BADWest Pre to Post Workshop - Innovative Distribution

INNOVATIVE DISTRIBUTION

Begin 2026 with us! Join BADWest on Thursday, January 8, 2026 for Innovative Distribution with Liesl Copland, Co-Founder of MATR Labs, at Emerson College Los Angeles Center, 5960 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028.



Ms. Copland will lead an engaging conversation on forward-thinking approaches to documentary distribution—highlighting best practices and current trends in sales and audience reach. Together, we’ll explore how films connect with viewers beyond traditional theatrical releases and broadcast deals. Topics include:

• Community-driven strategies that build grassroots support
• Collaborative partnerships that expand networks and resources
• Hybrid release models blending multiple platforms
• Tech-enabled pathways that increase accessibility and impact

Thursday, January 8, 2026

6:30 - 8:00 pm PST

Emerson College Los Angeles Center

5960 West Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90028

Free underground parking (first come-first serve)

Plenty of street parking available on the side streets

Please bring your ID for entry to the building.

Members RSVP directly to

RSVP by January 7, 2025.

Liesl Copland - A 30-year entertainment industry veteran, Copland has worked in the specialty film sector for most of her career, with the goal of democratizing distribution for unique, independently produced projects. As Co-founder of MATR Labs, Liesl brings her extensive marketplace experience, her digital media experience and credibility, talent relationships and deep strategic advisory expertise to bear on projects from development to release with a specialty in sales, distribution and audience amplification strategies for content in all formats. As Executive Vice President of Content Strategy at Participant, Liesl oversaw Participant’s global sales efforts and worked in tandem with the company’s content teams throughout development and production, advising on optimal strategic options and partner strategy for all of Participant’s projects. She also worked within the C-suite on M&A and the company's larger strategic objectives ensuring that the company’s impact-focused slate met the demands of the marketplace and found the widest possible audience.

Prior to Participant, Liesl worked at powerhouses including WME, Netflix and Endeavor Content, and is known for advising companies and A-list creatives on the always evolving media landscape. Her deep and varied experience allows her to bring her market focus to high-quality, talent led, vision based film and television projects.

Across her entire career, Copland has built in a double bottom line approach to her practice and has a deep focus on social justice reform and impact focused content. She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and serves on the Board of Represent Justice as well as the advisory boards of SommTV and EngageStream. Copland is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with degrees in both English Literature and Art History.

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Host or Publisher Black Association of Documentary Filmmakers West