Speakers | 2023

Marcus AMMON

Managing Director / Directeur Général, BAVARIA FICTION

As Managing Director Content, Marcus Ammon assumes responsibility for the content of all Bavaria Fiction's productions and projects.
From 2009 to 2021, Marcus Ammon worked for Sky Deutschland in the content department, where he was responsible for the section Original Production. Fictional in-house productions such as "Das Boot", "Babylon Berlin", "Pagan Peak" and "8 Tage" were developed and produced under Ammon's guidance. In addition to this role, he represented the European production unit Sky Studios in Germany and Austria. Previously Marcus Ammon was in charge of the development and expansion of the film and series channels at Sky.
Before joining Sky, Marcus Ammon was Managing Director at MGM Networks Deutschland GmbH between 2003 and 2009. Prior to that, he served as Program Director at Universal Studios Networks Germany GmbH and was responsible for program acquisition and planning for the channels 13th Street and Studio Universal. Marcus Ammon spent the first four years of his professional career at broadcasters ProSieben and Kabel 1.
Marcus Ammon studied theatre, film and television studies, business administration and political science at the Ruhr University in Bochum.

Patrick ARYEE

TV presenter & Filmmaker / Présentateur TV & Réalisateur, ABSTRACT PICTURES LTD

Patrick Aryee is a UK based wildlife TV presenter, author, and content creator. He's well-known for hosting the documentary series, Super Senses, Big Beasts, and Evolve.
Patrick is currently learning about digital marketing and the power of SEO driven content. He's extremely bullish on using the influence of social platforms to create community led media brands.
His brand-new YouTube channel - Ingenious Ideas® - which explores innovations in science, nature, and technology, launches this summer (2023).

Leo BARRACLOUGH

Director, International Features, VARIETY

Leo Barraclough serves as international features editor at Variety, where he assigns articles about the international film and TV business, as well as writing numerous news and features stories himself. He also edits many of Variety's e-Show Dailies. He previously served as one of the magazine's international correspondents, covering the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and Central and Eastern Europe. Prior to joining Variety, he was features editor, and then managing editor of Screen International. He started in film and TV trade journalism at Moving Pictures International, where he was news editor and then deputy editor. He is a member of BAFTA.

Rola BAUER

Head of Pan-English Scripted TV, Amazon Studios, HARLAN COBEN'S SHELTER

Rola Bauer currently serves Head of Pan-English Scripted TV, Amazon Studios. She previously oversaw development, production, and co-productions, as MGM's President, International Television Productions, generating scripted content for the global market. A two-time Emmy® award nominated producer and member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), Bauer brings a unique perspective to the English language co-production arena, having produced many highly acclaimed international series, led out of continental Europe and attracting heavyweight partners from around the world.

Christine BENSON

Managing Director, GCB INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONSULTANTS

Christine Benson started her professional career as a Fleet Street journalist before moving into television as a documentary producer/director. She worked in news and current affairs, made documentaries as a freelance for many ITV companies and BBC and ran the Documentary Unit at Scottish Television. She combined her factual work with drama in the late 1980s and soon afterwards joined forces with her husband, Graham, running the independent production company Blue Heaven Productions. She is a long time supporter and attendee at the Festival.

Antoine CHOTARD

Country Lead, SAMSUNG TV PLUS

Antoine Chotard is currently Country Lead for Samsung TV Plus in France. With more than 18 years of experience in the streaming industry, Antoine worked in the past for content distributors and platforms such as Twentieth Century Fox, Orange, Netgem or Studiocanal. He has a strong expertise in the creation and development of new lines of business in the streaming video space across multiple markets.

Stephen COLLETTI

Creator, Executive Producer & Actor, EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT

Stephen Colletti is an actor, writer, director, host, and producer. As one of MTV's most known personalities, Colletti has appeared on and hosted numerous shows, including "Laguna Beach" "MTV's Total Request Live," "Beach House," "Spring Break," "VMA's: Backstage Live," and MTV's New Year's Eve countdowns. Colletti was a series regular on "One Tree Hill" and a recurring character on "Hit The Floor." HE also started in the film NORMAL ADOLESCENT BEHAVIOR alongside Amber Tamblyn, Ashton Holmes and Kelli Garner. Most recently, he co-created, wrote, produced, directed and starred in the series "Everyone is Doing Great." The show is currently in post-production of season two.

