2022 CREATORS CONFERENCE

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:


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

Heather Cook
Ben Werdegar
Chip Herter
David Fisher
JT Griffith

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

Jen Wolczyk
Ann Kline
Russell Ziecker
Whitney Pilzer

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

Phillip Cordell
Bob Raines
Curt Willis
Danny Dones

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

Bears Rebecca Fonte
Kd Amond
Sarah Zanotti
Edina Kishonthy

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

Jen Wolczyk
Ann Kline
Russell Ziecker
Whitney Pilzer

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

Brian Litwin
Lana Bui
Megan Barbour
Shannon Bunchman

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

Ashley Irwin
Jay Weigel
Mychael Danna
Gina Zimmitti


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

Zach Lazar Hoffman
J.P. Peach
Monty Mirandda
Fr3deR1ck Taylor
Bears Rebecca Fonte
Isabella Mastrodicasa

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.

Diane Warren


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

Jim Farmer
Chloe Cook
Dan Brawley
Charles Judson

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

James Choi
Bryan Storkel
Peter Gilbert
Molly Mayeux

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

Kurt Kuenne
Ruth Leitman
Alice Gu
Zahida Pirani

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

Steve Hullfish
Amy Storkel
Craig Tollis
Zach Prichard

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

Blake Roberts
Henry Jones
Darryl Wharton-Rigby
Jenna Milly
Ann Marie Allison

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

Skizz Cyzyk
Steven Tanenbaum
Kristen Abate
Roger Mancusi
Alex Heller

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”

Joseph DeBeasi
Stacy Widelitz
Frank Previte
Alfie Zappacosta

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

Gabe Wardell
Amani Smith
Brandon Schott
Gary Welch
Melissa Love

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

Traylor Woodall
Carson Carr
Maria Courtial
Michael O’Connor
Wen-Yee

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)

Andrew Weaver
LaMarcus Miller
Justin Feldman