Attorney turned filmmaker, Kayvan Mashayekh, began his career by writing, producing and directing an epic, independent feature film called, “The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam,” which Premiered at the Moscow Film Festival in 2005 and had a successful theatrical run in the US for 53 weeks in 14 separate cities.
Mashayekh was mentored by Branko Lustig (legendary Oscar Winning Producer of “Gladiator” and “Schindler’s List”), who noticed him as a prize winner at a pitch competition at the 2007 Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi and subsequently took him in under his wing as an apprentice producer developing Lustig’s slate of international, studio grade projects.
Mashayekh is the Founder of Producers Without Borders a trusted, private network of curated international producers sponsored by major corporate entities such as United Airlines, Radisson Collection, and The Hollywood Reporter. The most recent credited example of the power of the network can be seen in the Sony Pictures Classic film, “Freud’s Last Session” (2023) starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode, where Mashayekh is Executive Producer with several of his colleagues from the closed group. PWB had its genesis as a series of film entertainment seminars and webinars since 2015 at world class film festivals and markets (such as Focus London, BFI London, Cannes Marché du Film, Berlinale, FilmBazaar in India, State Film Agency of Ukraine, American Film Market, Amman International Film Festival (where Mashayekh has served as a Juror, Moderator and Speaker), El Gouna International Film Festival (as a Juror), and Cairo International Film Festival as a Speaker.
Prior to that, he became a member of the Producers Guild of America in 2008 and was chosen as its Middle East Representative in the International Committee, working closely to develop an outreach program with the PGA’s first ever Middle East Affiliate, The Royal Film Commission of Jordan. By creating workshops, seminars and events with RFC, the relationship has helped launch the careers of many talented producers in the region who have benefited from the bridge building nature and educational importance of cross border producing by PGA mentor members for over a decade.
Mashayekh served as the elected Co-Chairman of the International Committee for the PGA for over 4 years, beginning in 2018. In that capacity, he was proactive in globally branding the World’s largest trade organization of Film, TV, and Multi-Media producers with a membership of over 8500. He increased the membership of the specific committee of 180 members he Chaired by over 100% since taking over from his predecessors, proving that when people feel empowered and motivated by action and results, they will be engaged to participate and add value to the group.
Mashayekh is also the Head of International for SIE Society, the leading alliance in Social Impact Entertainment whose mission is to connect, equip and amplify SIE organizations, creative and impact producers, CSR and SBCC practitioners.
www.siesociety.org
JoJo Dye, the name behind the brand JJD Consultancy, has extensive knowledge of producing events around the world and a reputation that is difficult to top. Well connected, energetic and with an irresistible sense of humour, Jojo makes for a compelling broker of deals.
With over 25 years of experience in the film and tv industries, JoJo has consistently been called upon to produce some of the biggest and best events at various festivals in Cannes, Abu Dhabi LA and Berlin. Via her own brand called “The Members Club” In Cannes, she has also created parties and conferences for companies as varied as property clients, governmental agencies, finance houses, music moguls, celebrities and high-end wet goods companies amongst many others.
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Roxanne is a graduate of the prestigious UCLA Film School with a concentration in screenwriting which eventually launched her career as a branded content director.
Her strong work ethic led her to excel in digital native brands as an early adopter of social media advertising and content marketing. From innovative TV campaigns with Kate Hudson for Fabletics to Facebook Lives with Demi Lovato, Roxanne has crafted creative campaigns with ROI.
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PWB Berlin based Johanna Berghorn holds a bachelor’s degree in photography and design.
Her work as a photographer is featured in major publications such as VOGUE Italia, The Independent Photographer and Portrait Of Humanity, published by the British Journal of Photography and Magnum. She has worked for international brands including Mercedes Benz, H&M, Pixomondo, Etsy and XOUXOU. While working as a freelance photographer and artist, she also studies psychology in order to deepen the psychological skills of her photographic work and to use it for her artistic approach.
