Meet the Filmmakers
Jason ikeler
Director and Producer
Jason Ikeler, award-winning film and television director, producer and writer, makes his feature directorial debut, SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR. He currently serves as the Vice President of Video at Hearst Magazines, overseeing the production and development of original series for digital, television, and OTT platforms. Ikeler has orchestrated viral shorts and series for Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar, including the acclaimed documentary short, MAREN MORRIS IS BECOMING THE VOICE FOR WOMEN IN COUNTRY MUSIC.
Garnering accolades and recognition across platforms, two of the short films that he produced and directed, I AM BEAUTIFUL: JACOB TOBIA and I AM BEAUTIFUL: PASTOR MEGAN were selected for the Seattle Transgender Film Festival. He has won an Ellie Award for directing his short film, SEXISM EXISTS IN POLITICS: HERE’S HOW I ROSE ABOVE IT, featuring former Obama White House aide Alejandra Campoverdi. Ikeler received a Parents' Choice Award for his creation, direction, and executive production of The CW's series READY, SET, PET.
NY-based, Ikeler began his career as a reality television producer in Los Angeles working on series such as HGTV’s HOUSE HUNTERS RENOVATION and FLIP OR FLOP. He's been featured on several national outlets, including E! News, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Huffington Post. He was previously a red-carpet host and reporter for numerous prestigious events, including the OSCARS, the VMAS, and the GRAMMYS; his interviews have garnered national attention.
WHITNEY FERN
Producer
Whitney Fern, producer, writer, and host, is an accomplished Awards and Events Producer, known for creating unique, press-worthy moments in the entertainment industry. Prior to her film and TV production work, she was a member of the Paramount Pictures’ Awards Department for over six years before creating her own company, Whitney Lane Events, in 2018, where she collaborated on numerous awards campaigns, orchestrating behind the scenes coordination of events, that propelled the careers of TV, film, and documentary creators. Notably, she played an instrumental role in garnering Academy Award nominations and wins for acclaimed films such as PARASITE; THE BIG SHORT; SELMA; I, TONYA; and more.
Whitney is co-EP on a series in development with ITV America and is launching a podcast, IT TAKES GUMPTION, in 2024.
Whitney's life philosophy centers on forging moments that nurture connection, spur creativity, and encourage collaboration. Whitney grew up in the church and signed onto SAFE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: HOW TO MAKE A CHRISTIAN SUPERSTAR because of her personal connection to the powerful topic.