Apulia Film Commission

Tasja Abel – Tasja Abel is the Vice President ZDFE.drama at ZDF Enterprises. She oversees the development, acquisition and all exploitation of coproductions and distribution mandates for the ZDF Enterprises catalogue. A focus of her activities lies in identifying projects from English speaking territories to enlarge the ZDF Enterprises program portfolio. Prior to joining ZDF Enterprises in 2008, Tasja has worked and interned in various production and distribution companies.

Josh Adler – Josh Adler began his career in feature film development before branching out into literary management. After a three year tenure at New Wave Entertainment, Josh joined Circle of Confusion in August of 2014. His clients include writers Ben Lustig & Jake Thornton, whose feature spec Winter’s Knight was acquired by Sony in the industry’s biggest spec sale of 2014; Vlas and Charley Parlapanides, who wrote the Henry Cavill Greek gods fantasy Immortals, and Derek Kolstad, who wrote the 2014 actioner John Wick.

Jairo Alvarado – Jairo Alvarado started as a creative exec at Warner Bros, then went on to join 3 Arts Entertainment as a manager/producer. At Circle, he reps writer Brian Miller whose sold pilots this season to Fox with Ryan Murphy and MTV with UCP andBlumhouse; journalists/ producers Joshua Bearman and Joshua Davis whose company EPIC has a first look deal with 20th Television; American Dad and Community writer Jordan Blum; and Tiller Russell writer on NBC’s Chicago Fire.

Daniele Basilio – Born in 1979, graduated from Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome. After producing experiences in Italy, London and United States for private companies, in 2008 he started his collaboration with the Fondazione Apulia Film Commission. He is the Head of Cinema and Production Office. Daniele Basilio has served as CEO of Fondazione Apulia Film Commission from September 2014 to January 2015.

Stefanie Berk – Stefanie Berk joined FremantleMedia North America in June 2013. This year she is launching & executive producing The Returned, an upcoming series on A&E based off of the Emmy award winning French series Les Revenants. Berk came from Playtone, where she was head of development since 2011. At Playtone, she developed and managed all TV and film projects for company partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. Prior to Playtone, Berk was an assistant to director Baz Luhrmann.

Verdiana Bixio – Verdiana Bixio became Publispei’s new President in September 2012, and is keeping up with the company focus, which is to ensure quality and creativity in its productions. In 2013 Verdiana introduced Publispei to the cinema with a documentary on Massimo Troisi, called Massimo, il mio cinema secondo me.

Sarah Brocklehurst – Sarah Brocklehurst was nominated for the BAFTA for outstanding debut by a British producer in 2012 and selected as one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow in 2014. From a theatre background, she found success with her first feature film Black Pond, which was BAFTA-nominated, and won the London Comedy Festival Discovery Award as well as the Evening Standard Award for Best Newcomers. Sarah is currently working on feature films predominantly, but is looking to add TV projects to her slate.

Philippa Campbell – Philippa is the producer of Jane Campion’s Emmy and Golden Globe award- winning television series Top of the Lake which also won AACTA Best Television Miniseries and the Moa for Best Television Series in New Zealand. Highlights of her feature productions are Rain which premiered in Director’s Fortnight, comedy-horror hit Black Sheep, and Sundance awarded No. 2. As well as initiatives in New Zealand, she has been involved for some years in feature development in India at NFDC’s Film Bazaar.

Ivan Carlei – Ivan Carlei has been working as Vice CIO at Rai Fiction since 2014. He is person in charge at long TV Series, Product Innovation and Web’s Area. Since 2007 until 2013 he was person in charge of Area Cinema and Fiction Show Schedule at Raiuno. He programmed about 200 prime times a year between fiction and film.

Damien Couvreur – Damien Couvreur is currently a creative producer at Gaumont, one of the oldest and most famous French companies among the entertainment business. He started his career by producing short films before becoming Head of Development at Tabo Tabo Films. He then joined EuropaCorp Television, where he produced several shows, most of them shot in English. He recently joined Gaumont where he is in charge of developing dramas for the French and European market.

