Film Independent Directors Close-Up
Wednesdays, February 8 – March 7, 2012
The Landmark – West Los Angeles

Get your series pass before January 27 and save big.
Film Independent Directors Close-Up gives you access to go behind the scenes with prolific film directors and their collaborators.

Confirmed speakers (to date) include:

• Will Files (sound designer, The Tree of Life, Take Shelter)
• Phil Johnston (writer, Cedar Rapids)
• Jonathan Levine (director, 50/50, writer, The Wackness)
• Mike Mills (writer/director, Beginners, Thumbsucker)
• Jeff Nichols (writer/director, Take Shelter, Shotgun Stories)
• Will Reiser (writer, 50/50)

Space is limited. Register before January 27 and receive the 
special early registration rate of $99 (regular price $149).
 For more information, speaker updates and to buy your pass, go to:

https://my.filmindependent.org/dcu2012

SAGIndie was very pleased to sponsor a screening of the indie film, THE DISH & THE SPOON at the 2011 AFI Fest. After the screening, writer/director Alison Bagnall participated in a Q&A.

For the past seven years, Film Independent has gathered industry insiders, thought provokers and game changers for a not to be missed weekend of panel discussions, seminars and one of a kind networking sessions.

This year’s Film Independent Forum, taking place October 21-23 at the Directors Guild of America, will cover a wide array of topics from real solutions for getting financing, recent legal challenges facing documentarians, insight into working the festival circuit, and options for filmmakers marketing and releasing their own work. For the first time, we’ll also look at working inside the box – an exploration of the new horizons and opportunities in television.

The Film Independent Forum will take place October 21-23 at the Directors Guild of America.

It is a weekend like no other – a true field guide to independent producing – and an incredible opportunity for filmmakers at all levels looking to expand their circle of connections.

Register now at the Film Independent member rate: http://my.filmindependent.org/POForum

Past speakers have included:

Bob Berney, FilmDistrict; Sara Berenstein, HBO Documentary Films; Davis Guggenheim, director, Waiting for Superman; Joe Drake, Lionsgate; Nicholas Chartier, producer, The Hurt Locker; Azazel Jacobs, director, Terri; Lynette Howell, producer, Blue Valentine; Celine Rattray, producer, The Kids are All Right; John Sloss, Cinetic; Ted Sarandos, Netflix; Rena Ronson, UTA; Steve Golin, producer, Babel; Ron Yerxa, producer, Little Children; Mark and Jay Duplass writers/directors, Cyrus; Marina Zenovich, director, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

For information on speakers, panels and more, please visit the Film Independent forum site.

Next is the presentation of the VISION AWARD to an established filmmaker whose artistic ambition and consistent filmmaking excellence provides artistic inspiration to emerging filmmakers all around the world.  Past recipients include MIke Figgis, Terry Gilliam, Wim Wenders, Allison Anders, Alexander Payne, David O. Russell, Werner Herzog, Mark and Michael Polish, Kevin Smith, Ted Hope and last year’s recipient, Nicolas Winding Refn.

The evening finishes with a high-energy party on the rooftop of the Downtown Independent Theater catered by some of Los Angeles’ best restaurants.

REGISTER NOW: http://visionfest-2011.eventbrite.com

On Wednesday, August 3rd, we hosted a special event for the students of the American Pavilion’s L.A. Intensive Program. We screened the indie film, HAMILL, and director OREN KAPLAN was in the house for a very special Q&A.

RELATED ARTICLE: Filmmaker Interview: EBEN KOSTBAR and JOSEPH MCKELHEER, writers/producers of HAMILL

Read the article HERE.

“Details of the Los Angeles Film Festival were unveiled today with 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos on tap for the event’s 2011 edition, including 19 films screening in the ten-day event’s Narrative and Documentary Competition. LAFF will return to its downtown hub at L.A. Live with 27 World, North American, and U.S. premieres set to screen.

The number of films competing in the narrative and documentary competition categories increased this year from 18 to 19, of which 11 are world premieres and 8 are North American or U.S. premieres. The number of female feature filmmakers also increased this year from 21 to 23.”

Read the rest at INDIEWIRE.

The Spirit Awards will air on IFC on Saturday, February 26th, 2011 at 10/9c. Hosted by Joel McHale.

The Screen Actors Guild is looking for qualified Independent Film and New Media Producers to participate in a special focus group in early January. The overall purpose is to gain a better understanding of how producers work with SAG as well as some real world views of SAG’s new online production center.

If you are interested, please email the following items to hbarkan@sag.org.

• Name
• Email
• Phone
• Primary field of expertise (e.g. new media, indie film, or both)
• Link to IMDB page or list of current filmography

Please note that this a purely volunteer-based opportunity and that only Producers with legitimate production experience will be considered.

Thanks and all the best,

SAGIndie