Masterclasses
Film festivals are more than amazing movies - they’re amazing people, too!
Cindependent programs networking events, parties and masterclasses to ensure artist and community find space to connect and inspire.
Keeping Authentic Presence in Changing Media
Friday, 10am - Join Festival Director Allyson West with Danielle Lewis Jones, Head of Communication for Kroger Health, for a frank conversation about managing communication for a national brand in addition to navigating the nuance of changing media.
Danielle Lewis Jones is a young lady who is fueled by her passion to live life to the fullest. She graduated summa cum laude from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and she earned her master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. She is the head of communications for Kroger Health. She works with a team to develop and execute strategies and initiatives to highlight the division, which encompasses The Little Clinic®, and The Kroger Company Family of Pharmacies, nutrition, health and wellness, and health-related business-to-business strategies. Prior to her current role, she served as a vice president and senior manager of public relations for Fifth Third Bank and as a senior media relations associate for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She is very involved in the community and enjoys giving back. She has served as a mentor for high school, college students, and young professionals; a Girl Scout troop leader; and a tutor for elementary school students. She recently joined the board for Ladies of Leadership, an organization that provides confidence-building, leadership, and career development skills to young women in Greater Cincinnati.
She has been recognized with many honors including but not limited to: Cincinnati's 20 leaders under 30, Venue Magazine's 30 leaders under 30, a 2016 Business Courier Forty under 40 leader, a YWCA Rising Star, the Cincinnati Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s Rookie of the Year. She is a proud graduate of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s C-Change Class 7 and We Lead Class 16.
In 2015 after the death of her infant son, she started Angel Baby Network to help families cope with the devastating effects of child loss and she currently serves on LifeCenter’s Organ Donor family advisory council, which raises awareness about organ donation.
She enjoys spending time with her family and her friends. She is a twice published author.
How to Human: Leading with your Subject for Honest Storytelling
Friday, 1pm - Asa Featherstone joins us to lead a workshop about getting to the heart of your subject. This workshop highlights the importance of authenticity with your subject to strengthen your storytelling. I’ll be covering the importance of connecting with your subject, as well as hear some of favorite tips and tricks for setting your subject at ease and learning what’s meaningful to them.
Whether you’re creating documentary work, writing original characters or taking portraits of loved ones, this workshop is designed to give you the confidence and vision to create and capture authentic moments—no matter your subject.
About Asa: Asa (AY-suh) Featherstone, IV is a Cincinnati, Ohio-based artist who makes photographs and films highlighting the shared experiences that make us human.
His works prioritize the beauty and nuance of daily Black life through storytelling. He’s a frequent contributor to Wall Street Journal and was recognized for having one of TIME Magazine’s Top 100 portraits in 2020. His most recent archival photo book: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, in collaboration with the Cincinnati Art Museum, was featured on Google’s Arts & Culture page exploring the experience for emerging and established artists of color in the United States.
Half the Work: Film Marketing and Publicity
Friday, 2pm - Join Doris Owens and Cicely Enriquez through a guided discussion as they discuss film marketing and publicity at all levels, including the many fun insights to their jobs and careers. Moderated by Jack Crumley of 700WLW.
About Doris Owens: Doris is the President at The Owens Group and has been providing clients with public relations support for over 30 years. Starting out with Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Pictures as clients, Doris built TOG into the agency it is today, handling several major movie studios along with non-studio clients (restaurants, authors, exhibitors, casinos, etc). The Owens Group provides an unparalleled level of service to local, regional, and national companies, ensuring that each campaign positions them in the most effective and creative manner. As one of the select few agencies nationwide that markets motion picture releases, TOG is able to provide unique and one of a kind experiences to all clients.
About Cicely Enriquez: Cicely is a movie studios publicist with The Owens Group. She handles regional marketing, promotions, and publicity in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana for major movie studios including Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Focus Features and Searchlight Pictures. Additionally she managed marketing and grand opening efforts for non-studio clients including Dreamscape, Mikey's Late Night Slice, Oddfellows Liquor Bar, Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern, Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, Penn National Gaming, Pin Deck and Scene75 Entertainment Centers
From Reel to Real: Navigating Film Distribution
Friday, 3pm - Learn about how to get your film from your editing room to the silver screen. Tanmay Srivastava is an Indian film producer, director, and editor. He is best known for his award-winning documentaries Black Water, 90 Days To Leave, and The Bund.
