1. For latest schedule updates:
WWW.FUSIONFILMFESTIVAL.COM
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY APRIL 5
7PM “REAL BOY” Award-Winning Doc
A son’s transition. A mom’s transformation.
Cantor Film Center, 36 East 8th Street
FRIDAY APRIL 6
3PM DOCS IN THE WORKS:
Pitch Competition
Watch finalists present to top industry judges.
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
7PM ARTISTS & ACTIVISTS
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
SATURDAY APRIL 7
9:30AM Brunch with a Changemaker:
NBC’s KAREN HORNE
Senior VP Talent Development & Inclusion
RSVP only at FusionFilmFestival.com
10AM Go Pitch!
Invite-only via application
12PM Real Talk: Breaking into the Biz
NBC Execs & Talent on
“How to get job in entertainment”
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
2PM Women in New Media
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
4PM MASTERCLASS:
The Queer Producers Collective
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
6:30PM FUSION Competition Screenings
& Award Ceremony
Cantor Film Center, 36 East 8th Street
Still from CROSS MY HEART

2. WHERE
CHANGE BEGINS
It’s true that more and more women are creating
and receiving opportunities based on their own talent
and excellence. It’s also true that leaders of all genders
are becoming more committed to provoking change
through the Time’s Up movement, a crusade to end
sexual harassment and inequality in the workplace. Yes,
finally, women are claiming a space in the entertainment
industry.
But we are far from the finish line.
Though the revolution has been sparked, the battle is
just beginning. We all hear the call for change, but now
we must commit to making it real. Brave and innovative
women before us have charted this path, now it’s time for
our generation to realize the industry’s exciting promise of
an actual transformation.
In the very special community that is Fusion, we believe
that the best way to ensure permanent and meaningful
change is by encouraging and supporting our own gifted
female filmmakers. We are artists, activists, dreamers and
doers with many different perspectives, but all focused on
inspiring each other to be open minded, have empathy,
and give acceptance to others. We are surrounded by a
new generation of artists. We know where our better future
lies. Fusion’s goal is to make certain that our stories are
given a platform, our talent is seen, and our voices are
heard.
Madi Mitts, Fusion Editorial Staff
1

3. FROM OUR FACULTY ADVISOR
SUSAN SANDLER
LETTER FROM
THE DIRECTORS
4
As we look to the thrilling 16th year of Fusion, we
recognize that our student driven festival is a vital part
of the engine of change for the entertainment industry.
We are where change begins—with the power and self-
realization of Fusion’s student leaders celebrating the
extraordinary creative work of women at the Tisch School
of the Arts, and the iconic women we admire, we are
creating change in this moment.
With Joy and Love,
Susan
Hello and Welcome to the 16th Fusion Film Festival!
We couldn’t be more thrilled to honor the wonderful artists and
storytellers changing the entertainment industry today, from our pan-
elists to finalists, team members, NYU students, faculty, and alumni,
we are so proud to be a part of this community. Fusion is dedicated
to making a positive impact, and in the wake of the “Time’s Up” and
#MeToo movements, we are even more devoted to being a part of
the initiatives working to eradicate misogyny, criminal behavior, and
inequality in the arts, and in every industry.
This past year we have had the privilege of meeting and showcas-
ing many impactful female-identifying storytellers and their collabo-
rators doing amazing things in the fields of film, TV, and new media.
We have also had the honor of working with a phenomenal team of
over a hundred individuals who everyday bring their creativity and vi-
sion to empower marginalized voices, support one another, and build
a future where all genders are valued equally.
We’d like to take this time to thank our fantastic sponsors, faculty
judges, and industry judges, who have all given remarkable amounts
of their time, energy, and resources to the festival. We would also
like to thank our wonderful and extremely hard-working faculty advi-
sor, Susan Sandler. Susan passionately guides us in our work, and we
would not be where we are today without her.
We hope that you enjoy every moment of this festival, and we
thank you for being a part of Fusion’s legacy. These are difficult times
politically, but never lose hope that we can and will continue to fight
for intersectional feminism, inclusion, and love until we achieve true
equality and representation.
With love and gratitude,
The Co-Directors
Caitlin Chan
Priya Khanolkar
Rachel Lambert
3

