Disrupt Entertainment founder Ben Yennie and MegaMind Media founder and CEO Tressa Smallwood will headline The Boss Pitch, an industry event where independent filmmakers present their projects directly to entertainment executives. The event takes place next month in Manhattan.
Who are the ‘Boss Pitch’ headliners?
Yennie is the founder of Disrupt Entertainment, which recently acquired North American rights to Atoman, the Moroccan-Belgian superhero feature. The film is slated for a theatrical release on at least 100 screens in early 2027 through AMC Theatres and other exhibitors, according to the release. Deadline reported the acquisition on Nov. 3. Yennie has worked on the acquisition and distribution of more than 80 films, including Skinamarink, and previously founded Mutiny Pictures.
Smallwood has produced more than 20 projects through MegaMind Media, including work distributed through Tubi, ALLBLK and BET+.
Four other executives complete the six “Bosses”:
- Dr. Jennifer Turner, former head of TriStar Television at Sony Pictures Television and founder of The MADCOOL Company
- Francesca Francois, CEO and co-founder of host agency Crystal Ship Artists, specializing in domestic and international licensing
- Sharon Parker-Frazier, EVP, Television & Film Literary at Crystal Ship Artists
- Mason Ashe, former IMG vice president and sports and entertainment dealmaker
Yennie, Turner, Francois and Parker-Frazier will participate in person, and Smallwood and Ashe will join remotely.
How does ‘The Boss Pitch’ work?
Each team gets 10 minutes: five to pitch and five for questions and business discussion. The Bosses may award Golden Tickets for private follow-up meetings. At the 2026 Hip Hop Film Festival edition, 41 Golden Tickets across 16 projects led to 35 private executive meetings, per the release.
Golden Tickets provide private executive follow-up meetings and do not guarantee financing, representation, acquisition, licensing or distribution.
The Boss Pitch was founded as the BossChicks Pitch Competition in 2018 and is presented by Harlem Film House, a nonprofit founded in 2016 that supports independent filmmakers through festivals, professional development, industry partnerships and distribution initiatives. Its programs include the Hip Hop Film Festival, The Boss Pitch and myFRESHtv.
When and where is ‘The Boss Pitch’?
The Boss Pitch takes place Saturday, Dec. 12, at Crystal Ship Artists, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, 3rd Floor, in New York. Arrival begins at 2 p.m., and pitches are scheduled for 3-5 p.m.
Pitch opportunities are limited. Registration is $300 per team of up to six, plus checkout fees. Event information and registration are available at thefilmhouse.org/bosspitch.
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