Our Judging Panel

Cinzia Coassin started her career as a theatre, film and television actor. Challenging herself to develop new ideas has led her to expand into many areas of the entertainment industry. Her work has continued to evolve across acting, casting, producing and creative development. Nurturing cultural identity and family relationships on a universal scale has always been an important influence in her choice of projects. This led her to work in association with the Multicultural Arts Festival, Carnivale, and to produce the short film festival *Ten to One*. The festival provided a platform for writers, producers and directors from culturally diverse backgrounds to showcase their stories and films. During the two seasons of *Ten to One*, Cinzia asked filmmakers to donate a prop from their film to be auctioned. The proceeds from these auctions were donated to Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia. This added a charitable element to the festival alongside its focus on culturally diverse storytelling. Cinzia later expanded her experience in the industry by becoming Faith Martin’s Casting Assistant. This allowed her to explore film and television from another perspective, assisting on *The Strip*, *Blood Brothers*, *Spartacus: Blood and Sand*, *Spartacus: Gods of the Arena*, *Spartacus: Vengeance*, *Legend of the Seeker* and the children’s series *K9*. Her feature film credits during this period included *33 Postcards*, *The King Is Dead!*, *Satellite Boy*, *Evil Dead* and *The Cabin in the Woods*, along with work across four ABC US pilot seasons and projects for FOX, CBS and NBC. As a seasoned Casting Associate and industry professional, Cinzia went on to work at Christine King Casting. There she was involved in the casting process for *The King’s Daughter*, *The Dressmaker*, *Kill Me Three Times*, *Camp* (NBC, USA), the 2014 CBS pilot season, *The Code* and *Hiding* (ABC Australia). She was also involved with the Australian search for HBO’s *Game of Thrones*, as well as *Hercules*, *The Shannara Chronicles*, *Into the Badlands* and *The BFG*. Cinzia’s US casting searches have also included Disney’s *A Wrinkle in Time* and *Ugly*, a true story based on supermodel Stacey McKenzie’s life story. These projects further expanded her involvement in international casting. Her work has continued to span both Australian and overseas productions. In 2019, Cinzia was nominated for a Casting Guild Award for Best Casting in a Feature Film for her work on *Unsound*, an Australian feature film supporting disability and diversity. *Unsound* also received an AACTA nomination for Best Indie Film in 2020. The project remains one of her notable credits within Australian independent film. As Casting Director on the action sci-fi feature *Occupation: Rainfall*, Cinzia also took on the challenge of coordinating all background artists and extras. She later cast *Suka*, a choose-your-own-adventure action series shooting in Sydney, and *Weapons of Choice*, a TV series shooting in Queensland, Australia. Cinzia has also maintained a busy slate of feature film and television projects in various stages of production. More recently, Cinzia has become involved in attaching finance to film and TV projects. This has contributed to her developing ideas alongside teams of creatives and broadening her involvement in the development process. Her career continues to span casting, production and creative collaboration. Alongside her professional career, Cinzia is also a proud mother, daughter and sister. Family remains an important part of her life and perspective. She continues to bring that perspective to her work across the entertainment industry.

David graduated from Sydney’s National Institute of Dramatic Art to become an award-winning stage and screen actor. He has played major roles for the Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company. He was also part of the first Australian production of *The Rocky Horror Show*. David’s TV and film credits include *Mad Max* and *My First Wife*. He also delivered a multi-award-winning performance in the TV mini-series *Water Under the Bridge*. In addition to his screen work, David is an acclaimed voice-over artist. David has directed many TV dramas, including *State Coroner* and *Good Guys Bad Guys*. His directing credits also include his AFI Award-winning episode of *The Wayne Manifesto*, the ABC’s *SeaChange* and Jonathan M. Shiff’s *Wicked Science*. He was also set-up and series director for the undercover cop series *Stingers*. David also directed many episodes of *City Homicide*. He was the Voice Director on the Media World/BBC/Disney children’s TV series *Dogstar*. His directing work has spanned drama, children’s television and long-running Australian series. David is an Associate at the VCA School of Drama, having run its Film and TV Course. He also conducts directing workshops at the VCA Film and TV School. In addition, he holds screen performance workshops at 16th Street, FTSI and TAFTA.