4. LETTER FROM
DEAN BURKE
LETTER FROM
DEAN GREEN
5
6
6
Happy 16th anniversary to the Fusion Film Festival!
We are so proud of this film festival. It’s an outstanding
example of how Tisch students can create important
new initiatives. I am especially grateful to Susan Sandler,
a member of the Kanbar Institute faculty, who from the
beginning has been the guiding force, advisor, and mentor
to so many.
Today more than ever, we need the Fusion Film Festival.
This year’s theme, FUSION: Where Change Begins, gives
us the opportunity to have important conversations. We
also have the opportunity to celebrate women like Karen
Horne, NBC Universal’s Senior Vice President of Talent
Development and Inclusion. She is a true change maker.
And to all of you with films in competition, best of luck!
I offer my sincerest thanks to Emma Heald and Gina
Abatemarco, two students, who 16 years ago sought
Susan’s support in creating a way to celebrate women.
Together, they built Fusion around collaboration and made
it possible for others to join in building a festival that now
offers programming throughout the year.
I am grateful to the 2018 Fusion’s Co-Directors Caitlin
Chan, Priya Khanolkar, Rachel Lambert and the 132 other
people who have volunteered time, talent, and energy to
make the Fusion Film Festival a vital part of NYU Tisch
School of the Arts.
Allyson Green
Dean of the Maurice Kanbar Institute
of Film and Television
I am excited to offer not only my support to the Fusion
Film Festival but also my gratitude. Since 2003, Fusion
has focused on the celebration of women filmmakers and
their work, a mission that has never felt more vital. 2018
will be the sixteenth year of the festival, and their choice
of theme, “FUSION: Where Change Begins,” highlights
the pioneering nature of FUSION and its commitment to
advancing women filmmakers.
Fusion reminds us all of our responsibility to promote
change here and outside of NYU. Fusion began as an
event in the Undergraduate Department of Film & TV, but
quickly grew to become a collaborative effort involving
students, alumni, faculty, and staff from multiple Tisch
Departments. The annual swell of support in the form of
donated time, space, and money speaks to how integral
Fusion has become to our community.
This year, Caitlin Chan (Film & TV ‘19), Priya Khanolkar
(Film & TV ‘19), and Rachel Lambert (Film & TV ‘18) lead
Fusion, guided by the continued work of their faculty
advisor, Susan Sandler. This year has seen their first LA-
based events, a screening of SIGNATURE MOVE, and more.
During the festival in April, Fusion will honor Karen Horne,
NBC Universal’s Senior VP of Talent Development and
Inclusion, at their exciting Brunch with a Changemaker.
The opportunities Fusion offers to students, from events
to mentorship, raises the bar for what a “Tisch Club” can
be. I am grateful and thrilled to celebrate the sixteenth
year of the Fusion Film Festival and I offer my heartfelt
thanks to everyone who has helped make it possible this
and every year.
Sincerely,
Michael Burke
Associate Dean of the Maurice Kanbar Institute
of Film and Television

