Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, announced today that writer/director Jill Soloway (Transparent, Afternoon Delight, United States of Tara, Six Feet Under) will deliver the Filmmaker Keynote address kicking off the Forum on Saturday, October 25. This will be followed the next day by the Executive Keynote address given by Tim League, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Drafthouse Films and Fantastic Fest, on Sunday, October 26. Open Road Films’ Nightcrawler, written and directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Bill Paxton will kick off the 10th annual Film Independent Forum as the Opening Night Film on Friday, October 24; the screening will be followed by a Q+A session with writer/director Dan Gilroy and producer Jennifer Fox. The Forum will take place during the weekend of October 24-26 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles.
“My goal as an artist has always been to privilege the other, to make the object the subject,” said Filmmaker Keynote speaker Jill Soloway. “Filmmaking provides the ideal opportunity to reverse the polarity around the seer and the seen. I’m so excited to share my ideas about how to make the kind of art that changes the world by captivating and illuminating authentic feelings.” Soloway was nominated for a 2014 Film Independent Spirit Award for her debut feature, Afternoon Delight.
“I was honored to be asked to present the Executive Keynote address at this year’s Film Independent Forum,” says Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. “We’re in an era of tremendous change but equally tremendous opportunity as new means of digital distribution arise. I look forward to a great conversation about emerging techniques, platforms, opportunities and pitfalls.”
“This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Film Independent Forum and I couldn’t be prouder of this event. The Forum has always been at the forefront of identifying and disseminating new trends in the industry, as well as best practices for filmmakers making and selling their work,” said Film Independent Senior Director of Education, Maria Raquel Bozzi. “The Forum has a proven track record of presenting thought-provoking keynotes and panels that have generated many industry-wide conversations over the years. We will continue that tradition with both our executive and filmmaker keynote speakers. Jill Soloway is breaking new ground for filmmakers to explore storytelling through different platforms, and Tim League is leading the charge in creating new spaces for the exhibition and distribution of daring independent film.”
New to this year’s Forum, Film Independent and CreatorUp are co-producing a hackathon for filmmakers and developers to collaborate in creating a new technology prototype for filmmakers to connect with their fans for film projects that create social impact. Filmmakers may submit their ideas at https://creatorup.com/fan-connect-for-impact-hackathon/ before Tuesday, October 7. Eight filmmakers will be selected and paired with developers and all projects will be presented at the Film Independent Forum at the DGA on Sunday, October 26.
At the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Reception during the Forum, the Sloan Producers Grant, which provides a $30,000 production grant and acceptance into Film Independent’s Producing Lab, will be awarded to a Film Independent Fellow developing a narrative film with a scientific, mathematical and/or technological theme. The Producing Lab is one of Film Independent’s highly selective Artist Development programs.
The 2014 Film Independent Forum is presented by Indiewire. Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsors Directors Guild of America, SAGindie, IMDbPro and Principal Sponsors the Montana Film Office and Indiegogo.
Panelists for the 2014 Film Independent Forum include:
Stephanie Allain, Director, Los Angeles Film Festival; producer, Dear White People
Ana Lily Amirpour, writer/director/producer, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Peter Broderick, President, Paradigm Consulting
Jennifer Fox, producer, Nightcrawler
Aron Gaudet, writer, producer, director, Beneath the Harvest Sky
Dan Gilroy, writer/director, Nightcrawler
Ted Hope, Chief Executive Officer, Fandor
Tim League, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Drafthouse Films, Fantastic Fest
Elvis Mitchell, Film Curator, Film Independent
Brian O’Shea, Chief Executive Officer, The Exchange
Gita Pullapilly, writer, producer, director, Beneath the Harvest Sky
Jill Soloway, writer/director, Transparent, Afternoon Delight, United States of Tara, Six Feet Under
Michele Turnure-Salleo, Director, San Francisco Film Society’s Filmmaker360
Gary Michael Walters,Chief Executive Officer, Bold Films
Josh Welsh, President, Film Independent
with additional panelists to be announced
Topics for this year’s panels are:
Money Matters: A Financing Clinic
Beyond The Lottery: California’s New Film & TV Tax Credit
Serial Content: What Does It Take To Launch A Show?
Realize Your Vision: Production Case Studies
The Producer – Director Partnership: A Most Creative Collaboration
Distribution And Marketing Case Study
Film Independent Documentary Works In Progress Screening
Powered By Your Audience
Tools For Engagement: 48-Hour Forum Hackathon
Gatekeepers, Tastemakers, And Disruptors
Early registration conference passes are $215 for Film Independent members and $285 for non-members who register by Friday, September 19. After September 19, conference passes are $275 for Film Independent members and $325 for non-members. For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum or to purchase a pass, visit filmindependent.org/forum or call 310.432.1222.
About Film Independent Forum
Now in its 10th year, the Film Independent Forum is the pre-eminent conference for independent filmmakers and content creators in Los Angeles. Off-the-record conversations with working filmmakers make this the must-attend fall event for filmmakers and industry professionals. If you are anywhere near production or close to entering the festival circuit, join your peers for a weekend of solution-driven strategies, success stories, and opportunities to connect one-on-one with working artists and industry pros.
The 2014 Film Independent Forum takes place October 24-26 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, CA. For a full schedule of events, speakers and to register, visit FilmIndependent.org/Forum.