Michael Sheresky is a partner at United Talent Agency and has served as a motion picture talent agent there since June 2009, where he is responsible for structuring projects and deals in the areas of motion picture and television development, production, and distribution. From 1992 until 1995, and then from 1997 until May 2009, Mr. Sheresky held a number of positions at the William Morris Agency, a talent agency, most recently Senior Vice President in its Motion Picture Department. During that time, he represented authors, journalists, screenwriters, directors, producers and actors in the motion picture and television businesses. Mr. Sheresky holds an MBA from Harvard University and a B.A. from Vassar College.
Jessica Kovacevic
WME
Jessica Kovacevic is a senior partner at leading entertainment agency WME, where she identifies, develops, and guides the careers of leading actors. She represents both rising talent and established stars and has set herself apart for her ability to spot talent and identify high-quality projects on their behalf. Kovacevic’s roster includes high-profile clients such as Kristen Stewart, Jodie Comer, Rachel Sennott, Ramy Youssef, Mike Faist, Nicholas Galitzine, and Ella Purnell. Kovacevic graduated from New York University and joined WME in 2005 as an assistant. In 2018, Variety named her to its Hollywood’s New Leaders list, recognizing prominent executives under the age of 40.
Ramses IsHak
United Talent Agency
Ramses IsHak is a Partner at United Talent Agency, where he has served as a motion picture talent agent since June 2009, representing writers, directors, actors, and producers across film and television. A Michigan native, he began his career in the William Morris Agency mailroom in 1994, advancing to agent just two years later. Over 15 years at William Morris, he rose to Senior Vice President in the Motion Picture Department before joining UTA, where he continues to structure deals for a wide range of talent in film and television development, production, and distribution. Mr. IsHak holds a B.A. in Communications and Film Studies from the University of Southern California. Beyond his agency work, he serves on the USC School of Cinematic Arts Alumni Leadership Council and as a board member of American High's Academy.
Michael Gianino
Creative Artists Agency
Michael Gianino is a Motion Picture Talent Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Based in the Los Angeles office, Gianino works on behalf of many of the world’s leading actors. Gianino began his career in the CAA mailroom in 2019 before moving into the Motion Picture Talent department as an assistant to Joel Lubin, a Managing Director and Head of CAA’s Motion Picture Group. A graduate of the University of Georgia, he was accepted into CAA’s Elevate program in 2023. Michael was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri.
Riley MacDonald
United Talent Agency
Riley MacDonald is an agent in the Motion Picture Literary department at United Talent Agency. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Cinema and Media Studies, she started her career in the UTA mailroom and worked her way up to agent. She now represents filmmakers, writers, and producers.
Join leading filmmakers, producers, executives, and dealmakers for a conversation about producing, financing, storytelling, and navigating today’s changing entertainment landscape.
Tickets on sale soon
Featuring
Edward Burns
Filmmaker
Writer-director-actor and independent filmmaker behind The Brothers McMullen and Beneath the Blue Suburban Skies.
Donna Gigliotti
Co-President · Producers Guild of America
Academy Award-winning producer of Shakespeare in Love; also produced Hidden Figures and Silver Linings Playbook.
Rena Ronson
Partner & Head · UTA Independent Film Group
Leading film finance, packaging, distribution and sales executive for independent film.
Kathryn Tyus-Adair
Head of Film · Orit Entertainment
Veteran film and television executive leading feature development and production for Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment.
Lawrence Grey
Chief Content Officer · Nateland Entertainment
Producer and executive overseeing film, television and broader content for Nate Bargatze’s Nateland Entertainment.
Screenplay Table Read
Sun Nov 8 · 10:00 AM
Screenplay Table Read
Art Center Gallery
Tickets on sale soon
Panelists TBD.
Social Impact Panel
Sun Nov 8 · 10:00 AM
Social Impact Panel
Chaparral Auditorium
Tickets on sale soon
Panelists TBD.
Panel times are on the schedule, which stays tentative until the program is locked.