Nicolas de Saint Meleuc – Nicolas de Saint Meleuc has been working for EuropaCorp Television for over a year where he serves as Head of Development. He oversees the script development of TV movies, miniseries and series for both the French and international markets. Previously, he had experience working for feature film, documentary and fiction production companies, following projects in their artistic as well as business aspects. He is a Sciences Po Lille graduate and ESCP Europe Media Management 2011 alumni.

Aaron Farrell – As Project Manager for Octagon Films, Aaron manages the company’s slate from development to production. He co-produced Cherrybomb which premiered in Berlinale, and Calvary which premiered in Sundance last year, before going on to critical and commercial success in the US. He is co-producer for Octagon Films on the upcoming RTÉ TV series Clean Break. He is Production Executive on History’s Vikings, and was Production Executive on Showtime’s The Borgias. He holds an MA in Film Studies from UCD.

Leonardo Ferrara – He is a creative producer for RAI Fiction and he is involved in the production of long running series, mini series and web series. He run TV projects as Un medico in famiglia, Capri and Tutti pazzi per amore, for Raiuno, Una mamma imperfetta and Zio Gianni for Raidue. He is in charge of the contest “La bottega delle web series” in collaboration with the Solinas Prize (2013-14) and the contest “Rainventarai”.

Peppe Fiore – After specialised in scriptwriting (Rai-Script course) and media economics, he joined Wilder Srl and then FremantleMedia group. He serves now as scripted development director for both FremantleMedia Italia and Wildside.

Catherine Fitzgerald – Producer and owner of Blueskin Films, Catherine is an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to film, a Member of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy and received “South Pacific Pictures Award For Achievement In Film 2014 (Wift NZ Awards) and SPADA NZ Independent Producer Of The Year Award 2011, among other prizes and honours. She also Chairs the NZ Film Festival Trust, has consulted for the Berlinale NATIVe, served on the Generation Jury. She also serves on the SPADA, and WIFTNZ Boards.

Adam Fratto – Adam Fratto oversees primetime TV and features for Pukeko Pictures. He is also Co-Executive Producer of Haven, the hit supernatural drama based on a Stephen King novella, now airing its 6th season around the world. Previously, Adam was President of Atticus Entertainment, managing sports icon Jim Lampley’s HBO-based company. For six years before that, he ran development at Piller/Segan/ Shepherd, also serving as Associate Producer on The Dead Zone and Wildfire and Co-Producer onGreek.

Fred Fuchs – Independent Producer in Toronto, his focus is developing, financing and producing films and TV Series for international audience. Recent projects include 2 seasons of Transporter-THE SERIES TNT/HBO Canada/RTL/M6 and Camelot a Canadian/Irish treaty coproduction for Starz Entertainment/CBC. He was Executive Director of Arts and Entertainment at the CBC, where he was responsible for of all scripted content.

Alberto Gesswein Scherpf – He was subeditor of content at Television Nacional de Chile in 1991. He was editor for the journalistic and cultural programs in Channel 13´s Reports Area in 2001. He became Executive Producer in 2004 for different types of programs and genres. 6 TV Films entitled Héroes, La Gloria Tiene Su Precio, Los 80, the most popular and distinguished serie in chilean TV (7 seasons). In 2011 he became General Director of Fiction and Drama Department. Since last December he has been working in Television Nacional de Chile as Content Development Manager.

Gudrun Giddings – Gudrun Giddings is the CEO and producer at G4C Innovation and one of the founders of Entertainment Capital Network. She is also the SVP of Acquisition for Film Festival Flix. Gudrun serves as the President and Chair of The Swedish American Chamber of Commerce-LA. She is currently in post-production on LIKE ME, an English language feature film that was shot in Sweden and to be released worldwide.

Cerise Hallam Larkin – She is a British film, television and commercial producer now based in Los Angeles. Her first short won Best Film at the BAFTA Cymru awards in 1999. Since then she has made 11 feature films and with her production company CASM FILMS is working on a number of film projects, including Pink Hotel, Columbia, Twinkle and Wildling as well as developing television projects with HBO.

