Kevin Willmott
Thomas Jane
Bero Beyer
Mahira Khan11
Jelani Isaacs
Panel Nunu
Ray Blinker
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Panel Industry Professionals

On the 6th of June the Septimius Awards organized four panel discussions. The main topic:
How to stimulate more talent & diversity in the film and television industry?

The Septimius Awards explored a number of sub-themes during the panel discussions:
1. Who are the most important players in the Netherlands, Asia, America and Africa that offer a platform and financing?
2. How can we increase cooperation and collaboration between countries?
3. What are the major hurdles for talent or diversity?
4. What advice can you give to new talent?

The Panel Discussions are an ideal place to network, this year the Nederlandse Film Fonds (Netherlands Film Fund) will also be attending. The Film Fonds is the largest subsidy fund for Dutch film productions and international co-productions and has an annual budget of more than 56 million euros. The panel is moderated by Guus Schulting and ends with a Q&A where the public is given the opportunity to ask the panel members a number of questions.

Septimius Panel Discussions: 6 June Monday 14:00-18:00
Location: Rode Hoed – Keizersgracht 102, 1015 CV Amsterdam

Panel Program 6 June:
14:00-15:00 Food & Drink & Network (free food & drinks for all guests)
15:00-17:00 Panel Discussions
17:00-18:00 Food & Drink & Network (free food & drinks for all guests)

Panelist: Kevin Willmott
Kevin Willmott is an Oscar & Academy Award Winning American film director and screenwriter, and professor of film at the University of Kansas. Kevin won best screenplay for Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman at the 2019 Oscars.

Panelist: Thomas Jane
Thomas Jane is an American actor. He is known for appearing in such films as Evening Raga of the West, Boogie Nights, Deep Blue Sea, The Punisher, The Mist, Mutant Chronicles, 1922, The Predator and HBO’s Hung.

Panelist: Bero Beyer (Film Fonds)
Bero Beyer is the director of the Nederlandse Film Fonds (Netherlands Film Fund). The Film Fonds is the largest subsidy fund for Dutch film productions and international co-productions and has an annual budget of more than 56 million euros. 

Panelist: Els Vandevorst
Els Vandevorst is a prominent Dutch film producer. Els has produced multiple international films. These include films starring Nicole Kidman, Carice van Houten, Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning and Kit Harington.

Panelist: Jelani Isaacs
Jelani Isaacs is the chief executive producer of New Ams. New Ams is an international film production company based in Amsterdam that specializes in theatrical releases.

Panelist: Natasha Thahane
Natasha Thahane is prominent South African Actress and entrepreneur. As a graduate alumni of New York Film Academy has made waves in the African film and television industry. Appearing in various films and series like Netflix’s Blood & Water.

Panelist: Mahira Khan
Mahira Khan is a Pakistani actress. She is best known for her role of Khirad Ashar Hussain in the Pakistani drama Humsafar. She received numerous accolades, including the Lux Style Award for Best Actress and is Pakistan’s UNHCR’s National Goodwill Ambassador.

Panelist: Kristos Andrews
Kristos Andrews is a British-American actor, producer. Known for his work on the drama series. In 2012, Andrews was the youngest producer ever nominated for an Emmy, and in 2017, he became the first person to ever win five Emmys by the age of 26.

Panelist: Ray Blinker
Ray Blinker is a film producer and the founder of Tulsa Studios. Tulsa Studios is a production company that specialized in feature films. Ray is also director and the founder of the DirectorsRoundTable and the Smart Zwart Collective.

Panelist: Nqobile Khumalo
Nqobile Khumalo is a notable African actress. She is best known for her appearance on the eTV scandal and her role in the feature film Uncovered. She is also a prominent activist for women’s rights.

Panelist: Zuko Nodada
Zuko Nodada is an Award-winning South African Director and Producer. His work spans across film and television. Currently he is focussed an creation of strong character driven  stories that highlight South Africa.

Panelist: Willy Ndahiro
Willy Ndahiro is the President of Rwanda Film Federation (RFF). RFF is Rwanda’s Film Stakeholders’ apex organization that has been formed to bring together film industry associations. The Federation is a body with the mandate to oversee the implementation of the Motion Pictures.