Set to keynote the upcoming Film Independent Forum, which this year returns in a hybrid format beginning on Monday, Oct. 24, at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Theatre, are the writer/director duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, aka Daniels (Everything Everywhere All at Once, Swiss Army Man) and a screening of A24’s The Inspection followed by a Q&A with director Elegance Bratton, Gamechanger’s CEO/producer Effie T. Brown and producer Chester Algernal Gordon. The conference will continue with virtual sessions and panels for global audiences October 25-27.
“We are thrilled to spotlight The Inspection at the Forum. Elegance Bratton’s vision conjures all that Film Independent celebrates: deeply personal, bold and provocative filmmaking,” said Maria Raquel Bozzi, sr. director of education and international initiatives, “This is a full circle moment for us, as the film was supported through our Artist Development programs, and Elegance and the producing team of veteran producer Effie T. Brown and rising talent Chester Algernal Gordon are all Film Independent Fellows, as alums of our Artist Development programs.”
Rachel Bleemer, director of events and programming for Film Independent, said of Daniels, “Much like their ingenious approach to filmmaking, audiences will be in for a keynote experience like no other.” (The Daniels are repped in the commercialmaking/branded content arena by PRETTYBIRD.)
Designed to inspire and empower filmmakers with tools and connections they need to get their projects made and seen, the Forum offers a program comprised of screenings, panels, workshops, one-on-one meetings, a welcome reception and networking opportunities. Conversations and panels at this year’s Forum will delve into the best practices for financing, production and distribution of films and digital content across different platforms, exploring the diverse channels storytellers have today to create and connect with audiences. The mixed format will allow attendees in the L.A. area to reconnect and celebrate in person, while providing easy remote access to serve a global community of filmmakers and film enthusiasts. The Film Independent Forum is sponsored by the Directors Guild of America, SAGindie and Mississippi Film Office.
The kickoff event at the DGA will also feature a welcome happy hour reception, Social Impact Campaign Master Class with Brian Walker of Picture Motion, and Industry Connect meetings throughout the day. Additional speakers for the virtual sessions include Pachinko creator Soo Hugh, Shari Page (Half Initiative), Sarah Calderón (The Film Agency), Diego Najera (Participant), Paula Manzanedo (Film Finances), and filmmakers Miranda Bailey (God’s Country), Elizabeth Lo and Shane Boris (Stray), KD Davila, Carey Williams and John Fischer (Emergency), Linda Yvette Chavez (Gentefied), Billy Luther (Frybread Face and Me), Angel Kristi Williams (Really Love), Aitch Alberto and Valerie Stadler (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe)—many of whom have participated in Film Independent Artist Development programs—with additional panelists to be announced.
The virtual sessions available via the Forum’s platform will include feature film, documentary and episodic case studies, a financing and pitching clinic, producers roundtable, sessions devoted to exploring the global marketplace for independent film, social impact, inclusion and sustainability issues, as well as building a career path in the current landscape, with a panel of esteemed Film Independent Fellows, as Film Independent prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Artist Development programs next year.
CONFIRMED FORUM SPEAKERS
Aitch Alberto, Director, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Miranda Bailey, Producer, God’s Country
Shane Boris, Producer, Stray
Elegance Bratton, Writer/Director, The Inspection
Effie T. Brown, Producer, The Inspection
Miguel Angel Caballero, Writer/Director, Angel in Retrograde
Sarah Calderón, Founder/CEO, The Film Agency
Linda Yvette Chavez, Creator, Gentefied
KD Davila, Writer, Emergency
Stephanie Dawson, Producer
John Fisher, Producer, Emergency
Chester Algernal Gordon, Producer, The Inspection
Soo Hugh, Creator, Pachinko
Ornella Jaramillo, Producer, Angel in Retrograde
Daniel Kwan, Writer/Director, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Elizabeth Lo, Director, Stray
Billy Luther, Writer/Director, Frybread Face and Me
Paula Manzanedo, Film Finances
Joseph Marconi, Writer/Director, Wild Animal
Jhane Myers, Producer, Prey
Diego Najera, Director of Narrative Films, Participant
Shari Page, Program Director, Half Initiative
Myriam Sassine, Producer Costa Brava
Lizzie Shapiro, Producer, Shiva Baby
Daniel Scheinert, Writer/Director, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Valerie Stadler, Producer, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Lysette Urus, Producer, Wild Animal
Brian Walker, CEO, Picture Motion
Angel Kristi Williams, Director, Really Love
Carey Williams, Director, Emergency
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More