WORKSHOPS & PANELS

WORKSHOP A: Leading with Authenticity, Confidence & Courage

VIRTUAL ZOOM WORKSHOP

Run By Michelle Claffey

Join this year’s Virtual Workshop with executive and team coach Michelle Claffey (PhD, PCC) on Leading with Authenticity, Confidence, and Courage, focusing this year on how these show up in conflict situations. Healthy Conflict is normal and necessary for relationships and teams to thrive. Learn more about your conflict style and how you might lean into it, practice new skills, and encourage healthy conflict in filmmaking, especially when time pressures and tensions are high. We will explore these concepts together in an interactive, connecting format that fosters individual reflection, group learning, and, of course, fun.

Workshop B / Program #3: Dazzling Dialogue

Secrets to memorable dialogue.

Run By Peter Meech

In this workshop we’ll discuss the making of memorable dialogue, explain the rhetorical principles behind famous movie quotes and learn how to use silence, interruptions and voice-over narration.

Bio: Peter Meech is a writer/director/producer of film and television and the author of two books. Most recently he wrote, directed and produced Around Robin, a mystery thriller, which is available on Amazon and several streaming services.

PANELS & WORKSHOP at

Wilshire Screening Room

Sunday, September 27th

Women Behind-The-Camera Panel

1:15pm (9/27 @ Wilshire Screening Room)

Moderated by Patricia DiSalvo Viayra

Panelists: Tessa blake, courtney franklin & Debbie Formoso

Tessa Blake (American Horror Story, Matlock) is an award-winning filmmaker and prolific television director. Chosen as one of eight women for AFI's prestigious Directing Workshop for Women, Tessa's films have premiered at Cannes, Woodstock and SXSW, have won awards at Nantucket Film Festival and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, have been honored by the Academy, and been released theatrically. "Boundary Waters," a coming of age drama she wrote and directed starring Carol Kane, Bill Heck and Allison Miller, will be theatrically released in 2025. As a writer, she has enjoyed script deals with ABC, NBC, FOX and Warner Brothers. Most recently, she is the creator/showrunner for a series set up with producers in Spain based on the book "Sisterhood of Spies: the Women of the OSS."

Tessa has directed plays for Naked Angels Theater Company and The Atlantic Theater Company, is a proud alumna of the 24 Hour Plays, and a founding advisor for The Moth.
- IMDb mini biography by: Asset Pictures

Courtney Franklin is a television director whose career has taken her from Gary, Indiana, to the sets of some of television’s most memorable comedies and dramas. Her directing credits include The Sex Lives of College Girls and Grand Crew, built on a career behind the camera that includes Insecure, Silicon Valley, Ugly Betty, How to Get Away with Murder, Queens, and Single Drunk Female. At her core, Courtney is a storyteller drawn to smart characters, complicated people, unexpected humor, and the human moments hiding in chaos. A former 1st Assistant Director and production professional, Courtney brings a filmmaker’s eye, a producer’s practicality, and an AD’s ability to keep things moving. Most recently, she has collaborated with talent including Anthony Anderson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Miley Cyrus, Dave Chappelle, and Shaboozey across music, comedy, and live entertainment projects. An award-winning writer and producer of the suspense/horror short NANY, now airing on AllBlk, Courtney also mentors emerging and mid-career filmmakers through organizations including Rideback Rise and the Directors Guild of America. She currently serves on the DGA’s National Board and AD/UPM Council and has participated in several DGA directing and mentorship initiatives. “Learning is Living” is one of the tenets she attributes to her success. She is also a proud aunt to 10 nieces and nephews.

Debbie Formoso is an award-winning writer, director and producer who was raised a math nerd and a high school athlete by two Filipino accountants in LA’s San Fernando Valley. Her passion for travel led to working on projects in 28 states and directing award-winning short films in Nicaragua and the Philippines. Formoso is an alum of Ryan Murphy’s Half-Initiative program, a semi-finalist of the Page Screenwriting awards, a fellow of Film Independent’s Project:Involve and a Clios Bronze award recipient for her commercial work. Her short film "Nagpapanggap" premiered at Tribeca, and won Best Short Film at the Hawaiian International Film Festival and Outstanding Screenwriting at HATCHFest. Her short documentary "Casa Llanta" was a Semi-Finalist for GE’s Focus Forward Filmmaker Competition. Formoso also directs cinematic, emotionally compelling ads for major studios and brands like Disney, ABC, Land Rover, Stella Artois and Powerade. As an active member of the Directors Guild of America, she is currently serving as a Co-Chair of the Asian American Committee and is an active participant of the Women's Steering Committee .

Patricia DiSalvo Viayra is an award winning filmmaker, (writer, director, producer and actress) member of the WGA, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lady Filmmakers. Currently she has several projects in development including the proof of concept she is previewing at the festival this year.

