15th Annual Film Independent Forum

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Film Independent announced keynotes, conversations and panelists for the 15th annual Film Independent Forum. This year's edition features a US Filmmaker Keynote with Lulu Wang, The Farewell, a US Executive Keynote with Elissa Federoff, President of Distribution at NEON, a Documentary Keynote with Dawn Porter (John Lewis: Good Trouble, Gideon's Army), and a Global Executive Keynote with Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment Group. Traditionally a weekend event, the Forum has expanded to a full week-long event accessible online to global audiences the week of July 31 to August 7.

Panels at this year's Forum range from financing, production and distribution of films to digital content across diverse platforms (film, TV, streaming, podcast), all within the frame of the current health crisis and social turning point, identifying the impact these have on our industry and exploring creative solutions in this unprecedented moment. The event is designed to inspire filmmakers to take charge of their film's destiny and their careers as artists.

The program will also feature a series of special international conversations between Film Independent's Global Media Makers Fellows and esteemed film and TV creators including Ramy Youssef (Ramy) with Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin (Souad, Cannes 2020); Alan Poul (The Eddy) with Egyptian filmmaker Amr Salama (Sheikh Jackson); and Feras Fayad (The Cave) with Nepali journalist/documentarian Subina Shrestha (Aljazeera).

"Our slate of keynotes, executives Ashok Amirtraj from Hyde Park, Elissa Federoff from NEON, and filmmakers Dawn Porter and Lulu Wang, speak to this moment in time, and to the fact that our industry is global and cinema a truly universal language," said Maria Raquel Bozzi, Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives. "Having a virtual, week-long Forum this year presents a great opportunity for broadening the scope to a global reach and serve many of the filmmakers and professionals we have been working with throughout our international programs."

The 2020 Film Independent Forum is supported by Premier Sponsor SAGindie, and University Partner Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television.

Additional Speakers Announced:Ashok Amritraj, Hyde Park EntertainmentJustine Avera, ABI InsuranceAmra Bakšić Čamo, Sarajevo Film FestivalPaolo Bertolin, Venice International Film Festival Josh Braun, Submarine EntertainmentEffie Brown, Gamechanger FilmsLinda Yvette Chavez, Creator, GentefiedKarin Chien, dGenerate FilmsElsie Choi, Rideback TV IncubatorWendy Cohen, Picture MotionEric D'Arbeloff, Roadside AttractionsSarba Das, A24 DocumentariesFeras Fayyad, Director, The CaveElissa Federoff, NEONLillie Fleshler, Picture MotionIsabelle Glachant, Producer, 11 FlowersAnita Gou, Producer, The FarewellHanaa Issam, Doha Film InstituteLeena Khobragade, NFDC Film BazaarLisa Kleiner Chanoff, Catapult Film FundGrace Lee, Director/Producer, And She Could be NextJennice Lee, Dexter StudiosMarvin Lemus, Creator, GentefiedWendy Lidell, Kino LorberStephen Love, Jr., Made With Love MediaJulie Lynn, Producer, Albert NobbsAlix Madigan, Producer, Winter's Bone, 1982Paula Manzanedo Schmit, Film Finances IncAlan McAlex, Producer, Once AgainJordana Meade, ITVSDana Merwin, International Documentary AssociationHajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Documentary Fund Sundance InstituteJordan Morris, BubbleOualid Mouaness, Director, 1982Ted Mundorff, Arclight CinemasLorenza Muñoz, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and SciencesDerek Nguyen, The PopulationRosevelt Noble, Black Cultural Center, Vanderbilt UniversityLuis Ortiz, Latino Public BroadcastingShari Page, Half InitiativeNina Parikh, Mississippi Film OfficeJanet Pierson, SXSWDawn Porter, Director, John Lewis: Good TroubleAlan Poul, Producer/Director, The EddyAnayansi Prado, Impacto FilmsPeggy Rajski, Dean, School of Film and Television, Loyola Marymount UniversityAnu Rangachar, Mumbai Film FestivalManori Ravindran, International Editor, VarietyTim Redford, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film FestivalBrenda Robinson, Gamechanger FilmsAlison Roney, BRON StudiosMichel Ruben, DynamoMarjan Safinia, Director/Producer, And She Could be NextAmr Salama, Writer/Director, Sheikh JacksonMyriam Sassine, Producer, 1982Georges Schoucair, Abbout ProductionsSubina Shrestha, AljazeeraJohn Sloss, CineticAvril Speaks, Producer, JinnKelly Todd, Endeavor ContentChristopher Tricarico, Tricarico Chavez LLPDr. Daniel Uslan, UCLA HealthGülin Üstün, Meetings on the Bridge IstanbulCaroline von Kuhn, Catalyst Program, Sundance InstituteLulu Wang, Writer/Director, The FarewellDavid White, SAG-AFTRARamy Youssef, RamyFor a full schedule of events and to register, visit filmindependent.org/forum.

Conference passes are $49 for Film Independent Members and $99 the general public. Filmmaker Pro and Arts Circle Members receive complimentary passes. For more information about this year's Film Independent Forum, to purchase a pass or become a Member, please visit filmindependent.org/forum.

About Film Independent ForumNow in its 15th 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 spring 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 2020 Film Independent Forum takes place online July 31- August 7.

Conference passes are $49 for Film Independent Members, and $99 the general public. For more information about this year's Film Independent Forum, to purchase a pass or become a Member, please visit filmindependent.org/forum.

About Film IndependentFor over 38 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit's mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs, and signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Weekly Education events and workshops (currently virtual) equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. International programs include Global Media Makers, a cultural exchange program that provides career-building opportunities for international film professionals. Film Independent Presents is a year-round program offering screenings, conversations and other unique cinematic experiences to Members in Los Angeles and beyond, also currently available online.

While working to make the entertainment industry more inclusive, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists. Filmmakers, film lovers, industry professionals and anyone passionate about visual storytelling can become a Member at filmindependent.org and connect with @FilmIndependent across social platforms.

Contact: Alia Quart Khan [email protected]

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/15th-annual-film-independent-forum-301086349.html

SOURCE Film Independent