Meet Our Judges

Julien Degroote
EVP, Head Of Content Development & International
TF1

Julien Degroote currently serves as EVP, Content Development for French leading network TF1 GROUP.

He is responsible for commissioning, developing or creating and overseeing the new shows for the three TF1 GROUP national channels: TF1, TMC and TFX and the digital platform MyTF1. His credits include: THE MASKED SINGER, NINJA WARRIOR, GLADIATORS, STAR ACADEMY, THE WALL, TATTOO FIXERS, 1000+ daily show episodes including docu-soap LARGE FAMILIES.

Degroote is also in charge of spotting the best ideas and trends around the world as Head of Scouting (Scripted and Alternative).

Prior to joining TF1 in 2014, Degroote has been aTV producer for 12 years. As Head of Programs in the French independent TV production company COYOTE, he managed 200 hours of TV shows produced each year and multi-million budget for TF1 in different genres: FAMILY FEUD, FOUR IN A BED, PEOPLE’S QUIZ, 30+ live entertainment prime time shows.

Previously, Julien Degroote served as Creative senior executive of ENDEMOL FRANCE working on BIG BROTHER, STAR ACADEMY and overseeing the adaptation of THE CELEBRITIES’ FARM.

Dane Joseph
VP, Unscripted Series
Hulu

Dane Joseph currently serves as Vice President of Unscripted Series for Hulu. Prior to that, Dane served as Vice President of Development for the MTV Entertainment Group, where he worked on such series as “Infamy: When Fame Turns Deadly,” “My True Crime Story,” “My Celebrity Dream Wedding,” and “True Life: First Time First Responders.” Prior to MTV and VH1, Dane created “Your Husband Is Cheating on Us” for Bravo with Hot Snakes Media and did development and casting for a variety of their series, including “The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns” for Lifetime, “Breaking Amish,” “Return to Amish” and “Escaping Alaska” for TLC, “Extinct or Alive” for Animal Planet and “The Pioneers” for National Geographic.

Teri Kennedy
Head, Lifestyle Programming & Daytime Originals
A+E Global Media

Teri Kennedy heads A+E Network's Lifestyle and daytime programming, including the Home.Made.Nation blocks on A+E, Lifetime and FYI. Before joining the team, Kennedy headed Steve Harvey's production company, East One Twelve, and spent a delightful turn as EVP Unscripted at Ryan Seacrest Productions. She also served as SVP Production at Oxygen, overseeing a wide slate of pop-culture and true crime programming. An Emmy-nominated producer and director for 30+ years, her credits include CBS’ Survivor, MTV’s The Real World, Making the Band, Making the Video and ABC’s groundbreaking David Blaine specials Street Magic and Magic Man. Her film credits include Christine Vachon’s Office Killer, Coachella: The Movie and Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is based in Los Angeles.

Myriam Lopez-Otazu
SVP International Unscripted Content & Global Networks EMEA
Warner Bros. Discovery Spain

Myriam Lopez-Otazu, the Group VP Content & Acquisitions EMEA & Int’l joined Discovery networks back in 2013. Based in Madrid, Myriam manages editorial strategy working across three key areas: planning and internal library management; third party acquisitions; and multi-market commissioning across linear channels and discovery+.

During her time at the company, Myriam has held different content positions and has had the opportunity of working closely with global and local teams across channel launches and portfolio optimisations as well as the development and roll out of Discovery+. She oversees the international multi-market commissioning strategy, partnering with local and US teams in developing and producing key titles like Children of the Cult and True Love.

Prior to joining Discovery, Myriam was VP of Content Sales at Zodiak Rights for 5 years where she oversaw all sales activities, including formats, to Southern Europe and Latin America. She has also worked in RDF Rights and Steadfast TV, managing content sales and advertising funded content projects, as well as the commercial department of the public broadcaster in Madrid.

Hayley Reynolds
Commissioning Editor, Documentaries & Factual
Sky TV

Sandra Smester
EVP, Programming & Content Development
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Sandra Smester is the Executive Vice President of Programming and Strategy for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. In this role, Smester is responsible for primetime and daytime programming, specials, content acquisitions, long and short-term program planning and scheduling, and the company’s cable network Universo. She also works closely with future development and current production teams. Leveraging more than 27 years of experience in programming Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanic audiences, Smester has spearheaded network successes including “72nd Miss Universe” and the new reality competition format, “Los 50.” Smester reports to Ronald Day, President of Entertainment and Chief Content Officer at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises.  

A long-time veteran of Spanish-language media, Smester previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Content and Distribution Officer at TV Azteca, where she oversaw the programming strategy, content and distribution across the network’s linear and streaming offerings, driving the growth of the company’s share in Mexico, Latin America, Europe and the U.S. Hispanic market. Previously, Smester was the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Azteca UNO, where she led the broadcast network through its brand transition and the unprecedented performance of TV Azteca during the 2018 FIFA World CupTM. Before that, Smester held a series of leadership positions at Univision Communications, advancing to the role of Executive Vice President of Programming and Operations. 

Smester is a member of the National Television Academy and the International Academy of Television Arts & Science. She has been recognized with an array of industry accolades, including multiple EMMY® awards, TELLY Awards and has been recognized as one of People en Español's 25 Most Powerful Women. 

She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Communications from Florida International University in Miami, Florida.

Debbie Akinbola
Head of Production
Like A Shot Entertainment

After a career in production at places such as the BBC, IT,  Debbie Joined Argonon Label Like A Shot in 2018, taking on the role of Head of Production in 2022. Debbie is responsible for overseeing all the company’s output from production through to delivery, ensuring best practices with budgeting, schedules, and compliance across hundreds of hours of content.

Sarah Amos
VP Development & Production, Non-Fiction TV & Documentaries
Conde Nast Entertainment

Sarah Amos is the vice president of development & production (nonfiction TV, documentaries) at Condé Nast, managing the unscripted slate, including the recent FX series The Secrets of Hillsong and the Onyx series Black Twitter: A People’s History. Before joining Conde Nast, she was the VP of development and production for Marvel Entertainment’s New Media division and was an executive producer on the Disney+ original series Marvel’s 616 and Marvel’s Hero Project. Prior to working at Marvel, Amos was the executive producer of live products for ABC News Digital.

Tina Apostolopoulos-Moniz
VP, Unscripted
Lark Productions

Lauren Appelbaum
SVP, Entertainment & News Media
Disability Belongs (formerly RespectAbility)

Lauren Appelbaum is the SVP, Entertainment & News Media, at Disability Belongs™ (formerly RespectAbility). Drawing upon her background in broadcast journalism and as an individual with an acquired nonapparent disability – Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – she works at the intersection of disability, employment, and the entertainment industry. From entertainment executives to presidential campaigns, she has conducted trainings on the why and how to be more inclusive and accessible. She has worked with studios, newsrooms, and nonprofits across the country to create equitable and accessible opportunities to increase the number of people with lived disability experience throughout the overall story-telling process. She is a founder of the Entertainment Lab and Children’s Content Lab, with goals of building the disability community within the industry and connecting Lab Fellows to opportunities as writers, directors, and in below-the-line positions for both scripted and unscripted content. She received the 2020 Roddenberry Foundation Impact Award for creating the Entertainment Lab. Appelbaum has a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University and previously worked for NBC News’ Political Unit.

Joseph Awgul
Coordinator

Umay Ayaz
Media Networker
Udea Media

Umay Ayaz, as a Media Networker and Senior Consultant, with 14 years of experience in acquiring, adapting, and distributing both scripted and unscripted content across diverse markets, leverages her extensive international expertise to offer strategic consulting and distribution services.

Umay excels in guiding independent local creators and producers through the complexities of global business practices, enabling them to engage with suitable international projects while facilitating similar opportunities for global players in local markets.

Over the years, her proficiency in forging connections and fostering cross-country collaborations has resulted in successful international cooperations. With a diverse network of multicultural format creators, production companies, broadcasters, and distributors, Umay effectively bridges gaps between different media landscapes.

In addition to her primary roles with her own brands, UDEA MEDIA and THE FORMAT TV, Umay is skilled in designing and facilitating workshops and lectures to share her extensive industry knowledge. Her commitment to career development is evident in her efforts to help individuals find their ideal roles within the media industry and beyond.

Claude Barnes
Executive Producer/Showrunner
Keep It In The Family Productions

Claude Barnes is an award-winning television executive with 43 years of experience in the television and digital content industry. His trend-setting work in English and French production, coupled with his Never a problem, only a solution attitude, has made him highly sought after as an executive producer, showrunner, and director. Through his production companies, Keep it in the family productions inc and Télé Ragoût inc, Claude has produced and directed 28 series and 7 documentaries that have aired internationally. His notable works include Milk? (Netflix), Icons of Wrestling (The Bio Channel), Jet Age (CBC Gem), Behind the Camera (Discovery International, CBC Documentary Channel), GT Racer (Discovery US), Paddling Bryans, Door to Door (Blue Ant), Aftershock: Surviving Haiti (Radio Canada, Blue Ant), PhotoXplorers (Bravo), Les Enchanteurs (TV5/UnisTV), and six seasons of Louis et la faune urbaine (TV5 Monde, UnisTV). Claude's latest productions include a climate change documentary for Hollywood Suite titled Sargassum: The Floating Forest, which is currently in production in Barbados, Mexico, and the US and an auction series called Les Trésors des autres for TV5/UnisTV.

Hannah Barnes
Director of Unscripted and Original Content
VA Media Network

Hannah is an experienced leader in content creation and building businesses. She has a strong background in linear television and has recently transitioned to digital and AVOD, particularly for YouTube.

Throughout her career in the UK and Australia, Hannah has been instrumental in identifying and developing numerous award-winning successful formats, such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy UK, Gogglebox Australia, Selling Houses, Love It or List It and Great Australian Bakeoff, and many others across various genres including reality, lifestyle, factual, documentary, scripted, film, and kids' content. Her contributions have been felt by major media brands such as Sky UK, BBC, RTL, Channel Five, Foxtel, and Optus Sport.

Hannah currently spearheads Original Production and Unscripted Content at VA Media Network, where she has developed a deep understanding of the global video and social media landscape. At VA Media, Hannah has been responsible for the significant growth of Unscripted Channels on YouTube, including True Crime Central, Australian Crime, We Are Pride and Documentary Central, and she recently successfully launched two new channels, Machina and Luxury Living.
Hannah's passion for storytelling and innovative content creation is evident in her recent project, "My First Time," an original digital series catering to the LGBTQIA+ community. This initiative underscores her commitment to diversity and inclusion and showcases her ability to adapt to the evolving digital content sphere.

Monique Barrett
Producer & Develpoment Consultant
Monique Barrett

Monique Barrett is a Brooklyn-born powerhouse who knows how to bring big ideas to life—and land them with style, soul, and precision. With over 15 years in unscripted television, she’s carved her lane as a creative force who moves fluidly between development, talent wrangling, production logistics, and post, all while keeping the heart of the story front and center. Her breakthrough moment came with Ladies Who List: Atlanta, a bold and empowering docuseries she created and sold to OWN. As Creator and Executive Producer, she brought a fresh POV to the screen while meeting the high expectations of a major network, cementing her ability to both lead and deliver. She’s since developed projects with top companies including Sirens Media (ITV), Conveyor Media, Monami Entertainment, and Den of Thieves—blending genre innovation with cultural resonance. Monique currently serves as Head of Development for TeamSheed Productions, helping shape its growing slate in partnership with Wheelhouse Entertainment. Her development focus includes ensemble docuseries, dating formats, competition shows, live events, and documentaries— especially those that tap into culture, connection, and high-stakes storytelling. Most recently in the field, she served as Supervising Producer on Tubi’s We Got Time Today, hosted by Deion Sanders and Rocsi Diaz, where she led segment ideation, script writing, and talent prep, balancing sharp structure with unexpected moments that popped on-screen. She’s also produced major cultural franchises and live tentpoles including Love & Hip Hop, If We’re Being Honest with Laverne Cox, and the BET Awards. Whether behind the scenes in development or producing in the field, Monique brings a clear creative vision, a deep respect for talent, and the kind of collaborative spirit that makes projects stronger from pitch to post. She’s a former cohort member of Realscreen’s prestigious DIALOG Mentorship Program and continues to build toward Co-EP and EP roles with intention. Monique’s mission is simple: to create content that cuts through, connects deeply, and amplifies the stories that don’t always get the spotlight—including those from her own CaribbeanAmerican roots.

Fanny Baudry
Business development consultant
Wheelhouse

Fanny Baudry is managing director of Wheelhouse’s digital-first and influencer arm, Wheelhouse DNA, where she leads IP development and production and oversees the company’s day-to-day operations. Wheelhouse launched DNA in 2020 and CEO Brent Montgomery tapped Baudry, then Wheelhouse vice president of business development, to launch the division that serves as a home for emerging talent. DNA creates and produces content for all platforms from creators across the digital landscape.
At DNA, Baudry has shepherded such series as Cookin’ with Brooklyn with Brooklyn Beckham for Facebook Messenger; Viceland’s Tumbleweeds with Killer Mike; top-performing podcasts like Spotify’s Internet Urban Legends with Loey Lane and Eleanor Barnes (aka Snitchery), Storybooth Daily with Jordyn Rolling, Discovery’s Curiosity Daily, Alex Warren’s Locked In with Alex Warren; as well as Dani and Bella Thorne’s Twisted Sisters and Nicky Champa & Pierre Boo’s Toxic AF for Amazon’s Amp; and launched the award-winning podcast Dark History with Bailey Sarian. DNA also has content deals with Ryan Phillippe, Jack Wright, Nicky Champa and others.
In 2022, Baudry led Wheelhouse DNA’s expansion into talent management with the launch of Additive Creative Partners, which has signed several high-profile creators such as Nick Uhas, Jack Wright, Lauren Kettering, Nick Bartels, Nicky Champa, Simba Jones, Legit Tim, TKOR and more.
Prior to Wheelhouse, Baudry was head of content and development at Scooter Braun’s The Creative Studio. Before that, she served as VP of global acquisitions formats and programs at Banijay, responsible for building the acquisitions division and acquiring non-scripted formats for the company’s subsidiaries (i.e. Bunim/Murray, Air Production, Nordisk Film TV, etc.). She was integral to the 2010 launch of Banijay International, and also focused on finished programming, co-productions and new business, closing output deals with Lionsgate and CBS’s channel Pop, and a formats incubation deal with CBC.

