Creative Calling
A Cross-Industry Conversation Series
Cinema, Culture & the Future of Storytelling
NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL EDITION
This October, Creative Calling returns during New York Film Festival for a special evening exploring cinema, culture, and the future of storytelling.
Bringing together filmmakers, actors, writers, producers, creators, founders, and cultural leaders, the evening will feature intimate conversations about the stories that shape culture, the realities of bringing independent films from script to screen, and the evolving relationship between creativity and technology.
Designed to complement the festival experience, Creative Calling creates space for the conversations that happen beyond the red carpet—where ideas are exchanged, collaborators meet, and meaningful creative relationships begin.
In a world where networking can often feel transactional, we believe in creating something more human: genuine conversation, creative exchange, and a community of people who understand what it takes to build a creative life.
Because some of the most important moments in a creative career happen off-screen.
Reagan Yorke
Director, creator
Reagan is a filmmaker, director, producer, and digital creator who has built a career at the intersection of independent filmmaking and online storytelling. She is the co-founder of S&Q Films, an award-winning Los Angeles–based production company she leads alongside filmmaker Jillian Smith, with a mission to “un-gatekeep” the film industry by opening doors to emerging actors and filmmakers and sharing the filmmaking process with their online community. Together, the duo has generated more than 300 million impressions across platforms and earned festival recognition for their short films Weight (2023) and Cheers, (2024), with Cheers, premiering at the Academy Award–qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. Their latest film, Me & My Big Mug, was released in 2026. Reagan has also served as a Short Film Competition judge for the Nikon Film and Photo Contest. With more than 500K followers on Instagram and S&Q Films reaching more than 200K, Reagan continues to bridge digital culture and traditional filmmaking while building a more accessible creative community.
Jillian Nicole Smith
Director, creator
Speakers
Jillian Smith is an award-winning filmmaker, director, producer, and digital creator, and the co-founder of S&Q Films, a Los Angeles–based production company she leads alongside Reagan Yorke. Together, Jillian and Reagan have built S&Q around a mission to “un-gatekeep” the film industry, creating original narrative projects while giving their online community an inside look at the realities of filmmaking and opening doors for emerging creatives. Their work has generated more than 300 million impressions across platforms and earned recognition on the festival circuit, including their short films Weight (2023) and Cheers, (2024), which premiered at the Academy Award–qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. Their latest film, Me & My Big Mug, was released in 2026. Through S&Q Films, Jillian continues to blend traditional filmmaking with digital storytelling, building an engaged community while helping make the path into the entertainment industry more accessible.
Matthew Cancel
CEO, Publicist
Matthew is a New York–based publicist, creative strategist, entrepreneur, and model, and the Founder and CEO of Cancel Communications, a full-service PR and creative agency working across fashion, entertainment, media, and culture. Prior to launching his own agency, Cancel built his career at firms including People’s Revolution, Metro Public Relations, and KCD, working with major brands and platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Disney+, Coach, and American Express. Through Cancel Communications, he has represented notable talent including Aly & AJ, Brad Mondo, Susanne Bartsch, Davis Burleson, and Martin Soto, while contributing to major cultural moments and events spanning the Met Gala, New York Fashion Week, Coachella, VidCon, and the American Music Awards. Beyond publicity, Cancel has expanded his presence in fashion as a model, appearing in editorials and campaigns including the Dominic Albano Collection, while advocating for broader representation and challenging traditional standards within menswear and modeling.
Mona Swain
actress, influencer, activist
Juju Green
Film critic, content creator
Eduardo Holguin
Mona is an actress, influencer, and activist with a social media following of over 2 million. She's known for her roles as Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical and Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. She's also played Serena in Legally Blonde and Disco Donna in SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical. Swain is passionate about civil and social rights, and has used her social media to support women's abortion rights.
Juju is widely known as StrawHatGoofy, is a leading film critic, entertainment personality, and digital creator whose platform has become a go-to destination for movie lovers. A former advertising copywriter, Green transitioned into film-focused content creation around 2020, building an audience of millions through his engaging reviews, thoughtful breakdowns, performance analyses, and conversations with some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Beyond his social platforms, he hosts the Get Rec’d podcast and has expanded his presence across the entertainment industry through collaborations with the Academy Awards, hosting Focus Features’ 2025 FocusFest, and serving as a Key Entertainment Contributor at iHeartMedia. Signed with CAA in 2024, Green has established himself as one of digital media’s most recognizable voices in film, earning the nickname “TikTok’s movie guy.”
Art Director, Content Creator
Eduardo is an Art Director, Photographer, and Content Creator, as well as the Global Social & Content Creator Partnerships Manager at L’Oréal and Kiehl’s. Originally from the Dominican Republic, he is the founder of By Holguín, a creative studio specializing in art direction, design, strategy, and photography. His clients include Pinterest, Crocs, Ferragamo, Reebok, Express, and celebrity talent including Dascha Polanco.
Emanuel Okusanya
music journalist, editor, creative strategist
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Emanuel is a journalist, editor, moderator, and creative strategist whose work spans music, culture, and storytelling. Formerly Music Editor at EBONY, with previous roles at Variety and Warner Music Group, he has helped shape conversations with some of today's most influential artists and cultural voices.