He started making documentaries in 2015 when he was 12 years old. He has directed/produced over fourteen documentaries, two feature films, and three short films with international cooperation and has won over 10 awards at film festivals around the world. Some of his collaborative works have been screened at prestigious film festivals such as the Cannes Film Festival.
He is a junior at the University of Cincinnati majoring in History and Digital Media with minors in Economics and International Business. He has served on juries and curation teams at many film festivals in Asia and North America. He is also the CEO of Synergy Productions and Co-Founder of Infinity Pictures.
The Business of Film
Friday, 12pm - Are you working on a screenplay, film, TV series or thinking about it? This Masterclass will teach you what you need to know about the business of making movies and dramatically improve your chance of success. You’ll learn what they don’t teach in film school - how to navigate this complex, competitive industry.
You’ll discover how to approach every aspect of filmmaking - from writing your first scene through production to distributing your film - from an industry perspective that makes your project more attractive to actors, agents, financiers and distributors.
Greg Newberry is a member of the Writers Guild of America and alumni of the Sundance Institute Producers Conference with decades of experience optioning screenplays in Hollywood and producing films.
Greg’s first feature film, Who is Amos Otis?, is based on his stage play he produced and directed at Cincinnati Memorial Hall in September, 2019. It was voted “Favorite Local Theater Production” in Movers & Makers magazine and considered for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2020. He produced and directed it as an independent film in 2020. It won “Best of Show” and the Humanitarian Award at IndieFEST. It is represented by Circus Road Films and distributed by Gravitas Ventures on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Tubi, Google Play, Roku, YouTube, Fubo, Sling TV, Vudo and other streaming platforms.
Greg also wrote, produced and directed two award-winning short films, Beemer Baby and Homefree, which played at prestigious international film festivals. Homefree garnered the Best Actor award at the Dublin Film Festival in Ireland. Independent film guru John Pierson, author of the book Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes: A Guided Tour Across a Decade of American Independent Cinema, named Beemer Baby one of the top 20 short films of the year. Both Homefree and Beemer Baby were screened by the Cincinnati Film Society at the Cincinnati Art Museum in an exclusive presentation of Greg's work.
Screenwriting Basics
Friday, 4pm - Do you have a great idea for a script, but don’t know where to start? Want to learn basic formatting, best practice, and “what to do” after you’ve completed your work? Join Joe Horine as he takes us through Screenwriting Basics!
Joe Horine taught film, history and communications at the University of Cincinnati, including “The Films of Stanley Kubrick,” “World War II on Film,” “Hollywood and U.S. History” and “Introduction to Public Relations” courses. He has also taught literature, drama, and film at Miami University.
As a screenwriter, Joe has worked with multiple directors including Brian De Palma. Currently the head of external relations for Dassalt Systemems, Joe is a former marketing executive for IBM and AT&T, serving as the “Chief Storyteller,” corporate filmmaker, and speech writer for several FORTUNE 500 CEOs.
Growing up in Cincinnati where his father was in the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and his mother worked at the Playhouse in the Park, Joe started his career as a journalist and has been published in the Cincinnati ENQUIRER, Dayton DAILY NEWS, and Indianapolis STAR, as well as working as a reporter for WTHR, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis. Joe has edited the Cincinnati Film Society newsletter, hosted cable TV movie review shows, curated film series at various Art House cinemas in the Midwest, and been associate Director of the Golden Lion Awards Film Festival.
Trusting your Gut: Creative Team Roles and Processes
Friday, 4pm - Join Mari Iu as she discusses the importance of trusting your instincts, especially in regard to protecting and guiding your creative vision. This masterclass explains and emphasizes the roles of writer, director, producer, editor, and actor - sharing responsibilities and expectations from initial idea to Final Cut. Whether you're a solo filmmaker or part of a small, passionate team, this class will help you bring your ideas and vision to life, while improving your leadership skills and giving you new tools to use when the well runs dry.
Local Filmmaking Panel with Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective
Saturday, 10am - Local Filmmaker Panel with Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective. Interested in knowing more about what making indie films in Cincinnati is like? Want to connect with other local filmmakers to hear their experiences, learn their favorite resources and discuss their personal and professional experiences? Join Alicia Redmond, Silas Tibbs and Nikk Hearn-Sutton in an engaging discussion moderated by Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective’s founder and president, Vernard Fields.
