The Fi Forum Returns with a Keynote from Hiro Murai, a Screening of ‘Will & Harper’ and More Panels & Networking
Nothing could be more LA than a weekend at the fabulous Forum; the celebrities court-side, the drama(s), and all those players doing it for the love of the game. No we’re not talking about the Winning Time Showtime Lakers, we’re talking the 2024 Film Independent Forum. We’re set for another jampacked year, filled with screenings, panels, workshops, one-on-one meetings and networking receptions. And all of that is jammed into two action packed days. Get your passes right here, right now.
The official schedule can be found here—but we can guarantee another great year of wide-ranging and inclusive conversation about the winning strategies for the art and business of independent film. With panels and networking events like Industry Connect, we’ll help you find the right teammates and creative juices needed to sustain a long-term career in the filmmaking arena.
“This year’s Forum will explore our evolving industry through a wider perspective, where the definitions of fiction and nonfiction, big screen and small screen, and domestic and international are being redefined,” Maria Raquel Bozzi, Film Independent’s Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives, said. “We are thrilled to see such a large number of our international filmmakers converge and mingle with the many local filmmakers we have served through the life of the Forum, bringing to fruition our vision for a true global filmmaking community.”
It all goes down Friday and Saturday, September 27 – 28, 2024. Let’s see what the gameplan is this year:
Keynote by Hiro Murai
What: Always inspiring and informative, Film Independent Forum keynotes have included presentations and conversations with some of Hollywood’s top movers, shakers and creatives. Past speakers include Jordan Peele, Dee Rees, Jason Blum, Ted Sarandos, Ava DuVernay, Joey Soloway and others. Looking for a good place to start? We recommend last year’s passionate conversation with Justin Simien.
Who: Hiro Murai is a director/producer known for his directing work on Atlanta, The Bear, Station Eleven, Mr & Mrs Smith (2024), and a multitude of music videos as well as being a producer on The Choe Show, The Bear, Atlanta, and others. He won a Film Independent Spirit Award and an Emmy for his work on The Bear.
Where: Saturday, September 28 at 11:45 am. Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
Opening Night Screening: ‘Will & Harper’ Screening & Q&A
What: When Will Ferrell finds out his close friend of 30 years is coming out as a trans woman, the two decide to embark on a cross-country road trip to process this new stage of their relationship in an intimate portrait of friendship and transition. Directed by Josh Greenbaum.
Who: Josh Greenbaum directed his narrative feature debut Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar (2021) written by and starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids). His feature documentariesThe Short Game (2013) and Becoming Bond (2017) both won the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival and are distributed by Netfilx and Hulu.
Where: Friday, September 27 at 7:30pm. Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
The New Wave Actors Roundtable
What: The New Wave actors roundtable will showcase a diverse group of talented voices who have broken into the industry and continue to deliver standout performances.
Who: Tati Gabrielle (You, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat), James Ian (The Allnighter, Pugsley), Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs. Lopez, Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie), Richa Moorjani (Fargo, Never Have I Ever), and Lisa Yamada (Little Fires Everywhere, Cruel Summer) will be participating. Moderated by SAGindie Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson, these actors, selected by Film Independent, SAGindie, and Easterseals Disability Services, will discuss how they continue pushing boundaries and fighting for more authentic and inclusive representation onscreen.
Where: Friday, September 27 at 4:45pm. Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
Closing Night Screening: 10-Year Anniversary of ‘The Babadook’ with Q&A
What: The Babadook (2014) screened at Sundance Film Festival in January 2014 to critical and audience acclaim, and has won over 50 international and domestic awards, including the Australian Director’s Guild award for Best Director, the Australian Academy Award (AACTA) for Best Direction, Best Screenplay and Best Film, and the New York Critics Circle Awards for Best First Feature.
Who: Jennifer Kent is an award winning Australian actress and director, known for The Nightingale(2018), The Babadook (2014) and Monster (2005).
Where: Saturday, September 28 at 7:30pm. Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
The Forum kicks off at the DGA on Friday, September 27 with our popular Industry Connect networking sessions beginning at 2:30 pm, followed by an Opening Night reception beginning at 6:00pm.
This year’s Forum will also include exciting panels. Launching at the Forum with the panel ‘Shifting the Narrative on Climate’ is The Climate Entertainment Initiative. This new partnership between Film Independent and Plot Shift Media offers grants and educational opportunities for independent artists seeking to explore a just and equitable climate future – and the pathways to get there – through innovative storytelling.
Confirmed 2024 Fi Forum panelists (with more continuing to be added) and speakers include:
Steven Adams (Founder, Alta Global Media)
Carmiel Banasky (Writer, Undone)
Albert Berger (Producer, Election, Little Miss Sunshine)
Josh Braun (President, Submarine)
Moses Bwayo (Director, Bobi Wine: the People’s President)
Wendy Calhoun (Writer/Producer: Justified, Prodigal Son)
Daniel Cardone (Film Independent)
Milan Chakraborty (Head of Film, Marginal MediaWorks)
Tati Gabrielle (Actor, You, The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat)
Darrien Michele Gipson (Executive Director, SAGindie)
Set Hernandez (Director, Unseen)
Christine Hsu (Agent, CAA)
Maegan Houang (Writer, Shogun The Sympathizer)
James Ian (Actor, The Allnighter, Pugsley)
Chris Kaye (Producer, Thelma)
Jennifer Kent (Writer/Director, The Babadook, The Nightingale)
Jamie Lai (VP, Scripted TV for CJ ENM America and Studio Dragon Global)
Angela Lee (Film Independent)
Mayan Lopez (Actor, Lopez vs. Lopez, Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie)
Josh Margolin (Director, Thelma)
Richa Moorjani (Actor, Fargo, Never Have I Ever)
Hiro Murai (Director, The Bear, Atlanta)
Kate Oliva (Good Energy)
Nina Parikh (Mississippi Film Office)
Jeremy Podeswa (Director, 3 Body Problem, Game of Thrones)
Diane Quon (Producer, Unseen, Minding the Gap)
Amr Salama (Creator, Paranormal)
Myriam Sassine (Producer, Costa Brava Lebanon)
Cathy Schulman (Producer, Crash, The Idea of You)
McKenna Stephens (Maria Farinha Filmes)
Avril Speaks (Producer, African America, Jinn)
Tre Wesley (Video Producer, IMDb)
Zoe Worth (Producer, Thelma)
Lisa Yamada (Actor, Little Fires Everywhere, Cruel Summer)
Ron Yerxa (Producer, Election, Little Miss Sunshine)
The 2024 Film Independent Forum is supported by Premier Partners Directors Guild of America, IMDbPro and SAGindie and Supporting Sponsors Mississippi Film Office and Plot Shift Media. Easterseals Disability Services is the Accessibility Partner. Getty Images is the Official Photographer. eTech Rentals is the Official Technology Rental Provider.
Film Independent promotes unique independent voices by helping filmmakers create and advance new work. To become a Member of Film Independent, just click here. To support us with a donation, click here. Your donation–and impact–will be doubled through our Board Members and Friends Matching Challenge, available through Friday, September 15.
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