Sunday, January 11, 2026 | 1pm – 3pm

Location: Independent Picture House | Champa & Vasant Patel Community Space

Event Details:
This event is free and open to the public.
Registration is required.
Limited seating available.

Event Description:
Join filmmakers and siblings Twinkie Byrd and Jeff Byrd for an intimate community conversation about life in the film industry. Together, they will reflect on their individual and shared journeys, the realities of working in film, and the lessons learned navigating creativity, collaboration, and longevity in a constantly shifting industry. This conversation will explore craft, resilience, family, and the personal paths that shape the stories we tell—on and off the screen. A moderated discussion and audience Q&A will follow.

About the Filmmakers:

Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, originally from Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned casting director, director, and executive producer with a career spanning nearly three decades. She has been instrumental in casting for acclaimed films such as Stomp the Yard, Notorious, Fruitvale Station, Sparkle, Southside with You, and The Clark Sisters. Byrd’s keen eye for talent has launched the careers of actors like Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kenneth Williams, Naturi Naughton, and Laz Alonso.

Transitioning into production, Byrd has served as an executive producer on several projects, including Christmas Unwrapped, Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas, and Kirk Franklin’s The Night Before Christmas. Her directorial work includes the award-winning short film The Counter: 1960.

In 2025, Byrd co-executive produced the Lifetime biopic Can You Feel the Beat: The Lisa Lisa Story, which chronicles the life of Latin-freestyle music pioneer Lisa Velez, known professionally as Lisa Lisa. The film delves into Velez’s journey from a young dreamer in Hell’s Kitchen to a music icon, highlighting her challenges and triumphs in the industry.

Byrd’s multifaceted contributions to film and television continue to inspire and shape the entertainment landscape.

Jeffrey W. Byrd is an acclaimed American Director and Producer. His career has been shaped by a deep foundation in cinematic storytelling and collaboration at the highest levels of film and television. Early in his career Byrd worked closely with legendary filmmaker Spike Lee, an experience that played a formative role in honing both his visual style and commitment to culturally resonant storytelling. His time within Lee’s creative orbit helped establish Byrd’s reputation for precision, emotional intelligence and bold directorial choices.