About Vernard: Vernard S. Fields, a Cincinnati native filmmaker, has passionately shaped the video content landscape for nearly 15 years. His journey began at 11, exploring video and audio at his church. After earning an associate's degree in graphic design, he seamlessly incorporated motion graphics and visual effects into his video production. As the president of Black Cincinnati Cinema Collective since 2017 and a filmmaker at Green Apple Entertainment, Vernard leads and loves the filmmaking community. His goal: to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Film Resume Writing Workshop with Women in Film
Saturday, 11am - Are you looking for your first job in the film industry, but aren't sure how to create your resume? Or perhaps your existing resume needs a refresh?
Join producer Karri O'Reilly as she leads a discussion about how to prepare a professional resume that effectively reflects your skills, knowledge and experience. Karri leads this workshop followed by direct feedback from the Women in Film leadership team. Bring a copy of your resume!
Karri O’Reilly has been involved with over 100 features, short films, commercials and television programs during her twenty five years in the entertainment industry.
Most recently Karri produced the upcoming TIFF selection WILDCAT, directed by Ethan Hawke and starring Maya Hawke, Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Steve Zahn and Cooper Hoffman. She co-produced DONNYBROOK starring Jamie Bell, Margaret Qualley and Frank Grillo, co-produced GOAT and MY DAYS OF MERCY for Killer Films, and produced Mariah Carey’s directorial debut A CHRISTMAS MELODY for Hallmark. She also served as UPM on the critically acclaimed Todd Haynes film CAROL starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.
Being a Multi-Hyphenate in Media Today
Saturday, 12pm - Join Ben Phelps of Imagine Content as he discusses the opportunity and challenges of being a multi-hyphenate entertainer and producer in entertainment today. Moderated by Robin De Lano.
Ben Phelps is the CEO of Emagine Content and a Development/Production executive. Ben began his career at Credence Entertainment working with mentor Tom Klassen of ICM Partners. Ben subsequently launched Emagine Content in 2018 and recently launched Emagine Artists Agency in London, in addition to Emagine Sports Management representing athletes and fitness influencers. Emagine Content's Originals division is headed by Producer Kimberly Boyd and Emagine works with major global IPs. Ben has worked on various sides of the industry becoming a 'multi-hyphenate creative' in the industry working with sales, distribution, branding, licensing, and endorsements.
Before You Buy A Mic (How to Prepare Yourself for a Voiceover Business)
Saturday, 1pm - Where do you start when you're trying to get into voice acting? What should you do to prepare yourself to start your new business?
Join voice actor and VO coach Havilland Maxwell as she helps you examine what you really want from your new VO business and how you can use what you already bring to the table to attract clients.
In this masterclass, Havilland will walk you through some of the pre-work needed before you go out and buy equipment or try to book work as a voice actor. We'll discuss how to shape your business, what to work on after you decide VO is for you, how to deal with voice confrontation, how to get comfortable having money conversations with clients, and more.
Havilland Maxwell has worked in front of and behind the camera for over fifteen years. She's voiced and appeared in projects for companies including Apple, MasterCard, Lowe's, Macy's, Hollywood Casino, Guthy-Renker, Capital One, Avon, and more! She recently voiced a TV promo spot nominated for an Ohio Valley Regional Emmy® Award. Havilland is the creator of the Make Money with Your Mouth Voiceover Training Program, where she teaches voice actors how to start and build their voice-acting businesses. She's the author of Before You Buy a Mic and Breaking Up with "The Man." You can find Havilland at www.HavillandMaxwell.com
Havilland Maxwell is a Voice Actor, On-Camera Talent, Voice Acting, Coach, and Author. Havilland Maxwell has worked in front of and behind the camera for over fifteen years. She’s voiced and appeared in projects for companies including Apple, MasterCard, Lowe’s, Macy’s, Hollywood Casino, Guthy-Renker, Capital One, Avon, and more! She recently voiced a TV promo spot nominated for an Ohio Valley Regional Emmy® Award.
She is the founder and owner of Havilland Creative Group, where she coaches freelancers,helping them attract more clients, gain more clarity, and live more confidently.