5. EXECUTIVE BOARD FUSION TEAM
7 8 8
Alumni Relations
Kendra Brown
Brianna Burke
Sarina Freda
Emily Gurland
Katie Jung
Audrey Larson
Sydney Rudman
Design
Emma DeMuth
Hyeseung Kim
Nina Leitenberg
Emily Miller
Editorial
Zoe Bourdin
Sophie Ewh
Clarrie Feinstein
Camila Grimaldi
Vivian Hu
Emma Levine
Madi Mitts
Megan Murphy
Nicole Porter
Guru Ramanathan
Production
Management
Heather Alexis
Sophia Anderson
Rebecca Blackstone
April Chang
Emily Feng
Bethany Huang
Olivia Krueger
Finance
Spencer Collantes
Paisley Millhausen
Sophia Shi
Sophie Worscheh
Marketing
Megan McMillon
Miriam Ouldibbat
Zoey Schilling
Keara Sullivan
Wendi Tang
Donnally Tullis
Michele Uriarte
Photo/Video
Sophie Bennett
Lina Borda
Olivia De Camps
Claudia Fanaro
Lynn Fong
Valentina Garrett
Natalia Haberberg
Meena Harish
Ina Ho
Fiona Kane
Bre Kelly
Shilpa Kunnappillil
Thomas Lange
Elisabeth Ligonnet
Hunter Livingston
Emmet Luciano
Megan Mathieson
Molly Mielke
Amelia Palmer
Brandon Pavlicek
Artemis Polemis
Kailey Radcliffe
Jessica Zheng
John Williams Lucas
Jordan Mailes
Kyle McGrath
Megan Murphy
Roni Polsgrove
Lucie Pottecher
Olivia Pratt
Jane Riegler
Audrey Roh
Julia Terry
Siddant Tilokani
Bernie Torres
Programming
Kylie Billings
Polina Buchak
Alyssa Craig
Karina Dandashi
Giovanna Drummond
Annie Felix
Tonya Goltsev
Natalie Harris
Natalie Holley
Rachel Lim
Olivia Malesco
Victoria Marton
Tori Ashley Matos
Delaney Plant
Ishani Shyamalan
Ashley Tang
Chelsea Williams
Susan Sandler Faculty Advisor
Caitlin Chan Co-Director & Sponsorship
Priya Khanolkar Co-Director & Alumni Relations
Rachel Lambert Co-Director & Programming
Allison Cavanaugh Assoc. Director & Production Mgmt.
Audrey Leach Assoc. Director & Design Co-Head
Rachel Brown Alumni Relations Co-Head
Claire O’Neil Communications Director
Morgan Kofeldt Design Co-Head
Jenny Levine Editorial Co-Head
Mallika Juneja Editorial Co-Head
Tair Shachar Editorial Co-Head
Brittany Santiago Production Management Co-Head
Heather Vaxer Finance Head
Bailey Oliver Marketing Co-Head
Maddy Oliver Marketing Co-Head
Symphony Blue Marketing Co-Head
Alexia Salingaros Photo/Video Co-Head
Amelia Boscov Photo/Video Co-Head
Shaye Davis Photo/Video Co-Head
Jot Sahi PR Co-Head
Teja LoBreglio PR Co-Head
Baylee Brown Programming Co-Head
Rayna Tyson Programming Co-Head
Sonya Stepanova Research Co-Head
Kara Bartek Sponsorship Co-Head
Elizabeth Valdes Submissions Co-Head
Jiwon Uhm Submissions Co-Head
Jori Johnson Submissions Co-Head

