contact@braintrust.tv

Great Western Studios, 65 Alfred Rd, Studio 53, London, W2 5EU, UK

Sam Bank / Founder and Producer: Sam is a BIFA nominated producer from Baltimore. After graduating from Syracuse University, Sam moved to LA and got his start in the mailroom at UTA. Sam then worked in development and production at Discovery Networks and yU+co, a commercial VFX company, before moving to London and earning his masters degree at the NFTS. In his independent work, Sam secured representation for screenwriting, including a TV pilot and feature he co-wrote and developed with two major studios. His animated short film, The Wrong End of the Stick, was long-listed for a BAFTA, nominated for both a BIFA and an Annie, and has screened at 78 international film festivals. Sam founded Braintrust in 2016 which quickly expanded with additional team members, projects, talent, and partnerships abroad.

Hélène Sifre / Creative Director: Hélène is a BAFTA and BIFA nominated film producer from Paris. After working in development in Paris, Hélène earned her masters degree at the NFTS in London. She has produced several short films that went on to international festivals, winning an RTS Award, as as being nominated for an Annie. She was selected for the Berlinale Talents Lab, Inside Out Finance Forum, and Edinburgh Talent Lab. Hélène produced her debut feature Blue Jean, financed by BBC Film and the BFI. It received its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and was nominated for thirteen BIFA awards and winning four including Best Lead Performance, Best Supporting Performance, Best Debut Screenplay and Best Casting. Hélène was nominated for Outstanding British Debut at the 2023 BAFTAs. She joined Braintrust in 2018 and serves as its Creative Director.

Caroline Webster / Development Executive: Caroline began her career in LA working for producers Ali Shearmur and Lynn Harris. She wrote, directed, and produced several short films of her own while studying film production and French literature at USC. Caroline spent a year or so in Paris supporting TV producer Jim Bittermann with his unscripted slate before taking on high profile desks at Los Angeles based talent agencies CAA and ICM. Caroline moved to London in 2018, earning her masters in screenwriting from the NFTS. After graduating, she landed at Number 9 Films, working across film and TV, on projects including Living and Mothering Sunday, which played at Cannes, TIFF, Venice, and Sundance. Caroline is the newest member of the Braintrust team, having joined in 2022.