2025 Festival Workshops
Our popular “Filmmaker Conversations” Workshop Series returns this year to Yavapai College Sedona Center! Each workshop is designed to give attendees insight into the various aspects of filmmaking. Workshops and discussions are presented by industry experts with vast knowledge and personal experience in the featured subject. Go behind the scenes as our panelists and presenters give you a glimpse behind the curtain into the creative process of filmmaking and getting your vision to the big screen! Rub elbows with industry professionals who are willing to share their experience and insight. These are free and open to everyone.
WORKSHOP SPONSORS: Patty Herrman-Juda and Roy Juda.
CLICK HERE to download the program for the
Filmmaker Conversations Workshop Series.
FREE WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 25 • 10:00 a.m.
Crafting a Winning Film Festival Strategy
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
Submitting your film to festivals can feel like a mix of strategy, luck, and mystery — but it doesn’t have to. Learn the secrets to navigating the competitive world of film festivals and gain invaluable insights to maximize your chances of success on the festival circuit.
Key topics to be discussed include:
• Selecting the right festivals for your film.
• Timing your submissions strategically.
• Budgeting for festival submissions.
• Making the most of your festival run.
• Creating compelling submission packages.
• You have been invited. Now what?
• Common pitfalls to avoid.
Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned pro looking to refine your approach, this panel will equip you with the knowledge to craft a winning film festival strategy tailored to your unique project and goals.
Nancy Collet is a seasoned entertainment professional with over three decades of experience in the film industry. Her career is marked by significant contributions to film programming, festival management, and strategic consulting.
As Director of Programming at AFI FEST for 10 years, Collet played a pivotal role in the festival’s growth and international recognition. During her tenure, she secured premieres of numerous Academy Award-winning films, including “Life Is Beautiful”, “Monster”, “The Lives of Others” and “Pan’s Labyrinth”, solidifying its status as a world-renowned event, and curated a diverse selection of critically acclaimed films, such as “Hotel Rwanda”, “Talk to Her” and “City of God”.
Following her success at AFI FEST, Collet founded Cinema Collet, a strategic consulting firm. Her client portfolio includes major film festivals like the Toronto International Film Festival, educational institutions such as NYU, cultural organizations like The French Consulate, distribution companies and independent filmmakers seeking festival guidance.
Collet’s expertise is widely recognized in the film community, evidenced by her roles as a juror, moderator, and panelist for international film festivals and events. Collet’s career is characterized by her ability to identify and promote groundbreaking cinema, foster industry relationships, and elevate the profile of film festivals and organizations.
FREE WORKSHOP
Tuesday, February 25 • 1:00 p.m.
Film Festivals and Where To Find Them
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
Join a frank and honest conversation about the importance of film festivals. Come hear insights about how they work, what makes a good festival, and how to find those that are right for you from folks who make it their business to know. With speakers: Katie and Ian Bignell (Strategists, Festival Formula), Tim Molloy (Editor-in-Chief, MovieMaker Magazine), and Crickett Rumley (Senior Director, NYFA Film Festival Department).
Ian Bignell is a Film Festival Strategist at Festival Formula. He watches films that come into the company, providing impartial feedback on how they best fit into the worldwide film festival circuit. Drawing on his wisdom as the companies previous Submissions Coordinator, he has expert insight into the circuit and uses it to create bespoke festival strategies. Behind the scenes, he is the companies go-to nerd for technical help on anything from codecs to subtitles. Away from the desk, you will often find him at film festivals worldwide as an industry guest, sharing his expertise and giving honest advice. Previous speaking engagements include: HollyShorts, Heartland Film Festival, Encounters Film Festival, Flickers’ Rhode Island Film Festival, Bolton International Film Festival, Norwich Film Festival, Manchester International Film Festival and many more. Selected prior jury service includes: DC shorts, Oxford Film Festival Indy Shorts, Tallgrass Film Festival. He was the co-recipient of the Pioneering Spirit Award alongside his wife Katie Bignell which was awarded by Heartland Film in 2024.
