2009 SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

DGA October 9, 10, 11

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9:

7:00 pm SCREENING OF JOHN HILLCOAT'S THE ROAD
Followed by a conversation with director John Hillcoat, executive producer Marc Butan, and producers Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz. Moderated by Mary Sweeney. 

9:30 pm RECEPTION
Meet and greet and lay the groundwork for the days ahead.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10:

9:00 am CONFERENCE INTRODUCTION DGA 1

9:15 am KEYNOTE ADDRESS DGA 1
Jeremy Thomas, Academy Award®-winning producer, The Last Emperor, Creation
Rebecca Yeldham, Director of The Los Angeles Film Festival

10:15 am FOLLOWING THE MONEY TRAIL: THE ECONOMICS OF INDEPENDENT FILM DGA 1
To succeed these days, you have to understand how the artistry of filmmaking is intertwined with the economics of the industry.  And how you, the independent filmmaker, fit within the larger picture of the business. How does the money flow? Who's making a buck? Who's losing their shirt? We'll give you answers. And help you map your place on the money trail to better your chances of success.

Moderator: Ron Yerxa, producer, Little Children, Little Miss SunshineJoe Drake, Co-COO/President, Lionsgate
Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, CAA
Linda Lichter, attorney, Licther, Grossman, Nichols, Adler & Feldman, Inc.

OR
THE DOC IS IN DGA 2
Or is it? Documentaries such as Anvil! The Story of Anvil and Valentino: The Last Emperor had successful theatrical runs this year, but how did others fair? Filmmakers, consultants, and distributors look at this year's roster and discuss the current climate for docs.

Moderator: AJ Schnack, director, Convention
Richard Abramowitz, Abramorama Entertainment
Laura Gabbert, director, No Impact Man
Scott Kennedy, director, The Garden
Matt Tyrnauer, director, Valentino: The Last Emperor

12 noon SWEET AND LOW BUDGET:  MAKING FINANCIAL SENSE DGA 1
In today's economic climate, how low do you have to go in order for your projects to make financial sense?  What is the sweet spot in 2009?  Get the answers from those in the know.             

Moderator: Gina Kwon, producer, Me You and Everyone We Know
Lianne Halfon, producer, Mr. Mudd Pictures
Kevin Iwashina, IP Advisors/Hunting Lane Films
Heather Rae, producer, Frozen River
Jay Van Hoy, producer, Treeless Mountain

OR
MONEY FOR DOCS  DGA 2
Who funds and who buys documentary films? What are the major distribution outlets? Representatives from key financing sources give specific advice on where and how to get the money you need for your doc.

Moderator: John Lightfoot, Programs Manager, Cal. Council for the Humanities
Claire Aguilar, President, ITVS
Sara Bernstein, Vice President, HBO Docs
Luis Ortiz, Managing Director, Latino Public Broadcasting

1:30 pm OFF-THE-RECORD NETWORKING LUNCH
Hungry for insider tips? With prominent independent film leaders hosting each table, you'll get the real lowdown on the changing industry as you enjoy a tasty lunch and "off-the-record" talks.

3:00 pm Filmmakers Off-the-Record
PRODUCTION CASE STUDIES: NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION  DGA 1
Is the current crisis making you more creative and resourceful? It should be. Learn how other filmmakers have creatively cobbled together their financing and stretched out every dollar to bring their stories to the screen.

Moderator: Julie Lynn, producer, Mother and Child
Tina Mabry, writer/director, Mississippi Damned
Steven Schardt, producer, Humpday
Morgan Stiff, producer/editor, Mississippi Damned

OR
CULTIVATING YOUR AUDIENCE IN THE DIGITAL ERA  DGA 2
Filmmakers who have successfully identified and established an ongoing dialogue with their core audiences-before, during, and after their films have been released-will be here to show and discuss the tools they used to create a following.

Moderator: Peter Broderick, President, Paradigm Consulting
Arin Crumley, director, Four Eyed Monsters
Lizzie Gillett, producer, Age of Stupid

3:00pm to 6:00 pm IndieLink @ The Forum
Another chance to connect! During the panel discussions, representatives from film commissions, funding organizations, production companies, production services, and post-production services will be in the lobby for informal discussions.

5:00 pm HAS THE DUST SETTLED? ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION  DGA 1
With the SAG strike scare behind us, mergers and changes in the executive ranks, and the demise of many independent companies and distributors (and the birth of a few new ones), it has been a busy couple of years. Has the dust finally settled?  Where are we heading?  Veterans of the independent film movement along with new and emerging filmmakers weigh in on recent developments, the current moment, and explore new directions.

