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.

Video from a panel we did at New York Film Festival last month on casting and working with actors in low budget indies.

SAGIndie’s Michael Sladek moderated and panelists included Famke Janssen, Bruce Weiss, Jay Van Hoy, Paul Schnee, Mary Clay Boland, and Craig Zobel.

Every once in a while, an opportunity arises that you cannot resist. Riding camels in Egypt, giant wave surfing in Australia, nude sunbathing during Thailand’s monsoon season. Well, I’ve done none of these things, but I still got to do something pretty cool.

This year at the 20^th annual Raindance Film Festival in London, UK, SAGIndie was invited to share our knowledge on independent filmmaking and new media content.  I assumed it was the Queen herself, asking for me. I’m sure she went through “channels”.

Actually, our introduction came to Raindance in the best possible way; through filmmakers who liked our message.  Back in March we were at SXSW Film/Interactive/Music Festival.  There, SXSW had a section called SX-UK where they had a group of UK filmmakers doing business, meeting people, and generally trying to convince us that we don’t pronounce aluminum or centrifugal correctly.  Well, we quickly set them straight on that.  But it turns out that the folks from “across the pond” are also interested in filmmaking.  Too bad they do it so poorly… (Wait, what? They don’t do it poorly? Long history of filmmaking? What the heck is the King’s Speech?!)

Despite their obvious shortcomings (why can’t they speak English?) we met quite a few filmmakers who seemed cool. Several of them mentioned this great festival for indie filmmaking that takes place in October in London. Turns out, they were more than just talk, they actually mentioned me to the festival director, Elliot Grove and we met each other while in Cannes. One thing led to another and off I went to London.

The festival was very cool. Over the course of 12 days, Raindance showed movies, (opening with the much talked about ANOTHER EARTH), held panels, and threw some groovy parties (suddenly, I feel all Austin Powers). I was on s panel about creating a web series. While the internet is worldwide, it seems that the US of A is leading the pack in creating stories for it. Raindance wanted us to share the wisdom we’ve acquired over the years.

You all should know that, as a rule, I try not to acquire anything– not wisdom or anything else that might make my luggage heavier and harder to get through customs. But, as it turned out, I was able to share a bit about how web series are getting better, more prolific, and attracting really talented people to be a part of them. It seemed like a good time was had by all.

I also made a jump and visited a group of filmmakers in Dublin, Ireland. I had padded the trip by two days so I could roam around a little. Just as I was deciding between visiting Oxford or Canterbury for a little educational ME time, I got an email asking me if I’d come to Dublin and talk with a group of filmmakers, actors and even guild members (producer’s guild and directors). How could I pass that up?  Plus, their offices were mere blocks from the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery – if you like that kind of thing – which I do NOT (unless you have photographic evidence). So, I met a great group of professionals and students in filmmaking.

Clearly, I’m not the shyest person on the planet and I try to make friends wherever I go (except YOU Minnesota. Haven’t forgotten how you snowed on me in SEPTEMBER!!). But I can happily say that I met the nicest, warmest people on my trip. We had dinner, we talked film, we talked politics, we talked Princes (Will AND Harry), and I just generally felt welcomed in by our counterparts “over there”.  I would happily go back tomorrow, IF the dollar were just a little bit stronger.

Now, could someone please tell me how many pounds a STONE is? WHY CAN’T THEY JUST TALK AMERICAN?!

Read the article HERE.

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

We admit we’re a week or so behind in getting our Sundance recap out, but better late than never, right? Right, guys?

Overall, Sundance 2011 was a blast. The films were great, the parties were fun, and the weather was amazing. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience to kick off this year’s festival run. Below, a few of us have listed the films we saw and included special commentary on some of the ones that really stuck out for us. We highly recommend checking out all of these if and when they come to a theater near you. Enjoy!

DARRIEN:

The Guard (Just my kind of movie, small, quirky, but really great performances.)
Martha Marcy May Marlene (Intriguing and gripping performances.)
The Ledge
To.get.her
Red State
Cedar Rapids
The Details (For the single best confession scene.)
Sound of my Voice (For leaving me wanting more.)
Homework
The Convincer

WILL:

The Guard
Win Win (Tom McCarthy does it again!)
Red State
Cedar Rapids
The Ledge
The Off Hours (Made by Seattle filmmakers in Seattle. NW represent!)
Terri (I can’t say enough about this film. So funny, touching, and beautifully made.)
The Details (Also made in Seattle.)
The Convincer (A dark, twisted tale that had my attention the entire time.)
Submarine

ELLEN:

The Guard
Martha Marcy May Marlene (well paced, engaging story with great performances.)
The Ledge
Win Win (Paul Giamatti had me laughing from the start.)
Cedar Rapids
Red State (for trying something different and for an indelible performance by Michael Parks.)
The Troll Hunter
Terri
Take Shelter (an extremely well-acted character study, Michael Shannon rocks.)
The Details (for its unique and absurd tone.)
Homework
The Convincer

ALL FILMS MUST BE PRODUCED UNDER A SAG CONTRACT.

Films must not be over fifteen minutes in length. This event is a great opportunity to network with up and coming filmmakers– some of who are SAG members– and learn how to create career opportunities for yourself.

For more details, please send an email to shortsny@sagfoundation.org.

Best wishes,

SAGIndie

Some of these you’ve heard of and will have the opportunity to see in cinemas around the globe. Others might not even come close to getting a distribution deal. Either way, they’re all great stories told in true, risk-taking style. We strongly encourage you to seek some of these out and continue to support independent film in 2011.

TOP 5 Favorite Films picked collectively by the SAGIndie Staff (in no particular order):

1. Black Swan
2. Winter’s Bone
3. Holy Rollers
4. Blue Valentine
5. Splice

Individual Staff picks:

DARRIEN

1. Black Swan – Cannes
2. Let Me In (U.S. version) – Toronto
3. Winter’s Bone – Sundance
4. Holy Rollers – Sundance
5. Splice – Sundance
6. Night Catches Us – Sundance
7. Hamill – AFI

ELIZA

1. Black Swan – Toronto
2. Black Swan – Toronto
3. The Promise: Making of The Darkness on the Edge of Town – Toronto
4. Blue Valentine – Sundance
5. Black Swan – Toronto
6. Holy Rollers – Sundance
7. Technically it was not a festival screening, but I watched some crazy Lifetime movie in my hotel room when I went to Santa Barbara
8. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives – Cannes
9. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil – Sundance
10. The King’s Speech – AFI (Oh my God, just kidding, I hated this.)
11. Winter’s Bone – Palm Beach

WILL

1. Cyrus – Sundance (Duplass bros. and John C. Reilly, FTW!)
2. Black Swan – AFI
3. Micmacs – SXSW (Jean-Pierre Jeunet was there!)
4. Blue Valentine – Sundance
5. Winter’s Bone – SXSW
6. The Extra Man – Seattle International Film Fest/Sundance
7. Fanny, Annie & Danny – Waterfront 
Film Festival (Check out my interview with the filmmakers!)
8. Tiny Furniture – Maryland 
Film Festival
9. Bass Ackwards – Sundance
10. Holy Rollers – Sundance

ELLEN

1. Hesher – Sundance
2. Splice – Sundance
3. Hermano – LALIFF
4. Black Swan – AFI
5. The Extra Man – Sundance
6. Hamill – AFI
7. Let the Right One In (Swedish ’08 version listed in response to Darrien’s vote for the U.S. version because it is also quite amazing)