Home Events - The AFM Sessions Producing and Financing Films for Social Impact

Producing and Financing Films for Social Impact

Moderator
Robert Rippberger, SIE Society

Panelists
Mary Aloe, Aloe Entertainment and Partners in Kind
Joshua Harris, Peachtree Media Partners and Gramercy Park Media
Jonathon Glucksman, WONDERMIND

Date

Nov 06 2024
Expired!

Time

5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Stage

Main Stage

Speakers

  • Mary Aloe
    Mary Aloe
    Producer, Aloe Entertainment and Partners in Kind

    Mary Aloe is considered one of the top independent producers and film finance experts in Los Angeles.

    Aloe has run two 50 million funds, one equity fund backed by the Royal Bank of Canada and a revolving 50 million P &A fund Aloe with private equity funds, as well set up and ran three studios, one in Vancouver, Savannah and Pittsburgh. Aloe is considered one of America’s top independent film producers specializing in, producing film financing, packaging, writing and development.

    Aloe has a roster of thirteen high-net worth investors behind her and growing. The finance focus and commitment are predominately equity and mezzanine financing allowing Aloe and her company to finance on an average of four to six films a year. Aloe specializes in packaging, financial structuring, analysis of the projects through ROI ‘s, the pro forma and forecasting domestic and international sales with studios, major, mini-major, streamers and independents.

    Aloe has produced and/or financed over 49 films including Worth, starring Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci (Netflix) with Executive Producers Barack and Michelle Obama which premiered at Sundance, Flag Day (MGM) directed by and starring Sean Penn which premiered at Canne 2023s, Bruised starring and directed by Halle Berry (Netflix) which premiered at the AFI. Battle In Seattle which premiered at the TIFF starring Charlize Theron, Channing Tatum, Michelle Rodrigez and Woody Harrelson, 55 Steps a faith-based bio pic which premiered at the TIFF starring Helena Bonham Carter and Hilary Swank for Sony, Breach, starring Bruce Willis, Wander which starred Aaron Eckhardt and Tommy Lee Jones, Marlowe starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger and Jessica Lange

    Aloe’s film slate for 2024 includes Groove Tails, produced by, co-written, and starring Halle Bailey, Lawrence Fishburn and The Blacklist script winner Ruin starring Gal Gadot and directed by Niki Cario, Couture written and directed by Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) and Morning starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Freud’s Last Session starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode for Sony. Tin Solider starring Jamie Foxx and Robert De Niro, Rumours starring Cate Blanchett, Charles Dance and Alicia Vikander premiered at Cannes 2024, Tiff 2024 and will be out October 18, 2024. As well, Aloe’s biblical survival thriller MARY starring Anthony Hopkins and Noa Cohen will be out at Christmas 2024 on Netflix. Hershey starts filming in Q1 2025 partnered with the Hershey company to bring the bio pic to life.

    Aloe’s in-house projects include Armistice just announced with partners of the Eisenhower family, Birds Eye starring Anthony Hopkins, Maria Bakalova, Connie Neilsen. Aloe and her writing partner Timothy Michael Hayes have just finished their fourth script together about Bob Lazar called Lazar, the whistle blower Area 51. The writing team has completed the scripts for Birdseye, Armistice and Mary. Aloe and Hayes are currently in the works together on the sequel Mary and Joseph: Chapter Two.

    She has also just announced her new $50 million dollar fund. Read the article in Deadline: Food Heiress Gillian Hormel Launches Partners in Kind, With $50M Equity Fund To Jumpstart Projects With Social Impact; Mary Aloe To Head Film Production. (https://deadline.com/2023/10/heiress-gillian-hormel-launches-partners-in-kind-venture-50-million-equity-fund-projects-social-impact-1235584203/)

  • Robert Rippberger
    Robert Rippberger
    Founder & Co-Executive Director, SIE Society / SIE Films

    Robert Rippberger is a filmmaker with a broad array of creative and executive experience. He most recently directed and produced the film “Those Who Walk Away” starring BooBoo Stewart (Descendants, X-Men) and prior to that directed and produced the Harlem drama, “Strive,” with Danny Glover. Both were released theatrically and received dozens of accolades worldwide.

