Storytelling360 and the Entertainment Community Fund are bringing some of the biggest names in storytelling to New York City for the “State of the Story” Conference, taking place Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Directors Guild of America Theater.

The full-day event will feature conversations with Candace Bushnell (Sex and the City), Pulitzer Prize winner and four-time Oscar nominee Tony Kushner (Lincoln), Oscar winner Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), Oscar nominee Celine Song (Past Lives), two-time Oscar nominee Lee Daniels (Precious), Ed Burns (Saving Private Ryan, The Brothers McMullen), and four-time Emmy nominees Michelle and Robert King (The Good Wife), among others.

Across a series of curated panels, speakers will explore the craft of storytelling, navigating the changing media landscape, and using creative tech tools to enhance the process. Topics include “Buyers & Sellers,” “Unforgettable Films,” “Worlds & Universes”, along with a Keynote Conversation and a Lunch & Learn session powered by Final Draft Screenwriting Software.

The event is part of an official partnership with the Entertainment Community Fund, founded in 1882 as The Actors Fund, which provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals. The organization is chaired by Annette Bening.

Founded by Zack Gutin, former VP of Final Draft Screenwriting Software, Storytelling360 launched in Los Angeles in June with a sold-out event at the Writers Guild of America Theater, featuring Marta Kauffman (Friends), Eric Roth (Forrest Gump), Jon Hurwitz (Cobra Kai), and others. “Attendees felt inspired, speakers enjoyed sharing insights, and both sides soaked in a sense of community,” says Gutin. “We’re thrilled to next convene east coast storytellers in New York City.”

Tickets and full event details are available at storytelling360.com.

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