All events are free. Registration is required. Arrive early as seating is on a first come first serve basis.

THURSDAY, JUNE 5

SPECIAL FOCUS – AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT & CROWD FUNDING
Spielberg Theater @ The Egyptian Theater, 2pm-3pm

In the last few years crowd funding has become not only a very interesting and valid financing option for independent filmmakers, but it’s also a unique and powerful way to build the film’s following from the early stages. Join us to discuss what makes a successful campaign and how to engage your audience through different platform. Participants: Joseph Beyer (Digital Initiatives, Director, Sundance Insitute), Missy Laney (ArtistServices, Sundance Institute).

OPEN EVENT

CASE STUDY – MICROBUDGET FILMMAKING
Spielberg Theater @ The Egyptian Theater, 4pm-5pm

Stelana Kliris introduces in this case study her film COMMITTED, that will be presented at the 8th Los Angeles Greek Film Festival. The film is optioned for a Hollywood remake and already has a theatrical release in Cyprus. The workshop involves a start to finish run-through of DIY filmmaking in today’s market and Stelana Kliris discusses with the audience through different platforms.

OPEN EVENT

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Conversation with Award Winning Casting Director, Valorie Massalas
Rigler Auditorium @ The Egyptian Theatre, 10:00am-11:30am

The seminar is an open forum for actors, filmmakers, and those interested in the cinematic arts to discuss the process of casting selection in film and TV with the award-winning Casting Director. In her prolific career as a casting director and producer, Valorie Massalas co-produced and cast the internationally acclaimed GODS AND MONSTERS (1998), nominated for three Oscars, including Ian McKellen for Best Actor, Lynn Redgrave for Best Supporting Actress. Previously, on ‘CHAPLIN’ (1992), Massalas cast Robert Downey, Jr., who also received an Oscar nomination. Massalas won an Artios Award, the Casting Society of America’s highest honor, for the NBC television film ‘Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story’, Starring Glenn Close, who won an EMMY. She was recognized again by the Casting Society when she was nominated for Outstanding Casting for Rob Marshall’s ‘ANNIE’ starring Kathy Bates, Kristin Chenoweth, and Alan Cummings. She also got an EMMY nod for Outstanding Casting for a Movie or Mini-Series in this case. On the occasion of the NBC television anthology series ‘Amazing Stories’, Massalas collaborated with several talented directors, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Clint Eastwood. She gave Kiefer Sutherland his first acting job in Los Angeles in this anthology along with Kevin Costner, and cast Sharon Stone in her first breakout role in Paul Verhoeven’s TOTAL RECALL (1990). In 2005 Massalas started a partnership with Ron Digman: Massalas/Digman Casting. They cast a string of feature films for Screen Gems, including OBSESSED (2009), starring Beyonce & Idris Elba; ABOUT LAST NIGHT (2013), starring Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, and Paula Patton; WEDDING RINGER (2013), starring Kevin Hart & Josh Gad; and in 2011, two season’s of Lifetime’s television drama series ‘The Client List’. Mostly recently for Lifetime, a TV Movie ‘OUTLAW PROPHET’, Starring Tony Goldwyn, Molly Parker, Martin Landau and Joey King (2014). Massalas and Digman are also producing independent features. Their first film is ‘FAMILY WEEKEND’ (2013), Starring Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Modine, Shirley Jones, and Joey King.

OPEN EVENT

INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE “FEATURE FILM DEVELOPMENT”
Spielberg Theater @ The Egyptian Theater, 12pm-2pm

Many organizations that champion independent film worldwide have developed over the years daring and stimulating programs to support and inspire filmmakers in the development stages of their feature film projects. Join us for this roundtable where representatives of institutions such as the San Francisco Film Society, Slamdance, Film Independent and new-born initiatives such as Juntobox Films Incubator, will present their development programs and share their goals in supporting independent filmmakers. Find out from them what would qualify your project to apply for these programs and get a chance to ask them questions directly. Panelists include San Francisco Film Society’s Athena Kalkopoulou, Kelly Thomas (VP of JuntoBox Films’ Incubator Initiative), Slamdance Festival Director Anna Germanidi, and Sundance International Director, Paul Federbush.

OPEN EVENT

INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE “TV SERIES & WEB-SERIES”
Spielberg Theater @ The Egyptian Theater, 2:30pm-4pm

Serial content production models are constantly changing, always ahead in exploring new platforms as well as in proposing to audiences worldwide new exciting content and viewing experiences. Episodic Writing is a very appealing form for young as well as seasoned filmmakers. Join our esteemed panel of industry professionals for a discussion on the latest evolutions in serial production and get their insightful advice on how to get started. TV/Web series with Susanna Fogel (“Chasing Life”)

OPEN EVENT