6. FUSION TEAM
9
9
Public Relations
Lizzy Essiedu
Stephanie Lemesianou
Sponsorship
Mia Dixler
Dylan Gee
Eleanor Goldman
Sabrina Ma
Ruochong (Diane)
Wang
Submissions
Gabrielle Aku
Alexandria Douglas
Madeleine Schumacher
Research
Chelsea Amaro
Allison Lambdin
Nikta Mahmoodi
Ines Yildiz
Web Design
Cidney Hue
Volunteers &
Action Fusion
Aleka Agre
Maya Alfia
Mariana Anell
Edan Ashkenazi
Ana Bishop
Jordan Blanco
Daniela Bologna
Kate Bonifas
Inakshi Chandra-Mohanty
Molly Chang
Ryan Chen
Xiangdi Chen
Jabin Choi
Sasha Chowdhury
Emma Cotter
Kamila Daureova
Tamera Davis
Alyssa Dickson
Natalia Ferrara
Jack Fossett
Aria Grasso
Stella Green
Courtney Hall
Amanda Harlowe Miller
Lauryn Harold
Aurora Huiza
Cara Hunter
Samantha Joia
Rachel LaFond
Jack Lee
Gabriela Liarena
Sophia Lipp
Sam Lowenburg
Jordan Mailes
Pilo-Ha Masse
Catherine Mora Brathwite
Alexandra Muhawi-Ho
Taylor Natiello
Marie-Louise Nkashama
Amina Odogba
Aleksandra Podziewska
Roni Polsgrove
Olivia Pratt
Danny Roberts
Catherine Ryan
Mohammad Saleem
Julia Saliba
Julia San Adres
Blythe Spindler-Richardson
Paige Spindler-Richardson
Amira Stone
Taylor Stout
Stephanie Tinsley
Bernadette Torres
Jackie Tullie
Hannah Webb
Hailey Weinberg
Justin Wolman
Maurice Wright
Kally Zhao
MISSION STATEMENT
Celebrating Women in Film, Television, & New Media
The Fusion Film Festival is New York University’s pre-
miere festival dedicated to celebrating women in film, tele-
vision, and new media, from students to industry profes-
sionals we admire. Fusion was founded in 2003 at NYU’s
prestigious Tisch School of the Arts by two students in
Undergraduate Film and Television, Emma Heald and Gina
Abatemarco, with the mission of encouraging, promoting,
and inspiring women filmmakers and the collaboration
between the sexes. Since its inception, Fusion has been
passionately guided by Kanbar UGFTV Professor Susan
Sandler.
Fusion programming is all about celebrating diversity,
inclusion, and intersectional feminism, as well as promot-
ing deep mentorship. Programming is year-round, from
the Submissions Launch event to Alumni Showcases and
the “Coffee With” series. Every spring, Fusion mounts a
multi-day film festival with screenings, industry panels,
pitch meetings, master-classes, retrospectives, network-
ing events, competitions in thirteen distinct categories,
and student showcases.
Fusion has been proud to attract accomplished artists
and entertainment visionaries such as Melina Matsoukas,
Reed Morano, Christine Vachon, Jane Campion, Kasi Lem-
mons, Julie Taymor, Barbara Kopple, Stella Meghie, Miran-
da July, and Misha Green. We are also proud to stand with
the Sundance Institute’s Women’s Initiative as an Allied
Partner.
Our goal here at Fusion is to celebrate storytellers in
the industry, as well as those in our own NYU commu-
nity, feature incredible work, and have you leave feeling
inspired by the art of great storytelling.
10

7. GRADUATE FILM
FINALISTS
CROSS MY HEART
Sontenish Myers
An American teenage girl
visits her family in Jamaica
and uncovers a secret that
changes the way she sees
the people she loves.
SHELTER
Na’ama Keha
Israel, Winter 1991. Under the
threat of a chemical attack,
an immigrant boy and a local
girl leave their underground
bomb shelter and go on an
excursion of escapism and
budding love in the wild.
TOOTH AND NAIL
Sara Shaw
A sister and terminally ill
brother make a bargain: he’ll
donate his sperm for her fu-
ture use if she comes out at
dinner that night.
UNDERGRADUATE FILM
FINALISTS
SHIVA BABY
Emma Seligman
At a Jewish funeral service
with her parents, a college
student runs into her sugar
daddy.
A BUTTERFLY
FLUTTERS ITS
WINGS
Linh Dan Nguyen Phan
On a sleepless Christmas Eve
night, four lonely souls cross
paths in the midst of their
isolating and intimate chore
in a laundromat.
SAMPAGUITA
Shalemar Coloma
Annie, a Filipino teenager,
readies for her religious
father to come home from
deployment all while she
develops an impossible crush
on her classmate June.
11 12

8. girl eating bananas audition
Natasha Babenko
Facing North
Tukei Muhumuza
Give Up the Ghost
Marian Mathias
Still Water Runs Deep
Abbesi Akhamie
GRADUATE FILM
UNDERGRADUATE FILM
ANIMATION
HONORABLE MENTIONS
ANIMATION
FINALISTS
ANXIETY
Allison Jones
Explores the thoughts and
emotions that comes with
anxiety and panic attacks as
visualized through the eyes
of the filmmaker.
COUNTING TO
INFINITY IN GROUPS
OF THREE
Kelsey Black
A woman obsessed with
threes is driven to overcome
her compulsions.
HOW CAN YOU
KNOW WHERE TO
GO IF YOU DO NOT
KNOW WHERE YOU
HAVE BEEN
Mizuki Toriya
A grandmother recounts
her experiences as a child in
Kobe, Japan during World
War II to her granddaughter.
Mae at the Funeral
Sophie Bennet
Hair Trigger
Taylor Schafer
Presentation
Danielle Kampf
Asri
Ecegul Bayram
Junction
Alexia Salingaros
Journey
Mulan Fu
13 14

