Sherman Oaks Film Festival is proud to present expert panels on subjects that matter most to our indie film community. For the 2025 festival, we held two panels, Indie Film Distribution and Music In Indie Film.
If you want your film to reach audiences then you need to know as much about distribution as you do about filmmaking.
Panelists – Glen Reynolds, Marc Clebanoff & Danielle Schoenecker
Glen Reynolds
With 25 years in the indie film biz, he has produced, executive produced and co-produced 20 films and sold over 500 films. He founded Circus Road Films in 2006. (circusroadfilms.com)
Marc Clebanoff
As a Sales Agent, Marc Clebanoff has sold films to clients including Lionsgate, Sony, Fox, Showtime, Shudder, Netflix, Starz, Tubi TV, Peacock, Vertical Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Well Go USA, and distribution clients in 100+ countries worldwide. (odysseymotionpictures.com)
Danielle Schoenecker
Danielle is with YOW.tv, Hollywood is consolidating, legacy studios are being swallowed whole, and streaming giants are gutting their indie divisions. To combat these shifts, a group of filmmakers and industry professionals have joined forces to launch YOW.tv, a new streaming platform where independent film finally gets the spotlight it deserves. (YOW.tv)
Music in Indie Film
“What is the one thing you would like filmmakers to know about music in film before they start their next project?” That’s the question we are asking these movie music professionals.
Panelists: Catherine Joy, Robinton Hobbs, Tim Slowikowski & Aaron Hagele, Merchandise Music
Catherine Joy & Robinton Hobbs, Joy Music House. A next-generation score production company redefining the craft of music for film, television, games and other media. Founded and led by women, we provide the expertise, resources and collaboration needed to bring musical visions to life.
Tim Slowikowski & Aaron Hagele, Merchandise Music . Our love of storytelling + sound inspired us to launch Merchandise Music—a music supervision and consulting company pairing original, underused music.
“Aaron Hagele and Tim Slowikowski delivered one of our most engaging panels at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival. Their ‘Music in Indie Film’ discussion was packed with actionable advice and insider perspective that filmmakers could use immediately. Merchandise Music continues to be an invaluable resource for the indie film world.”
— Jeff Howard, SOFF Festival Runner