Anha Benessalah
Head of Formats & Business Development
Webedia

Giuliana Benvenuto
Senior Manager, Acquisitions, North America
Cineflix Rights

With fourteen years of experience in film and television distribution, broadcasting, and financing, Giuliana Benvenuto has been part of the Cineflix Rights team since February 2018. Giuliana sources and acquires quality third-party programming content for the company’s distribution catalogue. With a focus on North American acquisitions, Giuliana’s current producer clients include Scott Brothers Entertainment, Hoff Productions, Arcadia Entertainment, and Ideacom International.

Giuliana is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University’s RTA School of Media and began her career at Ontario Creates and Entertainment One. Prior to joining Cineflix Rights, Giuliana honed her skills during her five years at Corus Entertainment as Content Acquisitions Associate, where she acquired content from worldwide suppliers for all of Corus’ channels. Giuliana is passionate about the media industry and is eager to be a part of shaping its future.

Emily Berens
Director of Development
ATTN:

Emily Berens is a development executive based in Los Angeles. She currently oversees television and podcast development at ATTN:, where her credits include the Emmy Nominated What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel (Max), Undeniable: The Truth to Remember (CBS), and VOMO: Vote or Miss Out (ABC), and podcasts The Lost Olympians and Bizarre History for Audible. Before ATTN:, she served on the development team at Evolution Media, and spent six years at Pilgrim Media Group, where she held positions as both series producer and development executive on projects such as High on the Hog (Netflix), The Boy Band Con (YouTube Red), and Bring It! (Lifetime). 

Bronwyn Berry
Executive Producer/Owner
Storyboard Studios

Bronwyn Berry, an award-winning producer and director, leads the development and production of unscripted content through her company, Storyboard Studios. Her credits range from character-driven, follow docu-series to rock docs and archival biographies. She has created programming for HBO, CNN, Travel Channel, PBS, Discovery, Sesame Workshop, and Africa Channel. Her documentaries include Breakdown in Maine, After the Bite, Love Gilda and Heart & Soul. Her international showrunner credits include the docu-series Durban Beach Rescue and Sesame Street South Africa. She is a member of the Producers’ Guild (PGA), the WGA and a member of the Television Academy. For more information visit our company website: https://www.storyboardstudios.net/

Marissa Blahnik
Managing Director, Arts & Culture + Digital & Emerging Media
Twin Cities PBS

Marissa Blahnik is an award-winning content creator with extensive experience in digital and broadcast media production and development. As managing director for the Twin Cities PBS (TPT) Arts & Culture team and Digital & Emerging Media team, Blahnik oversees a portfolio that includes food series, Relish, performance series, Stage, YouTube music education series, Sound Field and vertical video content creation. Her previous projects at TPT include four years as the managing editor of the digital journalism platform Rewire.org, eight seasons with the regional arts series, MN Original, and as part of the production team for the premiere season of the PBS series, SciGirls. Prior to joining TPT, Blahnik developed television formats with Powderhouse Productions in Boston and was a part of Court TV’s documentary unit in New York City.

Allison Brough
SVP, Unscripted Development
Blink49 Studios

Allison Brough serves as the Senior Vice President of Unscripted Television for Blink49 Studios. She has recently executive produced, “Queen of the Castle”(Crave) and Rom Con: Who the F*** is Jason Porter on Amazon. In her previous role, she was the Vice President of Development, Unscripted Television, and Head of Podcast Network at eOne. During her tenure, she innovated and sustained a ‘podcast to broadcast’ model and managed an extensive portfolio of unscripted television projects, including "Project Bakeover" (Food Network) and the award-winning four-part series "Thunder Bay" (CTV/Crave).

Before joining eOne, Allison was the Director of Development at Lone Eagle Entertainment, where she played a pivotal role in launching several green-lit projects such as "Meme gURL" (Slice Network) and "The Ultimate Food Bucket List" (Food Network). Additionally, she held the position of Development Executive at Tricon Films and Television, contributing to popular series like "Après Ski" (Bravo), "Restaurant Takeover" (Food Network), "Pop-Up Gourmet" (OWN), and "The Expendables" (HGTV).

Jim Brown
Co-Founder
B4 Films

B4Films Co-Founder Jim Brown held senior positions with ITV and the BBC, before crossing the Atlantic to write, produce and direct a number of highly successful returnable formats including reality series’ ’90 Days in Hollywood’ and ‘Weddings Unveiled’. While in America he produced and directed several feature documentaries with some of the biggest names in the entertainment world. Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Bono, Twiggy, Duran Duran, Olivia Newton John, The Spice Girls,
Queen, The Sex Pistols, Grace Slick, Fleetwood Mac, and George Michael.

Jim has just completed ‘King Charles III – A Grand Royal Design’, an access all areas documentary.

Jim has been showrunner/director on many of the world’s most successful shows including The Price is Right – Star Search - Sale of the Century and Jeopardy.

As a Showrunner Jim has travelled the globe creating and placing new formats with international buyers and fixing shows that had lost their way. He has produced series’ in London, Rome, Turin, Istanbul, Madrid, San Sabastian, Munich, New York, and Los Angeles.

Richard Brown
Head, Unscripted Television
Will Packer Media

Richard Brown is head of Unscripted Television at Will Packer Media, with a track record of producing popular and longstanding reality television series including the highly popular Queens Court for Peacock, now in its second season, Ready to Love for OWN, now in its eleventh season, and Make a Move. Richard also oversees documentary development and production as well as live events for WPM. Prior to joining Will Packer Media, Brown executive produced 200 episodes of Pictionary for Fox and CBS Media Ventures as well as series such as YouTube Originals series The Big Tiny Food Face Off and Game On for CBS as well as the History Channel pilot Einstein Challenge.

Carl Callam
Commissioning Editor, Documentaries
BBC

Carl has a strong track record of making and commissioning high quality and innovative factual programmes, currently commission across BBC1, BBC2 and BBC3.

Credits include the BAFTA and RTS award winning series Uprising (BBC1). The RTS award winning Anton Ferdinand: Football Racism and Me (BBC1). And the BAFTA nominated, and RTS award winning Hell Jumper (BBC2).

Commissions on BBC3 include singles such as the award winning Leigh Anne: Race Pop and Power, and the Broadcast Award winning documentary Krept and Konan: We Are England. And series including the Grierson nominated Glow Up.

Carl is currently working with a range of production companies on compelling, timely, high impact projects. These include high profile single films. As well as boxset series and innovative formats

Vanessa Case
VP Content, Paramount+ and Pluto TV, Paramount Canada
Paramount

Vanessa Case is the Vice President of Content for Paramount+ and Pluto TV in Canada. Based in Toronto, Case oversees all of Canada’s content acquisitions and originals for the streaming platforms, with oversight of all content decisions for Paramount+ and Pluto TV in Canada.

Working closely with both local and global teams across the business, Case is instrumental in executing the content offering for the Canadian brands, through the coordination of third-party acquisitions, oversight of original content decisions, and development of innovative windowing strategies to drive growth in streaming.

Case previously served as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Production at VICE Studios & Pulse Films, overseeing physical production and production operations. Her most recent projects include ENCOUNTERS for Netflix, AMERICAN GLADIATORS for ESPN, BAMA RUSH for HBO and numerous DARK SIDE series for VICE TV and CRAVE. Prior to her time with VICE Studios, Case was the Executive Vice President of Content for Blue Ant Media, where she helped launch several world-renowned brands in Canada and internationally, including BBC Earth, Smithsonian Canada and the global SVOD Love Nature.

Throughout her career Case has served as an industry expert speaking and moderating panels at events including Realscreen, MIPCOM/MIPTV, Sunny Side of the Doc and Banff Media Festival. Case is currently a member of WIFT (Women in Film and Television), has been a long standing WIFT Connect Mentor, sat on the Banff World Media Advisory Board and was previously a cabinet member of Women Against MS (WAMS).

Saskia Chanoine
Director of Media Partnerships
Bloomberg Media

Noella Charles
VP Development & Original Production, Unscripted
WE TV

Noella Charles is the Vice President of Development and Original Production, Unscripted for AllBlk/WEtv, based in the network's New York office. As part of her responsibilities, she collaborates with production partners and agencies to identify innovative and engaging unscripted content that resonates with the network's audience. Noella currently helps oversee the production of “Toya & Reginae” and "Mama June: Family Crisis."

As a seasoned producer with 15 years of experience in unscripted content, Noella Charles has worked on a diverse range of projects prior to joining WEtv. Her impressive portfolio includes co-executive producing unscripted pilots and short films for YouTube, Fly On The Wall Entertainment and HOORAE media. Noella has produced for a number of networks, such as ABC, STARZ, BET, Netflix, MTV, and E!, on various formats including live television, specials, award shows, docuseries, and reality TV.

She has garnered a reputation for being a driven, compassionate, and nurturing leader with strong knowledge of efficiently executing a project from development to delivery. Her creative instincts are mainly driven by an open mind and the ability to see the humanity in all walks of life. Noella's strong connection to her Afro-Caribbean heritage allows her to bring a distinct perspective that promotes diversity and inclusivity to the mainstream narrative.

Noella holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media from Temple University and is currently represented by WME.

Sean Charles
Manager, Development & Production Scripted + Unscripted
WE TV

Sean Charles is a Scripted & Unscripted Development & Production Manager at ALLBLK/WE tv an AMC Networks property.

He is responsible for producing and developing all original content for the streaming service and linear platform, in addition to assisting in acquisitions and scheduling. Sean most recently worked in Corporate Communications as a Production Coordinator working on all cross branding and marketing assets, across internal and external communications from Sundance Film Festival to Offsite meetings.

He received his B.A in Media Communications from Queens College, CUNY and holds an M.B.A from Mercy College.

Harjeet Chhokar
Unscripted Executive
Amazon MGM Studios

Harjeet Chhokar is a Sr. Creative Executive in the UK Unscripted team at Amazon MGM Studios, where he works across the factual slate and on shows such as Clarkson's Farm, The Grand Tour, All or Nothing and the award winning and highly regarded sports documentaries and true crime slate. Prior to joining Amazon MGM Studios, Harjeet was a Commissioning Editor in the Channel 4 Factual department, and commissioned and/or delivered a number of programmes for C4, E4 and More 4, including Murder Island, Sex Actually with Alice Levine and 999: On the Frontline. Before entering the world of commissioning, Harjeet worked in unscripted production for over 17 years; starting his career as a BBC Production Trainee and working his way up to Series Producer. He has extensive experience across the unscripted programming spectrum, from observational documentaries, blue light shows, factual entertainment and reality, including award winning series like Ambulance (BBC), The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds (C4), Educating Yorkshire (C4) and One Born Every Minute (C4). Harjeet is a passionate advocate for the powerful impact television can have on viewers' life and the cultural fabric of the country; he is committed to mentoring and supporting junior members of the industry and regularly contributes to panels and awards juries, including being the Advisory Chair of the 2024 Edinburgh TV Festival.

Adam Cohen
Head, Development
Noah Media Group

Adam is a UK based Head of Development who has worked for some of the biggest and most prestigious unscripted production companies in the UK. Adam has a proven track record in unscripted strategy, creative and leadership, developing and packaging premium content with international appeal. He specializes in securing access to, and building long-term relationships with high profile talent and institutions. He has developed documentaries for Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, ESPN, HBO, TNT, WBD, BBC, SKY and YouTube. He developed the recently announced next series of the BAFTA winning 'Once Upon A Time in' for the BBC. 

Ellie Coleman
Managing Director
Coleman Television

Ellie Coleman is the Managing Director and a Filmmaker at indie production company, Coleman Television based in Norfolk, England.

Ellie manages a bespoke multi talented team that produce predominantly factual content for broadcasters across the world, from pre-production through to delivery all in house at Coleman Television.

Her most recent productions include two archive packed documentaries for Channel 4 in the UK, JFK: 24 Hours that changed the world and D-Day: Hour by Hour.

Nick Contino
VP Development & Current Programming
Lionsgate Alternative

Nick Contino is a seasoned development executive and producer, currently serving as the Vice President of Development and Programming at Eureka Productions. His contributions to the industry have earned him recognition including "Content Innovation Rising Star" at the Content Innovation Awards in 2020, presented by Television Business International.

Samantha Cooper
Head, International Licensing & Business Development
V10 Entertainment

Sam Cooper is a dynamic media and entertainment executive with over two decades of experience at the forefront of content distribution, global licensing strategy and industry transformation. Known for her sharp deal instincts and collaborative leadership, Sam currently oversees Global Content Licensing for V10 Entertainment, a private equity backed media company based in Los Angeles.  She oversees the distribution and monetization of V10s catalog, including 36 seasons of America's Funniest Videos, the Keanu Reeves docuseries Arch Racing and the global rights for the MotoAmerica racing circuits.

As a senior executive at Viacom and later Paramount Global, Sam generated over$10 billion in revenue across linear and streaming platforms and played a central role in shaping the future of media—from the 2007 transition of MTV Networks to Viacom, to the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS. She led key negotiations with top distributors and streaming platforms globally and helped steer the company’s internal and third-party content licensing strategy.

Known for her “truth to power” leadership style, Sam brings a clear, candid perspective to every room—challenging conventional thinking while championing innovation and collaboration. Whether on stage, in the boardroom, or at the dinner table with friends and family, she is passionate about creating experiences that bring people together and spark meaningful connection.

Sam speaks on topics related to media strategy, distribution, leadership, and the streaming economy, and brings a mix of deep industry insight, warmth and practical takeaways to every engagement. 

Kalita Corrigan
Commissioning Editor, Documentary + Specialist
ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation

As Commissioning Editor for Documentary & Specialist at the ABC, Kalita oversees a busy slate of true crime, history, arts, and contemporary titles, including high rating formats like Stuff The British Stole (a co-production with CBC), Eat The Invaders and Headliners, as well as festival winning feature documentaries including Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra, Songs Inside, and I’m Wanita.

Her career began in the UK, where she spent a decade working for London + Bristol’s best independents creating Factual + documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5. After returning to Australia, Kalita continued as a freelance director and series producer before her transition to commissioning editor in 2018 where she is a passionate champion of original, bold, distinctive formats and features.

Amanda Culkowski
Vice President, Music Program Development
MTV Networks International

As Senior Director of Music Program Development at MTV International, Amanda Culkowski is responsible for developing original music and talent driven long form series and specials for MTV’s 170+ global channels. 

