2025 Storytelling Summit

June 5-15, 2025

Tribeca Festival Hub at Spring Studios

A festival within the Festival, the Tribeca Storytelling Summit brings the filmmaking and creative community together, giving independent storytellers the access and connections they need to propel their projects and careers forward — from exposure to industry veterans to thoughtfully curated sessions.

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June 5

Welcome to the Tribeca Storytelling Summit

11am - 12pm

Learn all about the new festival-within-the-Festival and how to best take advantage of it from Cara Cusumano, Tribeca Festival Director and SVP of Programming, and Zach Mandinach, Storytelling Summit Coordinator.

Industry Now

Where Does My Story Fit?

1pm - 2pm

When stories can be seen (and heard) every which way, from big screens to small screens, from live theater to audio drama, how do you decide which will best serve your project? Hear from those who’ve made work in a variety of formats and consistently break boundaries with their projects.
Leslye Headland
Leslye Headland

Leslye Headland is an Emmy®-nominated writer, producer and director. She made her Broadway debut this past year with Cult of Love, marking her return to Second Stage Theater, which produced her play, Bachelorette. Headland served as writer, director, showrunner and executive producer of “Star Wars: The Acolyte” for Disney+. Headland also served as writer, director, showrunner and executive producer of Netflix’s acclaimed series “Russian Doll,” which was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and nine Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Headland made her directorial film debut with Bachelorette, which she adapted from her critically acclaimed play.

Michèle Stephenson
Michèle Stephenson

Emmy®-winner Michèle Stephenson draws from her Haitian and Panamanian roots to disrupt dominant storytelling traditions. Grounded in a Black Atlantic lens, she crafts emotionally resonant narratives of resistance and healing, centering Black radical tradition and lived experiences of communities of color. Her acclaimed works include Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project and “Black Girls Play” (2023 Tribeca Best Documentary Short), both Oscar®-shortlisted. Stephenson is a Guggenheim Fellow, Creative Capital Artist, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She is currently in post-production on True North, a hybrid feature exploring Black Power in Canada.

Luminaries

Luminaries: Nia DaCosta

3pm - 4pm

Since premiering Little Woods at Tribeca in 2018, Nia DaCosta has carved a unique path. After her take on Candyman and her entry to the MCU, there’s the upcoming Hedda, based on the classic Ibsen play, and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Level-ing up like that can be a wild ride. Hear from DaCosta on how she navigates it all.
Nia DaCosta
Nia DaCosta

Nia DaCosta is among Hollywood’s freshest and most in-demand voices, having written and directed projects for stage, film and television. Up next, DaCosta wrote, directed, and produced Hedda for MGM’s Orion Pictures and Plan B. DaCosta is in post on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and previously directed and co-wrote The Marvels, making her the youngest and the first Black woman to direct a Marvel Studios picture. DaCosta also directed and co-wrote Candyman for Universal Studios. Her debut feature, Little Woods, premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Festival and was released theatrically in 2019 via NEON.

Connect

What Are You Selling?

5pm - 6pm

What does a sales agent do at Tribeca Festival? Top sales agents will be on hand to talk about what it is a sales agent does (or doesn’t) do, the film(s) they’re representing at the Festival, and how the filmmaker & sales agent relationship works.

June 6

Luminaries

Julio Torres

11am - 12pm

In 2024, Julio Torres wrote, directed, starred in and produced Problemista, an A24 release, along with creating, writing, directing, starring and executive producing Fantasmas, his latest show for HBO. How does he wear so many hats and stay creatively inspired? Hear from Julio himself on his prolific creativity.
Julio Torres
Julio Torres

Julio Torres is an award-winning Brooklyn-based comedian from El Salvador. His work on “Saturday Night Live” garnered four Emmy® nominations and received wide acclaim. In 2017, Julio headlined his first solo tour, My Favorite Shapes: by Julio Torres, to rave reviews. Julio also starred in the HBO series “Los Espookys,” which he co-created with Fred Armisen and Ana Fabrega, and “Fantasmas,” which he created, directed and wrote. Julio made his feature directorial debut with A24’s Problemista, which he wrote and stars in alongside Tilda Swinton. Julio's first book, I Want to Be a Vase, was released in 2019.

