Landmark Theaters Sunset
Presented by Southstack Studios
Storytelling doesn’t end with the film. It’s how a project is framed, communicated, and propelled forward, from early development through financing, festivals, and ultimately distribution and sales. Every project carries an internal logic, its own voice, tone, and point of view. The challenge is translating that into clear, compelling materials that others can understand, invest in, and champion.
This workshop focuses on storytelling as positioning. How to distill your project to its essence, define a strong creative identity, and articulate it across the materials that matter, from loglines and decks to pitches and conversations with buyers, partners, and audiences.
We’ll explore how to align your creative vision with how your project is presented in the market, so it travels with clarity and intention at every stage.
As the landscape evolves, the advantage isn’t just having a strong story; it’s knowing how to communicate it in a way that opens doors and moves your project forward.
Moderated by Anjana Gopakumar, Founder & Executive Director, South Stack Studios
PANELISTS:
Neha Dutta
Innovation Manager, IW Group
Neha Dutta is an Innovation Manager at IW Group and a former creative executive with experience across television, film, advertising, and emerging technology. She focuses on how ideas evolve from concept to culture, specializing recently in AI. Her work has been recognized by Sundance, the Austin Film Festival, and Cannes Lions. With a career spanning Disney India, 72andSunny, Team One, and Coverfly, she is passionate about championing new voices in film through communities like IFFLA and Tasveer. She holds an MFA from the ArtCenter College of Design.
Vanessa Erazo
Editorial Director and Founder, Cinelandia
Vanessa Erazo is an entertainment journalist, critic, and film curator. As the Founder and Editorial Director of Cinelandia, she helps audiences discover Latino films through curated recommendations and editorial coverage. Vanessa previously spent over five years as a Content Analyst at Netflix, specializing in metadata and discoverability. Her leadership roles include serving as the founding Film and Television Editor at Remezcla and co-founding the IndieWire column LatinoBuzz. A documentary programmer for the New York Latino Film Festival, her work has been featured in The New York Times and HuffPost.
Russell Palmer
Co-Founder and CEO, CyberFilm AI
Co-founder and CEO of CyberFilm AI, Russell Palmer launched SAGA, the world’s first AI-powered screenwriting platform, in 2021. Today, the platform is used by A-list Hollywood filmmakers and leading film schools, including USC and UCLA. With a background in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Palmer previously specialized in AI/ML at industry leaders including Microsoft, Samsung, and JPMorgan’s AI Lab.
Sanjay Sharma
CEO, Marginal
Sanjay M. Sharma is the founder and CEO of Marginal, a media startup dedicated to elevating subcultures and singular voices through genre-based fiction, documentaries, television, and animation. In just five years, the company has produced 15 films, sold its first two television series, and secured international co-productions spanning Canada, India, Italy, and Singapore. Sharma previously co-founded and led two pioneering digital media companies: All Def, based on the iconic Def Jam brand; and Machinima, the seminal YouTube MCN that helped launch the creator economy. Machinima was later acquired by Warner Bros.
Caleb Ward
CEO and Artist, Curious Refuge
Caleb Ward is the CEO of Curious Refuge, an online platform pioneering the use of AI in film. He is deeply dedicated to democratizing the creative process by unlocking the inner storyteller inside everyone. His AI training empowers artists across the creative spectrum, from Academy Award Winners to aspiring artists looking to learn storytelling for the first time. He has trained thousands of artists worldwide and in every major studio. He believes AI is dramatically changing the creative landscape and elevating the creative potential of artists around the world.
MODERATOR:
Anjana Gopakumar (Moderator)
Founder and Executive Director, South Stack Studios
Anjana Gopakumar is a media and technology leader with over 15 years of experience shaping storytelling across television, streaming, and digital platforms. From her early career as a producer and host at Indian television networks like NDTV to leading product, editorial, and operations teams at Netflix and Nielsen, she bridges creative vision with data-driven insights. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of South Stack Studios, a media-tech nonprofit, she champions South Asian creators by connecting Hollywood and Silicon Valley to scale premium stories. Anjana focuses on building culturally resonant, audience-first experiences from home countries and the diaspora that travel globally.
