Member Benefits
Screenings
Film Lovers: All you have to do is watch.
Film Independent provides its members with 2-3 free preview screenings of the latest indie releases every month. Most screenings are followed by a Q&A reception with select filmmakers involved.
Visit our event calendar to see what's playing!
During Spirit Awards season, Film Independent heats up. As the primary voting body for the Spirit Awards, we want our members to be informed. To ensure that each film gets a fair shake, we put on free member-only festival style screenings of all Spirit Award nominees.
Spirit Awards
Founded in 1984, the awards were originally known as the FINDIE ("Friends of Independents") Awards. In 1986, the awards were renamed the Independent Spirit Awards. It was also the first time our membership voted on the winners.
Over the past 24 years, Film Independent's Spirit Awards has grown into a vanguard event. Held as a luncheon on the beach in Santa Monica, the Awards ceremony brings together the entire film community to celebrate the best of independent film.
During Spirit Awards season, Film Independent heats up. As the primary voting body for the Spirit Awards, we want our members to be informed. To ensure that each film gets a fair shake, we put on free member-only festival style screenings of all Spirit Award nominees. Members also, receive voting ballots and the opportunity to attend a special Member-only screening party of the Spirit Awards.
Los Angeles Film Festival
Members save at the Festival!
The Los Angeles Film Festival, held annually for ten days in June, showcases the best of American and international independent cinema. The festival screens over 175 narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and music videos. Now in its fourteenth year, the festival has grown into a world-class event, uniting new filmmakers with critics, scholars, film masters, and the cinema-loving public.
Members will receive a discount on Festival submissions, priority notification of submission deadlines, and exclusive access to our Los Angeles Festival Orientation. We also roll out the red carpet: members get priority access, deep discounts on passes, and invitations to secret screenings and member-only parties.
Film Education
Film Independent produces over 150 educational events per year, ranging from hands-on workshops on lighting and Final Cut Pro to a six-week series on directing and the filmmaking business. Tapping into the best industry professionals, our objective is to provide a well-rounded approach to the filmmaking process that will enable our members to become better filmmakers and to achieve their career goals. Learn more.
Production Services
Filmmakers: Get Connected.
At Film Independent, we outfit filmmakers with the production services they need to get their movies made easier and more affordably. As a member you'll have access to the following services.
Equipment Rentals
Download our Equipment Rental Guide.
Equipment rental pick-up and return are available Monday through Friday. Hours for pick-up are 12pm-3pm. Hours for return are 10am-12pm.
- Payment for equipment can be made with exact cash, check, or credit card. All rental dues must be paid in full upon arrival for pick-up.
- A credit card deposit (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) is required for all equipment rentals. Deposit amount varies based on the value of the equipment.
Editing Bay Rental
Download our Editing bay Rental Guide.
Cut your latest creation in FIND's Edit Bay equipped with Avid, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop and more. Open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10:30 am and 6:00 pm, open to FIND members only.
Email JGardiner@FilmIndependent.org to make your reservation today.
Casting Room Rentals
Download our Casting Guide.
Film Independent has two casting rooms available for rent Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10:15am and 6pm. There are two rentable sessions within this window. The morning session is 10:15am-2pm. The afternoon session is 2:15 pm-6:00 pm. Guests are welcome to reserve both sessions from 10:15 am-6:00 pm as well.
- Payment for casting rooms can be made with exact cash, check, or credit card. All rental dues must be paid in full prior to the start of any casting session.
- Audition appointments must be scheduled in advance. We do not accomodate open calls.
*For any reservation, you will need to provide the spelling of your first and last name, phone number, your email address, and a credit card number with expiration date in order to make a reservation.
Cancellation and Fees/No Shows
- To cancel, we must receive a written cancellation of your reservation (either via e-mail to JGardiner@filmindependent.org or call 310.432.1231 no less than 24 hours prior to your scheduled time (Friday by 5:00 pm for Monday appointments).
- Cancellations given with less notice will be subject to a prep fee of up to 100%.
Parking
Equipment and Casting services are housed at Film Independent. The office is located at 9911 W. Pico Blvd., 11th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90035. Cross street is Roxbury.
To make a reservation email John Gardiner at JGardiner@filmindependent.org or call 310.432.1231.
Preferred Partners List
If there’s something we don’t have, more than likely one of our Preferred Partners will. As a non-profit organization, Film Independent relies on the generous support of sponsors who help provide our members with exclusive bargains on filmmaking resources. Check out the latest version of our Preferred Partners List!
Filmmaker Advisor
Film Independent has a full-time filmmaker advisor that can advise you on all aspects of filmmaking from development to distribution. You can email questions to Kate Roughan at KRoughan@FilmIndependent.org. Kate will also schedule an hour-long, face-to-face consultation with filmmakers as availability permits.
Networking Events
Indielink is your opportunity to network and find the person you need to get your next project going. Held here at Film Independent, Indielink pairs you up with other industry professionals in a structured, yet informal setting. Indielinks are held 4-6 times a year, usually on the third Tuesday of the month and alternates with Shop Talk. Be sure to check the website or calendar for specific Indielink dates and details.
Resource Library
The FIND resource library contains valuable tools to help get your film made. We've got sample budgets, industry standard contracts, a resume/reel bank, and much more! Film Independent members are welcome to use the Resource Library every weekday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The library is open late on most Tuesday nights until 9:30 pm (subject to change; email Reservations@FilmIndependent.org to ensure availability).