Luminaries

30 Years of Killer Films: A Conversation with Christine Vachon

1pm - 2pm

How do you stay true to your creative mission amidst an ever-evolving film and media landscape? Christine Vachon has done just that with Killer Films, which she co-founded in 1995 and continues to be a standard-bearer for independent film, from the work of Todd Haynes to Celine Song.
Christine Vachon
Christine Vachon

Christine Vachon is an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award winner who co-founded powerhouse Killer Films with Pamela Koffler in 1995. Together, they have produced more than 100 films, including celebrated and important American independent features: Kids, I Shot Andy Warhol, Happiness, Boys Don’t Cry, Far From Heaven, Still Alice, Carol, Beatriz at Dinner, and Dark Waters. Vachon executive-produced the Emmy® and Golden Globe-awarded miniseries “Mildred Pierce” as well as the Emmy® Award-winning limited series “Halston.”. Recent releases include Todd Haynes' May December and Celine Song's Past Lives, which marks her first Oscar® nomination in the Best Picture category.

Case Studies

Distribution Case Study: The Long, Long Night

3pm - 4pm

In 2023, Barret O’Brien and Mark Duplass brought The Long, Long Night to Tribeca as a World Premiere. Now, this project—an independent series—is making its way into the world thanks to a plan as creative as the project itself. Hear from the team behind its release and the lessons they’re learning.
Emily Best
Emily Best

Emily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark. Seed&Spark’s platform and national education program have helped thousands of bold storytellers raise millions to bring to life entirely new stories, and Seed&Spark delivers a selection of those stories as experiential learning for workplaces through Film Forward. In 2023, CNBC named Seed&Spark one of the top 200 fintech companies in the world. In 2024, alongside Christie Marchese at Kinema, Emily spearheaded an effort to launch The Distribution Playbook, a free and open- sourced field guide for independent filmmakers to succeed in distribution.

Christie Marchese
Christie Marchese

Christie Marchese is the founder and CEO of Kinema and EVP of Entertainment Partnerships at Publicis Media. Kinema is a global film distribution and exhibition platform that leverages the power of community and social interaction to screen and stream films. She was previously the founder of the impact entertainment agency Picture Motion, which was acquired by Publicis Media in 2024.Prior to Picture Motion, she ran impact for Righteous Pictures, led digital strategy for the social action group at Participant Media, and handled program coordination and social media management at Norman Lear's nonprofit, Declare Yourself.

Connect

Distributors Ask Me (Almost) Anything

5pm - 6pm

Each year, distributors descend upon Tribeca in search of acquisitions titles at the Festival. In this candid conversation, top buyers in the market will be on hand to detail what distributors are (or aren’t) looking for, their perspectives on the market in 2025, and how they work at premiere festivals.
Marielle Membreño
Marielle Membreño

Marielle Membreño is responsible for helping build a diverse slate that aligns with the company’s track record of distinctive filmmaking and audience driven, crowd pleasing titles such as Theater Camp and Oscar®-winning A Real Pain. Previously, Marielle was an Acquisitions and Development Executive at Protagonist Pictures, sourcing projects at every stage for international finance, production and sales including Brady Corbet's The Brutalist, Darius Marder's Sound of Metal and Ben Wheatley's In the Earth. Prior to Protagonist Pictures, Marielle worked on the production side of indie features, shorts and music videos in Los Angeles.

Joe Toto
Joe Toto

Joe Toto is the Vice President of Production & Acquisitions at Focus Features. In his role, he develops and acquires a wide range of films, helping shape the studio’s critically acclaimed slate. His recent credits include the Sundance breakout The Ballad of Wallis Island, as well as upcoming projects such as Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, and Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao. Toto also collaborates closely with Universal Pictures International, securing international rights for films including Sean Baker’s Anora, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, and Oliver Hermanus’ upcoming The History of Sound.

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 7

Luminaries

Steve Buscemi & Wren Arthur

11am - 12pm

As collaborators through their Olive Productions, Steve Buscemi and Wren Arthur have done a bit of everything. They’ve made short-form web-series, collaborated with Arcade Fire, and made feature films, including The Listener, the 2022 Tribeca Festival Official Selection that Buscemi directed. What’s their secret, and what makes a good collaborator?
Wren Arthur
Wren Arthur

Wren Arthur is a two-time Emmy®-winning producer, filmmaker, and actress. She began her producing career working alongside Robert Altman, producing Tanner on Tanner and A Prairie Home Companion. Wren then formed Olive Productions with Steve Buscemi with the mission to uplift, entertain and engage, with storytelling led by amazing characters. Some Olive Productions include the Emmy®-winning web series “Park Bench with Steve Buscemi;” Emmy®-winning documentary Medora; HBO documentary, A GOOD JOB: STORIES OF THE FDNY. Most recent projects include The Listener, Psycho Therapy, and upcoming “Shallow Tale Of A Writer Who Decided To Write About A Serial Killer.”

