Atlanta Film Festival 2025 (Day 6) Creative Conference - Creating Careers, Not Just Credits: The Future of Georgia’s Film Industry

From the venue:

Creating Careers, Not Just Credits: The Future of Georgia’s Film Industry - Sponsored by Trilith Institute

Georgia’s film industry is more than just blockbuster productions; it’s a place where careers can be built and sustained. But how do we make sure our creative talent stays and thrives here instead of heading to LA? This panel brings together industry leaders to discuss the importance of education, mentorship, and career pipelines in Georgia’s evolving film landscape. From funding to distribution, panelists share their insights on how to turn Georgia from a filming location into a permanent creative home for storytellers.

Moderator: Creative Conference Director and Producer Linda Burns

Panelists:

Mandy McCowan - Senior Director of Operations and Original Productions, Trilith Institute

Mandy McCowan serves as the Trilith Institute's Senior Director of Operations & Original Productions. With almost twenty years of film and television industry experience, including roles such as Producer for BBC's "Moon & Me," Production Supervisor of AMC's "The Walking Dead," and Production Coordinator for feature films and television series, she has participated in the Atlanta film community through many stages.

Elisee Junior St Preux - Filmmaker and Program Manager for Writers Room of Georgia

Elisee Junior St Preux is a Haitian-American Filmmaker from Miami, FL. Elisee is a Season 1 Director of Indeed's Rising Voices partnered with Hillman Grad Productions, a 53rd NAACP Image Awards nominee, a Sundance Ignite Finalist, an HBO Short Film Award recipient at the American Black Film Festival, a Year 2 Rideback Rise Circle Inductee, an NBAF Emerging Artist Horizon Award Finalist, a WEG Feature Film Lab Fellow, and a Netflix "Created By" Fellow where he held a script development deal to pen an original feature film with the studio. Elisee's solemn goal is to bear witness and share stories that reflect today, honor the past, and reimagine the future. Elisee is currently completing his debut feature film shot entirely on land in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti.

Christian Noël - Current First Emerging Creative in Residence

Christian is a screen/playwriter and actor, originally from Richmond, VA. He graduated from Yale University with a degree in Film & Media Studies. As Trilith's Emerging Creative in Residence, he is writing and developing a TV pilot to be shot later this year.