Film Row LEAD is excited to announce our upcoming Speaker Series...
“The Return”
Join us on Wednesday, October 27th, 2021 from 4:00PM - 5:00PM PST, for a discussion about the state of the industry during these uncertain times, finding balance, returning to work in person, and remaining optimistic as our industry recovers.
Speakers:
Samantha Stepleton – Director of Social Services, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
Mike Viane – Co-President, Domestic Theatrical Distribution, STX Films
Anthony Fykes – Co-Founder, Next Act Cinema
Kip Smiley – President, Comprehensive Film Booking Inc.
Moderated by:
Christina Blumer – Director of Development, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
Guest Speaker: SAMANTHA E. STEPLETON
Samantha is the Director of Social Services for the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with advanced training in trauma informed care. Samantha brings this knowledge to the table with her work with people in the film industry. She is passionate about learning and shares her understanding of how trauma and shame intersect to create limiting beliefs and coping strategies that impact people's lives.
Guest Speaker: MIKE VIANE
Mike Viane is the Co-President of Domestic Distribution at STX Entertainment. Prior to joining STX in September 2017, he spent 23 years on the WB Distribution team where he oversaw the Western Division and all IMAX releases. Mike also has experience on the exhibition and vendor side of the business working at both Regal Entertainment Group and Vision Media from 2015 – 2017.
Mike is currently a Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation Board Member and also served on the Variety (Tent 25) board for 12 years.
Guest Speaker: ANTHONY FYKES
Anthony Fykes is Co-Founder of Next Act Cinema. With little to no experience in the movie theater industry and along with his co-founder, Robert Wright, Anthony turned a run down1930 art deco theater into a boutique entertainment theater offering cuisine, cocktails and curated content in a setting that feels like the comfort of your home, only better. The Next Act experience offers state of the modern, upscale entertainment destination right outside of Baltimore in Pikesville MD. The Next Act experience combines state of the art theater design, sound and image excellence, luxurious seating paired with sensorial, live interactive entertainment that complements the feature film you are viewing.
Next Act is minority owned. Since opening in 2019 they have made tremendous traction so much they have gotten the attention of Steve Harvey, travel noir, Huffington post, Washington post and numerous local news and radio press. Anthony and Robert both have sales and marketing backgrounds from the healthcare industry. Anthony holds both his BA and MBA degrees.
Guest Speaker: KIP SMILEY
Kip Smiley oversees the film buying process for a host of regional circuits and independent theatre owners. He is a 2nd generation member of our industry with 35 years of experience. Smiley became VP of film for Georgia Theatre Company in 1994 and continues in that position today. Prior to that, he spent 10 years working for Columbia/Sony Pictures. His duties ranged from booking and sales in Atlanta to serving as the Western District Manager in Los Angeles. Smiley considers himself lucky to work in the Motion Picture Industry with so many talented and charitable individuals.
Moderator: CHRISTINA BLUMER
As current Director of Development for the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation, Christina is responsible for all fundraising and donor relations efforts for the charity including planning and executing all events and donor solicitation campaigns. In addition, Blumer plans all fundraising and public relations activities including industry events and social media efforts, including website content and email notifications.
Christina joined the Will Rogers charity in the Summer of 2009 upon graduating from California State University Long Beach that Spring.