Steve Buscemi
Steve Buscemi

Steve Buscemi is an award-winning actor, writer, director and producer. His credits include Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski. His television credits include starring in HBO's “Boardwalk Empire,” “Miracle Workers,” “The Sopranos,” and appearances on “30 Rock” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” His directing work includes Trees Lounge and Interview, as well as TV credits including “The Sopranos,” “30 Rock,” “Nurse Jackie,” and “Portlandia.” Buscemi directed The Listener, starring Tessa Thompson, which premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and its North American premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival. He most recently joined the cast of the Netflix series “Wednesday.”

Case Studies

Short Successes: Tribeca Shorts at the Academy Awards

1pm - 2pm

Tribeca Festival is proud to be an Oscars®-qualifying festival, allowing for Tribeca-selected short films to be considered for the Academy Awards. Hear from Tribeca alumni whose shorts were nominated and, in some cases, won an Oscar®. What impact did being in the awards race have on their work since?
Sophia Nahli Allison
Sophia Nahli Allison

Sophia Nahli Allison is an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, self-portrait photographer, and artist. A Black lesbian myth, her work transcends time and space, activating memory as cinematic portals. She was the director, cinematographer, editor, and co-producer of the experimental documentary short “A Love Song for Latasha” (Netflix, 2020), nominated for an Oscar® in 2021. She directed and co-wrote Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground (HBO Max) and directed commercials for Pandora and Lululemon. A 2020 USA Fellow and the recipient of a 2025 Creative Capital Award, she has participated in artist residencies at MacDowell, Black Rock Senegal, and the Camargo Foundation.

Marshall Curry
Marshall Curry

Marshall Curry is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker who writes, directs, and edits. Prior to winning the Oscar® for his narrative short, “The Neighbors’ Window,” he was nominated three times for his documentary films Street Fight, If a Tree Falls: a Story of the Earth Liberation Front, and “A Night at The Garden.” His work has won top awards at Tribeca and Sundance, played in theaters and on television around the world, and earned two WGA nominations and two Emmy® nominations.

Carol Dysinger
Carol Dysinger

Carol Dysinger is a filmmaker, writer, artist and educator, whose contemporary work offers a counter-narrative to traditional stories of conflict. She made “Learning to Skateboard in a War Zone (IF YOU'RE A GIRL),” which won Best Documentary Short at Tribeca Festival and went on to win an Oscar®. A longtime consultant for Sundance Doc Lab, she is a much sought after story-and-editing advisor for documentaries and hybrid work around the world. Some involve continuing support filmmakers who were her students, Karyn Kusama, Chloé Zhao, Josh Marston, Darius Clark Monroe, Debra Granik to name a few.

Sami Khan
Sami Khan

Sami Khan (“STARTING 5,” “WE THE NORTH,” THE LAST OUT, “ST. LOUIS SUPERMAN”) is an Emmy®-winning and Oscar®-nominated filmmaker whose work in fiction and documentary has screened at leading film festivals including Tribeca, Toronto, Hot Docs, and Mumbai. He’s currently working on a film that chronicles a youth basketball team fighting gentrification in Philadelphia’s Chinatown.

Luminaries

Jane Rosenthal

3pm - 4pm

Being a Co-Founder of Tribeca Festival and CEO Tribeca Enterprises, Jane Rosenthal has a storied career of championing bold, groundbreaking work. With a resume that includes producing Hollywood hits and award-winning features and series, what is Jane’s perspective on the changing landscape for creatives and storytellers? What does the future of storytelling look like?
Jane Rosenthal
Jane Rosenthal

Jane Rosenthal is an Oscar-and Emmy-nominated producer and the co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, the global media and entertainment company that includes the Tribeca Festival, Tribeca Studios, Tribeca Films, and award-winning production company m ss ng p eces. As a producer, Rosenthal has brought culturally resonant stories to the screen, including The Irishman (dir. Martin Scorsese), “When They See Us” (dir. Ava DuVernay), the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody, and the Grammy Award-winning documentary Quincy. She also produced the blockbuster Meet the Parents franchise, including the upcoming fourth installment with the original cast. A pioneer in emerging storytelling formats, Rosenthal is at the forefront of developing original experiential content for Sphere in Las Vegas, including executive producing Darren Aronofsky’s “Postcard from Earth.”