Prior to joining MTV, Amanda was a member of the WE tv development team in New York, where she oversaw the series development ofJim & Chrissy: Vow or Never,Hustle & SoulandUntold Stories of Hip Hop with Angie Martinez.

Previously, Amanda was a part of the HGTV production team and has held positions at ThinkTV Public Television in Dayton, Ohio and WOUB in Athens, Ohio. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Ohio University. She is based in New York City and is originally from Toledo, Ohio.

Aidan Denison
Production Executive, TVO Docs
TVO

Aidan Denison is a seasoned producer and executive within the documentary space, having worked in every facet of the production process from development to delivery. From 2021 to 2024, Aidan was Director of Unscripted Development at Sphere Media. In March 2024 Aidan joined the TVO Docs team as a Documentary Programmer and Production Executive. Since joining TVO he has served as a production executive on the feature documentaries PLAY IT LOUD! How Toronto Got Soul, Tripping the Muskoka Lakes, Dangerous Games: Roblox and the Metaverse Exposed,The Pitch, and documentary series All Too Clear: Beneath the Surface of the Great Lakes, Overbooked,and Season 3 of Crossroads: Beyond Boom and Bust.

Sophie Donovan
Head of Development
Ladywell Films

Sophie is the Head of Development at Ladywell Films and has been in post since they were founded in 2022. Ladywell is the premium documentary venture of Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins (the filmmakers behind some of Netflix's biggest hits - Tinder Swindler, American Nightmare, Don't F**k with Cats). Sophie first met Felicity and Bernadette at RAW TV, where she was a Development Executive - developing a range of feature documentaries and premium limited series (Trainwreck: Storm Area 51, Trainwreck: Balloon Boy, Netflix).  

As well as her successes in development, she is an acclaimed Producer and Edit Director - Who Killed Jill Dando? (Netflix), Bad Sport (Netflix), Catching Killers (Netflix), Generation Porn (Channel 4) - also directing on Studio99 / Story Films premier league series, Fever Pitch... (Paramount+). She Executive Produced the BAFTA nominated short film, 'The Palace' (2022). Prior to this, she worked at the BBC, leading the Current Affairs Television Development Team.

Steve Earley
Executive Producer
Freelance

Steve is an Executive Producer of competition format, reality/ob-doc, & constructed reality who’s worked in television for over two decades. 

He  previously produced major reality brand like TOWIE, I’m a Celeb., Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother (18 consecutive series across the C5 years).

Steve then launched a number of successful reality-docs for major channels, earning a reputation for turning funny, dramatic and oft-untold stories about young people into entertaining content. (Absolutely Ascot for ITV , Angels of the North for BBC3).

He served as executive producer and then series consultant across multiple series of The Rap Game UK, expanding the format and earning both Grierson and Broadcast nominations. He more recently advised foreign territories looking to launch the brand.

Alongside work, Steve is currently re-reading his collection of Smash Hits back issues from the ‘80s.

Louise Eberhardt
Acquisitions Executive
SVT Swedish Television

Karen Edwards
Executive Producer
Zinc Media

My six-part series Top Guns: The Next Generation for National Geographic/Disney + is due to TX on September 16^th.  It’s been a labour of love.

I am multi-award documentary filmmaker, with more that 25 years’ experience in the business. After eight years working as a print journalist, I started my broadcast career by specialising in current affairs, true crime and investigations. In recent years I have made impactful feature documentaries on big international stories, as well as making several exclusive access series.

I just love bringing true stories to life – fact is nearly always better than fiction.

MJ Enyori
Development Executive
CJZ

Mary-Jo is an experienced International Development Producer based in Australasia, following a successful career in London where she held senior roles including Head of Development for UK & International and Development Executive Producer. She specialises in the development of factual content, including feature documentaries, true crime, crime adjacent, and specialist factual programming, with a focus on the US and UK markets and co-commissions. She previously held in-house Development roles at Woodcut Media, the BBC, ITV, and a number of leading independent production companies in the UK.  Mary-Jo is a member of BAFTA.

Erik Felderhof
Content Acquisition & Founder
Original Bear Studios

Joey Femia
Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming
Universal Television Alternative Studio

As Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming for Universal Television Alternative Studio, Joey Femia leads a powerhouse slate of bold, culture-shaping unscripted series. His current portfolio includes the Emmy®-nominated The Americas, a landmark wildlife event narrated by Tom Hanks; Destination X, a high-stakes travel competition hosted by Jeffrey Dean Morgan; and Jordan Peele’s untitled Black cowboy docuseries for Peacock.

Femia has also championed some of the studio’s most successful franchises, including the Emmy®-nominated That’s My Jam, Weakest Link, LeBron James’ The Wall, and the Emmy® Award-winning hits Hollywood Game Night and World of Dance.

He began his career in Disney’s coveted management internship program before moving through production roles at Blue Man Group and ABC’s The View. After relocating to Los Angeles, Femia quickly rose through the ranks—from production assistant on The Voice, The Oscars, and The Grammy Awards to becoming a key creative executive at NBCUniversal. In 2025, he was named SVP of Current Programming at Universal Television Alternative Studio, a leading force in unscripted content across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.

Femia has been recognized as one of the industry's rising stars, named to Realscreen’s Factual Under 40 in 2024 and LA TV Week’s 40 Under 40 in 2022. He holds dual degrees—a B.A. in Radio & Television Production and a B.S. in Event Management—from the University of Central Florida.

Samantha Ferguson
VP International
Rabbit Films

Sam Ferguson has been working in distribution for over 10 years and in media for 16 years starting her career at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Currently VP, International at Rabbit Films, which is a Finnish production and distribution company started by The Dudesons, she looks after format and finished tape sales across Asia and all English-speaking territories selling formats such as Ultimate Escape and Most Endangered Species.

Prior to joining Rabbit Films, she previously served as sales manager at ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVGSE), managing sales to Russia and the Baltic region working across formats such as Love Island and Come Dine With Me and scripted series. Prior to ITVSGE, she worked as a format sales executive at Banijay Rights and has also held positions at Zodiak Rights, PRS for Music and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

Adriana Garcia
Director of Development
National Geographic Channel

Adriana F. Garcia launched her career in unscripted television through post-production, where she honed her keen sense of story and structure. She went on to produce series for TLC, FYI, Facebook Watch, and other streaming platforms.

She later transitioned into development, helping to create and shape successful series for networks including HGTV, Science Channel, Roku, Discovery+, TBS, OWN, and Freeform. Throughout her career, she has championed stories that elevate underrepresented voices.

She now brings her creative vision and passion for inclusive storytelling to National Geographic, where she serves as Director of Development for the network’s unscripted series team.

Laszlo Gaspar
Head of Infotainment Portfolio
AMC Networks Central Europe Kft.

Reshma Ghosh
Director/Producer
Blue Petal Films

Reshma Ghosh is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Blue Petal Films (www.bluepetalfilms.com), a boutique production house based in India. Writer, director and producer her career spans over two decades of creating content for broadcasters like BBC, CNN, Star Plus, Sony Television, AXN, National Geographic and Channel NewsAsia. 

She has an extensive repertoire of work that includes travel, lifestyle, fashion, branded content and all genres of documentaries.

Films produced by her company, Blue Petal Films, have won accolades in prestigious film festivals around the world including New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards, World Media Festival, ContentAsia Awards and Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Awards.

With her passion for humane storytelling, she loves to explore stories from around the world. Her recent works include deep dives into the terrifying world of AI cyber-scams, the epidemic of unnecessary C-sections in India and the illegal trade of sea-cucumbers which is stripping the oceans of its most prized possession. 

She is on the jury panel of the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, The Jackson Wild Media Awards, the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards and Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Awards in 2025.

Rebecca Gibson
Partner
Eagle Vision

Rebecca Gibson is a partner at Eagle Vision, where she spearheaded development during the most productive period in its 25-year history. With her partners, she won the Innovative Producer Award at the Banff World Media Festival. As a writer, director, producer, series creator, showrunner, story editor and actor, Rebecca's work has played on screens around the world. As CEO of the newly launched Live From Winnipeg, Rebecca is blazing new content trails across multiple genres and platforms. Throughout her career, Rebecca has been dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers through mentorship and training, as well as to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. She was recently named to the Order of Manitoba in recognition of her contributions to the arts and advocacy. Credits include her ACTRA Award-winning role in The Pinkertons (Netflix), serving as co-creator, executive producer, showrunner, a writer, and director for five seasons of the international award-winning series Taken, producing the feature films H&G, Diaspora, Finality of Dusk, executive producing and story editing Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On (for which the team won an International Emmy Award).

Michela Giorelli
VP, Unscripted Production & Development
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Michela Giorelli leads the Unscripted Team at NBCUniversal Telemundo Studios concentrating on the creations of premium documentary series, docurealities and reality formats in English and Spanish with strong Latino relevance.

Before working with NBC, Giorelli was the Head of Original Production for Discovery Latin America/US Hispanic for more than 25 years. During her career at Discovery, she was instrumental in the development and execution of more than 5,000 productions made for the US Hispanic and Latin American markets. Many have been nominated for and received important industry accolades, including the US and International Emmy award.

Her projects include the development and production of Max true crime series such as Massacre of the Mormons, Garavito: The Serial Beast, Menem Jr: The Death of a President’s Son; and Discovery feature docs as Caravanas, Children at the Border, Castro: The World’s Most Watched Man and The Colosio Case.

Giorelli also led the creation of reality series such as Mexicanicos and Texas Trocas, as well as the successful Latin American adaptations of formats such as Naked and Afraid, Amazing Race, What Not to Wear, While You Were Out, Wife Swap, and Ten Years Younger.

Allison Grace
Executive Producer
Here's The Thing Productions

Allison Grace is a seasoned producer in developing and producing non-fiction television and award-winning documentaries for the international market. 

Her production company, Here’s The Thing Productions Inc., uncovers great ideas from unlikely sources and collaborates with and champions new talent and creators. 

The company focuses on creating ground-breaking narrative, comedy and factual content with a particular interest in female-led stories. 

She has a slate of scripted and unscripted projects with talent and writer/producer, Meredith MacNeill through their prod co, VHS Productions. 

She is currently co-producing a feature length documentary with Gay Agenda Media for CBC’s Documentary Channel about Canadian musician and feminist icon, Carole Pope

As VP of Content at Proper Television for over a decade, Allison executive produced over 100 hours of television including original series and international formats for the Canada, U.S. and International markets such as the Canadian Screen Award nominated series LOST CAR RESCUE for History Channel/Hulu and the multiple Canadian Screen Award winning series, MARY’S KITCHEN CRUSH and MARY MAKES IT EASY for CTV Life and Food U.S. 

Prior to joining Proper, Allison was a Production Executive at Shaw Media overseeing multiple cross-platform hit shows for HGTV, FOOD Network, and SLICE.

Helen Greatorex
Head of Format Acquisitions
Banijay Group

Helen Greatorex, head of format acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment, specialises in identifying, developing, and acquiring unscripted titles with global potential. Her recent acquisitions include unique craft-based competition series, Game of Wool (Hello Halo, part of STV), and hit Belgium game show 99 to Beat, from Primitives, which launched successfully with Banijay Entertainment labels in the UK and Italy, and has been commissioned by FOX in the US.  She previously served as senior global development producer, supporting the largest European studio’s unscripted pipeline across key territories, identifying strategic opportunities to expand its IP. Earlier in her tenure, she held the format manager role, overseeing superbrands like Big Brother, Hunted and Temptation Island. 

Prior to this, Greatorex spent six years as group acquisitions manager for Endemol Shine. She began her career at international media consultancy K7 Media, where she spent almost a decade building her content intelligence and analysis expertise, rising to become director of operations.

Stevenson Greene
Head of Production and Development
OUTTV

Stevenson Greene is currently the senior executive of TV Development and Production at Producer Entertainment Group and OutTV USA and resides in Los Angeles, CA. In his short time at OutTV and Producer Entertainment Group, he has produced projects that are currently on OutTV such as NUBIA AMPLIFIED, THE BROWNS, DR. JACKIE, BEHIND THE DRAG PAGEANT OF THE YEAR, TRANSLATION, FOR THE LOVE OF DILFS with Stormy Daniels and HOT HAUS with Tiffany “New York” Pollard and more projects to come.

OUTtv USA is the world’s first LGBTQ+ television and streaming service. Home to a compelling mix of inclusive, queer-focused content from comedy to drama, documentaries, reality, and award-winning movies. OUTtv is dedicated to telling stories by and for the community and is the world’s leading provider of queer content.

Producer Entertainment Group (PEG) is a full-service artist management firm, record label and production company proudly representing many of the world’s top drag queens and LGBTQ+ talent. The company oversees all aspects of the clients’ careers including development, recording, filming, retail and global touring. PEG is also a major stakeholder in OUTtvUSA, a premium streaming service.

Stevenson was the Director of Acquisitions and Co-Productions covering the MTV Entertainment Group, BET, BET+, Nickelodeon, Pluto and Paramount+. He also was the Director of Original Programming (Development and Production) at the LGBTQ focused Logo network. He was a part of Viacom for over 10 years and has executive produced projects such as FINDING PRINCE CHARMING (Logo), FOOD TO GET YOU LAID (Logo) and STRAIGHT OUT REPORT (Logo). He has also worked on projects such as the multi-Emmy award winning RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, THE A-LIST: NEW YORK, NOAH’S ARC and many others.

LaNee Griffin
SVP Programming & Development Pantheon Media & Tyler Perry Studios JV
Pantheon Media

LaNeé Griffin is the Senior Vice President of Development and Programming at Pantheon Media Group, where she co-leads the joint venture with Tyler Perry Studios focused on producing premium unscripted content. In her current role, Griffin oversees the development of genre-spanning formats—from love, dating, and relationships to game, docuseries, transformation, and franchise-ready competitions.

An award-winning executive producer, showrunner, and format specialist, Griffin brings nearly two decades of experience in unscripted television. She has a proven track record of creating content that resonates across broadcast, cable, and streaming—delivering entertainment with impact. In partnership with Tyler Perry Studios, she is committed to building franchise-worthy formats, developing talent-driven IP, and amplifying underrepresented voices through programming that’s deeply rooted and widely resonant.

Andrea Gunning
VP, Business Affairs & Podcast Development
Glass Entertainment Group

Andrea Gunning is the Head of Podcast Production and Development for Glass Podcasts. After a decade as a television executive, Andrea transitioned to spoken word audio to pursue her passion for storytelling. At Glass Podcasts, she has executive produced the full slate of audio series and frequently steps in as on-air talent.

