Industry Exchange
Panels, Workshops & Masterclasses
Where filmmakers, creatives, and thought leaders meet to share, inspire, and build. From in-depth panels to intimate fireside conversations and hands-on workshops, the Industry Exchange is your access point to the knowledge, tools, and connections shaping the future of film, TV, and the arts.
PANEL
Under 3 Minutes:
Short Form Content The New Celebrity
Short-form content isn’t just entertainment it’s a global pipeline to visibility, revenue, and even traditional film deals. This panel dives into how creators are using vertical storytelling (TikTok, IG Reels, YouTube Shorts) to build audiences, land brand partnerships, and get noticed by Hollywood. The panel will include a live discussion with creators as they break down their most successful short-form content sharing what made it work, the strategy behind the scenes, and how they're evolving in today’s outside the digital space.
Panelists:
Who Should Attend:
Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Musicians, Artists, Influencers, Photographers, Designers, Marketers. All Industries. Open to the Public.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 2nd, 2025
Time: 11:00am - 12:15pm
Location: Scarritt Bennett Center
MICR0 MASTER CLASS
60 MINUTE CLINIC:
The Director's Playbook for Television
Step inside the director’s chair and get an unfiltered look at the craft of directing for television. In just 60 minutes, this clinic walks you through the playbook every director needs to navigate today’s fast-paced TV landscape.
From breaking down scripts and shaping performances to collaborating with producers, writers, and crew, this session delivers practical insights from inside the industry. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned creative, you’ll leave with a sharper understanding of the strategies, challenges, and artistry behind bringing stories to life on the small screen
Panelist:
Who Should Attend:
Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Musicians, Artists, Influencers, Photographers, Designers, Marketers. All Industries. Open to the Public.
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Scarritt Bennett Center, Laskey Hall
PANEL
Say It Loud:
Youth +Change
You don’t have to wait for permission to change the world you already have the power. Youth + Change is about stepping into that power, owning your voice, and creating impact in the spaces that matter most whether that’s mental health, social justice, the planet, or your community.
Come ready to be seen. Come ready to be heard. Most of all, come ready to be reminded that you are not alone and the change you’ve been waiting for is already inside you.
Because the future isn’t in someone else’s hands. It’s in yours.
Panelists:
Abigail Smith (Host & Co-Moderator), Rachel Ward (Co-Moderator), Dalilia Williams, Aneya Foye, Ademi DaSilva, Gwyn Grady
Who Should Attend:
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High school students interested in leadership, activism, or the arts
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Young creatives and emerging storytellers
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Community youth organizations and educators
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Parents and mentors seeking to empower the next generation
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Anyone passionate about youth-led change in areas like mental health, social justice, the environment, and community building
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Location: R. Milton & Denise Johnson Ctr. Belmont Univ (Small Theater)
Description is explore and deconstruct key Truth and Myth while providing tools and strategies that equip and empower Black Men for mental and emotional health. Join this courageous conversation to discuss critical concepts impacting Black health. The Father wound, Hypersexuality, Autoblackticity, and Emotional Suppress to name a few.
Panelists:
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Location: Scarritt Bennett Center, Harambee Hall
PANEL
Truth Be Told:
The Intersection of Media and Storytelling
Sponsored by:
Mojo MKTG & PR, and Destination Culture
From TikToks to documentaries, TV Shows, digital shorts to podcasts, Creators are reshaping the narrative, one story at a time. But stories don’t just belong to filmmakers; they also belong to the people who live them. This panel explores how media and storytelling work together to inform, inspire, and shift culture. Whether it’s capturing everyday joy, celebrating identity, or spotlighting voices that deserve the mic, we’ll discuss how creators are using film, TV, and media to connect communities, share truths, and build legacy in real time.
Panelists:
Big Fella, Monchiere Jones, Percy Bell, Nathan Morgan, Tiffany Hardin
Who Should Attend:
Producers, Directors, Journalists, Actors, Writers, Musicians, Artists, Influencers, Photographers, Marketers. All Industries. Open to the Public.
Date: Thursday,, Oct. 2nd, 2025
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Analog at Hutton Hotel
PANEL
Industry Insiders Speak:
What Gets A "Yes" in 2025
What does it take to break through in today’s entertainment landscape? From streaming platforms to studio deals to the booming intersections of film, television, and music, the rules of “yes” are shifting fast. In this candid conversation, industry insiders pull back the curtain on what greenlights a project in 2025.
Hear directly from decision makers and creatives shaping the culture as they reveal how stories get financed, music gets placed, and talent gets discovered. For filmmakers, artists, and entrepreneurs alike, this is your roadmap to navigating the evolving world of entertainment and turning your vision into opportunity.
Panelists:
Brett Dismuke, Bobby Yan, Percy Bell, Angela Northington, Andrea Berry, Michael Lohmann
Who Should Attend:
Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Musicians, Artists, Influencers, Photographers, Designers, Marketers. All Industries. Open to the Public.
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Sunset Lounge
PANEL
Hollywood Down South
The South is no longer just a backdrop, it’s becoming a filmmaking powerhouse. Hollywood Down South explores the rise of the South as a creative and economic force in film and television. From Atlanta and Nashville to New Orleans and beyond, this panel dives into how Southern cities are attracting major productions, launching studios, and cultivating homegrown talent in front of and behind the camera. We'll discuss opportunities, challenges, and what it means for the next generation of Southern storytellers.
Panelists:
Brett Dismuke, D. Channsin Berry, Gisela Moore, Ricky Burchell, Tom Neff
Who Should Attend:
Producers, Directors, Actors, Writers, Musicians, Artists, Influencers, Photographers, Designers, Marketers. All Industries. Open to the Public.
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm
Location: R. Milton & Denise Johnson Ctr. Belmont Univ (Small Theater)