Pedro Becker is a highly acclaimed director, regarded as one of the top film directors in Brazil. His exceptional talent has earned him recognition as Brazil’s Best Film Director by leading media outlets across Latin America. With a reputation for delivering standout work, Becker has garnered both national and international acclaim. He has worked with some of the world’s most renowned agencies, including BBDO, BBH, GUT, Publicis, VML, TBWA, Grey, Ogilvy, DDB, Lowe, and Saatchi & Saatchi, creating projects for some of the world's most iconic brands, including Pepsi, Apple, Nike, Telefonica, Volkswagen, Ford, GM, Nestlé, Visa, Coca-Cola, Inbev, Smirnoff and Fiat. Pedro Becker has a portfolio of international projects, having filmed in locations such as the USA, Italy, Spain, England, Monaco, Bulgaria, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. His work is characterized by a striking naturalism that seamlessly transitions into casual, often comic surrealism. The result is a body of work that is not only visually stunning but also witty and deeply poignant.

Becker’s talent has earned him numerous accolades at prestigious festivals and events, including Cannes, LIA, El Ojo, Ciclope and FIAP. His independent and meticulous approach to honing his craft has distinguished him as a unique force in the industry. 

Rit Bottorf is an Executive Creative Director at Leo, New York. Known for his ability to blend strategic brand storytelling with breakthrough creative, Rit has delivered some of the most talked-about and celebrated campaigns in the industry, earning global recognition from Cannes, The One Show, D&AD, Clios, Andy Awards, and The New York Festivals.

Over his award-winning career, Rit has continuously pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, while building a reputation for fostering a creative culture where big ideas thrive and great writing leaves a lasting impact.

As a VFX Executive Producer, Camila De Biaggi has been instrumental in shaping some of the industry’s most acclaimed and award-winning campaigns. With a keen eye for storytelling and an unwavering commitment to excellence, she has collaborated with top-tier advertising agencies and visionary directors to bring bold creative ideas to life.

Camila joined MPC/The Mill as Head of Production in 2013 and quickly ascended the ranks—becoming Executive Producer in 2014. Now, as Executive Producer and founder of Banquet, a home for visual stories in where, she spearheads key client relationships across advertising, film, and long-form content, overseeing high-profile campaigns that push creative and technical boundaries.

Originally from Argentina, Camila honed her craft in film production at Universidad del Cine in Buenos Aires and The New School in New York. Beginning her career in live-action, she transitioned into visual effects, amassing an impressive 17 years of experience across the creative industry.

Her portfolio boasts collaborations with global powerhouses such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, Samsung, PlayStation, and Tiffany & Co. She has built enduring partnerships with leading agencies like BBDO, McCann, Droga5, DDB, and BBH, and has worked alongside renowned directors including AG Rojas, Floria Sigismondi, Terence Neale, and Noam Murro.

A true leader in the field, Camila continues to push the boundaries of creative production, blending innovation with artistry to craft compelling, high-impact visual experiences.

Caleb Dewart is the Managing Partner of Hungry Man Productions, and a leading figure in the world of commercial production. With an impressive portfolio of countless commercials, music videos, and films, Caleb’s work has contributed significantly to shaping the landscape of modern advertising. His keen eye for talent and commitment to excellence have helped launch and grow the careers of many directors.

John embarked on his career journey at Saatchi & Saatchi London, swiftly ascending to the role of Producer. His knack for delivering exceptional work garnered accolades, prompting an invitation from Saatchi New York's Executive Creative Directors to bring his talents across the Atlantic. 

Over a decade at Saatchi New York, he assumed the position of Head of Production, guiding the agency to the prestigious title of Cannes Agency of the Year while also spearheading the renowned Saatchi New Directors Showcase.

In 2018, John joined TBWA\Chiat\Day NY as Head of Production, partnering with CCO Chris Beresford-Hill. Together, they delivered multiple award-winning campaigns, including the highly acclaimed Adidas "Billy Jean King Your Shoes" campaign, which garnered numerous Cannes Lions and other prestigious awards.

Recently, John was appointed Head of Production at Omnicom Production NY, where he leads a dynamic team of over 80 production experts, driving success across the diverse client portfolio of all Omnicom agencies.

Sara Eolin is the Partner/Executive Producer of Tinygiant. Sara has worked in the commercial production world for over 20 years, having producer positions at Grey Worldwide, Merkley & Partners, and head of production at Lowe Worldwide. Before starting at Tinygiant, she was one of the founding partners of Rocket Film, an Executive Producer at Aero Film, and one of the owners and managing director of the post/visual effects company Parachute. For long-form work, she is one of the Executive Producers of the feature film “Good One” which has its debut at Sundance and Cannes Fortnight in 2024. Short film producer credits include The Sandpit, Empress Nicole the Great, and The Girl Epidemic. Sara is an East Coast Board member of AICP and an active member of the International Radio and Television Society and NYWIFT. New York City is her home, and hopefully always will be. She shares it with her amazing husband, their son, their 2 incredibly lazy dogs, and an even lazier tortoise.

Thom Glover’s American Haiku, is responsible for some of the most exciting advertising today, including Yahoo’s recent Suler Bowl-busting smash, ‘Email Bill’ (with Bill Murray, and New Balance’s ‘Grey Days’. 

Prior to founding the agency, Thom spent seven years at Droga5, producing iconic work for Meta, Hennessy, Harley-Davidson, Lululemon & Under Armour.