Geoff Shotz
Director, producer
Geoff is an accomplished television director and producer whose career spans some of the industry's most acclaimed network and streaming series. He is best known for directing episodes of The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Legacies, Vampire Academy, The Equalizer, Dynasty, and Shadowhunters, with his work recognized for its dynamic visual storytelling and emotionally driven performances. A member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the International Cinematographers Guild, Geoff's unique journey from behind the camera to the director's chair has made him one of television's most respected creative voices.
Rosslyn Luke
Actress
Rosslyn is an actress and producer known for her work across film and television. She stars as Kate Parker in the sci-fi thriller Recollection, leading the film as a woman whose erased memories unexpectedly return and uncover disturbing truths about her past. Her television credits include appearances in Shrinking, High Potential, CSI: Vegas, S.W.A.T., The Rookie, and Z Nation. She also appears in the 2026 feature Paper Tiger. With experience spanning independent film and major television productions, Rosslyn brings a dynamic perspective on acting, storytelling, and building a multifaceted career in entertainment.
Amanda Etemad
Head of marketing
Amanda is the Head of Marketing at the School for Moral Ambition, managing the content and partnerships strategy for an audience of 2 million followers. She also runs creative strategy for Nimruz and serves on the board of art gallery, Vox Populi, helping connect artists to the resources needed to bring their projects to life.
Everette Taylor
ceo, kickstarter
Everette is the CEO of Kickstarter, the world’s premiere crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Under Everette’s leadership, Kickstarter was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies for trailblazing the future of work and for the company’s global impact in the creator economy.
Prior to joining Kickstarter, Everette most recently served as the CMO of Artsy, the largest online marketplace for buying and selling fine art. During his time at Artsy he was recognized by Business Insider as one of the World's Most Innovative CMOs and by Forbes as one of the World's Most Influential CMOs due to the business seeing record revenue growth and brand awareness.
Melody Baha
Actress, director, CREATOR
Melody is a Persian-American actress, writer, director, producer, Founder & CEO of Melodically Productions, and Co-Founder of The Creative Calling Series. A passionate storyteller and creative entrepreneur, she develops original projects exploring culture, identity, and human connection. Drawing from her background in performance, production, and media, she creates meaningful stories that inspire conversation, foster understanding, and empower others.
Actress, producer, CREATOR
Marisa Hernandez
Marisa is a Mexican-American actress, producer, author, and entrepreneur based in New York City. She is the founder of 22 Pictures Production Company, dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and minorities through film and storytelling. She is also the co-founder of The Creative Calling Series, which connects creatives through conversation, networking, and inspiration. Marisa is the author of Grandpa's Our Hero and is passionate about empowering the next generation of storytellers.
6:30 PM — Doors Open + Welcome Reception
Cocktails, light bites, photo moments
7:15 PM — Welcome Remarks
SPEAKERS
Melody Baha, Co-Founder, The Creative Calling
Marisa Hernandez, Co-Founder, The Creative Calling
7:20 PM — PANEL 1 — THE CRAFT
Beyond the Screen: The Art of Storytelling
MODERATED BY
Emanuel Okusanya, Music Journalist, Editor, Creative Strategist, Ebony Magazine
SPEAKERS
Geoff Shotz, Director, Vampire Diaries
Rosslyn Luke, Actor
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
An intimate conversation exploring the craft behind powerful storytelling, from directing and performance to creative collaboration, developing memorable characters, finding your voice, and taking the creative risks that make stories resonate.
7:40 PM — PANEL II — THE BUSINESS
Beyond the Film: How to Fund, Build & Market Your Story
MODERATED BY
Amanda Etemad, Head of Marketing, The School for Moral Ambition, Creative Strategy & Partnerships Advisor
SPEAKERS
Everette Taylor, CEO, Kickstarter
Reagan Yorke, Director, S&Q Films
Jillian Nicole Smith, Director, S&Q Films
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
A candid look at the gap between having a great idea and successfully bringing it into the world. From funding and execution to branding, marketing, and audience building, this conversation explores how filmmakers can not only make great work, but tell the story of their work in a way that gets people invested.
8:00 PM — PANEL III — THE CAREER
Creating Your Own Path: Building a Sustainable Creative Career
MODERATED BY
Eduardo Holguin, Global Creator Partnerships, L'Oréal & Kiehl's
SPEAKERS
Mona Swain, Actress, Creator, and Activist
Juju Green, Film Critic, Content Creator
Matthew Cancel, Founder & Lead Publicist, Cancel Communications
ABOUT THE CONVERSATION
There is no single path to a creative career. This conversation explores how today’s artists and storytellers are creating their own opportunities, embracing multi-hyphenate careers, navigating pivots and rejection, building meaningful relationships, and creating sustainable lives that allow them to keep doing the work they love.
8:20 PM — CLOSING REMARKS
SPEAKERS
Melody Baha, Co-Founder, The Creative Calling
Marisa Hernandez, Co-Founder, The Creative Calling
8:30 PM — COCKTAILS + CREATIVE COMMUNITY RECEPTION
10:30 PM — OFFICIAL AFTER-PARTY
Agenda
Our Partners
Creative Calling is made possible by the generous support of our partners who share our commitment to building vibrant creative communities.
