We chat to Christian Monti about using existing data as a risk mitigation tool in financing feature films, the pros and cons of Cinelytic software, the software's genesis, how it improves the film business for independent producers, and the use of predictive modeling in the financing, casting and distribution phase of a film's lifecycle.

About the Guest: Christian is the COO at Cinelytic. Prior to joining Cinelytic, he was a studio executive for 17 years and developed a deep knowledge of Studio analysis and distribution. His positions included managing the international television business development and distribution for Paramount Pictures, and VP of International Theatrical Distribution at Warner Brothers. He was also SVP of Sales and Acquisitions for Relativity Media helping to establish their international business. A former lawyer, Christian has an MBA from Wharton and an MA from The Lauder Institute.

We chat to Amy Stein Simonds about her work as an entertainment lawyer, what production legal actually entails, how to budget for it, and the importance of a signed agreement policy on set.

About the Guest: Amy Stein Simonds is a partner in Pryor Cashman’s Media + Entertainment Group. Amy has provided production, finance, and distribution legal counsel for more than 100 studios, streaming platforms, and independently financed productions, mostly advising throughout the evolution of a project, from development all the way through exploitation.

Amy has been recognized as a top attorney among her peers, including in Variety’s “Hollywood New Leaders” and “Dealmakers Impact Report,” Best Lawyers in America, and Super Lawyers. Before joining Pryor Cashman, Amy was an entertainment partner at another major New York City law firm. She started her career as an attorney at the boutique entertainment firm Gray Krauss Stratford Sandler Des Rochers LLP.

We chat to Amanda Freedman about producing the acclaimed ‘The Luckiest Man in America’, the “produced by” credit and what it means to be the only producer on a film, the role of film critics in the context of sales, the changing market and whether the film industry is still a boys' club (spoiler: it is).

About the Guest: Amanda Freedman is an LA-based, Toronto born independent producer. She graduated with an MA in media theory from the New School, and went on to do her MFA in AFI's producing program. Amanda produced the multi Indie Spirit Award nominated Argentine film, CHRONICLES OF A WANDERING SAINT. She most recently produced THE LUCKIEST MAN IN AMERICA, starring Paul Walter Hauser along with an ensemble cast that includes Walton Goggins, Maisie Williams, David Strathairn, Haley Bennett & Johnny Knoxville. The Luckiest Man in America had its premiere at TIFF and was released by IFC in April 2025.

Watch The Luckiest Man in America