9. DOCS IN THE WORKS
FINALISTS
NEW WARRIORS
Ellie Forman
Girls of the Maasai tribe in
Kenya attend school to end
the traditions of FGM, early
forced marriage, and child
pregnancy.
MOUNTAIN, CITY
Ximan Ma
Adopted by a prosperous
Chinese business man, a Ti-
betan girl travels back to her
humble family for the sum-
mer. We explore her chal-
lenging development in both
worlds over a decade.
RAHI
Jot Sahi
After unraveling a family se-
cret, two sisters take their
grandma on a journey to
seek out her long-lost sister
in the hopes of healing old
wounds.
LOST COUSINS
Delaney Plant
In 2007, fifteen of my cousins
went missing. Now, over ten
years later, I’m ready to un-
cover the truth behind what
really happened to them.
WATER AS
INDUSTRY
Katarina Pittis
An exploration of Newtown
Creek in NYC, one of the
most highly polluted water-
ways in the U.S., and how
communities have fought to
preserve its’ health.
DOCS IN THE WORKS
FINALISTS
Mentor: Professor Sam Pollard
JUDGES
Wendy Ettinger
Producer and Co-Founder, Chicken & Egg Pictures
Jackie Glover
Vice President, Documentary Films HBO
Milton Tabbot
Senior Director of Programming, IFP
Gianna Toboni
Producer and Correspondent, VICE
Basil Tsiokos
Director of Programming DOC NYC,Film Program Director
Nantucket FF, Programming Sundance FF
Chris White
Executive Producer of American Documentary at POV,
PBS
15 16

10. SIGHT AND SOUND
FINALISTS
WOULD YOU?
EWURAKUA DAWSON-AMOAH
Victor, a police officer on
leave, must face his de-
mons when he comes face
to face with the young boy
he shot, who bears nothing
but a question, “Why did you
shoot me?”
PRICKS
CAROLINA DIZ
A sleep-deprived animator is
working on a story, but the
characters have their own
idea on how it should end.
THE STAND OFF
MOLLY CLARK
Experience is all a business
woman has when a younger
woman targets the same cli-
ents on her corner.
MUSIC VIDEO
RISING STAR
WEB SERIES
IUD
Director: Adinah Dancyger
Cinematographer: Mia Cioffi Henry
Okay Kaya sings about contra-
ception while dragging a clone-
like version of herself around by
her hair.
HOW IT FEELS
NATALIA FERRARA
The sonic experience of a girl
walking home alone.
Michael & Anwar
ISABEL MITCHELL
Anwar’s always had feelings
for Michael. Michael is getting
engaged. That doesn’t stop a
drunken kiss from changing
their friendship forever.
FINALISTS
Summertime - Carter Tate
Tomorrow Will Be Yesterday - Kathryn Huyghue
Bedtime Stories - Becky Blackstone
FINALISTS
NAPS
created by Regina Hoyles
The Mistletones
directed by Eva Curry, Stephanie d’Agostini, and Brid-
get Matloff
17 18