Havilland is also the creator of the Make Money with Your Mouth Voiceover Training Program, where she teaches voice actors how to start and build their own voice acting businesses. She’s the author of Before You Buy a Mic and Breaking Up with “The Man.”
Havilland is an introverted extrovert and can often be found roaming aisles in libraries and bookstores. She loves coffee dates and tiramisu. You can learn more at www.HavillandMaxwell.com
Success in Cincinnati: Next Level Growth with Simion Collins
Saturday, 2pm -Ready to take your budding production business to the next level? Interested in landing a full-time role? Join this discussion with local leader, Simion Collins, as he discusses the steps that led him to his current role with FC Cincinnati. Moderated by Jack Crumley, Regional News Director of 700wlw.
Simion Collins is a progressive multi-disciplined filmmaking professional with an impressive 10+ year of video production catalogue. He created Riversky Films five years ago as a sole owner.
Materiality and Light
Saturday, 3pm - The goal of this workshop is to access the magic of light and materiality through the direct physical experience of working with 16mm film. We will gain an experiential understanding of what 24 frames per second feel like in our hands versus in our eyes when projected.
About Anna: Anna Kipervaser is a Ukrainian-born artist whose practice engages with a range of topics including human and animal bodies, ethnicity, religion, colonialism, and the environment. Her engagement with these topics is informed by a commitment to formal experimentation, DIY and alternative processes, spanning disciplines including experimental and documentary moving image works in 16mm film and digital video. Her work has screened internationally at Slamdance Film Festival, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Crossroads Film Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival, Alchemy Film and Moving Image Festival, Light Field, Antimatter, Fracto, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Milwaukee Underground Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, Athens International Film and Video Festival, Indie Grits Film Festival, Muestra Internacional Documental de Bogota, among others. Anna’s work also screens in classrooms, galleries, microcinemas, basements, and schoolhouses! Her films are distributed by CFMDC, Alchemiya, and Canyon Cinema. She is also a painter, printmaker, educator, curator of exhibitions, programmer of screenings.
I am a Deaf Filmmaker: Working with Deaf and People with Disabilities on Film and Television
Saturday, 4pm - Brian M. Cole walks us through insights about working with filmmakers who have a hearing impairment. Topics include what you can do when working with Deaf or people with Disabilities behind or front of the camera, and defining the myths about Deaf and People with Disabilities, writing storylines incorporating Deaf or Person with Disabilities and how to make their characters authentic in your story, resources who and where to reach out if plan to work on a future project with Deaf and/or Person with Disability and followed by a Q&A.
This class is sponsored by the OTR International Film Festival.
Navigating the Path to a Professional Acting Career
Saturday, 5pm - This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the world of professional acting in film and television. Whether you're a budding actor just starting your journey or an enthusiast curious about a performing career. Topics covered include cultivating a resilient and healthy mindset, understanding the reality of being a professional actor, selecting the ideal locations to live for an acting career, acquiring management and representation for yourself, social media and acting, auditioning and securing acting roles. Q & A session to follow.
California native, Robin De Lano, began her professional career in entertainment at the tender age of twelve, when she was asked to sing on a series of children's albums. Since that time she has worked both in front and behind the camera, singing, acting and casting.
Robin’s casting journey kicked off interning with Joey Paul Jensen assisting with the casting of Nickelodeon's Even Stevens and helped Disney fulfill roles on some of their TV pilots.
Fifteen years later, under the tutelage of Sande Alessi and Kristan Berona, Robin found herself knee-deep in the trenches of background casting where she met her now casting- partner-in-crime, Nicole Dionne. At Sande's Robin and Nicole cast some of the biggest mega-hits to grace the screen, like the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie series, and the legendary HBO sensation, Entourage.
After a handful of years casting background players, Robin and Nicole decided to crank up the casting adventure and start their own company - Stella Nova Casting. Before they knew it they were magnets for award-winning indie gems, national commercial campaigns, indie pilot award winners, a few music videos, and even—an Oscar-winning short in 2021, Two Distant Strangers.
Since the birth of Stella Nova Casting, in 2008, Robin and Nicole have cast talent for films that have appeared at TIFF, Sundance, Lifetime, Amazon, Shudder, Netflix, Tubi, and most recently, Hallmark. Robin and Nicole are the undisputed champions of unity and integrity in the casting universe. They believe that happy directors make happy actors, and happy actors make for a one-of-a-kind project.