Andrea produces and narrates the hit podcast Betrayal, 2025 iHeart Best Crime Podcast. The podcast’s raw, emotional narrative shines a light on stories of survival, deception, and resilience, topics Andrea is deeply committed to exploring. She believes in the power of storytelling to drive understanding and change and is passionate about expanding these narratives across multiple platforms to reach broader audiences and spark necessary conversations around abuse, manipulation, and healing.

The success of the podcast led to a Hulu television adaptation, which brought Season 1 Jenifer’s story to the screen in a gripping docuseries format. The show’s compelling narrative and emotional depth attracted a wide viewership, prompting a second season, which premiered in summer 2024. Season 2 followed Ashley’s story and continued the series’ mission of elevating personal stories of betrayal, resilience, and justice, shining a light on the ripple effects of trauma and the strength it takes to reclaim one’s voice.

 Andrea is deeply committed to telling stories that matter, across platforms and formats, and believes that non-fiction storytelling, when done with empathy and purpose, has the power to spark change.

Elaine Hackett
Founder, CEO and CCO
Crackit Productions

Elaine Hackett started her career as a print journalist, moving into radio and then television joining the BBC. After a successful run with the BBC, Elaine joined Bazal TV and was instrumental in its growth into Super Indie Endemol where she ran Brighter Pictures with Big Brother as one of her many brands. Sitting on both the UK Management and Creative Boards, Elaine was central to developing new global formats and driving the business.

In 2008, Elaine was the first female board member to leave Endemol to launch her own independent production company, Crackit Productions. Elaine’s vision for Crackit was to create and celebrate intelligent, tabloid programming. Crackit’s first series, The Dark Side of Fame with Piers Morgan for BBC1 won a Bafta.

With Elaine at Crackit’s helm, Crackit have produced thousands of hours of TV across all major broadcasters. Elaine Executive Produces all Crackit’s series with such returnables as Casualty 24/7 in its 6th season, Police Night Shift in its 4th and Trucking Hell in its 8th season. As well as creating and producing compelling formats, Crackit are leaders in producing Crime documentaries and series with Crackit’s formats continuing to sell globally.

As a fully regional company with offices in Brighton and Manchester, Crackit continues to grow and be successful and 2024 sees Elaine and Crackit celebrate its 16th year as an industry leading production company.

Carl Hall
Managing Director
West One International

Carl has enjoyed a varied and successful career as a media executive and entrepreneur and has over 35 years’ experience in the TV industry. His creative and commercial acumen has seen him executive produce and direct over 600 documentaries, winning numerous industry awards. Carl trained as a TV cameraman with Anglia TV and worked for Henson International Television and HIT Entertainment before founding Parthenon Media Group, which he sold to BskyB in 2002. He founded West One International in 2018.

Nicole Hamilton
EVP, English Content
Attraction

As EVP of English Content at Attraction, Nicole is tasked with expanding English-language
development and production. Under her tenure, new commissions include Underground
Railroad: The Secret History (Warner Brothers Discovery/Bell Media), Crime Scene Confidential
(ID/Discovery+), East Harbour Heroes (Bell Media), Claw Hunters (Weather Channel), How Did
They Fix That? (Paramount+/Smithsonian), Secrets Agents of the Underground Railroad
(CBC/The Nature of Things) and Forensic Factor (Bell Media). Prior to joining Attraction, Nicole
was both a Showrunner and Broadcast Executive, where she oversaw the production and
development of over 75 original series including documentaries Panic and The Vampire
Murders (HBO), scripted series Degrassi: the Next Generation and Instant Star (Viacom and
Bell Media) and unscripted series Million Dollar Critic, Over the Rainbow, Recipes to Riches,
Say Yes to the Dress Canada, Project Runway Canada, Inside the Box with Ty Pennington,
Cook’d, From the Ground Up with Debbie Travis, Dolce Vita, and Restaurant Makeover. She
also launched Anna Olson’s successful YouTube Channel, Oh Yum. She holds a Master of Arts
from UCLA’s School of Film and Television.

Naomi Harvey
VP, Development
ClockWork Films

Naomi Harvey is a veteran Development Executive and Producer with over 16 years of experience working on award-winning series and cinematic feature films for the UK and USA. She has collaborated with major companies such as the BBC, Warner Bros, Netflix, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and Working Title Films.

Her career has primarily focused on the non-scripted sector, with a development portfolio that spans reality to specialist factual content. Naomi's passion lies in documentary filmmaking, with successful commissions including The Missing Millionaire (ITV/Fremantle), Rescue Dog to Super Dog (Animal Planet), Spitfire Women (BBC2), 9/11: The Last Secrets (Netflix), and Peter The Human Cyborg (Channel 4) Americas Child Brides (BBC3) Players Ball (Lionsgate Studios) Simon Says (Fremantle Media).

In addition to developing IP into long-form narrative documentaries, Naomi has had success in Developing podcasts such as the recent The Confessions of Anthony Raimondi" (Universal) about an ex-mafia hitman who claims he helped murder a Pope and False Profits (iHeartMedia) about the dark side of Hillsong MegaChurch and Crying Wolf (iHeartMedia) on the wrongful conviction of Lee Harris in Chicago. She is currently working on a slate of exciting new stories for scripted development, including the true and unbelievable story based on David Kushner's book Players Ball about the battle for Sex.com for Lionsgate.

Naomi has the unique combination of being a TV executive as a fully qualified psychotherapist and mental health trainer. She brought these worlds together with her company, Team Human, which provides bespoke mental health training for the screen sector serving large production companies such as Warner Bros TV/Endemol Shine/ Banijay/Twenty Twenty/All3media and more. She has also been a Screenskills Mentor and sat on the Film & TV Charity Mental Health Training advisory board.

Micah Hewson
Founder
Big Roo Media

Micah Hewson, the former head of development at ITV Studios Australia, has joined All3Media International in the newly created role of VP sales for Australia & New Zealand. 

Hewson served at ITV Studios for 14 years and was appointed head of commercial development in 2014 with credits including The Chase Australia, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Love Island Australia, My Kitchen Rules, Alone, Australia Behind Bars and Celebrity Letters & Numbers.Prior to ITV he was executive producer & development lead at Endemol Australia (Southern Star), where he developed and produced the first six seasons of Big Brother Australia along with Fear Factor, Ready Steady Cook, Real Prison Breaks for ITV in the UK and The Kylie Interview for Sky 1. He has also worked for the Television Shopping Network (TVSN) and Granada Media Australia.

Nick Hopkin
Head of Development
Nick Nack TV

Nick Hopkin has had a varied career in Television and Media Production since starting as a technical trainee at the BBC in 1987 picking up competencies in a range of technical and editorial skills. Nick has now been working for various companies and broadcasters around the world and over the last 40 years he has created a wide range of high quality, award winning and ground-breaking television content. As Executive Producer, CEP, Show Runner, Format Creator, Development Head, Supervising Post Producer, Screen Agency Manager and recently as a formidable and well-respected Creative Consultant and Pitch Writer for the global market. As EP, Multi-Camera Studio Director and Writer, he has worked across ALL the programme genres including Factual, Entertainment, Reality, Lifestyle, Comedy, Children’s, Animation, Comedy Drama, Events, Documentary, Music, Hidden Camera, Sketch and Multi-Platform. Nick is as comfortable with scripted projects as he is with non-scripted formats. 

Alongside recent roles as Director of Nick Nack TV Pty Ltd and his new counselling service for Media professionals (Noo Life Pty Ltd), Nick has held roles as Head of Development for the BBC in London and Glasgow, along with a recent stint as Manager of Live Events for ABC Australia. Nick has overseen major productions including Top of The Pops, Live & Kicking, Entertainment Tonight, The Australian of the Year Awards, New Year's Eve SYDNYE, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and post-produced familiar formats like Big Brother, Selling Houses Australia, MasterChef and Channel 9's The NRL Rookie – as well as multi-camera directing The Great Australian Bake Off. Not to mention a starring role in Channel 7's Holey Moley! Nick continues to offer expertise in the areas of format development and creative thinking for major broadcasters and independent producers in Australia and the UK creating pitches and development advice for Fitzy n’ Wippa, Joined Up Films, Periscope Pictures, Matchbox, Northern Pictures, the BBC, Smashing Films and others. Nick is a multi-BAFTA, Emmy, Celtic Media and RTS award winning Director and Producer having received gongs for the BBC’s flagship series of Live & Kicking, Serious Arctic and Hedz.    

Francis Humble
Assistant Head of Acquisitions
TV3 Televisio de Catalunya SA

Carolina Iacia
Head of Formats Acquisitions
Globo TV International

Carolina Iacia is Head of Acquisitions for Formats, Live Events, and Book Adaptations at Globo, overseeing content deals across Free TV, Pay TV, and digital platforms in Brazil. She leads negotiations for major global brands that drive audience engagement and commercial results, including Big Brother, The Masked Singer, Next Level Chef, Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza, and Brazilian Carnival.

Before joining TV Globo’s acquisitions team in 2018, Carolina worked with the company’s Pay TV channels, where she developed a strong understanding of scheduling, VOD strategy, and budget management. Earlier in her career, she also held roles in production and distribution at Oi, a Brazilian telecom company.

Graduated in Advertising, Carolina holds a Master’s in Communications and Marketing from IED Madrid and an MBA in Film and TV Business from Fundação Getúlio Vargas. She is passionate about stories that move people and markets, and is a proud member of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy®).

Figs Jackman
EVP Content
Planet Octopus Studios

Figs is currently EVP of Planet Octopus Studios, a collaborative film collective born from the twice Oscar® nominated, Emmy®, BAFTA, Peabody, Grierson and RTS award-winning production company Spring Films.

With origins in London but now globally nomadic, the teams from Planet Octopus share an ethos of adaptability, innovation, and compassion to meet the ever-changing shape of global content markets.

Figs has worked on projects which have included the Emmy, RTS, and Peabody winning 'Night Will Fall', and the Emmy nominated 'Into the Inferno', directed by Werner Herzog for Netflix.

Figs also co-produced the Emmy Nominated 'City 40', and has previously produced and directed documentaries with Sir David Frost.

Planet Octopus has just premiered its latest documentary, UNDERLAND, at the Tribeca Film Festival. Based on the best-selling book by Robert Macfarlane and narrated by Oscar Nominated Sandra Hüller, co-produced with Jessica Harrop at Sandbox Films and Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel at Protozoa, and co-executive produced by Figs.

Patricia Jasin
Head of International Distribution
Warner Bros. Discovery

As Country Manager of Colombia, Patricia Jasin oversees all the company’s operations in the Colombian market including: distribution, advertising, production, programming, marketing, finance, research, human resources, and communication. Additionally, she is Senior Vice President of International TV Distribution (ITVD) for Latin America, managing the strategy for syndication and sales of international content for the region.

Patricia has 25 years of experience in international media. Prior to joining the company, she served as Vice President of Azteca International and Director of Azteca Studio, where she was responsible for the development and execution of the company’s audiovisual content distribution strategy across all the television platforms worldwide, was in charge of the pay TV business strategy and was also in charge of the operational service provided from Mexico to the “Azteca América” channel. Prior to joining Azteca, Jasin worked five years in “FLY Content”, an independent TV content production and distribution company, of which she was a founding partner and CEO. She also held executive positions in Frecuencia Latina International and Xystus.

Jasin is a lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires and is based in Miami.

Sam Joyce
Senior Acquisitions Manager
TVF International

Craig Junner
SVP, Programming & Content Strategy
Blue Ant Media

Craig Junner, SVP, Programming & Content Strategy, oversees all aspects of the content and programming strategy for Blue Ant Media’s FAST, AVOD, SVOD and linear channels globally, including acquisitions, original programming and scheduling.

He has been at the helm of launching Blue Ant Media’s portfolio of FAST channels, including HauntTV, Homeful, CrimeTime, TotalCrime, HistoryTime, Love Pets, NatureTime and Drag Race Universe. Craig is integral to the company’s robust strategy to continue expanding its FAST business across UK, EMEA, APAC and Latin America as the international free-streaming ecosystem matures.

Craig joined Blue Ant Media at its inception in 2011 as Senior Manager of Programming. He has played a vital role in the launch and re-launch of several specialty TV channels within the company’s expanding channels business, including Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel (Canada), BBC Earth (Canada), BBC First (Canada). With a career spanning 20+ years, Craig previously served in senior roles leading and managing programming teams for some of Canada’s key broadcasters, including Global Television, CanWest, CTV and Shaw Media, while also contributing to all channel launches and integrations attached to M&A activities.

Marc Kamler
Co-Head, Unscripted & Documentary
Evoke Entertainment

Marc Kamler is a talent manager and former television agent with a dynamic career spanning artist representation and content development.

He currently manages a roster of award-winning production companies, showrunners, and on-screen talent whose work has earned Emmys, BAFTAs, Realscreen Awards, and BANFF Rockie Awards. Known for his strategic instincts and sharp eye for talent, Kamler has built cross-platform careers by championing bold voices and commercially viable creative vision.

He spent over two decades as a top packaging agent in unscripted television, representing high-profile talent and producers while bringing premium content to every major network and streaming platform. He now serves as Co-Head of Unscripted and Documentary at Evoke Entertainment, where he oversees development and production strategies for the company’s client roster.

Kamler is also a Broadway producer, currently producing The Queen of Versailles, starring Tony Award–winner Kristin Chenoweth, and the first-ever Broadway revival of Chess, starring Tony Award–winner Aaron Tveit and Lea Michele.

With strong relationships across the creative and buyer communities, Kamler continues to bridge representation and production to deliver compelling, high-impact projects.

Steve Katz
CEO/Executive Producer
Maximum Sunshine Productions

Steve Katz’s career has literally spanned the globe. In his days as a foreign correspondent, Steve covered wars, terrorism, international diplomacy, even a royal wedding. After a stint as a network news bureau chief, Steve moved to Fox TV’s iconic, genre-defining true crime series, America’s Most Wanted, where he spent more than a decade, first as Supervising Producer, then Co-Executive Producer and Show Runner. Now, with Maximum Sunshine Productions, his own development and production shop, Steve continues to create compelling non-fiction television. He developed and was Executive Producer for the Investigation Discovery series Truth Is Stranger Than Florida, and has worked with Blackfin, ITV, Texas Crew Productions, Renegade 83, Blumhouse, Intellectual Property Corp., Engel Entertainment and other top production companies as EP/Showrunner for series including ID’s I Am Homicide and Primal Instinct, Oxygen’s Buried In The Backyard, Killer Motive, Final Moments, Injustice with Nancy Grace, and Floribama Murders, and the limited episode investigative series The Girl Scout Murders for Fox Nation, along with several other projects.

