Vladan Nikolic

Creative Producer

Vladan Nikolic is the former Dean of the School of Media Studies at The New School in New York City (2018-25); he is currently distinguished Professor of Media Studies and Film at The Parsons School of Design. Vladan is an award-winning producer and film/media-maker, who has produced, written and directed feature films, documentaries and multi-platform and cross-media projects. He was among the digital filmmaking pioneers in the 1990’s and a leader in crafting cross-media narratives since 2008. His film and media projects were awarded at numerous top US and international festivals. He has consulted, lectured and led workshops and seminars on film, immersive and cross-media storytelling at various universities and professional institutions in the US and internationally, served as advisor to the Icelandic government on film and media education, and guided and facilitated the establishment of the first transmedia program in Asia at the Hong Kong Design Institute. His book "Independent Filmmaking and Digital Convergence - Transmedia and Beyond" was published in 2018 by Focal Press.

Julie Deffet

Surla Films, President | Producer

Julie is a producer, filmmaker and editor, whose work has garnered attention at various prestigious festivals. As Associate Producer, she worked on many notable productions, such as the feature film The Drummer, starring Danny Glover, and the Emmy-winning show After Forever. She has contributed her expertise as editor to high-profile media campaigns by companies like Sony, Google, and Vice Media, showcasing her technical prowess across different aspects of the film and media industry. As a part-time professor at the New York Film Academy, Julie is passionate about mentoring the next generation of filmmakers, sharing her experience and insights with up-and-coming creatives.

Esther Jobi

Associate Producer

Esther is a producer and filmmaker, focused on developing and producing story-driven film and media projects. Her work centers on guiding productions from concept to completion, collaborating with directors and creative teams, while managing the logistical and creative elements that bring a project to life. She thrives in fast-paced production environments and enjoy building strong collaborative spaces that allow stories and ideas to take shape on screen. Her producing practice is driven by a passion for visual storytelling and projects that explore complex human experiences and social realities. Alongside producing for other filmmakers, she continues to develop her own work, while supporting creatives in realizing their visions through thoughtful and resourceful production.