Sheppard is proud to present “From Shorts to Spotlight: Legal and Business Strategies for the Modern Filmmaker,” a panel on entertainment law and business strategy, at the 22nd Annual HollyShorts Film Festival, an Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying festival held at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, attracting major industry names and generating nearly 2 billion media impressions last year” to “at the 5th annual Alta Global Media Summit, presented by the HollyShorts Institute.
About the Panel:
The path from short film to commercial success has never been more dynamic—or more complex. Join our panel featuring an entertainment lawyer, a studio executive and a film financier for a conversation on the legal, business and financial strategies today's filmmakers need to navigate AI, intellectual property, distribution and the evolving entertainment marketplace.
Moderator:
- Segun Aluko, Partner, Sheppard
Speakers:
- Robb Klein, Partner, Sheppard
- Michael Ashjian, Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Fifth Season
- Julien P. Bourgon, Senior Vice President, Media & Entertainment, Banc of California
Space is limited — reserve your seat today.
This is a ticketed event. To receive a discount, use code SheppardHSFF26 (please note the letter case). The code may also be applied to additional HollyShorts screenings and other festival events.
Free Legal Consultation Prize (Presented by Sheppard)
In recognition of Sheppard’s commitment to emerging filmmakers, we are also sponsoring a Free Legal Consultation Prize for the HollyShorts Best Picture award recipient.
About the Moderator:
Segun Aluko is a Partner in Sheppard’s Entertainment, Technology & Advertising Practice Group, where he advises studios, production companies, digital platforms, financiers, brands, and creators on the legal and business aspects of film, television, and digital media. His practice spans development, financing, production, distribution, intellectual property, and strategic commercial transactions.
Prior to joining Sheppard, Segun served as a Business Affairs Executive at William Morris Endeavor (WME), where he negotiated film, television, podcast, and digital media agreements for leading talent and literary clients. He began his legal career at Aluko & Oyebode, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial law firms, advising on mergers and acquisitions, finance, and corporate transactions.
Segun earned his M.B.A. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, his LL.M. from the USC Gould School of Law, his B.L. (Hons) from the Nigerian Law School, and his LL.B. (Hons) from Obafemi Awolowo University. He is admitted to practice in California and Nigeria and has been recognized by Variety's Legal Impact Report and Hollywood's New Leaders.
About the Speakers:
Robb Klein
Robb Klein is a Partner in Sheppard’s Entertainment, Technology & Advertising Practice Group and former Practice Group Leader. He represents studios, production companies, financiers, video game developers, and media companies on the development, financing, production, acquisition, and global distribution of film, television, interactive entertainment, and digital media projects.
Robb has extensive experience advising clients on international co-productions, production financing, tax incentives, intellectual property licensing, strategic investments, and complex commercial transactions. His practice spans traditional entertainment and emerging media, including digital platforms and AI-related commercial matters.
Robb began his legal career in London before joining Sheppard in 2008. He earned his LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Manchester and completed his Law Society Final Examinations with honors at Chester College of Law. He is admitted to practice in California and is also qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales. Robb has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Lawdragon, and Variety as a leading entertainment lawyer.
Michael Ashjian
Michael Ashjian is Vice President of Fifth Season’s (previously Endeavor Content) Business and Legal Affairs group. Michael works on all stages of television development, production and distribution, including negotiating terms and drafting long form agreements for all above the line deals. His shows include: East of Eden (Netflix), Savant (Apple), SEE (Apple), Tokyo Vice (HBO), Truth Be Told (Apple), and Servant (Apple).
Prior to joining Fifth Season, he worked at William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME), and boutique entertainment firms such as Pierce Law Group, Ramo Law, and Law Office of Michael Morales.
Michael is also an adjunct faculty member at Southwestern Law School for the Entertainment Law Externship course.
He earned his J.D. from Southwestern Law School, and holds a B.A in History and a minor in Film, Television & Digital Media from UCLA.
Julien Bourgon
Julien Paul Bourgon is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of leadership experience in the entertainment industry. Renowned for his expertise in media financing, film production, and post-production, Julien combines creative vision with financial acumen to deliver success across global markets.
After graduating from ESRA Cinema School in Paris, he began his career as a sound mixer and editor, contributing to acclaimed projects such as Paris (Cédric Klapisch), La Vérité Si Je Mens (Thomas Gilou), and Maupassant (Claude Chabrol).
In 2007, Julien co-founded LUXART, a Paris-based post-production house. He later co-founded TDP FILMS in 2010, where he served as Managing Partner, expanding its footprint to the U.S. and globally, with operations in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Prague, and Shanghai. By 2018, he launched TDP’s financial arm to fund and co-produce films and series, establishing the company as a leader in the entertainment ecosystem.
In 2023, Julien was offered to join Banc of California as Senior Vice President: Media & Entertainment, leveraging his expertise to drive financial growth and innovation for media clients.
A dual citizen of the U.S. and France, Julien resides in West Hollywood, California, with his family.