contact@braintrust.tv

Braintrust

Great Western Studios

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 & BIFA-nominated film producer. Following two-years working in development in Paris, Hélène joined the Producing MA at the NFTS. She has produced several short films that all competed in festivals worldwide, earning a nomination at the 44th Annie Awards for Fishwitch and winning the 2017 RTS Award for Best Postgraduate Drama. Hélène worked as business & production executive at Filmwave before joining Braintrust in 2018 as Development Executive. She was promoted to Head of Development a year later. In this capacity, she helped them secure their first commission for Twende. Hélène’s debut feature, Blue Jean, was financed by BBC Film and the BFI and received its World Premiere at the Venice Film Festival 2022 where it won the Audience Award. It was nominated for 13 BIFAs, including Breakthrough Producer and Best Independent British Film and won 4 awards (Best Lead Performance, Best Supporting Performance, Best Debut Screenplay and Best Casting). Hélène was nominated for Outstanding British Debut by a Writer, Director or Producer at the 2023 BAFTAs.

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.

Crouton / VP of Emotional Support: Loves biscuits and belly rubs. Ball is life.