I’m an AACTA and three-time Australian Directors Guild (ADG) nominee and Australian film and television director. My work draws heavily on my experiences growing up in Alice Springs and living with a disability. I explore unique characters through a compassionate but darkly comic lens. I began making films in 2007 after a motorcycle accident led to me becoming a paraplegic. One of my early projects was filming the National Motocross Championship, and after realising I was out of my depth, I moved to Melbourne to study filmmaking. My graduating film, *A Static Wind*, won Best Tertiary Short Fiction at the 2016 ATOM Awards and earned me a finalist position in the 2017 Lexus Australia Short Film Fellowship. I produced and starred in the feature documentary *Finke: There and Back* with Brindle Films, which was distributed by Madman Entertainment. The following year, I directed *Burlesque Blokes*, a 22-minute documentary exploring the life of an Australian male stripper, which received over three million views online. I also directed *The Legend of Burnout Barry*, a TV special for ABC and ACTF, which earned me a nomination for Best Direction in a Children’s Program at the 2020 ADG Awards. In 2021, I made my series direction debut, directing two episodes of the ABC Kids/Netflix series *MaveriX*, where I also served as a co-creator with Rachel Clements and Sam Meikle. The show was nominated for Best Children’s Program at the 2022 AACTA Awards. I also received two further ADG nominations for my direction of the series. I recently directed the short film *Don’t Come In… Yet!*, featuring Oli Pizzey-Stratford, Ella Newton, Toby Truslove and Warwick Capper. The film screened at festivals including CinefestOZ, Flickerfest, St Kilda, Dances With Films and the Calgary International Film Festival. I was also listed as one of Inside Film’s RISING STARS directors for 2022. In the same year, I directed the documentary *We Are Sexual Beings* for SBS/NITV, which explores what it’s like to be young, disabled and sexual in modern Australia. Additionally, I served as series director for the 15-episode web series *Wildlifers!* for ABC ME. My work continues to span drama, documentary and children’s television. I currently have several projects that have received development funding, including *Shafted*, a dark comedy about a FIFO worker injured in a mining accident. I am also developing *Hard as Puck*, a feature documentary following Australia’s first national Para Ice Hockey team as they attend the world championships. Think *Cool Runnings* meets *Murderball*.

With numerous award-winning credits to her name, Lisa Duff’s producing career spans over 20 years. Her feature film credits include *Last Train to Freo*, *Last Cab to Darwin*, starring Michael Caton and Academy Award-nominated Jacki Weaver, and *UnIndian*. *UnIndian* was the first feature film financed by the Australia India Film Fund and starred Brett Lee and Tannishtha Chatterjee. Lisa was producer of the critically acclaimed documentary *Sexing the Label* for SBS, which also received a theatrical release in Australia. She produced *The Future Makers* for the Discovery Channel, as well as a number of short TV dramas and documentaries for Australian broadcasters. These include the drama *Road* for SBS and Leah Purcell’s short drama *Aunty Maggie & The Womba Wakgun* for the ABC series *The New Black*. Lisa has completed a Master’s thesis on the impact of the global film industry on Australian filmmaking culture and also holds a Juris Doctor degree. She worked as a Senior Production Investment and Development Manager at Screen Australia for five years, overseeing feature film and TV drama projects. Her career spans producing, development and production investment across Australian film and television.

