Andrew Macdonald 2

Source: NFTS

Andrew Macdonald

DNA Films chairman Andrew Macdonald will be the industry ambassador for the 2022 edition of European business training and leadership skills development programme Inside Pictures, which has selected 20 participants including executives from MGM, Netflix and Amazon.

Macdonald will represent the programme to the wider international industry, and share his expertise and insight with the participants.

Scroll down for the full list of participants

For its 19th edition, Inside Pictures will include both film and television executives for the first time. The 20 participants come from seven different territories, with applications coming from all sectors of the film and television process.

The programme is delivered by the UK’s National Film and Television School (NFTS) for the 11th year, supported by the BFI.

It is still open to European executives despite the loss of Creative Europe funding following the UK’s exit from the European Union.

“The programme’s USP is about having an international perspective and developing global business skills and connections,” said an NFTS spokesperson. ”Execs can’t operate a sustainable, viable, competitive and successful commercial business in today’s film and television industry if not working with global partners and peers.”

Inside Pictures launched as a UK-focused programme in 2004 but widened its focus to the whole of Europe in 2011. 

Selected executives include Lawrence Mason, creative co-ordinator at Netflix. Mason previously worked as a production co-ordinator at Working Title Films, and has also completed the NFTS’ production management course.

Also participating is Deblina Chakrabarty, vice president EMEA TV distribution at MGM; Emily Guarino, head of business affairs UK for European originals at Amazon Studios; and Serena Gill, head of film at Everyman Cinemas.

The programme consists of three one-week modules plus a tailored project beginning in June 2022 through to January 2023. It reverts to an in-person format this year, delivered in London and Los Angeles.

“The film and television industries are more vital than ever to audiences and in an increasingly competitive, post-Covid world, the Inside Pictures programme will ensure participants develop the high level skills needed to lead the industry into its next exciting chapter,” said Macdonald.

“The Inside Pictures team are focused on developing forward-thinking leaders who can navigate this ever changing industry and its unique challenges and opportunities with a truly international perspective,” said Clare Crean, Inside Pictures programme director of content.

Previous Inside Pictures participants include producers Signe Byrge Sorensen and Ameenah Ayub Allen in 2021, with mentor Fiona Lamptey from Netflix; and Shudder’s Emily Gotto and Warp Films’ Peter Balm in 2020, with mentor Rose Garnett, then of BBC Film.

Inside Pictures 2022 participants 

Ana Cristina Santos, head of legal and business affairs, Bankside Films

Aneet Nijjar, director of distribution, Other Parties Film Company

Anne Gartside, VP publicity UK, STXfilms

Antje Bankmann, director project finance, Constantin Film

Charles Dawson, founder & managing director, Thousand Films

Daniel-Konrad Cooper, producer, Rather Good Films

Deblina Chakrabarty, vice president EMEA TV distribution, MGM

Edgar Daarnhouwer, head of sales & acquisition, Paradiso Filmed Entertainment

Einar Loftesnes, producer, Handmade Films In Norwegian Woods

Elettra Canovi, development executive, Indiana Production Spa

Emily Guarino, head of business affairs UK, European Originals at Amazon Studios

Helena Vlogaert, producer, Caviar

Hussain Casey-Ahmed, production executive, Disney+/Star

Jessie Fisk, producer, Feline Films

Lawrence Mason, creative co-ordinator, Netflix

Polina Schlicht, managing director and producer, Monumental Pictures

Rachael O’Kane, founder and producer, Atomic 80

Roberto Amoroso, head of development & president, Alfred Film

Serena Gill, head of film, Everyman Cinemas

Shantelle Rochester, CEO & producer, Ida Rose