2025 OFFICIAL SPONSORS

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Tony Shyu is the CEO of Himalaya Entertainment. After graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena with a master degree in film, he began his career directing TV commercials for major brands like DoorDash, Mastercard, Avon, and Volvo, winning the 2016 Videographer Award for Best TV PSA with his direction of API Vote, which featured George Takei, John Cho,
and Constance Wu. Tony's directorial debut in feature films was with Lions Gate. He has since
worked with prominent companies including PBS, Warner/Discovery, Bravo, and HBO. His film, The Race Epidemic, won eight awards. His most recent PBS film, Builders of the Silicon Dream, focuses on Silicon Valley's entrepreneurs. With strong connections to both Silicon Valley tech companies and Hollywood, Tony is dedicated to discovering and nurturing AI creative talents, aiming to bridge the gap between these two innovative industries.

Nicholas Barnes is a seasoned digital artist with over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in senior roles in feature films. He has served as VFX supervisor on notable films such as Avengers, Infinity War, The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Episode VIII, Star Trek Beyond, Captain America, Civil War,Bumblebee, Aquaman, and The Great Wall. Nicholas began his career as a character and environment artist, evolving into a versatile 3D generalist with expertise in asset development,
concept art, previs, layout, sequence supervision, pipeline optimization, and tool development. His on-set experience includes VFX supervision, data wrangling, reference photography, HDR imaging, photogrammetry, practical props, drone operation, second unit camera operation, VFX consultation, real-time technologies, mocap, LED stage setup, and virtual production. An
experienced educator, Nicholas has taught VFX and presented at conferences and seminars in five
countries.

Dayan is the visionary Co-Founder and CEO of Prescene, a pioneering Al company revolutionizing Hollywood's storytelling landscape. Prescene specializes in Al-powered storytelling analysis to enhance content decisions, providing invaluable insights into narrative structure, character development, and market trends. These insights empower entertainment professionals to discover and craft stories that resonate with audiences and perform well in the

market. Under Dayan's leadership, Prescene Al is democratizing Hollywood by streamlining the film production workflow. The company's advanced Al tools offer detailed character insights, comparative market analysis, efficient scene planning, and much more. By leveraging these tools, filmmakers can create compelling narratives with greater ease and precision, making their

stories more accessible to major Hollywood production companies. Dayan's innovative approach and commitment to technological advancement have positioned Prescene at the forefront of the entertainment industry, making Hollywood more inclusive and

accessible for storytellers from all backgrounds.

Dayan is committed to helping AI filmmakers create better films with better stories through Prescene

Tian Hui is a distinguished filmmaker and scholar whose profound understanding of storytelling is enriched by her impressive academic foundation. She holds an MA and is pursuing a PhD in Cinema and Media Studies at the prestigious University of Southern California, a global hub for innovation in film and media. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Language and Literature from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she cultivated her appreciation for the rich tapestry of Eastern literary traditions.

Tian’s academic pursuits provide a robust framework for her creative endeavors, enabling her to blend scholarly insight with artistic innovation. Her work explores cinema’s evolving role as a medium for social commentary and cultural exchange, positioning her as a thought leader in the global film community.

As the writer and director of Abdullah, Tian has seamlessly combined her academic depth with her creative vision. The film earned critical acclaim, including the Gold Flower Award at the Beijing International Children’s Film Festival and the Best Student Director Gold Award at the Independent Shorts Awards, affirming her talent for crafting narratives that resonate across cultural boundaries.

Tian Hui’s commitment to bridging Eastern and Western perspectives through film not only highlights her exceptional storytelling abilities but also her dedication to fostering cultural understanding and inclusivity. Her immigration to the United States signals a transformative opportunity for the American film industry to embrace her visionary approach to filmmaking.

Sheila Paloma is a seasoned Artistic Director, Creative Producer, with
over a decade of experience in film, TV, and theater. She has worked with leading studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures, Microsoft, Studio Smokescreen, and Netflix, bringing a distinctive approach to storytelling and movement design. At NBCUniversal, Sheila Palomacontributed to various high-profile franchises, including Downton Abbey, Fast & Furious, Minions, How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls, and The Purge. Sheila Paloma's work on "Polarity" received an
award at the Style, Experimental, Fashion Film Festival 2023. As the Director of Movement, she
brought a unique blend of storytelling and choreography, seamlessly integrating visual and fashion elements into the film.

Ho Hong commences film study at ArtCenter College of Design, US. He returns to Hong Kong and becomes a director for TV Commercials and Music Video. Clients includes Coca Cola, Samsung, P&G, Nikon, Aeon Bank, Amway, World Vision… He earns multiple awards thought-out his career.  The Short Film ‘WaiTing’ was selected as the Finalist for Discovery Award at Hollywood Film Festival in 2001.

Ho Hong gains his MFA Degree in Creative Media from the City University of Hong Kong where he finishes different movie scripts. 

'Doomsday.Party' won HAF Awards at Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum 2013 and the movie was selected for 'Golden Horse Film Festival' (NETPAC Finalist), 'Dallas International Film Festival' (Best Feature Finalist), and 'Singapore Chinese Film Festival'.

Script ‘Deja Vu, I Love You' was selected for Shanghai International Film Festival 2014 (New Talent Project).

‘Lost In Border’ was selected in HAF 2015 & gain the NAFF Award.

‘85db’: was selected in Golden Horse Film Project Promotion 2020. 

Warren is an award-winning writer, director, and editor. His range of experience, skill, and expertise across multiple aspects of storytelling and marketing makes him an invaluable asset to any project.

Born in San Francisco, he defied his immigrant parents and pursued a creative career by moving to New York. As an innovative copywriter with a reputation for pushing boundaries, he worked at top ad agencies nationwide, from Leo Burnett to DDB Needham, on iconic brands like Reebok, Pepsi, Cadillac, Kellogg’s, and Philip Morris.

Embracing new digital technology, he self-produced “The Wendy Channel,” one of the first digital web series. His first opportunity as an editor was on the Emmy-winning TV series “Deadliest Catch.” He has edited over 100 hours of TV content for networks and streamers, working with some of the best editors and production companies in Los Angeles. His notable projects include “The Curse of Oak Island” for the History Channel, “Paris in Love” for Peacock TV, “My 600-lb Life: Skin Tight” for TLC, and “Shipping Wars” for A&E.

As a writer and director, Warren was the driving force behind “Moto Nostra,” a sci-fi series where motocross riders are the analog anti-heroes leading an uprising against an all-powerful digital corporation. He is currently in negotiations with Freestyle Media, Byron Allen’s distribution company. His dark comedy series “F the Plus: Stories of Failed Asian Excellence” has won grand jury prizes at multiple festivals. 

Jason Elkin is an award-winning filmmaker and serial entrepreneur known for blending storytelling with brand innovation. First discovered by the Travel Channel as the face of an international wine and travel series, Elkin quickly expanded into video production for luxury, food, and lifestyle industries. As the founder of Trending Beverages and Trending Wine, he pioneered digitally interactive labels and viral call-to-action campaigns, merging entertainment with consumer engagement. Now, as the creator of Trending Entertainment—a next-gen OTT platform for immersive, interactive content—Elkin brings his visionary approach to film, live events, and digital experiences. His entrepreneurial ventures span global distribution, celebrity brand partnerships, and trend-driven media, all rooted in a bold, creative lens.