Connect

Your Team: Agents & Managers

5pm - 6pm

How do you build out your team of representatives? What are they looking for when they meet with a potential client? What’s the difference between an agent and a manager? Listen to talent reps & managers at the Festival for some clarity and motivation on finding your team.

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 8

Luminaries

Luminaries: David Leitch & Kelly McCormick

11am - 12pm

David Leitch and Kelly McCormick have continually provided necessary jolts to action movies with their work at 87North. In anticipation of their highly anticipated upcoming sequel, Nobody 2, David and Kelly will talk through their creative philosophy, supporting new voices in the genre, and their collaborative process.
David Leitch
David Leitch

David Leitch made his directorial debut co-directing John Wick. He served as executive producer on the thriller’s sequels: John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, and John Wick: Chapter 4. Leitch has continued his directorial success with critically acclaimed box office hits such as The Fall Guy, Bullet Train, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Deadpool 2, and Atomic Blonde. Previously, Leitch spent a decade in the stunt business, working on such films as The Wolverine, Logan, and Jurassic World. As a stunt performer, he doubled Matt Damon on Bourne Ultimatum and Brad Pitt on Fight Club, among others.

Kelly McCormick
Kelly McCormick

Kelly McCormick is one of the most prolific female producers in the action space and has delivered high-octane favorites such as The Fall Guy, Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde, Nobody, Violent Night, Kate, Shadow in the Cloud, and How It Ends. As Executive Producer, McCormick was heavily involved in the making of Deadpool 2 and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw. Prior to founding 87North Productions, McCormick served as the Executive Vice President of Production and Acquisitions at Sierra Affinity, where she packaged Academy Award® -winning and nominated films such as Hell or High Water, Whiplash, Nightcrawler, and Manchester By The Sea.

Case Study

Tribeca ‘25 Case Study: Rosemead

1pm - 2pm

Led by an exceptional Lucy Liu, Rosemead is a powerful debut feature premiering in our US Narrative Competition. Hear from director Eric Lin with actors Lucy Liu and Lawrence Shou on their approach to authentic representation in cinematic storytelling and their journey of making, and premiering, Rosemead.
Eric Lin
Eric Lin

It was while majoring in sociology and film studies at UC Berkeley that director Eric Lin decided to dive into the world of filmmaking. Now, he’s best known for his cinematography work on The Exploding Girl, The Sound of Silence, House of Spoils, I Smile Back, and Hearts Beat Loud, which premiered at prestigious film festivals such as Sundance, Berlin, and Toronto. Early in his filmmaking days, Lin’s own New York University MFA short documentary, “Music Palace,” gained notice and played at festivals such as Telluride and New Directors/New Films. Rosemead marks Lin’s feature directorial debut.

Lucy Liu
Lucy Liu

Critically acclaimed actress/filmmaker Lucy Liu is globally renowned for starring in films which have earned a combined total of $3.7 billion in worldwide box office including Kill Bill, Charlie’s Angels, Chicago, Set It Up, Presence, and Red One. Early in her career, she earned a 1999 Emmy nomination for Ally McBeal. As a producer, she championed impactful documentaries such as Freedom’s Fury and Redlight. A celebrated visual artist and 20-year UNICEF Ambassador, Liu pushes creative and cultural boundaries, and in 2019 was honored—only the second Asian American woman in nearly 60 years—with the Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Lawrence Shou
Lawrence Shou

Lawrence Shou is a young Asian American actor from Fremont, California, making his feature film debut in Rosemead starring alongside Lucy Liu. He was cast to play the lead role from hundreds of submissions. Lawrence was drawn to the project through its focus on mental health—an issue he has been deeply rooted in since childhood, particularly within the Asian American community. In addition to growing up with a mother who works in a youth mental health facility, Lawrence has also experienced and overcome his own challenges with mental health. As such he hopes Rosemead spreads awareness and erases stigma towards youth mental health and Schizophrenia.

Speed Sessions

Speed Sessions: Ethical AI Storytelling

3pm - 4pm

How compatible is AI with creative storytelling? In this unique session, hear from four creatives who will detail, in lightning round conversations, what their experience is with AI and how artists should (or shouldn’t) be taking advantage of revolutionary technology.
Ellie Foumbi
Ellie Foumbi

Ellie Foumbi is an award-winning Cameroonian American filmmaker whose debut film, Our Father, the Devil, premiered at the Venice Film Festival. It went on to win many prizes, including the Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival. It received universal critical acclaim, including Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award Nominations. She's an alumna of Berlinale Talents and a BAFTA Breakthrough USA Fellow. Ellie was also named one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine.

