WFTV Event: What’s Distribution Got to Do with It?

In this event, chaired by Suz McKenna, Commercial Director, Unscripted, BBC Studios, the panel will explore the current landscape and why these are challenging times for producers and distributors. They will also discuss why producers now often need to appoint distributors much earlier in the process and how the role of a distributor is changing.

Joining Suz on the panel will be Lilla Hurst, Joint Managing Director, Drive; Soleta Rogan, Managing Director, Rogan Productions and Hannah Demidowicz, Consultant, PBS International and formally Commissioning Editor, TCB Media and BBCSD.

Speakers

Lilla Hurst, Joint Managing Director, Drive

Lilla is a coproduction specialist, with extensive experience in her field and a contacts network across Europe, Australia and North America. Before co-founding Drive with Ben, she ran Lillavision, helping indies to secure co-production and deficit finance. Previously Lilla was Head of Co-Production for factual and scripted projects at Channel 5, Head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions at RDF International (now Banijay), and Managing Director of TVF Distribution.

Soleta Rogan, Managing Director, Rogan Productions

Soleta Rogan began her career working in retail sales and marketing. With a background focus in operations and brand management, she co-founded the indie Rogan Productions in 2013, with a vision of delivering high-end films for broadcast and not-for-broadcast content. Rogan Productions recent credits include the critically-acclaimed Putin: A Russian Spy Story for Channel 4 and multi-award winning Stabbed: Britain’s Knife Crime Crisis for BBC One.

In addition to her operational responsibilities, Soleta performs executive producer and production executive roles across the production slate. Previous credits include Diana: The Interview that Shocked the World for Channel 5, The Confession for BBC Storyville/BFI, Waiting for Invasion for Al Jazeera and The Craftsmen’s Dinner series, with Michel Roux Jr. for The Balvenie. At the same time, Soleta drives sister brand Rogan Digital, delivering content for commercially-funded broadcast and advertising projects for brands, major communications agencies and NGOs.

Hannah Demidowicz, Consultant, PBS International

Hannah Demidowicz is currently a Consultant for PBS International Distribution. As the first Commissioning Editor hired at a distributor she pioneered the ‘distributor as commissioner’ strategy during her time at TCB Media Rights. Previous to working in distribution, Hannah was a Commissioning Editor at BBC Global Channels and National Geographic Channel, where she commissioned a wide range of factual content from talent led factual entertainment formats such as Car SOS and Stupid Man, Smart Phone through to single documentaries such as the award winning Firehouse 9/11.

Host

Suz McKenna, Commercial Director, Unscripted, BBC Studios

Suzanne McKenna is the Commercial Director for Unscripted within the Content Partnerships division of BBC Studios.  In addition to managing the day to day commercial activities of the team, Suzanne leads on Business Development, with a particular focus on first look and equity arrangements, strategic partnerships, co-funding opportunities and self-commissioning routes to market.  In recent years Suzanne has grown BBC Studios originated content offering with titles such as David Beckham: Into The Unknown & For The Love of the Game, Serengeti, The Greatest Show (W/T) and In Ten Pictures.  Suzanne is passionate about identifying and securing programming which will deliver transformative commercial and creative success.  Prior to this, Suzanne held a number of roles both within BBC and BBC Studios.

Event Schedule:

16:55: Please join the webinar

17:00-17:45: Panel discussion

17:45-18:00: Audience Q&A

How will the online event work?

The Q&A will be live streamed via Zoom.us. Viewing details will be sent via your Eventbrite confirmation.

Live stream participants will not be visible to others and you will be muted throughout the session. After the talk, there will be an opportunity for audience members to ask their questions to the speaker by using the Q&A chat icon.

This event is for all women working in the film and television industry and is open to WFTV members and non-members.

WFTV members, please log-in to your WFTV account and sign up via the Eventbrite link below this listing.

Non-member tickets cost a nominal payment of £5 (plus VAT and Eventbrite fees). Please book your ticket here.

If you are not a member and would like to join, membership costs just £100 + VAT/yr for those living within the M25, and £50+ VAT/yr for those living outside of this area email admin@wftv.org.uk

At WFTV we’re really keen to ensure that all our events are accessible for everyone. So if you have any particular access needs, please can you let us know before an event and we will do our best to accommodate you. We would be grateful if you can give us as much notice as possible – please contact admin@wftv.org.uk