2021 Austin Film Festival & Conference

11 AM – 11:45 PMA discussion with pioneer creatives of color Chuck Hayward (writer, Dear White People) and Jameel Saleem (writer/co-executive producer, Bob’s Burgers), about their creative processes and navigating the industry.

Chuck Hayward
writer Wandavision, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, Dear White People, Flatbush Misdemeanors, Santa Inc.

Chuck Hayward is a renaissance man – in that he’s a man who’s stayed multiple times at Renaissance Hotels. But mostly he writes things. A lot. And sometimes he actually writes them well. And sometimes they’re even funny! Just ask his fellow writers on Netflix’s Dear White People, Disney+’s WandaVision, ABC’s Mixed-Ish, or Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors. Or you can ask the directors and producers of the movies he’s written, Netflix’s Step Sisters, the indie film Fat Camp; and the upcoming remake of the 90’s cult classic, Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead. Chuck promises they’ll confirm it. You calling him a liar?!?!

Jameel Saleem
writer/co-executive producer Bob’s Burgers; writer/producer Disenchantment; writer South Park Digital

Jameel began his professional writing career with the 2012 nation-wide release of his indie film, EXIT STRATEGY.  After producing three indie feature films and a web series, Jameel set his sights on television. He wrote and produced a pilot for NBC Playground and soon after staffed on his first network show, ABC’S MANHATTAN LOVE STORY in 2014. Since then he’s worked on multiple TV projects. He’s currently a Co-Executive Producer and Writer on BOB’S BURGERS, Writer and Producer for Netflix’s DISENCHANTMENT and Writer for SOUTH PARK DIGITAL, and has several TV and film projects in development, including an animated film with his mentors South Park’s Matt Stone and Trey Parker.