Schedule of Events:
2:30pm - Doors Open to Filmmakers and Industry Guests
3:00pm - RISEFLIX Shorts Showcase Screening
4:00pm - RISE FLIX Shorts Filmmakers Q&A
4:30pm - Industry Experts Panel
5:30pm - Networking Reception
Industry Experts Panel
Join us at NoHo CineFest this Saturday, September 29 at 4:30pm PT for an Industry Experts Panel featuring Lumos PR CEO Stephanie Pfingsten, Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Manager Ciara Wardlow, Amasia Entertainment Creative Executive Olivia Hurd, SAGIndie Coordinator Shefali Vasudevan, and Silverhardt Entertainment Talent Manager Jerry Silverhardt. The conversation will explore how emerging filmmakers can strategically navigate festivals, build sustainable careers, and position their projects for meaningful industry attention — from development and financing to publicity, awards strategy, and talent management.
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Following our recent successful SOLD OUT events in NYC, we are now hosting our brand new exclusive in-person RISE FLIX INDUSTRY SHOWCASE on Saturday, August 29th, 2026, at 2:30 PM (PST) in partnership with the North Hollywood CineFest at the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas Glendale (located at 128 Artsakh Ave, Glendale, CA 91206).
This event welcomes everyone, from simple film enthusiasts to seasoned filmmakers. Here, ticket holders will have the opportunity to network with each other and the selected filmmakers, as well as attend a panel of our selected industry professionals, including talent agents, managers, casting directors, producers, entertainment attorneys, distributors, and investors!
MEET OUR INDUSTRY PANELISTS
Shefali Vasudevan — Representative Coordinator at SAGindie
A Coordinator at SAGindie, an educational program for filmmakers working with SAG-AFTRA actors on the low budget agreements. She and her coworkers are knowledgeable on the low budget agreements ranging from shorts to features, and all have a background in filmmaking themselves. Working as a writer, director, and producer, she has made multiple short films and has handled all SAG Agreements.
Olivia Hurd — Creative Executive at Amasia Entertainment
Amasia's completed films include SXSW thriller THE SAVIORS, WORLDBREAKER, Tribeca X Best Feature winner AUDREY'S CHILDREN, WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, Sundance thriller THEM THAT FOLLOW, MR. RIGHT, and THE CALL, featuring stars including Adam Scott, Danielle Deadwyler, Luke Evans, Milla Jovovich, Natalie Dormer, Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Olivia Colman, Sam Rockwell, and Halle Berry. Amasia also stewards major legacy IP including THE GREEN HORNET AND KATO, THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE, and DARK SHADOWS. Olivia previously interned in writers' rooms at FOX and CBS.
Stephanie Pfingsten — Founder of Lumos PR
She represents 200+ clients behind-the-camera in film, TV, music, Broadway, and video games. Specializing in red carpets, film festivals, and awards, she has led Oscar campaigns for "Anora," "KPOP Demon Hunters," "Everything Everywhere All At Once," and "Elvis," as well as Emmy campaigns for "The Bear," "Shogun," "Abbott Elementary," and more. She collaborates frequently with Disney, DC, and Marvel Studios, including PR for "Superman," "The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," and more.
Jerry Silverhardt — Talent Manager & Executive Producer
A seasoned talent manager and member of the Television Academy with over 43 years of experience. He started his career as an agent at Sol Hurok Presents, working with iconic artists like Leontyne Price, and later was an agent at Bantam Books, representing authors such as Truman Capote and Rod Serling. He has managed Tony Award winner Melba Moore and produced network shows like MARKER for UPN with Stephen J. Cannell. He currently represents actors, directors, writers, and dancers, and has launched the careers of stars like Tom Cruise and Dylan McDermott. His producer credits include TV movies such as BORN TO RUN (directed by Albert Magnoli, director and writer of PURPLE RAIN) and ULTIMATE DECEPTION (starring Yasmine Bleeth and Richard Grieco).
Ciara Wardlow — Feature Film Program Manager at Sundance Institute
She manages outreach, tracking, and the submission review process for the Feature Film and Producing Program Labs, Intensives, and Fellowships. She was previously the development associate at BOOM! Studios, where she worked on film and television adaptations of the comic book publisher's IP library. Prior to BOOM!, she worked at Paramount Pictures and the production company Maven Screen Media, and was a 2021 Film Independent Project Involve Fellow. In her past life as a film critic, her bylines included The Hollywood Reporter, Roger Ebert's site, Film School Rejects, and Pajiba. She is a graduate of Wellesley College.
Follow us on Instagram at riseflixofficial to stay tuned for more industry guest announcements coming soon!