Introducing our Panelists
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Women in Film Kentucky is excited to bring our first (but certainly not last) event to Lexington on August 30th – and we're thrilled to share more information about our panelists, who will be discussing how women can get hired and grow their careers in Kentucky’s evolving film industry.
The panel will include:
Lisa Brin
Head of FilmLEX
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About Lisa Brin
Prior to her return home to Lexington, Brin launched groundbreaking consumer brand partnership campaigns at The Walt Disney Company, Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation and agency, The Marketing Store, for tentpole theatrical franchises “Jurassic World,” “Fast & The Furious,” “Kung Fu Panda,” “Despicable Me,” and “The Grinch.”
About FilmLEX
FilmLEX is VisitLEX’s (Lexington’s local convention and visitor's bureau) film and television team dedicated to serving and supporting the film and television production community. FilmLEX’s purpose is to help market and promote the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive (KEI) to the industry to drive economic impact and job opportunities for the region. For more information or to create a profile in the FilmLEX production directory, visit www.visitlex.com/film and follow @filmlexington on Instagram.
Meg Fister
Executive Director of the Kentucky Film Office
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Meg Fister is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Film Office, where she leads statewide efforts to attract and expand film, television, and media production across the Commonwealth. She works closely with government leaders, business partners, and local communities to position Kentucky as a premier production destination, while creating meaningful economic opportunities for businesses across the state.
Fister brings a dynamic background in both entertainment and nonprofit leadership. Prior to her current role, she spent more than a decade as a film and television producer at NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Her earlier career includes senior artistic and casting roles at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles and Actors Theatre of Louisville.
With deep industry connections and a passion for storytelling, Fister is focused on elevating Kentucky’s national profile, strengthening its film infrastructure, and building a sustainable ecosystem that ensure the impact of production extends far beyond the screen.
Leigha Kingsley
Actress, Writer, Director, Producer
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Leigha Kingsley is a Kentucky and Los Angeles-based actress, writer, producer, and director originally from KY. Her acting credits include films with Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson, and Riley Keough – recently co-starring in Oyakodon, directed by Emmy and Critics Choice Award nominee Roxy Shih.
A champion for female-driven stories, her scripts have been finalists for Sundance, HBO Project Greenlight, and the New York Television Festival. Her projects "The Abandoned" and "The Spirit of Women" were recognized by Breaking Through The Lens, partnered with the Cannes Film Festival in 2021 and 2022. As the Director of "The Spirit of Women" documentary, she was selected as a keynote speaker at SXSW 2024 to discuss the film's impact and significance. And most recently has been selected for the inaugural SXSW LONDON in June 2025. She Co-Executive Produced "The Neighbor" (starring William Fichtner), which was acquired by Starz. Currently, she has two TV shows in development as well.
Mary Clay Boland, C.S.A.
Two-Time Emmy Award Winning Casting Director and Producer
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Mary Clay Boland is a two-time Emmy award winning and three-time Artois nominated casting
Director who has been casting film, television and theater projects for over 18 years.
Starting her career at Circle Repertory Theater, Boland had the opportunity to work with many
brilliant playwrights and actors, honing her casting instincts and enabling her to witness the best
acting has to offer.
After working at Circle Rep, Boland transitioned to television working with Walken/Jaffe Casting.
There she was the casting associate on the first two seasons of The Sopranos as well as
numerous feature films. Moving over to the casting department of Warner Brothers Studios
Television, Boland cast over 40 pilots including Everwood, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, George
Lopez, and Without a Trace. She also cast the first two seasons of NBC’s Third Watch and was
responsible for the New York casting of Warner Brother Studio’s existing LA-based shows such
as ER, West Wing, and Friends.
Boland then moved to daytime television, casting for CBS’ As The World Turns. She won two
Emmys for Outstanding achievement in Casting a Drama Series for her work on the show.
During this time, she discovered many new faces that have gone on to successful careers in
primetime television, film and theater.
After As The World Turns, Boland went on to open her own company, Boland Casting, where
she cast the first season of the Adult Swim series Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell and the
award winning film Four.
Throughout her career, Boland has also cast many independent films that have played heavily
on the festival circuit such as The Marconi Bros., Best Thief in the World and Confess, among
Others.
Boland currently resides in Louisville, KY, where she took a hiatus to raise her daughter and be
close to her family. She remains immersed in the Louisville Film community, casting such
projects as the Netflix film Under the Eiffel Tower. Recently, she cast the upcoming Louisville production Whisper Sisters, a pilot featuring Emily Meade and Mae Whitman. She has taught media and film studies as a guest lecturer for the Governor’s School of the Arts and has also led multiple workshops on auditioning technique. Boland is a member of the Academy for Film and Television and IFP and Women in Film and Television. She was also on the board of the New York CSA for four years.
Beth Fryman Poulin
Partner, Founder and New Business Development and Capital Campaigns at Imagine 42 Entertainment
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Beth Fryman Poulin is a distinguished Entertainment Consultant with over two decades of expertise orchestrating high-stakes, six-to-eight-figure contracts across film, television, podcasting, music, sports, and theater. She attended the University of Southern California and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, building a robust foundation for her multifaceted career.
Throughout her professional journey, Beth has held pivotal roles at industry-leading organizations, including CESD Talent Agency, United Talent Agency, and the production house Schneppzone Inc. Her professional ethos is defined by a steadfast commitment to driving innovation and championing inclusivity within the entertainment landscape.
Beth’s recent achievements further underscore her influence in the field, most notably her role in brokering the deal for Peyton Manning’s first feature film with Omaha Productions and Amazon, alongside a significant unscripted project, both of which are currently in active development. As the COO of Stoked Bros Media and Stoked Sports, she also serves as an Executive Producer on Lawrence Taylor’s upcoming unscripted feature and the National Arena League’s coverage on Scripps Sports. A native of Paris, Kentucky, Beth is also the co-founder of the Kentucky-based IP and entertainment company Imagine 42 Entertainment. During her tenure as Director of Performing Arts at USC, she was instrumental in providing accessible, high-caliber arts programming to the student body; her visionary leadership in cultivating global events—including distinguished appearances by figures such as Barack Obama, LA Opera, and SNL has left an enduring legacy on the USC campus community.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, August 30th
Time: 3-6:00pm
Location: LEX Studios (Lex Studios, 425 Codell Dr, Lexington, KY 40509)
Tickets: $5, but free for WIFKY members!
All female and non-binary crew, actors, writers, producers, and industry professionals are invited to expand your network, get a look at LEX Studios, and enjoy the panel discussion.
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