Main PFPA Board of Directors -
Nick Esposito – Director of Technology, Non-profit Relations -
Nick Esposito grew up in the world of film, starting with an internship at the Late Show with Conan O'Brien at age 15 and continuing with other TV and production internships through high school, by age 18 he was a professional PA working primarily on national commercials in NYC. At the age of 20 he Production Managed his first feature film and began to grow increasingly immersed in the world of independent filmmaking. Now at the age of 30 he is a producer working in Philadelphia and New York. He has produced three films and has numerous commercial, industrial and music video credits.
As someone who migrated from professional to independently structured film work he is acutely aware of the importance of production value in independent art. As a member of the PFPA he is excited to have a forum to encourage and enable quality filmmaking and the exhibition of the films.
Sakmann has been the Director of Public Relations for Backseat Conceptions since it was founded in 2002. He has personally handled PR for most of the companies’ projects (including the Backseat Film Festival) as well as many of their clients. This includes film projects (basic PR, booking and promoting screenings, getting reviews), live events as well as physical products. Projects promoted through his targeted PR efforts always garner significant press, be it promoted on a local, national or international level. Prior to Backseat Conceptions, Sakmann handled PR for several independent film companies, most notably with Troma Entertainment as the Head of Marketing and Promotions from 1999-2002.
As co-producer, publicist and sponsorship manager of the Backseat Film Festival since its inception, Sakmann exceeds at keeping sponsors happy through fully integrated promotional marketing campaigns, creating programs that bring brands closer to their core passion group. In turn, the Backseat Film Festival has been able to flourish and keep prices low thanks to generous sponsor donations.
Sakmann will work with all Grant Donation Programs for the PFPA to ensure the donations are used in the most cost effective way to promote projected arts.
Zafer Ulkucu – Director of Programming and Staffing – Human Resources
Zafer has been working professionally in film and video production for the past ten years. In 2002, he co-founded Backseat Conceptions along with Esposito and Sakmann. Zafer has been directly involved with dozens of distribution deals for films either produced or co-produced by the company. In 2003, he co-founded the Backseat Film Festival, now in its seventh year. As Director of Programming, Zafer has been in conversation with hundreds of filmmakers and privy to their experiences with distribution. Ulkucu has years of experience setting up theatrical screenings in traditional venues as well as public spaces and other unique places. In conjunction with the opening of the 941 Theater, Zafer has been in contact with filmmakers and theatrical distributors regarding the licensing and commercial exhibition of new, independent films.
Additionally, Ulkucu has headed the Backseat Conceptions and Backseat Film Festival’s Human Resources department since the inception, personally interviewing, hiring and managing employees, freelancers, interns and volunteers for the companies. Ulkucu continues to manage all human resources for the PFPA.
About the PFPA Board of Directors