NewFilmmakers Los Angeles announced four new board members and formed a strategic partnership with Sharjah Intl in the United Arab Emirates. Children and Youth Film Festival.
Joining the board of directors of the nonprofit arts and culture organization focused on supporting independent filmmakers and content creators are: Beverly Hills-based entertainment attorney Aditya S. Ezhuthachan of Pessah Law Group; “Ferrari” producer Niels Juul, founder of No Fat Ego tile; Susanne Ault, vice president of events programming at Variety; and Joyce Liu-Countryman, producer and interim director of physical production for NBCUniversal.
“Having Aditya, Niels, Susanne and Joyce join our board of directors is an exciting moment for NewFilmmakers Los Angeles,” NFMLA co-founder and chief executive Larry Laboe said in a statement.
“Each of these individuals has built an impressive career while developing a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges that shape our industry,” he added.
Concurrent with these board appointments, NFMLA established a new collaboration with Sharjah Intl. Children and Youth Film Festival, in a move that expands its international programming and cultural exchange initiatives to the United Arab Emirates.
The partnership will kick off at the ongoing 2026 edition of the festival, which will run from October 25 to November 1 in Sharjah, known as the cultural capital of the UAE. Now in its 13th edition, the festival has brought films from Thailand, Brazil, India, Italy and across the Arab world to the UAE, with a roster of international festival titles, emerging filmmakers and Emirati talent.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at NFMLA is seeing how filmmakers from different backgrounds and different parts of the world connect through their stories,” Laboe said.
“Our partnership with the Sharjah International Children and Youth Film Festival creates an exciting opportunity to introduce remarkable independent films to new audiences, while engaging in discussions about the future of filmmaking and creative education.”
Through year-round film festival programming, educational opportunities, industry partnerships, and international collaborations, NFMLA provides a platform to encourage diverse creative voices while connecting artists with the resources and networking opportunities they need to advance their careers.