Our Speakers Have Worked With
Hear from the Decision-Makers Behind Film Distribution
Our Distribution Summit brings together some of the most influential voices in film sales, acquisitions, and distribution — Presidents, VPs, and senior executives from leading global companies. These are professionals whose calendars are typically booked with top industry players — yet, for this event, they’re making themselves available to share genuine insights with independent filmmakers ready to take their next step.
This isn’t a passive panel discussion. It’s a rare opportunity to listen in on real, candid conversations with senior distribution executives sharing insights fresh from AFM 2025 — plus an exclusive chance to connect with them one-on-one.
In the world of film distribution, it’s rare to hear directly from the people shaping which films reach audiences. Most filmmakers only see their influence through press releases or trade headlines — not through authentic, behind-the-scenes conversations.
During this focused virtual event, Sara Elizabeth Timmins will sit down with each of our speakers and ask the questions independent filmmakers most want answered. You’ll hear firsthand about the current state of film distribution, how films are evaluated, and what distributors actually look for — directly from the people who do it every day.
Our speakers bring proven expertise across a wide range of genres and budgets — from microbudget films under $500K, to low-budget features, all the way up to commercial projects. Whether you’re working on an action, thriller, horror, TV movie, family, holiday, arthouse, or commercial feature, this summit is for you.
They’ll share the latest strategies to help you position your film for success in today’s ever-evolving distribution landscape.
Our speakers have spent years shaping the deals and distribution strategies behind today’s most successful films and they'll be offering insight few ever get to access at our summit.
A limited number of private 1:1 consultations are available with each senior executive (ONLY 6 per Executive). This is a rare opportunity to gain direct guidance on your project from the people who truly understand what sells.
A few speakers are also offering script reads (up to 115 pages) before your consultation for personalized, project-specific feedback.
Availability is extremely limited and expected to fill quickly—reserve your spot early to secure your session.
This is your chance to gain personalized feedback, build meaningful connections, and access passionate executives who are committed to helping indie filmmakers succeed.
Can't make it? No worries! Replays are available for all who RSVP.
All 1:1s are scheduled individually based on speaker and filmmaker’s avail.
What to Expect
Our Summit will be held on December 3rd, 2025, from 5 PM to 8:30 PM EST (2 PM to 5:30 PM PST). Each of our distinguished speakers will sit down for a focused 20-minute conversation with producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins, who will guide each discussion with questions that matter most to independent filmmakers.
Each session offers a front-row seat to how the industry really works. You’ll hear stories, strategies, and lessons learned directly from those leading distribution today, giving you a clear sense of what it takes to get your film sold and seen.
By the end of the day, you’ll not only understand the distribution landscape — you’ll know exactly how to navigate it, who to talk to, and how to make your film stand out in a crowded market.
Can't make it? No worries! Replays are available for all who RSVP.
Our full summit schedule is below!
- 5:00pm EST/2:00pm PST - Welcome with Producer Sara Elizabeth Timmins & Scott Bedno
- 5:10pm EST/2:10pm PST - Conversation with Scott Bedno, Managing Director of Sales & Acquisitions at TPC
- 5:30pm EST/2:30pm PST - Conversation with Kalani Dreimanis, VP of International Sales at Blue Fox Entertainment
- 5:50pm EST/2:50pm PST - Conversation with Mark Padilla, President of Worldwide Sales and Acquisitions at Jackrabbit Media
- 6:10pm EST/3:10pm PST - Conversation with Kristen Bedno, Head of Content Partnerships and Acquisitions at VA Media
- 6:30pm EST/3:30pm PST - 10 MINUTE BREAK
- 6:40pm EST/3:40pm PST - Conversation with Scott J Jones, President/CEO of Artist View Entertainment, Inc
- 7:0p0pm EST/4:00pm PST - Conversation with Michele Sanchez Arteaga, VP of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Starz
- 7:20pm EST/4:20pm PST - Conversation with Courtney Kensington, VP of Sales and Finance at The Asylum
- 7:40pm EST/4:40pm PST - Conversation with James Lee Hernandez, Emmy-Nominated Unscripted Director/Producer at FunMeter
- 8:00pm EST/5:00pm PST - Conversation with Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Segel, President of Storyboard Media
- 8:20pm EST/5:20pm PST - Closing Remarks with Sara Elizabeth Timmins
Summit Payment Options
The entry ticket is $87 BUT if you purchase a 1:1 consultation with one of our speakers, SAVE $10 making your entry ticket only $77!
