Big Apple AGENTS AND MANAGERS Networking Lab

Big Apple Film Festival will select a limited number of projects to participate in our AGENTS AND MANAGERS NETWORKING LAB. The purpose of the lab is to provide direct access for filmmakers and screenwriters currently seeking representation to discuss their projects, ask questions, pitch their material and receive feedback from top agents and managers. Meetings will be in small group sessions and will take place virtually allowing all selected participants to join remotely. PARTICIPATING AGENTS AND MANAGERS: Roy Ashton (Agent, partner at The Gersh Agency) Sydney Kobil (Agent, WME) Lee Stobby (President, Talent Manager at Stobby Entertainment) Michael Klein (Talent Manager, Magnolia Entertainment) ​It is recommended that selected screenplay participants are prepared with the following: 1. Synopsis 2. Attached Cast (if any) 3. Estimated Budget 4. Copyright Information 5. Your Bio and Any Awards or Placements Your Script has received ​It is recommended that selected participants with film projects are prepared with the following: 1. Synopsis 2. Cast 3. Budget 4. Distribution (if any) 5. Film Festival Screenings and Awards (if any) FULL BIOGRAPHIES OF PARTICIPATING AGENTS AND MANAGERS: ROY ASHTON Roy Ashton is the Head of the TV Literary & Packaging Dept. at The Gersh Agency, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Prior to joining Gersh as Partner, Ashton spent 13 years at Creative Artists Agency. He functions in all areas of television, helping clients sell and package television projects at the major networks, major cable, and premium cable outlets. ​Ashton’s client business includes showrunners, writers, production companies, directors, distributors, authors, and actors from all over the globe. SYDNEY KOBIL Sydney Kobil is an Agent in WME’s Non-Scripted TV department based out of Los Angeles, where she has worked since 2016. With a focus on the lifestyle and documentary space, she represents an array of talent, production companies, showrunners & filmmakers. Sydney believes we all play a part in story telling and changing the narrative, so she is always looking to amplify messages that inspire change & bring different perspectives to the screen. She is passionate about using her role to bring female & strong diverse voices to the front and behind the camera. Some of her talent clients include JACLYN JOHNSON, ELTON JOHN, ALOE BLACC, EITAN BERNATH, BLACK COFFEE, ERIN ANDREWS, MAX LUGAVERE & RACHEL HOLLIS. On the production company side, some of her clients include ALFRED STREET, SCOUT, TWENTY TWENTY, ROCKET ENTERTAINMENT, MATADOR, RAILSPLITTER & CREATURE FILMS. As for her filmmaker clients, she represents ALISON ELLWOOD, CHRIS PERKEL, KIRK FRASER, MICHELE OHAYON, SAMI KAHN, SHARON SHATTUCK & JULIA MARCHESI. MICHAEL KLEIN Michael Klein is a literary manager and producer who recently joined Magnolia Entertainment. Before joining, he operated his own management/production company for over a decade. He manages filmmakers from across the globe who work in both film and television. Clients have written and directed for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney, Apple, Blumhouse, Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers, Paramount, Universal, Lionsgate, to name a few. He’s excited to be working with Magnolia Entertainment, who represent an esteemed roster of talent, including Rosamund Pike, Rachel McAdams, Dev Patel, and Daniel Espinosa. LEE STOBBY Lee Stobby is a literary manager, producer and principal of Lee Stobby Entertainment who has over 10 years of management and producing experience. His clients have written for numerous feature film projects and series, including JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 and currently JOHN WICK 4, Netflix's STRANGER THINGS and ARMY OF THE DEAD, the CW's LEGACIES, as well as clients who have sold scripts to Lionsgate, CW and more. Producing highlights and credits include SISTER AIMEE, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival; WILDLING starring Bel Powley, Liv Tyler and Brad Dourif and premiered at SXSW; as well as scripts setup with Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho, Universal, and Netflix, including the #1 Black List Script BUBBLES. ABOUT BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL BAFF, named one of MovieMaker Magazine's top "25 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee,” top "25 Coolest Film Festivals,”, CBS New York's "Best Film Festivals in New York...,” and FilmFreeway's "Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals", is dedicated to showcasing, highlighting and promoting the highest quality films from the independent film community. ALUMNI FILMS include filmmakers and cast that are Academy Award and Golden Globe nominees, SAG Award winners and nominees, as well as films released by HBO, Showtime, IFC, Netflix, Amazon, Itunes and more... PREVIOUS HONORARY GUESTS AND AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDE: Jesse Eisenberg(Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee) Cuba Gooding Jr.(Academy Award winner) Morgan Spurlock(Academy Award nominee, WGA Award winner) Alan Cumming(Tony Award and Independent Spirit Award winner) Jackie Martling (The Howard Stern Show) Jerry Stiller, Karen Allen, Olympia Dukakis(Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner) Kevin Corrigan Katherine Waterston Ernie Hudson Mario Cantone Zoe Lister Jones Roger Sherman(Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner) Haley Joel Osment(Academy Award nominee), and more... BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL HAS BEEN FEATURED IN: Indiewire The New York Times MovieMaker Magazine (Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals and Top 25 Festivals Worth The Entry Fee) CBS New York (Best Film Festivals in New York...) The Hollywood Reporter BuzzFeed PIX News New York 1 AM New York And more..