An honest roundtable discussion about how making, selling and watching media changed under Covid — and how it'll stay changed for indie filmmakers. Watch for only $5!

PANELISTS:

Rafael Francisco and Gabriel Francisco 

Twin brothers Rafael & Gabriel Francisco are independent film producers based in New York City. After careers in finance, sales and small business management and breaks working on projects at Sony and Marvel Studios, they founded Francisco Productions, to produce, direct, and shoot short films and music videos. Their first short film premiered at Cannes short corner and went on to win multiple awards. Their latest feature, critically acclaimed “The Lennon Report.” was a multiple award-winner, notably at the Newport Beach Film Festival. The New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Development selected “The Lennon Report” as an example of New York film during awards season. In 2017 Rafael and Gabriel served as guest speakers at The Pennsylvania Bar Institute for legal and business in making of feature films. They have received awards for their work as producers from Entertainment Partners, who invited them to participate on panels at the Sundance Film Festival, among others. Rafael and Gabriel are members of the New York Production Alliance and are represented by Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers. 

Naomi Bennet is the CEO & Founder of Lesflicks, a global streaming platform, film database, events and community website dedicated to 100% women loving women content featuring lesbian & bisexual stories and characters. She is taking her existing knowledge of the LBTQ+ community and combining this with her experiences and passion around film. Naomi is the one with the grand ideas! Nothing is impossible… she is dedicated to film, women, and getting film to women! Naomi has spent the better part of her adult life trying make sure us queer women are getting the representation we rightfully deserve, both through Lesflicks and previously through Planet London/Planet Nation. Her extensive collection of lesbian interest films on DVD should tell you that, if her wonderful pride-themed rainbow eyeshadow doesn’t already.

Dustin Williams is a Brooklyn-based independent film producer. He founded his production company 2x4 Productions, after graduating from The New York Film Academy, The company made short films and music videos before producing their first feature film “Second Chance” in 2014. The film made its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California and went on the international festival circuit from Boston, Massachusetts to Nice, France, winning multiple awards and acclaim by critics and audiences. Today, the company has multiple films in development, which are slated to begin shooting later this year. Dustin is represented by Gray Krauss Sandler Des Rochers.