FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Alia Quart Khan, Film Independent
Tel: 310 432 1287 or aqkhan@filmindependent.org

Ryan Collins, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323 645 6800 or ryan.collins@ginsberglibby.com

 

DEE REES TO GIVE CLOSING KEYNOTE AT
13th ANNUAL FILM INDEPENDENT FORUM OCTOBER 20-22, 2017

OPENING NIGHT FILM IS JOHN CURRAN’S CHAPPAQUIDDICK

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 3, 2017) — Film Independent announced today that Spirit Award and LA Film Festival award-winning filmmaker Dee Rees (Pariah, Bessie, Mudbound) will be closing the 13th annual Film Independent Forum with a Keynote Conversation. Also announced, Chappaquiddick will kick off the event as the Opening Night Film on Friday, October 20, directed by John Curran, starring Jason Clarke, Kate Mara, Ed Helms, Jim Gaffigan, Clancy Brown and Taylor Nichols with Olivia Thirlby and Bruce Dern. The screening will be followed by a Q+A with director John Curran and actor Jason Clarke. The Forum takes place the weekend of October 20-22 at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. Jordan Peele (Get Out, Key & Peele) will also deliver a Keynote, in a conversation moderated by Film Independent’s Elvis Mitchell.

“It has been so great to see Dee Rees grow as an auteur since her debut film Pariah garnered the John Cassavetes Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards just five years ago—I am sure filmmakers attending will be inspired as she shares her artistic journey at the Forum,” said Maria Raquel Bozzi, Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives.

The 2017 Film Independent Forum is supported by Premier Sponsors Directors Guild of America and SAGindie, as well as Principal Sponsor Universal Pictures.

 

Additional Speakers Announced:

Mariana Acuña, Co-Founder, Opaque Studios

Sam Bailey, Director, Brown Girls

Debra Birnbaum, Executive Editor, Television, Variety

Josh Braun, Submarine Entertainment

Lisa A. Callif, Esq. Partner, Donaldson+Callif

Kat Candler, Filmmaker/TV Producing Director, Queen Sugar

Dana Calvo, Television Writer/Executive Producer/Creator, Good Girls Revolt

Aymar Jean Christian, Creator, Open TV

Jennifer Cochis, LA Film Festival Director, Film Independent

Mercedes Cooper, Director of Marketing and Promotions, ARRAY

Lorraine D’Alessio, Managing Attorney, D’Alessio Law Group

Christine Davila, Creative Executive, Stage13

Lisa Hasko, Manager of Documentary Programs and Fiscal Sponsorship, Film Independent

Josh Healey, Writer/Producer, The North Pole Show

Yvan Iturriaga, Director, The North Pole Show

Azazel Jacobs, Writer/Director, The Lovers

Jessica Kantor, Director/Producer/Interactive Storyteller

Alia Quart Khan, Director of Publicity, Film Independent

Missy Laney, Independent Marketing and Distribution Strategist

Ben LeClaire, Producer, The Lovers

Grace Lee, Filmmaker, American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs

Matthew Lessall, President, Casting Society of America

Warren Littlefield, Executive Producer, The Handmaid’s Tale, Fargo

Allen Maldonado, Founder, Everybody Digital

Ray Mansfield, Partner, QC Entertainment

Kat McCaffrey, VP Drama Programming, HBO

Jordana Mollick, Partner/Producer/Manager, Haven Entertainment

Laura Nix, Director/Writer/Producer, Felt Films

Brian O’Shea, CEO, The Exchange

Stu Pollard, Producer, Bass Ackwards, And Then I Go, Rust Creek

Doug Pray, Executive Producer, Editor, The Defiant Ones

Jon Reiss, Filmmaker/Author, Think Outside the Box Office

Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Founder, Superlative Films

Ilse Ronteltap, Head of the Film Production Incentive, Netherlands Film Fund

Marjan Safinia, Board President, International Documentary Association

Paula M. Schmidt, Senior Vice President, Film Finances Inc.

Bec Smith, Agent, UTA

Chris Stinson, Producer, The Lovers

Rahdi Taylor, Executive, Concordia Studio

 

As Principal Sponsor, Universal Pictures will also be at the Forum sharing information on their newly launched Universal Writers Program. The goal of the program is to identify experienced and up-and-coming screenwriters with unique points of view to build upon the Studio’s commitment to telling stories and creating films that reflect the vast diversity of its audience.

For a full schedule of events and to register, visit filmindependent.org/forum.

 

About the Film Independent Forum

Now in its 13th 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 2017 Film Independent Forum takes place October 20-22 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, CA.

Film Independent Forum passes are $225 for Film Independent Members and $275 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

Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling 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 LA 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 filmindependent.org.

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