Toma DE MATTEIS

Directeur délégué de la fiction / Managing Director of Fiction, FRANCE TELEVISIONS

Born in 1974, Toma de Matteis began his career in broadcasting as an artistic producer with the Telfrance group (now Newen). He then joined France Télévisions, where he worked with Emmanuelle Guibart as head of daytime drama. He was subsequently recruited by the Lagardère Group as a producer, before returning to the France Télévisions Group as deputy director in charge of drama and documentaries at France Télévisions Studio. He produced the daily serie "Un si Grand Soleil" and international co-productions such as "Sophie Cross" and "The Collection".

Sandrine DURAND

VP Channels Distribution, SOFAST

Sandrine Durand is the Co-Founder of SoFAST, working with television channels, contents and rights owners, and helping them to be part of the FAST channels business.
With more than 30 years of experience in Telecommunications Business, Television Broadcast, Business Development and Direction Management, she held positions in France, Israel and United States

Mathilde FIQUET

Secretary General, CEPI - EUROPEAN AUDIOVISUAL PRODUCTION ASSOCIATION

Since January 2021, Mathilde Fiquet is the Secretary General of CEPI, the European Audiovisual Production association, representing independent television and film producers. CEPI's role is to supports the activities of its film and television producers, helping them to inform and engage with European policy makers and promoting the importance of sustainable cultural and economic growth in the European Audiovisual sector. Before joining CEPI, Mathilde spend 10 years, at FEDMA, the Federation of European Data and marketing, dealing with privacy, data protection and digital advertising.

Sydney GALLONDE

Producteur/CEO, MAKE IT HAPPEN STUDIO

Sydney Gallonde, the French producer of Harlan Coben-penned "No Second Chance" (author's very first Tv adaptation on TF1), launched Make it Happen Studio in 2017, a Paris-based independent production outfit. A key player in the audiovisual market since 2006, Gallonde produced a second thriller adapted from the best-selling novel by Harlan Coben, "Just One Look"(Juste un regard) for TF1 and Paula Daly's best-selling novel adaptation "Just what kind of mother are you?"(La faute) for M6 in 2017. In 2022, he produced 2 international coproductions: The Reunion, based on Guillaum Musso's bestselling novel "La jeune fille et la nuit", starring Ioan Gruffudd, coproduced with France TV, RAI, ZDF (The European Alliance) and worldwide distributed by MGM International TV Productions; Last Light, starring Matthew Fox, for NBC Peacock, Viaplay, Stan, MBC. His latest production "The fragile Colossus" ("Le Colosse aux pieds d'argile") starring Eric Cantona, released in 2023, has been a significant success on TF1.

Leif HOLST JENSEN

Dean, TV & Games, INNLAND UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES NORWAY

Leif Holst Jensen is Dean of faculty Audiovisual Media and Creative technology at the Inland University of Applied Sciences and a partner in UpNorth Film. A former CEO Oslo Film fund, Dean/Head of department Westerdals institute of film and media, Kristiania University College Oslo, General secretary, Norwegian Film, TV and Games Producers Association, Head of Arts and Culture, Danish Broadcasting Company, DR, Program director, Metropol TV, Norway, and held several positions in NRK, Norwegian Broadcasting Company. Leif also has experience as a journalist, director, producer and executive director/producer including more than 200 productions.

Kerry HOPKINS

CEO, BROADCAST ACADEMY

Kerry Hopkins is the founder of the Broadcast Academy - a global communications agency which specialises in broadcast PR and talent representation for individuals and companies, as well as the production of new TV show ideas. Kerry was a marketer at the Walt Disney Company in their media distribution division, and as a journalist and producer at BBC television and ITV.
The National Union of Journalists endorsed the Broadcast Academy as a "good resource for journalists and producers". Kerry founded the ‘Broadcast Ready Expert Women' campaign in 2013.