Eoin Kavanagh
Head of Development
Avalon Television

Dan Kendall
Creative Director
Windfall Films

Dan Kendall is an EMMY nominated Exec. Producer with a reputation for delivering premium factual series and singles for global audiences - recent highlights include The Wall: Climb for Gold (Netflix/Amazon), Blood Money: The Curse of the Brinks Mat Robbery (C5), The Future with Hannah Fry (Bloomberg), Lost Treasures of Egypt (Nat Geo), Chris and Michaela: Under the Christmas Sky (BBC Two), and Black Hole Hunters (Smithsonian Channel). With more than 20 years production experience across the industry , delivering awards and ratings success to global broadcasters his track record includes - History Channel's epic drama-doc Mankind: The Story of All of Us, Channel 4's Surgery Live (Winner: Broadcast Digital Award), and BBC Two's history of the Web, The Virtual Revolution (Winner: BAFTA New Media Award).

Jess Khanom
Co-Founder
Rock and Rose Studios

Jess Khanom is a highly accomplished entertainment executive with over 25 years of
experience shaping the global film and television landscape. A leader in content
sales and format development, she has worked across scripted and unscripted
formats, series, movies, co-productions, and acquisitions, holding key positions at
industry giants such as Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros.

Jess has played a pivotal role in driving innovation and expansion in the
entertainment sector. She spearheaded the launch of the Formats Division at Fox
Networks Channels Group before its acquisition by Disney. As the Global Head of
Scripted Formats at Twentieth Century Fox, she led strategic initiatives to expand
scripted formats across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. During her tenure
at Warner Bros., she oversaw format sales in EMEA, successfully negotiating
landmark deals across 27 territories, including high-profile agreements in Russia and
Turkey.

As the co-founder of Rock and Rose Studios, Jess brings her expertise and vision
to this dynamic creative hub, dedicated to cutting-edge content and fostering
emerging talent. With her deep industry knowledge and strategic insight, she is
instrumental in shaping the studio’s growth, securing impactful partnerships, and
championing innovative storytelling that resonates globally.

Nishat Kurwa
SVP and Executive Producer, Audio
Vox Media

Justin Lacob
Head of Development
XTR

Justin Lacob serves as Vice President of Original Series at Spike TV.  Lacob joined Spike in 2011 and has since overseen the development of several successful network series including the critically acclaimed Bar Rescue. Lacob will also oversee the highly anticipated Hungry Investors, with bar and nightlife expert Jon Taffer and celebrity chefs John Besh and Tiffany Derry. In addition to his reality projects, Lacob is a key member of the development team responsible for the network’s forthcoming scripted miniseries.

Prior to joining Spike TV, Lacob served as Senior Director of Development at Intuitive Entertainment.  There, he supervised development on several reality series, including LA Shrinks and Love Broker for Bravo, and a variety of projects for CW, Food Network, Animal Planet, Oxygen and Travel Channel.  Prior to his stint at Intuitive, Lacob served as Director of Development at FremantleMedia for two years where he developed Rock the Cradle, The Phone and What Chili Wants, among others.  In addition, Lacob has extensive experience serving as a Producer, with credits including America’s Next Top Model, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Supergroup and Next.

Born and raised in Jericho, New York, Lacob graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies.  Lacob currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

Joanne Law
Commercial Development Director
Kevin and Co

Joanne brings an extensive knowledge of the unscripted market both in ANZ and internationally. At Kevin & Co she is responsible for expanding the company's local and global activities focusing on the strategic development of Kevin & Co's content slate, building global partnerships, and new project development and financing.

Alexander Lawson
Development Producer
National Geographic Channel

Alex is a Development Manager for National Geographic International. He is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with producers and talent to help identify opportunities for the channel. Alex has developed various titles for National Geographic and Disney+ including Ultimate Supercar, Wild, Smart and Deadly and Brawn: The Impossible Formula One Story. Currently running his own slate Alex acts as a first point of call for new business opportunities interested in working with National Geographic.

Bernadine Lim
Senior Commissioning Editor
SBS Special Broadcasting Service

Fiona Lindsay
Managing Director
Blue Marlin Television

Fiona came to producing television via a unique and winding route.  Following an early career in book publishing, she entered the luxury travel world as Public Relations Manager of The Dorchester Hotel in London, England. Restless for more varied PR, she set up her own boutique PR company.  On being asked to be the agent to a world famous Garden Designer David Stevens, she set up the management and literary agency Limelight Celebrity Management, which she still owns.  In 2008 Celebrity Chef and Presenter James Martin suggested they create a television company together, and Blue Marlin Television was born.  Their flagship two hour weekly ITV1 show James Martin's Saturday Morning has won Best Food Show in the TV Choice Awards in the UK in 2021, 2022 and 2024 and the show has also just been nominated for Best Daytime Show in the National Television Awards 2025.  Their Drambuie Advert starring James Martin and produced on behalf of dentsu X and The Story Lab won Best TV Newcomer in the 2022 Thinkbox TV Planning Awards.

Javier Martinez
Managing Director
You First Originals

Javier Martínez is a content executive with a strong international track record in the creation, development, and production of original formats for both linear television and streaming platforms. He has co-created and produced over 20 entertainment formats, totaling more than 400 broadcast hours in over 190 countries.

His most recent credits as executive producer include ALEXIA: Labor Omnia Vincit (Prime Video), nominated for the 2023 International Emmy Awards; Ona Carbonell: Empezar de nuevo (Rakuten TV); 11 Tiros (HBO Max); and the latest release It’s All Over: The Kiss that changed the Spanish Football (Netflix). He currently leads YOU FIRST ORIGINALS, the original content division of YOU FIRST – GERSH, where he develops both scripted and unscripted projects with top-tier talent. In 2025, he will premiere two new productions on global platforms and is currently developing his first feature film in partnership with an international OTT.

John McAvoy
CEO
McAvoy Media

Since beginning his television career at the Nine Network (Australia) in 1991, John has accumulated over 30 years of experience in the television industry. He is one of Australia’s leading and award-winning producers, widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in the business, having created, developed, and delivered premium programming across multiple genres for networks and streamers both in Australia and internationally.

In March 2010, after 18 years at Channel Nine—including five as Head of Factual Programming—John joined Eyeworks Television Australia (later Warner Bros International Television Australia) as Managing Director. In October 2014, he left Warner Bros to establish his own independent production company, McAvoy Media.

With a focus on the constant development of exciting and innovative new TV concepts, McAvoy Media is committed to telling great stories, unearthing compelling characters and continuing to create and produce content that will engage audiences worldwide.

Jennifer McClure-Metz
Current Programming Executive
Evolution Media

Jen McClure-Metz serves as Current Programming Executive at Evolution Media/MGM Amazon Studios. In her role, she oversees the development and production of some of the most popular unscripted television series, including Vanderpump Rules, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and Real Housewives of Orange County.

During her three years at Evolution Media, Jen maintained and grew the company’s unscripted portfolio and has worked closely with creative teams to ensure the success and longevity of flagship series.

With over twenty years of experience in the unscripted television industry, Jen has earned a stellar reputation for her creative vision and leadership. She has been recognized with two Emmy nominations for her exceptional work on Vanderpump Rules.

Before joining Evolution Media, Jen brought her diverse showrunner experience to various projects. Her impressive credits include The Biggest Loser, Married at First Sight, and Growing Up Chrisley, showcasing her versatility across different unscripted formats like competition, reality, and lifestyle programming. Earlier in her career, Jen contributed to the success of iconic shows such as Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Deal or No Deal.

Jen’s passion for storytelling and her commitment to delivering high-quality content has made her a prominent figure in the industry.

Laura McDonald
Agent, Unscripted TV Packaging
Gersh Agency

Laura McDonald is an Unscripted Agent in the Alternative Television Packaging & Digital department at Gersh. She represents talent, producers, and production companies that create and star in projects that span all of nonfiction programming- game, talk, competition, reality shows and more. Her talent roster includes Shawn Wayans, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Caroline Rhea, Montel Williams, Jeff Dye, Jake T. Austin, Willam Belli, Corinne Olympios, Ashley Parker Angel, Jai Rodriguez, Patrick Warburton, Logic, Brad Williams, Trish Suhr, Jessie Graff, Jessica Hall, Rebekka Johnson and Kimmy Gatewood, She also works with crossover talent such as musicians (All Time Low, 3OH!3, Ashely Parker Angel, Logic) and athletes (Summer Sanders, Jonny Mosley). She represents producers on a variety of broadcast and cable shows including “The Voice”, “Story of God”, “Family Legacy,” and more. The production companies that are in her repertoire have created and sold shows to Netflix, VH1, Discovery, A&E, Comedy Central, Facebook, Fox Sports, CW, TBS Digital and more.

Laura graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Finance and Sociology. She then received her juris doctorate from the Pepperdine School of Law and is barred in the state of California. During law school she interned at law firms that specialized in all things unscripted, which is what helped her decide to pursue a career in the field.

Andy McEntee
SVP Development & Programming
Bodega Pictures

Andy McEntee is senior vice president of Development & Programming for independent production company, Bodega Pictures, where he is responsible for creating original formats, discovering talent, and executing sizzles and pilots across myriad platforms for Bodega Pictures’ ample development slate. Current series he has shepherded include hits like Kendra Sells Hollywood (MAX), sMothered (TLC) and Girl Meets Farm (Food). With more than a decade of experience in unscripted television as both a producer and development executive for cable and broadcast networks, Andy possesses a unique vantage point that runs from inception of a new show through post-production on a series. Prior to Bodega, Andy served as Vice President of Development for Cineflix Productions (Property Brothers, American Pickers) and as a freelance producer he has worked on genre-defining series such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC), The Millionaire Matchmaker (Bravo), and 10 Years Younger (TLC).

Kirstie McLure
Managing Director
Big Wave Productions Ltd

Kirstie joined Big Wave as Managing Director in 2021. She's a multi Emmy award-winning leader in specialist factual content and previously was managing director of Pioneer Productions, one of the world’s leading producers of innovative, award-winning factual content, building the company to sale. Kirstie has overseen hundreds of hours of content for broadcast, cable and online providers. A passionate innovator, she brings a unique set of skills and experience to Big Wave as the company builds its specialist factual content.

Julie Meldal-Johnsen
EVP, Global Content
ITV Studios

Julie Meldal-Johnsen leads ITV Studios Global Distribution division’s programme acquisitions, co-productions and content strategy across all genres, along with managing the distributor’s relationships with producers.

Prior to this, Julie was based in the Los Angeles office as Senior EVP of Scripted and Business Development, ITV Studios America with responsibility for driving the growth strategy and business operations of the company’s US scripted business. This included the management of ITV Studios America’s first look deals with producers and overseeing the development and production of scripted projects across ITV America’s group of companies. Before this Julie held a variety of senior roles within ITV Studios in distribution and production, having initially joined the ITV PLC central legal team upon the merger of Carlton and Granada.

Adnan Mohammed
VP, Development
Story Films

From winning a BBC documentary commission in my first job in television, I have continued to create and develop successful programmes across my career internationally, with sales to HBO MAX, ESPN, Discovery, Hulu, VICE, BBC, Channel 4, and Viaplay with 10+ years of experience in development and production. With 4 years of Head of Development experience for UK and US-based production companies where I secured multiple commissions, I am now leading Story Films' Non-Fiction development slate.

Rukhsana Mosam
Managing Director
Ten66 Television

I've been working in the British TV industry for 30 years now - principally in factual. I have worked on everything from single documentaries to pop doc series, formatted Factual and Fact Ent as well as Entertainment series, working my way up from a Researcher to Executive Producer over the years. Prior to founding my own indie, Ten66 Television, I have worked for all the major British terrestrial broadcasters, the BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 and various of their spin off channels both in house and as a freelancer. Founding Ten66 Television was about having more creative freedom - the company is named after the area we are based in - which is Hastings in the UK. We specialise in developing big Fact Ent and Ents formats as well as leaning into Youth trends.

Kelly Nash
VP, Non-Fiction & Alternative Programming AMC, Sundance TV, BBCA
AMC Networks

Kelly Nash is the Co-Head of Nonfiction Programming for AMC, SundanceTV, and BBC
America, where she develops and oversees a broad range of series across genres including pop
culture documentaries, true crime, natural history, sports, and talk.
Most recently, Kelly oversaw the development and production of the UNTITLED 49ERS
documentary, executive produced by Tom Brady, Skydance Sports, and NFL Films. The film
chronicles the legendary 1980s San Francisco 49ers dynasty featuring Joe Montana, Jerry Rice,
Steve Young, and Ronnie Lott.
Kelly has been a key architect behind AMC Visionaries, the network's acclaimed documentary
anthology series, including high-profile seasons such as Robert Kirkman's Secret History of
Comics, James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction, and Eli Roth's History of Horror.
At SundanceTV, she launched the true crime franchise True Crime Story and continues to
oversee a slate of impactful projects. Her work includes the social justice series It Couldn’t
Happen Here, the provocative Smugshot, and the limited doc series Look Into My Eyes and The
Tailor of Sin City. Most recently, The Furry Detectives—which had its World Premiere at the
Tribeca Film Festival.
At BBC America, Kelly has played a role in launching iconic natural history series like Meerkat
Manor and is currently overseeing the Emmy nominated Asia and upcoming Kingdom, both
narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough. Recently, Planet Earth III garnered
widespread recognition, receiving multiple Creative Arts Emmy Award nominations,
underscoring its critical acclaim and cultural impact.
Before her current role, Kelly served as Vice President of Development at Fishbowl Worldwide
Media, where she developed and produced a wide variety of series for networks such as Animal
Planet, Fuse, MTV, Bravo, The CW, E!, Discovery, VH1, and more.
Kelly’s entertainment career began at Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles, where she helped
to build talent and television projects. She then worked as a line producer on the feature film A
Lot Like Love, starring Ashton Kutcher and Amanda Peet, before transitioning to television,
contributing to programming at Oxygen Network, New Line Television, and collaborating with
renowned executive producer Marty Adelstein.
In addition to her extensive industry experience, Kelly is an active member of Women In Film
and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Emile Nawagamuwa
Commissioning Editor, Factual
UKTV

Emile is a Commissioning Editor at UKTV responsible for factual series. Since joining UKTV in 2021 Emile has overseen an eclectic range of series from cutting edge documentaries to popular factual including the latest iterations of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over and the 6-time Bafta Award nominated Big Zuu’s Big Eats to brand new commissions such as Red Flag, and the Broadcast and Edinburgh award nominated Jamali Maddix: Follow the Leader.