Gary Hustwit
Gary Hustwit

Gary Hustwit is a filmmaker and visual artist based in New York and CEO of Anamorph, a generative film studio. He has produced or directed over 20 documentaries, including the pioneering design films Helvetica, Objectified, Urbanized, and Rams. The films have been broadcast on HBO, Netflix, PBS, BBC and outlets in 20 countries, and have been screened in over 300 cities worldwide. His latest project, Eno, is the world’s first generative feature film that changes every time it’s shown. Eno premiered at Sundance in 2024 and was shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Kris Lefcoe
Kris Lefcoe

Kris Lefcoe's films have screened at TIFF, SXSW, Tribeca, Art Basel Miami, British Film Institute, IFC and the Sundance Channel. Her unique voice runs through an eclectic body of work that spans network comedies, satirical art films, stop motion animation, and original music. Kris is also a professor in the MFA Film and Television Program at Stony Brook University SUNY, where she created and leads the SBU post-MFA Pilot Incubator Lab, launched in 2024.

Bryn Mooser
Bryn Mooser

Bryn Mooser is an Oscar®-nominated, Emmy®-winning filmmaker, humanitarian, and the founder and CEO of Asteria Film Co., XTR and DOCUMENTARY+. In 2024 Mooser founded Asteria, an artist-led generative AI film and animation studio, powered by the first clean and ethical AI model. Asteria oversees XTR, the documentary studio Mooser founded, which also houses the streaming platform and FAST channel, DOCUMENTARY+. Previously, Mooser co-founded RYOT, a media company specializing in documentary film and Virtual/Augmented Reality. He has produced more than 200 linear and immersive films garnering multiple Emmy Awards, two Oscar® nominations, and both a Peabody and Cannes Lions Award.

Connect

Another Direction: Alternative Distribution

5pm - 6pm

It doesn’t have to be one size fits all when it comes to distribution. In this conversation, hear from those who help projects reach audiences in a variety ways: creative theatrical releases, direct-to-consumer methods, alternative streaming services. There’s more than one way to reach your audience.

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 9

Tribeca Storytelling Summit will be closed today

11am - 7pm

Tribeca Storytelling Summit will be closed June 9 & June 10. On these days, Tribeca X will be taking place. For more information about Tribeca X, click here

June 10

Tribeca Storytelling Summit will be closed today

11am - 7pm

Tribeca Storytelling Summit will be closed June 9 & June 10. On these days, Tribeca X will be taking place. For more information about Tribeca X, click here

June 11

Luminaries

Geeta Gandbhir

11am - 12pm

Geeta Gandbhir has established herself as a unique documentarian whose work spans TV series, short films, and feature films. This year, she’s being deservedly celebrated as her latest film, The Perfect Neighbor, premieres and is released by Netflix. Hear from Geeta, a Tribeca alumnus, about her creative inspirations and evolutions.
Geeta Gandbhir
Geeta Gandbhir

Geeta Gandbhir is an award-winning filmmaker. She started her career in narrative film working with Spike Lee and Sam Pollard. After collaborating with the Coen Brothers and Robert Altman, she transitioned into documentary filmmaking. She is currently directing a series for Netflix with Spike Lee and Samantha Knowles. She recently directed The Perfect Neighbor, which premiered at Sundance in 2025 and won the Directing Award. Shorts include "Reclaimed" for Sesame Workshop, "The Devil is Busy" for HBO, and the Oscar®-shortlisted film “How We Get Free” for HBO.

Industry Now

Sweat & Equity: Indie Financing & Producing

1pm - 2pm

What makes a good pairing when it comes to a producer and financier? In any film, the relationship between a financier and producer can make, or break, the project. In this session, hear from those who’ve produced, who’ve financed, and some who’ve done both.
Brad Becker-Parton
Brad Becker-Parton

Brad Becker-Parton is a producer at Seaview, a New York-based film and theater production company. Producer credits include: Stress Positions; Reality; Master; The Year of the Everlasting Storm; Italian Studies; Beach Rats. He was the recipient of the 2024 Sundance Institute Amazon MGM Producers Award, a 2024 Peabody Award winner, a 2023 Gotham Award nominee for Best Feature, a nominee for the 2022 Independent Spirit Awards Producers Award, and a 2023 Film Independent Fast Track Fellow.

