MODERATOR
Paisley Baker, CSA
PAISLEY BAKER, CSA is a Los Angeles-based Casting Director casting nationwide across non-scripted, scripted film & TV, short form digital, branded, and commercial projects. Early work in non-scripted includes long running franchises Jersey Shore and Ru Paul’s Drag Race S1. Casting Director credits include TV Movie Epic Win (MTV) and Surprising Santa Claus (HGTV), along with extensive live action True Crime casting for binge worthy series like Drug Lords (Netflix) and Murder Book (ID).
She cast scripted comedy SNAP! for sketch comedy group Dormtainment in partnership with All Def Digital, Olumide Odebunmi directing, and cast short film The Old Man’s Hands starring David Arquette, Marc Bowen directing, which was selected as an opening night film for LA Shorts. A member of the Television Academy and Casting Society (CSA), Paisley brings a versatile and community focused approach to her work with a passion for actor advocacy, craft education, and behind the scenes insights.
She was a weekly panelist on 2 seasons of Rose Rosen’s Casting Confidential podcast and she shares tips & encouragement on socials under her company banner, Coat Check Creative. This marks her 3rd year moderating for GIFF with a first of its kind conversation for the festival about the craft of casting.
PANELIST
Henry Russell Bergstein, CSA
HENRY RUSSELL BERGSTEIN, CSA is a bi-coastal casting director and producer whose work spans theater, television, film, and podcasts. His theater credits include Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions, with a particular focus on new American plays and musicals. Recent credits include Oh, Mary! (Broadway and Off-Broadway), The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire, White Girl in Danger, Oratorio for Living Things, Animal Wisdom, and Titanique (Daryl Roth/Asylum Theater).
His television work includes Emmy-nominated projects Succession (HBO) and Inventing Anna (Netflix), as well as Adults, The Other Two, Mozart in the Jungle, and Black Mirror. Film credits include Mass (Independent Spirit Award), Black Bear, The Kindergarten Teacher, Saturday Church, It Felt Like Love, Grandma, The Week Of, Vampires vs. the Bronx, and Frances Ha. Upcoming projects include Bookends and Before I Do.
His podcast credits include Homecoming and Anthem: Homunculus. Bergstein previously served as Vice President of Casting at HBO Max.
PANELIST
Candido Cornejo, CSA
CANDIDO CORNEJO, CSA is a proud Two Spirit casting professional with more than 16 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Over the course of her career, she has worked with some of the industry’s most respected casting offices, including Ronnie Yeskel, Fern Champion, Scott Genkinger, Pam Dixon, and The Telsey Office.
Her credits span film, television, and theater, including The Hatfields & McCoys, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Freeform’s hit series The Fosters, and Center Theatre Group’s production of Zoot Suit. Most recently, Candido cast the international series Coolie, directed by Arvin Chen for Cathay Film Co., which is slated for release soon. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Candido is particularly committed to creating opportunities and visibility for Latine, Native/Indigenous, and trans and nonbinary communities. One of her proudest accomplishments came in 2025, when she received an Artios Award for The Roof, which aired on Disney+.
For the project, she conducted a North American search for a Two Spirit teenager—an unprecedented casting search of its kind. Candido brings a deep commitment to authentic representation to every project, with a career defined by championing emerging talent and expanding whose stories and experiences are seen on screen and stage.
PANELIST
Leslie Wasserman, CSA
LESLIE WASSERMAN, CSA is a casting professional specializing in scripted film and television. Her recent credits include Ballard (Amazon), Together Together (directed by Nikole Beckwith), The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple TV+), Smile 2 (directed by Parker Finn), and Lost on a Mountain in Maine (directed by Andrew Kightlinger), among others.
In addition to her casting work in film and television, Wasserman casts for the Sundance Institute’s Directors Lab, which provides an immersive experience for emerging independent filmmakers.
She is a proud member of the Casting Society of America and serves on the Teamsters Steering Committee.