Film Independent Forum

Get expert advice, inspiration and the resources you need to move your career forward

2022 Film Independent Forum


The Film Independent Forum is designed to inspire and empower filmmakers with the tools and connections they need to get their projects made and seen. Every year, this multi-day event offers a communal experience filled with screenings, panels, workshops, one-on-one meetings and receptions. Through an array of dynamic sessions, we delve into the best practices for financing, production and distribution of both film and TV, and explore the new tools and formats that are bringing endless opportunities for creative experimentation.

2022 Forum Speakers & Panelists

Aitch Alberto (Director, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe)
Lorraine Ali (Los Angeles Times)
Mollye Asher (Producer, Nomadland)
Miranda Bailey (Producer, God’s Country)
Shaz Bennett (EP/showrunner, Queen Sugar)
Miguel Berg (Head of Development, Gamechanger)
Shane Boris (Producer, Stray)
Elegance Bratton (Writer/Director, The Inspection)
Effie T. Brown (Producer, The Inspection)
Miguel Angel Caballero (Writer/Director, Angel in Retrograde)
Sarah Calderón (Founder/CEO, The Film Agency)
Lisa Callif (Partner, Donaldson Callif Perez)
Nkechi Okoro Carroll (EP/Showrunner; Found, All-American)
Giulia Caruso (Director of Catalyst & Industry, Sundance)
Linda Yvette Chavez (Creator, Gentefied)
Julie Christeas (Producer, Black Bear)
KD Davila (Writer, Emergency)
Stephanie Dawson (Producer, Eclection Media)
John Fischer (Producer, Emergency)
Scott Franklin (Producer, The Good Nurse)
Darrien Michele Gipson (SAGindie)
Chester Algernal Gordon (Producer, The Inspection)
Soo Hugh (Creator, Pachinko)
Amanda Jones (Composer, Art & Krimes by Krimes)
Asif Khan (Director of Strategy & Impact, Picture Motion)
Daniel Kwan (Writer/Director, Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Charlotte Lichtman (Agent, CAA)
Elizabeth Lo (Producer/Director, Stray)
Billy Luther (Writer/Director, Frybread Face and Me)
Paula Manzanedo (Film Finances)
Joseph Marconi (Writer/Director, Wild Animal)
Kate Marks (Writer/Director, The Cow of Queens)
Charlotte Mickie (Celluloid Dreams)
Rob Morgan (Producer/Actor, The Cow of Queens)
Jhane Myers (Producer, Prey)
Aysa Nahmias (Director, Art & Krimes by Krimes)
Diego Najera (Director of Narrative Films, Participant)
Nicola Ofoego (Black Mic Mac)
Shari Page (Program Director, Half Initiative)
Ally Pankiw (Director, The Great)
Heather Rae (Producer, Bull)
Angelica Ramirez (Bankside UK)
Bird Runningwater (CEO, Cloud Woman Media)
Myriam Sassine (Producer, Costa Brava)
Daniel Scheinert (Writer/Director, Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Molly Schwartz (Director of Design and Animation, Art & Krimes by Krimes)
Lizzie Shapiro (Producer, Shiva Baby)
April Shih (Writer/Supervising Producer, Mrs. America)
Amanda Spain (Producer, Art & Krimes by Krimes)
Valerie Stadler (Producer, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe)
Lysette Urus (Producer, Wild Animal)
Agathe Valentin (formerly at Totem)
Brian Walker (CEO, Picture Motion)
Angel Kristi Williams (Director, Really Love)
Carey Williams (Director, Emergency)



Pictured: Daniels (Image: Adele “Supreme” Williams), Elegance Bratton (Photo: Josiah Rundles), Effie T. Brown (Courtesy of Effie T. Brown) and Chester Algernal Gordon (Photo: Mary Evangelista)