Michael Hausman – Hausman’s acclaimed film credits include Brokeback Mountain, Gangs of New York, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Silkwood, Amadeus and The Heartbreak Kid. In this capacity, Hausman has worked with such renowned directors as Milos Forman, David Mamet, Mike Nichols, Martin Scorsese, and Ang Lee. Hausman received an Emmy award for HBO’s Recount and also produced the Phil Spector Biopic on HBO with Al Pacino.

David Hinojosa – David Hinojosa is Head of Production & Development at Killer Films. At Killer David has developed Todd Haynes’ Carol starring Cate Blanchett and Still Alice which earned Julianne Moore an Academy Award Nomination. David also producedNasty Baby starring Kristen Wiig and is developing Todd Solondz’ feature starring Greta Gerwig and produced by Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures. Previously, David worked at The Weinstein Company on films including The King’s Speech and Focus Features.

Alessandro Jacchia – International Producer, Head of Development with 32+ years of experience in creative development, management and production in multinational companies. He has produced 40+ original TV series, Miniseries and TV Movies for a total of 320+ prime time hours with the major European Networks in 15+ countries. He participates actively in co-production financing, brand development and marketing.

Emilie Lebech Kaae – Emilie Lebech Kaae is a Danish producer working at SAM Productions. At SAM she works as development producer and Head of Development overseeing a slate of projects created by the strongest Scandinavian talent for an international market. Furthermore, Emilie functions as producer at Meta Film, where she is currently producing two feature films and a documentary.

Macdara Kelleher – Macdara is managing director of Fastnet Films, company nominated for over twenty-five Irish Film and Television Awards. He produced the award-winning feature film Kisses (an Irish/ Danish/Swedish co-production) and was also selected as Ireland’s Producer on the Move for Cannes in 2008. His filmography as producer includes also the movies What If (2013), Nothing Personal (2009) and The Good Doctor (2011).

Jonathan Lewsley – Jonathan is the Development Editor for the BBC’s Independent Drama Commissioning team. As a script editor and story producer, his credits include The Bill, Shameless, The Musketeers and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. He holds a first-class degree from Oxford University, qualifications from UCLA and the UK’s National Film & Television School, trained as a criminal barrister, and had a prior career as an international rock drummer.

Rachel Lysaght – Rachel Lysaght is an award winning Film & TV Producer. As Founder and lead Creative Producer at Underground Films, Rachel has participated in official international pitching, financing and coproduction forums. Recent producing credits include Patrick’s Day (Director Terry McMahon 2014), One Million Dubliners (Director Aoife Kelleher 2014), Dreams of a Life (Director Carol Morley 2011) and The Pipe (Director Risteard Ó Domhnaill 2010).

Gary Marenzi – Gary Marenzi has over 30 years of C-level experience in Hollywood, serving as a division president at MGM, Paramount and UIP, overseeing TV production, global distribution and channel management. He has co-produced successful series such as Vikings, Teen Wolf, The Dead Zone and THE 4400. He currently advises Starz Media, Constantin Film and IM Global, among others, and is actively developing premium TV content with multiple international partners. He is a graduate of Stanford University.

Michael McGahey – Michael McGahey has a Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Southern California. Some of the feature films that Michael has worked on the development and production of include: Dr. Dolittle (Fox), Laws of attraction (New Line) as well as having championed the screenplay for and developed the film Little Miss Sunshine. In November 2013, Michael joined MarVista Entertainment as Vice President, Series Development and Production, where he currently oversees development and production of series for the international distributor/financier/production company.

Michael McMahon – Michael is Executive Chairman and Commercial Director of Matchbox Pictures. In 2010 he produced the ABC TV Series The Slap. Other TV drama credits include the Saved (2008), Call Me Mum (2007),Bogan Pride (2008). He has produced 2 series of Nowhere Boys. Feature film credits include Cut Snake, premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival 2014, The Home Song Stories (2007), he produced with Liz Watts, Lou (2010) which he produced with Helen Bowden and Tony Ayres.

Stine Meldgaard Madsen – Stine Meldgaard is a Danish producer working in Copenhagen. Along the years she has produced feature films, documentaries and short films. She’s been working at Lars von Trier’s production company Zentropa. After that she has been an independent producer for some years and is now working for SAM Productions a new Danish production company founded by writer Adam Price (Borgen), writer Søren Sveistrup and producer Meta Louise Foldager. Stine Meldgaard holds a BA in Nordic Studies from University of Copenhagen.