11. 19 20
FEATURE SCREENPLAY
FINALISTS FINALISTS
HALF-HOUR PILOT
UNDERGRADUATE
SHOTGUN
Jennifer Coates
When her best friend goes missing, one Iroquois teen
muscles her way into North Dakota’s casino underbelly with one mission in
mind: bring her friend home or die trying.
DORIAN
Grace (Ge) Gao
An Asian American actress takes her own life after slumping into plastic
surgery addiction.
RIPTIDE
Frida Katharine
A boring, mamma bear twin tags along on spring break, where she fights
losing her sister to old friends, a new
fiancé, and killer mermaids.
GRADUATE
THE MOON RABBIT
Alexandra Timmer
The Moon Rabbit is forced to return to Earth to protect an imperial soldier
that the moon goddess has fallen in love with.
Q.U.E.E.N.
Brittany “B.MONÉT” Fennel
Q.U.E.E.N. tells the story of a teenage girl with a troubled past who faces
her biggest fear at a rap battle.
COMPLIMENTARY COLORS
Alyssa Haddad
When an elderly painter attempts to draw his deceased wife, he enlists in
the help of his daughter, who discovers that she’s losing him to
Alzheimer’s.
SLEEPING WITH THE DEAD
Dagny Atencio Looper
A precocious young girl must choose between her rationalist father and a
charismatic preacher predicting the end of the world in 1910.
UNDERGRADUATE
GOLDEN
Tamara-Nicole Johnson
Forced into a new life with her estranged grandparents after her
parents are murdered, a young girl does anything to get home to
New Orleans.
RED STATE HIGH
Celeste Amidon
Following Trump’s election, college professor Evelyn decides poor
education is to blame. So she moves to small town Idaho to teach
high school English.
INPATIENT
Emma Layden
When Agatha Simon accidentally reveals to the world that she lied
about having cancer, she is actually diagnosed with cancer.
GRADUATE
TRIVIAL PURSUIT
Jyotsna Hariharan
Hounded by the insecurity and uncertainty in her life, Vidhya dis-
covers a strange source of confidence and control in the world of
competitive bar trivia.
MR. SUNSHINE
Ashley Hague
When Shawn gets a job as a preschool teacher, he must overcome
obstacles at the all female workplace.
STAGE FIVE
Alexandra Timmer
A woman beats cancer, but can’t shake off the world of the dead
with a mortician for a roommate and a goth detective stalking her.

12. FACULTY JUDGES
Gay Abel-Bey
Mark Arywitz
David Bagnall
Karl Bardosh
Lynne Boyarsky
Justin Brenneman
Ginger Brown
Jim Brown
Julian Cornell
Alice Elliot
Mike Errico
DB Gilles
Janet Grillo
Andy Goldman
Chris Goutman
Chat Gunter
John Gurrin
Barbara Jacobs
Grace Kiley
Rosanne Limoncelli
Marsha Moore McKeever
Phil McNagny
Steven Michels
Antonio Monda
Matthew Morrison
Marygrace O’Shea
Gavin Ramoutar
Chris Chan Roberson
Susan Sandler
Laszlo Santha
Bruce Shakelford
Shira-Lee Shalit
Sylvia Sichel
Sofia Sondervan
Paul Thompson
Tzipi Trope
Harry Winer
Enid Zentelis
Thank you to our faculty judges
who support and inspire us.
21 22
ONE HOUR PILOT
FINALISTS
UNDERGRADUATE
DOUBLE HEADER
Sam Block
Kelsey is tired of obeying her manipulative, star pitcher twin, Shay. A
lifetime of suppressed feelings manifest dangerously as their first college
season looms ahead.
ALI’S PLACE
Alysia Anderson
Ali and her friends have their entire lives planned out, until life actually
happens and leaves them with it’s back-up plan.
IDOL 3000
Anastasia Sanger
In a distant future of high-tech decay, a teen girl tries to break into the
world of being a pop idol, but soon learns fame is more dangerous than
you’d think.
GRADUATE
LITTLE HOPE - Jacqueline Dow
Disgraced psychoanalyst Terry Roper struggles to get his life back on track
with a new job leading the self help group at the local church.
THE ADVENTURES OF PENNY PATTERSON - Stephanie Donnelly
High school student Penny Patterson faces growing obstacles to winning
the science fair after Steve, her lab partner and crush, becomes a
superhero.
BACK-ALLEY - Young Eun (Grace) Kim
A genius surgeon stifled by hospital rules and protocols finds a Mac-
Gyver-like doctor who makes his own medical gadget and tries to team up.
SIMULATION - Dagny Atencio Looper
A brilliant astronomer finds herself cut off from humanity and her daugh-
ter after observing a nearby black hole.
NEGUS - Daeja Jackson
When her mother uproots their life to Washington D.C, a young Ameri-
canized Ethiopian woman must reunite with her traditional cousin to break
into the music industry.

