My favorite session on day 2 of AFM was: “Focus on Italy: A Strategic Hub for International Productions” with Panelists: Jacopo Chessa, President, Italian Film Commissions and Director, Veneto Film Commission, Gary Lucchesi, Producer, Revelations Entertainment and former President of the Producers Guild of America, Riccardo Neri – Producer and Head of Communications of APE (Association of Italian Production Service companies), and Francesca Rotondo, Sales and Business Development Manager, Cinecitta’ Studios The Moderator was Roberto Stabile, Head of the International Department, Cinecittà/DGCA. At this Panel “Focus on Italy: A Strategic Hub for International Productions” – there was a great conversation on Italy’s growing role as a production partner for U.S. and international studios, from the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) office in Los Angeles, which coordinates Italy’s participation at American Film Market (Nov 11–16, Fairmont Century Plaza) 2025. As announced during the session, producer Gary Lucchesi was awarded the title of Cavaliere (Knight) of the Order of the Star of Italy for his contribution to strengthening ties between Hollywood and the Italian industry:
The panel was moderated by Roberto Stabile (Cinecittà / DGCA–MiC), which featured Gary Lucchesi, Francesca Rotondo (Cinecittà), Jacopo Chessa (Italian Film Commissions), and Riccardo Neri (APE – Association of Italian Production Service Companies). The discussion explored Italy’s growing role as a global production partner — from Cinecittà Studios to regional film commissions and tax incentives attracting major international projects such as The White Lotus 2, Those About to Die, and Challengers.
The Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini, conferred upon Gary Lucchesi, renowned Hollywood producer and former President of the Producers Guild of America, the Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia) — a distinction awarded by the President of the Italian Republic for exceptional contributions to strengthening cultural and industrial ties between Italy and the United States. This year Italy is showing up strong at AFM with 14 companies spanning production, distribution, post-production, and film commissions. 
At the American Film Market, the award winning Actor: Kiefer Sutherland, who you all would recognize for his epic starring lead role on that hit TV series “24” – (see the above photo) is in negotiations to star in the revenge action-thriller Hour Of Reckoning for John Wick and Sicario outfit Thunder Road. Thunder Road is teaming with fellow producers Midnight Express and Southpaw on the project which will be directed by Vaughn Stein (Terminal) and is written by Chuck Hustmyre.
Kiefer “William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus” Sutherland is a Canadian actor. He is best known for his starring role as Jack Bauer in the Fox drama series 24, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, and President Tom Kirkman in the ABC political drama series Designated Survivor: 
The story goes: “When a retired lawman (Sutherland) returns to his dying hometown to investigate his brother’s mysterious death, he uncovers a brutal criminal empire led by a charismatic psychopath who rules through fear and corruption. As he digs deeper into a web of drug and human trafficking, his pursuit of truth ignites a violent war for justice—pitting one man’s code against an entire town. Hour of Reckoning is a gritty, high-octane revenge thriller that turns one man’s hunt for the truth into a scorched-earth war against corruption.” 
In 1997 the Award winning Actor: Nicolas Cage (see above photo) starred in the very successful Action/Thriller movie: Face/Off, which was directed by John Woo. So, today at AFM it was announced that they would both be reunited again on the crime biopic Gambino about notorious New York crime kingpin Carlo Gambino!
Nicolas Cage, born Nicolas Kim Coppola, is an Academy Award-winning American actor and producer. He’s known for his commitment to his characters’ emotional realities, and for taking risks in his roles. Cage’s career spans multiple genres, including dramatic roles in Pig, City of Angels, and Bringing Out the Dead. He won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas (1995) and was nominated again for his role as twins in Adaptation (2002).
Nicolas Cage was interviewed on our 2 shows: Entertainment & Sports Today, and Entertainment Today TV many times, including an exclusive a one-on-one interview for a movie press junket in Beverly Hills, by our TV Show Host: Margie Rey. He was always very kind, and funny.