Jonathan Meyers – Jonathan Meyers joined Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp in July of 2014 to help launch the company’s United States Television Studio and serve as Director of Development. He previously worked in that capacity at Gross Entertainment. Jonathan has also worked on the production side of television on Unforgettable (CBS), Suits (USA), and Zero Hour (ABC). Prior to his switch to television, Jonathan worked in Theater Operations on many Broadway shows including The Book of Mormon andJersey Boys.

Douglas W. Miller – In 2000 Douglas co-found The Aquarius Film Fund in London. As Head of Films for Aquarius he sourced, evaluated and closed twelve sale and leaseback transactions for more than $200 million. In 2002 he joined Bauer Martinez Studios as CEO, overseeing the production of six international co-productions. In 2003 he founded The Defender Film Fund, serving as Chairman and CEO and overseeing the production and financing of thirteen feature films. He is currently the President of London Pacific Finance. In addition, he has now written a dozen screenplays.

AnneMarie Naughton – AnneMarie Naughton launched Park Films in 2008, gathering 30 international awards for her short films and documentaries. The Wednesdays picked up the audience award in Clermont-Ferrand. With Ivan Kavanagh she made the multi–award winning features Tin Can Man and The Fading Light (World Cinema section, Pusan International Film Fest, 2010). The Fading Light, also won the Film Critics’ Circle Award “Best Feature” and “Best Actor” in the 2010 Jameson Dublin Film Festival.

Jo Porter – Jo Porter joined FremantleMedia Australia in 2012, in the position of Director of Drama. She began her career as a Producer’s Assistant and Researcher in the UK for the BBC (drama). On returning to Australia, she joined Village Roadshow Pictures as a trainee Producer before being promoted to Development Executive. In 1997 she joined the Seven Network in-house drama department where she produced All Saints, Always Greener and Packed to the Rafters. Currently she is developing a telemovie for Network Ten, based on Princess Mary of Denmark.

Michel Ruben – Producer and consultant based in Spain. For 10 years he was head of international at El Deseo S.A., the production company of Pedro Almodóvar. He worked for HBO Films and Pathé as consultant in production and international sales. Currently he is a founding partner and producer of Cactus Flower Producciones (Sp) and Colombian production company Dynamo. Credits include multiple award winners All About My Mother and Talk To Her; The Devil’s Backbone, My Life Without Me,Contracorriente and The Hidden Face.

Nicola Serra – Nicola Serra joined Palomar in 2010, actually he is the CEO of the company. In recent years he worked on many productions, in 2014 his main works as film producer are Il Giovane Favoloso (presented in competition at the Venice Film Festival and TIFF) and the successful Tv-series Braccialetti Rossi.

Chiara Sfregola – Chiara Sfregola earned her master degree in Business Administration from Luiss Guido Carli and a degree in Film Production from Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia in Rome. She has served as line producer for the short movies Sorelleand Mona Blonde, before working as junior producer for Kinesis Film. In January 2014 she joined Indigo Film.

Alex Thiele – A graduate of Goldsmith’s College, University of London, Alex began working in the film and TV industry in the late 90s. Her first feature Break My Fall by BAFTA-nominee Kanchi Wichmann was released theatrically in 2011 and has since sold to 15 international territories. Alex is currently in post-production on award-winning Lisa Gornick’s third feature The Book of Gabrielle and Roger Hyams’ short Elsewhere funded by the British Film Institute. Alex is an alumna of the EAVE European Producers Workshop.

Maja Zimmermann – Producer, Maja Zimmermann has been working on various international co-productions like the two Colombian dramas, Porfirio (Directors Fortnight 2011) and the Primer Corte & Best Film for Peace winner, Jardin De Amapolas, (2012) as well as Muerte En Arizona (2014) and Hel (2015), just to name a few. She is Swiss born and based in Los Angeles, representing 64A-Films for international co- and service- productions to build bridges for international partners bringing productions to Colombia.