Undefeated: Working With Distributors In A Challenging Marketplace

Slamdance is proud to present our third FREE Zoom webinar on distribution. This webinar will take place on November 6th, 2024 at 11am PT/ 2pm ET proudly presented by Slamdance Polytechnic.

You’re tired and ready to jump at the first distribution deal you’re offered just to get some rest and pay the rent. We understand how exhausting, overwhelming, and scary this time can be, no matter what kind of distribution possibilities you’re considering. Join undefeated Slamdance alums Mark Shapiro (Downwind), Jonathan Hsu (Starring Jerry as Himself), Law Chen (Starring Jerry as Himself), and entertainment attorney Aditya Ezhuthachan from Pessah Law Group as they share their knowledge on outreach, hybrid distribution, film delivery, and answer your questions about what is best for your particular film and situation.

Aditya Ezhuthachan
Entertainment Lawyer, Moderator
Pessah Law Group: www.pessahlawgroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityase
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2149074/

Aditya practices entertainment law at Pessah Law Group (PLG), a premiere Beverly Hills boutique firm, where he represents independent producers, writer, directors, creators, and entrepreneurs.  Prior to joining PLG, Aditya was a partner at Pierce Law Group, founded by David Albert Pierce, longtime attorney for Slamdance.  Before law, Aditya studied film as an undergraduate and spent a decade as a development executive in independent film.

Jonathan Hsu
Producer of Starring Jerry as Himself
www.hsuboxproductions.com
@hsuboxproductions
@starringjerryashimself

Jonathan Hsu is an award winning film and commercial producer. He is the founder of production company Hsubox Productions with the mission to create magical content. His film credits include Starring Jerry As Himself, A Wounded Fawn, and also the short film Closing Dynasty. He is a member of Gold House, NYC regional rep for the DPA, A-Doc, IDA, Gotham, Film Independent and NYU Tisch Alumni. 

Watch the trailer for Starring Jerry as Himself here.

Watch the trailer for Downwind here.

Mark Shapiro
Director/Producer, Backlot Docs
www.backlotdocs.com
DOWNWIND (2023) trailer
THE INVISIBLE ENEMY (2024) teaser 
Instagram: @backlotdocs

Mark is a filmmaker, producer and movie marketing professional with broad experience in the festival, distribution and film production environment. He is the co-director, co-producer and writer of the award-winning, Oscar-eligible documentary DOWNWIND (2023) featuring two-time Oscar winner Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen, Lewis Black and Matthew Modine.  Mark recently completed a documentary short called The Invisible Enemy which will make its festival debut in 2024. He formerly headed entertainment brand management for the animation studio LAIKA, where, in addition to studio identity, he also handled marketing endeavors for LAIKA’s five Oscar-nominated features: Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings and Missing Link. Before LAIKA, he managed several categories for Nike USA Communications including Nike Basketball, Nike Tennis and Community Affairs. He also served as a Mentor in Publicity and Marketing for SxSW Film. Mark sits on the Klamath Film Board of Directors (Oregon) and curates film programming at festivals around the world. A native of Seattle, Mark attended Emerson College in Boston and received his BA (English) from Colorado College. He completed post-graduate education studies at Lewis & Clark College in Portland.

Law Chen
Director of Starring Jerry as Himself
@starringjerryashimself
@thelawchen
@hsuboxproductions

LAW CHEN is an award winning director based in Brooklyn. His narrative, documentary, and commercial films have earned 19 Cannes Lions, as well as multiple Webby Awards and Vimeo Staff Picks. His genre-bending first feature STARRING JERRY AS HIMSELF tells the true story about an ordinary immigrant dad retired in Florida who becomes a spy for the Chinese police. It won the Grand Jury, Audience, and Best Actor awards at Slamdance along with a dozen other awards at more than thirty international festivals. Law is dedicated to telling diverse stories with a focus on immigrants and the pursuit of the American Dream.

Links to Previous Distribution Webinar Recordings