Jessamine Burgum
Jessamine Burgum

Jessamine Burgum is Founder & CEO of Pinky Promise, an independent production/financing company created during the COVID-19 pandemic. She’s produced and/or financed 12+ films, including being an executive producer on the Pamela Anderson-led The Last Showgirl, which earned Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA nominations and a producer on Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut Eleanor the Great. Leading an all-woman team dedicated to high-quality films by creatives from underrepresented backgrounds, Jessamine’s raised $26.3m+ in private equity funds. Jessamine’s been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30, Variety New Leaders, and Inc. Female Founders 500.

Kara Durrett
Kara Durrett

Kara Durrett is the President and Head of Film at Pinky Promise, overseeing all film development. As a leader in the female-founded indie production/financing company, she’s been an ardent champion of underrepresented filmmakers and with unique perspectives. Her recent credits include Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut Eleanor The Great, dark comedy I Don’t Understand You, and the Pamela Anderson-led The Last Showgirl. Kara’s earned accolades including an Independent Spirit Award nomination, Variety’s “New Leaders” list, Sundance’s Producers Award, and SXSW’s Janet Pierson Award.

Industry Now

Introducing the Ethics Resource Library

3pm - 4pm

Filmmakers encounter ethical dilemmas on every project, yet there’s no one-stop-shop to seek guidance: until now. The Documentary Producers Alliance is proud to introduce this necessary, free, industry-shifting resource. Hear from Tribeca ‘25 filmmakers on how they addressed dilemmas in their work in this frank, judgement free dialogue. Co-Hosted with The Documentary Producers Alliance.

Connect

Short Form Work, Long Term Support

5pm - 6pm

Amidst the oceans of short-form content in front of us, it can be overwhelming to think about how your work can stand out. Thanks to these distinguished panelists, artists can find in-depth creative and strategic support to help make and release short work that connects with audiences.
Arno Mokros
Arno Mokros

Arno Mokros is co-founder and co-director of UFO (Untitled Filmmaker Org), a nonprofit that gives time, space, and money to filmmakers at under-resourced career stages. Based in Brooklyn, UFO's programs include an 18-month Short Film Lab for early-career directors hosted at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), feature filmmaker residencies in The Catskills, and other partnership-driven initiatives to cultivate a more robust filmmaker support ecosystem. He also coordinates NewFest's New Voices Filmmaker Grant for emerging LGBTQ+ filmmakers, and regularly serves on selection committees for grants and artist opportunities. He also works as an independent producer, primarily of queer and trans stories.

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 12

Industry Now

The State of Indie Documentaries

1pm - 2pm

In this session, documentary filmmakers and executives will discuss their thoughts on the challenges faced by nonfiction storytellers today. How has documentary evolved, how can documentaries affect change, and where do documentaries go from here? Hear from select filmmakers with docs premiering at Tribeca 2025 alongside industry veterans in nonfiction. Co-Hosted with American Documentary (AmDoc)
Cecilia Aldarondo
Cecilia Aldarondo

Cecilia Aldarondo is a director-producer from the Puerto Rican diaspora who works at the intersection of poetics and politics. Her films Memories of a Penitent Heart (2016) and Landfall (2020) premiered at the Tribeca Festival and were co-produced by POV. Her third feature You Were My First Boyfriend World Premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and is now streaming on HBO. Aldarondo is a Guggenheim Fellow, a three-time MacDowell Fellow, and winner of the IDA Emerging Filmmaker Award. She’s previously been named to DOC NYC's 40 Under 40 list and is a former 25 New Faces of Independent Film.

Erika Dilday
Erika Dilday

Erika Dilday, producer, journalist and media executive, is the Executive Director of American Documentary and the Executive Producer of its award-winning documentary series POV on PBS and America ReFramed on WORLD. Previously, she was the CEO of Futuro Media Group, a multimedia organization that gives a voice to the diversity of the American experience through content for and about BIPOC. Previously, she was Executive Director of Maysles Documentary Center, overseeing community cinema, filmmaking programs and produced the acclaimed documentary, In Transit. Erika also held strategic planning and financial management roles at The New York Times, National Geographic Television and CBS.

Jon-Sesrie Goff
Jon-Sesrie Goff

Jon-Sesrie Goff is a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, curator, and arts advocate committed to transforming culture by amplifying truth, legacy, and justice through art and collective vision. He serves as a Program Officer at the Ford Foundation’s JustFilms initiative, supporting global storytelling in documentary film, new media, and visual arts.

