STUDIO CITY, CALIF. — VP of Production at Columbia/Sony Pictures, DeVon Franklin, will keynote the 17th annual Biola Media Conference held at CBS Studios back lot on Sat., May 5, 2012. Gathering major Hollywood executives and feature film directors, the one-day conference will focus on finding creative breakthroughs for filmmakers.

“If you want to know about media and you want to stay current and keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on then Biola Media Conference is the only place to be,” said Franklin at last year’s conference. “I can’t think of another place that you could find yourself if you’re serious about learning from a Christian perspective about staying up with media.”

Franklin has worked on films such as “The Karate Kid,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” and “Jumping the Broom,” and worked with Will Smith, Angela Bassett, and T.D. Jakes among many others. Franklin also helped produce Whitney Houston’s last movie, “Sparkle.”

“Finding Your Creative Breakthroughs” — the conference theme — will address the need and desire of filmmakers to take a concept from ideation to creation and how to make that breakthrough happen.

Speakers will discuss how to find creative breakthroughs in areas from distribution to writing and directing.

The following speakers have been confirmed:

•       VP at Fox Home Entertainment, Simon Swart
•       Disney Imagineer, McNair Wilson, author of Hatch
•       Author of The Moral Premise, Stan Williiams
•       Marc Forster, director of “Finding Neverland,” “Quantum of Solice,” and “Machine Gun Preacher”
•       Gavin O’Connor, director of 2011 Academy Award nominee, “Warrior”

The Biola Media Conference attracts more than 600 attendees – making it the largest event in the nation for people of faith working in the entertainment industry.  It is known for its intimate and practical conversations with Hollywood leaders, and professional training and instruction from some of the most influential individuals in film, television, public relations, media marketing, management and digital media.

For more information or to register online, visit www.biolamedia.com. General Admission ($150) is open until April 26, 2012; Cost is $180 at the door.  Lunch and coffee bar provided.

About Biola Media Conference:
In its 17th year, the Biola Media Conference exists to educate, inspire, and network media professionals while providing creative inspiration into the spiritual nature of any career in the media industry. BMC attracts participants who will benefit from direct interaction with acclaimed industry pros who are at the top of their craft. From CEOs to students, attendees secure valuable information, insight, and contacts that strengthen their character and their careers.

ABOUT BIOLA

ɫɫ̳, named one of 17 “up and coming” national universities by U.S. News & World Report in 2011, is a private Christian university located in Southern California. For more than 100 years, Biola has remained committed to its mission of biblically centered education, integrating biblical principles with every academic program. With a current record-high enrollment of 6,250 students, the university’s six schools offer 145 academic programs, ranging from the B.A. to the Ph.D. For more information, visit www.biola.edu.