LOS ANGELES, CA (October 28, 2013) – Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, brought its 9th annual Film Independent Forum for 2013 to a close this past weekend.  In addition to providing aspiring filmmakers with its wide array of panels and networking opportunities, it continued its tradition on delivering always-memorable keynote addresses.  The Executive Keynote speech was delivered by Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix and the Filmmaker Keynote speaker was writer/director Ava DuVernay (Middle of Nowhere, Venus VS.).

To check highlights from the speeches visit www.filmindependent.org or YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pFoBks5ly0

The opening night film was a full house screening of Focus Features’ Dallas Buyers Club directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, and Jared Leto. Additionally, this past weekend’s Forum provided attendees one-on-one networking opportunities with key film industry executives as well as informative panels that covered all aspects of independent film production, marketing, distribution, and more.  Panelist highlights included, director Lucy Walker (Wasteland, The Crash Reel), writer/director Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), writer/director Jim Rash (The Way, Way Back), producers Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter (Dallas Buyers Club) and more.

Images from the 2013 Film Independent Forum can be found on WireImage at the following links:

Friday, October 25
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr198285548

Saturday, October 26
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr198285784

Sunday, October 27
http://mm.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr198285932

As always, the Film Independent Forum closed with the Sloan Foundation reception where the Sloan Producers Grant award, which provides $25,000 in development funds, was awarded to a Producing Lab Fellow developing a narrative film with a scientific, mathematical, and/or technological theme. The award went to Isabella Wing-Davey, who is participating in the Producing Lab with the feature film project FLOOD from writer/director Katie Scoggin. 11 filmmakers and 9 projects were selected for the Film Independent 2013 Producing Lab.

The 2013 Film Independent Forum is presented by Indiewire, the leading site for independent filmmakers, the industry and moviegoers alike. Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsors Directors Guild of America, SAGindie, IMDbPro and Principal Sponsors the Montana Film Office and FilmL.A., Inc. Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water is the Official Water and Renwood Winery is the Official Wine for the Film Independent Forum.

About Film Independent

Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.  For more information or to become a member, visit www.filmindependent.org.

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For more information, contact:

Alia Quart Khan
aqkhan@filmindepedent.org
310.432.1287