Films, Workshops & Panels
films with Q&A
MONDAY NIGHT FILM
Little Audrey
Film Screening + Q&A
Jeff Thomas | Producer
Bob Saenz | Moderator
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Jeff Thomas about the story behind a nearly 30-year journey to bring Audrey Santo’s life to the screen.
Directed by Michael Mailer
Produced by John Buffalo Mailer, Michael Mailer, and Jeff Thomas
Featuring: Emily VanCamp, Jennifer Esposito, Josh Bowman, Aidan Quinn, and Robert Wahlberg.
Inspired by the true story of Audrey Santo, Little Audrey follows a Vatican-ordered investigation into reported miracles surrounding a young woman left in a vegetative state since childhood. The film explores faith, mystery, suffering, and the questions that arise when the extraordinary seems to enter ordinary life.
TUESDAY NIGHT FILM
Just One More
Film Screening + Panel
Kaleb & Kyler Cook | Writers & Directors
Kenny Saylor | Executive Producer
John Duffy | Moderator
The screening will be followed by a panel with the filmmakers behind Just One More.
Writers & Directors by Kaleb & Kyler Cook
Executive Producers Kyle & Kenny Saylor
Featuring: Emma Filley, Lance E. Nichols, Christian McCartney, Lily Brody, and Todd Terry
A raw, real, entertaining and beautifully written movie that takes you through several people's journeys of addiction and its ripple effects.When recovering addict Jess meets Charles, a dying man praying that God will use him “just one more” time, their lives collide in unexpected ways. As Jess wrestles with shame and doubt, she begins to discover hope, redemption, and the possibility of a future beyond addiction.
CLOSING NIGHT FILM + INDUSTRY CONVERSATION PANEL
Christmas at Moose Lake
Brian Williams | Executive Producer
Charly White | Development
Mike Snider | WME
Directed by Jennifer Tadlock
Executive Produced by Brian Williams
Featuring: Britt Robertson, Ryan Paevey, Kevin Dillon, and Natasha Henstridge
Christmas at Moose Lake is a warm small-town story about grief, family, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.
Following the film, Brian Williams, Charly White, and WME’s Mike Snider will walk attendees through the journey of a project from development and packaging to production, representation, and distribution, giving writers and filmmakers a practical look at what it takes to move a story from script to screen.
The screening will be followed by a behind-the-scenes industry panel using Christmas at Moose Lake as a real-world look at how a film moves from concept to screen.
BONUS SCREENING TUESDAY MORNING
SPECIAL MORNING FILM SCREENING & PANEL
He Calls Me Daughter
Tuesday, October 20 | 9:00 AM
(Suggested donation of $10 may be made at the door)
Rick Altizer | Director, Producer & Writer
From the award-winning director of the Kendrick Brothers’ documentary Show Me the Father, He Calls Me Daughter explores father-daughter relationships and their lasting impact on a woman’s life. Through honest stories and thoughtful insight, the film examines the deep “father wound” many women carry and reveals how faith in Jesus Christ brings healing, transforms lives, and restores identity. A Heavenly Father changes everything!
Join filmmaker Rick Altizer for this special screening and panel. His documentary Show Me the Father played in more than 1,100 theaters nationwide and earned an A+ CinemaScore. His other directing credits include Russ Taff: I Still Believe, which received nine film festival awards, and three documentaries featuring comedian Chonda Pierce.
Directed by Michael Mailer
Produced by Rick Altizer
Featuring: Chonda Pierce, Alex Kendrick, Lynsi Snyder, Meg Meeker, and BJ Arnett.
Workshops
Monday October 19th Workshops
What No One Is Telling You About Storytelling
Ever since Aristotle, story theorists have been looking at story through a temporal lens—beginning, middle, and end, or first act, second act, and third act. But what if there was another way of conceptualizing story on a more elemental level? What if there was a way of understanding story that was easy to visualize and remember and that would apply to any genre you write? Well, there is, and in this seminar you’ll learn how it can transform your writing, storytelling, and filmmaking.
Steven James
Marc Whitmore
Independent Film:
How Films Actually Make Money
Making a great film is only half the battle. How do you actually make money with it—and return money to your investors? Drawing on decades of experience in talent management, film production and independent distribution, Marc Whitmore takes filmmakers behind the scenes to explore how movies really make—or lose—money. Using real-world examples, he’ll break down budgets, box office, distribution, streaming and ancillary revenue, and show why identifying your audience before you make your film can be as important as the film itself. The workshop concludes with live case studies as Marc invites filmmakers to share their projects and together brainstorm practical ways to turn their films into sustainable, profitable businesses.
The Ins & Outs of Becoming a VO Actor
Kay Bess
The world of Voiceover is a natural extension for stage and screen actors, drawing on the same skills used to develop character, context, relationship, and imagination, but using only the voice.
