***MEDIA ALERT***

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 8, 2013) — Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, announced today the addition of over 20 new panelists including Ryan Coogler (writer/director, Fruitvale Station), Jamie Patricof (producer, The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine and Half Nelson), Dana Harris (Editor-In-Chief, Indiewire), Jacob Kornbluth (director, Inequality for All), Sebastian Dungan (producer, Afternoon Delight, Inequality for All) and Matthew Greenfield (Senior Vice-President of Production, Fox Searchlight). Full list of additional confirmed panelists below.

Additional Panelists Announced

Stephanie Allain, Director, Los Angeles Film Festival; producer, Peeples, Hustle & Flow

Kyle Patrick Alvarez, writer/director, C.O.G.

Eric André, actor/writer/producer The Eric André Show

Robbie Brenner, producer, Dallas Buyers Club, Out of the Furnace

Brendon Chung, Founder, Blendo Games

Ryan Coogler, writer/director, Fruitvale Station

Stuart Cornfeld, Partner, Red Hour Films; executive producer, Burning Love

Sebastian Dungan, producer, Afternoon Delight, Inequality for All

Gregory Ellwood, Co-Founder & Editor-In-Chief, HitFix

Frank Evers, producer, The Queen of Versailles

Lauren Greenfield, producer/director, The Queen of Versailles

Matthew Greenfield, Senior Vice-President of Production, Fox Searchlight

Dana Harris, Editor-In-Chief, Indiewire

John Herzfeld, writer/director/producer, Reach Me

Jacob Kornbluth, director, Inequality for All

Maureen McHugh, author, China Mountain Zhang, Mothers and Other Monsters

Ron Najor, producer, Short Term 12, I Am Not A Hipster

Liz Ogilvie, Director of Market Programs, Fandor

Stacie Passon, writer/director, Concussion

Jamie Patricof, producer, The Place Beyond the Pines, Blue Valentine, Half Nelson

Tom Putnam, director/producer, Burn

Brenna Sanchez, director/producer, Burn

James Swirsky, director/producer, Indie Game: The Movie

Rachel Winter, producer, Dallas Buyers Club

Marina Zenovich, writer/director/producer, Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out

This is the 9^th edition of the Film Independent Forum that will be held at the Directors Guild of America. The three-day event kicks off on Friday, October 25 with a special screening of Dallas Buyers Club directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto. There will be a post screening Q+A featuring producers Robbie Brenner and Rachel Winter moderated by Greg Ellwood (Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief, HitFix)

The Executive Keynote Speaker is Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix and Ava DuVernay, (writer/director, Middle of Nowhere) is the Filmmaker Keynote Speaker. The Forum features nearly 100 different panelists, speaking on a range of topics including Narrative Production and Documentary Case Studies; What’s Behind a Great Marketing Campaign? and Class of 2013 Rising Talent.

The 2013 Film Independent Forum is presented by Indiewire, the leading site for independent filmmakers, the industry and moviegoers alike. Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsors Directors Guild of America, SAGindie, IMDbPro and Principal Sponsors the Montana Film Office and FilmL.A., Inc. Icelandic Glacial Natural Spring Water is the Official Water and Renwood Winery is the Official Wine for the Film Independent Forum.

As always, the Film Independent Forum will close with the Sloan Foundation reception where the Sloan Producers Grant award, which provides $25,000 in development funds, will be awarded to a Producing Lab Fellow developing a narrative film with a scientific, mathematical, and/or technological theme.

Conference passes are $275 for Film Independent members and $325 for non-members. For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum or to purchase a pass, visit FilmIndependent.org/Forum or call 310.432.1222.

Check out Forum highlights from last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-15wBYk-M

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About Film Independent Forum

For the past eight years, the Film Independent Forum has gathered industry insiders, thought provokers and game changers for a not to be missed weekend of panel discussions, seminars and one of a kind networking sessions. It is a weekend like no other — a true field guide to independent producing — and an incredible opportunity for filmmakers at all levels looking to expand their circle of connections.

The 2013 Film Independent Forum takes place October 25-27 at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles, CA. For a full schedule of events, speakers and to register, visit FilmIndependent.org/Forum.

About Film Independent

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.  For more information or to become a member, visit www.FilmIndependent.org.

For More Information, Contact: 

Film Independent
Alia Quart Khan
aqkhan@filmindepdent.org or 310.432.1287