Board of
Directors
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 Chairperson and Board are nominated and elected by the voting members of the organization and serve two (2) year terms.
Chairperson
Clay Epstein
President, Film Mode Entertainment
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.
Board of Directors
The Asylum
Since 2006, Paul Bales has been the Chief Operating Officer and Partner at The Asylum, a production and distribution company based in Burbank, California.
The Asylum finances, produces and releases 25 films per year through its direct pipeline to the nation’s top retailers and its network of international partners. Since its founding in 1997, The Asylum has released more than 500 films and built a library of over 300 original productions, including top-rated series’ for Syfy and Netflix, and, the Sharknado franchise.
Prior to joining The Asylum, Paul was National Director of SAGIndie, the Screen Actors Guild outreach program for independent producers. A previous two-term IFTA Board member, Paul looks forward to serving the membership and Association again.
Arclight Films
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.
Myriad Pictures
Scott Bedno is Senior Vice President at Myriad Pictures. He has spent his entire 20+ year professional career in the domestic and international film and television space — from buyers’ rep, acquisitions executive, sales executive, producer, to all areas in-between. Scott’s wide range of experience will be needed as we navigate our challenges ahead.
Top priorities from Scott’s previous tenure on the IFTA board–the future of AFM and, relatedly, expanding IFTA’s revenue base beyond AFM. Scott looks forward to addressing these issues head-on to keep IFTA on a financially sound path where we can add services for our current membership and welcome new members to strengthen our alliance.
Lakeshore Entertainment
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).
Film Seekers Limited
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.
Resurgence Media Group
Michael Dwyer, EVP of Worldwide Sales & Distribution at Resurgence Media Group, has over 20 years of specialized experience in packaging and monetizing film libraries. Prior to working at Resurgence Media Group, Michael launched the film library sales division at IM Global overseeing 300+ films across multiple film libraries.
Odin’s Eye Entertainment
With over 25 years of Film and Television experience, Michael Favelle is the founder and CEO of Sydney based Odin’s Eye Entertainment and sister company Odin’s Eye Animation which has been operating since 2006. With stints at Southern Star, Beyond International and Arclight films, Michael has amassed a depth and variety of skills in both live action and animation from development, through to financing, post/production, marketing, legal and international sales, and distribution giving him a unique insight into the industry.
Michael has Executive Produced over twenty five live-action and animated feature films, including Netflix’s Animal Crackers starring Emily Blunt and Ian McKellen; and the recent The Infernal Machine starring Guy Pearce and Alice Eve for Paramount Pictures.
Odin’s Eye Entertainment (OEE) is an integrated Production, Distribution and International Sales Agency that specializes in working with emerging and established filmmakers across a wide variety of genres. As a Sales Agency, OEE represents Feature Length Motion Pictures and Television content worldwide. Commencing in 2012, sister company Odin’s Eye Animation (OEA) creates and sources original and existing IP for developing and producing theatrical quality animation content for international sale. With strategic initiatives with a network of international content development and animation studios, OEA is uniquely placed to work with some of the best independent studios and talent worldwide including Academy Award Winning Producer Aron Warner; and Director Barry Cook: Mulan.
Odin’s Eye Entertainment and Animation are actively seeking original stories with unique, diverse, and compelling characters, and universal themes.
AGC (Accelerated Global Content)
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.
Blue Fox Entertainment
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.
Protagonist
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.
FilmNation Entertainment
Alice Laffillé is the Vice President, International Sales at FilmNation Entertainment, a leading independent entertainment company that produces, finances, and distributes award-winning films, television series, podcasts and theater productions. As part of the FilmNation Sales team, Laffillé focuses on curating the company’s sales slate and managing the sales process for a myriad of projects that expand across the company’s finance, production, and sales capabilities. Recent FilmNation productions include Sean Baker’s 2024 Cannes Film Festival Palme d’Or winner Anora and Edward Berger’s Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini, both of which are Golden Globe Award-Nominated. Also in release at FilmNation is Pablo Larrain’s Golden Globe Award-Nominated Maria starring Angelina Jolie. Previous to joining FilmNation, Laffillé served as an international marketing assistant at Wildbunch.
STUDIOCANAL
Chloé Marquet is Head of International Sales at STUDIOCANAL.
The Exchange
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.