Beyond the Box Office: Alternative Paths to Audience and Impact
Reaching audiences today requires more than a traditional theatrical run. From innovative distribution models to community-driven screenings and new ways of measuring cultural influence, filmmakers are experimenting with fresh strategies to ensure their work finds its people—and makes a difference. This session explores how projects can travel beyond the box office to build movements, reach untapped communities, and translate storytelling into lasting impact.
Featured Speakers:
Heather Fipps, Executive Director, Hollywood Climate Summit
Brian Newman, Founder of Sub-Genre
Juliette Richey, Chief Operating Officer at Picture Motion
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Speaker Bios:
Heather Fipps mobilizes the entertainment industry for climate action as Executive Director of the Hollywood Climate Summit, where she leads a global community that has engaged over 30,000 creative professionals across film, television, gaming, and media to take climate action in their work. As Program Director at The Redford Center, Fipps led the strategy for the organization's grantmaking and development programs in support of environmental films that have reached millions, changed policy, and mobilized grassroots breakthroughs. Her insights on media's role in climate response have been featured in The Hollywood Reporter, LA Times, New York Times, Forbes, and Rolling Stone.
Brian Newman, founder of Sub-Genre, is known as a pioneer in the film and media industry, consulting on film and media content strategy, distribution and marketing for some of the top brands in the world. Sub-Genre guides companies through the process of leveraging entertainment to showcase their values, have greater impact, and to stand out from the crowd. Current and former clients include: The Climate Pledge (Amazon), Hilton, Indeed, John Deere, Lowe’s, Oatly, Patagonia, REI, SmugMug, Stripe, Sundance, WeTransfer, and Yeti Coolers. Brian has served as CEO of the Tribeca Film Institute, produces independent films, and writes a popular weekly newsletter on film.
With over 15 years of experience in production and entertainment marketing, Juliette Richey has built a career at the intersection of storytelling and social change developing campaigns that mobilize audiences and drive lasting impact. At Picture Motion, Juliette oversees operations, strategy, and campaign execution. The company has led more than 450+ impact campaigns across film, TV, books, and podcasts, working with studios, filmmakers, and organizations to turn content into action. Juliette has produced award-winning campaigns for the Oscar-winning Summer of Soul, Critics Choice Award-winning I Am Greta, and the Peabody Award-winning films The Territory and Aftershock. Named a 2024/25 DOC NYC Documentary New Leader, Juliette is recognized for her innovative, equity-focused approach to impact production and her work amplifying underrepresented voices.
This event has limited capacity. Admission will be first come, first served — we encourage early arrival to guarantee your spot.
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