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
- 1 Hour
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.
- PANELISTS
Roberta Augusto
PANEL MEMBER
Amanda Sthers
PANEL MEMBER
Frederico Lapenda
PANEL MEMBER
Description:
Power Panel: “Screenwriters & The Business of Story: Branding, Representation & New Distribution Models”
- Thursday April 3rd
- 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
- Ovation Courtyard
- 1 Hour
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
Description:
Networking Session
- Thursday April 3rd – 11:00AM
- 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Ovation Courtyard
Description:
Traditional vs. Modern film financing and what is a film fund?
- Friday May 4th – 11:00AM
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.
- PANELISTS
Frederico Lapenda
PANEL MEMBER
Andre Relis
PANEL MEMBER
Description:
Ai – What does it really mean and impact today?
- Saturday April 5th – 11:00AM
- 1 Hour
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.
- PANELISTS
Rob Minkoff
PANEL MEMBER
Ryaan Sayegh
PANEL MEMBER
Description: