Our Board of Directors is representative of the true global breadth of IFTA’s Membership and the diverse film and television programming they finance, produce, sell, and distribute.
The Chairman and Board are nominated and elected by the voting members of the organization and serve two (2) year terms.
Clay Epstein is the President and owner of Film Mode Entertainment, a worldwide sales and distribution entity with a producer friendly initiative. The company has quickly become competitive with such films as CRYPTO, LITTLE PINK HOUSE, and the upcoming SLAYERS (Thomas Jane, Malin Ackerman and Abigail Breslin).
Previously, as SVP Sales & Acquisitions at Arclight Films, Clay was instrumental in acquiring and representing high profile films such as Paul Schrader’s DOG EAT DOG and the Spierig brothers’ PREDESTINATION. Earlier in his career, he represented prestigious titles including Academy Award winner TSOTSI and THE LAST STATION.
Clay earned a BA in Fine Arts, from California State University, Northridge. Currently, he is Chairperson of IFTA (2021-2023 term) and a member of PGA, FIND, and BAFTA LA.
JD Beaufils started his entertainment career 20 years ago at the now defunct, yet greatly influential Overseas Filmgroup under the leadership of Robbie Little.
Learning the trade, filling Sales & Distribution Executive positions at Bauer Martinez International, Porchlight Entertainment, Epic Pictures and Under The Milky Way, he has these last five years enjoyed a rewarding role as President of Sales for leading production and distribution outfit VMI Worldwide; financing, pre-selling and licensing high profile feature films starring prominent cast.
He is an immense fan of American popular culture and praises every day spent under the California sun.
Brian Beckmann serves as CFO/COO at Arclight Films, the leading international sales and production company for theatrical, television, and home entertainment media. Beckman’s prolific career includes over 30 years of experience as a CFO/COO, including 13 years at Arclight. He has worked in a variety of industries from film/entertainment, media/advertising, to advanced technology.
He is well versed in all aspects of film finance, distribution, tax incentives, and production operations. Beckmann has financed and produced over 25 successful and critically acclaimed films, with financing exceeding $300M. The films he has financed include First Reformed, Hotel Mumbai, Portable Door, and Poker Face.
Jason Buckley is the Head of International Sales and Acquisitions of Lakeshore Entertainment, where he focuses primarily on sales and strategic planning throughout the foreign and US marketplaces.
For over 15 years, Jason has sold high profile theatrically lead features such as PEPPERMINT, THE BOY, THE AGE OF ADALINE, and THE LINCOLN LAWYER. He has helped continue the International success of the Underworld franchise and played an integral role in the launch of the digital film studio, Off the Dock.
Currently, he oversees the 250-title Lakeshore catalogue as well as the owned and operated libraries for Vine Alternative Investments (Pandora, Qualia, Manchester/Relativity, Greenestreet).
After working in feature film production in Hollywood on movies starring Rob Schneider, David Carradine, Jennifer Morrison, Winona Ryder, Wes Bentley, Steve Buscemi, to name but only a few, Caroline chose to come back to Europe and relocate to London in 2008 as Director of Development & Marketing at Seven Arts Pictures. In 2011, she joined AV Pictures where she gained invaluable knowledge in deal structuring from the company’s founder, Vic Bateman.
In May 2014, she launched Metrodome International, the international sales arm of the Metrodome Group handling a wide range of feature films from third party producers to in-house productions. She then left Metrodome to launch her own company, Truffle Pictures, a London based international sales agency and production house, in 2016, and subsequently Film Seekers Ltd since February 2018. In 2021, she launched its European branch, Film Seekers France, a member of the European Film Promotion and Europa International, which handles European productions exclusively.
Caroline is a French native based in London who speaks fluent French, English and Spanish. She holds two post-graduate master degrees one in Chemistry from the University of Versailles and the second one in Business Management from the University of Bordeaux. She is a member of BAFTA , sits on the board of Film Export UK, and has served on IFTA's Board of Directors.
David Fannon is president of Screen Media Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment and one of the largest suppliers of independent film and television content throughout the world.
Fannon joined Screen Media in 2005, and over the course of 16 years Screen Media has matured from an independent brick and mortar home video distribution company into a leading global digital distributor.
Screen Media has a library of more than 1,500 films and series and is the exclusive provider of content to the Crackle Plus Network. Screen Media releases approximately 18 independent films each year.
French-born Diane Ferrandez is the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Distribution of AGC Studios. She most recently held a senior position at London-based sales and financing outfit Rocket Science where she participated in the company’s fast expansion from its inception in 2016. In addition to doing deals with studios, independent distributors, platforms, and broadcasters worldwide, she was instrumental in building the company’s broad slate.
The scripted and non-scripted feature films she handled international sales on include Aaron Sorkin’s Oscar nominated The Trial of the Chicago 7, Todd Haynes’ May December, Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, Michael Gracey’s Better Man, Eva Husson’s Mothering Sunday, Edward Berger’s modern take Erich Maria Remarque’s iconic anti-war bestseller All Quiet on the Western Front, and Netflix documentary Schumacher. Ferrandez started her career working for Paris-based sales company Wide Management, which followed stints at production and distribution companies Cohen Media, Playtime and SND.