Nick has appeared on radio, stage and screen across Australia, the UK and the USA. His stage credits include *Alice in Wonderland*, *Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical*, *Orry*, *Old Frenemies*, *Ruben Guthrie*, *Girl’s Night Out* and *52 Pick Up*. Other stage appearances include *Cliffhanger*, *Something Cloudy Something Clear*, *An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein*, *Nursery Crimes*, *Snow White* and many more. His television credits include *Pure Genius* (CBS), the Emmy-winning *SoCal Connected* (KCET Los Angeles), *Home and Away*, *All Saints* and *Saturday Disney* (Network 7). He has also appeared on *Video Hits* (Ten), *Watch Your Own Wednesday* and *The Big Help News* (Nickelodeon). His ABC TV credits include *Changi*, *Creature Features*, *Nick Gets the Knack*, *Kids in the Garden*, *Rollercoaster Video Chat* and the *Young Performers Awards*, along with *Flat Chat* and *Tanya and Floyd* (Nine Network) and *Pizza* (SBS). Nick’s film credits include *Love and Penguins*, *The Truth About Taro*, *Boytown*, *Liquid Bridge* and *12 Pound Balls*. For *12 Pound Balls*, he also won Best Original Composition for the song *One Champion* at the Portland International Comedy Film Festival. His work therefore spans acting, music and performance across both Australian and international productions. Nick is also an accomplished writer, producer and recording artist. He has released albums through ABC Music, Shock Records, Universal and Warner Records. His self-titled pop record was named one of the top 20 albums of the year of its release by *The Sydney Morning Herald*.

Travis is an award-winning actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in the blockbuster *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*, Angelina Jolie’s *Unbroken*, *Gallipoli* and *Pirates of the Caribbean*. Other credits include *Top End Wedding*, *Danger Close*, *Preacher*, *Love Child* and *Heartbreak High*. In 2024, Travis made his writing debut with *Dusty*, a multi-award-winning short film that has earned Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Makeup, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design honours across Australian and international film festivals. He will next be seen in the upcoming dark comedy *Birthright*, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Tsu Shan Chambers is a former Senior Executive turned Actor/Writer/Producer, passionate about bringing awareness to issues that matter through telling thought-provoking stories. In 2023, she was elected to the SPA Council, included in IF Magazine’s Rising Talent List, and included in the inaugural AA122 list, recognising Asian Australians who have had the most impact on Australian culture. Tsu Shan was also awarded the Charlie’s Grant Residency with AiF in 2021. In 2022, Tsu Shan was selected for the AWG/Create NSW First Break. She has also been selected to serve on numerous industry committees, including the Diversity Justice Lens group for screen equity and inclusion and the AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group. Tsu Shan produced the feature *Unsound*, about deaf culture and pride. It won and was nominated for a raft of key industry awards, including Best Indie Film at the AACTA Awards in 2020, and has obtained distribution in multiple international territories, including Netflix in ANZ and Fuse TV in the US. She produced *Suka*, a multicultural action drama supported by Screen NSW that broadcast on Ch9 in 2023 and was a top pick on Prime. Tsu Shan’s latest feature, which she co-wrote and produced, *My Eyes*, is a heartfelt family drama inspired by true events, starring Adam Garcia (*Coyote Ugly*) and Kieu Chinh (*The Joy Luck Club*). It was released theatrically across Australia and the US in June 2025.

Niyati Libotte is an award-winning director, creative producer and musician working across film, television and digital media. Her work focuses on empathy, impact and amplifying voices, particularly those that are underrepresented. Alongside her professional practice, Niyati has lectured at the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), working with emerging filmmakers on the creation of over 150 short films. She has also collaborated with Indigenous youth through *Directing the Hero Within* and mentored students with disability through the Academy of Media and Focus on Ability Awards. Her screen work includes directing *Growing Home with Jamie Durie* (Channel 7, 2024), producing *Australian Fashion: Past, Present & Future* (SBS, 2025), and the Emmy-winning climate drama *Scorched* (Network 9, 2008). Her work in the disability space includes the ABC feature *Duncan’s Story*, as well as a biopic in development about an Australian of the Year. Niyati favours films that feel honest, carry a point of view and stay with you, grounded in the belief that stories really can change the world.

ER Ruiz was born in Los Angeles, California, and is an American actor and burn survivor who played the role of Gillon in the FX original series *Sons of Anarchy*. Making his debut in the episode *The Revelator* during the series’ first season, ER portrayed a lead member of the One-Niners. His most recent projects include BET’s *The Family Business*, Stephen King’s *Lisey’s Story* on Apple, and *Worth* with Michael Keaton, directed by Sara Colangelo for Netflix in September 2021.