Jess Kwan
Jess Kwan

Jess Kwan is the NY-based SVP of the Concordia Fellowship, an artist development program at Concordia Studio. Along with driving strategy and designing programming including labs and retreats, she manages industry relations and advises Fellows on creative, financing, and distribution for their films. She was previously COO at Fork Films, where she led business development and oversaw company operations and finance. Prior to Fork Films, Jess spent five years at Archer Gray, building and managing their documentary financing arm. She started her career in the London and New York offices of Focus Features working across scripted development and acquisitions.

Keri Putnam
Keri Putnam

Keri Putnam is a producer, board member, and advisor to clients in philanthropy, media, start-ups, and the nonprofit sectors. Putnam is former CEO of Sundance Institute and held senior leadership positions at HBO and Miramax. Putnam is currently a Director at AMC Entertainment, Board Chair at the public interest tech nonprofit New_ Public, co-founder of the nonprofit Future Film Coalition, Board Member at PICTURESTART, Advisory Board Member at TOPIC, and Board Member at Doc Society. As the 2023-24 Walter Shorenstein Media and Democracy Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, she researched the challenges facing independent film in the U.S.

Angela Lynn Tucker
Angela Lynn Tucker

Angela Lynn Tucker is an Emmy® and Webby Award–winning filmmaker & artist who’s dedicated to telling stories that spotlight underrepresented communities in bold ways. Recent work includes Belly of the Beast (dir. Erika Cohn), a New York Times Critics’ Pick; The Trees Remember, a Webby-winning series in collaboration with REI Co-Op Studios; and A New Orleans Noel (Lifetime). Angela’s directorial work includes All Skinfolk, Ain’t Kinfolk (PBS); the groundbreaking web series Black Folk Don’t; All Styles (Showtime); and A(sexual) (Netflix, Hulu). Her latest film, The Inquisitor (PBS)—a portrait of political icon Barbara Jordan—will premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival.

Connect

Generous Support: Doc Funders

5pm - 6pm

Documentary funders are helping bring critical and cinematic nonfiction works into the world. But what are these funders looking for? How are documentary funders responding to the times we’re living and how does the way in which they support projects, and artists, continue to evolve?

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 13

Next Wave

Boundless Storytelling: Up Next for New Media

11am - 12pm

The mediums available to today’s storytellers provide a spectrum of possibilities. Film, Literature, Podcast, Games, and more. What does it mean to leverage the choices offered in one versus another? Hear from those leading the charge on multipronged medium execution in efforts to deliver culturally impactful stories.
Bryna Dabby Smith
Bryna Dabby Smith

Bryna Dabby Smith is a Co-Founder and CEO at Brass Lion Entertainment, an interactive entertainment studio focused on creating original fictional universes that center on Black, Brown and other traditionally marginalized characters, cultures and stories. They are currently working on an unannounced AAA Action-RPG title with an anime aesthetic for consoles and PC. Their fully remote team has 53 team members across both the US and Canada. With a deep background in video game production, she has worked on major video game titles over the past 25 years, including The Bourne Conspiracy, Def Jam Vendetta and Sleeping Dogs.

Rashad Redic
Rashad Redic

Rashad Redic is a Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Brass Lion Entertainment, an interactive entertainment studio creating authentic, impactful experiences that tell the stories of Black, Brown and other traditionally marginalized communities. They are currently working on an unannounced AAA Action-RPG title with an anime aesthetic for consoles and PC. Prior to BLE, Rashad was the Creative Director on the indie title Living Dark. Prior to that, he brought his artistic skills to bear on titles such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 3 at Bethesda Game Studios. Hailing originally from Oakland CA, Rashad brings a west coast aesthetic and vibe to his work.

Next Wave

New Frontier Unlocked: Games Adaptations with Story Kitchen

1pm - 2pm

Games adaptations have always come and gone, but lately the ways acclaimed game experiences have come to life has left many wondering what's next. The team from Story Kitchen (Sonic the Hedgehog) and our friends from BAFTA will discuss bringing stories to life for both new audiences and devoted fans. Co-Hosted with BAFTA North America

Connect

Taking Your Project to Markets and Labs

5pm - 6pm

To get the momentum rolling for your work, some say you have to take part in support programs. But, they can be hard to differentiate and incredibly selective. Get an inside look from key artist supporters on how their programs support artists as they navigate creative and strategic challenges.

