Hard to believe, but IFP's Independent Film Week conference has rolled around again. Beginning next Saturday, September 19th and going through Thursday the 24th, emerging and seasoned filmmakers, indie producers, programmers, funders and other various and sundry creative folk will come together to take a look-back gander at this past year and a look forward to what the future holds in store for us all in dozens of panels, meetings and networking events. Running concurrently, will be the 31st Annual Project Forum where narrative and nonfiction filmmakers will get to showcase their works-in-progress.
IFP is expanding its strategic relationship with the Sundance Institute, and has formed a new partnership with B-Side. The Good Pitch, produced by Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation, will also stage its unique forum, bringing together makers of social-purpose film projects with a group of participants from various charities, foundations, and government and media entities interested in forming alliances for their causes around feature documentary productions.
It's a pretty key spot to be, especially for US filmmakers, since it's the oldest and largest forum in this country, the best opportunity for filmmakers to connect with industry professionals. It's also the only domestic forum where the focus is on connecting projects still in development with financing and sales opportunities. Saturday and Sunday's focus will be on Making Your First Feature; Monday's theme will be Filmmaking 2.0 (we're evolving!); Tuesday's panels and workshops will explore the Global Marketplace; and Wednesday will uncover The Truth About Nonfiction. For a full list of all 116 projects chosen to participate in the Forum--Emerging Narratives, No Borders International Co-production Market, and Spotlight on Documentaries--visit the IFP site.
I also want to give a mention to two free screenings that will happen on opening weekend co-hosted by the IFP and Rooftop Films. Rooftop just finished up their '09 summer series last night with a wonderful program of nonfiction shorts celebrating the borough of Brooklyn--all under clear skies, a minor miracle. Saturday night, the documentary Burning in the Sun will world-premiere on the pier at Solar One, and on Sunday, they will present the IFP Independent Filmmaker Labs Sneak Preview Showcase at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. For more info on these screenings, visit the Rooftop site.
Once again, I will be reporting on-site throughout the week on the FILMMAKER Magazine blog and then look for my wrap-up piece on the whole shebang in the magazine's next issue.
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