Judi Levine has had an extensive producing career in feature films, television mini-series and documentaries, and has been associated with award-winning film projects since her first short feature, *Plead Guilty, Get a Bond*, won an AFI Award for Best Screenplay in a Short Film. Levine produced the award-winning feature film *The Sessions*, starring Oscar-winner Helen Hunt and Oscar-nominees John Hawkes and William H. Macy. A highlight of Levine’s career, the film won numerous international awards, including Audience Awards at the Sundance, San Sebastian and Mill Valley Film Festivals, a Sundance Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast, and acting nominations and awards at the Independent Spirit, Golden Globe and Academy Awards. In 2017, Levine was a co-producer on the WWII drama *The Catcher Was a Spy*, starring Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti and Guy Pearce, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and opened across the US that same year. Levine recently completed the romantic comedy *Falling for Figaro*, starring Joanna Lumley and Danielle Macdonald, due for release in 2021, and is currently producing the comedic drama *How to Please a Woman* in Perth, Western Australia. While Levine has a number of projects in development through her company, Such Much Films, she also tours with the seminars *Jumpstart Hollywood*, aimed at helping aspiring artists find an easier path to establishing themselves in Hollywood.

Nicole Lynn Evans was selected as one of the Top 20 Actors from Historically Underrepresented Communities in 2020 by the Casting Society of America. She can currently be seen in her recurring roles on *Superstore* (NBC), *Good Trouble* (Freeform) and *Special* Season 2 (Netflix), coming soon.

Bryanna Reynolds is an Australian-born documentary filmmaker, director and producer based in Los Angeles. Before transitioning into directing documentaries, she built a career producing more than 200 episodes of unscripted television across the United States, Canada and Australia. Her credits include *The Curse of Oak Island* for the History Channel, *Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch* and *Filthy Fortunes* for Warner Bros. Discovery. Drawing on years of experience crafting compelling factual stories in fast-paced television, Bryanna founded Jurassic Spud Productions to create cinematic documentaries that celebrate extraordinary people and the communities that shape them. Bryanna is passionate about documentary filmmaking because she believes real stories have the power to connect, educate and inspire. She is drawn to subjects that spark curiosity and leave audiences with a deeper appreciation for the world around them, whether through stories of community, science, exploration or human perseverance. Her recent projects include *The Last Eight*, a documentary celebrating the volunteers behind the iconic Rose Parade, and *Outback to Orbit*, her debut feature documentary. Through every film she creates, Bryanna strives to preserve meaningful stories, amplify remarkable voices and remind audiences that some of the most extraordinary stories are the ones happening in real life. Bryanna is honoured to be part of the Focus On Ability Short Film Festival and is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the festival. She believes festivals like Focus On Ability play an important role in celebrating diverse voices, fostering meaningful conversations and showcasing the power of documentary storytelling to inspire positive change.

Entrepreneur, Executive, Financial Educator, Media Producer Brian Altounian’s background includes business development, finance, operations and administration, and he has applied his skills to a variety of start-ups, Fortune 100 companies, and public and private organisations. He currently provides financial advice to individuals, families and companies, working in the areas of investments and insurance products and services through Harbor Light Financial Strategies. He also recently completed five years as the co-founder and co-host of a weekly podcast supporting the special needs community called *Just Two Dads*. Altounian’s expertise is in developing corporate infrastructure and preparing early-stage companies to access capital through the public equity markets and via private equity. He was a Board Director, COO and President of Platinum Studios, Inc., a publicly traded entertainment company that controlled an international library of comic book characters, which it adapted, produced and licensed for all forms of media. In addition to his experience with start-up technology and intellectual property companies, Altounian has worked extensively in the entertainment industry. He was Executive Producer on the romantic comedy feature film *Audrey*, the company representative for Platinum Studios on the feature film *Cowboys & Aliens*, and Co-Producer on the feature film *Dylan Dog: Dead of Night*. He also served as Executive Producer of the documentary *Lost in Woonsocket* and Consulting Producer on the reality television series *Random 1*. He has worked on numerous television series, including *The National Geographic Television Specials* for NBC, a number of children’s series for Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, and countless other national documentary series for PBS affiliate WQED in Pittsburgh. Altounian also serves as Producer and Executive Producer on a number of feature films and television projects currently in development. Altounian holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from UCLA. He recently served as Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Hollywood YMCA. He sits on the Board of YIC Unity, an educational program preparing young adults with disabilities for positions in music and entertainment.

