REEL CONNECT: Presented by In the Cut

Join for a day of interactive workshops with industry pros, short film screenings & learn to navigate the next era of storytelling. REEL CONNECT: Presented by In the Cut The entertainment industry is undergoing a major shift. Studio consolidation and declining traditional media spend have led to shrinking opportunities, disproportionately affecting Black and POC creators. At the same time, platforms like YouTube are booming, with creators leveraging independent success into studio deals. This moment favors writers who can also develop, produce, and distribute their own work to navigate both indie and studio systems at the same time. Reel Connect is our annual live event, designed to equip creatives with the tools, knowledge, and connections to leverage studio success for independent content creation and vice versa. This is not a day of panels. Participants sit in small group conversations with speakers to learn and connect in real time. OUR SPEAKERS • Deniese Davis: Four-time Emmy nominated producer of INSECURE (HBO), A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW (HBO) and ONE OF THEM DAYS (SONY), featuring SZA and Keke Palmer. • Tasha & Joel Armstead: Husband and wife writing partners, producers and comedians who recently wrote for A DIFFERENT WORLD (NETFLIX). They've independently produced multiple podcasts and webseries, and Tasha has apparead on Issa Rae's new Youtube series, TELL YOUR FREINDS. • Rae Benjamin: Television and film writer who's worked on hit shows like THE WITCHER & BRIDGERTON (NETFLIX). She co-created and indepently produced Prestige, a scripted audio drama which became an editor's Pick on Apple Podcast and amassed 200,000+ listens. And more... For our full speaker lineup and more info, visit inthecutla.org/reelconnect