The New Studio System
Speakers:
Jared Geesey, EVP of International, Angel Studios
Jon Leland, Co-Founder and CEO, Popular Demand Studios
Wesley Wang, Director/Founder, Wesley Wang Media
Speakers
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Jared GeeseyExecutive Vice President, International at Angel StudiosJared Geesey is Executive Vice President of International at Angel Studios, where he leads international theatrical distribution, licensing partnerships, and streaming expansion. He has spent 22 years at the intersection of technology and entertainment.
Jared and his team built a network of 100+ distribution and licensing partners that delivers theatrical releases in 40+ countries, including Sound of Freedom, The King of Kings, and David. They present Angel’s slate at Cannes, Berlin, the American Film Market, CineEurope, CineAsia, and CineLatam. He co-launched Angel’s theatrical division in 2023, debuting at #8 among U.S. distributors and grossing more than $650 million globally.
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Jon LelandCo-Founder and CEO, Popular DemandJon Leland is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Popular Demand, a fan-driven, artist-first entertainment studio and technology company built to develop projects in partnership with the audiences that care about them most. Founded as an alternative to traditional studios, Popular Demand works with creators who want to own and control their projects, bringing them to life by utilizing its expertise in fandom, community organizing, crowdfunding, and ticket pre-sales, often focusing on audiences the industry has historically underserved.
Prior to Popular Demand, Leland worked at Kickstarter for over 10 years and served as Chief Strategy Officer. He serves on the board of GlobalGiving, and was named one of CNN’s “Top Risk Takers in Business.”
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Wesley WangDirector/Founder, Wesley Wang MediaWesley Wang is the writer/director of the short film “nothing, except everything”, which went viral on YouTube (9.6 million views) and sold to Sony and Darren Aronofsky to be adapted into a feature film, making him the youngest director to set up a movie at a major studio.
He just left Harvard to build a creator-led studio that lets the internet greenlight the next generation of films and shows. The studio is in active development on projects backed by Warner Music Group and Colin & Samir, and has already raised $2.5 million across its slate. In chess, he is an 11-time National Champion, and 6-time All-American.
