Panel
Career Opportunities Panel & Roundtable Discussion
This Panel on career opportunities will focus on the strategies that filmmakers who fall under the DEI categories can take in the current entertainment industry environment. We wish to provide actionable advice and direction for applying to competitions, initiatives, programs and retreats that are specifically for Women, BIPOC, Neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ filmmakers.
Panelists will include industry experts who manage diversity initiatives, who can discuss career development programs and strategies for building reels and branding for filmmakers – practical advice to keep a competitive edge in the field whether you are a Screenwriter, Director or Producer or all of the above!
Date
Nov 3
Time
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Place
Sane Living
Length
2h 15m
People/Organization
Rosa Costanza
Panelists
Rosa Costanza
Special Programs Director for OFF/ Moderator
Emmy nominated Producer, Award winning Director & Screenwriter. Rosa’s first film, XING (2017), screened at Cannes and 20+ festivals. Rosa has 50+ awards for Producing & Directing; is one of the first 20 women to become a member of IATSE Local 695; Special Programs Director at the Ojai Film Festival (2021-2024) and Workshop Coordinator for DGA/ AICP “Commercial Directors Diversity Program” (2023-2024).
Tema Staig
Executive Director of Women In Media
Tema Staig is the Executive Director of Women In Media, which she founded in 2010. She created the searchable CrewList database in 2016 as the go-to place to find, vet, and hire women who work behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. WiM hosts events, training, and networking. Ms. Staig was LA County Woman of the Year, 2023.
Melissa Ramirez
Program Manager of Group Effort Initiative
Melissa is Program Manager for the Group Effort Initiative. In 2018, Melissa joined Mayor Garcetti’s Evolve Entertainment Fund (Evolve) and secured internships at Outfest, Live Nation Entertainment, and NBCUniversal in their Corporate Relations, Diversity & Belonging, and Campus Recruitment & Initiatives departments. She graduated from Cal State Univ. Northridge with a B.S. in Business Management and a B.A. in Economics.
Daria Overby
Executive Director of Creative Diversity at Starz
Daria Overby is Executive Director of Creative Diversity and Inclusion for Starz. She serves as a strategic partner and ambassador executing the company’s ongoing commitment to Inclusive Culture. She has been instrumental in the company’s launch and commitment of the #TakeTheLead initiative. Prior to joining Starz, Overby served as Comedy Development Director and VP of Talent Relations for Home Box Office.
Joshua Walker
Manager, Office of Global Inclusion, CBS/Paramount Global
Joshua is a passionate advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) with a focus on increasing accessibility in the workplace and entertainment. He launched Paramount’s Summit on Disability and is a multi-hyphenate actor, writer, director, and stand-up comedian. Joshua is also a travel blogger and active member of NAMIC, promoting diversity in media.