13. HONORARY BOARD
Gina Abatemarco
Fusion Co-Founder
Maryse Alberti
Cinematographer
Elizabeth Avellan
Producer
Michael Burke
Associate Dean/ Film, TV,
New Media NYU/Tisch
Mystelle Brabbée
Executive Director,
Nantucket Film Festival
Dean Allyson Green
Dean of the
Tisch School of the Arts
Jane Campion
Director
Denise Di Novi
Producer, Di Novi Pictures
Kelly Edwards
VP Talent Development,
HBO
Alison Emilio
Director, ReFrame,
Women In Film/
Sundance Institute
Emma Heald
Fusion Co-Founder
Amy Heckerling
Writer, Director
Agnieszka Holland
Writer, Director
Miranda July
Writer, Director, and Actress
Barbara Kopple
Filmmaker and Founder
of Cabin Creek Films
Yvonne McCormack-Lyons
Executive Director,
Women’s International
Film Festival
Nancy Meyers
Writer, Director,
and Producer
Lynda Obst
Producer, Rosen-Obst
Productions
Celine Rattray
Producer, Maven Pictures
Ezra Sacks
Chair Undergrad Film,
NYU/Tisch
Susan Sandler
Fusion Faculty Advisor
and Professor, NYU/Tisch
Barbara Schock
Chair Grad Film, NYU/Tisch
Julie Taymor
Director
Lauren Zalaznick
Media Executive Founder
& Curator
The LZ SundayPaper
INDUSTRY JUDGES
Jordan Berg
CAA Digital Packaging
Ali Brown
VP & Executive Producer
PRETTYBIRD
Maya Edelman
Animator
Wendy Ettinger
Producer and Co-Founder
Chicken & Egg Picture
Jackie Glover
VP, Documentary Films HBO
Darian Lanzetta
CAA Motion Picture Lit Agent
Carmen Lewis
VP
DiNovi Pictures
Lawrence Mattis
Partner
Circle of Confusion
Katy McAffrey
Gersh Agency TV LIT Agent
Katy McAffrey
Gersh Agency TV LIT Agent
Denise Rottina
Production Manager
Blue Sky Studios
Debra Solomon
Animator
Milton Tabbot
Senior Director of Programming
IFP
Gianna Toboni
Producer and Correspondent
VICE
Janet Tamaro
Writer/Executive Producer
Hurdler Productions
Basil Tsiokos
Director of Programming DOC NYC
Programming Sundance
Film Program Director Nantucket
Film Festival
Chris White
Executive Producer of
American Documentary
POV, PBS
We offer our deepest thanks to these judges from the
highest levels of the entertainment industry for their
dedication and support.
24
23

14. 23
FRIDAY APRIL 6
3PM Docs in the Works:
Pitch Competition
Extraordinary opportunity to watch finalists
present their docs in progress to top industry execs
for live feedback and selection of winner!
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
7PM Artists and Activists
Influential filmmakers who use their art to inspire
social and political change
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
2018
FESTIVAL
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY APRIL 5
7PM OPENING NIGHT: “REAL BOY”
Award winning doc by Shaleece Haas
A son’s transition. A mom’s transformation.
Award winning doc by Shaleece Haas
Cantor Film Center, 36 East 8th Street
25 26