Reel Circle members save even more!
Members can find their additional discount in the membership portal.
*Only summit participants can book a 1:1 consult with a speaker.
THE SUMMIT
$299 $87
Access to the Event & Bonus Only
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Live access to the full summit featuring industry leaders and experts in film distribution
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Access to the summit recordings so you can watch or revisit any session at your convenience
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EXCLUSIVE BONUS: Our on-demand course Finding the Right Sales Agent with Sara Elizabeth Timmins, plus the accompanying workbook — worth $67!
This is an entry ticket only and does not include a 1:1 consultation. Replays will be sent out to all who sign up.
Reel Circle Members can find their additional discount within their membership portal!
The Platinum Package
$499 $244
($77 discount Summit Ticket + $167 Consult + Bonus)
- One-hour private consultation with a selected speaker — a rare opportunity for personalized guidance tailored to your project
- Live access to the full summit featuring industry leaders and experts in film distribution
-
Access to the summit recordings so you can watch or revisit any session at your convenience
-
EXCLUSIVE BONUS: Our on-demand course Finding the Right Sales Agent with Sara Elizabeth Timmins, plus the accompanying workbook — worth $67!
At checkout you can choose your 1:1Â (upon avail) and add on a script read before your consultation (when available).
Reel Circle Members can find their additional discount within their membership portal!
If you'd like to purchase more than one consultation, send us an email at [email protected].
Meet Our Speakers
Professionals from across the distribution landscape—ready to share their experiences, lessons, and advice to help you move your film forward.
Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Segel
President, Storyboard Media
Focus: Presales, Theatrical, Low/High-Budget
Elisabeth has served as President of Storyboard Media since 2017, co-leading the production, finance, and global sales company behind films like FREAKS (Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern), HEILSTATTEN (20th Century Fox), ARKANSAS (Liam Hemsworth, Vince Vaughn, John Malkovich), THE COMEBACK TRAIL (Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman), and MARLOWE (Neil Jordan, Liam Neeson). Previously, she held senior roles at AMBI, Voltage Pictures—where she worked on Oscar-winning DALLAS BUYERS CLUB and Natalie Portman’s directorial debut—and Lakeshore Entertainment, overseeing sales of high-profile films such as FAME, UNDERWORLD, and MILLION DOLLAR BABY.
ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!
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Michele Sanchez Arteaga
VP, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Starz
Focus: Premium Cable/Streaming, All Genres
Michele Sanchez Arteaga is currently VP, Program Acquisitions at Starz. In this role, she meets with major studios, producers, distributors, and film representatives to source premium content and negotiate acquisition deals on behalf of Starz. Some of her more recent acquisition highlights include: Starz Original Series SWEETPEA, CITY OF LIES (starring Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker). Arteaga has been with Starz since 2016. Prior to joining Starz, she worked at Anchor Bay Films in acquisitions and New Line Cinema in finance and then later in acquisitions and production.
ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT!
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Mark Padilla
President, Worldwide Sales and Acquisitions Jackrabbit Media
Focus: Micro/Low-Budget, Genre Films, Family, Holiday
*Offering Script Reads Before Consult (+ $127)
Mark Padilla is a seasoned film executive with over 20 years of experience in the independent film and television industry. As President of Worldwide Sales and Acquisitions at Jackrabbit Media, he oversees global sales, acquisitions, and distribution, while also producing and executive producing select projects, including GHOSTS OF RED RIDGE, LOOKOUT, and CHRISTMAS IN MISTLETOE. Previously, he held senior roles at DDI, Myriad Pictures, Essential Entertainment, and Arclight Films, where he was an Executive Producer on DOORMAN (Ruby Rose, Jean Reno) and THE VIRTUOSO (Anthony Hopkins). He also oversaw the worldwide sales for MS.MEADOWS (Katie Holmes) and DEFIANCE (Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell, Liv Schrieber).
SPOTS GOING FAST!
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Kristen Bedno
Head of Content Partnerships & Acquisitions VA Media
Focus: AVOD, Low-Budget, How to monetize Indie Films
Kristen Bedno is the Head of Content Partnerships & Acquisitions for VA Media, a global monetization network with over 100 O&O + Managed channels across YouTube and other social video platforms. Previous roles include Vice President of Distribution and Marketing at Vision Films, where she managed producer and platform relationships as well as launching global VOD content, and sales operations and international marketing and publicity strategies for the Worldwide Distribution groups at Starz and Lionsgate, helping to launch Starz Original series such as Emmy® Award-winning BLACK SAILS, POWER (Executive Produced by Courtney A. Kemp and Curtis “50” Cent Jackson), THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE (starring Golden Globe®-nominated actress Riley Keough), and ASH VS EVIL DEAD (created by legendary Director Sam Raimi).