Emile leads All Voices UKTV’s partnership with Talented People which seeks to improve off screen representation on UKTV productions. Emile also curates and produces the Asian Inclusion Events which are the first regular events of their kind for TV professionals and produces the agenda setting Opening Debate at the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Prior to UKTV Emile was an RTS winning Series Producer and Grierson nominated Director with over 15 years experience making documentaries and prime time factual programmes for both UK and US networks. Highlights include Hospital for BBC2, Homestead Rescue for Discovery and My Brave Face for Quest.

Proinsias Ni Ghrainne
Commisioning Editor
TG4

Proinsias commissions, co produces and curates primetime content in factual and other genres as well as managing the channels landmark music, arts and culture output.

Her work spans a range of content in various factual genres, working with experienced talent and is adept at spotting, nurturing and inspiring new and diverse talent.  

She has brought many major co productions to TG4 and was exec producer on BAFTA, PRIX EUROPA, and OSCAR award winning titles, most recent titles being Lyra and Kneecap.

She is a member of the EBU Factual Experts panel and represents TG4 at international markets and co production fora.

Arif Noorani
Executive Producer and Director of CBC Podcasts
CBC

Sarah North
Chief Creative Officer
Mecenas

Sarah North is a partner and Chief Creative Officer of MECENAS, a certified minority-owned publishing and media powerhouse that connects brands with America's vibrant multicultural communities. MECENAS GROUP's portfolio includes COCINA, the gold standard for Latin food co-founded by Aarón Sánchez; STARPICKS, a personalized free content streaming platform; and a suite of publishing units catering to diverse audiences in gaming, esports, and on-demand audio. Engaging over 25 million U.S. Hispanics monthly through exclusive partnerships with premier content distribution platforms, MECENAS stands as one of the largest independent media companies in the multicultural landscape.

Previously, Sarah North was the Head of Shopify Studios, the content house of leading global commerce company Shopify which powers more than 1M businesses. As the Head of Studios, North oversaw development, production, distribution, and strategy across the company’s slate, including feature documentaries and long-form Original series for streaming and linear networks with best-in-class partners, as well as experimental digital series.

Prior to joining Shopify Studios, North was the Head of Television and Long-form content at SoulPancake, the award-winning media and entertainment company founded by actor Rainn Wilson and acquired by Participant Media in October 2016. Her Emmy-nominated work helped SoulPancake reach 1B+ views and a 60M monthly reach.

Before SoulPancake, North was a partner at Mad Cow Productions. NAACP Image Award nominated, she has developed, executive produced, and showrun series for networks including ABC, [adult swim], MTV and Showtime to name a few. She specializes in storytelling that drives engagement and connects content to commerce.

North is a graduate of New York University, and resides in Los Angeles with her husband and children.

Geoffrey Okol
Development Producer
ZigZag Productions

Recipient of the top prize at FORMAGINATION 2023, my winning format is currently in development at ITV Studios. I am an Award-winning development producer who has worked in development teams at a range of companies including BBC Entertainment, ITN Productions, and Argonon Group. I have created and developed commissioned shows across a variety of genres for all the major UK broadcasters and streamers and now looking for do the same in new markets.

Dana Olkkonen
Vice President, Television & Film
Vox Media

Dana J. Olkkonen is the Head of Vox Media Studios where she oversees the television and film business for Vox Media, the modern media company home to brands such as New York Magazine, Vox, Eater, The Verge, The Dodo, and more. Under her leadership, Vox Media Studios develops and produces projects with Vox Media’s editorial brands to bring its category-leading journalism to the screen for today’s biggest distributors including Netflix, Hulu, AppleTV+, and more.

Olkkonen joined Vox Media Studios in 2017 as the Vice President of Development and most recently served as the Vice President of TV & film. An Emmy-award winning producer, Olkkonen has been instrumental in working across development and production to bring to life a wide variety of series for multiple partners.

Recent Vox Media Studios projects include: the limited documentary series GOLD AND GREED: THE HUNT FOR FENN’S TREASURE, the third season of FULL SWING and FILES OF THE UNEXPLAINED for Netflix; feature documentary DEEPFAKING SAM ALTMAN; the three-part series AN UPDATE ON OUR FAMILY for HBO; and Emmy-nominated WIZARD OF PAWS for BYUtv. Olkkonen’s work has not only been recognized as Emmy-Award winning including multiple Daytime Emmy nominations but also includes a Gracie Award and she was named a Media Industry Leader for the 2022 Cynopsis Women in Media Awards. Prior to joining Vox Media Studios, Olkkonen led development for Toronto-based production company JV Productions and served as Vice President of Development for Authentic Entertainment.

Sharone Ostrovsky
CEO
Media Trifecta / Mad Betti Media

Billi-Jean Parker
Producer & Writer
Earth Touch

A passionate storyteller and award-winning writer and producer, Billi-Jean has made over 30 “blue chip” natural history films for National Geographic Channel, Smithsonian Networks, ORF, Kanal 7, NHK and CCTV.

She’s shared stories about iconic species like lions, buffaloes, dolphins and crocodiles, as well as underdogs like warthogs, naked mole rats and wildebeest.

Producer and writer credits include: Crocodiles Revealed (2023) - SAFTA for Best Natural History and Environmental Film, Shadow Cats (2022), Leopard & Hyena: Strange Alliance (2021) - Gold Remi award and SAFTA.

She contracts for various production houses and produces her own wildlife shorts for South Africa’s long-running environmental programme, 50|50, and the international environmental science and conservation news platform, Mongabay.

Billi-Jean has judged at many of the premier international wildlife film festivals, including Jackson Hole, Wildscreen, and the Matsalu International Nature Film Festival in Estonia. Billi-Jean has also been a SAFTA (South African Film & Television Awards) judge since 2006.

During her free time, she films underwater, shares her love of the ocean as a marine and snorkel guide, and is proud to sit on the board of NPO, Breathe Conservation. She’s a member of the symphonic choir – with a solid Top C!

Sitarah Pendelton-Eaglin
EVP, Head of Unscripted Series
MTV Entertainment Studios & Paramount Media Networks

As a Senior Vice President of unscripted series for Paramount Media Networks & MTV Entertainment Studios, Pendelton-Eaglin brings a distinct approach to all the franchises on which she works, meticulously unfolding storylines – an aspiring artist seeking fame or someone looking for love – showcasing their ambition, their friendships and their drama, driving audience engagement and top ratings. “The common thread among the shows is a commitment to authentic storytelling,” says Pendelton-Eaglin. “I dig deep into the layers of people. We are working with real people, and it’s critical that we showcase their full personalities and life choices - good and bad - honestly, because that is what resonates with fans. We may not all lead the same lives as the people on our shows, but we all have friends, family, and ambitions. Where our fans identify with our casts on a human level is exactly where I want to cultivate and grow interesting stories.”

As a senior female Hollywood executive at MTV Entertainment Studios, Pendelton-Eaglin is a force behind some of the biggest reality shows in television, including The Real World Homecoming franchise on Paramount+, MTV’s Catfish and VH1’s juggernaut series Love & Hip Hop, among others.

A champion of diversity and inclusion both in front of and behind the camera, Pendelton-Eaglin served as the executive producer of The Real World Homecoming: New York, reuniting the original cast and continuing the progressive conversations and culturally resonant stories that the series is recognized for, including addressing the Black Lives Matter movement as well as equal rights for Women and LGBTQ+ communities. She also served as the executive producer of Season 8 of MTV’s Are You The One?, which won a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Reality Program for having the first all gender-fluid cast. The season not only was groundbreaking for the franchise and reality TV, but also for how the LGTBQ+ community was represented in media.

Raised in New York, Pendelton-Eaglin danced for most of her life with the Dance Theater of Harlem. She went into production work after college, cutting her chops in production roles and as a writer/producer on MTV’s early programming Spring Break and TRL, before going on to become a successful executive at several networks including AMC and NBCU. She returned to MTV Entertainment in 2017 where she has remained since. 

In 2021, Pendelton was recognized as one of the most powerful women in media by Cablefax.

Lamont Pete
Executive Producer
Pantheon Media Group

Lamont Pete is a powerhouse figure in the entertainment industry, renowned for his ability to bring together diverse talents and create unforgettable experiences. With a career spanning over two decades, Pete's journey from a casting director to an Executive Producer reflects his unwavering determination and passion for his craft.

Pete's keen understanding of the industry and strategic decisions have positioned him as a key player in the music business, particularly in the urban music market. His impressive roster of Number 1 recording artists, spanning various genres, solidifies his reputation as the go-to person for after-party scenes and high-profile events.

Pete is a prolific content creator, developing both scripted and non-scripted television and film projects.

L.A.-headquartered Asylum Entertainment Group/Endeavor recently signed a first-look deal with Lamont Pete and his company Water2drink Productions as he continues to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment landscape.

Matt Pickel
President
Apex Content Studios

Dave Piendak
Senior Producer, Unscripted
Fulwell 73

Dave Piendak is an Emmy-nominated Producer at Fulwell 73, a leading transatlantic entertainment company, where he oversees the development and production of unscripted content. He served as Supervising Producer on the Emmy Award-winning late-night talk show "The Late Late Show with James Corden" for its entire 8-year run. Dave's portfolio includes "Jonas Brothers Family Roast," "Adele One Night Only," and "Friends: The Reunion."

Most recently Dave was the Co-Executive Producer of the LA28 Olympic Handover. He is also producing the upcoming Ellen DeGeneres comedy special for Netflix.

Jutta Pinzler
Producer
Saga Media

Jake Poteat
Development Producer
A&E Television Network

Jake Poteat is a Los Angeles based Development Producer for A+E Factual Studios, where he leads development projects across a variety of unscripted genres. He got his start in unscripted development at A+E Global Media, where he was part of the team that oversaw the rebrand of the Bio channel to FYI and played a key role in the development of many early breakthrough series. Following his time at the network, he held top development posts at major production companies including NorthSouth Productions, Half Yard Productions, Zero Point Zero, and Park Slope Productions, where he developed and sold projects to a wide range of networks and streamers including TruTV, Bravo, TLC, Netflix, Hulu, HGTV, Discovery, Nat Geo, MTV, and HBO Max. Known for his strong creative instincts, close relationships with talent, and out of the box ideas, he has helped shape unscripted content that is both commercially successful and culturally resonant.

Chris Potts
Co-Founder
Nobody's Hero

Christopher Potts is what they generally refer to in the industry as an unscripted veteran, with over 20 years' experience in creating, developing and producing unscripted formats in the UK, the US and beyond. While in the UK, he developed the BAFTA winning series Made In Chelsea before moving to the US where he developed shows including Nailed It! And Sugar Rush for Netflix. In 2020 he co-founded Nobody's Hero and has created and produced shows including Bullshit The Game Show, Snack Vs Chef, Sneaky Links and Clash of the Cookbooks.

Jessica Radburn
Head of Audio On Demand
ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Jessica Radburn, Head of Audio On Demand for ABC Australia, leads ABC digital audio and the ABC listen app. Jessica also oversees the ABC’s podcast strategy and Audio Studios, the original podcast team behind Mushroom Case Daily, Unravel, Ladies We Need to Talk and No Feeling Is Final. Prior to joining the ABC, Jessica was the Head of International Podcast Content for Wondery, an Amazon Company.  Jessica oversaw Wondery’s original podcasts outside of the US, including #1 shows such as Ambie Award winning Ghost Story, Price of Paradise and Kurt Krömer - Feelings.

Shamala Rajendran
Senior Commissioning Editor, CNA
MediaCorp Pte Ltd

Isabel Raventos
CEO
Atomis Media SA

Isabel is a multimedia executive with 20+ year’s experience in developing and operating broadcasting/content production companies with audiences in 150+ countries across Europe, Latin America, and US. 

She is a lawyer, journalist, and international media consultant.  She holds a Ms. of Science in Broadcasting, Boston University, and Ms. of Law and Diplomacy, at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts/Harvard University). She worked as Deputy Director of RTVE, Director of New Programs of Telecinco Group, and COO of Endemol Spain, and Latinoamerica.  She started her own communications and production media company, Atomis Media, where she develops multiplatform and transmedia projects. She is founder member of the Spanish Academy of Sciences of Television of Spain.

Executive Producer, daily gameshow “Cifras y Letras” on RTVE, and RTVE Play, and Canal Internacional, from January 15th, 2024.

• The press' recognition: : Premio Iris de la Prensa Especializada 2024, organized by the Television Academy of Spain , On January 14th, 2025

• Premio del FesTVal . On September 6th, 2024.

• Premio ALMA for Best Competition Screenplay in the 2025 edition.

In 2022, Executive Producer of ‘Sagrada Familia: Gaudí's Challenge’ an international co-production with ARTE and Japan's NHK, showing Gaudí's workshop in virtual reality and  broadcast on major public channels in the EU, the US, and Asia. 

• Audience Award at the 2022 Arkhaios & Cultural Heritage Film Festival in the United States

• Best Documentary Award in the Architecture category at the 2023 Master of Art Film Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria

• Award: Audience Favourite (Prix du Public) - May 2023 The Archaeology Channel - TAC International Film Festival - OREGON, USA

• Honourable Mention for Cinematography - May 2023 The Archaeology Channel - TAC International Film Festival - OREGON, USA

Executive Producer of ‘SI FUERAS TÚ’, the first interactive transmedia and 

multiplatform series ever produced in the history of Spanish television, broadcast by the RTVE Group. In October 2017, it was selected as one of the most innovative projects of 2017 in ‘THE WIT’ list presented at MIPCOM in Cannes, France. Winner of the ‘Best Digital Drama Series’ award at the New York International Television and Film Festival.

Member Geena Davis Institute. USA. Fellow Aspen Institute of Spain.

2017: Prize “Extraordinary Talent”, as founder of the Arts and Sciences Academy of Television in Spain.

Laura Regehr
Head of Audio
Antica Productions

Chris Reindorp
VP, US Development
Spark Media

Chris started his career at the BBC in London, working initially in Current Affairs and World Service Television before moving into entertainment. In his 15-year-career, he has worked across development, production and commissioning for a wide variety of programming from documentaries through to gameshows, latterly working in development for unscripted, with a particular focus on US cable, linear and SVoDs. 