Explore the many genres of voiceover, from commercials and promos to animation, video games, dubbing, and more. Kay will also cover audition opportunities, simple home studio setups, and how actors can navigate the creative and business sides of VO. Kay’s credits include Toyota, Honda, Apple, Disney Channel, CNN, Comedy Central, HGTV, Discovery, and more.
TUESday October 20th Workshops
Knox Marshall
An inside look at animation and family entertainment with Knox Marshall of Imagination Bay. Drawing from his experience across animated projects, Knox will explore the history and craft of animation while helping writers and storytellers develop a mindset for creating work that truly serves the medium. With humor and a deep respect for the art form, he’ll share insights into storytelling and what it takes to create work worthy of animation.
Thinking for Animation
Leann Barna
Secrets of a Hollywood Script Reader
This workshop takes writers behind the scenes to show what professional readers, development executives, producers, and studios look for in a screenplay. Drawing on real industry experience, Leann Barna will explore how scripts are evaluated from the first page, what makes a story stand out, and the common mistakes that can quickly earn a “pass.”
Writers will gain insight into concept, structure, character, dialogue, pacing, tone, marketability, and overall execution, along with strategies to make their work more professional and competitive. Leann’s background includes screenwriting, creative development, filmmaking, and education, with experience connected to Disney Channel, NBCUniversal, MarVista Entertainment, PureFlix, and Pinnacle Peak Pictures.
Siaka Massaquoi
The New Actor
What does it mean to build a career as an actor today? Siaka Massaquoi brings experience across television, film, comedy, digital media, writing, and producing, with acting credits including NCIS: Los Angeles, S.W.A.T., Lethal Weapon, Lady Ballers, and The Babylon Bee.
Ready to pursue acting but unsure where to start? Join Siaka Massicot for a practical introduction to the business of acting, covering training, headshots, résumés, self-taped auditions, casting platforms, and creating your own opportunities. Learn when to seek representation, how to recognize scams, and how to build a realistic 90-day action plan to develop your skills, create usable footage, and start submitting for work.
SPECIAL DINNER SESSION WITH BOB SAENZ
How to Become a Paid Working Screenwriter
Writing a screenplay is one thing. Getting paid to do it is another. Join Bob Saenz, screenwriter of Church People, The Farmer and the Belle, and Help for the Holidays, for an honest look at the business of screenwriting.
With 24 credited and produced works and 30 years of production and screenwriting experience, Bob will discuss what it takes to break in, keep working, and build a career in an ever-changing industry. He’s also the author of That’s Not the Way It Works and has been hired for professional rewrites, book adaptations, and script polishes.
Bring the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. This bonus talk and Q&A is your chance to hear directly from a working screenwriter about what it actually takes.
Includes pizza and drinks • $20 additional fee
Payment due at festival check-in.
panels
Monday October 19 | The Creative & Business Sides of Storytelling
A conversation bringing together the creative and business sides of storytelling. Steven James brings the perspective of an award-winning storyteller and author, while Marc Whitmore brings decades of experience in entertainment management, acquisition, distribution, production, and consulting.
STEVEN JAMES
Bestselling Author • Storytelling Expert •Speaker
& Host, The Story Blender
MARC WHITMORE
Entertainment Executive • Talent Manager • Producer
Founder & CEO, MWO Management
ZENA DELL LOWE - MODERATOR
Hollywood Screenwriter • Filmmaker • Actress
Founder, The Storyteller’s Mission
tuesday October 20 | Imagination Bay | Vicarion
Knox Marshall + Scott Blanding
Go behind the scenes of VICARION with Knox Marshall and Scott Blanding of Imagination Bay as they share selected scenes and a proprietary trailer, followed by Q&A. The conversation will also highlight Imagination Bay’s broader work and their interest in connecting with writers who care deeply about craft, convictions, and family and kids entertainment.
wednesday October 21 | Film Development & Distribution Panel
A start-to-finish look at how films move from development to distribution. Brian Williams of Third Coast Film and Dave Mechem of EKKL Entertainment will discuss what helps projects succeed, what works in the faith-based film space, and the challenges of finding and reaching the right audience.
Brian Williams
Executive Producer • Entertainment & Business Development
Co-Founder, Third Coast Film
Dave Mechem
Film Acquisitions • Theatrical Distribution • Executive Producer
Head of Acquisitions, EKKL Entertainment
wednesday October 21 | Shamrock Motion Pictures
Will Bigham & Cat Gray
An inside look at building an independent production company, from selecting and developing projects to moving them into production. Will Bigham, winner of Steven Spielberg’s On the Lot, and producer Cat Gray bring decades of combined experience across film and production through Shamrock Motion Pictures. They’ll share lessons learned, common challenges filmmakers underestimate, and what Shamrock is looking for as it continues building its slate.