Moderator: Michael Cieply, contributor, The New York Times
Richard Klubeck, UTA
Michael London, CEO, Groundswell Productions
Cathy Schulman, producer, Darfur Now, Crash

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11:

9:00 am Filmmakers Off-the-Record:
DISTRIBUTION CASE STUDIES DGA 1
In a candid off-the-record discussion, filmmakers share their experiences selling and distributing their film as they explore distribution options-from traditional theatrical to new hybrid models where they can exert more control.

Moderator: Josh Welsh, Director of Talent Development, Film Independent
Alex Holdridge, director, In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Steak House, producer, Weather Girl
Jon Reiss, director/producer, Bomb It
Danielle Renfrew, producer, American Son
Blayne Weaver, director, Weather Girl

10:30 am Filmmakers Off-the-Record:
DAY AND DATE:  THREE YEARS AND COUNTING  DGA 1
IFC was the first to launch its day-and-date platform, First Take. Since then, other distribution outlets have gone on to release many films in this way, making features simultaneously available in theatres as well as on VOD.  How has this model affected the landscape for distribution? How has it evolved?  You'll hear directly from filmmakers on what worked, and what didn't.

Moderator: Sharon Waxman, journalist/author, The Wrap
Morgan Dews, director/producer, Must Read after My Death
Barry Jenkins, director, Medicine for Melancholy
Ted Kroeber, producer, American Gun
Jason Weiss, producer, Humboldt County

OR
CHANGING TECHNOLOGY: A MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION DGA 2
35 mm or 16 mm?  Film or Video? Hi-Def or digital film? In today's multi-platform world you have to consider every output option for your film. Producers and post-production experts explain the ins and outs. 

Moderator: Chris Russo, Independent Features, Kodak
Dave Cole, visual effects, Pride and Glory, Zak and Miri Make a Porno
David Hays, producer, EFILM Hollywood
Dave Klein, DP, Clerks 1 and 2, Zak and Miri Make a Porno
Steve Williams, Director of Sound Operations, NBC Universal

12:00 noon   GOING ONLINE:  NEW STORIES FOR NEW MEDIA  DGA 1
Think small and get big! Suddenly webisodes and other short-form content are proving to be great artistic and economic opportunities for independent filmmakers. Hear from those who are pioneering new media as well as the companies who are buying.

Moderator: Ami Armstrong, producer, Mr. Nice
David Worthen, Senior Vice President, Fox Digital
Mike Farah, producer, Funny or Die
Scott Sanders, director, Black Dynamite
Jonathan Stern, producer, Centrifugal Films

9:00 am to 1:00 pm IndieLink @ The Forum: Festivals, Markets, Sales gents, Distributors 
Network, network, network! During the morning panel discussions, representatives from film festivals and film markets, sales agents, publicists, producer's reps, and distributors will be available for informal discussions. 

1:30 pm OFF-THE-RECORD NETWORKING LUNCH
Get the real lowdown on the changing industry as you enjoy a tasty lunch and "off-the-record" talks with prominent independent film figures hosting tables.

3:00 pm THE INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE: IS THE GRASS GREENER ABROAD?  DGA 1
Are things better over there? Learn the market for American independent films abroad, including which ones are likely to succeed. Drawing from their recent experiences selling American independent films, international sales agents will give you specific examples of what works in the international marketplace.

Moderator: Sydney Levine, blogger, Sydney's Buzz
Nicolas Chartier, President/CEO, Voltage Pictures
Brian O'Shea, Executive V.P. of Worldwide Distribution, Odd Lot Entertainment
Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose, SVP of International Sales, Lakeshore Ent.
Laurie Woodrow, President, Transpacific Media

OR
CRACKING THE EDUCATIONAL MARKET  DGA 2
Today's documentaries and features are being used more and more by libraries, hospitals, police departments, museums, school districts and universities for various purposes. With the recent crop of filmmakers choosing to self distribute their films, the educational market-often overlooked as a lucrative revenue stream-is having a resurgence. Learn to master this market and make money.

Presenter: Johnny Symons, producer, Daddy and Papa, Ask Not
Johnny is part of the production team at New Day Films, a democratically run, member-owned distribution cooperative offering quality, compelling social issue films that challenge and engage to educational and community organizations. 

5:00 pm New Uses for film Festivals DGA 1
In a year when so few films sold at festivals like Sundance and Toronto, a filmmaker has to ask what's to be gained from the festival circuit at all. How do you make the most of it? How do you leverage festivals for your own distribution plan? Get frank talk from filmmakers and industry professionals on festivals, plus tips on working with consultants, and using festivals as a launching pad instead of a marketplace.

Moderator: John August, director/screenwriter, The Nines
Mark Ankner, WME
Mike Jones, journalist/screenwriter
Laura Kim, publicist
Ondi Timoner, director, We Live in Public

6:30 pm Sloan Producers Grant Award Announcement and Cocktail Reception


See the 2008 schedule and topics.