Tom JENNINGS

Executive Producer / Producteur Exécutif, 1895 FILMS

Tom Jennings is a Peabody and Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist. He has written, produced and directed more than 500 hours of programming on topics including politics, religion, history, crime, sports, mystery and travel. Tom won the 2020 Producer's Guild of America Award for his film Apollo: Missions to the Moon for Disney+, which premiered at the 2019 Monte Carlos Television and Film Festival.

Lisa KRAMER

President, International TV Licensing, Paramount Global Content Distribution, PARAMOUNT GLOBAL CONTENT DISTRIBUTION

Lisa Kramer leads international licensing and marketing teams for Paramount Global Content Distribution. With her oversight spanning 20 offices around the world, she leads the team distributing an extensive portfolio of film and television content outside the U.S. to both internal and external media partners.
Kramer has held positions of increasing responsibility and scope since joining Paramount in 2006 as SVP of Television Distribution for Europe, when she spent her first two years in London staffing Paramount Picture's first international television office after Viacom and CBS split. After overseeing EMEA from Los Angeles for many years, Lisa returned to London in 2017 to head up International TV Licensing. While at the company Kramer has overseen numerous international volume and output deals with key media players and global streamers all around the world.
Prior to joining Paramount, Kramer held key television distribution roles at DreamWorks SKG and the Walt Disney Company.

James LAFFERTY

Creator, Executive Producer & Actor, EVERYONE IS DOING GREAT

James Lafferty is an actor, director, writer and producer. His previous credits include the CW's "One Tree Hill," Netflix's "The Haunting of Hill House," and Disney+'s "The Right Stuff." He has also starred in the Blumhouse hit horror film OCULUS, the critically acclaimed SMALL TOWN CRIME, and the upcoming RED RIGHT HAND. Lafferty has directed several episodes of "One Tree Hill," "The Royals" and "All American." Most recently, he co-created, wrote, produced, directed and starred in the series "Everyone is Doing Great." The show is currently in post-production of season two.

Dorthe Riis LAURIDSEN

Productrice / Producer, APPLE TREE PRODUCTIONS

Dorthe Riis is born in Denmark and has a master's degree in Dramaturgy form the University of Aarhus.
Dorthe has been producing and developing fiction formats for more than 10 years. Before joining Apple Tree Productions, Dorthe was at DR Drama (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) where she worked with drama content in all genres for different platforms such as TV, podcast and web.
Besides Chorus Girls, Dorthe has most recently produced the Netflix series Equinox and Baby Fever.

Rebecca LEFFLER

Journaliste Festival, FESTIVAL DE TELEVISION DE MONTE CARLO

Rebecca Leffler is an American author and journalist based in Paris. The former France Correspondent of The Hollywood Reporter and film critic on Canal+ and France 24, Rebecca has published five books and currently works as the Editor in Chief of Le Dispatch by Ecran Total, an English-language publication focusing on the French film and audiovisual industry. In addition to her work as Editorial Lead, Brand Content at Publicis Luxe and as a Creative Consultant on Darren Star's recent hit series ‘Emily in Paris', she continues to write and produce content for media outlets and brands in France and the US.

Gisella MARENGO

Productrice / Producer, GM PRODUCTION COMPANY

Gisella Marengo was born in Italy. She moved to California, where she studied at UCLA, and she's currently living in Los Angeles. She has been a film and documentary producer since 2000. She's working on "Francis" directed by Barry Levinson, a true story which tells how "Il Padrino" was born.
In 2021 she produced "Ennio" a documentary of the iconic composer Ennio Morricone directed by the Academy winner Giuseppe Tornatore with the participation of Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood and many more.
In 2021 she also produced "The Expendables 4" an action film starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and Antonio Banderas.
In 2019 she produced "Francesco" a documentary about Pope Francis directed by the Academy nominated Evgeny Afineevsky.
Among the films produced by Gisella : "The Humbling" starring Al Pacino and directed by the Academy Awards director Barry Levinson and "Blackbird" an American drama directed by Roger Michell starring Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet. She also produced action movies like "Angel Has Fallen" starring Gerald Butler and Morgan Freeman, "The Poison Rose" starring John Travolta and Morgan Freeman, "Hunter Killer" starring Gerald Butler , "Security" starring Antonio Banderas . On top of this, Gisella has been involved for more than 10 years in the Organization "Artists for Peace and Justice" whose main goal is to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education, healthcare and dignity. Within this association a section has been exclusively dedicated to Haiti's women.
She's also ambassador of "Love in Action" a movement about women empowerment in collaboration with Chopra foundation.
Gisella also created a spot in collaboration with the Institutions and the State Police to support the women victims of violence.

