EDBI: Industry Networking and Professional Development

Name: EDBI: Industry Networking and Professional Development
Start: 2025-01-21T19:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-01-21T21:30:00-05:00
Location: Manuel's Tavern

Schedule

Tue Jan 21 2025 at 07:30 pm to 09:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Manuel's Tavern | Atlanta, GA

Ready to elevate your film career? Don’t miss this month's Eat, Drink, and B-Indie on Industry Networking and Professional Development. Join ATLFS for a discussion led by our very own Education Director, Melissa Simpson, alongside Karen Ceesay, Charles Judson, and our new Senior Operations Manager, Jenn Sapp as we discuss how to build a professional network, make the most of film festivals, and how to make meaningful connections. Discover essential networking strategies, learn from industry experts, and connect with fellow filmmakers.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
Karen Ceesay is an actress, writer, acting coach, producer and Spelman College alumna, with over twenty years experience in Atlanta, Georgia and throughout the southeast. You may have seen Karen in several of her recurring roles on projects such as, The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, Black Lightning, and Greenleaf to name a few. She currently has a project in development with Laurence Fishburne’s production Company, Cinema Gypsy and wrote on a short form series entitled Intersection which snagged an acting Emmy nomination and several other nominations in various festivals. A respected and long standing member of Atlanta’s entertainment community, Karen is frequently requested to speak on panels at festivals and events such as the Atlanta Film Festival, BronzeLens Film Festival, DragonCon, and was a guest at the famed San Diego Comic Con. For seventeen weeks in 2020, she conducted livestream interviews with filmmakers selected for the Atlanta Film Festival, which was unexpectedly postponed due to the pandemic. Karen serves on the Board of Directors for Film Impact Georgia, on the Artist Advisory Council for ArtsATL, and on the local SAG/AFTRA organizing committee. She still works closely with Women in Film & Television Atlanta (WIFTA) where she served on the Board of Directors for several years. Karen lives in Atlanta with her chef husband and son, a budding director.
An Atlanta native, Charles Judson has been part of the Atlanta film community in various capacities since 2002. Starting with attending the weekly Atlanta Screenwriters Group meetings that opened the door to participating in the early years of the 48 Hour Film Project in Atlanta to becoming a writer and film critic for online magazine CinemATL. He was Communications Director and Artistic Director for the Atlanta Film Festival, where he was on staff for 7 years. In 2014, Charles created and launched Film Bar Mondays, a weekly event for filmmakers in Atlanta, now with sister events in Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. From 2016 to 2018, he was Programming Director for TERMINUS Conference + Festival, a film and gaming event for emerging creators. In 2022, Charles made the jump from non-profit and project management into production working on projects in the Locations Department for various Warner Bros and Netflix projects. He's also currently Creative Director for Film Impact Georgia, an organization dedicated to empowering Georgia filmmakers and creatives through advocacy and their bi-annual film grant.
Jenn Sapp (she/her) hails from the vibrant city of Atlanta. Passionate about utilizing media as a catalyst for social change, she dedicates her expertise to curating impactful cinematic experiences that inspire dialogue and advocacy. Beyond Jenn's professional endeavors, she channels her creativity into crafting immersive narratives as a key member of Time Travel Events. An avid supporter of independent filmmakers, she can often be found championing emerging talent and exploring the diverse landscape of cinema. Additionally, Jenn's love for the performing arts draws her to live performances, where she revels in the magic of stagecraft and storytelling. Driven by a fervent commitment to fostering community engagement and cultural enrichment, she continues to leave an indelible mark on Atlanta's vibrant cultural scene.