How to Sell Soap in a Warzone: Han West and Maria Farbo

Normalcy while living in a war zone is no small feat--and sometimes impossible. Many businesses operate anyway, defying political struggles and danger to keep their doors open. Companies that create the marketing and messaging for these businesses also stay open and continue their important craft.

In an intimate fireside conversation, Washington Square Films EVP Han West will join Maria Fabro, EP of Ukraine-based production company 23/32 Films, in conversation about how they contend with the ultimate cost of doing business when working in active war zones.

1. MARIA FABRO AND HAN WEST
How to Sell Soap
in a Warzone

2. ABOUT
Normalcy while living in a war zone is no small
feat--and sometimes impossible. Many businesses
operate anyway, defying political struggles and
danger to keep their doors open. Companies that
create the marketing and messaging for these
businesses also stay open and continue their
important craft.
In an intimate fireside conversation, Washington
Square Films EVP Han West will join Maria Fabro,
EP of Ukraine-based production company 23/32
Films, in conversation about how they contend with
the ultimate cost of doing business when working
in active war zones.

3. SPEAKERS
Creative Producer
Maria Fabro
23/32 Films
EVP of Production/Producer
Han West
Washington Square Films

4. MARIA FABRO
Maria is a creative producer from Ukraine with many
seasons of international production experience
under her belt and a true passion for storytelling. Her
background allows her to bring a unique perspective
that extends beyond mere production. As a producer,
she has collaborated closely with numerous directors
and brands, focusing particularly on service
production, primarily in Europe. Her energetic hands-
on approach twinned with her in-depth knowledge of
film craft has helped her through creative challenges
and fostered strong relationships with clients from
all over the world.
She speaks English, French, Polish, and Ukrainian
and boasts “some mad skills and determination only
a Ukrainian can have”.

5. HAN WEST
Han West has built a career providing architecture
for storytellers. As a producer and executive in
motion pictures and advertising, his role brings the
creative visions of his collaborators to life while
considering the needs of stakeholders and the
intricate details of execution.
Throughout his career, he has produced numerous
feature films, hundreds of commercials, and many
other forms of content (from virtual reality to
experiential) for top-tier agencies, blue-chip
brands, and major movie studios alike. His work has
played Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, and the Super
Bowl, and has been recognized everywhere from
Cannes to the Independent Spirit Awards.

6. Our 15 years of experience have ensured long-term partnerships
with the world's leading brands. Our main assets are our team
and attention to detail. We are passionate about what we do. We
are inspired by new challenges brought by our clients and
partners and we perfectly balance the cost efficiency of a project
with the highest quality of production and production value. We
believe that putting creativity and stunning results before our
financial gain is the key to the success of every project - big or
small.
ABOUT 23/32 FILMS

7. Founded by Joshua Blum, Washington Square Films is a production and management company with
offices in New York and Los Angeles.
WSF produces feature films, TV, live theater, commercials, and branded content. Films produced by the
company have played at every major film festival including Cannes, Berlin, New York, and ten at
Sundance. They have been nominated for four Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards (winning one), nine
Independent Spirit Awards (winning one), and two Peabody Awards (winning both).
The commercial division represents a roster of award-winning directors and has produced content for
clients including Pepsi, Ford, Apple, Toyota, Amazon, Burger King, Disney, Spectrum, Chevrolet, Honda,
Delta, Bose, Buick, and many others.
On the management side, the company represents an internationally renowned roster of actors,
directors, and writers in film, television and theater.
ABOUT WASHINGTON SQUARE FILMS