Britta MEYERMANN

Producer & Head of International Co-Productions, ODEON FICTION GMBH

Britta Meyermann is a producer and Head of International Co-Productions at German production company Odeon Fiction - a Leonine Company.
Previously, she was Vice-President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Global Screen, Acquisitions Manager at ZDF Studios and held positions at - amongst others - Majestic Film and PriceWaterhouse Coopers' Film Finance Department.
Her latest TV productions include THE SEED (ARD and NRK), 37 SECONDS (ARD), BLACK ISLAND (Netflix), SPY CITY (ZDF and Miramax) and DEADWIND (YLE and Netflix).

Edward ORNELAS

Executive Producer and Director, HARLAN COBEN'S SHELTER

Edward Ornelas began his career editing episodic television before making his directorial debut on Grey's Anatomy. He worked within Shondaland for a decade, directing multiple episodes across various series, including the season six premiere of Grey's Anatomy and the 100th episode of Private Practice. Edward recently directed The Horror of Dolores Roach (Amazon) and was co-executive producer/director on Promised Land ABC/Hulu). He currently serves as director/executive producer on Harlan Coben's Shelter (Amazon).

Michael PICKARD

Editor, Drama Quarterly, C21 MEDIA

Michael Pickard is editor of C21 Media's Drama Quarterly magazine and website, which is focused on the creative side of international television drama, speaking to the people who make the shows we want to watch and finding out how they do it. He previously worked as a senior reporter for C21 Media, covering the international television drama business for C21Media.net and flagship magazine C21 International, and has experience as a reporter and editor working for local and national newspapers.

Camilla RYDBACKEN

SVP Scripted Content / Vice Présidente Contenu Fiction, VIAPLAY GROUP

Camilla Rydbacken is SVP Scripted Content at Viaplay Group, the operator of the fast-growing Viaplay streaming service, where she is responsible for the development of Viaplay's extensive slate of series and films. Viaplay is present on a direct-to-consumer basis in 13 countries, following recent launches in the US and Canada, and is targeting approximately 12 million subscribers by the end of 2025. The leading producer of Nordic drama, Viaplay is now expanding into international productions, and Camilla is responsible for the development of hit shows including Lars von Trier's ‘The Kingdom Exodus', ‘Pørni', ‘Billy the Kid', ‘Those Who Kill' and the Canneseries winner ‘Partisan' along with major upcoming titles such as ‘Rebus' and ‘Ronja, the Robber's Daughter'. Before taking on this role in October 2019, Camilla held a range of senior content positions including Head of Content at NENT Group Sweden and Head of Local Production at Discovery Networks Sweden.

Frank SPOTNITZ

CEO & Executive Producer / CEO & Directeur Exécutif, BIG LIGHT PRODUCTIONS

Award-winning writer and producer Frank Spotnitz founded Big Light Productions, a London-based production company, in 2013. With over 25 years' experience in television, Spotnitz has worked on high-end drama productions including multi-award-winning series The X-Files, Emmy award-winning The Man in the High, Medici, Leonardo, and series 2 of Devils. Big Light has also produced a series of scripted podcasts with Audible UK, including Radioman. In 2013 Spotnitz helped establish and began teaching at Serial Eyes, a postgraduate training programme in Berlin which prepares for the next generation of European TV writer-producers.

Rémi TERESZKIEWICZ

CEO, BETASERIES

Rémi Tereszkiewicz is an expert of OTT services and TV series marketing. Having served since 1994 as VP or SVP in sales and marketing positions for various companies such as Warner Brothers (2016), Lagardère Studios (2014), Netgem (2004) or Eurosport (1994), he led the creation and launching of numerous TV services and xVOD offers. He is currently CEO of Betaseries, a media platform running recommendation services for a community of 5 million monthly TV series fans and analysing TV series & OTT usages for the media industry.