BIFF Panels: Distribution

BIFF Panels: Distribution

Monday, October 12 @ 1-2pm – live panel streamed to social + website

This panel celebrates the behind-the-scenes talent that distributes, markets and sells films before, after and during their festival run. It provides a holistic look at the ecosystem of distribution from initial release to festival markets and beyond.

Panelists: Bryan Glick, Rebekah Louisa Smith, Nick Ogiony

Moderator: John J. Fink

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About the Panelists:

Bryan Glick is just your typical non-binary gay agnostic Jew. They is a film sales and collaborative distributor focusing on prestige films for underserved communities via their company GQue Films. They are also leading documentary acquisitions for the newly re-launched Alameda Entertainment. Their current lineup includes award winning films from this year's Rotterdam (Drama Girl), Tribeca (The Last Out) and Hot Docs Film Festivals (Keyboard Fantasies: The Beverly Glenn-Copeland Story). Previously they spent 5 1/2 years as The Director of Acquisitions and Theatrical Releasing for The Film Collaborative where they grew their theatrical slate from 2 films a year to 15.

They have released more spirit award nominated films in the last decade than any other distributor including (T)error, Manos Sucias, and the Oscar shortlisted Hooligan Sparrow. They have spoken about creative approaches to distribution at festivals/markets around the world such as Sundance, SXSW, Outfest, Hot Docs, Bogota Audiovisual Market, and Doc Edge NZ.

Nick Ogiony is an Agent in the Film Finance and Sales Group at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Ogiony is based in the Los Angeles office and represents many of the world’s leading producers and directors, and specializes in packaging and arranging financing for motion picture projects.

Since joining CAA in 2009, Ogiony has packaged and arranged financing and distribution for such films as What We Do in the Shadows, Search, Gaga: Five Foot Two, The Guest, Imperial Dreams, Insidious, Kodachrome, The Wife, First Reformed, Studio Ghibli, and Boss Level, among others.

Prior to CAA, Ogiony was at William Morris Agency (WMA) Independent Department. He began his career in entertainment at HBO Films.

Ogiony graduated from Boston University with a degree in Film.

Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith (aka Rebekah Film Dr) was born in Worcestershire, United Kingdom. From humble beginnings working as a Personal Assistant at lots of corporate companies, she worked her way up to become an award-winning consultant and media personality who now has over 10 years of film festival strategy consulting experience. After choosing not to pursue a career in Academia, Rebekah began her film industry career in 2009, working as one of the producers of Wales’ most successful national horror film festival; the ‘Abertoir Horror Festival’.
Rebekah & the hard-working team behind her company The Film Festival Doctor, are creators of success and are committed to nurturing filmmakers in order to help them secure film festival screenings, win awards and a positive recognition within the film industry. Currently her company has won over 800 awards for their clients and her team have supported over 848 creatives across the world enlightening and inspiring their journey towards achieving their goals and following their filmmaking dreams.