Beyond the Silver Screen: Film Exhibition in Unconventional Spaces

Looking to screen your short or feature-length film outside of a traditional theater setting? Join this conversation with film and film-adjacent event organizers who curate screenings and other special events in traditionally non-film related spaces. Panelists will share their individual organization and mission, past and upcoming programming, and the impact of giving people in our local communities an accessible way to be exposed to film, as well as offer unique venue ideas for those looking for new audiences. Ideal for filmmakers and film enthusiasts interested in seeking alternative screening venues and expanding the possibilities of film presentation. Moderator: Taylor Montalto Panelists: Rocco Shapiro ( reel friends ), Bianca Cato & Luna Ecks ( Audio Video Club ), Andromeda (Edn) (Tea Time), Carrie Miller ( Lavender Lens ) and Leyla Scott ( Reel Liberation Collective ) A Charlotte native based in Atlanta, Taylor Montalto wears a variety of hats in the arts non-profit sector. She currently works as Education & Grants Coordinator for Atlanta Film Society and Programming Director for Charlotte Film Festival. Apart from her work with ATLFS and CFF, Taylor has had the opportunity to volunteer at such festivals as Sundance Film Festival and Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. Rocco Shapiro is filmmaker who has written, produced, directed and edited award-winning short films that were featured in 8 Academy qualifying festivals including Aspen Shorts Fest, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Atlanta Film Festival. He has also directed commercials that have garnered over one billion views on YouTube and broadcast with clients such as Grammarly, Xfinity and Nike. Rocco also hosts film programming events at the Plaza & Tara Theaters. Bianca Cato is a film curator and programmer based in Atlanta and the founder of Audio Video Club . Her work focuses on creating thoughtful and unconventional ways to experience film outside of traditional theater settings and film festivals, centering cinema as a shared, communal practice. Through Audio Video Club, Bianca has programmed recurring film series, special screenings, and community-centered events across Atlanta, collaborating closely with filmmakers, artists, and local venues. Andromeda (Edn) is an Atlanta home grown gender queer artist, world builder, and community organizer exploring the ever-evolving media of film through curating accessible screening experiences and community building events. Carrie Miller is a local queer filmmaker, pushing for diverse and creative media. They are the founder of Lavender Lens which not only showcases queer films made by queer filmmakers, but also highlights many events including local queer short film nights, music shows, fundraisers, art shows, and more. Leyla Scott is a member of Reel Liberation Collective, which hosts monthly African film screenings rooted in the radical traditions of Third Cinema and African Indigenous storytelling practices. She co-hosts Revolutionary African Perspectives, a public affairs community radio show on WRFG 89.3 every Monday from 7-8 PM. In addition, Leyla is an organizer with the Black Alliance for Peace, an anti-imperialist, anti-war, pro-peace organization working to revitalize the Black Radical Tradition.