Shaping Change: Unleashing the Transformative Power of Impact Producing and Outreach in Documentary Filmmaking
In the contemporary film landscape, filmmakers are embracing impact thinking and incorporating purposeful actions within their productions to effectively engage and mobilize audiences for positive change. Our panel features experts at the intersection of film and social impact, delving into the strategies and insights that drive meaningful impact in this compelling discussion.
SPEAKERS
RORY THOST
Director of Documentary, Participant / US
AMY SHEPHERD
CEO, Think-Film Impact Production / UK
CHRISTIE MARCHESE
Founder & CEO, Kinema / US
MODERATED BY
Mirjam Wiekenkamp
International publicist, Noise Film & TV / NL
TIME
Sunday, August 13th, 2023
16:30 – 18:00 (CET)
LOCATION
Hotel Europe Atrium
Rory Thost
Rory Thost is the Director of Documentary at Participant, where he identifies, develops and supports the slate of films through release. His recent titles include A COMPASSIONATE SPY (2022) and the Academy Award®-nominated ALL THE BEAUTY AND THE BLOODSHED (2022), which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, and Descendant, which Netflix picked up after launching at the Sundance Film Festival. Thost has been a jury member for the Hot Springs Doc Festival international features competition and was named to the 2022 Rising Stars of the Entertainment Industry list by Business Insider. He began his career at Strand Releasing and the news publication Truthdig and holds a degree in film from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Amy Shepherd
Amy Shepherd is the Chief Operating Officer at Think-Film Impact Production, an award-winning impact media company with specialist expertise at the intersection of film and social change. Amy is a highly experienced creative strategist with an extensive professional background in international law, politics and social justice advocacy. She has executive produced and impact produced for documentary and feature productions, including Oscar and Bafta-winning NAVALNY (2022), Oscar-shortlisted THE TERRITORY (2022), WHO I AM NOT (2023), HOW TO SAVE A DEAD FRIEND (2022), THE SCARS OF ALI BOULALA (2021) and IHUMAN (2019).
Christie Marchese
Christie Marchese is the CEO of Kinema, a social cinema platform connecting hosts, filmmakers, and filmgoers. She founded Picture Motion, an impact agency, and led it for nine years. Her clients included award-winning filmmakers, major studios, and foundations. Marchese's impactful campaigns encompassed renowned films like BEFORE THE FLOOD (2016) and 13TH (2016) and TV series like AMERICA DIVIDED (2016-2018). Marchese's expertise lies in utilising film for change, showcased at festivals worldwide. She previously worked at Righteous Pictures and Participant Media, managing initiatives for documentaries like WAITING FOR SUPERMAN (2010) and FOOD INC. (2008). She has been recognised by Business Insider, Fast Company and Fortune. She has served on boards for media organisations and nonprofits. She holds a BA from SDSU in International Security and Conflict Resolution, focusing on Arabic and the Middle East.
Mirjam Wiekenkamp
Mirjam Wiekenkamp has been a publicist for documentaries and fiction films since 2008. She is one of the founders of NOISE and represents films at festivals such as Berlinale, Cannes, CPH:DOX, IDFA, IFFR, Karlovy Vary, and Venice. Some of the films she has recently been working with include SAMSARA (2023), the winner of Special Jury Award Berlinale, MUNCH (2023); COPENHAGEN DOES NOT EXIST (2023); APOLONIA, APOLONIA (2022), the winner of IDFA Award for Best Film, and A ROOM OF MY OWN (2022), the winner of Best Actress Award at Karlovy Vary. She also handles international press for several festivals and events, such as Locarno Pro and the Sarajevo Film Festival.