·} EDITORIAL COMMITTEE FEELGOOD FORMATS {·
The Conecta FICTION & ENTERTAINMENT 2023 PITCH FEELGOOD FORMATS Editorial Committee is made up of professional experts and senior executives from the audiovisual industry, both from Europe and the Americas. They will be in charge of reviewing and evaluating the international entertainment format projects received during our call. From all the projects received, a total of 5 will be selected to be presented at the pitch session during the face-to-face event on June 26-29, at Palacio de Congresos El Greco, Toledo (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain).
ÓSCAR PROL
HEAD OF SPANISH UNSCRIPTED ORIGINALS
AMAZON STUDIOS (ESPAÑA)
In charge, since 2019, of Prime Video’s strategy and original entertainment productions (“G.E.O. Más Allá del Límite”, “LOL: si te ríes, pierdes”, “Bake Off”, El Desafío: ETA, among others). Graduate in Audiovisual Communication and Master in Creativity and TV programs. Scriptwriter since 2006, script coordinator in programs such as “Pesadilla en la Cocina” and “El Jefe Infiltrado” and, later, in charge of creative development, R&D and acquisitions of international formats in companies such as Warner Bros ITVP España and Boxfish.
PAULA KIRCHNER
UNSCRIPTED CONTENT DIRECTOR
WARNER BROS DISCOVERY (USH & LATAM)
Paula has been in the entertainment universe for over 20 years. From the original production of formats and documentaries as well as programming in linear channels and content strategy. Always seeking to excite and move audiences with relevant stories, the Argentinean executive is in constant construction and learning. She is currently responsible for the unscripted content production teams in Latin America and USH for HBO Max plus all linear channels and live events. Such responsibility comes with an obsession for quality and for telling stories that move.
MARIE LEGUIZAMO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
BANIJAY MEXICO & US HISPANIC (USA)
Marie Leguizamo is Managing Director of Banijay Mexico & U.S. Hispanic, where she oversees the studio based in Mexico City and Los Angeles. Leguizamo, a multiple Emmy-nominated producer, has been producing non-fiction television for nearly two decades. Her vision and concepts have led her to record-breaking ratings and success. She has been nominated twice by the International Emmy Association for her work on La Voz Kids. She also earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Last One Laughing: Mexico. Leguizamo has worked closely with Banijay’s sister studio in Mexico, Endemol Shine Boomdog, for the past decade and has produced numerous hit shows.
She has also been showrunner/executive producer on hit Spanish-language series such as La Voz Kids for Telemundo, as well as Pequeños Gigantes USA and Mira Quien Baila on Univision. Leguizamo has also produced a variety of acting-focused programs such as Carnival Corporations, La Gran Sorpresa, Nuestra Belleza Latina, Viva El Sueño, Premios Sueño, Premios Juventud, El Juego de Oro and Billboard All Access.
SHEILA HALL AGUIRRE
EVP, Co-Production and Distribution
FREEMANTLE INTERNATIONAL (USA)
Since joining Fremantle in 2002, Aguirre has overseen the distribution strategy and has closed countless deals in Latin America. Additionally, Aguirre identifies and collaborates with strategic partners whose creative vision aligns with Fremantle’s parameters for developing and co-producing original content. In the last four years, he has negotiated deals for the successful Spanish-language dramas La Jauría with Amazon and El Refugio and Señorita ’89 with Lionsgate. He is also responsible for licensing Fremantle’s catalog of formats, overseeing their adaptation to Latin America. He was responsible for the introduction of many of the company’s formats, including Got Talent, Idols and The X Factor in the region. Aguirre began her career in Univision’s corporate offices in New York and later moved to Miami to join the network’s operations. Working with Programming and Production, she was part of the team that created Univision’s first original productions. Her experience in content strategy spans three decades working with production companies such as Carsey-Werner, creators of popular sitcoms like That ’70s Show and Third Rock from the Sun, and Coral Pictures.