Katie Bignell graduated from Bournemouth Media School in Scriptwriting for Film & TV and is also a graduate of the London Royal Court Writer Groups. She founded Festival Formula in 2014 after spotting a gap in the festival knowledge of filmmakers around film festivals. With 20 plus years experience behind it they are providing strategy and submissions support to filmmakers world-wide. They’re active members of the Short Film Conference and the Film Festival Alliance. Katie is also a key spokesperson on festival issues with coverage in The Hollywood Reporter and Screen Daily regarding suspect and fraudulent film festivals. She co-created the Filmmaker Lounge in partnership with Film Festival Alliance – an online space for programmers and filmmakers to discuss their roles. Previous speaking engagements include: HollyShorts, Heartland Film Festival, BFI Flare, Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival, Sundance, SXSW and many more. Selected prior jury service include: Cleveland International, Heartland International, St. Louis International, Palm Springs Shortsfest, Young Directors Awards, Raindance, Tallgrass Film Festival and more. She was the co-recipient of the Pioneering Spirit Award alongside her husband Ian Bignell which was awarded by Heartland Film, and their company received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Film from London Breeze Film Festival in 2024.
Tim Molloy is the editor of MovieMaker Magazine, which he co-owns with publisher Deirdre McCarrick. Born in Los Angeles, he started his reporting career in the Phoenix bureau of The Associated Press, and now lives in Massachusetts. Visit moviemaker.com and follow us if you like: @moviemakermag.
The founder and senior director of the Film Festival Department at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Los Angeles, Crickett Rumley has guided filmmakers to official selections at festivals ranging from Sundance to Bronzelens and to wins and nominations at the Student Academy Awards, the BAFTA Student Film Awards, the DGA Student Film Awards, and the College Television Awards. She is on the board of the Film Festival Alliance, serves as the Panels Director for the Tallgrass Film Festival, and has taught workshops and served on juries for festivals around the U.S.
FREE WORKSHOP
Wednesday, February 26 • 10:00 a.m.
Casting Your Film: Collaborating with a Regional Casting Director
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
A great cast starts with smart decisions—so how do you collaborate effectively with a casting director? Ryan Glorioso, CSA, a regional casting director with experience in both indie and studio productions—including “Mayfair Witches”, “Twisted Metal” and “The Boogeyman” — breaks down the casting process for filmmakers at any level.
This session covers crafting clear and focused breakdowns, maximizing local talent, evaluating auditions effectively, and strategically budgeting roles. You’ll also learn how to expand your casting options with virtual auditions and avoid common pitfalls.
Whether you’re assembling your first cast or refining your approach, this workshop will give you the tools to build a strong, dynamic ensemble while making the most of your collaboration with your casting director.
Ryan Glorioso, a Louisiana-based casting director with over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, has made a significant impact on the Southern film scene. After graduating from Northwestern State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre, Glorioso spent time honing his craft as an actor in Los Angeles. Upon returning to New Orleans in 2004, he embraced the burgeoning film industry and quickly found his niche in casting.
With a proven track record of over 120 film and TV credits, Glorioso is recognized as a leading casting director in Louisiana. He is dedicated to nurturing the talents of aspiring Southern actors and has played a pivotal role in their career development. Glorioso is a proud member of the Casting Society of America and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
FREE WORKSHOP
Wednesday, February 26 • 1:00 p.m.
Deserve’s Got Nothing To Do With It: Talking C.R.A.P.P. with Charlie Midnight
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter Charlie Midnight shares the Collaboration, Relationships, Ambition, Passion and Persistence (CRAPP) that helped him survive until he found himself at the door of success. Having written songs for over 40 films including, “The Bodyguard”, the all-time biggest selling soundtrack album and “Rocky 4” for which he wrote James Brown’s classic “Living In America”, Charlie will share his odyssey filled with dead ends, reboots and perseverance and will give you the tools that will help you survive your emotional journey to success. No matter what part of the film or music industry you are involved in — or what role you play on a film set — this session will help you reach your goals.
Born and bred in Brooklyn, New York, Charlie Midnight is a Grammy, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning and nominated Record Producer/Songwriter who has been involved in the writing and production of albums that have sold more than 50 million copies.
Recently, Midnight was nominated for both an Emmy and a Grammy for the song, “Love Will Survive” sung by Barbra Streisand, co-written with Hans Zimmer, Walter Afanasieff and Kara Talve, for the film “The Tattooist of Auschwitz”.
His Grammy nomination for James Brown’s “Living in America” earned Midnight a place in music history with James Brown receiving his first Grammy for Best Male Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance.
In Midnight’s storied career he has written and produced for a wide range of artists including amongst others: James Brown, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, Idina Menzel, Hilary Duff, Seal, Joe Cocker, Jamey Johnson, Chaka Khan, Dan Hartman and The Doobie Brothers.
Midnight has also written and published a book called, “Deserve’s Got Nothing To Do With It: Talking C.R.A.P.P. with Charlie Midnight”.
FREE WORKSHOP
Thursday, February 27 • 10:00 a.m.
Story to Screenplay Workshop
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
There has never been a better time to turn your idea or story into a screenplay for the big or small screen. Join screenwriter and script coach Brian Edgar for this engaging, interactive workshop, and begin to visualize your story for a feature film or new series. Learn what it takes to craft an outline, log line, Screenplay or TV Pilot—and put your ideas into motion!
Brian Edgar has written scripts for Al Pacino, Killer Films and HBO. His original screenplay “Conquest” is in development with Tom Waller and De Warrenne Pictures. He was also script consultant on Waller’s award-winning film, “Kiss Of The Con Queen”. Edgar is a co-writer on “Tailspin”, a true story action/drama being developed by London-based Screencrib. His latest screenplay is “Dark Sands”, an elevated thriller.
A graduate of the Columbia University MFA film program, Edgar has taught screenwriting at CUNY/Hunter College and Gotham Writers Workshop in New York, and has presented workshops and panels at Story Expo LA, University of Paris/Nanterre, Rutgers University, and at the Sedona, Orlando and Gasparilla Film Festivals.
Co-founder of Story To Screenplay, Edgar works with writers of all levels who aspire to elevate their screenplays for the marketplace.
FREE WORKSHOP
Thursday, February 27 • 1:00 p.m.
Composing Music for Film: Inspiration, Craft & Collaboration
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
Film composer Craig Richey demonstrates how he conceives of a film’s thematic materials, develops those ideas into a variety of emotional treatments that give birth to a score and how to craft a scene from start to finish. Richey will also discuss the collaborative process between Director & Composer, followed by a Q&A.
Craig Richey received his musical training as a classical pianist at the Juilliard School before turning to film composing. Richey is a Sundance Fellow, both a participant and advisor in the Composer’s Labs. His films have premiered at the Sedona, Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, South by Southwest, Outfest and Tribeca film festivals, among others.
Richey has had three films at the Sedona International Film Festival: “The Cowboy & The Queen”, “They Who Surround Us” and “Wonderful World”. Other films include: Nicole Holofcener’s “Lovely & Amazing” and “Friends With Money”, RJ Cutler’s “The September Issue” and Seth Gordon’s “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters”. Richey’s music was also featured prominently in “The Lucky One” and “The King of Staten Island”. He scored both seasons of “Dear….” currently streaming on Apple TV+.
FREE WORKSHOP
Friday, February 28 • 10:00 a.m.
The Actor and the Director
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
Let’s have an open discussion about the opportunity for a director to build a rich and rewarding working relationship with their actors on the set of their project. We all bring different thoughts, feelings, and insights to the production of a film. It is now time to join forces to create a piece of work that reaches out to an audience to tell the story of your film in a way that you want to tell it.
You spend a lot of time and energy putting all the parts together to create something special. Get your actors on board to support you in doing just that.
Jay Goldenberg has worked as an actor, director, acting teacher and coach in New York, Los Angeles and on various locations. He has coached actors Salma Hayek, Cybill Shepherd, Michael Chiklis, Jared Leto, Ione Skye, Estelle Getty, Trevor St. John, Shelley Hennig and others.
Working in theater, film and television has given Goldenberg the opportunity to learn and grow through many opportunities and experiences. In the past few years he has additionally enjoyed the position of Director of Education at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Goldenberg has a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from NYU School of the Arts. He has studied with Olympia Dukakis, Harold Guskin, Ron Van Lieu, and Roy London among others.
FREE WORKSHOP
Friday, February 28 • 1:00 p.m.
Screenplay Table Read: Award-winning Scripts
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
A Table Read is an invaluable tool to the writer! When a group of actors come together to read a scene or two, the writer listens in a different way. They can now hear it interacted on the “stage” literally and not just between the writer’s ears, in that lonely mind-space. They get a new perspective, a deeper level perhaps!
