2018 NBFF Flipbook

NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL \\ APRIL 26 - MAY 3, 2018 1 8 8 BERNARDO RONDEAU Bernardo Rondeau (Associate Curator, Head of Film Programs, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures) was formerly Assistant Curator of Film Programs at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). He has served as an Associate Programmer at AFI FEST and as a jury member of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival. He holds an M.A. in Cinema and Media Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles’s School of Theater, Film and Television where he co-founded The Crank—a graduate-student organization that programs public screenings of archival prints—and where he serves as an adjunct professor. LARRY LABOE Larry is the President of Production at SXM, a full service creative agency and branded entertainment studio/production company that plans and delivers branded entertainment across all digital platforms. They specialize in helping brands fuse entertainment, advertising and technology to reach new customers. In addition to his work at SXM, Larry also serves as Co-Founder and Executive Director of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA), an organization committed to highlighting emerging filmmakers worldwide. He’s a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and a Faculty Member at the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). JOLENE RODRIGUEZ Jolene Rodriguez joined Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2010 as an assistant. Since becoming a Development Executive, she has assisted in overseeing the development and production of a diverse slate of projects designed to appeal to a global audience. She has helped oversee many films such as About Last Night, The Wedding Ringer, The Perfect Guy, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, When the Bough Breaks, and Slender Man. Her latest accomplishment is being recognized as one of the Powerful and Influential Latinos in Entertainment for 2017. Jolene lives in Orange County with her husband Ernesto Rodriguez and their two children, Jillian and Mateo. LEAH SYDNEY Leah Sydney is a Producer, Journalist and Awards Consultant. She currently has a film in development at a major studio and has recently produced a Short for ‘Everytown,’ with 9- time academy award nominee Songwriter Diane Warren for her and Common’s Oscar nominated song ‘Stand Up For Something.’ She was also a producer on the Showtime television series Adam Rifkin’s ‘LOOK,’ based on the award winning film of the same name. As a journalist, her writings have appeared in publications such as Glamour, Talk Magazine, A&E’s Biography Magazine, LA Confidential, Hollywood Life, Variety Special Issues, The Huffington Post and The LA Times.com. Leah is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and as an Awards Consultant has just finished her 20th year working/consulting on awards season. She is also an activist and advocate for animal rights. MELISSA HIRSCHENSON Melissa Hirschenson is currently a Senior Talent Agent at Innovative Artists Talent & Literary Agency, representing top level actors in Film and Television. Having also been a casting director in Miami, Melissa has a passion for developing and nurturing crossover talent, and has successfully done so for well over a decade. No matter the client, the goal remains the same: Match the energy and enthusiasm of her clients and work to ensure career longevity. M E E T T H E J U R Y