selected, and the importance of context in a song. This is an advanced look at sync placements in TV.
Moderator: Jen Wolczyk, Whizbang
Panelists: Ann Kline, Casa Kline
Russell Ziecker, Lionsgate
Whitney Pilzer, Black and White
Trailers & Trailerizing Music
Friday, Sept. 30
3 PM – 4 PM @ Virgin Maybelle
An exploration of music for trailers and the craft of “trailerizing” songs to fit the story arc of a promo/trailer for a film.
Moderator: Brian Litwin, Concord
Panelists: Lana Bui, Rogue Planet
Megan Barbour, Buddha Jones
Shannon Bunchman, Lussier
Getting the Best Score for Your Film
Friday, Sept. 30
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM @ Virgin Maybelle
A panel discussion on the various way to approach creating a great film score, regardless of budget. Presented by the Society of Composers and Lyricists and the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund.
Moderator: Ashley Irwin, SCL President
Introduction: Jay Weigel, SCL Nashville Chapter Chair
Panelists: Mychael Danna, Oscar-winning composer
Gina Zimmitti, Orchestra Contractor
The Pitch Finals
Saturday, October 1
1 PM – 4 PM @ UTA Nashville
They’ve made it to the final round, now come watch Nashville Film Festival’s Finalists pitch their loglines in front of live judges. In this interactive session, live contestants will pitch their passion project (feature film and episodic) in hopes of taking home the prize!
Moderator: Zach Lazar Hoffman, Actor / Voice Actor
Judges: J.P. Peach, Production Manager, Nashville
Monty Miranda, Filmmaker, Nashville & LA
Fr3deR1ck Taylor, Tomorrow Pictures, Nashville, Atlanta & LA
Bears Rebecca Fonte, Director, AGLIFF
Isabella Mastrodicasa, Never Settle Media
DIANE WARREN – A Career Retrospective
SATURDAY, OCT. 1 – 3:30 PM – 5 PM @ VIRGIN NASHVILLE “LATE GREAT”
A candid conversation with the 13-time Oscar®-nominated songwriter who has written over 100
songs for films. Clips will be presented for many of the songs, accompanied by stories of how
she became involved with each film and addressed certain situations she encountered with
executives and artists along the way. Moderated by SCL President Ashley Irwin.
Festival Programming 101
VIRTUAL PANEL (LIVESTREAM) – SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ 10 AM
Film festivals act as gatekeepers and trendsetters, shifting the directions of careers and successes with their reputations, influence and laurels. This panel will discuss how festivals uphold their programming integrity and how transparent they are regarding their selection process. Panelists will explore the relationship between these institutions and the filmmakers they serve. To better answer the question: “What is the right festival for me and how do I get into it?” From the judging process to the advantages of smaller vs. larger festivals, to how festivals are pivoting in an ever-changing landscape, this conversation will help you decide what home is best for your film.
Moderator: Jim Farmer, OutOnFilm
Panelists: Chloe Cook, Sidewalk Film Festival
Dan Brawley, Cucalorus Film Festival
Charles Judson, Film Impact Georgia
Ask the Producer
VIRTUAL PANEL (LIVESTREAM) – SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ 11:30 AM
What exactly does a producer do? Join us as we answer that age-old question. We will delve into the current projects of the producers, challenges in the current landscape, and hopes for future filmmaking. We will also touch on how one identifies the right producer for your project.
Moderator: James Choi, MADE IN CHINA, SAINT FRANCES
Panelists: Bryan Storkel, BUTTERFLY IN THE SKY, THE PEZ OUTLAW
Peter Gilbert, HOOP DREAMS, WAITING FOR MR. RUGOFF
Molly Mayeux, THE NOEL DIARY, HOW TO LIVE YOUR BEST DEATH
In the Director’s Chair
VIRTUAL PANEL (LIVESTREAM) – SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ 1 PM
Join us for a discussion with experienced directors and they discuss their films, their craft and creative challenges. Experienced filmmakers share their stories, offer guidance, and discuss the role of the director.
Moderator: Kurt Kuenne, The Blacklist, DEAR ZACHARY
Panelists: Ruth Leitman, HARD EARNED, LIPSTICK & DYNAMITE
Alice Gu, WALK WITH OBI, THE DONUT KING
Zahida Pirani, EL CARRITO, JUDITH: PORTRAIT OF A STREET VENDOR
The Magic of Editors
VIRTUAL PANEL (LIVESTREAM) – SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ 2:30 PM
Editors are the shapeshifters of the entertainment world. They shape the film or TV show into its final form. It’s up to the editor to make sure the audience feels the emotions the director is trying to convey. Join us as we talk to some successful editors.