    Rippberger has also directed and produced critically acclaimed documentaries, including the 2019 film “Public Enemy Number One” from Executive Producer ICE-T, exploiting the U.S. war on drugs. Prior, Rippberger directed and produced the 2015 film “7 Days in Syria”, an exploration into the human side of the war in Aleppo, Syria. The film was championed by Angelina Jolie, screened at Britain’s House of Lords, to senior members of the U.N., and was released on Hulu and Amazon.

    Rippberger is a member of the Producers Guild of America and is on the PGA’s Social Impact Entertainment Task Force. In addition to heading SIE Films, Rippberger is the founder and co-executive director of SIE Society, a leading global alliance of Social Impact Entertainment filmmakers. In 2022 he published his second book, “The Power of Storytelling: Social Impact Entertainment” available through book sellers everywhere October 25th.

    Rippberger’s current projects include producing the documentary “How to Build a Truth Engine” with Executive Producers George Clooney and Grant Heslov, producing the documentary “The Mouse That Roared” from Academy Award-nominated director Judith Ehrlich, producing the stop-motion animated film “The Inventor” from “Ratatouille” writer Jim Capobianco, starring Daisy Ridley, Stephen Fry, Marion Cotillard, and Matt Berry, and executive producing the horror film “Float” by former Blumhouse executive Zac Locke. Rippberger also has two upcoming director projects to be announced soon.

  • Jonathon Glucksman
    Jonathon Glucksman
    Director of Creative Development for Film/TV, Wondermind

    Jonathon Glucksman is the Director of Creative Development for Film/TV at Wondermind, a company focused on merging entertainment with mental health advocacy. With a strong background from his time at Warner Bros. and Lionsgate, Jonathon has been instrumental in the success of major franchises such as The Hunger Games, Twilight, and DC Comics properties. His experience working on these high-profile projects has established him as a rising talent in the entertainment industry, recognized for his ability to blend commercial appeal with meaningful, impactful storytelling.

    Jonathon is celebrated for his creative vision and his commitment to developing inclusive, multicultural narratives that resonate with global audiences. His collaborative approach and strategic insight have helped him build successful partnerships with top-tier talent, elevating each project he oversees. At Wondermind, he is continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling, using the power of media to promote mental health awareness and create content that entertains while making a positive social impact.

  • Joshua Harris
    Joshua Harris
    President, Managing Partner, Peachtree Media Partners and Gramercy Park Media

    Joshua Harris, an Entertainment Banker turned film Producer and serial entrepreneur, is the President and Managing Partner of Peachtree Media Partners. Specializing in studio, television, and film production finance, Harris has partnered with many of the largest studios in the World and has become one of the principal sources of film production capital in countless independent productions. Harris is considered a rising influencer in the Entertainment Industry based in Atlanta and a strong advocate for building a sustainable entertainment-friendly ecosystem throughout Georgia. As the incoming Chair of the Atlanta Film Festival, Harris is advocating for public and private partnerships to continue to nurture the development and growth of entertainment in the southeast. A creative at heart with incredible instincts and business savvy, Harris is currently Producing more than a half dozen various film projects around the world. Harris is regarded as a charismatic thought leader in the Entertainment business, and was recently named as one of the “most influential people in Film and TV finance.” In addition to his work at Peachtree Media Partners, Harris is a founder and partner at film equity and full production company, Gramercy Park Media. Through these aligned strategic initiatives, Harris is working in all aspects of film production finance and studio development.

    Harris has over two and half decades of diverse financial services experience and has served in a variety of leadership roles including retail, business, credit administration, corporate banking, and entertainment banking, including as Entertainment Executive and Senior Vice President at City National Bank. Harris has spent years offering a full complement of services to entertainment and production companies as well as working with business managers and high net worth entrepreneurs. Harris earned a degree in the University System of Georgia and holds multiple professional accreditations and licenses. Active in the community, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Film Society, the Atlanta Film Festival, Invest Atlanta Creative

    Industries, the Creative Coalition, as well as advisory commitments to Media & Entertainment Professionals, CMII, Georgia Production Partnership, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the American Bankers Association.

    With his entire family working in the entertainment industry, Film and TV is truly personal for Harris. Based in Atlanta with his wife and his working actress daughter, Mila Harris, he devotes most of his free time on set cultivating relationships and learning the business from the inside out. Additionally, he enjoys volunteering with several local philanthropic organizations and supporting Reimagine Atlanta, the Fox Theatre, the Woodruff Arts Center, Junior Achievement, Habitat for Humanity, and Operation HOPE.