Women in Film: Leadership, Voice, Impact - Danna Stern in Conversation with Caroline Lang, Magdalena Szwedkowicz & Ula Pontikos
This conversation will bring together strong, inspiring women from different generations and corners of the industry to talk openly about what it means to lead, create, and shape stories today. It’s about authorship, visibility, responsibility – and the energy it takes to be
the person who decides.
Danna Stern is Executive Producer/Global Content Executive In Transit Productions. Berlin-based executive producer Danna Stern specializes in cross-border scripted series and non-scripted projects. As founder of Tel Aviv's yes Studios, she built a distribution and development powerhouse delivering premium titles for international platforms while spearheading format adaptations worldwide. Previously, she oversaw Israel's Yes TV content offering and business strategy, directly managing acquisitions, programming, digital services, and commissioning a succession of award-winning titles. Danna is a founding board member of the non-profit organization "Big Sister - Women Filmmakers and Television Creators," which promotes women in filmed entertainment by creating opportunities for female voices through mentorship programs, educational forums, and peer support. She is currently in post-production on the second season of Netflix's "Bros," the documentary feature "Noga" about Israeli singer Noga Erez (yes Docu/RBB Germany), and in active development of the period drama "Wool" (Telekom Srbija/RUV Iceland). A sought-after industry lecturer and consultant focusing on international production financing and co-production, Danna frequently addresses various business and strategic aspects of the global entertainment landscape. She began her career as a journalist reporting from volatile regions for nearly a decade, and holds a BA in English Literature and an MBA from Kellogg/Northwestern.
Caroline Lang is a seasoned media executive with over 25 years of leadership experience at Warner Bros., where she served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Warner Bros Television in France and French-speaking countries. She negotiated landmark agreements with major broadcasters and platforms, including Canal+, TF1, Orange, and Netflix, and pioneered the launch of the country's first SVOD service. A PhD in Public International Law, Caroline combines private-sector expertise with a strong commitment to cultural policy and regulation. She currently serves on the Centre National du Cinéma (CNC) Commission for Film Advance on Receipts, is President of the Economic Support Fund for Films and Series at Pictanovo, and sits on the boards of the Series Mania Festival and the Le Refuge Foundation, which supports young LGBT adults who face discrimination. She continues to champion gender equality as Co-President of "Pour les Femmes Dans les Médias". This think tank advocates for equality and parity in the media business. Caroline has published several books.
Magdalena Szwedkowicz is one of the most prominent independent film producers in Poland, recognized for her collaboration with international streaming platforms and local talent. As the founder of the production company MAG Entertainment, she is responsible for an impressive range of productions spanning multiple film genres, from drama to comedy and family films. In less than four years, she produced nine feature films. Among her most notable titles is the hit film Znachor/ Forgotten Love, which remained in Netflix’s global Top 10 for eight consecutive weeks and reached over 55 million views. Her two latest productions, the feature film Napad/ Justice (Netflix) and Poland’s first series for SkyShowtime, Sleboda/ Deadly Ties, are setting new viewership records. Her portfolio also includes other major successes, such as the audience-favorite romantic comedies Squared Love and its sequels Squared Love Everlasting and Squared Love: All Over Again, as well as Death Before the Wedding and the family film David and the Elves. Before founding MAG Entertainment, she held executive roles at Fox Networks Group, where, as Vice President of Content Distribution for Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Head of Production, she oversaw the sales and international distribution of Fox and National Geographic content. Her first industry experience was at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.
Magdalena continues to build her strong presence in the film and television production market, delivering high-quality content that resonates with audiences in Poland and around the world.
Ula Pontikos Ula Pontikos, BSC is an award-winning cinematographer known for her artistic eye in telling stories with emotional resonance as well as her accomplishments as a master technician. has an upcoming psychological thriller, “The Man in My Basement,” directed by Nadia Latif and starring Corey Hawkins, Willem Dafoe and Anna Diop. From Disney’s Andscape, the film based on Walter Mosley’s novel will World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before opening in select theaters on Friday, September 12 and on Hulu and Disney+ this fall.
Pontikos also recently completed work on the anticipated upcoming series, “Blade Runner 2099,” for Prime Video. The series will premiere on the platform in 2026.
Among Pontikos’ other recent credits as cinematographer include her work on Season 2 of “Russian Doll,” which she received an Emmy® Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series and an ASC Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography of a Half-Hour Television Series. The season revolved around Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) and Alan (Charlie Barnett) after escaping their time loops, discovering a time portal that jumps from the 1940s, 1980s and present day. Pontikos was also cinematographer on multiple episodes including the pilot on the series, “Three Women,” based on Lisa Taddeo’s acclaimed novel for Starz.
Pontikos made her feature film debut on acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Haigh’s “Weekend.” The film garnered her Rising Star recognition by BBC Film in 2012. Since her impressive feature debut, her range of credits include “Lilting,” directed by Hong Khao and starring Ben Whishaw, Cheng Pei Pei and Andrew Leung, which Pontikos won the 2014 Sundance World Cinematography Award; and “Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool,” directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Annette Bening, Jamie Bell, Vanessa Redgrave and Julie Walters. Based on Peter Turner’s memoir, the film follows the relationship between Turner and Academy Award®-winning actress Gloria Grahame in 1978 Liverpool. Among the technical achievements of the film, it became the Guinness World Record holder for the largest cinematic rear projection used in a film at 1,283 feet while recreating the techniques used in film noir during the height of Grahame’s career. The film received three BAFTA Award nominations including Best Actress.
Originally from the seaside town of Gdynia, Poland, Pontikos has had a passion for photography and cinema from an early age. She went on to graduate from the prestigious National Film and Television School in London. In 2022, she was awarded the annual Sue Gibson BSC Award from NFTS for her work on “Russian Doll.”
