Buffalo, NY – TV legend Tom Fontana returns to his hometown Saturday August 23 as the keynote speaker at the third annual “Casting Buffalo Actors Expo” on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, from 12pm to 7pm at The Atrium at Rich’s, located at 1 Robert Rich Way, Buffalo, NY 14213.
Casting Buffalo, the leading film and commercial casting company in Western New York established by Kyle Mecca, Harry Lipsitz, & Peter Johnson is thrilled to announce that the Casting Buffalo Actors Expo is a one-stop industry event for local talent of all ages and aspiring crew who want to begin a career in the movies. Designed to educate, connect, and empower, the expo offers vital career insights and hands-on resources to help performers & crew members land roles in film, television, theater, and commercial productions across Western New York and beyond.
Hosted by Jordan Lema, CEO of Lemur Studios, City Producer of Buffalo 48 Hour Film Project, and Co- host of Podcasting Buffalo, Jordan is an advocate for creative entrepreneurship who was named one of
Buffalo Business First’s 40 Under 40 in 2020 creating content with leading local brands and organizations. The 2025 Keynote Speaker will feature Buffalo legend & Emmy Award Winner, Tom Fontana, writer, executive producer, and creator of ground breaking television series’ St. Elsewhere, Homicide: Life on the Streets, HBO’s OZ, Netflix’s Borgia, and AMC/Canal+ series Monsieur Spade.
Featuring panels on Acting from hometown actress Charlene Amoia of How I Met Your Mother, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Fear Street series, and Cobra Kai. And Producing Panel from Buffalo native Mark Brazill, writer and producer of That 70’s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and In Living Color with actress and producer Elea Oberon of The Longest Ride, The Bold and The Beautiful and Sin’s Kitchen.
Attendees will have the opportunities to network with local talent including community filmmakers and industry leaders. Meet local casting directors, receive new Drive-Thru Headshots chosen by Casting Buffalo from Andrew Griesmann Photography & Gadabout Photography ($85 including GA Ticket). Witness Live Stunt Showcases from Robbins Stunt Team and sit in on the Craft of Choice Presentation by SAG-AFTRA actor Bob Bozek.
Train to receive a certification in our Production Assistant (PA) Training Course presented by Casting Buffalo & Buffalo Camera, instructed by DGA eligible NYC Staff ($50 including GA Ticket) and attend workshops for Locations, Art, Grip & Electric, and Camera departments presented by Film Neighbor Network.
Plus seminars on Independent Producing by Gregory Lamberson, PGA. and Tailoring Acting Reels with Tony Grande of 2NY Video. Finally, join a tour of Great Point Studios Buffalo guided by film producer Mac Cappuccino of Clown, Givers of Death, and numerous Christmas movies shot in Buffalo, NY from Fred Olen Ray & Great American Family. With dozens of local vendors and exhibitors from various corners within the entertainment industry, attendees can interact with union crew members from I.A.T.S.E., acting coaches, production house Expressway Cinema Rentals, spokespersons from area colleges and universities with theatre and film programs, talent agencies, and more. Food trucks The Cheesy Chick, The Blend, and Mad Sauces will be on location all day.
Tickets for the Casting Buffalo Actors Expo are on sale now at castingbuffalo.com via Eventbrite. General admission tickets are priced at $30.00, while student tickets are available at a discounted rate of $15.00, with a valid student I.D. Ticket bundles and packages are also available.