In Person ONLY event !
June 25, 2026 | Vagrants | 6:00pm - 8:30pm
230 Somerville Ave, Somerville MA (Vagrants Office)
Ticket Price:
(Includes: Foods, Drinks, Networking, Panel, Q&A and more!)
Free Parking at the Target parking lot nearby
WIFVNE Member: $20
Non-Member (Public): $40
Seating is limited and available on a first come first serve basis.
Join Women in Film & Video New England (WIFVNE) and Vagrants for Forget the Ad: Why the Best Brand Work Today Looks a Lot Like Film. The event explores how forward-thinking brands are embracing cinematic storytelling to connect with audiences in more authentic, emotionally resonant ways.
This in-person event brings together marketers, producers, filmmakers and creative directors who are blurring the lines between branded content and film to create work that audiences actually want to watch.
We’ll kick off with networking (food & drinks), followed by a moderated panel and audience Q&A, and close with additional time to connect with fellow attendees.
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6:00–6:30 pm – Networking and check-in
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6:30–7:45 pm – Panel conversation + Q&A
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7:45–8:30 pm – Networking and close
Attendance is capped at approximately 50 people, with a 50% discount for WIFVNE members.
Conversation Focus
This panel will dig into how brand work is evolving beyond the traditional advertisement toward richer, more narrative-driven content that looks and feels like film.
Panelists will discuss how they collaborate across marketing, production, and directing roles; what successful brand storytelling looks like today; and how filmmakers can navigate opportunities in this space.
Moderator and Confirmed Panelists
The discussion will be moderated by Kim Divincenzo, Lifestyle & Documentary Director, WIFVNE Board Member.
Confirmed panelists include:
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Whitney Bogosian (Producer, Arnold) – A producer working at the intersection of agencies, brands, and creative talent to bring complex campaigns to life.
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Sara Robin (Filmmaker, “Your Attention Please”) – A director and storyteller whose work exemplifies how cinematic craft can elevate branded and commissioned projects.
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Samantha Valletta (Director / Actor / Producer) – A multi-hyphenate creative bringing an on-camera and behind-the-camera perspective to brand-centered storytelling.
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Abby Peterson (Creative Director, Connelly Partners) – A creative leader shaping concept, tone, and narrative for campaigns that increasingly resemble short films.
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for:
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Filmmakers and directors interested in branded content and creative partnerships with brands
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Producers and production professionals working with agencies, studios, or in-house brand teams
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Brand marketers and creative directors eager to collaborate more deeply with film talent
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WIFVNE members and the broader New England creative community curious about where advertising and filmmaking are heading next
You’ll leave with a clearer sense of how to position yourself in this evolving landscape, the language brands and agencies use when they talk about “film-like” work, and practical takeaways for your next collaboration.