Currently a VP, Development at Spark Media Partners, Chris previously worked as a Development Executive at Brinkworth Productions, as well as Zinc Media where he led development for the popular factual label, Rex TV. He has also held senior roles at Plimsoll Productions and Amazing Productions, as well as stints at Spun Gold, Channel 4 and Hat Trick Productions. 

His recent credits include the BAFTA-winning ‘Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour’, ‘Get Your Eurovision On’, and ‘Reagan & Thatcher: A Very Special Relationship’.  

Outside of TV, Chris has written a best-selling biography, Never Shaken Never Stirred, published in 2022 and enjoys running, swimming, tennis and, of course, consuming huge amounts of TV.

Nick Rigg
Founder
Brass Monkeys Media

With over 50 executive producer credits across the past decade, and with 30 years experience in the business, Nick Rigg is responsible for some of the biggest lifestyle hits and returning formats on television including HGTV’s hit THE FLIP OFF, the colossal House Hunters International, the trend setting Tiny House Nation franchise, the Netflix unscripted hit Million Dollar Beach House and its Max spin off Selling The Hamptons, USA’s commerce meets television format America’s Big Deal.

Brass Monkeys Media is part of Sony Television Nonfiction and offers full service production and consultancy services for talent and brands and has key partnerships in the US, Canada and the UK.

Joe Rivadeneira
SVP, Development & Production
Beyond Productions

Joe Rivadeneira is a seasoned television executive with two almost decades of experience in developing, producing, and selling premium unscripted content. He specializes in non-scripted formats and talent packaging, with a proven track record of delivering compelling programming across major platforms and networks.

He currently serves as Senior Vice President of development & production at Beyond Productions, where he oversees a diverse slate of projects for leading partners including Amazon, NBCUniversal, HGTV, and Hulu, ID and others.

Previously, Rivadeneira led the premium unscripted slate at Vox Media Studios and Group Nine Studios, forging strategic creative partnerships with Netflix, Hulu, Discovery+, HBO Max, Food Network, and others. Prior to that, he directed premium unscripted development at mitú, where he successfully sold original series to Paramount, Netflix, Verizon Go90, Spotify, and Facebook Watch.

 Earlier in his career, he held key development roles at Wilshire Studios and FremantleMedia North America, where he contributed to notable series such as The X Factor (FOX), Caraoke Showdown with Craig Robinson (Paramount), The Science of Stupid (National Geographic), Baggage on the Road (GSN), and That Awkward Game Show (Spike).

Rivadeneira’s work reflects a strong creative vision, deep industry relationships, and a commitment to producing impactful content that resonates with diverse audiences worldwide.

Sarah Robertson
Producer & Director
Arctic Bear Productions, Inc.

Sarah Robertson directed the theatrical feature film Arctic Tale (2007), produced by National Geographic Films and Paramount Vantage. She has worked on science and natural history docs for 20 years, and specialized in the Arctic. TV Broadcaster credits include, National Geographic TV, PBS, Discovery Canada, Canal Plus, BBC, CBS, and CBC. Sarah is a writer / researcher, producer and is looking for freelance or contract positions in history, science, biography or environment stories. In addition Sarah is pitching several projects for 3D content.

Mariel Rodriguez-McGill
Producer
Blue Chalk Media

Mariel Rodriguez-McGill is a video journalist focused on documentary filmmaking with a passion for telling inspirational and compelling stories. Mariel began her career as a producer, director, and editor at Rocky Mountain PBS in Denver, Colorado and served for three years as Colorado's Deputy Film Commissioner. She is currently a producer and director for Blue Chalk Media based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has explored a little bit of everything, ranging from early childhood development and food systems, to architecture and neuroscience. Mariel received a BA from Boston College, holds master’s degrees from Columbia Journalism School and the University of Denver, and is a MBA Candidate at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.

Edward Rohwedder
Executive Producer
Real Planet Entertainment, Inc

Eddie Rohwedder is an executive producer and showrunner of unscripted series. He has produced hundreds of hours of programming, overseeing development from pre-production through post-production to deliver award-winning storytelling.

Carine Sansregret
Head of Development
Productions J

Lisette Schlippe
Global VP: FAST and Content
Insight TV

Lisette is an accomplished media executive with over 20 years of experience in the international TV and media industry. In 2024, she joined Insight TV as Global VP, Content & FAST, where she leads the company’s content investment strategy, including commissioning, co-productions, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. She also oversees Insight TV’s expanding portfolio of five thematic FAST channels spanning Travel & Food, Wildlife, Factual, Sports, and Auto.

As part of the leadership team at Insight TV, a global media network, producer, distributor, and broadcaster of premium factual and lifestyle content, Lisette plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s content vision and international growth. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Insight TV is available on 185+ platforms across 61 countries and in 12 languages, reaching an average monthly audience of over 90 million viewers.

Renowned for developing innovative deal structures and unlocking value through strategic collaboration, Lisette brings a wealth of experience from some of the world’s most respected media brands, including her role as Head of Global Content Partnerships at Red Bull Media House, and senior leadership positions at Turner and Endemol Shine.

Justin Scroggie
CCO & Partner
The Format People

Justin is the Chief Creative Officer & Partner of the Format People, an international consultancy specialising in the format business. Known throughout the industry as "The Format Doctor", Justin is in considerable demand, working as an expert consultant with broadcasters and production companies around the world to diagnose and solve issues with their formats, from development to pilot to post-production, and to turn them into successful broadcast series. He also creates original formats: Justin is the creator of the hit culinary competition format "Chef In Your Ear" distributed by Warner Brothers International TV Production and currently rolling out around the world including Canada, South Korea, Belgium, Mongolia and more. Justin is Visiting Tutor at the National Film and TV School in the UK, a sought-after speaker, and leads master-classes in format creation and development around the world.

About The Format People

The Format People was founded in 2009 by Justin Scroggie and Michel Rodrigue. Since then the Group has grown rapidly into a worldwide consultancy practice of like-minded industry professionals with a vast range of complementary skills and experience in the television and formats business.

The services we offer include format creation, development and doctoring; purchase, sales and distribution strategy; ground-up network infrastructure, up-skilling, original studio design, network brand identity, and programming; in-house training and workshops; international market and conference development and implementation.

Our client base spans the globe, including USA, Canada, UK, South Korea, China, Malaysia, India, South Africa, Uganda, Mongolia, Norway, Holland, Belgium, Israel, Egypt and many more territories.

Jon Sechrist
Production & Development Consultant
Blue Ant Media/Cortés Filmworks

Jon Sechrist is an independent consultant currently working with production companies focusing on Production, Development, Strategy and Sales implementing 20 years of experience honed at Disney, Viacom, and Discovery. His clients include Blue Ant Media, Twitch, Netflix, Radical Media, the Museum of the City of New York and premium directors, Joe Berlinger and Lisa Cortés. Sechrist is credited on over 1300+ hours of original content spanning documentary, news, live, lifestyle, crime and scripted with recognition from the GLAAD Media Award, Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Award and the Emmy Award. Recent projects include “Legacy List” on PBS, Oxygen’s “The Jane Doe Murders,” Netflix’s “Crime Scene” and ``Beyond the Stream” for Twitch. Previously, Sechrist held several roles in his 10-year tenure at Discovery growing from Executive Producer at TLC to Vice President at Discovery Networks International and to Senior Vice President at the Discovery owned production shingle, Betty. He was a key player in launching the lifestyle brand, TLC globally in 300+ million households/200+ markets/50 languages. He is credited with creating the hit “Cake Boss” franchise (spun off 4 additional series) as well as top-rated “Sister Wives,” “Body Bizarre,” “NY Ink,” “BBQ Pitmasters” and “The Lottery Changed My Life.” Sechrist also worked as a programming executive at ABC/Disney overseeing “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” driving the lineup to #1 in Women 18-49 demo. He began his career at Viacom, working his way up through the ranks at MTV to be a core creative team member launching America’s first LGBT channel, Logo. He specialized in documentary strands and news programming including “Advocate Newsmagazine” with Rachel Maddow,” “CBS News on Logo” and the live “Democratic Presidential Forum” with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Sechrist graduated Summa Cum Laude from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Caroline Short
Head of UK Factual, Executive Producer
ITN Productions

Caroline is a multi- award winning Executive Producer, and Head of UK Factual for ITN Productions. She works across premium docs, factual series, singles and formats and has a proven track record in sensitive access, and returning factual series. Recent Credits include: Forensics: Murder Scene, Dover 24/7, Cops Gone Bad, LA Fires, Air India Crash.

Taye Shuayb
Head of Tastemade Studios
Tastemade

Taye Shuayb is an award-winning creative executive and Global Head of Content Development at Tastemade, where he oversees development, production, and post-production across the company’s global portfolio. He has spearheaded more than 25 series and 200+ episodes, including Amazon MGM Studios’ Dish It Out, hosted by Tilly Ramsay for Prime Video, and Street Somm, nominated for both an Emmy and a James Beard Award, both executive produced by Shuayb. Previously, he held senior roles at ATTN:, winning an Emmy for Well Versed, earning a nomination for What Am I Eating?, and receiving the Tribeca X Award for Girls’ Room, in addition to helping launch the TikTok for Good channel. Earlier in his career, Shuayb held production leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company and BuzzFeed.

Jamie Silverman
VP, Alternative Series
ABC Entertainment

Jamie Silverman is Director, Alternative Series & Specials for ABC Entertainment. In this position, she works on both current series and new development for ABC’s unscripted slate. Silverman oversees a roster of hit series that include Dancing with the Stars, Holey Moley, Celebrity Family Feud, Press Your Luck, Match Game, and the upcoming series Supermarket Sweep, hosted by Leslie Jones. Prior to joining ABC’s Alternative Series team in 2018, Silverman began her career as an NBC page in New York City before rising through the ranks in NBC’s Alternative department and at Universal Television Alternative Studio.

Silverman graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in American History.

Kevin Soares
EVP International Formats
IDTV

Kevin has been working in the Dutch television industry for more than 20 years. Originally started in production at companies such as Endemol, NPO, and RTL Netherlands. For the last 8 years, he has been an Executive Producer, Head of Television, and is currently EVP International Formats at IDTV.

He’s experienced in both reality and studio formats such as Topchef, Undercover Boss, Snackmasters, and Flirty Dancing. In 2020, he was responsible for the re-launch of one of IDTV's oldest and most successful formats, LINGO! He also produced many music-related concerts and shows, with the highlight being the Eurovision Song Contest postcards in 2021.

In 2022, Kevin took on the role of EVP International Formats. His first priority was to oversee the worldwide implementation of hit tv show ‘The Traitors’. In the first 1,5 years the format launched in more than 16 territories. Since then, IDTV has launched another new psychological reality format called ‘The Unknown’. Together with IDTV’s management, Kevin continuously works on strategy focused on bringing new IDTV’s formats to the international market.

Dixi Stewart
Managing Director
SandStone Global Productions Ltd.

Dixi Stewart has recently joined SandStone Global to drive the development of this flourishing production company. Dixi is an award-winning programme maker with over 30 years’ experience across the broadcasting industry. Before joining SandStone Global she spent 25 years at the BBC, producing and presenting a wide range of content, and more recently as Chief of Staff to the Managing Director where she led on initiatives to develop talent, improve the BBC’s working culture and increase diversity both on and off air. Dixi is a Fellow of the Radio Academy and Director of the UK's annual Radio Festival. SandStone Global is a diverse, internationalist company producing film and audio content for a wide range of outlets. It is proud to make the very best work, by the best people, for the best reasons. https://www.sandstoneglobal.com/

Christine Stirrat
VP of Development
Garden Slate Productions

Christine Stirrat is a highly accomplished development executive with a passion for crafting compelling television. She possesses a proven track record of creating distinctive formats and identifying captivating characters, fueled by her keen instincts and deep understanding of the industry. This has led to continued success across diverse genres, ranging from lifestyle and food to true crime and docu-series. Currently serving as VP of Development at Garden Slate Productions, Christine spearheads the creation and execution of their dynamic lifestyle slate. Her extensive career is marked by significant contributions to renowned production companies, consistently delivering hit programming for top-tier networks. As Executive Director of Development at Warm Springs Productions, she spearheaded strategic growth, securing commissions from major networks including MTV, HGTV, History, and Fox Nation, solidifying their position as a leading content provider. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of Development for The Jay & Tony Show, where she played a pivotal role in the creation of new series, notably "Stupid Pet Tricks" for TBS, showcasing her ability to translate comedic concepts into successful television formats. Christine also served as Director of Development for Bobby Flay's Rock Shrimp Productions, where she contributed to the development of numerous hit series, including "The Flay List" (Food Network), "Flipping Exes" (Bravo), "Bobby and Giada In Italy" (Discovery+), and "In The Mix with Matt FX" (Genius Kitchen), demonstrating her expertise in the culinary and lifestyle genres. Earlier in her career, she was instrumental in launching a new lifestyle production banner with Leopard USA and began her journey with Bray Entertainment, where she honed her skills in both casting and development, contributing to the success of shows like "American Diner Revival" (Food Network), "All American Makers" (Science Channel), "Mansions & Murders" (ID), and "Single Dad Seeking" (TLC).

Anna Stumpf
VP of Development
iHeartPodcasts

Anna Stumpf is currently VP of Development, iHeartPodcast Network. Previously Creative Director of iHeart’s New York podcast studio, and EP of Call Your Grandmother, In Retrospect, The Healthy Baby Show, Fierce, Wall & Broadcast, among others. Anna composes music for podcasts with her husband Hamilton Leithauser – together they’ve composed the music for Supreme: The Battle for Roe, The Deciding Decade with Pete Buttigieg, Connections with Eva Longoria, The Bright Side, She Wants More, Wall & Broadcast, and others. Anna has written/directed/edited/produced/acted in various theatrical productions and independent films. She periodically plays live with her husband’s band on piano and vocals, and appears on the album ‘Lisbon’ (by The Walkmen), and the albums ‘Black Hours’ and 'The Loves of Your Life' (by Hamilton Leithauser).

