You Don’t Need Permission to Create

It’s a mantra we repeat often at In the Cut, but it’s especially meaningful given the current downturn in the entertainment industry. But fear is not conducive to creativity and we have the power to greenlight ourselves. That’s why ITC decided to partner with Black Film Allegiance to create Reel Connect. At this free live event, you will hear from professional writers and filmmakers who have leveraged indie content for studio success or found success without the traditional system. You’ll also learn how to take steps to distribute and monetize your content outside the studio system because your art does not need permission.

This event is made possible by our sponsor, New Media Ventures.


 

TIME & PLACE

Reel Connect is Saturday, October 18 from 10am-4pm at The Gathering Spot:
5211 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016.

WHAT TO BRING

A notebook and pen to write down some gems may be helpful. This is a casual event with the opportunity to network with other filmmakers.

Event Schedule

*Tentative schedule, events/timing are subject to change*

10am

Check in

  • Continental breakfast served

 

10:30am

Level Up

A panel featuring a variety of writers, filmmakers, and producers with a multitude of experience working both inside and outside the traditional studio system. We’ll cover topics like how to produce web series and short films, writing books and selling film rights, independent TV show creation that could provide a new path forward for entrepreneurial writers and producers.

PANELISTS: Nick Brooks, Fanshen Cox, Alesia Etinoff, Tian Jun Gu

11:45am

Short Film Showcase & Michael Latt Award Presentation

1pm

Deals & Distro

In this panel, we’ll focus on how to

2:15pm

Link Up Mixer

  • Hor’s

  • Farewell Discussion

Learn More About Our Panelists

Our panels

  • Nick Brooks

    AUTHOR & FILMMAKER

    Nick Brooks is an award-winning author and filmmaker from Washington, DC. In 2022 he published his first middle grade novel, NOTHING INTERESTING EVER HAPPENS TO ETHAN FAIRMONT, the first book in a three book series. The last book in the series, His debut YA novel, PROMISE BOYS released January 2023 and has received critical acclaim, including being a 2023 Boston Globe–Horn Book award honoree and a 2024 Odyssey Award winner. Truly a multi-hyphenate, Nick is also a rapper known by stage name, Ben Kenobe, and has composed music for films such as NETFLIX's, THEY CLONED TYRONE, and HBO's, THE CYPHER. Nick has written for TV, film and even video games. As a storyteller he strives to tell stories that are timely and timeless. 

  • Alesia Etinoff

    WRITER, ACTRESS, DIRECTOR

    A first-generation Caribbean-American, Alesia Etinoff was a writer on THE GAME Reboot on Paramount +. In 2022, Alesia sold and developed AVANT-GUARDIANS with Paramount+, CBS TV Studios and Trevor Noah's Day Zero Productions as Executive Producers, based on her award-winning webseries. Her 2017 web series AVANT-GUARDIANS won Best Short Form Dramedy at the New York Television Festival, was nominated for best web series at ABFF, and was an official selection for the ‘18 LA Film Festival and Downtown LA Film Festival. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's school of Drama where she received a BFA in Dramaturgy in 2014.

  • Tian Jun Gu

    WRITER & PRODUCER

    TIAN JUN GU is a first-generation Chinese-American writer born in Shanghai and raised in small-town Michigan. A formative freshman year experience at the University of Michigan pushed him to forgo his future in biomedical engineering and thwart his Tiger Mom for a degree in screenwriting, a leap of faith that landed him a Hopwood Award and a Naomi Saferstein Literary Award. He is an alum of the WGAE Showrunner’s Training program, the Almanack Screenwriters Episodic Drama residency, and the University of Michigan. His credits include Y: THE LAST MAN (FX), INTERROGATION (Paramount+), and HOUSE OF CARDS (Netflix).

  • DeShuna Spencer

    CEO & FOUNDER, KWELI TV

    DeShuna Spencer is a social impact executive who is the founder & CEO of kweliTV, a global streaming service that curates the largest library of indie Black films & docs from across the globe. As a former journalist & radio host, DeShuna’s work focuses on the intersection of media images and implicit bias. She speaks frequently on media representation, diversity in the streaming & the OTT space, social entrepreneurship, the effects of Black trauma content, challenges & opportunities in the media landscape, starting a media tech venture, women in media & tech, and her journey as a Black founder.

  • Ami Vora

    HEAD OF MARKETING, KINEMA

    Kinema is a new kind of film distribution platform — one that empowers filmmakers to share their stories with the world and gives audiences everywhere the chance to watch and connect.

  • Gabriella Bottoni

    CREATOR SUCCESS, SEED & SPARK