California: Independent Filmmaking In California

Speakers

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  Danny De Lillo President & Founder, Sweet Humans
  

  Danny De Lillo

  President & Founder, Sweet Humans

  President & Founder, Sweet Humans Danny De Lillo is an entertainment executive, creative producer, and industry advocate with more than 25 years of experience across film, television, media, creative development, marketing, and industry partnerships. He is the President & Founder of Sweet Humans, a creative-impact production company connecting storytelling, production, strategic partnerships, and social impact to help bring compelling stories to life while building a more inclusive, collaborative, and sustainable entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Danny has held senior international media and marketing roles, including Head of The Americas atScreen International and leadership in North American development and marketing. His experience spans creative development, awards campaigns, film festival programming, talent and industry engagement, and building relationships across the global entertainment landscape. Danny has also served as Board Chair of NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, championing emerging filmmakers, underrepresented storytellers, and greater access to the industry. His commitment to creating safer, more equitable working environments is informed by his own experiences as a queer survivor and his advocacy for a more compassionate entertainment community. Founded on the belief that the industry can achieve more when it works together, Sweet Humans brings creative vision and meaningful partnerships into a shared production ecosystem. Danny’s mission is to help build a future where exceptional storytelling, sustainable creative careers, and positive industry change can thrive together.

• 

  Donna Washington Vice President of External Affairs, FILM LA
  

  Donna Washington

  Vice President of External Affairs, FILM LA

  Donna Washington has been with FilmLA since its inception in July of 1995, when the City and County of Los Angeles merged and privatized their respective film permit offices. Donna was one of three employees from the City to staff the newly created film permit office, which later became FilmLA.

  While working for the City of Los Angeles as a Production Coordinator in the City Film and Video Permit Office, Donna gained valuable experience in mediating disputes between production companies and communities, providing clarity and recommending effective resolutions. She learned firsthand the skill of negotiating with City and County departments to balance the needs of the film industry and the communities in which they film.

  In 1995, the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works awarded Donna a commendation in recognition of her work coordinating production support services for the City of Los Angeles.

  In her current role as Vice President of External Affairs, Donna is responsible for developing and implementing long-term strategies for external relations, including cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with key external stakeholders, as well as government officials and community members. Donna draws on her early career experience to guide and mentor FilmLA’s service teams, fostering a collaborative culture. She works in close collaboration with the CEO, Vice President of Integrated Communications, and Operations and Communications teams to provide leadership across the organization.

  Donna’s longevity and intimate knowledge of all facets of on-location film production make her a respected and trusted advisor on a broad range of filming issues. She is a regular presenter at meetings of the County Film Task Force, City Film Task Force, and in other forums where regional film policy matters are discussed. She has also represented FilmLA before filmmaker audiences at the American Film Market, the Film in California Conference, and other industry events.

  Since the inception of our DEI Task Force, and now DEI Advisory Committee, Donna has served as program lead as an active member and group supporter. Donna, in collaboration with her colleagues, has worked to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace by promoting education, participation, and representation. In 2023, the Committee was honored with the “DEI Team of the Year, Valley Area” by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

  Donna has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and resides in Long Beach, CA.

• 

  Nikole Dalton COO, Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation
  

  Nikole Dalton

  COO, Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation

  Nikole Dalton is a finance and economic development executive, entrepreneur, and strategist whose career has centered on strengthening small businesses, improving financial systems, and expanding access to capital.

  With more than two decades of experience in financial management and business operations, she brings a perspective shaped by working both inside small businesses and within the financial and economic-development institutions designed to support them.

  Dalton serves as Chief Operating Officer of Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation, where she provides leadership across financial operations, audit oversight, organizational systems, lender relationships, and strategic initiatives. Since joining Nor-Cal in 2017, she has expanded her work beyond financial management to include new approaches to capital access, particularly for industries and entrepreneurs that have historically struggled to navigate traditional financing systems.

  Her current work includes developing industry-specific capital-access pathways that connect California business owners with lenders, technical assistance, and government-supported financing programs. These pathways span the creative economy and construction sectors, where she is helping build the financial infrastructure needed to translate available capital into meaningful access.

  Dalton is also the founder of the Entertainment Finance Initiative (EFI), an independent initiative she created to bridge the gap between the creative economy and traditional financial institutions. Through EFI, she works to improve capital readiness among creative businesses while increasing lenders’ understanding of entertainment business models, revenue structures, and financing opportunities.

  Her financial career began more than 20 years ago in small-business environments, progressing from administrative and audit support into bookkeeping, financial management, and ultimately executive.

• 

  Steve Kang President, Chief of Film Liaison, Board of Public Works, City of Los Angeles
  

  Steve Kang

  President, Chief of Film Liaison, Board of Public Works, City of Los Angeles

  President, Board of Public Works | Chief Film Liaison, City of Los Angeles Steve Kang serves as President of the Board of Public Works and Chief Film Liaison for the City of Los Angeles, overseeing one of the City’s largest infrastructure and service-delivery departments while helping shape strategies to strengthen Los Angeles’ position as the entertainment capital of the world. As Chief Film Liaison, Kang works closely with studios, production companies, filmmakers, labor organizations, and industry stakeholders to streamline film permitting, reduce production costs, and make Los Angeles a more competitive and film-friendly destination. He has helped advance initiatives to expand access to filming locations, eliminate bureaucratic barriers, and retain and attract film and television production while protecting the thousands of jobs supported by the entertainment industry. Prior to his appointment, Kang served as Vice President of the Central Area Planning Commission and held leadership positions in the nonprofit and public sectors. Kang holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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  Yetee Osunsanmi Deputy Director, California Film Commission
  

  Yetee Osunsanmi

  Deputy Director, California Film Commission