Join us for the upcoming sessions,
a very exciting four-part series.
Award-winning Australian screenwriter Catherine Smyth-McMullen has built a career that crosses borders — pitching and selling projects across the US, UK, and Europe. Now, she's sharing how you can do the same.
In this exclusive four-part monthly series, as a part of AiF’s Global Sessions, Catherine hosts conversations with top international industry professionals shaping the future of screen storytelling - from development all the way through to release. Meet the development executives, producers, sales agents, distributors, and marketing experts who turn creative ideas into global successes, and hear their advice for Australian creatives navigating today’s marketplace.
Each session delivers practical, actionable insights on moving projects forward, building authentic relationships, and capitalising on international opportunities from Australia - all essential skills for thriving in today’s global screen industry.
BONUS: Ask the best question during the Q&A for a chance to win an exclusive 15-minute post-talk chat with the guest speaker, as selected by Catherine during the session.
Making The Story Real (Production)
Session 3 of 4
Guest: Phillip Kobylanski
Host: Catherine Smyth-McMullen
Wednesday, January 21, 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, January 22, 10:00 a.m. AEDT
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $20 USD (per session)
You’ve got the script and the finance plan. Your film is almost real. Now - how do you actually shoot it? Do you shoot in Australia, or overseas? And how do you balance creative ambition, with budget and logistics?
Phillip Kobylanski, President of Production, Valhalla Entertainment
In over a decade with the company, Phillip has helped to shepherd an impressive slate of Television, Feature, Documentary and Comic Book projects. He has been an integral member of the team behind the development of Valhalla’s groundbreaking series, THE WALKING DEAD, and its ever-expanding universe. He produced multiple seasons of FALLING WATER for the USA network, and LORE for Amazon. He has also sold and developed series with nearly every major network and streaming service.
On the film side, Phillip oversaw the production of HELL FEST for CBS Films and was an Associate Producer on the PBS documentary MANKILLER, as well as Alex Winter’s THE YOUTUBE EFFECT. During his tenure at Valhalla, Phillip has developed original projects with award-winning filmmakers and adaptations of properties from genre luminaries such as Neil Gaiman and Stephen King.
As an avid comic book fan, Phillip has also relished the opportunity to oversee the development of five comic book series for Gale Anne Hurd’s banner and collaborated with some of the industry’s top publisher
Coming February 2026
Setting The Story Free (Sales & Distribution)
Session 4 of 4
Guest: Marc Wooldridge
Host: Catherine Smyth-McMullen
Wednesday, February 18, 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, February 19, 10:00 a.m. AEDT
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $20 USD (per session)
You’ve finished the shoot. It’s looking great in post. It’s time to take it out into the world. But, how do you make sure people see it? Which projects cut through at festivals and markets? And how has the theatrical model evolved in the age of streaming?
Guest: Marc Wooldridge, Managing Director, Maslow Entertainment
*Registration link coming in February