Steve Horn is an Emmy-nominated copywriter who also draws. He is currently a Group Creative Director at Translation helping clients like the NBA, Beats by Dre, The Big 12 Conference, PlayStation, and PUMA solve their biggest business problems by standing out in culture. Steve's work is in the permanent archive at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art and he was named one of AdWeek's "100 Most Innovative and Inspiring Individuals" in advertising. When he's not working (or drawing), Steve enjoys cooking, reading, hooping, and aimlessly walking many miles.

Joy Kilpatrick is a New York-based director who is known for her evocative visual storytelling, especially within the culinary space. Her cinematic style is both distinct and poetic and has become highly sought-after for her ability to capture real moments between people and their food.

Joy has a heartfelt, people-first approach to storytelling that prioritizes the human experience. This enables her to create intimate scenes that illustrate how food commercials can be deeply personal. She has a distinguishable talent for crafting genuine emotional connections between her subjects and the product, evoking feelings of desire, nostalgia, and empathy throughout her work. 

Her films include branded commercials US and globally for McDonald’s, Waitrose, KFC, Haagen Daz, Taco Bell, Kraft, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Publix, and Nespresso. She has also worked on documentary and feature films. She was part of the second-unit team on John Wells’ Burnt, which stars Bradley Cooper. Joy is also developing documentary projects, further showcasing her passion and versatility as a director.

James McPherson is a globally recognized production leader with an unwavering passion for craft and a firm belief that, with the right mindset and ambition, the impossible is always within reach. As Chief Production Officer of Grey North America, he has driven groundbreaking, award-winning storytelling across every medium, shaping iconic work for brands like Procter & Gamble, Volvo, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, and AB InBev.

Recognized by Creative Pool as one of the Top 25 Most Influential and Inspiring Heads of Production, James has shared his expertise at the DGA’s Young Directors Showcase and contributed thought leadership to Ad Age, SHOOT Magazine, and Little Black Book on the evolution of production and creativity.

With a career that spans continents and disciplines, James is known for his sharp creative instincts, deep respect for craft, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. He believes great work comes from great teams and is dedicated to fostering an environment where talent of all backgrounds can thrive. Whether mentoring the next generation of producers, embracing AI and emerging production technologies, or judging top industry awards, he remains focused on elevating creative excellence while ensuring every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

A trusted voice in the industry, James has served on the Executive Jury for the AICP Awards and the Ad Age Creativity Awards, among other top-tier global award shows, helping to shape and celebrate the highest standards in creative production. James is honored to be part of this years NYFA Craft Jury, continuing his dedication to championing exceptional storytelling and craft in filmmaking.

Brenda, a highly accomplished professional, currently serves as the Head of Production at both DAVID MIAMI and New York, building on her earlier role as the Head of Production at the Buenos Aires office. Her remarkable 19-year career trajectory began in Buenos Aires, where she laid the foundation for her diverse skill set. Seeking new challenges, Brenda ventured to Chicago and contributed significantly to the creative landscape at Leo Burnett, expanding her expertise across various mediums, including film, OOH, radio, experiential, AR/VR, activations, and innovation.

Over the course of her illustrious career, Brenda has collaborated with major clients such as Google, Burger King, Unilever, The Coca-Cola Company, Verizon, All State, Mondelez, Danone, Supercell, and Activision, as well as AB Inbev, among many others. Her leadership and creative prowess have resulted in the development and execution of award-winning campaigns that have left an indelible mark globally.

Brenda's contributions to the advertising industry have been widely recognized, with prestigious awards such as the Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, top honors from D&AD, The One Show, Clio Awards, LIA, and the New York Festival, underscoring her commitment to excellence. Notably, Brenda is a distinguished member of the National Television Academy-Emmys, a testament to her outstanding achievements and extensive experience in the field.

Lora believes the fusion of creativity and innovation has the power to drive business results and shape culture for brands.

As a founding leader of the 72andSunny New York office, a key member of the North America Leadership team and as the Head of Production, Lora helps cultivate a thriving, vibrant business while ensuring the agency's creative output consistently aligns with the vision. With over 20 years of production experience, she has partnered with some of the world’s most ambitious brands to deliver award-winning and culturally resonant work, recognized by Cannes Lions, Emmys, Clios, One Show, Webbys, Andys, AICP and more.

As a lifelong learner and entrepreneurial leader, Lora has built and mentored top-tier production teams who are the ultimate possibility makers, bringing creative production strategies to complex problems and consistently pushing the boundaries of the new. She believes to get to more creative and authentic work, you need diverse perspectives and is committed to the ongoing fight for equal and diverse representation in the industry, through production and in the work.

A native New Yorker raised in SoHo, Lora’s childhood dream of becoming an art curator and/or lawyer have uniquely informed her production career, blending artistic vision with strategic problem-solving. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband, teenage kids, and a dog named Bingo.

Matthew Woodhams-Roberts is a creative veteran with over 20 years of experience shaping culture through advertising. As CCO and Partner of Special US, he believes great advertising isn’t just about breaking through—it’s about becoming part of the cultural conversation. Under his leadership of Special US alongside partner Dave Horton, Matt has helped build the agency’s reputation for bold, commercially effective work that gets picked up by everyone from TikTok Influencers to the New York Times - and has included delivering Top 10 Super Bowl campaigns for five years running.Over the course of Matt’s career he has partnered with a wide variety of brands - from Uber Eats, Adidas, Netflix, and Fox Sports - to develop some of their most iconic work. These partnerships have earned him a spot on ADWEEK’s Creative 100 (2024) and Ad Age’s Creatives of the Year (2022).While under his leadership, Special US has been named Campaign’s Global Agency of the Year (2021, 2023), ranked among WARC Effective 100’s most effective networks (2023), and recognized as the Effies’ Most Effective Independent Agency in the World (2022).