Film. One of, if not the most well-known vocational sector in Los Angeles. Film is the medium creators from all ends of the globe journey to LA to pursue and the reason many natives choose to stay. The industry is a vehicle for storytellers, directors, camera operators, producers, actors, and every role in between to use their creative gifts and voices to reach the world.
How does the work of those in film echo the work of the Creator and glorify Him in the process? Can filmmaking itself provide ways for believers in the industry to serve + love their neighbors and be a key element of their faith?
As part of CFWLA’s vision to reframe vocation and reshape culture, we invite you to join us for our next sector-based event in our Reimagining Work series with our tenth gathering focused on exploring faith and film in Los Angeles.
This event will include a panel discussion and an audience Q&A with our guest panelists. Light refreshments will be provided along with time to connect with fellow attendees and our speakers.
SPEAKERS
Keynote — Justin Wells, Documentary Filmmaker and Author of How to Film Truth: The Story of Documentary Film as a Spiritual Journey
Justin has an eclectic educational background, having studied: Communications at Vanguard University of Southern California (B.A.), Philosophy at California State University Long Beach (M.A.), Theology and Art at Fuller Theological Seminary, and finally Art and Documentary Film at Art Center College of Design (M.F.A). He is a member of the International Cinematographer’s Guild and actively works in the business as a camera technician and documentarian. His recent book, How To Film Truth (Wipf & Stock), explores documentary film as a spiritual journey as part of the Reel Spirituality Monograph series on theology and film.
Sommerly Simser — Producer & currently in Feature Film Production Finance at Netflix
Sommerly holds a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX and a Master of Fine Arts in Producing for Cinema & TV from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. In her final year as a grad student, she landed an internship on a CBS show that rolled into a job in Los Angeles. Since then, she has worked for a few of the industry’s titans- Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures and Imagine Entertainment. Sommerly currently works in Feature Film Production Finance at Netflix. In 2017, Sommerly was honored by being listed as a New Leader to Watch in Variety Magazine.
Harry Yoon — Film & TV Editor
Harry is the editor of Minari (nominated for 6 Academy Awards) and Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He cut the pilot episode for Beef, an upcoming Netflix comedy starring Steven Yeun and Ally Wong, and just completed the film Flint Strong, the feature directorial debut of Oscar-nominated DP Rachel Morrison. Past credits include Detroit (directed by Kathryn Bigelow), The Best of Enemies (directed by Robin Bissell), and HBO’s Euphoria (Season 1). Harry is a member of the American Cinema Editors (ACE) and the Film Editors Branch of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Edwina Findley Dickerson — Actress & Producer
Edwina is an award-winning film, television, and theatre actress. She is known for her roles on HBO’s The Wire & Treme, as well as Middle of Nowhere, Free In Deed. Edwina will next be seen opposite Toni Collette in Amazon’s upcoming thriller, The Power. Comedically, Edwina gave a hilarious turn in the comedy Get Hard and in HBO’s Veep. She can now be seen in Apple TV+ comedy, Life By Ella.
Anastasia Burnett — Talent Management Associate & Producer
Anastasia is the associate on the Creative Talent Management team at Dreamworks TV, where she supports production staff and storyboard artists. She is also a film producer and co-founder of Imago Dei Worship Nights, a ministry underneath Hollywood Prayer Network that brings together believers from all over LA for nights of worship and free food.
Moderator — Caleb Monroe, Screenwriter, Work & Culture Director at Reality Church of Los Angeles, and CFWLA Advisory Board Member
Caleb co-wrote the action film The Mongolian Connection and has written such comics and graphic novels as Hunter’s Fortune, Cloaks, Batman 80-Page Giant, the cult spy-fi classic Steed and Mrs. Peel, and such all-ages titles as Peanuts and Ice Age. His short fiction has appeared in Pulphouse, Leading Edge, and Athena Voltaire: Pulp Tales. He also serves as the Work and Culture Director at Reality Church of Los Angeles.