Alyson Fouse is a writer from Compton, California whose career began after a radio sketch caught the attention of Keenen Ivory Wayans, leading to a writing position on The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. She recently created and produced Act Your Age and wrote for Netflix’s animated series Good Times. Her television credits also include Me/We, The Neighborhood, Big Shot, A League of Their Own, and Born Again Virgin, where she served as Executive Producer and Showrunner. She has also worked on sitcoms including Everybody Hates Chris, My Wife and Kids, and The Cool Kids. On the film side, Alyson’s credits include Scary Movie 2 and several installments of the Bring It On franchise, including All or Nothing, In It to Win It, Fight to the Finish, Worldwide, and Cheer or Die. Her resume also includes major specials and awards shows such as the MTV Video Music Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards, BET Awards, and Black Girls Rock. Before Hollywood, Alyson worked at Cal State University, Long Beach while studying Creative Writing and African American Studies. She considers her greatest accomplishment as a single working mother during all of this to be maintaining her sanity without committing any major felonies.

Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin are writing partners who have been friends since high school. They love stories about fierce women, no matter the genre. They co-wrote Disney’s live-action Mulan. Recent assignments include: a biopic about genius computer pioneer Grace Hopper; a high-octane heist movie for Alcon Entertainment; and Spellbound (which premiered on Netflix in November 2024), with an all-star cast of Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem, for Skydance Animation, directed by Shrek co-director Vicky Jenson, music and lyrics by 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Currently, they’re writing an animated comedy for NWave and TF1, a live-action drama for Columbia Pictures, and a book adaptation for Amazon. They are thrilled that their screenplay about German-Iraqi activist Farida Khalaf is about to begin production with Scottish BAFTA-winning filmmaker Hassan Nazer directing. Lauren and Elizabeth are repped by IAG, Anvil Entertainment, and Kleinberg, Lange, Cuddy & Carlo.

Patricia DiSalvo Viayra is an award winning filmmaker, (writer, director, producer and actress) member of the WGA, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lady Filmmakers. Currently she has several projects in development including the proof of concept she is previewing at the festival this year.

Meredith Thomas is an award-winning actress, producer, and director with more than 200 film and television credits. Dubbed “Lifetime Movie Royalty” by PopSugar, Meredith is particularly recognizable for Lifetime’s popular Wrong franchise, including The Wrong Blind Date, The Wrong Crush, and The Wrong Valentine. A prolific holiday-film favorite, Meredith has appeared in 15 Christmas films across Netflix, Hallmark, Lifetime, ION, and other networks. Her latest holiday film, All for Christmas, premieres this year on Netflix. As a producer, Meredith has worked on Emmy-nominated projects including Mafia Spies and $tack$, and more than a dozen projects featuring her work have appeared on the Primetime Emmy ballot over the past decade. Meredith is also the founder of FYC Independents, a platform driving Emmy® nominations and wins since 2018 while championing historic firsts in representation. Through her work both on and behind the camera, she continues to build opportunities for independent voices and broaden representation across the entertainment industry.

Alexa Pereira is an Emmy-nominated and Artios Award-winning casting professional with over a decade of experience. Her work spans independent features, theater, television, and numerous short films. In addition to independently casting her own projects, Alexa works with the acclaimed Greenstein/Daniel Casting office, most recently on the Netflix series Nobody Wants This. Her past credits include the Emmy-nominated The Muppets Mayhem (Disney+), New Girl (Fox), and the feature films Stop That Train and The Fire Inside. She also serves as Co-Casting Director for The Blank Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival. A former actress herself, Alexa has a deep appreciation for the performer’s process and loves working with and coaching actors to help them develop their technique, build confidence, and bring their best work into the room.

Dana Scott graduated from Roosevelt University with a BFA in Theater in 1995. She began her career as an actress before transitioning into production, where she now works as an Executive Producer, Line Producer, and Director. Her producing credits include Season 2 of BEEF on Netflix, for which she is currently Emmy-nominated; The Resort on Peacock; Season 4 of Ozark on Netflix, which also received an Emmy nomination; Station Eleven on HBO Max; and Utopia on Amazon Prime. Her upcoming projects include the Barbershop series for Amazon Prime and The Spot, starring Claire Danes and Ewan McGregor, for Hulu. Thirst marks Dana’s solo directing debut. She is the owner of 24 Truth Productions and also works as a freelancer, bringing dedication, passion, and tenacity to every project she takes on.

Courtney M. Franklin is a television director whose career has taken her from Gary, Indiana, to the sets of some of television’s most memorable comedies and dramas. Her directing credits include The Sex Lives of College Girls and Grand Crew, built on a career behind the camera that includes Insecure, Silicon Valley, Ugly Betty, How to Get Away with Murder, Queens, and Single Drunk Female. At her core, Courtney is a storyteller drawn to smart characters, complicated people, unexpected humor, and the human moments hiding in chaos. A former 1st Assistant Director and production professional, Courtney brings a filmmaker’s eye, a producer’s practicality, and an AD’s ability to keep things moving. Most recently, she has collaborated with talent including Anthony Anderson, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Miley Cyrus, Dave Chappelle, and Shaboozey across music, comedy, and live entertainment projects. An award-winning writer and producer of the suspense/horror short NANY, now airing on AllBlk, Courtney also mentors emerging and mid-career filmmakers through organizations including Rideback Rise and the Directors Guild of America. She currently serves on the DGA’s National Board and AD/UPM Council and has participated in several DGA directing and mentorship initiatives. “Learning is Living” is one of the tenets she attributes to her success. She is also a proud aunt to 10 nieces and nephews.