SPOTS GOING FAST!
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Scott J Jones
President/CEO Artist View Entertainment, Inc.
Focus: TV Movies, Holiday/Family, Genre, Low-Budget
Scott J. Jones is President/CEO and Founder of Artist View Entertainment Inc., a world class Multi-Media sales and marketing corporation. Jones oversees the distribution of over $200 Million of programming assets including over 300 feature length motion pictures, series, and special interest programs. Through the mid 80’s, Scott was a Regional Manager in the Video Wholesale business directly involved with the representation of Major Studio labels including Disney, Touchstone, Colombia Tri-Star, Warner Brothers, Sony, Paramount, Fox, and MGM, which he sold directly to the Video Retailer (Chains and Independents). Since the start of his international distribution career in 1988, Scott has been directly involved in the production of five TV pilots, fifty-five feature films and an eight part sci-fi/action series for Netflix. In the past 38 years Scott has been directly involved in the acquisition, marketing and distribution of over 600 Independently Produced projects.
SPOTS GOING FAST!
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Kalani Dreimanis
VP International Sales, Blue Fox Entertainment
Focus: Young Adult, Low/High-Budget, All Genres
*Offering Script Reads Before Consult (+ $127)
Kalani Dreimanis is Vice President of International Sales at Blue Fox Entertainment and Executive Producer on HOLY DAYS (Jacki Weaver, Miriam Margolyes, Judy Davis) and Tubi originals SIDELINED: THE QB AND ME and SIDELINED 2: INTERCEPTED. She represents TIFF selections UPROAR (Minnie Driver) and ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE (Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria). With 13+ years in indie film, Kalani previously led international sales at Epic Pictures Group on SXSW’s EXTRA ORDINARY (Will Forte) and TIFF’s SEA FEVER (Dougray Scott, Connie Nielsen), and produced Fantasia selections DARK NATURE and POLARIS. She also worked on Sundance’s THE LAST WORD (Shirley MacLaine, Amanda Seyfried) at Myriad Pictures and began her career in Hollywood development on TRANSCENDENCE (Johnny Depp, Morgan Freeman) and JANE GOT A GUN (Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor).
ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT!
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Courtney Kensington
VP of Sales & Finance, The Asylum
Focus: Genre Films, Micro/Low-Budget, "Mockbusters", Producing/Financing
Courtney Kensington brings over 10 years of experience in film distribution at The Asylum, a company renowned for producing and distributing popular genre films such as SHARKNADO. She oversees all aspects of distribution, including rights management, legal, finance, and both domestic and international sales, driving the success of these cult hits and more.
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Scott Bedno
Managing Director, Sales & Acquisitions at TPC (Three Point Capital)
Focus: Presales, Low/High-Budget, All Genres
*Offering Script Reads Before Consult (+ $127)
Having spent his entire career in domestic and international film and television sales and acquisitions, Scott Bedno now leads Three Point Capital’s efforts in bringing world-class content to audiences everywhere. Prior to joining TPC, he held senior sales positions with Myriad Pictures and Voltage Pictures, and also worked on the acquisitions side, securing feature films for a leading Australian theatrical distributor. Scott serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the premier trade organization representing independent film worldwide.
ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT!
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James Lee Hernandez
Emmy-Nominated Unscripted Director & Producer, FunMeter
Focus: Documentary, Docu-Series
*Offering Script Reads Before Consult (+ $127)
James Lee Hernandez is a multi-Emmy® and PGA Award–nominated writer, director, and producer celebrated for his bold, character-driven storytelling that finds humor and humanity in the most unexpected places. A Sundance alum and Signal Award–winning podcaster, Hernandez co-directed, wrote, and executive produced the five-time Emmy®–nominated HBO documentary series, MCMILLION$ (Sundance 2020), and the Apple TV+ Original series, THE BIG CONN (SXSW 2022), both of which also inspired award-winning companion podcasts. Most recently, he created and executive produced the Paramount+ documentary series, LOLLA: THE STORY OF LOLLAPALOOZA (Sundance 2024), and the Apple Original Podcast SCAMTOWN (2024).