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Art Chavez sees possibilities. Whether he is meeting new people, visiting countries or touring prospective project sites he can visualize futures for them all. This is one of the skills that helped elevate Art from design architect to the youngest managing principal in Page’s 100-plus year history.
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Steven Beer is a partner in the New York office of Lewis Brisbois and a National Chair of the firm’s Entertainment, Media & Sports Practice. Steven concentrates his practice on film, television, and music matters, where he represents industry-leading film, television, and music companies and has acted as counsel to numerous award-winning writers, directors, producers, and multi-platinum musical artists.
Steven has been listed annually in Super Lawyers New York Metro edition. Research and Markets listed him as one of the top lawyers in Entertainment Law, Settlements, and Negotiations. The Wrap online magazine cited Steven as one of “21 Great Thinkers of Indie Film.” In 2023, Steven received a Lifetime Achievement Award for “Legal Excellence and Entertainment Leadership” by Hip Hop NYC.
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William Nix is the Chairman/CEO of Creative Projects Group® and a Producer with extensive experience in the entertainment, media, sports, and intellectual property fields. He is also a Partner in the social and environmental impact investment firm, LOHAS Advisors and Capital. He is a member of the Producer’s Council of the PGA, a founding member of its Social Impact Entertainment Task Force and member of its Global One, Education, Independent Film, Documentary and Animation Committees. He is also the Co-Executive Director and a Founding Member of the SIE Society, the leading alliance in Social Impact Entertainment whose mission is to connect, equip and amplify SIE organizations and creative producers around the globe. He is a lifetime voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, serving on its Grants Committee, as well as a member of the Television and Recording Academies.
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Garry is a senior director at the specialist investment manager, J. Stern & Co. and a member of BAFTA’s commercial committee.
Garry spent 14 years at Goldman Sachs as an executive director within the Investment Management Division, co-heading one of the largest teams in London that advised some of the UK & Europe’s most successful entrepreneurs, private equity principles, family offices and charities. His business also included working with clients in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil.
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As a partner at Vasconi Architects International, Ayten brings over two decades of business acumen in development and public relations expertise. Coupled with her vast knowledge of Who’s Who in the world of Luxury brands and Hospitality, she brings a valuable dimension to Team PWB’s ambitions in continuing our brand name recognition worldwide.
Her specialty lies in steering international developments and global enterprises within diverse sectors such as healthcare, hospitality, arts, and culture towards purposeful philanthropy amongst companies and brands seeking to make a social impact.
Ayten’s collaborative efforts with UNESCO are nothing short of inspiring, having organized multiple forums for master plan reconstructions during the Biennale in Venice.
Having the trust of dignitaries, she works closely with foreign embassies from countries including Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Turkey, Europe, Hong Kong, China, Qatar, and the UAE.
A multi lingual advocate for youth and cultural diplomacy, Ayten also serves on the board of Youth Diabetes Action in Hong Kong and her group is a respected member of the Union International Architectes in Public Health Group, influencing healthcare facility planning across 60 countries.
Her work has not only earned her a nomination by Queen Elizabeth among 100 women entrepreneurs, but has also garnered personal accolades from luminaries such as former Azerbaijan President Heydar Aliyev and former US President George W. Bush for her cultural contributions.
Currently, Ayten is part of an ambitious master plan for Ganja City in Azerbaijan with Vasconi Architects, aiming to transform it into a thriving hub of culture, entertainment, and tourism by 2041. A graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Management and International Economics, Ayten’s portfolio boasts prestigious projects like The Melia Hotel in La Defense, Paris; The Pierre hotel in New York City; EXPO 2017 Almaty Kazakhstan- sustainable city; Princess Grace Palace Hotel- Monaco Island, Dubai ; NH Collection by Minor New York City; Art Curation of the San Clemente Island in Venice, Italy during the Architectural Biennially in Venice 2021; YDA center in Hong Kong City and the visionary Mars House by Krista Kim.