John Woo Yu-sen SBS (Chinese: 吳宇森; born 22 September 1946) is a Hong Kong film director known as a highly influential figure in the action film genre. The recipient of various accolades, including a Hong Kong Film Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Editing, as well as a Golden Horse Award, an Asia Pacific Screen Award and a Saturn Award, he is regarded as a pioneer of heroic bloodshed films and the gun fu genre in Hong Kong action cinema. He is known for his highly chaotic “bullet ballet” action sequences, stylized imagery, Mexican standoffs, frequent use of slow motion and allusions to wuxia, film noir and Western cinema: 
George Gallo (Bad Boys franchise) and Oscar winner Nick Vallelonga (Green Book) have scripted the project, which WME Independent is launching for sales at this week’s American Film Market.
The movie will follow Oscar winner Cage’s Carlo Gambino, a butcher’s son from Sicily, who rules New York’s underworld with quiet authority. But when his death sends shockwaves through the city, Pulitzer-winning journalist Jimmy Breslin follows the trail he left behind to uncover the man beneath the legend. Through the voices of those who loved him and those who feared him, Breslin peels back the composure that masked Gambino’s ruthlessness, revealing how this outsider rose to redefine power, loyalty and the American dream.
Gambino was one of the most notorious figures in organized crime in America last century. The Sicilian boss was leader and namesake of the Gambino crime family of New York, playing a powerful role in mob matters for more than 50 years until his death in 1976.
There were 8 interesting panels on the 2nd day(November 12th) at AFM Sessions’ that brought together thought leaders to discuss Finance, Distribution, Producing, and Location Incentives; all speaking at the Fairmont Century Plaza. There was a fascinating panel on Finance: Finance I – From Packaging to Payback: Investment, Incentives & International Markets. & As you can see in the below photo (L – R): Moderator, Jeff Caruso, SVP, Sales & Success, Wrapbook, from left, Sam Pressman, CEO, Pressman Film, Jeaneane Davey, Founder, Callisto Advisory, Inc., Jeremy Ross, Head of Film, Rabbits Black, and Josh Rosenbaum, Partner and Producer, Waypoint Entertainment speak at the 46th American Film Market at the Fairmont Century Plaza on November 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif:
ON Day two at AFM 2025, I’m thrilled to share the latest from Shake The Tree Productions, a slate that reflects years of meaningful collaboration, bold storytelling, and creative momentum. From new series like Adult.ish… starring Emmy Winner Sean Kanan, NFL star Vernon Davis and TV icon Audrey Landers, to their inspired-by-true-events feature #Skank starring the incomparable Ron Perlman and Obie and Drama Desk winner Brenna Coates to their latest international partnerships with Hulahoop Media, on I Won’t Dance, they’ve been growing fast, and intentionally. They’ve partnered with Archstone Pictures on the gripping new TV drama Compensation, created by Nicole Marley & Jill Lynnes and directed by Ralph Hemecker (Blue Bloods).
Independent production company Shake The Tree Productions, led by producer, actress, and CEO Toni D’Antonio (Alto, Sparrow Street, The Three Killer Pigs), arrives at AFM 2025 as a third time exhibitor with a powerful slate of film and television projects featuring top tier talent, international partnerships, and award-winning creative teams. With four titles completed, multiple projects entering pre-production for 2026, and several others in active packaging, the company is making a major impact in the world of independent filmmaking.
“We’re building a diverse, dynamic, and deeply human slate with strong creative voices and bold storytelling,” says Toni D’Antonio. “We’re incredibly proud of the creative partnerships we’ve forged. Shake The Tree is always evolving, and this moment reflects years of hard work, collaboration, and belief in the stories we’re telling. We’re grateful for the chance to connect with others at AFM who value that same creative integrity.”
Shake The Tree Productions will be exhibiting at AFM 2025 at The Fairmont Century Plaza, Suite 416 and is currently taking meetings for finance, co-production, pre-sales, and distribution. With COMPENSATION by Archstone Entertainment Boards New TV Series Created by Comp Productions.