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 14

Industry Now

Location, Location, Location: Producing in NYC

1pm - 2pm

New York City-set films have long been a favorite at Tribeca Festival, but how do you really make work in the five boroughs? Producers behind The Scout, a 2025 Tribeca Festival Official Selection, and last year’s A Different Man will be on hand to talk about making movies in NYC.
Gabriel Mayers
Gabriel Mayers

Gabriel Mayers is a producer and firm believer in sharing local narratives with global audiences. She works with emerging and established filmmakers to usher original and unique stories to production. Gabriel feels by producing narratives while keeping local audiences in mind, stories can be amplified to greater communities. Her features, A Different Man and Mad Bills to Pay, premiered at the 2024 and 2025 Sundance Film Festival, respectival, and screened at Berlinale, New Directors/New Films, and the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. A Different Man won the 2024 Gotham Award for Best Feature.

Paula González-Nasser
Paula González-Nasser

Paula González-Nasser (she/her) is a Colombian director/producer based in Brooklyn. She is the co-founder of 5th Floor a production collective through which she has produced short and feature films like “Weapons and Their Names” (Sundance ’23) and Free Time, which was nominated for 3 Indie Awards. Paula also worked as a location scout for many years on projects such as “High Maintenance,” “Search Party,” Never Rarely Sometimes Always and “Broad City.” She is a two-time Gotham Film Week participant and a 2023 Sundance Producer's Intensive Fellow. Her directorial debut feature, The Scout, is world premiering at Tribeca Festival.

Luminaries

Jeremy O. Harris

3pm - 4pm

Since bursting onto the scene with Slave Play, Jeremy O. Harris has done a bit of everything. He’s acted in hits and indies, produced acclaimed work on the stage, and directed an award-winning documentary that premiered at Tribeca last year. So, how does he do it all? And what’s next?
Jeremy O. Harris
Jeremy O. Harris

Jeremy O. Harris is the playwright and producer of Slave Play, which is the most Tony-nominated play ever. He is a Tony-nominated producer for The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window and Ain’t No Mo’. His play Daddy premiered Off-Broadway with Alan Cumming. Jeremy co-wrote A24’s Zola and won a Cinema Eye Honor for his documentary feature debut Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play. He's been a guest star on Emily in Paris and can be seen in The Sweet East. His production company bb² is producing The Wives for Apple and Prince F***** for Soho Rep and Playwrights Horizons.

Connect

Premieres: a Festival Conversation

5pm - 6pm

At Tribeca, we know full well the transformative impact a festival screening can have on your work and career. In this session, hear from festival programmers from around the world on their curatorial approach, how they work with filmmakers, and the evolving role festivals play for filmmakers in this moment.

Storytelling Summit Daily Wrap-Up

6pm - 7pm

Join us for music and networking with your fellow Summit attendees to debrief on the day's programming and plan the night ahead!

June 15

Distribution Case Study: The Graduates

11am - 12pm

In this distribution-focused deep dive, hear from Pinky Promise, the company behind Hannah Peterson’s debut feature, The Graduates, and the distribution team that has helped the film reach audiences after its premiere at Tribeca in 2023. Curious about distribution? This group will tell you: it takes a village.
Caryn Coleman
Caryn Coleman

Caryn Coleman is a film programmer and the founder of The Future of Film is Female, a non-profit that amplifies the work of all women and non-binary filmmakers. She was the co-curator of Horror: Messaging the Monstrous (2022) at MoMA where she also guest-curates the ongoing The FOFIF series, now in its fifth season. Previously, Caryn was the Director of Programming at Nitehawk Cinema where she founded the Nitehawk Shorts Festival in 2013. She is a fighter for gender equality in the film industry, a lover of horror films, a short film advocate, and an independent film supporter.

Sarah Mather
Sarah Mather

Sarah Mather is a New York-based production executive at Pinky Promise, where she manages films from all phases of production to delivery. She served as an Associate Producer on The Starling Girl, directed by Laurel Parmet, which premiered in dramatic competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and I Don’t Understand You, written and directed by Brian Crano and David Craig, which premiered at SXSW in 2024. She also worked on Eleanor the Great, Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut.

Parting Words

5pm - 6pm

Hear from industry insiders and artists on what they’re excited about when it comes to the future of creativity. We’ll wrap out the inaugural Storytelling Summit on a note of inspiration and motivation to keep the fires burning.