15. 10AM Go Pitch!
Fusion Film Festival is giving students the opportunity
to pitch their TV Show, Web Series, or Feature idea directly
to top development executives.
Invite-only
12PM Real Talk:
Breaking Into the Biz
“How do I get a job in entertainment?” “I don’t know
anyone who works in the industry, how do I rise to
the top?” “I’m not a writer, actor or director, but I
want to work in entertainment. What types of jobs
can I do?” All questions people who aspire to work in
entertainment frequently ask. The successful wom-
en you’ll hear from on this panel will give you their
insightful point of view on how to break into the in-
dustry, the various opportunities available to you and
how to navigate your career. Moderated by Fusion
Film Festival honoree Karen Horne, NBC’s Senior
Vice President, Programming Talent Development &
Inclusion, the panel will feature women from behind
the scenes, in front of the camera and in media who
are at varying stages of their careers.
Panelists include Radha Blank (Writer, Netflix’s “She’s
Gotta Have It”), Audrey Esparza (Actress on NBC’s
drama “Blindspot” and an NYU alumna), Yvette Mi-
ley (Senior Vice President, MSNBC), Amber Payne
(Executive Video Producer, Teen Vogue, them) and
Foluke Tuakli, a member of NBC’s long-standing
Page program.
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
9:30AM BRUNCH with a
CHANGE MAKER:
KAREN HORNE
Fusion is incredibly honored to
have NBC Universal’s Senior VP of
Programming Talent Development
& Inclusion for our Brunch with a
Changemaker.
In her role, Karen oversees all of
NBC Universal’s incredible TALENT
INFUSION PROGRAMS.
About the NBC Talent Infusion Pro-
grams (NBC TIPS):
Since 2000, NBC has been dedicat-
ed to discovering and nurturing on
screen and behind-the-camera talent
of diverse and inclusive backgrounds through the NBC Tal-
ent Infusion Programs (NBC TIPS). NBC TIPS are amongst
the most extensive and robust diversity and inclusion pro-
grams in the television industry. They feature more than
20 programs including the new Female Forward, Writers
on the Verge, the Diverse Staff Writer Initiative, Emerg-
ing Director Program, StandUp NBC nationwide search for
stand-up comedians and the NBCUniversal SHORT FILM
FESTIVAL that celebrates diverse stories and the filmmak-
ers who create them. Program alumni are celebrated pro-
ducers, writers, directors and actors in the entertainment
industry who have gone on to win Emmys, Golden Globes
and SAG Awards and include Alan Yang, Mindy Kaling,
Deon Cole, Lil Rel Howery, Keto Shimizu, Natasha Roth-
well, Danny Pudi and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel. For more
information, visit NBCUniTIPS.com.
Join us for breakfast and a thrilling conversation.
Limited Seating. RSVP only fusionfilmfestival.com
NYU students must apply for a seat at this event and re-
ceive notification to attend.
SATURDAY APRIL 7
27 28

16. 2PM Women in New Media
Highlighting the work of innovative artists
who share their stories through podcasts,
virtual reality, YouTube, and other new media
platforms.
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
4PM MASTERCLASS:
The Queer Producers Collective
Conversation with members of this open peer to
peer network of distinguished producers with a
diverse range of experiences and identities.
Tisch Theatre 006, 721 Broadway
6:30PM Fusion Competition
Screenings and
Award Ceremony
Join us for a stunning showcase screening of
the finalists in the Fusion Film Festival 2018
Competition. We bring you the next
generation of storytelling greats. Award
presentations and reception will follow the
screenings.
Cantor Film Center, 36 East 8th Street
29

17. www.madvision.com
Be the star of your life
E Y E W E A R

19. Congratulates
all the women
in the
16th annual
Fusion Film Festival!
NYWIFT advocates for equality in the moving image
industry and supports women in every stage of their
careers. As the preeminent entertainment industry
association for women in New York, NYWIFT
energizes women by illuminating their achievements,
presenting training and professional development
programs, awarding scholarships and grants, and
providing access to a supportive community of peers.
Learn more at www.nywift.org
Join the conversation:
@NYWIFT / #NYWIFT

20. Congratulations to the Fusion
Film Festival on 16 Years of
Celebrating and Inspiring
Female Storytellers!

21. HBO ad
Thank you, HBO, for
believing in us!
-The Fusion Film Festival Team
The Will and Jada Smith
Family Foundation is
pleased to support the
Fusion Film Festival
and its work on behalf of
women in the
entertainment industry.

22. Fusion is produced with generous support from
Tisch Profunds:
The Office of the Dean
The Tisch Undergraduate Student Council