FilmGate Interactive 12 Special Guests

Anastasia Victor

Anastasia Victor is a Senior Design Lead with over a decade of experience designing products at the intersection of emerging technology, consumer hardware, and human experience. She is currently a Product Design Lead for Horizon OS (Meta’s VR operating system) at Meta Reality Labs, where she focuses on shaping intuitive, scalable interfaces for spatial computing.

Monica Monique

Monica Monique is a producer and creative innovation leader with more than 20 years of experience across live-action, branded, and experiential work for some of the world’s most recognized brands. She bridges the gap between traditional craft and generative AI to lead culturally defining projects for brands like Coca-Cola while championing the next generation of creative talent.

Josette Melchor

Josette Melchor is Global Placemaking Lead at Google and Founder of Gray Area. Formerly Head of Cultural Programming for WeWork’s Future Cities, she helped establish Gray Area as a 501(c)3 creative hub for art and technology. Her work spans urban prototyping, AI + art initiatives, and building sustainable models for immersive cultural practice.

Mike Knowlton

Business Development Director at Campfire, he brings an entrepreneurial background shaped by indie music, self-taught programming, and leading tech projects for brands like IBM, MoMA, and Tiffany & Co. A founder of multiple creative businesses and StoryCode, he now focuses on building new opportunities and ensuring project success at Campfire.

Minh Do

Minh is an entrepreneur, writer, and educator working at the intersection of media and technology. He co-founded Machine Cinema to support AI creators and teaches AI tools at Be Super. A co-founder of Fantastic Day, he has held leadership roles at EST Media Holdings and Vietcetera, with prior experience in venture investing.

Fred Grinstein

Fred is a Los Angeles–based media executive and producer with deep experience in film and television. He co-founded Machine Cinema to bridge traditional content and the creator economy. Formerly Head of Non-Fiction at Anonymous Content, his producing credits include Oscar-shortlisted and Tribeca-premiered documentaries, with earlier leadership roles at Viceland and A&E.

King Willonius

Willonius “King Willonius” Hatcher is a comedian and cultural creator working at the intersection of humor, technology, and AI. Named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, he rose to prominence with the viral hit “BBL DRIZZY” and released the acclaimed album UNSerious, blending comedy, music, and emerging technology.

Aya Umoh

Faith “Aya” Umoh is CEO, Creative Director, and Founder of Creative Aya, a global studio creating AI-driven immersive experiences. A New Media Artist with 14+ years at the intersection of art and technology, she has developed AI tools and directed projects shown internationally, partnering with brands and institutions to redefine interactive storytelling.

Danny Hastings

is a New York–based photographer and cinematographer whose work helped define hip-hop’s visual legacy. From documenting the culture on 35mm to directing music videos and iconic album covers, he has collaborated with artists including Jay-Z, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Marc Anthony, and Prince Royce, shaping images seen worldwide.

Savannah Niles

/ R.91.129 is an artist, designer, and founder building platforms for creators at the frontier of media and storytelling. She is CEO and co-founder of Wide Worlds, an AI-powered fan media platform, and a board member of FilmGate Miami. Formerly, she led product and design at Meta Reality Labs, Magic Leap, and Magnopus.

Joanna Popper

Joanna Popper is a forward-thinking executive and board director driving innovation across AI, immersive technology, and media. Former Chief Metaverse Officer at CAA and Global Head of XR at HP, she advises media, tech, and startups, serves on multiple industry boards, and executive produces award-winning immersive and AI storytelling projects.

David Beiner

Founder of Hume, an AI-native creative agency operating at the intersection of art and technology. Co-founded with platinum producer Jay Stolar, Hume builds premium content and virtual artists using a battle-tested AI production pipeline. With 100M+ streams and views, the team delivers cinematic-quality campaigns, AI influencers, and brand IP for leading global companies.

John Gaeta

John Gaeta is an Academy Award–winning creator best known for his work on The Matrix and Star Wars immersive entertainment. A pioneer of Bullet Time, volumetric capture, and AI-driven storytelling, he has led creative innovation at ILMxLAB, Magic Leap, Epic Games, and Inworld AI, and is co-founder of Escape.ai, advancing what he calls “Neo Cinema.”

John Canning

As Director of Developer Relations at AMD, John leads strategy and partnerships supporting key ISVs across linear, interactive, and immersive media. With 25+ years in media, gaming, and software, he specializes in virtual production, digital humans, and immersive workflows—helping studios and platforms deliver innovative, high-impact creative experiences.

Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis

Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis is a filmmaker and artist whose hybrid documentary practice explores the unseen dimensions of the digital world. A graduate of INSAS, LUCA, and Le Fresnoy, his work has screened at Centre Pompidou, Venice Biennale, and Cannes Critics’ Week. He is currently developing two feature films and new immersive projects.

Jeffrey Abramson

Currently at Bridge Entertainment Labs, she focuses on direct-to-audience film distribution and marketing through GATHR and creative development with Book of Shadows. A creative business leader with 20+ years at the intersection of storytelling, culture, and technology, she has held senior roles at Meta and Discovery, led Gen Art, and worked with major global brands on innovative campaigns and immersive experiences.

Julie Walsh

Julie Walsh is a Chicago-based curator specializing in contemporary Asian art, immersive technologies, and digital art. Founder of Walsh Gallery and co-founder of MIRAA, she has curated and lectured internationally at Ars Electronica, SXSW, Venice Biennale, and MEET Digital Culture Center. She serves on juries including the Lumen Prize and advises leading digital art institutions.