SCREEN FOREVER, presented by Screen Producers Australia in association with Film Victoria, will host leading innovators, disruptors and transformational players in the global entertainment industry. The international speaker line-up has been amplified by the confirmation of Senior Vice President of Digital and New Platform Sam Toles and ABC Studios International Managing Director, International Content, Platforms and Talent, Keli Lee.
In his newly created role at MGM, Toles is responsible for reimagining the MGM library for distribution across digital platforms in addition to developing original content with creative partners globally. Toles will be joining SCREEN FOREVER after wrapping principal photography on MGM’s first premium digital series, Stargate Origins.
Stargate Origins, an original mid-form series, will air exclusively on MGM’s new digital platform Stargate Command in the coming months. In an Australian coup, the star of the rebooted classic is Australian actress Ellie Gall. With more than 380 episodes spanning nearly 20 seasons, the Stargate franchise is an award-winning, cultural phenomenon.Stargate SG-1 is one of the longest-running science-fiction series in U.S. television history, while the original Stargate film went on to gross almost $200 million worldwide and spawned three live-action spin-off series.
Toles previously spearheaded Vimeo’s entertainment group, owned by Barry Diller’s IAC. Toles began his career in marketing at New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures. He’s held senior roles at Warner Music Group, Fremantle Media and Gaia across content strategy, acquisitions, business development, programming and digital strategy.
Screen Producers Australia and supporting sponsorScreen Queensland also proudly welcomes the return ofKeli Lee, Managing Director of International Content , Platforms & Talent for ABC Studios International.
Lee, returns to Australia after securing significant deals in Australia over the last year including a worldwide first-look deal with Queensland based Hoodlum for the development of new content for the global international marketplace.
The deal follows on from ABC Studios International partnership with Hoodlum on new drama series Harrow, which was filmed in Queensland this year and will air on the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC).
Based in London, Lee leads the international content and talent divisions of ABC Television Network and ABC Studios, creating new opportunities for original content and talent, program formats and joint venture productions around the world. Her return to Australia signifies ABC’s commitment to engaging and sourcing the highest quality international production talent.
SCREEN FOREVER’s International stellar executive and talent speaker lineup includes, Steel Springs Pictures, Founder/Producer, Peter Lawson (US); Loeb & Loeb Vice Chairman,Craig Emanuel (US) Thruline Entertainment Manager/Producer, Josh Kesselman (US); WME Senior TV Packaging Agent, Pippa Lambert; See-Saw Films COO TV Division Hakan Kousetta (UK); Annonymous Content Literary Manager Luke Rivett (US); Ciudad Lunar Director Ciro Guerra (Colombia); Happy Films Company Director, Lucy Goodman (UK) and more.
Supported by:
