Crafting the Narrative: From Inspiration to Compelling, Sought-After Stories
Distinctive stories begin with bold, authentic voices. This conversation spotlights executives and creatives whose work champions and showcases diversity — in perspective, culture, and experience. This session will discuss how inclusive storytelling drives creative innovation, deepens audience connection, and expands what’s possible for independent film today, proving that representation and originality are not only powerful but essential to compelling storytelling in the global marketplace.
Moderator:
Elliot Kotek, Founder & CEO, The Nation of Artists
Panelists:
Jarod Neece, Senior Film Programmer, Tribeca Enterprises
Lourdes Diaz, Chief Content Officer, AGC Studios
Speakers
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Elliot KotekFounder & Chief Creative, The Nation of ArtistsA former entertainment journalist who interviewed over a thousand of the world’s leading creatives and gamechangers, Elliot has directed and produced impact films for the likes of AARP, Accenture, Aflac, Amgen, Campbell’s, CDC Foundation, Fair Labor Association, FIRST Robotics, Hyundai & the UNDP, JFF, LEGO, New Balance, Participant Media, Quest Diagnostics, Whirlpool & Habitat for Humanity.
A producer of multiple Oscar-qualifying documentaries (Queen Mimi, Black Boys, Little Miss Sumo), Elliot has one Emmy (from seven nominations), five Cannes Lions, five SxSW Innovation Awards, two Clio Awards, six Anthem Awards, plus AICP and One Show awards, Webbys, Shortys, SIMA’s Creative Impact Award, over 100 Telly Awards and has projects archived at MoMA and exhibited at the Barbican.
He is a member of the PGA, IDA, the Television Academy and a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. He is originally Australian, but not a Hemsworth.
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Jarod NeeceSenior Film Programmer, Tribeca EnterprisesJarod Neece, a Senior Programmer at the Tribeca Festival, has extensive experience in film programming and curation. Formerly the Chief Creative Officer at CURIA and a 20-year partner, Senior Programmer, and Producer at SXSW, Neece played a key role in shaping the strategic direction and programming. He has served as a juror or panelist at several prestigious events, including the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
He is also an accomplished author and television host. Neece co-authored the bestselling books Austin Breakfast Tacos and The Tacos of Texas, published by UT Press, and co-hosted and produced the PBS documentary series The Tacos of Texas and United Tacos of America on Univision’s El Rey Network.
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Lourdes DiazChief Content Officer, AGC StudiosLourdes Diaz is the Chief Content Officer for AGC Studios, overseeing the company’s creative team and robust feature film and television slates from development through launch including recent hits such as Justin Kurzel’s The Order, Ron Howard’s Eden, Richard Linklater’s Hit Man and Anna Kendrick’s Woman of the Hour, as well as Roland Emmerich’s first television epic Those About to Die. She was also recently elevated to partner with a seat on the AGC board. In addition to AGC Studios, Lourdes is a member of the Producer’s Guild of America, the Television Academy, and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She has also been awarded on the Imagen Foundation’s Influential Latinos in Media list for the past two years.
Diaz was most recently President of AGC Television, responsible for the company’s scripted, non-scripted, non-fiction and digital television content. Diaz has been with AGC Studios since its earliest days and has a had a huge impact on the company’s choices in material, in people, and on the dynamic, multicultural working environment. As President, she oversaw such projects as War of the Worlds, starring Gabriel Byrne and Daisy Edgar-Jones and the Australian crime series Troppo, starring Thomas Jane.
Prior to AGC, Diaz served as President of Entertainment for Univision Communications, Inc. (UCI), diversifying its entertainment content, and working closely with Televisa, Netflix, Globo, Endemol, and other partners. Prior to UCI, Diaz was Head of Global Production and Development at Viacom International’s Comedy Central where she oversaw their development across all Comedy Central International channels and was the Executive Producer of numerous international scripted and unscripted series and shows such as Threesome and Drunk History UK. Before Comedy Central, Diaz was Vice President, Primetime Programming at NBC and Universal Media Studios. She also served as an executive on multiple NBC comedies and dramas, including House, Parenthood, and The Office. Prior to NBC, Diaz founded Agua Entertainment Group (AEG) specializing in film, television, and new media, and was Head of Creative Affairs for Green Moon Productions, a company formed and operated by Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith. A graduate of Emerson College, Diaz began her career as an agent at ICM, representing over 50 writers and directors.