It’s now or never, people. There are just a few days left to grab passes for this weekend’s Film Independent Forum, the two-day conference that brings together dozens of artists and producers, execs and experts–from hot shows like Black-ish to acclaimed films like Nebraska—to share their insights on what’s up at the front lines of the industry and what it takes for emerging artists and producers to break through.

Whether you’re dealing with financing headaches, production dilemmas, or just trying to figure out which way is up in the ever-shifting VOD landscape, the Forum is a great place to make connections and learn how to take the next step with your project—whatever that may be.

Here are a few highlights from the weekend’s program. For the full schedule or to register, go to the Forum page on the Film Independent website.

Realize Your Vision: Production Case Studies
In this candid session the producers of current indie films will give you an honest account of their journey, from the inception of the project through production and distribution. Panelists: Asher Goldstein, producer, Short Term 12; Aaron Katz, writer/director, Land Ho!, Cold Weather; Ron Najor, producer, Short Term 12; Moderated by Seth Caplan, producer, The Young Kieslowski, In Search of a Midnight Kiss.

The Producer-Director Partnership: A Most Creative Collaboration
Veteran producer Ted Hope is joined by award-winning producers of some of the most celebrated indie films of the last decade to explore their creative collaborations with directors, and discuss how the producing process has evolved. These topics are at the core of Hope’s new book Hope For Film: From the Frontline of the Independent Cinema Revolutions. Panelists: Albert Berger, producer, The Leftovers, Nebraska; Lisa Cortés, executive producer, Precious, The Woodsman; Lynette Howell, producer, Half Nelson, The Place Beyond the Pines

A New Wave of Horror: Breakthrough Genre Directors
An eclectic mix of breakthrough horror directors and new voices of genre cinema engage in a free-wheeling, thought-provoking conversation about fresh new narratives and genre bending filmmaking as a way to independence. Panelists: Ana Lily Amirpour, writer/director/producer, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night; Leigh Janiak, writer/director, Honeymoon; Daniel Noah, Co-President/Director of Development, SpectreVision; producer, Cooties, The Boy; executive producer, Open Windows, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night; Adam Wingard, director, The Guest, V/H/S, You’re Next; Moderated by Elvis Mitchell, Curator, Film Independent

Serial Content: What Does It Take to Launch a Show?
As the opportunities for episodic content grow, what does it take to launch your own series for TV or the web? How do you pitch your concept and yourself as a creator? Whom do you need to talk to and what do you need to learn before you venture into the realm of this old/new creative space? Panelists: Kenya Barris, writer/executive producer, Black-ish; Jake Avnet, COO, Indigenous Media; executive producer, WIGS; Ray McKinnon, creator/executive producer, Rectify; and moderator Ben Travers, TV Editor, Indiewire.

For a taste of what’s in store, check out this video from the 2012 Film Independent Forum featuring Jay Duplass, Lorene Scafaria, Lynn Shelton and Jon M. Chu on a panel, “How They Got There.”

Pamela Miller / Website & Grants Manager