This PowerPoint further elaborates on our 2020 SXSW PanelPicker proposal. Diversity and representation are challenges facing the entertainment industry. However, in recent years, we’ve seen how the inclusion of underrepresented voices has positively impacted society as a whole, further emphasizing the importance of these efforts. This panel will discuss how content creators and storytellers of diverse backgrounds can break into the industry, and the support of producers and distributors recognizing the importance of such new voices for the next generation of media consumers. The panel brings together key players of diverse backgrounds to share how they broke into Hollywood and how they are now using their stature to create positive change in our society.

1. Breaking into Hollywood
and Creating Change

2. 1
Who are the next generation of content creators?
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020

3. 2
How would Hollywood and society in general benefit from inclusion
of more diverse voices in the creative process?
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020

4. 3
Imagine the possibilities of an industry driven by successful creators
of diverse backgrounds.
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020

5. 4
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020
Our panel will strive to address the following questions:
• What opportunities exist for up-and-coming storytellers of diverse backgrounds to
break into the entertainment industry
• Why inclusion and representation are important issues for key players in the
entertainment industry
• Why the visions of underrepresented storytellers are crucial to today’s cultural
landscape

6. 5Meet the Panelists: The Storyteller
 Hear from Bert, part of the female writing-
directing duo Bert&Bertie, as she discusses
how she broke into the industry and joined
forces with her co-writer and co-director Bertie
to form their own unique style of storytelling in
2005.
 Named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch,
and recognized by the DGA as one of the few
female directing teams, their narrative work is
award winning in both drama and comedy,
having earned them awards across festivals
and short-listed for the Oscars.
 One of their most recent film projects, Troop
Zero (a comedy-drama film distributed by
Amazon Studios), premiered as the 2019
Sundance closing night film.
 Bert will discuss how the duo is committed to
mentoring younger filmmakers especially girls,
and how Troop Zero left a legacy program
which mentors local young female filmmakers
in the towns Amazon shot in.
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020
Hear from Bert
of the Female Writing-Directing
Duo “Bert&Bertie”

7. 6Meet the Panelists: The Producer
 With nearly two decades of experience in the
motion picture industry, Nina has gained a
positive reputation for having an in-depth
knowledge of film financing, creative and
physical producing, and discovering talent,
like that of Ryan Coogler (Marvel’s Black
Panther), whose first film, Fruitvale Station
was produced by Nina and her producing
partner, Forest Whitaker.
 Together under their banner, Significant
Productions, Nina and Forest have produced
a number of critically-acclaimed films by
auteur filmmakers of color, including
Dope, Songs My Brothers Taught
Me, Roxanne Roxanne and Sorry To Bother
You, all of which premiered at Sundance.
 Nina will discuss her mission of creating
opportunities and inclusivity for underserved
and underrepresented storytellers by
producing culturally significant films and
television programming.
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020
Hear from Award-Winning Producer
Nina Yang Bongiovi

8. 7Meet the Panelists: The Development Executive
 Recognized in 2018 by The Hollywood
Reporter as one of the Next Gen Leaders in
Hollywood, Bryan Smiley is Vice President of
Creative Development & Production at
Columbia Pictures, a Sony Pictures
Entertainment company.
 Most recently at Columbia, Bryan
spearheaded a major production deal with
Unanimous Media, the production company of
NBA All-Star Stephen Curry.
 Bryan will discuss how he broke into the
industry, his role at a major studio, and how
his background impacts his decision-making.
 Bryan’s knowledge stems from an extensive
career in the industry, spanning co-founding
No Label Productions, a multicultural film &
television company with NBA star Baron
Davis, consulting for Fox Digital Entertainment
and Fox Digital Studios, and as Executive
Director of Home Entertainment & New
Business Development for New Regency
Productions.
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020
Hear from Bryan Smiley
Vice President of Creative
Development and Production
Columbia Pictures

9. 8Moderated By: The Entertainment Lawyer
 Sophia Yen is a partner in the Entertainment
and Media group at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips,
LLP.
 Profiled in Variety’s “Dealmakers Impact
Report” for 2017 and 2018, this prestigious
annual report identifies key Hollywood
dealmakers—corporate strategists, financiers
and attorneys—who are making things
happen in the entertainment industry.
 Sophia has negotiated and structured many
ground-breaking deals across the wide
spectrum of traditional and new medium
platforms.
 As a trusted advisor to studios, producers,
financiers and new media companies, Sophia
is in a unique position to bring together the
panel's industry experts on this topic.
Breaking Into Hollywood and Creating Change | SXSW 2020
Hear from Sophia Yen
Partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips