Festival Educational Events

Twin Cities Film Fest ‘Industry Panel’ will cover a wide array of topics such as film production, distribution, exhibition, careers, and current industry trends.

Moderator: Lauren Grimshaw Sloan (Director of Artist Development at SeriesFest) | Panelists: Teri Weinberg (former Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment), Christine Dávila (Head of TV at Mucho Más Media), and Kit Williamson (filmmaker, writer, and actor – EASTSIDERS)

TERI WEINBERG is a highly accomplished producer and entertainment executive with over 20 years of industry experience. As the former Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment, she oversaw all scripted development and primetime programming, shaping some of television’s most celebrated series. Before her time at NBC, Weinberg was Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming at Reveille, where she helped launch and produce hit shows such as The Biggest Loser, Nashville Star, and 30 Days. Her career began at ICM as a television talent agent, specializing in feature talent and literary representation. Weinberg also excels in Leadership, Keynote, Workshops and Coaching.

In 2010, she founded her production company, Yellow Brick Road, launching with a two-year first-look deal with NBC Universal, before transitioning to independent producing and consulting for MTV Network and National Geographic Channel. In 2016, Weinberg partnered with Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor and producer America Ferrera under a four-year first-look deal with NBC Universal. Her distinguished producing career includes credits as Executive Producer of the Peabody, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award-winning The Office, as well as Executive Producer of Ugly Betty, winner of two Golden Globes, a Peabody Award, and multiple Emmy nominations. Weinberg also produced the critically acclaimed series The Tudors. She would earn dual Emmy nominations in 2007 for The Office and Ugly Betty. Additional notable projects include National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated event films Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus, the Netflix Peabody-nominated dramedy series Gentefied, and the award-winning documentary Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story. Weinberg also served as Executive Producer on the Amazon pilot Hialeah, Dade Fkin County* and the feature documentary A Case for Kindness, which has received critical acclaim and multiple film festival Laurels, a Creative Coalition Humanitarian Award and a District of Columbia Proclamation for Kindness Day.

CHRISTINE DAVILA is currently the Head of TV at Mucho Más Media, a media company backed by HarbourView Equity Partners. Previously she was the Head of Development and Production for Ojalá, a company founded by Tanya Saracho (Vida) with an overall deal at UCP/Universal Studios Group. Prior to that she was Director of Development at Warner Brothers Television where she developed and produced the Emmy nominated series It’s Bruno for Netflix, and Two Sentence Horror Stories for the CW. She has more than a decade of film programming experience at several film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival. She was the Executive Director of the 501c3 Ambulante California founded by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. Dávila is currently on the board of OTV a nonprofit streaming platform and media incubator, an Industry Advisory Board Member at SXSW, and is the founder of Latina Squad, a professional network of TV/Film Executives.

KIT WILLIAMSON is a trailblazing filmmaker, writer, and actor, hailed by People Magazine as “the future of LGBTQ storytelling.” He is best known for creating the Emmy-winning dark comedy EastSiders, which he wrote, directed, and starred in, earning six Daytime Emmy nominations and global acclaim on Netflix. Kit’s new series Unconventional premiered at SeriesFest and is now streaming on the LGBTQ+ streaming network Revry. Written, directed, and starring Kit alongside a star-studded ensemble including Beau Bridges and Kathy Griffin, the series follows two queer siblings navigating relationships, family, and self-discovery in the California desert. A Sundance Lab alumnus, Kit has written projects for Universal TV, CBS, Sony Screen Gems, Netflix and HBO. He is repped by Buchwald and More/Medavoy.

Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation

SeriesFest’s Pitch-A-Thon! is bringing its dynamic live pitching competition to the Twin Cities Film Fest!

Selected creators will have five minutes to pitch their original series to a panel of top industry professionals, followed by seven minutes of live feedback.

Each participant also receives expert pitch coaching prior to the event to refine their presentation and make the most of this high-exposure opportunity.

Come watch and support Minnesota Creators as they pitch their ‘dream’ shows in this one of a kind event!

Pitch-A-Thon Contestants: Margaret Katch, Mikah Meyer, and Tapan Sharma

Moderator: Lauren Grimshaw Sloan (Director of Artist Development at SeriesFest) | Panelists: Teri Weinberg (former Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment), Christine Dávila (Head of TV at Mucho Más Media), and Kit Williamson (filmmaker, writer, and actor – EASTSIDERS)

TERI WEINBERG is a highly accomplished producer and entertainment executive with over 20 years of industry experience. As the former Executive Vice President of NBC Entertainment, she oversaw all scripted development and primetime programming, shaping some of television’s most celebrated series. Before her time at NBC, Weinberg was Executive Vice President of Scripted Programming at Reveille, where she helped launch and produce hit shows such as The Biggest Loser, Nashville Star, and 30 Days. Her career began at ICM as a television talent agent, specializing in feature talent and literary representation. Weinberg also excels in Leadership, Keynote, Workshops and Coaching.

In 2010, she founded her production company, Yellow Brick Road, launching with a two-year first-look deal with NBC Universal, before transitioning to independent producing and consulting for MTV Network and National Geographic Channel. In 2016, Weinberg partnered with Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actor and producer America Ferrera under a four-year first-look deal with NBC Universal. Her distinguished producing career includes credits as Executive Producer of the Peabody, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award-winning The Office, as well as Executive Producer of Ugly Betty, winner of two Golden Globes, a Peabody Award, and multiple Emmy nominations. Weinberg also produced the critically acclaimed series The Tudors. She would earn dual Emmy nominations in 2007 for The Office and Ugly Betty. Additional notable projects include National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated event films Killing Lincoln, Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus, the Netflix Peabody-nominated dramedy series Gentefied, and the award-winning documentary Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story. Weinberg also served as Executive Producer on the Amazon pilot Hialeah, Dade Fkin County* and the feature documentary A Case for Kindness, which has received critical acclaim and multiple film festival Laurels, a Creative Coalition Humanitarian Award and a District of Columbia Proclamation for Kindness Day.

CHRISTINE DAVILA is currently the Head of TV at Mucho Más Media, a media company backed by HarbourView Equity Partners. Previously she was the Head of Development and Production for Ojalá, a company founded by Tanya Saracho (Vida) with an overall deal at UCP/Universal Studios Group. Prior to that she was Director of Development at Warner Brothers Television where she developed and produced the Emmy nominated series It’s Bruno for Netflix, and Two Sentence Horror Stories for the CW. She has more than a decade of film programming experience at several film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival. She was the Executive Director of the 501c3 Ambulante California founded by Diego Luna and Gael Garcia Bernal. Dávila is currently on the board of OTV a nonprofit streaming platform and media incubator, an Industry Advisory Board Member at SXSW, and is the founder of Latina Squad, a professional network of TV/Film Executives.

KIT WILLIAMSON is a trailblazing filmmaker, writer, and actor, hailed by People Magazine as “the future of LGBTQ storytelling.” He is best known for creating the Emmy-winning dark comedy EastSiders, which he wrote, directed, and starred in, earning six Daytime Emmy nominations and global acclaim on Netflix. Kit’s new series Unconventional premiered at SeriesFest and is now streaming on the LGBTQ+ streaming network Revry. Written, directed, and starring Kit alongside a star-studded ensemble including Beau Bridges and Kathy Griffin, the series follows two queer siblings navigating relationships, family, and self-discovery in the California desert. A Sundance Lab alumnus, Kit has written projects for Universal TV, CBS, Sony Screen Gems, Netflix and HBO. He is repped by Buchwald and More/Medavoy.

Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation

Filmmaker Kit Williamson breaks down the process of making an independent television series, from development to distribution, and shares his own experiences selling his Emmy-winning series “EastSiders” to Netflix and his new indie series “Unconventional” to the LGBTQ+ streaming service Revry.

This masterclass will explore the current state of independently financed TV shows, their role in helping tell stories outside of the traditional network pipeline, and the viability of this model in the future. The class will be followed by a Q&A where filmmakers can seek advice about their own projects.

Speaker: Kit Williamson (filmmaker, writer, and actor – EASTSIDERS)

KIT WILLIAMSON is a trailblazing filmmaker, writer and actor, hailed by People Magazine as “the future of LGBTQ storytelling.” He is celebrated for creating compelling, award-winning narratives that challenge conventions and spotlight modern queer experiences.  Kit is perhaps best known for the Emmy-winning dark comedy LGBTQ series Eastsiders, which he also wrote, directed, and starred in. Streaming globally on Netflix and translated into more than two dozen languages, Eastsiders has garnered six Daytime Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Writing and Directing, and won accolades including two Queerty Awards, and Indie Series Award, the Vanguard Award from OutSHINE Film Festival and the LA Weekly Award for Best Web Drama.   Kit’s new series, Unconventional premiered on the LGBTQ+ streaming network Revry this year. The show, which Kit wrote, directed, follows two eccentric, queer siblings and their significant others as they try to start an unconventional family in the California desert, while trying to stay sane in their thirties, and holding on to the bonds that they share.  

As an actor, Kit began his career on Broadway in the Tony-nominated revival of Talk Radio and played copywriter Ed Gifford on Mad Men. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Kit studied acting and creative writing at Interlochen Arts Academy, earned his undergraduate degree from Fordham University, and holds an MFA in playwriting from UCLA.

Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation and Film North

In this comprehensive and hands-on class, filmmakers will learn to navigate the complexities of fair use in the context of documentary film production. As documentary filmmakers, we often rely on a variety of media—such as archival footage, photos, music, interviews, and other copyrighted works—to tell compelling stories. Understanding how to use these materials legally, ethically, and creatively is crucial for producing impactful documentaries while avoiding costly legal pitfalls.

This class will explore the principles of fair use, its legal implications, and the best practices for applying it within your film projects. Through case studies, real-world examples, and practical exercises, students will gain a deeper understanding of how to assess fair use and incorporate third-party content in a way that respects both the law and the artistic integrity of the work.

Key Topics:

• Introduction to Fair Use: A deep dive into the four factors that determine fair use and how they apply to documentary filmmaking.
• Historical Context & Precedents: Reviewing landmark legal cases that have shaped fair use in media production, with a focus on documentary film.
• The Four Fair Use Factors: Understanding how courts evaluate the purpose, nature, amount, and effect of using copyrighted works in documentaries.
• Licensing vs. Fair Use: Knowing when it’s necessary to obtain a license for copyrighted material and when fair use can be applied.
• Fair Use in Practice: Practical steps for incorporating copyrighted material legally, with real examples from popular documentaries.
• Creative Strategies for Navigating Fair Use: How to work within fair use guidelines while maintaining your documentary’s narrative and artistic integrity.
• Risk Management & Legal Advice: When to consult with a legal expert and how to document your fair use decisions to protect yourself from litigation.

Learning Outcomes:

• A solid understanding of fair use as it pertains to documentary filmmaking.
• The ability to confidently analyze and assess whether a specific use of copyrighted material qualifies as fair use.
• Practical skills in securing legal clearance for third-party content, knowing when to license, and when fair use may apply.
• Insight into how to manage the risks of using copyrighted materials while maintaining creative freedom and integrity.

Whether you’re an aspiring documentary filmmaker, a producer, or someone interested in media law, this course will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the legal landscape and create documentaries that are both compelling and compliant.

Speaker: Aaron C. Young, JD, LLM

AARON C. YOUNG, JD, LLM is the principle and founder of Young Entertainment Law, PLLC
with clients that include the Twin Cities Film Fest, award winning Filmmakers, Producers,
Authors, Painters, Sculptors, Song Writers, Recording Artists, Professional Sports Executives,
Professional Athletes, and Professional Coaches.
 
Aaron received his Juris Doctor (JD) from Marquette University Law School (Milwaukee, WI),
in 2001, and his Master of Laws (LLM) from Southwestern Law School (Los Angeles, CA), in
2003, specializing in Entertainment & Media Law.  
 
Aaron is an Adjunct Professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law teaching The Business of IP:
Independent Film Production, and a former Adjunct Professor of Law at Hamline University
School of Law teaching Sports Law, Adjunct Professor of Law at William Mitchell College of
Law teaching Client Representation, and Adjunct Professor at McNally Smith College of Music
teaching Legal Aspects of Music & Entertainment, Business Law, and Contract Law.
 
Active in the business and charitable world, Aaron sits on Boards and Committees of several for
profit and nonprofit Organizations, including the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Legal
Advisory Committee for Springboard for the Arts in St. Paul, MN, is a board member of the
Coalition of Recovery Investment (“CORI”) in St. Paul, MN, and is a present board member and
past President of FilmNorth in St. Paul, MN.

Presented by: Raymond J. Christensen Foundation and Film North