Moderator: Steve Hullfish, COURAGEOUS, The Oprah Winfrey Show
Panelists: Amy Storkel, ALABAMA SNAKE, THE PEZ OUTLAW
Craig Tollis, Russian Doll, Promised Land, Generation, The Good Doctor
Zach Prichard, SURPRISED BY OXFORD, ALTA VALLEY
From Script to Screen
VIRTUAL PANEL (LIVESTREAM) – SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ 4 PM
You’ve written the screenplay: Now what? How do you get that idea of yours off the paper and onto the screen? Join us as we talk to several screenwriters that have been able to make that leap. Hear them discuss the do’s & don’ts, lessons learned, and the next steps you might need to take to make the leap yourself.
Moderator: Blake Robbins, THE SUBLIME AND BEAUTIFUL, THE SCENT OF RAIN AND LIGHTNING
Panelists: Henry Jones, ARCANE, JUPITER’S LEGACY, BLACK SUMMER
Darryl Wharton-Rigby, DETENTION, STAY, YUSAKE (Blacklist featured script)
Jenna Milly, GOLDEN ARM, LOVE UNDER THE OLIVE TREE, A PEACOCK FEATHERED BLUE, THE FABULOUS FOUR
Ann Marie Allison, GOLDEN ARM, THE FABULOUS FOUR, LIFT
New Filmmakers / New Films
VIRTUAL PANEL (LIVESTREAM) – SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ 5:30 PM
The Nashville Film Festival prides itself in recognizing new talent. This panel will be a conversation with new, emerging filmmakers. You will learn the valuable lessons they’ve learned and the struggles they’ve endured just trying to make it here. Find out about their current and future projects.
Moderator: Skizz Cyzyk, Filmmaker, Film Festival Consultant
Panelists: Steven Tanenbaum & Kristen Abate, STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT
Alex Heller, THE YEAR BETWEEN
Roger Mancini, Producer of HANNAH HA HA
The Songs of Dirty Dancing – 35th Anniversary Reflections
VIRTUAL PANEL (RECORDED) – AVAILABLE ON DEMAND THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL
In celebration of the film’s 35th anniversary this panel is a conversation with hit songwriters of some of the iconic music of the film.
Moderator: Joseph DeBeasi, Music Editor of Dirty Dancing
Panelists: Stacy Widelitz – songwriter: “She’s Like the Wind”
Frank Previte & John DeNicola – “Time of My Life”, “Hungry Eyes”
Alfie Zappacosta – “Overload”
Music Licensing for Filmmakers
VIRTUAL PANEL (RECORDED) – AVAILABLE ON DEMAND THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL
Do you have the perfect music in mind for your film? Come learn the ropes of securing music rights for your project. Our panel of experts will guide you through the process of making sure you’re “completely legal” using the music you want.
Moderator: Gabe Wardell, Coca-Cola Creative Studios
Panelists: Melissa Love, Songfinder
Brandon Schott, Concord
Gary Welch, MEET ME IN THE BATHROOM
Amani “Burt Blackarach” Smith, The Wonder Years
Virtual Reality Content Creation
VIRTUAL PANEL (RECORDED) – AVAILABLE ON DEMAND THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL
The Nashville Film Festival is extremely proud to screen Virtual Reality films. We’ve got a wide variety of VR films to see this year. Ever thought about making the leap from traditional filmmaking to VR? Enjoy this exciting discussion with a few of this year’s VR filmmakers. Hear about their inspirations, trials and tribulations, what’s going on in the industry and what resources are out there for you to tap into, if desired.
Moderators: Traylor Woodall & Carson Carr
Panelists: Maria Courtial, GENESIS
Michael O’Connor, GLIMPSE
Wen-Yee, LIMBOTOPIA
Music Coordinator Role
VIRTUAL PANEL (RECORDED) – AVAILABLE ON DEMAND THROUGHOUT FESTIVAL
This is a step up from the rising music supervisor panel where we talk about the relationship of a music coordinator working with a music supervisor daily and essentially becoming their understudy.
Moderator: Andrew Weaver (Triple Threat Supervision)
Panelists: LaMarcus Miller & Justin Feldman (Hit The Ground Running)
