Producers: Reframing our Narrative Through Coalition & Connection
As we navigate a continuously shifting industry landscape, our role as producers is evolving and often lacks clear definition. Questions around our creative and strategic value, professional boundaries, and recognition contribute to ongoing role perception challenges within the business. This conversation will explore how we clarify our roles, navigate misunderstandings around credit, visibility, responsibility, and positioning within a global ecosystem, all while keeping projects moving. Panelists will share practical ideas for building stronger coalitions, reinforcing our professional positioning, and charting a more sustainable and equitable path forward for producers in the U.S. and around the world.
Moderator:
Adetoro Makinde, Executive Director | President | Co-Founder, Woman Independent Producers (WIP)
Panelists:
Carol Ann Shine, Producer Writer, The Way of Shine Productions
Monica Levinson, Producer, Color Force
Deniese Davis, CEO/Founder, Reform Media Group
Matthew Lee Miller, President, Vanishing Angle
Presented with Women Independent Producers (WIP), WIF and ReFrame
Speakers
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Adetoro MakindeExecutive Director, President, Co-Founder, Woman Independent ProducersAdetoro Makinde is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and industry advocate whose career bridges independent and studio-led productions. A first-generation Nigerian-American, she brings a vital perspective shaped by her commitment to equity, access, and impact in storytelling. As Founder of Backdoor Films and its social impact arm, Hyphenate Africa, Adetoro has written, directed, and produced multiple Sundance-premiered projects and impact-driven films.
Her upcoming projects includes THE AMERICAN CAN, an epic social justice and climate narrative biopic, and SUSTAIN, a feature documentary following Grammy winner Montell Jordan’s journey through prostate cancer, faith, and purpose. Named a “Producer to Watch” by IMDbPro, her recent honors include the 2024 Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color and the 2022 Women’s Fund from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Fellowships include Film Independent | Project Involve, Facebook SEEN Filmmaker, the Blackhouse Foundation Multicultural Producers Lab, Made in NY, Kodak Emerging Filmmaker and grants from Ford Foundation, IFP | NYSCA, and HBO Corporate and Social Responsibility.
An artivist, thought leader and educator, Adetoro holds a B.A. from Georgetown University, studied Authentic Leadership and Mindful Education, and earned a Certificate of Leadership Excellence in Management Development from Harvard University. She is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Women Independent Producers, former Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Film Fatales, and former Program Director of the USC School of Cinematic Arts | Netflix Grow Creative Program.
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Monica LevinsonProducer, Color ForceMonica Levinson is a highly accomplished film and television producer known for her collaborative work with top innovators in the entertainment industry. Levinson is currently in a producing deal with the esteemed banner Color Force, recently Executive Producing the Peabody Award winning Hulu/FX limited series “SAY NOTHING,” based on the gripping portrayal of the Northern Ireland Troubles featured in the best-selling book by Patrick Radden Keefe. Additionally, she was the Co-Executive Producer on two other FX limited series: “CLIPPED” and “AARON HERNANDEZ: AMERICAN SPORTS STORY.”
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Deniese DavisCEO/Founder, Reform Media GroupDeniese Davis is a four-time Emmy-nominated producer and Founder/CEO of Reform Media Group. She began her career producing music videos and digital content, including Issa Rae’s acclaimed web series The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. Her credits include Sony/TriStar’s One of Them Days starring Keke Palmer and SZA, the upcoming indie film Hard Feelings, HBO’s Insecure and A Black Lady Sketch Show, and MAX’s Rap Sh!t. Deniese also co-founded ColorCreative, a management company empowering diverse creators across media. An alum of CUNY Brooklyn College and the American Film Institute, she serves on the boards of Black Public Media and The Blackhouse Foundation, and is a founding member of AFI’s Alumni Council.
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Carol Ann ShineProducer Writer, The Way of Shine ProductionsCAROL ANN SHINE has produced films, TV movies and television series working with partners such as Showtime, Lifetime, BET, CBS, SONY, NHK, LOGO, TV ONE. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinema & Television, “SHINE,” has premiered “HOUSE OF CARDIN” and “AL GARIB” at the Venice International Film Festival, “PUNKS” at Sundance and other projects at over 50 festivals worldwide and received numerous domestic and international awards. Additional credits include: “BLACKBIRD” starring Academy Award® winner Mo’Nique, the LOGO television series “NOAH’S ARC” and film “JUMPING THE BROOM” both directed by Patrik Ian Polk, which premiered to SRO crowds at The Castro during The San Franciso Gay and Lesbian Film Festival and later around the world.
Her current projects include “MR. AVAROS” a Latino re-telling of “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”,,””GOOD FORTUNE” a series inspired by Agatha Christie with EP Michelle Yeoh, “THE CHICAGO 50” a story of an impactful WWII military event, “MEMPHIS BLUES” a TV Series with Sony Studios featuring a African-American ‘SUCCESSION’ storyline and finally “UNTITLED HOLLI DRAINES STORY” a celebration of a woman serving in the Secret Service and protecting the Presidential family, and a Lifetime MOW. Shine also was a Producer on an award winning short film “SUPERMAN DOESN’T STEAL” this past year. After competing in over 50 festivals globally and gathering a number of awards the film won an Image Award, a Telly Award and was a semi-finalist in the Oscar completion.
SHINE is also the co-founder of The Blackhouse Foundation, a non-profit established to expand diversity at film festivals around the globe. At 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Blackhouse will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
SHINE is a member of the Director’s Guild of America, Film Independent and Producer’s Guild of America.
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Matthew Lee MillerPresident, Vanishing AngleMatthew Lee Miller is the co-founder and owner of Vanishing Angle, a critically acclaimed production company known for championing innovative independent films. A Spirit Award and Critics Choice Award-nominated producer, Matt has produced over seventeen feature films and has executive produced, co-produced, or line produced over ten others. His work also includes more than thirty short films, several digital series, and numerous music videos and commercials. His projects have premiered and won awards at top festivals worldwide, including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, Cannes, and Berlinale. Before shifting his focus to producing, Matt spent years working in production as an assistant director and set PA, gaining hands-on experience under some of the industry’s most respected filmmakers, including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Noah Baumbach, Gus Van Sant, Clint Eastwood, and Sean Penn. These experiences shaped his approach to fostering a collaborative and supportive production environment. Through Vanishing Angle, Matt continues to support emerging talent while maintaining long-term collaborations with filmmakers. Recent projects include Tina Romero’s Queens of the Dead which recently won the audience award at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, and The Edge Of Normal, starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Rupert Friend, which recently wrapped production.