Blake Swerdloff
Owner
Leesam Creative Group

Blake Swerdloff is the Founder of Leesam Creative Group and a 5 time emmy nominated Executive Producer who developed and ran Food Network’s #1 daytime series The Kitchen as well as Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, Beach Bites with Katie Lee, ReWrapped, and What the Fung?! Swerdloff began his career at MTV on The Tom Green Show and then spent 5 years at MTV Networks, working on multiple series for VH1 including 100 Greatest Rock & Roll Moments on TV, I Love the 80s, I Love the 70s and the documentary series. Driven. From there, he worked with an array of networks including The Disney Channel, ABC, E!, Bravo, BET, A&E, MSNBC, Tru TV, and Discovery Channel. He also ran the highly successful HGTV series The High Low Project with host Sabrina Soto.  His company recently produced culinary series, My Best Friend’s Kitchen for QVC+, Backyarding, a landscaping competition series for The Design Network, upcoming entrepreneurship competition series, Seed Money and is in pre-production on feature film, Every Other Weekend.

Lara Sword
Head Of Factual
Night Train Digital

Balazs Szabo
Chief Content Management Officer
RTL Hungary

A digital acquisitions and distribution specialist with over 15 years of experience in the television industry. As Head of Factual Network at Night Train Digital, Lara leads strategic planning and content curation for various digital channels, with a specialized focus on YouTube monetization and audience growth. She ensures the delivery of high-quality documentaries that resonate with viewers while strategically growing a slate of content partnerships with an emphasis on digital exploitation across multiple platforms.

Cara Tortora
Supervising Producer
See It Now Studios

Cara Tortora is a seasoned documentary producer, with a passion for storytelling and meticulous attention to detail that have been instrumental in bringing stories to life that resonate with viewers on a profound level for over a decade.

Cara currently serves as an integral part of the dynamic team at See it Now Studios, a powerhouse in the world of documentary content creation. Under the leadership of renowned news veterans Susan Zirinsky and Terry Wrong, Cara contributes her expertise to co-producing, greenlighting, and delivering hundreds of hours of captivating documentaries to platforms such as Paramount+, CBS, the Paramount Global television networks, FAST channels, international providers, and third-party platforms.

Whether exploring pressing social issues, delving into untold histories, or celebrating the triumphs of the human spirit, Cara's work embodies a commitment to authenticity and excellence.

Elizabeth Trojian
Executive Producer
Noodle Factory (Yap Films)

Elizabeth Trojian is a Co-Principal and Chief Creative Officer of yap films, as well as an award-winning Producer, Writer and Director. She has worked on and created many television documentaries and series for North American and international broadcasters including Executive Producing the Emmy-nominated How it Feels to Be Free, the Banff Rockie Award-nominated Ice Age America, Ice and Fire: Tracking Canada’s Climate Crisis, Loons: A Cry From The Mist for Blue Ant Media. The Machine That Feels, Black Liberators WWII, Unabomber: In His Own Words, The Genetic Revolution, Mosquito, Made by Destruction and My Trans Journey. In 2023, Elizabeth Executive Produced Ice Age America for Science Channel US, and Saving the Animals of Ukraine for CBC Gem and PBS Nature. In 2024, she directed Foodspiracy for CBC, executive produced the BBC version of the film, and executive produced an investigative series for A+E. Elizabeth Trojian is a 2022-24 cultural envoy and diplomat for the United States. This important cultural advocacy work is run by the United States’ State Department through the American Film Showcase and the University of Southern California (USC). Previously, Elizabeth was also a cultural diplomat in 2018-2019. Elizabeth was also the Executive Producer and Producer on D-Day in 14 Stories, a feature-length docudrama for History and BBC, and executive producer and producer on the CSA-winning Ice Bridge for CBC’s The Nature of Things, Smithsonian Channel, France 5, UKTV and SBS, about a group of archaeologists who set out to prove their theory of a cross-Atlantic migration 20,000 years ago. In March 2022, Elizabeth Trojian became a Canadian citizen. In addition to her work with yap films, Elizabeth is also Co-Founder and Principal of Noodle Factory Post, a boutique post-production house offering finishing services for film, TV and other audio/visual projects. Being a Principal of one of the few women-run post-production companies in Canada, Elizabeth Trojian is also part of the advisory committee for The Academy’s Women in Post Program which provides higher-level industry access and professional development for emerging to mid-level female and non-binary creatives working in all areas of post-production. Noodle Factory Post is committed to diversity and inclusion in post-production. Elizabeth describes Noodle Factory Post as a post-production company for media creatives run by media creatives.

Justin Turner
Director of Development
Scott Brothers Entertainment

Justin Turner is the Director of Development at Scott Brothers Entertainment and has been part of the SBE team since 2019. He has spearheaded some of the team’s most exciting projects like Trixie Motel for Discovery+ and Breaking New Ground for OWN, among others. 

Justin began his career with a focus on talent, first at one of Canada’s most respected talent agencies, and then with years in scripted casting, where his experience led him to a career in New York. While in the U.S., Justin worked for some of the top production companies, developing and casting projects for network partners like E!, TLC, HGTV, Food Network and MTV.

Carri Twigg
Founding Partner & Head of Development
Culture House

Carri is Co-founder and Head of Development for Culture House media, a women owned, premium film and TV production services and immersive experiences company that specializes in storytelling about the cultural questions that shape society, politics, and identity.

Current series from Culture House include Ladies First: A story of Women in Hip Hop, a Netflix worldwide Top Ten series, and past series include  The Hair Tales for Hulu and OWN and  Growing Up for Disney+. Carri also leads Culture House's consultancy work, collaborating with major studios like Paramount Pictures, and creatives to ensure their projects are culturally productive. 

In 2022, Carri was appointed by President Biden to the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts and the Kennedy Center board, where she will advise the administration and the Kennedy Center on diversifying national programming and arts funding.  

Carri served in the Obama White House as Special Assistant to the President and Director of Public Engagement for then Vice President Biden.   Carri spent over 10 years working at every level of American politics and government. Carri is an expert in crafting engaging, socially relevant and politically resonant stories, and has been seen on stages from TedX to SXSW.

Lynn Valiquette
Content Acquisition and Distribution Manager
Cascade Public Media

Lynn Valiquette is the Content Acquisitions and Distribution Manager for Cascade PBS in Seattle, Washington. She manages the acquisitions for both the linear and streaming platforms as well as sub-distribution of acquired content to other PBS stations. She is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience working in media, primarily in the global sales of television content. Her multifaceted career spans roles in Canadian production, business affairs, marketing, and sponsorship/events.

Carlota Vieira
Content Sales Deputy Director
SIC Sociedade Independente de Comunicacao

Distributing content worldwide, attending MIP's, NATPE's and others to spread Portuguese content of TV, New Media and Print. Degree in communication and solid skills in negotiation and strategic planning with a challenge-driven personality. Long term experience in International TV Sales and Acquisitions as well as production, developing content and managing strategic relations and capital networking with clients. With a background in licensing and marketing, I developed a deep knowledge of contracts and TV rights for international business relations. Good skills in team management and conflict resolution, always open minded towards new ideas and technology related to the TV business. Looking to learn more on a exponential changing world. Passionate about content, proud to be a juror at Produ, Rose D'Or Latinos and iEmmys. Fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish. other of 2. Proud mother of 2.

Erik Virtanen
Head of Production and Development
Rogue River Films

Erik is an award-winning producer/writer with over 90 episodes of broadcast television and two feature documentary films. He began his career as a script doctor in Montreal. A passion for music also led him to manage audio-post for broadcasts on National Geographic, Food Network, Discovery, and many more. He then produced the feature documentary Shuckers (CBC) and The Weekend Sailor (Amazon). He relocated to Vancouver where he produced and coordinated multiple factual series filmed around the world, including Carter’s W.A.R., Wildlife Heroes, My Outdoor Family, and Jim Shockey’s Uncharted: Yukon. He has since moved to Vancouver Island where he is currently producing two docu-series for APTN: the Canadian Screen Award-nominated Yukon Harvest and upcoming Coastal Carvings.

Brian Walker
CEO
Picture Motion Campaigns, LLC

Brian Walker is the CEO of Picture Motion, a social advocacy and marketing company that leads award winning social impact campaigns for films, tv and other media. Brian also currently serves on the board of Color Congress, an ecosystem-builder that is committed to organizations led by people of color that serve nonfiction filmmakers, leaders, and audiences of color across the United States and US islands. In 2013 Brian joined Participant Media, where he directed social impact and digital strategy for the TEACH and He Named Me Malala campaigns focused on education, inclusion, and access. After his time at Participant Media, Brian served as the first Culture and Entertainment Advocacy Director at Color of Change, the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. Recently, Brian served as a Stakeholder Engagement Leader with the Enterprise Diversity & Inclusion group at The Walt Disney Company. Brian is a graduate of Howard University School of Business and the Howard University School of Law. Brian currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. In his free time, he loves to travel and listen to crime novels on audio.

Trish Ward-Torres
SVP, Documentary Film and TV
Participant Media

Trish Ward-Torres is a creative executive and producer with 20+ years of experience driving
award-winning nonfiction and narrative content. Her work spans premium feature
documentaries, series, animation and big-budget narrative films.
Trish is currently consulting for several feature documentaries with Universal Music Group
including SELENA Y LOS DINOS, and several new distribution/production start-ups launched at
Sundance 2025. Trish was a proud Participant for seven years before their closure in 2024,
under the guidance of Chief Content Officer, Diane Weyermann. She has had the privilege to
work on Academy Award winning and nominated films- AMERICAN FACTORY, RBG and ALL THE
BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED.

Prior to Participant, Trish was at Netflix where she managed original productions and partners
FOX, NBCU, Miramax, and PBS. She has held positions at Lionsgate/CBS, Viacom, Disney Studios and DreamWorks Animation. She has produced and directed documentary shorts and multi-season episodic series, as well as music videos, national commercials and cross-promotionalpartner content.

A native of Philadelphia, Trish received a Bachelor of Arts from Sarah Lawrence College and
holds a master’s degree in documentary film making from the University of Pennsylvania. She
currently lives in Los Angeles with her daughter, husband and 3 year old pup.

Joe Weinstock
Chief Executive Officer
Rose Rock Entertainment / Argonon USA

As the lead for the Argonon group’s US operations, Joe has responsibility for strategy and content for Leopard USA, working with the teams based in Los Angeles, New York and Oklahoma. Joe’s passion for authentic and entertaining stories from the heart of America has captivated US and international audiences and seen him deliver a raft of hit shows for streamers, networks and brands. 

Previous roles included co-President at Spoke Studios, where Joe was responsible for a raft of hit shows including the Emmy-nominated series Becoming for Disney+, River of No Return (Discovery), Assembly Required (History Channel) starring Tim Allen and Inn the Works (Magnolia) and many more. Weinstock also oversaw and developed a raft of series for US networks and streamers including Buying Beverly Hills, King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch and Designing Miami (all Netflix).  

Prior to Spoke, Joe was Senior VP of Development for Leftfield Pictures where he developed a broad slate headlined by Blue Collar Backers and Carspotting for Discovery, The Book of John Gray for OWN, Tackle My Ride for NFL Network, lauded special Billy the Kid: New Evidence for National Geographic, Wolves & Warriors for Animal Planet and many other hit shows. 

Other roles included Senior Director of Development for Discovery Channel and Vice President of Production & Development at Gurney Productions where he served as co-executive producer for global smash hit Duck Dynasty for A&E. He also spent five years at Spike and began his entertainment career in 2005, having previously been a trial attorney in Tulsa.

Kyle Whitelaw
President
Sonic Nursery Creative

I have worked in Canadian Television for the past 20 years and have been producing hit programming since 2012. I am the creator, producer and director of Knock Knock Ghost (KKG), the world's first comedy ghost hunting show on broadcast television. KKG was nominated in 2016 and 2019 for a Canadian Screen Award, and in 2021 we were nominated for a C21 Format award. I personally was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Director, Reality and Competition in 2020. The team at Sonic Nursery Creative is looking to expand their roster and push into the scripted space with their well-received historical drama The Butcher's Men and their family viewing series Spellbound, Punk City, and Who's There?

Jennifer Wilson
Producer
Magical Elves Productions

Cody Woodside
Manager of Development & Production
Warner Bros. Discovery

Cody Woodside is a Manager of Production & Development for Magnolia Network’s Content Team. As a programming executive, he has produced series such as Bargain Mansions, Barnwood Builders, The Craftsman and In with the Old. He has also supported the creative teams across many of the hit in-the-kitchen shows like Magnolia Table, Ranch to Table and the network’s first ever competition series, Silos Baking Competition.

He began his TV career on the launch team for Food Network Brasil in São Paulo and returned to Knoxville, TN to split his time between the LATAM and Brazil feeds before joining the internal production company for Scripps Networks. While there, he worked across the home giveaway shows for HGTV & DIY Network and produced shortform series nationwide for Travel Channel.

Cyle Zezo
President
Reality of Change

Cyle Zezo is the Founder of Reality of Change, an organization that promotes environmental sustainability solutions on set and screen in unscripted entertainment. In 2023, Zezo developed the ABCs of Climate Storytelling, a framing device that is now used by content creators and organizations in multiple countries, and in 2024 he partnered with the global environmental non-profit Rare to host an advisory committee of more than 30 US-based unscripted production companies to establish a new sustainability roadmap for the sector. Separately, Zezo has executive produced the series Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Mysteries Decoded and Recipe for Disaster, and partners on new development through his company Solarpunk Village LLC, which has developed concepts with A&E, Mark Pedowitz's Pine Street Entertainment, Phil Gurin's Gurin Co, Courtney White's Butternut, and a number of producer friends and colleagues. Zezo was previously the head of Alternative Programming at The CW Network, where he oversaw a threefold increase in programming hours during his tenure and was responsible for new series development, current series, and all network specials; and supported the digital team with original unscripted entertainment. He is on the advisory council for the Hollywood Climate Summit and is an advisor to the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance.

Yundi Zhu
Chief Editor, Bilibili Factual
Bilibili Inc

Yundi (Jude) Zhu, the Chief Editor of BILIBILI Factual, focuses on promoting quality factual content for BILIBILI. As one of the premier factual content distribution platforms in China, BILIBILI has aired more than 5,000 non-fiction series and one-offs in total, originally produced and commissioned nearly 160 documentaries, and has won over 250 awards both at home and abroad. At the year of 2023, over 162 million people have watched factual content on BILIBILI, building BILIBILI a go-to platform for factual content enthusiasts. Multimedia Storyteller from Beijing, China. Her professional history includes positions in journalism, advertising, marketing, public relations, and media production.