The 25th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival is proud to host several educational panel discussions led by reputable and experienced members of the Beverly Hills Film Festival 2025 Grand Jury and the film industry
Film Distribution and the Rise of Streaming Cinemas: A New Frontier
Thursday April 3rd – 11:00AM
Length:
1 Hour
Description:
Virtual cinemas became more popular during the pandemic, allowing independent films to have a “theatrical” experience via streaming platforms. This panel will focus on how virtual cinema distribution works, what it means for independent filmmakers, and whether virtual cinemas will continue to be a key part of the distribution landscape in 2025.
Roberta Augusto is Brazilian-born stalwart in the film industry, boasting an illustrious career spanning two decades. Her journey commenced at Summit Entertainment, where she made her mark by spearheading the release of blockbuster hits like “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “Sahara,” among others. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Roberta has ascended to the esteemed position of Senior Vice President of Marketing, Distribution & Publicity at IDC, a Lionsgate Company. In this pivotal role, she oversees operations across more that 20 countries in Latin America, cementing her reputation as a dynamic leader in the field.
Throughout her tenure, Roberta has facilitated the theatrical release of over 165 movies, contributing significantly to the cinematic landscape. Her unparallel expertise has been instrumental in the success of iconic franchises in Latin America, including “The Twilight Saga,” “The Hunger Games,” “John Wick, and “Saw.” Notably, she played a pivotal role in the promotion and distribution of acclaimed films such as the Oscar-winning “La La Land,” further solidifying her reputation as a visionary in the industy.
Roberta Augusto’s remarkable journey serves as a testament to her passion, dedication, and unparalleled contributions to the world of cinema. With a keen eye for innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence, she continues to shape the landscape of the film industry, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.
Amanda Sthers is a French artist living in Los Angeles.
She has written more than a dozen novels translated into twenty languages and awarded with multiple literary Prizes.
As a playwright, she has written nine plays that have toured internationally, including her 2006 play The Old Blonde Jew, which was included in the Harvard University curriculum. She also wrote Le lien (The bond), which premiered at the Avignon Festival.
She is the writer and director of four feature films, the last three in English language. MADAME, starring Rossy di Palma, Toni Collette, and Harvey Keitel, followed by HOLY LANDS, adapted from her novel HOLY LANDS, (Bloomsbury) the last film of the legendary James Caan, also starring Tom Hollander, Rosanna Arquette, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. PROMISES starring Pierfrancesco Favino, Kelly Reilly, and Jean Reno, premiered at the Rome Film Festival, won numerous awards worldwide including Best Feature Film at the Bervely Hills Film Festival.
On television, she was the lead writer for the legendary French series CAMERA CAFÉ, for which she wrote over seventy episodes. More recently, she created a one-off COUP DE FOUDRE A NOËL for TF1 with Tomer Sisley and Julie de Bona, which attracted more than 6.4 million viewers, making it the largest French fiction audience for 2017.
Amanda Sthers is also a producer and CEO of IDEA(L), a company that creates opportunities for new voices and female filmmakers, as well as bridges between Europe and the United States. BONNIE, a documentary celebrating one of the most prestigious casting directors, was screened in the official selection of the 2022 Venice Film Festival and the Deauville American Film Festival. She co-produced MAFIA MAMMA directed by Catherine Hardwicke, based on her original idea, with Toni Collette and Monica Bellucci in the lead roles, released in American theaters in April 2023. Two animated films are in production LOVEBIRDS with the Tat studio and MITE, for which Jean Paul Gaultier will be artistic director.
Amanda also explores contemporary art. Her first exhibition which was exhibited at Galerie 75 in December 2022 and was repeated at Galerie Huit during the 2023 Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles under the direction of curator Laura Serani. The exhibition will soon travel to Venice for the Biennale.
In 2024, Amanda Sthers was promoted by the French Government to the rank of Officer of « Arts et lettres » for her significant contributions to the arts and literature.
Award-winning filmmaker Frederico Lapenda is a global executive who has worked in the entertainment industry for almost 30 years. Lapenda is a pioneer of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and is credited as one of those responsible for the globalization of sport.
In addition to presiding over the Beverly Hills Film Festival® Grand Jury, Lapenda has produced films, MMA events, video games, commercials and documentaries. His documentary, Kidnapping, was eligible for an Oscar nomination in 2011.
Lapenda received a national honor for his lifelong achievements while serving as Tourism Ambassador, appointed by the President of Brazil, placing him among fellow nominees Ronaldinho, Vitor Belfort, Renzo Gracie and Romero Britto.
One of his most significant achievements was the creation of Amazon Allies, a mix of Avengers and Lion King, a children’s book about four super-powered talking animals that protect the Amazon rainforest, co-authored with Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee.