Danny J. Gomez is a professional actor who was paralysed from the waist down in a 2016 mountain bike accident that nearly killed him. He is best known for roles in hit shows such as *NCIS: Hawai’i*, *New Amsterdam* and *All Rise*, as well as the feature film *Martinez, Margaritas and Murder*. He is a two-time Easterseals Disability Film Challenge winner for the films *I/0* (2019) and *Check Mate* (2018), and was nominated for Best Actor for *The Deadline* (2025), which he produced and directed. He was awarded the Christopher Reeve Acting Scholarship in 2020. Most recently, Danny completed a successful Off-Broadway run in the play *All of Me*, alongside Kyra Sedgwick, which garnered rave reviews and earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lead in a Play.

Lucy McNulty (she/her) is an award-winning actor, filmmaker and founder of Strange Company Productions, a boutique production company dedicated to championing underrepresented voices and telling female-centred, socially conscious stories. Her directorial debut, *Chicken*—which she wrote, directed, produced and starred in—won Jury’s Choice and the DEAI Award at the Thomas Edison Film Festival, alongside a Leo Award, Best Script at Santa Barbara ShortFest and Best Performance at Oska Bright (UK). The film was acquired by CBC and screened at over 40 international festivals. Through Strange Company, Lucy has produced a growing slate of acclaimed films, including *Attendance* (Whistler 2024, Pendance 2025), *The Ballad of Niall McNeil* (a spaghetti western musical created by and starring Niall McNeil), *Rupture* (about the gender pain gap) and *How Brief*, starring Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany and directed by Kelly McCormack. She is also a co-founder of DropShock Pictures, producing the genre-breaking feature *Hunting Matthew Nichols*, named one of Deadline’s “2025 Horror Movies to Watch.” A graduate of Studio 58’s acting conservatory and a 2024 resident of the CFC’s Norman Jewison Film Program, Lucy serves as President of Wet Ink Collective—a writer-led initiative for women in film and theatre. She’s drawn to bold, character-driven storytelling and is committed to making films that challenge convention, reflect the complexity of real life and expand who gets to be seen and heard on screen.

Nicole Danek MacNaughton is a talent manager, producer and co-founder of Untamed Artists LA, based in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. She represents a roster of actors working across film and television, with clients appearing in projects including *The Pitt*, *Homestead*, *The Rookie* and *9-1-1*. As a producer, Nicole recently produced *My Type*, a Super 16mm short film directed by Daniela Ruah that premiered at the 41st Santa Barbara International Film Festival and has since screened at BAFTA-qualifying festivals in Europe. The film will next screen at the LA Shorts International Film Festival, a BAFTA- and Academy Award-qualifying festival. She also produced *Reeling*, which premiered in competition at SXSW 2025 before being acquired for distribution by NEON. Through her production company, High High Productions, Nicole develops filmmaker-driven scripted and documentary projects. She continues to work at the intersection of talent representation and independent film, championing distinctive voices and stories with lasting impact.

Alyssa Stratton is an accomplished Los Angeles-based screenwriter and author whose credits span major global networks and international film festivals. An alumna of the prestigious London Film School, Alyssa has written over 40 episodes of television airing across Disney Junior, Warner Bros., Netflix and HBO Max, including work on the GLAAD Award-winning series *Firebuds*. Her original filmmaking and screenwriting have earned critical acclaim, with her short film *The Idea of Growing Old* winning the Audience Award at the Citizen Jane Film Festival, and her script *Poodle Lagoon* taking “Best of the Fest” at the 2025 LA Animation Festival and honours at the 2026 British Animation Festival. Beyond her extensive work for the screen, Alyssa has authored eight picture books, all about discovering awe and celebrating the wonder of nature.

