GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT SERIES: NEW COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN PUBLIC MEDIA SERIES AND INDIE FILMMAKERS AFI DOCS Industry Forum

Reflecting a desire to expand the range of diverse filmmaking voices and collaborate with indie filmmakers on their own original ideas, PBS’ flagship series are actively engaging with the independent film community. In this session, leading executives from PBS and WORLD Channel series including AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, NOVA, AMERICAN MASTERS and WORLD’s AMERICA REFRAMED join with filmmakers to discuss the exciting new relationships that are invigorating these legacy series.

Moderator:

• Leslie Fields-Cruz, Executive Director, Black Public Media

Panelists:

• Joe Brewster, Director/Producer (DE-COLONIZING MENTAL HEALTH); Director/ Producer (AMERICAN PROMISE)
• Natalie Bullock-Brown, Director/Producer (LOOKING FOR GRANDPA LEE; BAARTMAN, BEYONCÉ & ME)
• Leola Calzolai-Stewart, Director (CHANGING STATE)
• Yi Chen, Director/Producer (FIRST VOTE)
• Julia Cort, Executive Producer, NOVA
• Ben DeJesus, Director/Producer, (LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACCIÓN; RAÚL JULIÁ: THE WORLD’S A STAGE)
• Cameo George, Executive Producer, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
• Chris Hastings, WORLD Channel/AMERICA REFRAMED
• Byron Hurt, Director (LOOKING FOR GRANDPA LEE; HAZING)
• Michael Kantor, Executive Producer, AMERICAN MASTERS
• Chris Schmidt, Executive Producer, NOVA
• Michèle Stephenson, Director/Producer (DE-COLONIZING MENTAL HEALTH); Series Producer (AMERICAN PORTRAIT)