Power Panel: “Screenwriters & The Business of Story: Branding, Representation & New Distribution Models”
Thursday, April 3rd
LIVE TIME: 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Ovation Courtyard
Length:
1 Hour
Description:
This panel will dive into how screenwriters can build their personal brands, secure representation, and navigate evolving distribution models to get their work seen. Literary managers will discuss what they look for in clients and how they help writers establish themselves in the industry. Experts in niche distribution and virtual cinema will explore new opportunities for writers to get their stories produced and distributed outside traditional Hollywood pipelines. Attendees will learn practical strategies for positioning themselves in a crowded market, leveraging digital platforms, and connecting with the right industry players to bring their scripts to life.
- Loren Albento, Literary Manager, LBI Entertainment
- Anthony Francisco, Creative Executive, Dolphin Entertainment/Former Marvel Senior Artist
- Josh Nadler, Director of Acquisitions & Development, Sony Entertainment/Affirm Films
- Sophi Shi, Acquisition & Production Executive, EST N8
- Divya Shahani, Executive Producer/Entertainment Lawyer
Networking Session
Thursday, April 3rd
TIME: 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Ovation Courtyard
Traditional vs. Modern film financing and what is a film fund?
Friday May 4th – 11:00AM
Length:
1 Hour
Description:
Traditional film financing typically involves securing funds from studios, private investors, or pre-sales, where distribution rights are sold before the film is made. This method gives studios creative control but ensures financial backing. Modern film financing, on the other hand, includes crowdfunding, streaming platform investments, and decentralized financing such as blockchain-based models, giving filmmakers more autonomy but often requiring extensive audience engagement. A film fund is a pool of capital dedicated to financing multiple film projects, reducing risk by diversifying investments across various productions. It can be private, public, or government-backed and is often used to support independent films.
Award-winning filmmaker Frederico Lapenda is a global executive who has worked in the entertainment industry for almost 30 years. Lapenda is a pioneer of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and is credited as one of those responsible for the globalization of sport.
In addition to presiding over the Beverly Hills Film Festival® Grand Jury, Lapenda has produced films, MMA events, video games, commercials and documentaries. His documentary, Kidnapping, was eligible for an Oscar nomination in 2011.
Lapenda received a national honor for his lifelong achievements while serving as Tourism Ambassador, appointed by the President of Brazil, placing him among fellow nominees Ronaldinho, Vitor Belfort, Renzo Gracie and Romero Britto.
One of his most significant achievements was the creation of Amazon Allies, a mix of Avengers and Lion King, a children’s book about four super-powered talking animals that protect the Amazon rainforest, co-authored with Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee.
Andre Relis is a prolific documentarian and film producer, best known for directing Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon (2022), narrated by Tracii Guns, and NWA & Eazy-E: Kings of Compton (2015), a documentary on the legendary rap group NWA. He is the CEO of VMI Worldwide, a Los Angeles-based sales agency, production, and distribution company, where he has been at the forefront of feature film distribution for over 20 years and has accomplished producing over 50 feature films to date.
Relis began his career producing a FOX Sports television series before transitioning to film distribution at Amazing Movies/Highland Crest Pictures. He later moved into theatrical distribution at Troma Entertainment and Lionsgate and founded VMI Worldwide in 2010, which will celebrate a milestone of 15 years in the industry this year.
His first foray into film production was as co-producer of the Germs/Darby Crash biopic What We Do Is Secret, starring Shane West and Bijou Phillips. Relis continues to make an impact on the industry, blending his expertise in film, music, production and distribution to deliver compelling projects.
Ai – What does it really mean and impact today?
Saturday April 5th – 11:00AM
Description: AI is revolutionizing various aspects of filmmaking, from scriptwriting and visual effects to marketing and audience analysis. AI-driven tools streamline post-production workflows, enhance CGI realism, and even generate deepfake technology for de-aging or character replication. While AI increases efficiency and reduces costs, it also raises ethical concerns regarding job displacement, originality, and copyright issues. As AI’s role in filmmaking expands, the industry must navigate its benefits and challenges to ensure creative integrity and responsible use.
Length: 1 Hour
In 1982, Minkoff began his career as an intern at Walt Disney Productions, apprenticing under Eric Larson. He worked as an animator and character designer on films like The Black Cauldron (1985), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), and The Little Mermaid (1989). His directorial debut came with Roger Rabbit shorts Tummy Trouble (1989) and Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990). In 1992, he co-directed The Lion King (1994), overseeing the iconic “Circle of Life” sequence.
Minkoff transitioned to live-action with Stuart Little (1999) and its sequel, later directing The Haunted Mansion (2003). He founded Sprocketdyne Entertainment and developed Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014) with DreamWorks. His recent projects include directing Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) and overseeing Netflix’s Llama Llama series.
Ryaan Sayegh is a forward-thinking executive in AI, startups, and software innovation. He began his journey in tech by founding Skew, a software company that developed smart infrastructure tools like traffic light management systems for the City of San Francisco. Over five years, he grew the company into a full-time team, refining his leadership and product development skills. In 2024, he took on the role of CTO at Hollo AI, where he led the creation of its flagship AI Twin platform—transforming how users connect with personalized AI. Ryaan’s work reflects a blend of vision and precision, with a focus on building scalable technologies that shape the future of digital engagement.
