Through panels, talks, and interactive discussions, the program explores what it means to create and work in film as queer artists, and how we can continue to strengthen the spaces and systems that allow our stories to thrive in the face of cultural, political, and industry challenges.

This year’s gathering will spotlight how we can continue to build inclusive and accessible environments, reach audiences who connect with our stories, assemble teams that advocate for our needs, and protect our artistic identities. 

At a time when the world often feels determined to shut us out, Industry + Filmmaker Day offers a space to recharge, reimagine, and reaffirm that together, we’re our best hope.

PROGRAM

Introductions and Keynote Address by Filmmaker Andrew Ahn (Fire Island, The Wedding Banquet)

11:30am to 12:00pm

Roundtables and Workshops, Part 1

12:00pm to 1:00pm 

Breaking In and Standing Out: Managers, Agents, and Queer Storytelling

Presented by CAA

This roundtable explores what managers and agents look for in new clients, with a focus on creators dedicated to queer storytelling. Industry professionals will discuss how emerging talent can stand out and how they are fostering inclusive, equitable opportunities for queer voices in film and media.

Audience Building for Creative Distribution

Moderated by producer, director, and impact strategist Pulkit Datta (TygerTyger Productions)

In today’s hybrid distribution landscape, building the right audience is key to your film’s success. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to identify and engage your audience, set clear distribution goals, and define what success looks like for your project. Through three essential questions—Who is my audience? What do I want the film to accomplish? How do I measure success?—you’ll develop a focused, actionable plan to maximize your film’s reach, impact, and longevity.

Networking Lunch, presented by Kickstarter

1:00pm to 2:15pm

Roundtables and Workshops, Part 2

2:15pm to 3:15pm

Accessibility as Liberation – Building Inclusive Queer Film Spaces

This panel explores accessibility in film through a queer lens, examining how the fight for disability inclusion intersects with broader efforts to reimagine who gets to create, share, and experience stories. By showing how accessibility practices expand rather than limit possibilities, the conversation highlights how making space for the disabled community fosters a more open, imaginative, and equitable environment for all.

Protecting Yourself and Your Work: Legal Support for Filmmakers

Moderated by Ethan Cohan, Partner at entertainment law firm Del Shaw.

This workshop features a leading entertainment lawyer who will be providing invaluable resources and insight on the best practices for emerging filmmakers. From contract negotiations to copyright protection, the workshop will address key legal considerations unique to the filmmaking process while centering the experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ creatives.

Spotlight Panel

3:30pm to 4:30pm

This keynote panel celebrates the resilience and interdependence that define queer filmmaking, bringing together filmmakers and industry leaders to highlight the spaces, systems, and networks that allow our stories to thrive. Panelists will reflect on how collaboration, mutual care, and community-driven innovation have carried queer storytelling forward while envisioning sustainable, affirming structures for the next generation.

Panelists: Elegance Bratton (filmmaker, The Inspection, Move Ya Body: The Birth of House), Deborah Esquenazi (Peabody-winning journalist and filmmaker, Southwest of Salem, Night in West Texas), Geena Rocero (Writer/Director/Actor – DOLLS), Paul Moakley (executive producer, The New Yorker)

Moderated by: Casey Baron (Tribeca)

Industry + Filmmaker Mixer, presented by LHB Productions

4:30pm to 6:00pm