The Film Independent Forum is Back! with a Keynote from Gina Prince-Bythwood & the Debut of the 2025 New Wave
How often do you think of the Roman Empire? Well imagine this. You’re in the Roman Forum circa 25 CE, walking amongst Senators, merchants, and peers. It’s where people come to meet, trade ideas, give passionate oratory, and rub shoulders with the best and brightest of their day.
If you fly to Rome today, you won’t find quite the same atmosphere on Via dei Fori Imperiali. But in Los Angeles circa 2025, you can know what it feels like to be in that marketplace of ideas and meet with some of the sharpest minds in filmmaking today. That’s because we’re bringing back the Film Independent Forum, starting Friday September 26th, and tickets are available now.
This year, we return to the DGA Complex in Hollywood for two days of screenings, panels and networking opportunities, including our ever popular Industry Connect meetings. The Keynote will be given by the one-and-only Gina Prince-Bythwood and moderated by another trailblazer Lena Waithe, and we’re excited to share the details here today.
KEYNOTE: GINA PRINCE-BYTHWOOD
What: From her groundbreaking debut Love & Basketball 25 years ago to the historical epic The Woman King, Prince-Bythewood has established herself as a true visionary. Her work across film and television is both personal and universal, and we look forward to hearing her insights and career reflections during this special conversation with the multitalented Lena Waithe (Master of None, The Chi), a trailblazer on her own terms.
When: Saturday, September 27
Why We’re Excited: Gina Prince-Bythwood is has done it all, from indie darling and Spirit Award winner with her autobiographical debut, Love & Basketball, to reaching the top of the studio directing world while still bringing herself to her projects like The Woman Queen and The Old Guard. She’ll share insights and lessons from a hard fought and successful career. Lena Waithe will bring her experience and expertise to the conversation, as another creator who knows what it takes to get to the heights Prince-Bythwood has. There’ll be plenty to gain from these two sharing their combined knowledge and experience on stage.
THE NEW WAVE: ACTORS
What: A panel featuring a diverse group of talented performers who have broken into the industry and continue to deliver standout performances.
When: Friday, September 26th
Why We’re Excited: We’ve got some serious talent from some of our favorite films and TV shows talking about what it’s like to navigate the both the artistic and professional side of acting. Isabel Deroy-Olson (Fancy Dance, Dark Winds), Jessy Yates (Pulse, Me), Marissa Bode (Wicked) and Michael Cimino (Motorheads, Love, Victor) will talk about pushing boundaries and what authentic representation looks like on screen. Moderated by SAGindie Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson. And oh yeah, there’s a happy hour after to celebrate our New Wave!
AND MORE…
Stay tuned for more updates and on Opening and Closing receptions, filmmaker mixers and other networking opportunities. For a complete list of everyone currently scheduled—with more being added—check the complete 2025 Film Independent Forum schedule. See you at the Forum!
This year’s speakers include:
Esteban Arango, Director, Ponyboi
Marissa Bode, Actress, Wicked
Pamala Buzick Kim, Founder, mavenverse
Wendy Calhoun, Writer/Producer, Empire, Justified
Lisa Callif, Partner, Donaldson Callif Perez LLP
Daniel Cardone, Senior Manager Nonfiction Programs and Fiscal Sponsorship, Film Independent
Michael Cimino, Actor, Motorheads, Love, Victor
Andrew Corkin, Producer, Rosemead, Pepsi Where’s My Jet?
Deniese Davis, Producer, Insecure, One of Them Days
Isabel Deroy-Olson, Actor, Fancy Dance, Dark Winds
Vera Drew, Writer/Director/Actor, The People’s Joker
Aaron T. Edmonds, Executive, Hartbeat
Darrien Michele Gipson, Executive Director, SAGindie
Lauren Greenfield, Director, Social Studies, Queen of Versailles
Angela Lee, Director of Artist Development, Film Independent
Zoe Lister-Jones, Writer/Director/Producer/Actor, Slip, Band Aid
Billy Luther, Writer/Director, Dark Winds
Adam Bhala Lough, Director, Telemarketers, Deepfaking Sam Altman
Lauren Mann, Producer, Swiss Army Man, Joyland
Missy Mansour, Producer, LOOT, Running Point
Josh Mingo, Location and Permit Consultant, Legend Locations LLC
Sam Mirpoorian, Director, Greener Pastures, Safe Place
Sev Ohanian, Producer, Sinners, Searching
Alex Orlovsky, Producer, Roofman, Lurker
Shari Page, Program Director, Half Initiative
Nina Parikh, Director, Film Mississippi
Anayansi Prado, Director, Uvalde Mom
Chris Quintos Cathcart, Co-Founder/Co-CEO, Unapologetic Projects
Brenda Robinson, Executive Producer, Passing, United Skates
Izzy Shill, Writer/Director, Going Nowhere, Piggy at the Pool Party
Annalisa Shoemaker, Producer, To Kill A Tiger, Good Bad Things
Sarah Strunin, Producer, Jaripeo, burn, scar
Steffie van Rhee, Producer, Battleground, Earth to Michael
Trevor Wall, Producer, Ponyboi, Slanted
Tre Wesley, Video Producer, IMDb Originals
Kit Williamson, Writer/Director/Actor, Unconventional
Jessy Yates, Actor, Pulse, Me
Ryan Zacarias, Producer, War Pony, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
The 2025 Film Independent Forum is supported by Premier Partners Directors Guild of America, IMDbPro and SAGindie and Supporting Sponsors Mississippi Film Office, Plot Shift Media and Shotdeck. Easterseals Disability Services is the Accessibility Partner. Getty Images is the Official Photographer. eTech Rentals is the Official Technology Rental Provider.
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