Jeffrey Greenstein is the President of Millennium Media, an American entertainment finance, production and sales company. Through Millennium, Greenstein finances and produces films and has worked on more than fifty films during his tenure at the company, including The Expendables franchise, Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, and Mechanic Resurrection. Most recently, Greenstein wrapped production on The Bricklayer starring Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Tim Blake Nelson and Clifton Collins Jr., and the fourth installment of
The Expendables franchise at Millennium Media's Nu Boyana Sophia-based studio successfully using Covid-19 safety protocols.
Greenstein started in international sales and distribution and has risen through the company learning all aspects of Millennium Media’s divisions to fully understand and leverage its capabilities.
Jeffrey has previously served two terms on the IFTA Board of Directors.
Originally from Heidelberg, Germany, Lisa Gutberlet has been working in the world of independent features for nearly two decades.
Currently serving as the Executive Vice President of International Sales & Acquisitions at Blue Fox Entertainment, she’s worked on acclaimed titles such as MY ZOE from director Julie Delpy, LANGUAGE LESSONS starring Mark Duplass and Natalie Morales, and the hit romance THE LOST HUSBAND starring Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb.
Prior to joining Blue Fox, Lisa was the Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Distribution at Myriad Pictures. She began her career in Hollywood at The Weinstein Company.
Before moving to LA, she held positions at Turner Broadcasting International and The World Bank.
George joined Protagonist in 2013, rising first to the role of Head of Sales before becoming Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) in 2021 as part of a wider company restructure. George oversees the Sales, Marketing & Publicity departments and is an integral part of the company’s work as an executive producer, structuring and securing finance for both in house and third party projects, as well as building key strategic partnerships within the industry.
George began his career producing and directing for a wide range of brands, as well as a number of narrative short films through his own boutique production outfit.
Nat MvCormick is EVP, Worldwide Distribution at The Exchange where he oversees all sales and distribution activity for the company.
Previously, as Director, International Sales & Operations at IM Global, McCormick handled sales on such films as SINISTER, HUMMINGBIRD, and Lee Daniels’ THE BUTLER as well as managed the physical sales operation, and tracked international release plans.
He handled prestigious films DRIVE, CASA DE MI PADRE, and BEASTLY as Director, International Sales & Acquisitions at Affinity International while working closely with the agencies, leading producers and financiers.
Earlier in his career, McCormick worked for Odd Lot International handling sales for RABBIT HOLE, THE OPEN ROAD, and THE SPIRT and also held positions with the company in development & production, and business & legal affairs. His numerous TV credits include unscripted producer for A&E and SPIKE TV.
Jasmin is responsible for the promotion and marketing of New Zealand films in New Zealand and internationally. She works closely with filmmakers, distributors and international market partners on the festival and release strategies of NZ films here and overseas. Within New Zealand, she assists distributors and filmmakers to identify and engage with their film’s audience through test screenings, audience research and distribution grants. Since 2005, Jasmin has been involved with the marketing and promotion of most of the films the Film Commission has invested in including The World’s Fastest Indian, Boy, The Dark Horse, The Dead Lands, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Cousins, Whina and Muru. Jasmin is a Director of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) Board.
Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/ CEO of Vision Films, Inc. has been in the distribution business for nearly 30 years. Today, Vision Films is a worldwide Distribution company and a direct VOD Aggregator with a library of over 800 independent feature films and documentaries.
Domestically, the company issues 2-4 new release titles each month and manage all windows, including limited Theatrical, DVD, TVOD, SVOD, AVOD and Television. Under Lise’s leadership, Vision has developed deep relationships across all of the premium Cable VOD services and digital streaming platforms, both domestically and internationally. The company is an approved content partner to iNDemand, Vubiquity, Dish, Direct TV, Shaw, Rogers, Bell and Telus, FandangoNow, Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Prime, Netflix, The Peacock, PlutoTV and Tubi, just to name a few.
Internationally, Vision participates in the all the Film and Television and specialty Sales Markets (albeit now virtually), has a staff of three sales people that specialize in different parts of the world.
A long-time active member of IFTA, Lise has previously served on the IFTA Executive Committee, and is also involved with IFTA's Legal Committee.
Michael Ryan started his career working in the TV industry for Sir Lew Grade’s UK company, ITC. In 1978 he formed J&M Entertainment with a colleague, a distribution sales agent for independent films. As J&M grew, it developed its business model to also take responsibility for financing new films & providing production finance.
In 1980 Ryan and J&M were founder members of the American Film Marketing Association (AFMA) – later to be renamed Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) – which was formed to provide an annual film market based in Los Angeles. Michael served two terms as Chairman of IFTA (2004-2008) and another three terms from 2015-2021.
In 2000, Ryan partnered with Guy Collins. Between them they have financed, sold and produced over 200 films, including The Wild Geese, The English Patient, The General, Whats Eating Gilbert Grape, The Osterman Weekend, the Highlander series, Planet 51 and more recently, at GFM Films with Fred Hedman, Toei Animations Harlock, Absolutely Anything starring Simon Pegg and Simon West-directed action thriller Stratton starring Dominic Cooper.
Rob Williams is SVP Content Strategy for Participant, the leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires audiences to engage in positive social change. Rob helps Participant’s content reach an audience through quality, mission-aligned partners. Recent films include All the Beauty and the Bloodshed and Roma. Rob has executive expertise in programming, studio and independent domestic and international sales, acquisitions and distribution, serving as a buyer and distributor working for Netflix, Lantica Media and Wellspring prior to Participant. Rob is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Executive Branch, and serves on the board of IFTA.