In television, Michael is proud to have worked as a writer/consulting producer on the Netflix smash-hit show *Insatiable* for two seasons. His first smash hit was *The Wedding Planner*, starring Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey, which was number one at the box office for two weeks running. Most recently, Michael and his writing partner, Sybil Villette, sold their female-driven, sports-themed feature dramedy, *Seeing Faith*, to Hallmark in 2023. They are currently in the final stages of development with the producers. Just prior, the duo created the half-hour comedy *Raising the Bar*, on which Denis Leary and his Amoeba Films, through his deal with Fox, are on board as producers. Bill Cunningham (*Scrubs*, *The Goldbergs*) is showrunner, with David Hayter (*Warrior Nun*, *X-Men 1* and *2*, *Watchmen*) as EP. Mike began his career with his former writing partner, Pam Falk, after attending AFI graduate school and earning his M.F.A. in screenwriting. Mike and Pam sold their first script, *Let Them Eat Cake*, to Disney. After that, they sold projects to Fine Line Films, Savoy Pictures and Destination Pictures. They then sold TV pilots to ABC and The CW and worked on the Disney animated feature about singing cows, *Home on the Range*. Mike and Pam went on to sell movie pitches to DreamWorks, Working Title, Revolution Studios, Warner Brothers, Skydance Pictures and Universal. They’ve written movies for Lindsay Doran, Anne Fletcher, Jason Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vin Diesel, Salma Hayek, Meg Ryan, Dwight Yoakam, Elliot Page and America Ferrera, and sold a salsa dancing movie with Sandra Bullock attached to produce and star. Other credits include working as consulting producers on the ABC show *Jake in Progress*, adapting the YA novel *The A-List* for Alloy Entertainment and Universal Pictures, and producing an independent movie from their script based on the acclaimed Aimee Bender novel *An Invisible Sign of My Own*, starring Jessica Alba, Chris Messina and J.K. Simmons. They wrote a sequel to the hit movie *Valentine’s Day*, called *Super Sunday*, about people finding love and happiness at the Super Bowl for Warner Brothers. Next, they sold two TV pilots in the same season: *American Marriage*, a drama with Ellen Pompeo, to ABC, and a comedy, *Marsha Goes to Jail*, with Adam Shankman, to FOX. Not long after, Pam and Mike parted ways in 2021. After that, Michael started writing with Sybil.

Sarah Barton is a 2010 Churchill Fellow with 30 years of filmmaking experience, mainly with the disability community. Her first film, *Untold Desires* (1994), about sexuality and disability, won the first Logie Award for SBS television and an AFI Award. In 2003, Sarah created and produced 70 episodes of the award-winning disability community television series *No Limits*. In 2017, Sarah’s feature documentary *Defiant Lives*, about the disability rights movement, premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and also screened at the United Nations in New York. Sarah runs a video-on-demand service dedicated to streaming great films about disability. In 2024, Sarah was the key support person for her daughter Stella, who competed in the Paris Paralympics in para-dressage.