Alexandre Coscas is a co-founder of Basset Hound Distribution and Reckless Pictures. With nearly 3 decades of industry experience, Alex has produced over 65 movies in the United States, Canada, Ireland and beyond, and has an extensive background in the TV & Film industry, spanning experience in distribution, sales, development and producing. An entrepreneur at heart, Coscas created various prosperous companies over the years, including international sales companies and several production companies. After beginning his business partnership with Michael Goldstein via Basset Hound Distribution, they noticed a gap in the quality of service in Canada, with limited creative approach to filmmaking and with their partner, Aidan Heatley, created Reckless Pictures to fill that gap for their films and TV content. Over time, Reckless Pictures (along with Basset Hound Distribution) has grown to produce and service projects for a multitude of networks and producers worldwide, including Hallmark, Lifetime, NBC/E!, Netflix, Hulu, CBS, FOX, Amazon, ABC and others. His current slate includes series projects with Netflix, Netflix Studios, Amazon MGM and Hallmark. Coscas is passionate about producing and developing content based on original ideas, formats, books, graphic novels and other IP. He is always on the lookout for new, exciting content to develop, produce and sell.

Sarah Gurfield is an LA native who directs for stage and screen. She directed The Donors, a comedy series executive produced by Kevin Hart for his LOL Network & Lionsgate. Her comedic short films, Boy Eats Girl and Thumb, have won numerous awards and screened at dozens of festivals including Dances With Films, LA Shortsfest, Cinequest, and of course, Lady Filmmakers. Sarah began her career directing theatre in and around NYC; highlights include work at The Roundabout, Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Directors Company, and Carnegie Hall. She’s a founding member and resident director of Santa Monica Repertory Theater, where she’s directed many productions, workshops, and readings since its inception in 2010. Favorite projects with the company include PYGMALION, PROOF, THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (in collaboration with the Broad Stage). As a member of The Alliance of Women Directors, Sarah also directs at The Actors Studio, where she was selected by Martin Landau and Mark Rydell in 2012. She’s a faculty member at Hollywood’s Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, an SDCF Award winner, and a private coach for writers & actors. In her spare time, she rehearses for retirement by learning mah jongg and reading cozy mysteries.

J.M. Sorensen grew up in northern Minnesota before moving to Los Angeles. There, she graduated with an Associate of Arts in Cinema Production at Los Angeles City College and embarked on multiple internships under editors working in MTV and SAG/AFTRA. Over the years, she has created documentary content on subjects ranging from Seattle Seahawks fans to life in a remote Antarctic research station. Sorensen is a 2024 Film Fellow of the Twin Cities Film Festival and in December 2025 graduated with a Bachelor’s in Screenwriting at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She hones her craft through creating short films such as her recent “A Slice of Life” in pursuit of her ultimate goal: to write and direct a feature film. She strives to tell stories that cast a light upon the shadows of humanity, illuminating the qualities that unite and carry us through struggles both ephemeral and eternal.

Katherine Griffin is from Bloomington, Indiana and lived in 3 states, 10 cities, and 17 different addresses before she turned 18. Movies and television became her consistent passion.

She attended PCPA for performing arts and UCLA for screenwriting. She works as a writer, director, editor, and producer on television and films. She has been nominated for eleven Primetime Emmy Awards with one win for editing Top Chef.

Her screenplays and pilots have been semi-finalists in the Nicholl Fellowship, Cinestory Fellowship, Zoetrope, Austin, Page Awards, Tracking Board, and the UCLA Screenwriting Competition.

 She collaborated with acclaimed film director Alfonso Arau on the feature screenplays: Stardust and Barge on the Seine. She is co- producer of the award-winning feature documentary Laddie: The Man Behind The Movies about the life and career of Alan Ladd, Jr. She was selected to be a part of Shonda Rhimes Masterclass on becoming a Showrunner, worked as a producer/director for Disney Plus Latin America, and has been invited to direct the International Screenwriting Association workshop at the Sundance Film Festival three years in a row.

Shannon Denise Evans is a multidisciplinary creator and Founder of Storycraft Eleven, focused on voyeuristic, character-driven stories where human choices lead to supernatural consequences.

Her literary work includes the psychological thriller novel Velvet Moon Chronicles: The Leveling. As a playwright, she has authored four full-length plays. In film and television, Shannon has created a portfolio of original properties, including the award-winning feature screenplay Better Angels, which won Best Feature Screenplay at Lady Filmmakers Festival and WRPN Women's International Film Festival, and took the Suspense Category at ISA Fast Track Fellowship, as well as having received 12 additional awards. As a filmmaker, she recently completed the short films The Black Door and All Cats Are Grey In The Dark, both of which have won multiple festival awards including Best Director, Best Narrative Film, and Best Actress.

Shannon is a member of WGA, SAG-AFTRA, Dramatists Guild, American Federation of Musicians, Society of Composers and Lyricists, and Actors' Equity Association.

She splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City.