The Latest Industry News for the Exciting World of Production.

The upcoming 16th season of the New Media Film Festival® is set to be an extraordinary celebration of diverse and innovative media. June 4 - 5 2025. From cutting-edge AI-generated content to creative documentaries, the festival promises an eclectic and captivating lineup that reflects its commitment to storytelling and innovation.

With its prestigious judging panel, wide array of categories, and extensive networking opportunities, the festival offers content creators a remarkable platform to showcase their work and connect with industry leaders. The accolades and recognition the festival has received further highlight its significant role in advancing creative media and technology. https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com

The 16th New Media Film Festival® is thrilled to welcome an exceptional lineup of industry leaders and creative visionaries, making this year's event an unmissable celebration of diverse and innovative media. Special guests include:

Oscar Winner Jonathan Kitzen

Jonathan Kitzen is an accomplished filmmaker, producer, and director known for his innovative contributions to the film industry. He has been involved in various aspects of filmmaking, from building cameras and optics to directing and producing award-winning films. Jonathan co-produced the Academy Award-winning short documentary "The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life". As of 2015, he became a partner in Last Studio Standing, the largest hand-drawn animation studio in the Western Hemisphere, where he leads English language development and production. Jonathan's work spans multiple genres, including science fiction, and he continues to push the boundaries of creative storytelling.

EMMY Nominee David Ari Leon

David Ari Leon is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated composer and music supervisor and CEO Sound Mind Music, with screen credits on hundreds of movies, television shows, and interactive projects. He earned his first screen credit working on music for a film with Danny Elfman while obtaining a B.A. in music from UCLA.

At 22, David began his professional career as the Director of Music at NBC for "Days of Our Lives," where he selected music for nearly 1,000 episodes and placed songs by iconic artists like Jimi Hendrix, The Supremes, and Chris Isaak. He later served as Vice President of Music at Fox for six years, supervising major titles like Power Rangers, Les Misérables, and Incredible Hulk.

David then founded Sound Mind Music, a full-service music house with clients including Marvel, Warner Brothers, Disney, Netflix, NBC/Universal, Starz, EA, and Lionsgate. He has helped create the signature sound of recognizable brands such as X-Men, Woody Woodpecker, Captain America, Peanuts, and Superman. His movie credits include music supervising titles for Marvel like Invincible Iron Man, Ultimate Avengers, and Thor: Tales of Asgard. Currently, David is working on music for the next season of Real Housewives and other TV series in development for Bravo Network.

Award Winner Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings

Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Founder, President, and CEO of Global Policy Solutions LLC is an award-winning thought leader, strategist & advocate. She successfully directed the strategy to elevate the racial wealth gap on the national policy agenda and led a multi-million-dollar leadership initiative to reverse childhood obesity and promote healthy communities. Her quotes and articles have appeared in publications such as the Washington Post and New York Times, and she has been featured on MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox News, and NPR, among many other outlets.

Dr. Rockeymoore Cummings is the recipient of numerous honors & awards, including the Aspen Institute Henry Crown Fellowship & the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Congressional Fellowship. Her latest book, RAGEISM: Racism, Ageism & the Quest for Liberation Democracy, is being released by Routledge in the summer of 2025.

Newton Lee B.S. M.S.

Newton Lee is an accomplished computer scientist, author, educator, and futurist. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in computer science from Virginia Tech and an honorary doctorate from Vincennes University. Newton founded the Disney Online Technology Forum and created AT&T Bell Labs' first commercial AI tool. He also invented the first annotated multimedia OPAC for the U.S. National Agricultural Library.

Newton has served as an adjunct professor of Media Technology at Woodbury University and held prestigious positions at The Walt Disney Company. He currently edits and curates several Springer publications and is the Chairman of the California Transhumanist Party and President of the nonprofit Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships (IFERS). He has authored and edited numerous publications, including the Total Information Awareness trilogy: Facebook Nation, Google It, and Counterterrorism and Cybersecurity. Newton continues to inspire and innovate in computer science and education.

Founding Publisher Creative Handbook - Dave Shapiro

Dave Shapiro created THE CREATIVE HANDBOOK in 1988 for movie, TV, commercial, and live event productions. Building relationships with all major movie studios, production companies, and their sources nationwide, Dave has been in sales all his life. He is highly driven to connect his clients with production companies and provide them with free information.

THE CREATIVE HANDBOOK distributes 10,000 free copies annually and is now available online. Over the last 37 years, Dave has established relationships with major movie studios and production companies in California, Nevada, New York, Georgia, Louisiana, nationally, and internationally.

Founder/Director New Media Film Festival^® - Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston is the Founder and Director of the New Media Film Festival^®, a pioneering event that celebrates the convergence of technology and storytelling. Additionally, she serves as the President of Select Services Films Inc., an award-winning film studio. Her career spans various roles, including performing, producing, and casting.

Susan's contributions have been widely recognized. She was knighted in 2017 for her impact on the arts and humanity. Since 2010 she has been a judge for the blue-ribbon panel for the EMMYS and a SAG/AFTRA affiliate since 1990, Susan has played a significant role in shaping the entertainment industry.

ABOUT

The 16th New Media Film Festival^® Los Angeles takes place on June 4-5, 2025, continuing its tradition of "Honoring Stories Worth Telling" since 2009. This festival is a spectacular celebration of new media, welcoming participants of all ages, cultures, and media forms. With a distinguished judging panel comprising leaders from Marvel, HBO, BBC, PBS, ABC, Emmys®, Simon & Schuster, Rolling Stone, Grammys^®, and BMI, the festival offers an unparalleled platform for content creators. https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com
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