The genuine hope in presenting sequences from the winning scripts in LIVE READS is to help writers “hear” the characters come alive. A read allows a writer to fully understand the translation from page to stage to screen! Otherwise, it’s just voices in the head. What sounds perfect may in ‘reality’ come off as clunky in a read and allow the writer further refining. When their characters come to life, they can fully incorporate them into the working story — keeping what helps, cutting what hinders and learning more about their characters sub-text.
A read is one of the many tools that help a writer deliver on a winning script. And finally, after a read the writer, audience and actors can further exchange ideas to expand what works. In the end, it’s a win-win for all involved, (especially other writers looking on!).
FREE WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 1 • 10:00 a.m.
Can You Imagine a Film Without Music?
Part 1: The Music Supervisor
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
This workshop will explain the role of the motion picture music supervisor, who draws upon the combined resources of the film and music communities to marry music and moving images. It is intended to lead attendees to a better understanding and appreciation of the use of music in the filming process.
• To understand the power of music as it relates to storytelling in a feature film.
• The different ways music can impact a scene.
• To recognize when a particular piece or style of music enhances the emotional resonance of a scene and how subjective that choice is. Samples of scenes with different music will be shown and audience will vote on their favorites … further exhibiting the “subjectivity” of choice.
• The difference between “source” music and “score”.
Bonnie Greenberg has been at the forefront of the entertainment business, integrating music and motion pictures for over three decades. Songs and scores she has executive produced have won Emmy, NAACP, and Golden Globe awards and been nominated for Academy and Grammy awards.
Greenberg’s career began as an entertainment attorney. She has a law degree from Southwestern University School of Law, a Master’s degree from Antioch College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Denver. She was a business affairs executive at MCA Records and Paramount Pictures, then pivoted her talents to merge music and film to become a sought-after Music Supervisor. She’s used her considerable respect and goodwill in the industry on 80 plus films including diverse classics such as “Menace II Society”, “What Women Want”, “My Best Friend’s Wedding”, “The Mask”, “The Best Man” and “Tank Girl” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.
After getting a Masters degree in clinical psychology Greenberg pivoted again, turning her attention to documentaries and films that shed a light on issues, using music to help effectuate change in the world, films including “The Hunting Ground” “Cracked Up” “Four Good Days”, and “RBG” and the upcoming documentaries “October H8te”, “Move Ya Body: The Birth of House Music” and “The Wisdom of Happiness”.
Greenberg is the 2025 recipient of the Guild of Music Supervisors Lifetime Achievement Award.
FREE WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 1 • 1:00 p.m.
Can You Imagine a Film Without Music?
Part 2: The Music Editor
at Yavapai College Sedona Center
Angie Rubin — music editor on such films as “Seven”, “Encanto”, “Pitch Perfect”, “The Fall Guy”, “It Ends With Us” and many more — shows you the creative journey she takes while working on a film. From the composer’s score to song placements, Rubin will show you how music can MAKE or BREAK a scene. By the end of this workshop you’ll better understand the music editor’s role in the final musical landscape of a film.
Angie Rubin began her musical journey in 1977, sneaking out of her parents’ house and walking down the street to Whiskey a Go Go. With bands like The Runaways inspiring her, she put together her own all-girl band, called The Minors, when she was 14. A few years later, after meeting her neighbor, record producer Roy Thomas Baker, she began learning about songwriting, recording, and the business of music.
Falling in love with songwriting, Rubin signed a two-year publishing deal with Almo Irving Music (through A&M records) and began writing and recording songs full-time. Never did she imagine that she’d find something even more fun than this. But around the weekend of her 30th birthday, by chance, a friend asked her to sub as an assistant music editor on the film “Ed Wood”.
With her wacky background of playing, writing and recording music, Rubin was able to jump right into the world of post-production, soon becoming a music editor on her own. Her first solo film was “Grosse Pointe Blank” in 1995. Now, almost 30 years later, her film credits are about as varied as they come, from musicals (“Pitch Perfect” and “Encanto”) to dramas (“Seven” and the “Fifty Shades” trilogy) to comedies (“Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion”) to documentaries (“On the Record”).
One of her recent highlights was working on a “best song” montage for The Oscars after being elected to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2014.
Part 3: Greenberg and Rubin Together
After both sessions Greenberg and Rubin will join together for 30 minutes to answer questions as to how they work together and present a case study of the opening credit sequence of the film “Take the Lead”.
CLICK HERE to download the program for the
Filmmaker Conversations Workshop Series.