Round Table: Narrative Filmmaking: Adam Hoelzel, Jessica M. Thompson, and Paul Gandersman

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      "name": "Adam Hoelzel",
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      "details": "Adam Hoelzel is a writer, director and producer, represented at UTA and Range Media Partners. After working as a producer at Disney for fifteen years, Adam went on to develop his own projects for Bad Robot, Atlas Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Adam’s first spec, Beast of Burden, was shot in Savannah, Georgia, and starred Daniel Radcliffe and Grace Gummer. Adam’s film, Subject 19, was featured on Gunpowder & Sky’s sci-fi channel, DUST, and he will be directing the feature version with XYZ Films and Pulsar. Adam made his feature directorial debut on the upcoming Tender, which stars David Koechner of Anchor Man, Flamin' Hot’s Jesse Garcia, and Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winner Jess Weixler of The Good Wife. Adam's newest feature film, Snare, was just announced in Indiewire this month. As a storyteller, Adam focuses on generational trauma and toxic masculinity within Rust Belt America.",
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      "details": "Paul Gandersman is half of the filmmaking duo Arcanum Pictures. As part of Arcanum, Paul has produced numerous feature and short films over the past 15+ years (multiple of which have premiered at SXSW). And most recently Paul co-wrote and co-directed the horror feature film MAN FINDS TAPE, released in December 2025 by Magnolia Pictures. Additionally, Paul has worked for 11+ years at FloSports as Video Production Director - producing long form sports documentaries and series, as well as mentoring dozens of video creators during his tenure. Also, Paul worked with the SXSW shorts programming team for 10 years, and has a deep understanding of what makes a successful short film, and what festivals are looking for when programming. Paul has a wealth of experience in all aspects of the film production world and enjoys sharing that experience with others.",
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      "name": "Jessica M. Thompson",
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      "details": "Jessica M. Thompson is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose feature writing-directing debut, \"The Light of the Moon\", premiered in-competition at SXSW and won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film. The film enjoyed a limited theatrical release to sold-out screens and heralds a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score.\n\nJess was the lead director on the Showtime/Sky limited series \"The End\", produced by the Oscar-winning See-Saw Films (The Power of the Dog, The King's Speech, Slow Horses). The series received five-star reviews from The Guardian and The Times.\n\nHer second directorial feature \"The Invitation\", a Sony Pictures gothic-thriller, opened #1 at the worldwide box office and #2 when later released on Netflix.\n\nJess founded Stedfast Productions in 2010. \n\nShe is repped at Entertainment 360, United Agents (UK) and Verve.",
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  "description": "An extension of our popular Mentor Sessions, our Round Table Sessions not only allow attendees to learn from the industry experts that sit at each of the three tables in this session but they also allow attendees to learn from the questions and experiences of their peers as well. This Round Table Session will bring together industry experts and SXSW attendees for an enlightening discussion on Narrative Filmmaking.",
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