Leading the charge, in a bold expansion into premium television, Archstone Entertainment (Chili Finger, Exit Protocol), joins as strategic partners on the upcoming dramatic TV series Compensation. Created by two veteran worker’s comp industry professionals, and produced by Toni D’Antonio, with a pilot written by Roderick Taylor (The Brave One) and Lenny Mesi, the series is executive produced by John Radulovich (Ray Donovan), Michael Slifkin, Jack Sheehan, Scott Martin, Heather Brawley and Roderick Taylor. With co-executive producer Lenny Mesi (Natty Knocks) and director Ralph Hemecker (Blue Bloods, Once Upon a Time) has also signed on. The project explores the bright lights of Las Vegas where a newly divorced woman, in search of her own emotional healing, returns home to start a job at a workers’ compensation office where she faces fraud, outrageous claims, broken souls, and an oddball ensemble of misfits.
#SKANK: Ron Perlman Leads Cast of Gritty, Inspired-By-True-Events Feature!
Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy, Hellboy, Don’t Look Up) – (see in below photo) joins the cast of #Skank, a genre-bending dark comedy and suspenseful drama inspired by actual events. Also starring are Jennifer Jiles (Emmy Award winning former NYC Rockette), Brenna Coates (Maya & Samar), and hip hop icon Petey Pablo (Drumline). Directed by Shaun Piccinino (A California Christmas, American Fighter), the film is produced by Toni D’Antonio, Jennifer Jiles, Chris Niespodzianski, Ted E. Haynes, Samantha Bowen, and Obie and Drama Desk Award Winner Brenna Coates (Maya & Samar), and feature’s themes of internet infamy, gender politics, and one woman’s twisted path to reclaiming her power. A perfect housewife, until her husband’s lover turns up dead. 
Ronald N. Perlman is a classically trained American actor and voice-over artist. He also played Vincent in the TV series Beauty and the Beast and co-starred in the CBS adaptation of The Magnificent Seven from 1998–2000. Perlman has frequently collaborated with director Guillermo del Toro, appearing in his films Cronos (1993), Blade II (2002), Pacific Rim (2013), and Nightmare Alley (2021). See in above photo.
ADULT.ISH… Vernon Davis, Audrey Landers, Sean Kanan, and Lou Martini Jr. Join Toni Vitale’s Dark Comedy Series. The very exciting upcoming character-driven comedy series Adult.ish…, created by and starring Toni Vitale (Sarah Q, Flowers, The Undesirables) features an ensemble cast including NFL legend Vernon Davis (Hidden Gems, The Ritual Killer), TV icon Audrey Landers (Dallas, A Chorus Line), Daytime Emmy winner Sean Kanan (The Bold and the Beautiful, Cobra Kai), and Lou Martini, Jr. (The Sopranos, Law & Order). Set to shoot in New York City, the pilot is produced by Toni D’Antonio, Toni Vitale and Samantha Bowen, with executive producers Chris Guttadaro, Richard Bernstein, Rob Sciglimpaglia, Ron Intriago, Bones Rodriguez, Kimberlee Fadner, Robert Miller, and Charlotte Fung Miller. The show dives into themes of reinvention, identity, and midlife chaos with biting wit and emotional authenticity.
I WON’T DANCE: As featured in Deadline: Christine Lakin to Direct Romantic Comedy Sports Film in Partnership with Hulahoop Media. Shake The Tree Productions is also proud to be co-producing the feature I Won’t Dance, which marks the feature directorial debut of Christine Lakin (Hollywood Darlings, The Goldbergs), in partnership with internationally acclaimed Spanish company Hulahoop Media (& Sons – TIFF premiere). Set against the backdrop of the Canary Islands and led by Mirror Ball Champion Sharna Burgess as choreographer, the film follows a working-class teen girl and her ballroom-dancing rival as they reluctantly pair up for a shot at the national title. Described as a spirited blend of Dirty Dancing, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and The Cutting Edge, the film is produced by Alexandra Olivia Engelson (Magic & Moxie), Toni D’Antonio, Samantha Bowen, Allison Johnson, and Mia Cusumano, with international co-production led by Hulahoop Media.