Sarah E. Fahey’s notable work includes her significant contributions to VH1’s *Hit the Floor* (featuring Teyana Taylor, Logan Browning, Taylour Paige and Kimberly Elise) from 2012 to 2019. Her role spanned various aspects of the show, including producing over forty episodes, writing five episodes and guest-starring in two episodes. She also demonstrated her creative prowess by writing, creating and directing the Emmy-qualifying supplementary series *Dancers Diaries*, which aired on VH1 and VH1 Digital. Prior to her tenure on the staff of *Hit the Floor*, Sarah showcased her versatility by creating digital content for esteemed companies such as Universal, Disney, ABC and Viacom. Her writing skills are also evident in her work for ABC primetime hits *No Ordinary Family*, *Brothers & Sisters*, *Eli Stone* and *Dirty Sexy Money*. In the summer of 2009, Sarah returned to her hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts, to work on the Academy Award-nominated film *The Fighter*. Sarah holds an M.F.A. from Emerson College, a B.F.A. from the University of Massachusetts, and attended the Southampton Writers Conference in New York as a workshop apprentice to playwright Joe Pintauro, Poet Laureate Billy Collins and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Frank McCourt. Her screenwriting has placed her on the shortlist for several coveted competitions, such as the Sundance Episodic Lab, Warner Brothers Writers Workshop and the ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship. Outside of writing and producing, Sarah has also worked on the agency and development side of the industry. She worked as a TV Lit Assistant at CAA and then supported Jon Harmon Feldman at his ABC banner, Oh That Gus, during which time he sold three pilots. Sarah also worked as Manager of Development for Craig Ferguson and Tracey Pakosta’s Green Mountain West. Projects penned by Fahey have been developed with Westbrook, MarVista, FX, Kerner Entertainment, Wildline Entertainment, Warner Horizon, Echo Lake and ABC Studios. Sarah E. Fahey is a member of the Writers Guild of America, Television Academy and Women in Film. She also utilises her talents to advocate for the OneLegacy Foundation, Sandy Hook Promise, Everytown and PEN America.

Most recently, Sybil and her writing partner, Michael Ellis, sold their female-driven, sports-themed feature dramedy, *Seeing Faith*, to Hallmark in 2024. They are currently in the final stages of development. Just prior, the duo created the half-hour comedy *Raising the Bar*, on which Denis Leary and his Amoeba Films, through his deal with Fox, are on board as producers. Bill Cunningham (*Scrubs*, *The Goldbergs*) is showrunner, with David Hayter (*X-Men 1* and *2*, *Watchmen*) as EP. Sybil began her career producing and starring in much sought-after independent films that were hits at Sundance and the Los Angeles Film Festival. As an actress, she went on to star opposite Helen Mirren in the life story of Ayn Rand for Showtime and in many other films and television series. These included the lead female role opposite Ving Rhames in the reboot of *Kojak* for USA Network. Sybil was then granted a coveted Producing Fellowship at Film Independent’s Producers Lab and concurrently began writing her first short, *Piece a Cake*, which premiered through Women in Film and The American Cinematheque in Los Angeles. Sybil’s debut feature as co-writer/producer soon followed with *Audrey*, which premiered in theatres, presented by Helen Mirren and PopSugar. Sybil then began writing and developing *Annie Takes Off*, a digital comedy series for influencer superstar iJustine. Next, *Annie Takes Off* was optioned by Trium/INE. Soon after, Sybil and Michael developed a half-hour comedy for Jay Scherick and David Ronn. Concurrently, Sybil was hired by Oscar and Tony Award winner John Patrick Shanley as a script assistant after he discovered her comedy writing on Twitter. Following that, Sybil began working for showrunner/executive producer Janine Sherman Barrois (*Claws*, *ER*, *Criminal Minds*), doing story notes for her on her series created with John Wells. Subsequently, Sybil was hired by Janine and Eliot Laurence, show creator of *Claws* on TNT, as the in-room writers’ assistant on the show. Barbra Streisand then hired Sybil as her film assistant for her upcoming historical biopic. More recently, Sybil was showrunner’s assistant to Pamela Adlon on her series *Better Things* on FX, which debuted its final season this year. Sybil is currently developing *Prep*, a half-hour dramedy about her life as the only scholarship student in the world’s most prestigious prep/boarding school.

Gil Seltzer is a screenwriter based in NYC with roots in South America and the Middle East. He crafts pressure-cooker scenarios that focus on characters who are on the outside looking in and struggling to make connections. He’s won the PAGE Award, has been selected for Roadmap’s writing program and is a Stowe Story Lab fellow. He’s also a Sundance, Tribeca and SXSW award-winning film editor who recently worked with director Bradley Cooper on *Is This Thing On?*, starring Laura Dern and Will Arnett.