Round Table: Sales, Acquisitions, and Distribution: Bethiael Alemayoh, Bill Vergos, and Carylanna Taylor

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      "name": "Bethiael Alemayoh",
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      "details": "Bethiael Alemayoh is an independent filmmaker who guides independent filmmakers through the public media distribution pipeline. In her role as the Director of Content & Distribution at Austin PBS, she oversees the “Austin PBS Presents” slate, facilitating the national distribution of local films & television projects. \r\r\r\rHer mission is to demystify the distribution process for filmmakers by educating them on the public media model and empowering them to make the best choices for their projects, with strong consideration to career sustainability. Since joining Austin PBS, she's distributed over 30 projects including: City of Songs, How Are We Today, Price of Paradise, and more.\r\r\r\rBethiael also oversaw the launch of Austin PBS's inaugural filmmaker grant programs in 2025: the Finishing Funds grant for existing documentaries and the Digital Originals Grant for new and fresh local web series.\r\r\r\rAs a narrative filmmaker her own work has screened nationally and internationally with festivals and organizations, such as: SXSW, BlackStar Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, The Bullock Texas State History Museum, and more. Her work has received support from Indie Memphis and the Sundance Institute.",
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      "name": "Carylanna Taylor",
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      "details": "Carylanna Taylor is the Director of Sales and Acquisitions at The Film Sales Company, a New York-based sales company that strategizes and secures distribution for independently produced films. Since its founding in 2002, the company has successfully raised financing for and sold over 250 films to a diverse group of domestic and foreign distributors. Through her role at The Film Sales Company, she is delighted to help filmmakers have their films seen and valued throughout the world.\n\nA  filmmaker in her own right, Carylanna holds an MFA in producing from the American Film Institute Conservatory and a PhD in Applied Cultural Anthropology from the University of South Florida. She has worked in development with Oscar-winning production companies. She co-founded First Encounter Productions, through which she produced the feature documentary Painting the Way to the Moon and co-wrote, directed, produced the narrative feature ANYA, and co-wrote two projects currently in development. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Carylanna researched and taught throughout Latin America, focusing on conservation and migration. Fulbright, EPA, and NSF fellowships supported her work.",
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      "name": "Bill Vergos",
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      "details": "Bill Vergos is Head of Digital Film Distribution at Magenta Light Studios, where he oversees digital strategy, platform partnerships, and release execution across theatrical and streaming platforms. He also spearheads the studio’s specialty label, Magenta Edge Films, a filmmaker-first division he created to support bold independent storytelling through curated theatrical and digital releases.\n\nRecognized by Media Play News as a Top Indie Power Player in 2024 and 2025, Vergos has built his career around championing independent film and navigating evolving distribution models. His work focuses on aligning creative vision with smart, audience first release strategies across theatrical, transactional, subscription, ad supported, and FAST platforms.\n\nMagenta Light Studios’ slate includes J.T. Mollner’s Strange Darling and Simon West’s Bride Hard, as well as upcoming theatrical releases Protector from Adrian Grünberg and Deep Water from Renny Harlin.\n\nWith the launch of Magenta Edge Films in 2026, Vergos established a specialty label dedicated to curated theatrical engagements, targeted digital rollouts, and collaborative partnerships with filmmakers. The division acquires features and documentaries emerging from the festival circuit, with a focus on discovery, audience engagement, and long term filmmaker relationships.\n\nBefore joining Magenta Light Studios, Vergos spent 15 years at Freestyle Digital Media, where he helped build the company into one of North America’s leading independent distribution labels and oversaw the release of more than 700 films across TVOD, SVOD, AVOD, FAST, Pay TV, DVD, and theatrical platforms.\n\nOriginally from Chicago and a graduate of Emerson College’s film program, Vergos is a longtime presence on the festival circuit, regularly attending Slamdance, SXSW, Dances With Films, and the American Film Market.",
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